The King's Remorse

Too Late

Relearn

BROOK

I've known Clap since she was a tiny little baby, and I have been her stepmom since we were trapped in the Green Grass Field. Freedom might've been her biological mom, but I love her as if she were my own; nothing's getting between me and her.

I stand beside Clap, her fur brushing my foreleg. After King Garonda XIV's violent attack on the White Tent Sea, there's been a distinct shift in the atmosphere.

No one says it out loud, but more and more are beginning to try to form startup rebellions. None are very big and all are brutally shut down.

People are waiting for Wolf and Dove's rebellion, the one that will fulfill The King's Remorse prophecy. They wait patiently, but it's clear just how much they're itching to fight back. Whispers are heard everywhere across the White Tent Sea, sending rumors spreading like a wildfire.

Where Wolf is.

What happened to her.

What's happened with Dove.

No one has seen or heard from the two siblings in over a month. I know Ice has gone to find Dove, Ky, and Phoenix, but I have yet to hear back. I can only hope the four are ok and that Ice has successfully found Dove and the brothers.

"Brook?" Clap asks.

"Yes?"

"Wh-what c-c-comes next?"

"Well, I guess it's finishing rebuilding the White Tent Sea. And then it's on to fulfilling The King's Remorse prophecy."

"Huh."

"You are going to be safely hidden away with me when the time comes and the final attack on King Garonda XIV occurs."

"B-but I-I want to help!"

"No, it's not safe. I promised Freedom and Ice that I would keep you safe. I'm not breaking that promise."

"I-I," Clap starts, but I cut her off.

"You can help by staying back with me. The so-called final fight likely won't be for a long time. Let's not get caught up in discussing it."

I lift my head when I hear footsteps approaching. I tense but relax when I see one of the Ragdonians who had quickly stepped up to help rebuild the White Tent Sea.

"Hi, Wyatt. Uh, what's going on?" Just as quickly as I'd relaxed, I tense when I see flashes of fear in his eyes.

"One of the tents collapsed! Come quick!" I nod and follow Wyatt, jerking my head so Clap will come too. I keep pace with him until we reach the fallen tent.

A person is trapped beneath one of the four massive logs used to form the supports for the tents. But this one has collapsed after two of the support logs cracked and broke, bringing down nearly the whole tent. I stand still as a harness is attached to both me and the log pinning the person to the ground.

"Hurry up," I say, ears drawing back. "They're being crushed!"

"Go, go, go!" I throw my weight against the harness, hooves digging into the ground. The soil beneath my hooves shifts and gives. But the log begins to move, ever so slightly at first. I scramble a step forward as soon as I'm able.

"Go, Brook!" Clap cries. A small smile tugs at the corner of my mouth.

Finally, the log rolls of its victim.

"Someone find a doctor!" I shout as Wyatt quickly detaches the harness. When I look behind me, I'm greeted with an unconscious person with a crushed leg. Blood coats most of their body like a second skin.