Rise

Nari

I wake up earlier than the rest. The sun casting an orange hue on the sky. Quietly, I grab the uniform that is laid out on the dresser and slip into it. It fit perfectly on my slender form, the rise insignia dull on my chest. It is easy to sneak out of the rooms. I've done it at home more times than I can count, slipping past my guards and hiding from any servants wandering the halls. The huge glass windows and the rising sun silhouetted me, making me a shadow against the cool glass, hiding most of my features from the rise soldiers. I've done this so many times that it didn't take long to find Malakye's room, the white shield, angel wings protruding from its sides am easily recognizable on the dingy door. I knock four times before entering, announcing my presence.

"Nari, good morning." Kai Nelle is the first to great me, next is a careless nod from Malakye whose head is buried deep in papers.

"Kai, Malakye. I see everything is going according to plan. You will be talking to Alana and Kira today am I correct. " another nod from Malakye.

"We believe that the Curae girl will easily give up information, but Alana will be a bit harder to persuade. " I don't know what Kai meant by persuading. I don't think I am allowed to know, and I really don't want to. I shiver slightly at the think but shake it off quickly, walking behind Malakye, sitting snugly in his chair.

"a letter from house Idris?" my eyes scan the letter, something about herbs and donations. I grab a folder from the desk 'Vita Tellus' written in bold lettering is printed in the middle of the creme colored cover.

"House Vinia, nothing you need to worry about kid." Malakye's tone is condescending and a bit cold, almost shrugging me off like a fly.

"has your mother sent us the donations yet? We need some extra money to pay off Silva for their contributions" Malakye folds the small piece of paper, tucking it into one of his many drawers

"I hear Jasper and Ruby made it safely back from the Zephyris raid. Any casualties?"I ignore Malakye and turn to Kai. He shrugs, shoving his hands deep into his pocks. The uniform fits him sug, making him shift uncomfortably.

"no casualties, few wounded, mostly by bullets. House Anes didn't have enough time to take action. "

"good, I try to keep them as busy as possible." Malakye chuckles bitterly

"and yet your father place a strict curfew on the entire country, the penalty being death."

"that is because we couldn't just stand there and let it happen, everyone would know something is up" a soft knock rap at the door, Kai answers it, their soft whispers drowned out by our voices.

"it is a danger, either way, Nari. It takes hours to get our people officially out of your country, hours we didn't have. Many of our spies now useless because of your father. You tell him I said that. "

"I will make sure to inform him." I spit out, fist clenching gently at my sides.

"but I would also like to inform you that we join this rebellion willingly, for the sake of our home and everyone else's. We want to be equal, not to be bossed around. " to my surprise, Malakye laughs at my outburst.

"We are fully aware your joining is voluntary, but honestly it doesn't matter." the response lands hard.

"it doesn't matter? The millions of resources we have given you don't matter? The millions of soldiers, spies, and bits of information we have given you don't matter? Without my country, your revolution wouldn't have been able to happen. Without my constant pushing for support, my parents would never have approved of helping. None of it would have happened without my country, my family, or me. " Malakye holds my gaze, never wavering.