Mystic

Chapter 23, Amira

The next morning, Amira woke up to the sound of footsteps. She bolted upright just in time to see Edir sprinting down the path back the way they had come. He had deserted.

"No..." Amira muttered. Her heart was pounding in her chest. She was afraid.

Afraid that she would fail in her endeavor, afraid that her dreams would come crashing down around her like a house of cards, afraid that she would never fulfill her destiny as the Sun Spirit said. She needed this to work, she needed to reclaim her throne. Failure was not an option.

Amira resolved that she may have lost a few battles, but she would win the war. As the others started to wake from their slumbers, Amira prepared herself for the inevitable. Cairo was the first to rise, stretching out as he stood.

"Agh, my back.... hey, where's Edir?" He said, looking around quizzically.

"Gone." Amira said.

"Gone as in... dead?" Cairo asked.

"Gone as in deserted." Amira answered.

"The coward." Cairo said, glaring out into the forest. Amira felt relieved that if nothing else, she at least had Cairo's loyalty. She had to prepare to face the others with the news of Edir's flight from camp.

"Don't be too harsh. What we are doing is dangerous, and not everyone is up for the task. I just need to know if I can count on those who are left." Amira replied sadly.

"You can count on me through hell and high waters. I guarantee it." Cairo answered sincerely.

"I admire your loyalty."

"Things are happening so fast. I hope we are ready by the time we reach the palace." Cairo stood up and brushed himself off, then went to wake the others. Amira sat up and looked around at the forest around her. As the had traveled through the highlands, Amira had grown more accustomed to the terrain, but she still longed for the familiar rolling dunes of Javan. However, she would only get one chance to win back her home. She had to win, it was her only hope. She wanted desperately to see her family again, to roam the halls of her palace. Most of all, she wanted to finish what the had briefly started; to make a lasting mark on Javan. She wanted to bring change like the world had never seen.
As the others rose, Amira walked herself to the center of the camp and prepared to address the group. Once the last few people got up, Amira started.
"Everyone, I bear important news for all of you." Amira began, looking around the shabby camp and gaining the attention of her followers. "Last night, One of our numbers left us forever; Edir has deserted." Murmurs made their way from person to person, transferred in dark, foreboding whispers. "I will not lie to you; this journey will be difficult, and chances are none of us will make it back alive. I could not make the stakes any clearer. Now is your chance to make your final choice. If fear lies in your heart, and treason runs through your mind, then leave. You are not wanted here." No one moved. Good. "I need to know I can trust each and every one of you. Otherwise, we stand no chance at the palace doors. Each of you must swear to me on your life that you will remain loyal, for that is what is at stake." Amira waited for someone to step forward. It took a few awkward seconds, but Cairo finally stepped forwards.
"I swear on my life that I will remain loyal and serve the true queen of Javan, Amira." He said with a bow. One by one everyone bowed, and when it was done, Amira started to address the better news.
"Now, I have decided to hold a vote. We need to start training for the battle to come, and it has to happen sometime. Last night, my order to train during midday was met with... verbal opposition. So, we shall vote on the time that best fits. Who votes to train first thing in the morning?" Two people raised their hands. "Midday?" Amira asked, and three people raised their hands. "Evening?" Five people raised their hands, deciding the winner.
"Before we make camp each night we shall train for three hours." Amira declared. There were grumbles from the losers, but everyone seemed happy to have a say in the matter. Amira made note of this and tried to remember it for next time a decision was to be made.

o--0--o

Amira trudged slowly down the path as the sun started to sink down lower in the sky. Everyone was exhausted, but they had to keep going. The trees had slowly thinned over time, and the canopy was sparse enough to allow the agonizing rays of sunlight through to the forest floor. Amira was at the back of the pack, struggling to keep up with the others. She had thought that she would have had an advantage after her long journey to the Highlands with Matthew, but she was wrong. the others were far more fit than she was, and it was obvious that Amira was the one who was behind. As they walked, the path became more worn and desolate. roots overgrew the path, occasionally tripping Amira. She could hear the faint sound of rushing water somewhere down the path, but thought nothing of it. She was too tired, hungry and sore to care about anything other than her next meal. She was tempted to take an extra ration, but she remembered how Matthew had carefully controlled the amounts, and thought against it. She didn't know when they would be able to replenish their supply, so it was better to conserve what they had then go hungry later. 

Zanyth flew overhead, circling the clouds in a way that sent chills down Amira's spine. The dragon gave her an uneasy feeling that she had never felt before. Unlike Orion, Zanyth felt more like a monster than a companion, and sometimes even felt inanimate, like a statue. So cold and lifeless, without a single thought circling it's head. However, Amira could never know. She was not inside the head of the dragon and could not see it's desires. Over time, Amira could see why Matthew had reacted so dramatically to the beast; every action it took seemed aggressive, while at the same time feeling robotic. If the beast had a soul, Amira could not tell. To her, Zanyth only felt like an empty shell.