The One Called General

Chapter Four

The days that followed were a blur of preparation and anticipation as the community braced itself for inevitable conflict. Elysia and Fjorr trained tirelessly, sharpening their skills for the battles to come. However, in the chaos of war, they found unexpected allies in the most unlikely of places.

In the small town of Pacio, they encountered a skilled archer known as Yude. Like most of the people in Protegido, she too was uprooted from her home because of a massive earthquake, she too had suffered loss. Her town had become a military base, the government had taken over the day after the disaster.

“They came under the guise of help.” Yude painfully recalls. “We were told that they had come to rescue us, to provide us with things we no longer had access to.” her eyes began to water. Fjorr gingerly placed a comforting hand on Yude’s back

“Take your time Hon, no rush. Just take a breath and continue when you’re ready.” she said gently. Yude turned to smile at Fjorr, took a breath and continued:

“Everything was going smoothly until one day, I saw this man get beat within an inch of his life. Just for trying to leave.” she said, “He was going to stay with his sister in Illinois…and they beat the living hell out of him!” she spat with disgust. Fjorr, looked at Elysia and nodded, they both were in agreement that Pacio needed to be rescued first. Pacio is one of the main bases for the government. They knew that if they could gain control of that space, taking back Eden would be a hell of a lot easier.

“They never came to help, they just came to bring more pain and suffering. Soon enough they put curfew in and started rationing stuff, like water, food…medicine.  Y’know necessities and shit.” she mentioned with disdain. “Who the hell rations water?! Not long after that people got fed up with the bull, and started causing issues.” Yude choked back a heaving sob, proceeding to tell and relive that tragic day as though she was still there. By the time she was done, she was dehydrated and exhausted.

Elysia signaled to Tobias to assist Yude to her room.

“Yude, I appreciate you giving us this information, it seems that we have more information than we did a month ago. Perhaps when you're rested, you would join me downstairs?" She invited warmly. “I also hear that you are quite good with a bow and arrow. I think it's about time you started thriving with your gift, not just surviving. Hmm?” Elysia smiled softly, “Just think on it. In the meantime, this is your home. Therefore, you are welcome to all this available.”

Yude nods and offers a weary smile in thanks as she follows Tobias to her room. Fjorr turns to Elysia,
“What do you think the next course of action should be?” she inquired.
“We wait.” Elysia responds shortly.
Fjorr looked at Elysia perplexed, “Wait? You can't be serious! We have information, we have man-power, we even have the element of surprise. Why are we waiting?”
“Patience is a virtue, love. We don’t know much about Pacio, but Yude does. She knows how to get in and get out undetected.” She explained to an overzealous Fjorr. “I know you’re excited to knock heads together. But, remember I said with 'minimal casualties’? So going in with weapons blazing is counterproductive… Do you understand me?”

Once again Fjorr hastiness got the better of her and she wasn't thinking ahead, grateful that Elysia is willing to explain it to her, she nodded in understanding and asked, “Well, is there anything else we may need for the mission that we should get started on?”
The General turned and looked out of the window of her office.
“Make sure she knows that there are targets outside, if she wants the practice.”

Fjorr nodded before she walks out to deliver said message