Book 1 - Chapter 16 - The Rumors

1000 November 2nd 

~Glittervale~

Mila wriggled in her seat. The candles on the table gluttered an instant then returned strong as ever. She looked from Tink to Los to Wisp. The last being the most annoying and cumbersome. Ever since he had joined the party she had been unable to get a moment alone. Not even to go to the bathroom.



Wisp waved his hand in the air,
"Why did you call us here? I for one have other things I can be doing."
 Mila and Tink nodded. This was the first time they had been in a village for weeks. Messages had to be sent and read. Supplies gathered and clothing washed, mended and exchanged for warmer ones. Each task needed to be done soon for she, Tink, and Wisp were all going deep into the enemy's side of Ponia to try and discover things. For one, to see if a certain rumor was true. One that would give everyone the hope they needed to keep hanging on.
"A false rumor has been going 'round,"
Los said. Mila gasped, her gut wrenching like someone had given her a swift punch. Mila glanced at Wisp sitting across from her.

"Which one? Everybody keeps going on and on about some kind of rumor but I've heard so many. Can someone please tell me which one?"
he asked.
Mila clenched her fists under the table. Hadn't she told him? Wait... no, they had never told him which one. How stupid of them not to share the hope that all held so dear.
"The rumor is that the queen and king of Quoga are not behind the attack and that the majority of the common people are also against the war,"
Tink said. Her eyes flitted from Wisp to Los, watching for something... what? Mila wriggled her toes then bit her lip. She was NOT to create an outburst like some child throwing a tantrum.
"Yes, that rumor. It is false,"
Los said. Mila hung her head. How could Los be so calm about it? There was no regret or touch  of sadness in his tone.

"Are you sure? This army we've been fighting flies no banners or symbols,"
Wisp said.
"That's true, I've never seen any type of identification on them. Don't you think that if official they would proclaim it, as they have always done until now?"
Tink asked. Wisp banged his closed hand on the table. It thudded and shook the table, the candles flickered again.
"What of that? Until it is proven without a doubt that the rumor is false we can't go around throwing everybody's dreams to the dirt."
Los nodded.
"I agree, I'm telling you three as you lead others. I don't plan on telling anyone else. The people of little mind and importance shouldn't be told so they can keep up their spirit for war."
 Something flitted in Los' eye. Mila thought but could think of no emotion that would match the look. It was gone the next instant, his eyes were clear.
"You still haven't explained the flags Los,"
Tink said. Mila sunk lower in her chair. Never had Tink used such a tone with Los.
"It's simple. Quoga doesn't wish to have our allies enter the war. As long as there are no flags then the other countries see us as weak. Being beaten by a bunch of rebels, as it were."
"I still hold true to this 'rumor'. For myself, I believe in it."
Tink scraped her chair away from the table and stood. She lifted a finger and pointed.

"There, the flag of Ponia. We'll never give up on it!"
 Los' face flushed. He leaped up and went to the door.
"Continue in your stupidity then! Tink, if you can't see reason then I will have you put under someone,"
he said. Wisp nodded.
"I believe your words Los. They make sense to me, as a knight. I've seen the effect of the no flags. We still haven't been able to get any support from our allies."
Los nodded. The flush leaving his face as Mila stared at him.
"Very well. I have supply trains to arrange. If you'll excuse me."
Mila watched as Los wrenched the door open and fled into the village.

  He was a strange one. That, she was certain, was what made him a good leader. The moment the door shut Mila leaped up beside Tink.
"What are we to do now? How are we going to survive! No hope!"
Tink shook her head, hands waving.
"There's hope still while we're breathing."
Had she been listening to Los at all? Even if she said she believed in the rumor there must be a tinge of doubt, even in her mind! Mila felt a lump rising from her toes upward. The country was like Mila's family. Broken into a dozen jagged pieces, each thrown to the far corners of the world.
"How? There's nothing left. Quoga is seizing land so fast. We've lost everything as it is,"
Mila yelled.

Wisp grunted from the table.
"We still have ourselves and our weapons."
 Mila screamed. It burst from the bubble that had risen from deep inside.
"You! You're the worst of it. I'll be insane by dawn if I have to pass another day under your ceaseless 'protection'."
Mila turned her back on them both. her temper cooled even as she stood.
"I'm sorry. There is no excuse for my outburst. Try to forget I said anything."
Mila stepped out into the alleyway.
"She's worried about her family,"
she heard Tink whisper. Mila stared at her feet. A cold feeling, like raw, slimy, fish creeped into her stomach. Where was her family? Were they even still alive? Sweet Bella and Sasha, little Sol. With her luck so far they were dead long ago, murdered in their own beds, wherever it was they had made them. Luck.. Ponia had no luck.