League of Light

The City of White

Matron knocked on the door of our room, letting the sixteens know it was time to get up for chores. Reluctantly, I rolled over to wake Rhys, only to realize they weren't there. I was in charge of the fives today, so there wasn't much time to wonder why. We were both almost seventeen, about to age out of the orphanage, so maybe Rhys decided to leave early. I hoped not, we had always planned to leave together. Shaking this from my mind, I walked to the fives room, deciding to look for them in the city later.

As the hours pass, I while the work away daydreaming of what I'll be able to do once I leave the orphanage. I'd leave the city, move somewhere else, go get rich in Irelos, the capital city. The rich had everything easy. Staring out the window, I cleaned the hundredth dirty sheet, getting nearer to done with my chores so I could go look for Rhys. As I looked, I saw, no, I thought I saw a flash of red light whizz past the window. I thought I must be delirious with hunger, so I finished the last sheet and went down to the kitchens to find something to eat. Sitting at the table, talking with Matron, was Rhys. They looked up and saw me, and a hush fell over the two.

"You bastard! Where were you?"

Rhys hit me with their signature lopsided grin.

"I had something to do in the city this morning. I'm sorry to have scared you Lai."

I paused for a moment. Rhys only called me Lai when they were lying. It's always Alainn. I narrowed my eyes, and glanced over at Matron. I'd have to interrogate Rhys later, when Matron wasn't there. 

"Alright fine, I forgive you."

Matron suddenly rose from her seat, shooing us off for chores, and saying lunch would be ready soon.

"What were you really up to this morning?" I hissed at Rhys as soon as we were out of earshot. "You're never up early, especially for chores."

"I'm really not supposed to tell you... but I know how stubborn you are Alainn. I was out all night. That's really all I can tell you for now."

Scrutinizing them, I nodded. If it had been anything bad, Rhys would have told me.

Rhys was my oldest friend at the orphanage. I had been there since my first year, not knowing anything of my past. Rhys showed up when I was about ten. They had told their father who they really were, and was promptly kicked out. The One True God doesn't look kindly on people who are different. I always felt there was more to the story, but Rhys changed the subject so quickly every time I've ever asked, so not wanting to lose my best friend, I let it go. 

We went to bed that night, after a long day of chores. I wondered if Rhys would leave again. Finally, I fell into a fitful sleep. In the early hours of the morning. I was woken with a start by Matron. Rhys was already awake. 

"We need to go now!"

Rhys was whisper-yelling at me, as Matron packed a bag full of clothes and food. 

"It is happening now, you both need to leave!"

Even Matron was pushing us to leave, so ignoring my own questions and misgivings, I got dressed, took the bag from Matron, and went out the window after Rhys. The sky looked like it was on fire as we ran through back alleys, hiding in the shadows. I looked back, only once, at the center of the city, and saw the governor's house in flames, with a large flag hoisted in front of it. As we ran, Rhys finally explained what was happening. 

"Have you ever heard the rumors about the League of Light? They're a small group of rebels trying to free the country from the tyrant King Tywyll. They just killed the Governor, and they're taking over White!"

"Then why are we running?"

"Because we're going with them. I joined a couple months ago, and I knew I couldn't leave you when I left. The king's police will show up here, and it's not safe for either of us when they do! They'll explain everything to you back at base."

More confused than ever, I took one last look at the city I'd known my whole life, and ran into the forest after Rhys. I knew at that moment, nothing would ever be the same.