22
Attack on Oasi
There was a loud knock on the door. Tyson’s eyes fluttered, but he quickly dozed off again. Another knock and Tyson’s eyes snapped open.
Who would knock at this time? He thought.
He pulled off the covers and looked around. Katie was asleep next to him. She made a faint noise before wrapping more of the blanket around her.
Someone knocked again. Tyson groaned quietly and got out of bed. He almost tripped while putting on his pants before making his way to the door.
Another knock.
“Patience,” he said, so quiet that it could only be heard in his own head.
Tyson opened the door. He was surprised to see Koran standing there, but not as surprised as Koran looked seeing Tyson standing there.
“Oh, there you are,” Koran said awkwardly. “I was looking for you but you weren’t in your room. Is Katie here?”
Tyson rested his head on the doorframe. “Yup,” he said drowsily.
“Do you mind waking her? It’s urgent. Queen Nayara has arrived,” said Koran. “She is at the foot of the city just off the river’s bank. She has said that she is giving us a chance to surrender.”
“What do we do?” asked Tyson, who was now quite alert.
“Chancellor Levi is speaking with her. Our army is prepared and ready to fight, but we don’t think we stand a chance. Evacuations are tricky because Nayara has the whole river occupied with her ships.”
“Where do we go?”
“Katie is supposed to stay inside the palace. You and I are going to stay in the entrance hall. The Chancellor knows we’re willing to fight alongside him, but he advised us to stand down unless we have to get involved.”
Tyson nodded. “I’ll get Katie and meet you downstairs.”
Koran nodded, patted the doorframe twice and left. Tyson went back to the bed and shook Katie awake.
Before she could ask Tyson told her, “Nayara is here.”
“What?” said Katie, sitting up. “Already?”
“Yeah,” breathed Tyson. “You’re supposed to stay in the palace. Koran and I are as well, but we’re going to be downstairs.”
“I’m not letting you fight alone,” said Katie.
“We’re not fighting,” replied Tyson. “The Chancellor doesn’t want us to. But we should go now.”
“Alright,” said Katie, getting out of bed. She didn’t know if she was angry, or scared, or annoyed. It still seemed unreal to her. Katie wanted to be a part of the war, but she was terrified of what may happen. Was she ready to take on the Queen herself? Or would she quickly come to her demise?
Katie and Tyson were walking towards the door when Artemus noisily barged in. “Katie, follow me. Tyson, you’re supposed to be downstairs. There is a five-man team there to protect you and Koran.”
Tyson nodded.
“Go, now,” Artemus ordered.
Tyson and Katie exchanged a nod before he left. Katie trusted Artemus and followed him out of her room.
Artemus was moving quickly and Katie had a hard time keeping up. Katie was slightly cold with the minimal clothes that she was wearing. After another series of many hallways and staircases, Artemus busted through a door and the cold morning air hit Katie. It was still fairly dark outside.
Katie had no idea where she was. She was led down a stone walkway. When they turned a corner, Katie could see the city below. All the lights were on, giving off a beautiful display of nightlife, but the enchanting excitement fell dead to the menacing air created by Nayara’s presence.
They eventually turned another corner and the path beneath her turned to wood.
“Just through here,” said Artemus, pushing open a small gate that had a few thin vines wrapped around it.
They were in a small enclosed space. It was darker here because of the trees. Katie looked around. They were in a square yard of some sort. Only a few weeds were growing in the dirt. Katie thought it felt familiar to the training grounds but knew that this was slightly different.
“The Chancellor wants you hidden and safe until the fight is over,” Artemus said, coming to a halt. “If you see black sparks fly towards the sky, run through that other gate.” He was pointing across the enclosure. It was directly opposite to the gate they had just come through. “You’ll reach the river and will find small boats. Board them and we will set sail. I have given Tyson and Koran the same instructions.”
“Why aren’t I going with them?”
“Your safety is our highest priority, even Tyson’s,” explained Artemus. “The Chancellor is also being cautious so that Nayara can’t easily get both you and Koran.”
Katie didn’t respond. She didn’t agree with his answer but understood the thought behind it.
“Under no circumstances are you to be harmed,” Artemus said. “Do you understand that?”
Katie nodded.
“If you hear the horn sound, go through that same gate but make your way along the river. You will find a ship there. Board it as soon as you can.”
“What about you?”
“I’ll be with you, just right behind,” he answered. “I’m telling you this in case something happens and I’m not there to guide you.”
Katie nodded again.
A shout broke the early morning silence. Katie jerked her head towards where the noise came from.
Katie saw Sabrina running towards her.
Tyson reached the bottom of the stairs and ran to catch up with Koran who was standing at the front doors, looking out towards the river.
“The Chancellor is still speaking with Nayara,” Koran informed Tyson.
“How is that going?”
Koran shook his head. “From what I can tell, not well at all. Nayara is threatening to burn the city to the ground and show no mercy for anyone.”
“Shit,” Tyson said quietly.
“I just don’t understand why she hasn’t ordered
