Chapter 35: Chapter Thirty-Four

We hiked for about an hour until we reached a village. No one came out to greet us. The village was like a ghost town, “No one is allowed to leave their homes unless they have his permission or have a job,” Mona explained.

I nodded, “Does he have cells somewhere?”

“I’ll show you. What should everyone else do in the meantime?” She asked.

“We need to assess the injured and see who’s flying back with Josie immediately, and I would like to see what food reserves there are. Everyone is so thin; a good meal will help prepare them for the trip.” She nodded and I continued, “Everyone should get ready to go as well. Pack anything they can carry on their backs. If there’s something they can’t leave behind that’s large, we’ll discuss it.”

She talked to another woman and passed along the information I just gave her. “She’ll get everyone ready to go. I’ll show you where the cells are and where the reserves are so that we can get started on the food.”

“Oh no. Once you show me where everything is I will round up some of the SEALs and team members and we’ll get to work on the food, minus Ian, and you’ll pack and get ready to go. I need to assess everyone’s condition first but I have the feeling your mate will be on the first plane out and I need you to be ready for that.”

Her eyes shone with fresh tears, “Why minus Ian?”

“Well I hear he found his mom today and his dad is pretty hurt, so I’m giving him time off effective immediately to make up for lost time,” I said with a small smile on my face.

She burst out in tears and I gave her a tight side hug. “Your mother would be so proud of you,” she says after a little while.

We reached the cells and found two guards, “Hold. State your name and intent.”

“Amaya Wardwell. My intent is to put your former leader in one of your cells,” I responded with a cheeky smile on my face.

They looked at me shocked, “We can’t let you through. We’re under strict orders.”

“Joseph is not your king. My father is. I am your princess and the Queen of all Dragons,” I said with just a little bit of force behind the words, not wanting to force them to do anything.

“It’s true, Gavin, Taylor, she’s telling the truth. She disabled Joseph easily, not to mention sent all of those rogues running scared or killed them; maybe even faster than she took down Joseph.” Mona told them, “Let us through. We’re going home.”

They weighed their options, and decided to let us through; handing us the keys as we passed. When we entered I took in the sight, fortified iron cells, all full. “What did these people do to end up here?”

“Some tried to steal food for their families, others are part of the rebellion, and a few Joseph just detested from when we lived in Virginia.”

I winced, “Okay, let’s get everyone out, so I can put this piece of shit in one of the cells.”

Mona started unlocking cells, “Come on guys, time to go.”

“Mona what did you do?” A frantic voice sounded from somewhere in the back.

“It’s okay Edward. Daniel’s daughter is here. We’re going home,” Mona said, her voice full of emotion.

“Amaya? Little Amaya? How?”

“I’m not so little anymore, Head Warrior Black,” I responded for Mona as she kept releasing those held in the cells.

I entered the first empty cell and threw Joseph on the ground. When he hit the ground he made his move, but I was ready for him. I did the same thing I did to him in the clearing. I bent the water in his body and forced him to the back of the cell, where I forced his hands above his head and heated the metals so they became welded together. “Afraid to fight me little girl?”

“No, Joseph, I’m done fighting you. Winning against you has gotten old,” I said as I knocked him out quickly and easily.

“Are we really free?” A small voice came from behind me.

I turned toward the voice, and found a boy much smaller than he should be for his age. “Yes, Little One. We’re going home.”

“Home?”

I walked out of the cell, locking it before kneeling in front of the boy. I brought his forehead to mine. I felt his small dragon reach out for Niamh, “Home.” I sent him images of our home in Virginia and how the wind felt on our scales when we fly.

“Home. We’re going home!” He said with a huge smile on his face.

I stood back up and he slipped his small hand into mine, “Is this everyone Mona?” She nodded, “Okay. My people need to assess the injured and anyone who’s staying through the night needs to get started packing.”

We went out into what could be considered the town square, where families assembled to greet their loved ones who were imprisoned by Joseph. The little boy let go of my hand and ran to what I presumed were his parents. I walked over to them, “Aunt Liza, Uncle Mike this is my new friend Amaya. She showed me what our new home looks like!”

I shook their hands after waving off their attempts to bow, “Where are his parents and why was he in the cells to begin with?”

Liza winced, “They were killed a few months ago, hunters. Joseph put Georgie in the cells for trying to steal food.” Her face contorted in fear as if she was afraid I would put him back in, “He was just trying to get enough food for me. I was pregnant with mine and Mike’s first baby and we didn’t have enough to eat. We would’ve all starved to death just to bring a baby into this, so Georgie tried to steal some food from the stores. I lost the baby,” she finished with a sob.

I wrapped my arms around her and Niamh reached out for her dragon to comfort her. “I’m not my uncle. None of us are. You’ll never have to go through that again. You guys should go pack. We’re leaving tomorrow for a werejaguar clan in Brazil.” I pulled back and looked down at Georgie, “Would you like to help my teammates and I cook for the clan?”

“Really? Can I Aunt Liza and Uncle Mike?” He asked, overjoyed to be picked for the job.

His uncle, Mike, chuckled and gave me a look of gratitude, I gave him a knowing wink, “As long as you behave yourself. We don’t need to see how far we can push Miss Amaya’s patience.”

“Up we go Georgie,” I said, squatting down to pick him up piggyback style. “Jos, can you do an assessment of the injured and figure out who’s flying out with you tonight?” I mind linked her.

“You got it, boss.”

“Okay everyone, if you are injured or have an injured family member, you will see my second in command Josie. She’s flying the injured home tonight to be seen by our healer Lavi and Kachina, Queen of the Earth Dragons. They’re both some of the best healers in the world. The rest of you need to pack what you can for the trip to Brazil. If there is something that is too big to take with us, and you must take it with us, please see Alanza. We have a few humans in our presence, and I’ve heard about your troubles with hunters.” I patted Georgie’s arm, “Know they aren’t hunters and they can be trusted. I’ll let you all get to packing. There will be a feast in about two hours.”