Chapter eight

Emmet stares at where his mother was sitting, standing up and excusing himself. Charlotte sits back down and sighs, changing the direction of her gaze to Artanis. "Well, they are still fighting." Artanis nods.

Not too sure where I fit into the conversation, I excuse myself and walk towards Emmet's room.

Opening the door, I gaze into the room; No one is inside. Opening the door wider, I walk inside the room, just to make sure no one is inside.

When I see no one, I walk out of the room and head towards the balcony from yesterday; it's my favorite spot.

Sitting down on the edge of the balcony, I wonder what I would be doing right now if this hadn't happened. I would probably be in the ocean right now getting tan in the nice hot sun.

Looking down over the edge, I see Charlotte walking around with Artanis next to her. Even though Artanis looked happy and mischievous when I first met him, he is really just a sad ball of gloominess. I don't know much about it or Artanis other then he lost his lover.

Sighing, I jump off the balcony railing and land on the platform of the balcony. Going back to the edge, I look for Artanis and Charlotte. Both of them are gone. Frowning, I turn around and walk towards my room.

Although it's probably still only mid-day, I am rather sleepy.

Walking into my room, I look around it. Going to the vanity, I open the drawers. There is perfume, jewelry, and makeup inside.

Closing the drawer, I go to the closet. I haven't opened it yet. I wore the clothes that a weird looking elf girl gave to me.

The closet was giant when I opened it. There are beautiful dresses, high heels, flats, and just overall a big combination of clothing. Shaking my head and shutting the door, I can't believe I am in a place like this! It's crazy.

As I start towards my bed, someone taps me on the shoulder. It's Artanis. And his eyes are bloodshot and there are bruises and cuts on his arms and face. "Where is Emmet?" Not registering what he said fully, I reply a few seconds later. "I don't know why? What happened?" Artanis then quickly turns around, leaving me without an answer.

Following him, he goes to the council room and slams the doors open, the elves inside jumping slightly. The one standing up is the first to recover. "You don't have permission to be Artanis." Another holds up his hand, silencing the elf -He must have seniority over him- "Can't you see he is injured? Artanis what happened?"

"Emmet. Where's Emmet."

"He is in his chambers. Artanis! What happened?"

"The army. There's an army from the 4th district. They attacked me a-and they g-got me into the s-ship." By now you can clearly see the tears in his eyes threatening to fall. When the first one does, Artanis lets out a very quiet whimper. With the quietness of the room, it echoes around. The old elf and another old elf look at each other, before getting up and walking to Artanis.

"We have to know Artanis. What did they do to you? Artanis!" Artanis just looks at them like a scared puppy; shaking his head, the old elf wraps his arms around him and whispers something in his ear. Artanis nods along with the old elf as he does, tear streaming more heavily to what the elf is saying.

The elf pulls away and hugs Artanis, his face grim. "Get our army ready. And for the god's sake don't get captured!"

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Shaking, I open the door to Hazels' room. I need to find Emmett. I've looked everywhere. "Where is Emmet?" She stares at me for a second before answering. "I don't know, Why? What happened?" Turning on my heel, I walk towards the council room. I hear Hazel following me.

Slamming the doors open to the council room, everyone inside jumps. Fitaly {Fi-ta-ly} the elf standing up glares at me. "You don't have permission to be here Artanis." Elder Heronzo holds up his hand. "Can't you see he is injured? Artanis, what happened?"

"Emmet. Where's Emmet."

"He is in his chambers. Artanis! What happened?"

"The army. There's an army from the 4th district. They attacked me a-and they g-got me into the s-ship." I feel my tears cover my sight, I can't see. The next thing I know Elder Heronzo is talking to me. "We have no to know! What did they do to you? Artanis!" Shaking my head, I don't answer. I hear people whisper and then someone's arms around me. Then, I hear Elder Heronzos voice in my ear. "Artanis. I know it's hard. All our life we have been told never to get captured. You are the first one. Did they hurt you?" I nod and the tears fall down my face. "Did they use you?" Nodding, the tears fall down heavier.

