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Chapter 20: Prepare for War

Third to last chapter! Yay, I will make it! I have to make it! I am so close. Thank you for everyone who has supported me in the watty's so far! And the picture on the side is of Katarina's eyes at first. ENJOY!

                                                                                                               ~Rose

Chapter 20: Prepare For War

When we reached the gypsy camp in the Red Wood I had lost all my sense of purpose. My mind was blank, at loss of what had so often been spoke of but never seemed it would become my future, but here and now it was going to happen and there was no way to escape its wrath. I wanted to rewind time, go back to it being Mama, Papa and Violet and I. I wanted nothing more than to go home. People stared at us as we entered the gypsy camp. I felt nervous and uncomfortable under their blatant scrutiny. I weaved my fingers into Lady’s mane, clutching tightly to the coarse hair.  

“They look at me differently.” I whispered to Elijah. “They never looked at me this way before.”

“Ariya, did you ever consider you might actually look different?” He responded his voice cold, he was still mad at my outburst.

Instead of seeking out my friends I dismounted Lady and tied her to a low hanging branch. Sitting down I leaned against a nearby tree my head falling into my hands. For once I wanted to be comforted. I wanted to be coddled, to be saved.

“Ariya?” A masculine voice asked. Glancing up o met the crystalline blue eyes of Jonah. Biting my lip I tried to keep from crying. “Hey no crying now.” All was lost after that, tears flooded down my cheeks.  Jonah darted off leaving me to my tears.Footsteps grew louder; I didn’t want to show anyone my tears. I felt foolish for my tears.

“Ariya. We are here for you.” Katarina spoke sitting down next to me, Jonah on the other side. Both of them took one of my hands, sitting with me in silence allowing me to confront my tears with the support of my friends but the silence of my own mind.

“Thank you” I whispered, letting go of their hands I dried my eyes. Pushing myself to my feet I dusted the dirt from my pants.

“Are you alright now?” Katarina asked wiping away my remaining tears.

“For now.” I laughed. “Let’s eat, I'm famished.”

We met back up with Elijah and Rowan and Katarina and her father’s tent. A cauldron of stew was bubbling above the fire. Its fragrant smell riled my stomach to growl; I gave everyone a sheepish smile.

“Ariya!” Morroe clapped entering the tent. His face was red; his beard was scruffy and unkempt. He looked to have aged since the last time I saw him. What had it honestly been since I had seen the gypsies last? Nearly a year, training with Elijah time had seemed irrelevant but here it had seemed to take its toll upon the people who swore to help me.

“Morroe!” I smiled hugging his stout frame.

“It’s been too long my dear.” Morroe said holding me out at arm’s length. “Your beauty grows every day.” I blushed under his complement.

“Thank you, I trust you are well?”

“I’ve been better.”

“How so?”

“We’ve been in hit and miss battles with the King’s men.”

“Battles?” Already?”

“Ariya you have been away far too long. Battles have ravaged the kingdom. People are revolting in the name of the dragons. I am afraid to bring this up soon after your arrival. But we do need to discuss the plans of siege upon the castle.” I lowered my head in shame, I had been training but for so long I could have returned sooner if I had trained harder.