Okdes

On 6/1/2019 at 6:50 PM, Zath said:

“…to the Streatse airfield and board the airship you’ll find there,” said the officious voice on Luna’s scroll.  “Everything has been arranged.”

“With all due respect, sir, the situation in Streatse is something that should not be ignored,” Luna argued.  “I believe I will be most useful here, given my firsthand experience with recent events.”

“Huntress Lucis,” came the patient yet uncompromising reply, “I know it’s short notice, but this is an order from General Ironwood himself.  The borders to Atlas will be closing any day now, and you are one of the few Huntsmen and Huntresses in a position to leave the kingdom quickly and quietly.  We must have capable operatives in the field in the other kingdoms to investigate Cinder and her group, operatives we can call upon when the need arises, and the window of opportunity is closing.”

“I understand,” Luna said.

“Then you understand that you need to be on that airship ASAP.  Besides, there are others in Streatse who can handle the situation there.  You’ve met them already.  Let them take care of things. ”

“Do you mean Faune and Sage?”

“If two such people existed, yes.  But to be clear, there are no Atlesian operatives with those names.  Any hypothetical interaction with these two nonentities never happened.  Am I understood?” 

“Yes sir.”

“Good.  In any case, you are needed elsewhere.  Get moving.”

“Yes sir,” Luna said again, and the call ended.  She tucked her scroll away and allowed herself a short sigh of irritation.

It was frustrating, having to leave when there was so much in Streatse that still needed to be dealt with.  But Luna was a Huntress of the Atlas Military.  She served the greater good, and right now that meant dropping everything and getting to that airship.

Luna retrieved the pack of gear and supplies that she kept in her closet for occasions like this one, throwing it over her shoulders and exiting her room.  From the sound of it, most of the others were in the front room, so she went there. 

Ash and Helio were chatting softly in the hallway.  They looked up when Luna passed them, and Luna beckoned for them to follow her to the front room.  With a quick glance at each other, they obliged. 

Entering the front room, Luna looked over the people gathered there.  Ash and Helio.  Corcair, Cobalt, and Safire, talking.  Lucas.  Willow.  Beram, just coming in.  Faune and Sage, in the kitchen just beyond.  Could this group really handle Boreas and Aurum without making a mess of things?  Luna had serious doubts.  But there was no other option at this point.  They’d have to do it without her.

“Something’s come up,” Luna announced to the group without preamble.  “I have to leave Streatse immediately, so I won’t be going to the meeting with Boreas.”

Ash spoke up.  “Wait, where are you going?  Why?”

“I’m going to be investigating suspicious activity in other kingdoms that may be linked to Cinder or others responsible for the Fall of Beacon.  I’m not authorized to give you more details than that.”

Ash furrowed her brows, clearly debating with herself about something.  “I’m coming with you,” she said after a few seconds.  “I mean, can I come with you?  Please?  I can help.  I know I can.  Let me help you with this.”

Luna studied Ash for a moment, then nodded.  “Very well.  Grab your gear quickly.  Leave anything that isn’t essential.  We leave in two minutes.”  Luna hoped she wasn't making a mistake.

“Thank you!” Ash said with an eager salute.  “I won’t let you down!” 

But instead of going to pack her things, Ash turned to Helio, laying a hand on his arm.  “Helo, before you say anything, please listen,” Ash said to him quickly and quietly.  “I— I want to do this without you.  Wait, Dusts, that came out wrong, sorry!  I don’t want to do this without you.  I mean, I feel like I need to do this without you, to prove that I can.  You’re my best friend, and you’ve helped me so much, carried me through some of the hardest times of my life.  And I’m so grateful.  But that’s why I need to do this without you.  I can’t keep letting you carry me.  I have to be able to stand on my own.  I need to prove to myself that I can be strong without you.  Does that make sense?”  Ash bit her lip.  “Please tell me you understand.”

While Ash spoke to Helio, Luna turned to Faune.  “Faune, I’m leaving things to you,” she said.  “I’ve already briefed you on the upcoming meeting with Boreas and the preparations we’ve made, as well as everything we currently know about Aurum.  I can’t say I trust you personally, but your connections to the Atlas Military speak highly of your capabilities.”  Luna nodded to her, then looked around at everyone again. 

She felt like she should say something more.  Caelus would have known what to say.  Luna didn’t.  Maybe “good luck”?  No, that was a stupid phrase.  Luck was just superstition, an excuse used by people who lost a fight to someone who was better trained, better prepared, and more adaptable than they were.

Then Safire wished her good luck anyway and they left.