The Orb And The Onslaught {COMPLETE}

stnemecalpeR piH

    It took some time but she finally got through it and when she finished, Skyrah was silent, her expression unreadable. There was no way of knowing what she thought, whether she believed Florence or thought it was some tall tale to throw her off going with them. Florence didn't say another word, she wanted this to be Skyrah's choice, now that she had all of the facts she may decide staying with Florence wasn't her best option. But no matter what she picked, Florence would honour it. 

    After ten minutes in silence, Skyrah finally spoke. "I want to come with you... I think... I might be able to help." 

Florence's brow creased, "Can you tell me how?" 

Skyrah shook her head, "No, not yet... but I need to come with you." 

    Florence rubbed her forehead, she didn't like the mysterious turns this was taking. She glanced to the cats and they purred in a way that she knew was supposed to be reassuring- surprisingly it actually helped. 

"Alright, you can come with us but we need to get you some clothes that fit and some supplies of your own, you need feeding up." 

    Skyrah's eyes widened slightly and Florence thought she saw the hint of a smile playing on her lips. It was gone before she could be sure and Skyrah leaned over and pressed her forehead against Florence's. 

"Thank you, Florence." Skyrah spoke quietly and the sincerity in her voice hit Florence like a ton of bricks. 

     "You're welcome-" 

Their sweet moment was cut short when Cyan came stomping over. She looked furious and Florence heard muffled shouts go up from the crowds behind. 

"What's wrong?" Florence rushed to meet Cyan and Skyrah and the cats followed. 

    "That bastard, Jastiah. 'e's escaped, someone cut 'im loose and 'e's gone... I've sent riders out after 'im, but I can't believe they'd 'elp 'im like that." 

"Do you know who it was?" 

Cyan nodded and pointed back towards the carriages, "Yeah, one of the prisoners we thought was out of it. She was pretending and she cut 'im loose with a sword some fool left lyin' around. 'e took that with 'im and left 'er behind." 

     They walked back to the carriages and stopped in front of a group of rebels, they sounded angry and a few even called for the woman to be punished. Cyan held a hand up for silence and moved through the crowds to show Florence a middle aged woman sitting in the centre. She was staring off into the distance, in what Florence assumed was the direction Jastiah had gone in. There was a look of longing on her face, she must have thought Jastiah would save her and take her with him. 

     Florence was appalled but she'd heard stories of people being held captive and ending up idolising their captors. 

"She probably felt sorry for him, she held some kind of connection to him and the life she'd had so she felt like she had to free him." 

Cyan shook her head, "Stupid woman, well we can't 'ave 'er with us now, I told a few of the others t'take 'er somewhere safe and leave 'er there. It's the only way." 

     Florence nodded and Cyan sighed loudly, but before she could say whatever she was about to, Skyrah stepped forward and kneeled down in front of the woman. Everyone watched to see what she was about to do. Skyrah ignored all of them and leaned closer to the woman, whispering something in her ear. The woman's eyes widened and she recoiled away from Skyrah, scrambling back until she was pressed against the legs of gathered rebels.  

     Everyone turned to stare at Skyrah, who stood up and moved to stand beside Florence again. Her expression was passive and didn't give any indication of what she'd said. The woman however, began mumbling incoherently and Cyan waved an arm towards her.