Chapter 59

And so it began… The news of the Imperium withdrawing its troops from the eastern provinces reached us, and we could not afford to wait any longer. They were already marching for Tarnis, reinforcing the already vast army stationed there.

I wished we could have stayed in Zarion for longer, now that I knew we would leave Aki and Chaya, but it was not to be. In the following days, we left the fortress that had been our base and set out toward Akka, accompanied by a fleet of ships draped with banners from the different Kingdoms.

I stood on deck, watching the river snake its way before us. Everywhere I heard the murmur of the Goddess prayer and the battle songs, calling for her strength. I would have expected fear in those words, yet their voices rang with courage. I stared out over the waters. I had to be the same. I had to believe…

The soldiers glanced at me as they walked to and fro, but I ignored my discomfort as I felt their eyes on me. They would go to war for me… I watched the waters. I wouldn’t hide. They needed to see that their Goddess stood with them.

“Rina, food is ready.”

Karim’s voice brought me out of my thoughts. He was standing on the steps leading below deck, gesturing for me, and I followed him down to the small cabin. The others were already seated, and I took my place by the cramped table. Together again, just the four of us, just like when we travelled through the desert. How much had changed since then…

They chatted among themselves, but I soon zoned out until Uruk pushed a plate towards me.

“You need to eat, Rina”

I stared at the food.

“I am not hungry”

“Are you okay…?”, Selene asked and took my hand.

I sighed.

“They will die… No matter what we do… They will die because of me…”, I whispered.

Karim put a hand on my shoulder.

“They chose to put the lives of those they love above their own”

“Many more would perish if the Imperium were to invade the South. You give us a chance to prevent it,” Uruk added.

“It is not fair….”, I whispered.

“No, it is not..”, Selene said quietly and gently squeezed my hand.