Heronzo pats my back and walks away.

"Get our army ready! And for god's sake don't get caught!"

After everyone leaves, Heronzo looks at me as I curl up in a chair. He walks over to me and moves my hair that fell in my face. "You'll be okay Artanis. I promise."

"What about-" Heronzo holds up a hand. "We will all be fine. I promise. Now come on. Let's get you to the medical bay." Standing up, we head towards the medical bay, me wrapped around his arms.

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Sitting in my bed-chamber, I excused myself from the council meeting earlier. I really just couldn't deal with it. So now, here I am, sleeping peacefully in the nice hot lights of the-

"DING! DING!! RED ALERT!! I REPEAT RED ALERT."

Falling off my bed, I hit my head on the floor. Groaning, I quickly get up as the red alert siren dings.

Having no clue as to what happened, I go to the council hoping someone is still there.

When I get there, I push open the door and sure enough, the war council is there.

"We need to come from the east! We can get troops down there by sunset tonight!" Elder Heronzo shakes his head. "No! We have to come from the West! The West trails are much easier to use! Most of the armies are on the east. We would be taken out before we can even get close to the main army!" Elder Feter holds up his hand. Heronzo nods at him, telling him to go on. "What if we come in from the West and East? A bigger army to the East and a smaller one to the West." Heronzo nods along with a few other elders.

Walking forward, they finally notice me. They all stand up and bow, saying, "Your Majesty." Dismissing them with my hand, I sit down at the seat in front of everyone. "So? What're we up against?" Fitaly stands up. "Well my sire-" Raising my hand, I stop him. "Not you. You are rude to my friend. Elder Gisaz, what's happening." Fitaly stared at me before scowling and sitting down as Gisaz stands up. "The 4th district caught Artanis. He won't say anything about what they did to him. All we know is that he is seriously hurt. It seems both physically and mentally. As for the armies, they are coming from the north but, most of their armies are on the east." Starting to tap my left hand, I use my right to point towards Feter. " Let's use his idea. Just... Let's make a few adjustments." Smiling, I stand up and walk towards the door. "Get the mechanics ready."

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Talking to Artanis is very draining. He always has so much on his mind about-

"DING! DING!! RED ALERT!!! I REPEAT RED ALERT."

The sirens go off and I immediately run towards Artanis rooms. Who knows what kind of trouble he got into.

Pushing the door open, he isn't inside. Going to the council room next, they are in complete chaos. There are mechanics everywhere talking to the Elders and Emmet and Artanis are nowhere to be found.

Looking for Elder Heronzo, I run up to him when j find him. "Where are Emmet and Artanis."

"They are in the medical bay. They will explain everything. Just hurry. Make sure Hazel is safe as well." Groaning ag the mention of her name, I run out and run towards her room.

Slamming open the door, Hazel is sitting on the bed her eyes wide. She jumps when I walk in. Running to her, I grab her hand and you'll her to the medical bag. She is yelling at me to tell her what's going on the whole time. Ignoring her, I let her go outside of the medical bay and rush in. Emmet is sitting down on a chair next to Artanis who is mumbling to himself.

Hazel runs past me and towards them. Quickly following her, we make it to the bed at the same time. Pushing Hazel out if the way, I get next to Artanis. "Hey? Are you okay? Artanis what happened?" He looks at me, just mumbling not saying anything.

Turning around towards Emmet I ask what happened. "The 4th district caught him. He won't tell us what happened. Our armies are leaving soon to fight the 4th district." Turning back towards Artanis, I hug him. "Stay safe. You'll be okay. I promise." Letting go of him, I turn back towards Emmet. "Come on. We have a friend to revenge." As I walk away, Emmet grabs on to me. "Charlotte! You can't! It's too dangerous. We leave when the armies leave." Ripping my arm away from him, I glare and walk off.

"He thinks he can tell me what to do? I will revenge Artanis. I will. Nothing will stop me."

Walking out if the medical bay, I head up to my room. I grab my satchel and my sword. Changing into some armor first, I head to the stables.