The Orb And The Onslaught {COMPLETE}

Time Will Tell

     Once they'd found the stairs leading down into the main room, Florence was inundated with questions about her statement. The ruder members questioning her sanity or her being there at all. Florence purposely stood in the middle of the ring of tables and stroked Nathan's chin while they ranted. She smiled in greeting to Agnes, Cyan, Hunter and Scarlet; nodding her greeting to Reuben and his fellow Director Gabrielle, who she only knew in passing.

     The fact that she was so silent and calm seemed to quiet the questions and stupid remarks. She waited another moment and cleared her throat.

"Some of you know me, some of you don't... Some of you have probably heard a bit about my... exploits, around Esothiea. But none of that matters, what matters is that I have been... for lack of a better word 'Chosen' to find the way to get rid of the Onslaught."

    She glanced to Quentin, Skyrah and the cats who had all stayed in the shadows. "Agnes, who is a good friend of mine by the way, has been right on every count. If you were smarter, you'd already be asking to leave and prepare your homes. It's only going to get worse the longer this goes on."

"You're an old woman, why would you be chosen to save the world? Personally, I think you've lost your mind," the man in the black tunic called out.

     Cyan lunged for him, Hunter grabbed her before she made contact. The man jumped out of his seat like a frightened bird.

"Talk to 'er like that again an' I'll rip yer 'ead off, got it?"

The man nodded but didn't go back to his seat, watching Cyan like she was a Tikal ready to strike.

     "I am an old woman, yes," Florence smiled fondly at Cyan, then turned to face the rest. "I was Chosen for reasons I won't go into right now because we don't have time. The point is, I'm doing it, with the very best assistance. And what I need you all to do is keep every one else as safe as you possibly can."

"If you're the one who is meant to be fixing this, why aren't you out there doing so?" Governor Matthew asked in a disbelieving tone.

    He didn't seem to be taking any of it in, his expression and body language suggested he only came in the first place due to curiosity- and wanting to seem powerful and important.

"Because we came here to make sure our friends weren't in danger, which is something that happens a lot thesr days."

    Quentin was striding through the room now, a look of disgust and hatred on his face. He turned on Governor Matthew the moment he was standing beside Florence.

"We wanted to take care of people who may or may not have been in trouble, it's good to be caring. But you wouldn't know anything about that, would you, Matthew?"

     The Governor looked outraged and whispers rippled through those closest to him. A woman to his right leaned over and whispered something in his ear, comprehension dawned on his face and he leaned forward.

"Ah, the Harrington boy, the one who disowned and dishonored his family. How dare you speak to me in such a manner! I am still your Governor, you will address me as such."

     Quentin's face was cold and full of hate.

"First of all, I am no boy now. I will talk to you however I like, you're not even fit to be in power. You treat your people like garbage, the rich get richer and the poor are left to die. You should all be ashamed of yourselves!"

     He gestured at the groups representing the other three Regions of Othon, making it very clear he didn't include Pondley in his statement.

"Well, the Onslaught won't care about your money, your riches or your fancy clothes. It feasts on the darkness inside and I have a feeling many of you will be a banquet, waiting to be devoured. If you're anything like Matthew here, you've done unspeakable things and you'll pay for it now. I'd go home and look after your families as best you can, because it is coming and it won't be pretty when it gets to you."