Episode Six, Part 4:
Through the Eyes of a Child

Kodiak stood up as Tobias appeared in sight, walking down the shandy forest line until he reached the Sovereigns. He glanced around the beach, looking towards an isolated fire pit that burned warmth for two girls sitting far away from the rest of their people. It was hard not to recognise Elara with her vibrant, red hair, but it was the first time Tobias had seen Izzy.

"Is that the girl?" He asked for clarification, nodding over to where they sat.

"Yeah," Kodiak nodded, feeling heavy hearted as he gazed over at them both but he was relieved to see that Izzy seemed more upbeat than the previous day, and was drawing something in the sand that seemed to be making Elara laugh.

"How is she? I believe your friend told you two when he found us, that Sovereign Wynn and Sovereign Dreea had brought her back from near Terra Firma Tribe; is that correct?"

"Unfortunately, that's right," he said. "Calvin found her and-"

"And she is still alive?" Tobias interrupted, whipping his head back around to face Kodiak in complete shock, not understanding how Izzy had survived Calvin's company for the entire duration she was missing.

"Just," Wynn answered. "Calvin didn't know she was a Basilisk, so he was planning on killing her to initiate the war with you guys. He told Izzy which is how we know, but she didn't understand what his words meant. She doesn't know what he was going to do to her..."

"That is probably for the best," Tobias replied. "How is she doing otherwise? Is she hurt?"

Kodiak let out a deep breath, saying so much more in one moment than he realised. "She's a little hurt only because she fell..." Kodiak said, not wanting to say the next part because he didn't want it to be real, though he didn't have much choice. "But she's not really okay, either."

"I am sorry, Sovereign. May I ask why? And do you know why she was out of your camp?"

"She's a little traumatised from Calvin," he answered. "And she told Elara that she left because she recognised some parts of where we are and she wanted to make sure there was no one around from her family that were going to take her away from us."

"Ah," Tobias exhaled, managing a fond smile. "In spite of the circumstances, I believe that might be your silver lining; she feels she belongs with you; she does not want to lose what your people give her."

"Yeah, well, she's too afraid of everyone at the moment because of Calvin, so there doesn't feel like much of a silver lining at all."

"I understand. Mind if I ask who she was trying to find?"

Kodiak looked over to Wynn, hoping it would be the last time they would have to say their names. "Josiah Kady was her father. There was also a Hannah Kady, Lara Kady and Evora Kady that were on the list. That's her family that we know for sure, but there could be other people she remembers."

"I briefly recall them," Tobias answered, narrowing his eyes as he tried to picture them in his mind. "Evora was their mother and she brought them all into our clan when she fled The City of Targo, but their father stayed behind. Hannah and Lara ended up returning to The City when they were older, and after Josiah lost his wife - Zola, in labour, he found it challenging to raise Isobel on his own, given Evora had died by that time. I remember them as being two of the last people to have returned back to The City of Targo, which is probably why Isobel remembers so much of here as it was not awfully long ago. I am not sure what happened to Hannah and Lara-"

"Hannah's dead," Wynn jumped the bullet, still finding some satisfaction in being able to say those words.

Tobias raised an eyebrow, curious how Wynn seemed to know her.

"She's the biological mother of Quill, my little brother."

"Judging by your tone, I sense you are not too fond of her," Tobias observed. "I will not ask questions. As for Lara Kady, I have no idea, however, as you seem to know both Josiah and Hannah yet not her, I would assume she has also died."

"Probably for the best," Wynn muttered under his breath, earning an amused eye roll from Sol who was standing at his side, swatting his chest at his behaviour.

"You said Calvin was going to use Isobel to initiate the war?"

Kodiak nodded, still finding it hard to hear.

"Then we should stay one step ahead of him and consider moving our people into position. Regarding Isobel, I believe Ivy explained her markings to you and what they mean: she has protection from my people."

"...What about it?" Kodiak asked, feeling his heart drop in his chest; he had an eery feeling about what was coming.

"It means during the war, she will be able to reside in a shelter I have prepared for the other children of West of The City Exile Allegiance, and other vulnerable members of my clan. Not even Ivy knows about it so I know Calvin would not, either; only a select few of my guards know it's whereabouts. Your brother will also be allowed inside, given his blood connections to my clan," Tobias stated, looking over to inform Wynn, as well.

Kodiak glanced at Wynn, conflicted at the offer. "How safe is it?"

"It is the safest place on this island, without a doubt," Tobias answered. "I can promise on my life that no one from Terra Firma Tribe know about it or would ever be able to find it. And, after the war is over and we have guaranteed all threats are eliminated, I will lead everyone outside so they can return to their families, Isobel and Quill included. In my opinion, Sovereign, it is the only way to ensure your little girl will be safe."

Kodiak sighed, hating how inclined he was to accepting as he knew that it meant he would have to leave Izzy for however long the war extended on for. "Can you allow Elara to go inside as well?" He asked. "Izzy's terrified of literally everyone except her. Me, Wynn, Quill; she's even still a little hesitant with Riv and Dreea."

"Yeah, and it's not like she doesn't usually trust us," Wynn said. "We're her family and we've all been looking after for the past seven months. She knows we wouldn't hurt her, but after her experience with Calvin, she won't let any of us anywhere near her. She needs my sister around."

Tobias dropped his head and fought to get the words out that he knew he had to say. "I am terribly sorry, Sovereigns, but I can only allow Isobel and Quill inside. I have a duty to my people and as much as I want to allow Elara inside to be there with Isobel, I can not. If, for whatever reason the alliance falls apart, I have to ensure that the children of West of The City Exile Allegiance are my priority, and I can not worry about your people being inside the shelter. But she will have Quill with her and you have told me that they are family-"

"Yes, but she's too afraid at the moment," Wynn reminded him. "She needs Elara with her."

As grateful as Wynn was to know that he could ensure his brother's safety amid the war, he was devastated that he couldn't promise the same for his sister, especially after what had just happened to her on Neptunum; if anyone in the world deserved to survive; if anyone deserved the peace and protection of avoiding another battle, it was Elara.

"You should have seen the look on Izzy's face when Dreea and I went to pick her up..." He said. "I've never, ever seen someone look like that before. Even Ivy was horrified-"

"Is Ivy okay? She was with Calvin?"

"...She looked hurt," Wynn confessed, wondering if his answers would shift Tobias' stance and allow him to persuade Tobias into accepting Elara into the shelter. "You do realise how dangerous Calvin is-"

"I do," Tobias cut him off hastily. "And as long as he is around, we are all in tremendous danger, but no one as much as Ivy is. As well as staying alive out there, we have one more thing that we need to focus on: getting Ivy out of Terra Firma Tribe. And if it comes down to it, I will start this damned war myself." 

Six // Part Four
If anyone in the world deserved to survive, it was Elara.

Yikes, this chapter was like a 0/10.

In good news I got my COVID vaccine! In bad news, my arm hurts! As soon as you have the chance to get your vaccine, make sure you get it!

01/04/21.

Happy birthday to Asa Butterfield who portrays Quill Bell in the books!