Recap:
Sabine set off on her journey. A day later a guard showed covered in blood. He found Nova as he kneeled before her. "Miss I come bearing news. The Commander s-she loves you very much...she said you will see her again. She's been taken. We were attacked. We were the only two alive. Her sister... I'm sorry...my orders were to tell you...I should have stayed...she loves you... I'm sorry... so sorry —" he managed before passing out.
Nova looked at Lucia with tears streaming down her face.
***
With the news the villagers were in a panic as Nyko and Ward planned their attack. The sound of horns brought everyone outside. A guard approached Ward. "Sir, a group has gathered by our gates. They have a hostage."
Nova found her way to Agnes as Lucia kept close by. Dorine gathered with them.
Ward looked out beyond the tunnel to the gates. Autem removed her face covering as she smirked, removing Sabine's.
"Open the gates!" He yelled.
"Children remember what we practiced?" Go .go..hurry." He said to the crowd. "Nurturers go with them!"
They watched as teachers and nurturers left with the children...older villagers stood in front with their weapons as did younger ones behind them.
Autem made an appearance as she pushed Sabine to the ground. She looked over the people as she smiled. Sabine made her way to her feet. Her hands bound behind her.
"I am your new Commander! Bow to me!" She yelled.
***warning: viloent and fatal acrions follow***
No one moved a muscle. Sabine started laughing. Autem punched her in the face as two of her guards held her still. Sabine spit out blood as she looked Autem in her eyes.
"You will NEVER be Commander." She said calmly.
"Bow to me!" She yelled, as she kicked Sabine's knee as she fell to the ground.
"You are not worthy!" Sabine yelled as she was yanked back up and met by another punch. She laughed more, no one had realized what she took from one of the guards.
"You will die today. Your reign is OVER!" Autem yelled as she drew her machete-like weapon.
"And all of you get to watch it ...especially poor little Nova..I'm sure my guards will like to have their way with her..too bad you won't be here to watch."
Sabine laughed. As she was punched once more. She finally worked the knife through the ropes as she stabbed both guards in the foot. She moved quickly as she went for the other two. She stood still as Autem drew for her, running, filled with rage.
Nova watched in horror as Sabine smirked before ducking and hitting Autem in her back. She dropped the weapon as Sabine grabbed it.
Autem stood still. "You won't hurt anymore people." Sabine said as she swiftly struck Autem.
Sabine dropped the weapon as she stared at the severed head on the ground. "I send you on your way." She said in the native tongue. All of the warriors echoed her.
She looked out at her people, her face and body covered in blood and dirt. She held up her fist and closed her eyes. The warriors cheered. Dorine began yelling and pushing them aside as Sabine hit the ground lifelessly.
***
***
Sabine woke to Nova by her side and she sat up quickly as she pulled her in for a hug. "I'm so sorry." She said holding her tightly.
Ward came in as he dropped his tray and hugged the pair. "She is awake." He yelled.
Everyone ran in to hug her.
"I love you all." She saod as she nuzzled into everyone.
"Did you see anything?" Dorine asked.
Sabine frowned. "There is a massive fire I couldnt make out where.." She said.
***
Nova and Dorine took Sabine to visit Nyko the next day. They recapped what had happened the day before.
They talked about plans for the storm season and caught up with each other.
***
Nova was walking with Sabine. "Anywhere else you need to go today?"
Sabine moved weakly as she thought. "I - I should visit the children." She said with a soft smile.
Arriving, a servant bows her head to Sabine as she passes. Sabine nodded back. "Mother Agnes is in the healing tent." She informed as she went on her way.
They find Agnes comforting a child. She looks up to meet their concerned faces. "Zlin, go ahead and join the other children for supper." The child reluctantly let go.
Agnes stood as she watched the child leave. "The children are...uneasy." She finally said. "They seem to be experiencing stress due to the recent events." She put lightly.
Sabine frowned as she thought. She walked away without saying a word. Nova found her sitting with the children telling them a story as she spoke softly, all listening intently.
Nova stood in the doorway listening as Sabine told the children of a brave child who lost their family in a storm. How the child grew to overcome their surroundings and eventually ended happily.
An older child was deep in thought as Sabine loved the younger ones. "So we should be more like the child?" She asked. Sabine smiled warmly.
"I know that me being gone was strange and then having to hide was scary.."
The children all agreed.
"But I am here ...we are safe...there will always be people that don't agree with how we live...which is why mother Agnes ..the nurturers.. your teachers..and I teach you how to be safe ..how to be smart and help yourselves. We are preparing you for the world..we still want you to enjoy your lives as children which is why we are here to protect you..I won't let anything happen to any of you." Sabine said as she pulled them all in for a big hug.
***