They agreed to leave within the week, after they could gather enough supplies and obtain a few horses. Abigail wanted to ensure Trey's safety and wellness through the process - both she and Phoenix agreed he'd been through enough.

At half past seven, Mygel knocked on the doors of Maverick's rooms where they were all together to escort them down to dinner.

"Everyone is so excited to meet you," she said, tossing a smile over her shoulder at them. "Two Guardians, four powerful gifts, and the heir to the Braskian throne itself." She let out a contented sigh. "Things are finally looking up."

She led them into an enormous banquet hall filled with long tables and benches. A dull roar of chatter bounced around the room, its occupants already engaging in their meals. Phoenix scanned the room, her senses heightened by the sheer amount of people.

Most of them wore blue, the Militia's militant uniform, and sat with others dressed similarly to themselves. Pops of color broke up the navy sea - oranges, reds, yellows, greens - colors that Mygel quickly educated them on.

"If you aren't part of the fighting forces, you contribute in other ways," she said as she walked them down the middle of the room. "Cooks, cleaners, smiths - they're the ones that look like Autumn leaves over there."

"And the ones in green?" Phoenix asked. There seemed to be very few of them, and none of them wore exactly the same shade. In fact, only the green shall they all wore around either their waists or shoulders denoted any similarities.  In the sea of nearly a thousand souls, less than a dozen had them.

Mygel's voice dropped to a hushed whisper. "Those are the Guardians. Like you."

Brows arching, Phoenix studied them with more interest, spotting Quilla at the far end of the room. Her sash - which she hadn't had earlier that day - was wrapped around her closely cut curls like a sort of turban.  She caught Phoenix's eye and turned, saying something to the man dressed in red next to her. He positively jumped, moving to speak to his own neighbor.

Within minutes the room had grown quiet, all eyes falling on them. People whispered to each other as they passed. Most watched Maverick and Roman in open awe - no doubt trying to discern which one was the son of Clarice Tremaine. A few - the Guardians - Phoenix realized were looking at her.

Not all the looks were friendly.

"I don't like this," Abigail whispered from Phoenix's side. She had her hands on Trey's shoulders, guiding him through, and Phoenix noticed some had taken interest in him, too. 

"Here we are," Mygel said, her volume level unchanged from when she spoke against the din of noise. In the silence, it boomed through the room. She didn't seem to mind. "You'll sit here with Lady Helena and the Generals." 

The head table had chairs, not benches, with empty seats awaiting them. Helena stood waiting for them, beckoning them closer.

"Ignore them," she said with a jerk of her head toward the rest of the room, which had resumed its chatter. "It's a very big day. Our whole reason for fighting has arrived. Momentous occasion." 

Maverick and Roman sat were led to sit on Helena's left while Phoenix, Noelle, and Abigail sat across from them. Trey slunk into a chair next to Abigail, his face drained of blood, and Youlden - who had showed up at some point during their entry - sat on the end out of the way until Helena beckoned him to move inward.

"Please, I know there was tension today, but we mustn't let division take hold of us." She looked Maverick in the eye as she continued. "We can't let the pettiness of humanity stop us from uniting to achieve our goals."

Maverick's jaw clenched, but after a moment, he nodded. "You're right." He sighed and faced Youlden. "I'm sorry for my anger."

"I'm sorry for my lies," Youlden replied. "I wasn't comfortable sharing what I could do."

"I understand - well, no I don't, but I respect your personal struggles." Maverick glanced sideways at Helena. "If we're hoping to go against the Army, we need to be united."

She nodded, patting him lightly on the arm. "There's a good lad. You have what it takes to be a great king."

"And you're sure you have to go against the Army?" Abigail asked, back rigid as she met Helena's gaze full on. "Surely there's a peaceful way to handle this."

"There will be no peace as long as Narissa and Bainon live," Helena countered. "Their reign of terror must end."

"What terror?" Abigail retorted. Phoenix tensed as she felt Abigail's anger rise. "What have they done that's so despicable? Executed those they believe are against them? That's hardly anything new for a king or a queen on any throne. Treason is treason." 

Helena pursed her lips. "You have no idea how far Narissa has gone to retain control over this country. She can't be trusted."

"She's the villain of this story, then," Abigail said, gaze narrowed. "She's the only one you're after. It's about her - not anyone else?"

Helena cocked her head to the side, brows furrowed. "I'm not sure what you mean, my dear?"

"How many of the Army do you intend to kill in your war? Wouldn't it be just as simple to send in a small group of assassins to take out the queen and have done with it?"

"As simple as you make it sound, it's not that easy." Helena sighed and leaned back against her chair. "Narissa has strongholds - she has spells guarding her palace. She's a sorceress, and the likes of her we haven't faced in our lands. If this were Kyleria? Dellsby? We would stand a chance, but our lands aren't like theirs."

"So instead you'll ask brother to fight against sister." Abigail's eyes filled with tears. "Mother against son? Who wins when we all lose? You want Maverick to replace his own uncle - and we have no proof he's the only heir." 

