*Nemesia's POV*
The chill of the early morning air was sharp as it whipped across the clearing, where the camp lay nestled among whispering pines. Even before the sun crested the horizon, Murphey's encampment was alive with the sounds of preparation. Today we would begin our journey to the main rebel stronghold, deeply hidden in the rugged mountains.
I watched as Murphey coordinated with Jax, who would take charge in his absence.
"Keep everything tight while we're gone. You know the drills and watch for any signs of trouble," Murphey instructed firmly, his voice carrying the weight of experience and unwavering responsibility.
Jax nodded with a determined look, his eyes briefly meeting mine before turning to Orion and Jenna.
"We'll keep everything running smoothly," Jax assured him, his tone confident.
As preparations continued, I turned my attention to our travel companions. Evar was meticulously checking the supplies, ensuring that nothing vital was overlooked. James, Alice, and Tom were helping, albeit less experienced, their eagerness to contribute was palpable.
"Make sure we have enough medical supplies and food for this journey," I directed, noticing Rowan's attempt to help by carrying smaller items to the supply packs. He struggled slightly with the weight, but his determination didn't wane.
"Let me help you with that," Evar said to Rowan, lifting a heavy sack with ease and placing it onto one of the pack horses. He gave Rowan an encouraging nod. "You're doing great, but let's keep the heavier stuff to us older folks."
Rowan beamed, clearly proud to be included, and scampered off to assist Alice, who was organizing the food supplies.
Alice smiled down at Rowan as they worked together.
"You're a quick learner, aren't you?" she praised, handing him a bundle of dried meats to pack.
"Yes, Miss Alice! Nemesia said I could become a good helper!" Rowan replied, his enthusiasm causing Alice to chuckle softly.
I might have told Rowan somewhere along our road here to just call me by my name...
Turning away from the bustling activity, I found a quiet moment to confer with Murphey.
"We need to be vigilant. This route isn't just physically challenging—it's rarely travelled..." he said and I nodded.
Murphey spoke again in a moment, his expression grave. "I've informed the scouts to clear the path as much as they can and report back immediately if they spot anything unusual."
As dawn broke, casting golden hues over the camp, the atmosphere was a blend of excitement and underlying tension. I felt Athena stir within me, her spirit bolstering my own.
"It's time," Murphey declared, signalling everyone to gather. The group formed up, each person checking their gear one last time.
"We stick together. Let's keep our pace steady and watchful," I instructed, meeting each pair of eyes.
"Evar, you and I will lead. Tom, keep an eye on our rear guard. Rowan stays in the middle where it's safest." Murphey started telling us about our jobs on the road. I didn't mind being placed in the middle with Rowan. I would take care of the kid and maybe rest a bit... this time I didn't have to lead.
With a final nod from everyone, we set out, leaving the familiar safety of the small rebel camp behind. The path ahead wound through dense forest, the shadows of the trees stretching long and dark across our route.
As the morning progressed, the terrain became more challenging. The narrow path twisted upwards, the incline steep and littered with loose stones that crunched under our boots. The dense foliage above thickened, filtering the sunlight into a mottled pattern that danced on the forest floor.
Evar, walking in front of me, kept his gaze focused ahead, his presence a steady comfort. The forest around us was eerily silent, heightening my sense of unease.
Rowan, riding a gentle mare named Bess, seemed to grow more confident with each mile. His initial apprehension about the journey had given way to a keen interest in everything around him.
"Why are the trees so tall here?" he asked, his voice filled with wonder.
"They've been here for hundreds of years," I explained, keeping my voice low to match the hushed tones of our surroundings. "They grow undisturbed, reaching for the sky because there's no one here to cut them down or limit their growth."
Rowan nodded thoughtfully, absorbing the explanation with a seriousness that belied his young age.
Alice, who walked alongside him, added,
"It's like us, isn't it? Given the right conditions, free from oppression, we can grow just as strong and tall."
The comparison brought a smile to my face, and even Rowan seemed to appreciate the metaphor, his eyes wide as he looked up again at the towering trees.
We stopped at a small clearing for a brief rest. James and Tom quickly set about checking the few horses and supplies, while Alice distributed light rations.
"It's important to keep our energy up," Alice said as she passed me a small bag. "Even if we're not feeling hungry."
I nodded in agreement, taking a moment to observe the group. At first, I hoped that Jenna and Orion would go... I already knew them. But maybe those guys would be ok too?
Evar approached, his expression slightly more relaxed now that we had stopped.
"Murphey's saying that we're making good time," he reported. "But the next section will be tougher. The path narrows and there are a few places where it's easy to lose footing."
"Let's make sure everyone stays alert then," I replied, my gaze drifting back to the path we had yet to travel. "And keep an eye on the surroundings—not just the path, but above and around us."
