Head in the Clouds

Chapter 24: Children?

Deidre always thought the worst thing she could wake to is the news her father suddenly passed. She cautioned herself often that there are worse things that could happen to her, and deciding that the world splitting open would be a viable contest. 

However, when she woke to the grumbling of the earth and a loud banging on the door, her worry went in a different direction. 

"They've come for me," she thought pulling herself out of bed, "They found us out, and they're coming for me." 

Still, she didn't run. She climbed out of bed and over to the door. She considered what she'd say. 

"I was trying to fix it," she considered in the living room, "but I didn't know what to do."

She sucked in a breath as she opened the front door. There stood Paul, his lips were tugged back into an odd smile that eased Deidre's fear just a bit. The ground grumbled beneath them and Paul seemed to be giddier than ever. 

"Sab, we got to go!" He urged eagerly.

"Why?" She asked picking her leather jacket up off her couch. The ground rumbled again.

"We need to go to the armory," he urged. They jogged back to his horse, but he paused when Deidre followed behind him, "Where's Nadja?"

"She's sick," Deidre claimed. She technically wasn't wrong. Nadja might be sick. She still couldn't understand the bumps protruding from Nadja's sides- seemed sick to her. 

Paul paused as though to ask how she was still sick, but shook it off and climbed aboard his white and brown steed. She climbed on behind him and the pair down the shaky path.

"What's going on Paul?" She screamed as they were off, confusion evident in her voice.

Paul kept his eyes on the path, "We're going to this shitty town outside the city," he said, "There's something... weird going on there!"

"What's weird?" She called as they entered the city.

Paul's smile widened, "You'll have to see it for yourself."

She held on as they rushed to the palace. The streets were filled with panicked individuals getting calmed by guards. Each cried out in shock, but Deidre just looked to see if her parents were a part of the crowd. 

The palace training grounds were filled with mediocre fighters fumbling to put on their armor. Paul led Deidre into the palace itself. He took her upstairs and found the planning room she'd been in when they first arrived back in Jericho. 

King Archibald sat at the head of the circular table, and Prince Carter sat beside him. Clyde was on the other side of his father, then there was Andrew, then Henry. Paul sat beside Henry with electric eyes. Deidre sat in the empty chair beside Paul. The other four spots were filled with elder fighters who scoffed at Deidre's presence.

The one with the long, white beard was Sir Alfred. He was known for killing a great black bear after it attacked his wife. Sir Cecil, the one with the brown beard, was one of the oldest fighters but didn't have such a noble story. Sir Charles and Sir Matthew were overrated in Deidre's eyes, only ever known for following Sir Cecil around.

The king looked sullen as he rested his chin on his clasped hands. His eyes landed on each of the fighters before him. 

"This is not a happy day," warned the king, his eyes lingering on his nephew. Paul's smile only faltered a little. The king got to his feet and looked out the large window behind him, "The guards are gathering the townsfolk, and we'll be making accommodations for them, but those of us in this room have bigger problems."