TERRA: Age Of Terror

~14~

.Athena.

~Acies~

"They are heading to Dictum and we think they are planning an attack." Turner says. "The amount of soldiers they have with them and the equipment they're taking suggests a battle."

"That can't be right." Senna says taking the device from Turner. "The chronicle he took had no information on it about the exact location of the crystals. I have been studying the chronicles from the moment I could read. It only mentions Dictum. So why is Zagan planning an attack?" Senna says showing it to her Fiancé.

Collecting the device from Senna's hands, Sylas reads the demodulated information on the screen. "Zagan's smart. He isn't just going to start a raid unless he knows exactly what he's doing and where he can find what he's looking for. I think Senna's right. Zagan wouldn't just plan an attack."

I look at both Senna and Sylas. This is escalating really quickly. "So you're saying that Zagan might know the exact location of the crystals?"

"Well either that or he definitely has a solid plan in place to find it." Senna says looking worried.

"You guys know what this means." Turner says.

"Uh... not really." Pixel replies shaking her head.

"We have to go to Dictum." Sylas answers. "We have to find out where the crystals are and what LI knows."

My heart halts in my chest as Sylas says this. Taking a step back, I can't fight the feeling that there's something bigger out there. Something we're not seeing.

I look around the room at the faces of my friends; both new and old. I take in Pixel's large and concerned eyes, Sylas and Turner's determined expressions, Simon's expressionless face and my gaze lands on Senna's, a distraught one.

"We can't! I have to go to Fratrum—"

"This is more than us Senna. Fratrum is in a completely different direction. If we go there... we may not make it in time." Sylas says holding her face in his hands.

Senna plops on my bed and sighs. "You're right" She says sadly, her voice lowering to a very soft tone. "I'll go get the tickets since I haven't unpacked."

"I'll come with you." I say quickly as I hear the hint of unshed tears in her voice and walk towards her.

"Wait. So we don't get to stay in the suites?" Pixel says sounding like a child that was told she can't have the ice cream sitting right in front of her.

Pixel's questions make Senna and the rest of us laugh. I give her a grateful smile for lifting the spirits in the room. She doesn't realize my gratitude however; as she walks out the door her face crestfallen, file in hand.

"I guess I should go pack my bags now." She says, leaving the rest of us laughing in her wake. My eyes go to Simon and I watch as his eyes follow her small form, a small smile on his face.

I feel the mischievous smile grow on my face as I think of all the matchmaking possibilities. Simon and Pixel are too cute.

....

I walk alongside Senna and feel the slight breeze blow through my wavy fawn brown hair and my knee length sky blue gown. Taking in the fresh air, I look around me at the stalls lined on both sides of the streets going all the way to the docks.

I stare at the goods being offered from stall to stall. From the fortune tellers, to the warlocks and witches, to the enchantment traders, to the array of precious gems and crystals being sold in the foreign market.