Allies of Plaxas

Chapter the Seventeenth: Ruby

I can't believe I'm doing this.

Greya put me up to it. She was....disappointed isn't a strong enough word for her reaction when I told her that I hadn't managed to create a peace treaty with the humans and the elves. She claims she needs one and I understand. I just didn't have enough time.

We spent all night planning and into the morning. I hope that Opal doesn't think that the elf ate me or something because then she'd probably come running up here with the rest of the school and things could get messy. But she hasn't come yet and the message is about to play.

My palms are sweaty as I go over the speech that I practiced so many times already this morning. I know that Greya will be standing behind the cameras holding cards with what I need to say written on them, but I need to be prepared.

"Here, tie up your hair," Greya hands me a hair tie as she preps the camera's. "You look more sophisticated with it up. More like an adult,"

I nod a thanks but I don't say a word as I tie it. My hands are shaking.

"Ready?" asks Greya. I nod, even though I don't think I am. And then she starts the cameras.

"Attention, school of Plaxas!" I cry. I know that the holographic images will be cropping up all over the school right now and people will probably be stopping to stare. I gulp at the thought of a million faces, all watching me.

"My name is Ruby Organda. Some of you might know me. I'm a year one student at the school you are all currently presiding in and I have some important information.

"I'm sure you all have noticed the little fight that's going on between the elves, our oldest enemy and us. But, there's been a misunderstanding. The elves are undergoing something much worse that you or I could have even imagined. They are currently in a war right now so huge that our little skirmish over here is like a paper cut compared to a murdered man or woman. People--creatures that look like humans but are much stronger than any of us here--have come across our waters to the elfish shore. They are currently demolishing the elves and will soon move inland to find us. And why would I believe an elf who might have told me this? Because I believe myself. I only know about these things because I dreamed about themselves. And I know these weren't dreams. They were real life--they were what was happening at that time. Look. I'll show you,"

This next part was the hard part: getting my dream to hook up with the camera so that we can show people it. But now with a wave of my hand the holographic screens show my dream from my point of view. Once the dream finishes playing the camera instantly switches back to me and I begin talking again.

"The elves need our help. They have come here to ask us for it. But we have been refusing and they haven't even asked! Please reconsider. It's for your own good and we have much stronger fighters than the elves do," I bow at the screen. "Thank you," Then Greya turns the camera off.

"Well...." I look at her, wiping my face with my hand. "I'm glad we got that over with!"

Greya crosses the room and hugs me. I stiffen. I don't think of elves to be a very....huggy type of folk, and I certainly am not.

"Thank you," she says, releasing me. "You didn't have to do that. In fact, you were--are--risking your whole reputation by doing this. But you have helped me so very much. And I am so thankful for you,"

I nod. "Greya, I'm glad to help. I was the one to have gotten that dream, wasn't I? And....I feel better, more at home with the elves,"

"Well, you still helped me so much. I will be forever in your debt,"

I nod and look off to the side. "We still don't know if it will work...."

Suddenly, I hear someone's voice, calling my name. "Ruby! Ruby!"

"Oh! I have to go. I....bye!" and I race off to find my sister.