"He is the strongest heir," Helena said. "He's the one we know of. He's the only person who can replace Bainon." Helena lowered her voice, glancing around to make sure no one was eavesdropping. "I know you have no plan to stay with us, Miss Abigail, but I'd be very careful. We want to ensure your safety while you're here, but there are radicals in every bunch. I don't want you to get hurt."

Abigail dropped her gaze, a tear spilling onto her cheek. Helena reached out a hand and placed it over Abigail's, her smile tender.

"I know you're doing what you think is best. We all are. You want to keep your friend safe." She nodded to Trey and Abigail stiffened again. "I'm aware he's too old to be your son, unless you had him at eleven years old. I'm aware, too, that you're worried for his safety, and not because he's a child. As you can see, we have families with children here, too." 

Phoenix glanced over her shoulder. Indeed there were several families where one member wore blue, the spouse wore red or yellow, and their children sat with them, giggling as they ate.

"He wears gloves and never takes them off," Helena continued, looking at Trey's hands. "He's very shy and won't leave your side. I know what this must most likely mean, and it's dangerous for him - no matter where he goes."

"What do you mean?" Phoenix asked, watching as Trey grew even more somber.

"He's a Guardian," Helena whispered, still checking to see if anyone overheard. The Generals were arguing about the best weaponry to use in an attack Phoenix had never heard of. 

"Why is he in danger, then?" Phoenix asked. "I'm a Guardian - Youlden's a Guardian. You have around a dozen here who -"

"Before I realized what he was, I believed you to be the youngest and last Guardian born this century."

"Why?"

Helena leaned in closer. "After the Guardians were attacked, none of the Ancients were willing to risk having children for the sake of their lives. You must have been one of the last born. For Trey to be here means one or more Ancients broke a sort of...unspoken rule. You can confirm this with Finny if you'd like. She knows so many things." 

"So he's in danger just because he's young?" Phoenix snorted. "In danger from who? Other Ancients who are upset the rule was broken?"

Helena shook her head. "No. The reason none were born after you was to keep them safe. You grew up not knowing your parents, yes?" Phoenix chose not to answer. "Same with Youlden. Because if your parents were involved with you, it would place a target on your backs. You have immense power as a Guardian, and it can be used against you - against us all. You're powerful enough to withstand it, but this boy here...people may hurt him just to keep his power from growing. They may hurt him in order to use and abuse his power, whatever it is."

"I'm not going to let that happen," Phoenix said.

"Of course you aren't. I'm only saying he'd be safer here where others can watch after him." Helena straightened again, her face changing into an amused grin as though they were telling her a very funny story. "How delightful, I really must hear more sometime. But first, General Ipen, have you met Maverick Knight?"

#

Later that night, Phoenix slept in her room across the hall from Maverick's. She'd been given one all to herself, while Abigail, Noelle, and Trey shared a room just a bit further off. Youlden and Roman each had their own room on either side of Maverick's. 

A crash jerked her awake, and before she even registered she'd woken, she was out her door, hurtling down the hall toward the noise.

Bursting into Noelle and Abigail's room, she found the latter lying dazed on the floor while the former wrapped herself around an assailant wielding a dagger.

"Noelle!" Phoenix launched herself at the man, taking him to the ground along with Noelle. He slashed at the both of them, cutting into Phoenix's side. She screeched in pain, punching him hard in the face.

The man went limp, unconscious from the blow. Phoenix pushed herself up, one hand against her side as she offered the other to Noelle. The shorter girl moved to Abigail, helping her into a sitting position.

"What the hells happened?" Maverick burst through the door, shirtless with his fists raised. Roman appeared behind him in a flash, his long hair as puffy as a lion's mane from sleep.

"Where's Trey?" Phoenix asked, spinning around. "Where is he?"

"That man was standing over him," Abigail groaned, leaning on Noelle for support. "So I grabbed a hold of him and he hit me over the head with the butt of his dagger."

"That's when I woke up and jumped him," Noelle said, looking furious and slightly terrifying. 

"Trey?" Phoenix could still sense him in the room, so she dropped down onto her knees and looked under the bed. Trey lay curled up, eyes wide as he stared out at her. "Come on out. It's safe now."

"So much for the Militia being a safer place for him," Maverick said, nudging the attacker with his foot. "He's dressed like one of the smiths."

"What would a blacksmith or a silversmith want with a young Guardian?" Noelle asked, rubbing her shoulder where she'd hit the ground. "We need to get you a healer, Phe - you're bleeding pretty bad."

Phoenix knelt before Trey, searching him for any injuries. "There's no time for that."

"What do you mean no time?" Roman asked, yawning.

"He's not safe here because they figured out what he is. He'd be safer in a town where no one knew him." Phoenix focused on Abigail, who had the same determined set in her jaw that Phoenix felt in her gut.

"What are you saying?" Noelle asked.

"I'm saying, we leave tonight."

Looks like Phoenix and Abigail are on their way to Osha! AHHHHHHHH!!!!!! Also - people are still after Trey! Do you think this guy was afraid of Trey's power or wanted to use it for himself?

I'll see you Monday as we head to Osha! Phoenix and the gang are technically behind Eric in the timeline (he's in the future) so I'm trying to catch them up!

Muah!