The Light We Share

Chaper 9

     "According to my friends' ideas, there are three things we could do," Nightowl began. "We could, like the Soldier recommended, attack the Dragons, train, gather supplies, so on and so forth—"

    "—But do you know what happened the last time we tried that?" The Captain interjected, slamming his fists on the table, shooting up from his seat.

    Nightowl winced as he raised his voice and slammed his hands on the stone.

    "Captain, please, let her finish," the Wasteland Elder said calmly, holding up his massive hand to him.

    The Captain sat down silently.

    Nightowl cleared her throat and continued. "The next idea was set up barriers so that it would be more difficult for the Dark Dragons to get through,"

    "Like those helped before," the Frightened Refugee muttered, looking at her hands in her lap.

    Ignoring the comment, Nightowl finished. "And lastly, there was the interesting suggestion to use butterflies to confuse and bend the will of the leader Dragon to our will to make them leave,"

    "We'd have to do a bit more reconnaissance for that, I'm afraid," the Lookout Scout sighed tiredly.

    "It's what I've uncovered in the past twelve hours to aid us," Nightowl said simply. "I've done my best,"

    "There's not much to work with," the Stealthy Survivor said, processing the information. "Will you bring us more?"

    "I'll do my best,"

    "I still say we attack head-on!" The Courageous Soldier said determinedly, leaning forward as he braced his hands on the table.

    "The barriers could give us more time to work out a better solution, I'm sure," the Fainting Warrior assured, crossing his arms over his chest.

    "Oh, the barriers, huh?" The Soldier sneered. "What are they gonna do, exactly? Scare them off?"

    "Watch your tone, Soldier," the Captain warned, leaning forward a little.

    "Last time I checked, you weren't in charge of me,"

    "Last time I checked, I was. You haven't been dismissed from your rank,"

    "I'm pretty sure dying does,"

    "Umm, shouldn't we focus on the plans?" The Refugee said timidly.

    "I agree," the Scout said, nodding.

    "What about the butterfly idea?" The Survivor suggested.

    "It's stupid," the Soldier said flatly. "We need to—"

    "—Calm down, I agree," the Warrior said, annoyance in his voice.

    "I'm sorry, is my stress not a valid emotion for our ever-growing problem right outside these doors?" The Soldier gestured towards the entrance of the temple, not breaking eye-contact with the Warrior.

    "You're supposed to be courageous not a pain!" The Survivor suddenly snapped, rising from her chair. "And you're being a real pain at the moment!"

    "It's not my fault we're working with so little!" The Courageous Soldier huffed. He looked to Nightowl who was practically shrinking in her chair. "It's hers,"

    "I didn't ask who's fault it was about the information," the Survivor argued. "I don't think now's the time to be looking the Gift Manta in the mouth!"