Evar nodded, his eyes meeting mine with an understanding. The few small horses we had were trained for such terrain but I still had to make sure that Rowan would be safe, sitting on one.
As the break ended, we gathered our gear and prepared to continue. The path ahead was shrouded in shadows, the trees standing like silent sentinels watching over our passage. With a deep breath, Murphey signalled the group to move out, stepping back onto the trail that would lead us deeper into the heart of the wilderness—and closer to our destination.
The journey was not just a physical challenge, but a mental one. With each step, I felt the weight of the decisions I was about to make... The meeting with the Leader of the whole rebellion... It would change a lot. I had to make sure I was mentally ready, and that all my plans were in good shape.
The forest seemed to close in around us, the path narrowing as it wound deeper into the mountains. The quiet was profound, the only sounds were our footsteps and the occasional rustle of leaves in a gentle breeze.
"This way," Murphey said, leading us to a barely visible trail that branched off the main path. "It's safer and leads directly to the main camp. Only a few know of it to ensure our security."
I nodded, trusting his judgment. As we turned onto the trail, I cast one last look back at the path we'd left. No turning back...
The journey's final leg took us through increasingly rugged terrain, the path weaving through dense copses of trees and over rocky outcrops that offered sweeping views of the valley below. The air grew colder as we ascended, the scent of pine sharp in the crisp mountain air. After several hours of strenuous travel, the dense forest began to thin, and the first signs of our destination came into view.
"Look ahead, that's where we're headed," Murphey pointed out as he paused to let us catch up. Ahead, nestled against the side of the mountain, lay the main rebel camp. It was far more substantial than any camp we'd stayed in before, strategically positioned with natural defences and difficult to detect unless one knew exactly where to look.
As we approached, the scale of the camp became apparent. Built into the mountain itself, parts of it were ingeniously constructed within the caves and hollows of the rocky terrain, providing natural protection and camouflage. Other parts were made up of sturdy, wooden structures that blended seamlessly with the surrounding forest. High palisades made of thick logs formed a formidable barrier, and watchtowers were positioned at vantage points, manned by alert guards who watched our approach with keen eyes.
Rowan's gaze was wide with awe, and even I felt a stir of admiration for the ingenuity of our fellow rebels.
"We've built it to last, and to be hidden," Murphey explained, his voice filled with a hint of pride. "Only a few paths lead here, and each is guarded and camouflaged. The main entrance is just ahead. They've known we were coming for a while now, even if we didn't spot them."
The path narrowed as we approached the entrance, a cleverly concealed gate that blended into the surrounding rock. As it swung open, the bustling interior of the camp was revealed. The inside of the camp was a hive of activity, with rebels moving briskly about their duties. The layout was meticulous, with living quarters, a mess area, and various workshops organized with military precision.
"I see that most of the structures we see have been built to serve dual purposes—storage and defence," Evar noted, observing the layout. Murphey only nodded with visible pride.
As we walked through the camp, I took in the details: the way the living spaces were arranged to maximize warmth and safety, and the communal areas designed to foster a sense of unity and morale. It was clear that every aspect of the camp's design had been thoughtfully planned to create a stronghold that was both functional and defensible.
Children played in designated areas, watched over by adults, their laughter a reminder of the life that thrived even in this hidden fortress. The sight of them playing freely, without fear, reinforced the importance of our fight. Rowan seemed eager to get to know them.
Murphey led us to what looked like a central meeting area, an open space with a large fire pit at its centre. Around it were benches and tables, crafted from the same dark wood as the surrounding structures.
"This is where we hold gatherings and plan our strategies," Murphey said as we approached a group of rebels who paused in their discussions to greet us.
Introductions were made, with Murphey briefly exchanging some greetings and pleasantries. He asked about the leader and apologised, telling us we had to go. The rebels nodded their understanding, their expressions serious but welcoming.
After the introductions, Murphey guided us to our quarters—simple but sturdy cabins set aside for visiting members.
"You'll find everything you need here. Rest up; tonight, we dine together, and tomorrow, you'll officially meet our leader."
As he left us to settle in, I took a moment to stand at the entrance of my cabin, looking out over the camp. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows and bathing the camp in a golden light that made the wooden structures glow warmly.
The energy of the camp, with its constant movement and the underlying current of determined resilience, was infectious. As I turned to enter my cabin, the first stars of the evening began to appear, and I felt that something would change tomorrow... or rather, something would start.
"Come on Rowan, you'll play tomorrow," I called the boy over as he joined me in the camp. I was surprised at how quickly the boy started to treat me like his family. And somewhere between my planning revenge and strategies... I decide to care for him, like my own... To make sure he would never be hurt.