CHAPTER 129: PLANS AND MOVES

Jon moved through the community. He was no longer wearing his uniform. He wore normal clothes just as everyone else was dressed.

The people smiled, greeting him as he walked by them. He smiled back in reciprocation, greeting them. He went to meet up with Lieutenant Silka, Commander Glenn, and Lady Blossom who were all seated together.

"Hey," he greeted when he met them.

"Look at you, already becoming a man of the people I see," Commander Glenn said.

"Well, this is our new home for now. So we best get along with the people. Don't you think?" he replied as she sat down, sighing.

"It really feels awkward being dressed this way," Lieutenant Silka said, looking at himself.

"You're not alone on that," Glenn affirmed.

"I have been part of the Lycan military for so long now that I've forgotten what it means to be a civilian," he added, scoffing.

"When I signed up to join the Lycan military, I thought I was doing an honorable thing. I didn't know things would turn out this way," Silka said.

"You did an honorable thing. But under the leadership of this King, you'd definitely think otherwise, except you've got a dead heart," Commander Glenn responded.

"That's why we need someone like the Prince to take his rightful place on the throne," Jon chipped in.

"But how can we do that from way over here? We are literally at the ends of the earth," Lieutenant Silka stated.

"Truth be told, ever since we got here, I've felt at peace. And that's something I have never felt in a very very long while," Jon smiled.

"You're right. I too have felt that peace," Commander Glenn affirmed also.

"But what about those who are also in need of this peace?" lady Blossom said, drawing their attention to her.

"There are many who are dying in silence but haven't been brave enough to break free like we have. And how about those who don't even have the chance to break free at all? Those ones who take whatever is thrown at them? They also need this peace," she said.

"We don't have the numbers to fight the monarchy. With our current state, it'll be suicide," Silka replied.

"So we just sit back and do nothing?" lady Blossom asked.

"No. We sit back and recuperate," Jon answered And while we're at it, we'll strategize and wait for a perfect timing."

"Look at them. They've been through a lot. And yet, here they are, back in each other's arms," Jon said, looking at Prince Tristan and Olexa, who were afar off, spending time together, enjoying each other's company.

Lady Blossom looked at them and felt bad. She felt bad that this was Prince Tristan was missing all along, just as she was also missing her Juron.

She made a mental note to speak with Olexa.

As they sat there, it suddenly began to snow. They looked up, smiling. The children were elated seeing the snow. They stretched their hands trying to catch the snowflakes playfully.

Later that evening, Jon approached Olexa and Prince Tristan as they sat by a fire.

"It's been a while since I saw you this happy, my Lord."

"Are you sure?" Prince asked.

"So you did cry for me. How cute," Olexa made a playful face. Prince Tristan rolled his eyes.

"Well, the group and I were talking about what's been going back at the First Kingdom. You need to take back the throne my Lord. The King had overstayed his welcome," Jon said.

"I know Jon," Prince Tristan sighed. "But zeal without the numbers is impracticable. The Rebellion alone can only do so much."

"I know," Jon sighed frustratedly, looking down.

"So what do we do?" he asked.

"I don't know, Jon. I don't know."

Olexa looked straightforward. Her demeanor changed a bit.

"That bastard has to pay for all he's done!" Olexa snarled.

"He will my love. He can't escape that," Prince Tristan said.

Jon heard the phrase "My love" coming from the Prince for the first time, ever. It felt odd to him, but he did his best to not look for any trouble. Well, not yet though.

Roweena came out of her residence, dressed in her red cloak, and approached the Prince.

"Princess, my Lord," she bowed slightly. They also bowed slightly.

"You seem to be in a hurry somewhere," Prince Tristan said inquisitively, furrowing his brow.

"Yes, I need to be outside this barrier. There's something I need to take care of," she replied.

"Okay. I'll accompany you to the barrier," Olexa permitted, without questioning her.

"Thank you," she responded.

They all quickly went to the edge of the barrier, and Olexa did the usual, opening the barrier as Roweena headed outside that night.

"Do you trust her?" Olexa inquired.

"With my life."

Hearing that response, Olexa sighed, nodding. Then they turned and left, heading back to where they were.

Roweena walked a little while away from the barrier and stopped. She looked around, then sat down.

From within her cloak, she brought out three candles and placed them on the floor standing, in a triangular form. Waving her hand over them, the wicks lit up with fire.

She comported herself and began chanting some incantations. Suddenly, her body crouched, as she was unconscious.

She saw herself looking at herself. Her soul left her body in an astral projection. She saw her unconscious body. It was amazing to her how helpless her body seemed. She smiled.

"Hey, aunty."

Roweena quickly turned in the direction of the voice.

"Rosa. I could sense you were trying to reach me," she replied.

"Yes. I found it hard but kept trying anyway. Where are you?" Rosa asked.

"Somewhere safe," she replied. Rosa furrowed her brow, not knowing where it was she was meeting her aunt.

"Let's just leave it at that," Roweena added. Rosa shrugged.

"So, did you do it?"

"Yes, aunty. I made sure they all got it."

"Good. Let's keep our fingers crossed and see how things pan out. You can go now."

"Alright, aunty. I just need my mother to be saved from the mess she's got into."

"She will be darling," Roweena smiled. Then she suddenly grasped, as her body gained consciousness.

She got up on her feet and sighed, heading back to the barrier.