The Fall of the Star

Chapter Fourteen

Xavier led the kids to victory as they all cheered at the destroyed city in flames. Finally, they left taking prisoners and set up camp nearby. As Xavier pitched his tent and went inside to look at his maps to see what his next mission was, he felt a familiar presence behind him. He acted casual and then turned around. "Hello son." Firion smiled making Xavier jump.

"Oh hi, Father," Xavier bowed a little. Firion patted Xavier's shoulder proudly as he went by the tent entrance and opened the flap gazing at the smoldering city with a disgusting smug on his face. "I see you have been faithful to your duties."

"Yes, sir." Xavier nodded, not giving him eye contact. "Where is she?" Firion abruptly asked. He sounded a bit off and Xavier raised his eyebrows, "Who?"

"The princess." Firion sighed rubbing his head. "The princess?" Xavier asked clueless. "Riley." Firion said impatiently. "You mean-?" Xavier's mouth fell open, "the star? She's the star?! But what is she doing with us?"

"You didn't answer my question." Firion said testily, "where is she?" Xavier shrugged, "She ran off during the attack, she usually does that. Why?"

Firion's jaw tightened, "What was she doing? Didn't you have your spies watch her movements?"

"No," Xavier said confused, "She's not a threat to us, is she?" "Call her to me!" Firion growled. Xavier bowed again and called one of his men, "Go find the girl named Riley and bring her here." The official nodded as he left the tent.

Riley was barely reaching camp as she looked at the burnt down city with guilt and shame in her eyes. How could she let this terrible massacre happen? "You-you there!" She heard a voice say. Riley looked up as a man grabbed her arm. "The captain Xavier wants to see you." He answered her questioning look in her eyes. She nodded as the official brought her to Xavier's tent. Her heart skipped a beat as when he raised the flap she saw Firion with Xavier.

Uh oh, She thought swallowing, What did I do??? She dreaded even being in the same tent as Firion. "Hello, Riley." His creepy voice sent chills down her spine. She didn't return the same greeting, she just avoided eye contact with him and swallowed her throat feeling dry. "I heard you fled the burning of the city..." Firion continued casually but kept on staring at her with with the same hard look. Silence.

He came closer to her and her heart pumped faster. "Where were you?!" tension was evident in his voice as he grabbed her arm. "N-n-nowhere." Riley stammered trying to get out of his firm grasp but it was impossible. It was like fighting a pole. His eyes bored into her and he saw faint images in her memory of Maddie. "Nowhere?" He mocked her, "You're lying. You traitor. You were with Maddie, weren't you?"

Her eyes grew and she felt as if her heart would pump out of her chest, "It's not my fault! She came up to me first!" Firion shook his head, "So you lied to me... What other secrets are you keeping from me?" Riley felt a streak of rebellion as she glared up at him, "Why does it matter to you? Maddie isn't a threat to you is she? You're not afraid of her? Or are you?"

Firion smacked her across the face and was about to hit her again but Xavier jumped in the way and blocked Riley, "I think that's enough, sir." Firion glared at Xavier as he let go of Riley who fell to the ground. Her face was red as tears of shame ran down her cheeks. Firion then turned away as he paced in the tent. When Firion turned away, Xavier helped up Riley who hid her face away from him.

"You don't understand now but one day you will." Firion finally said, "I care for your being. Maddie and the rest of her disgusting crew are bad influences and will poison your mind. We need you, Riley." He went up to her and put a hand on her shoulder, "You are an important asset to our cause against Ares." Riley just nodded so he wouldn't get angry at her again. After some more silence, Firion finally dismissed her and she rushed out of the tent.