Chapter Twenty-One

“It’s so different.” Amber commented in dismay as she and Lex made their way through the once again devastated streets. There were few children and teenagers out and about, most of them ducking into alleyways the second they saw someone else. Amber and Lex had only been in the city for two hours and Amber was already beginning to feel the hopeless spirit that dwelled so heavily in the hearts of everyone they encountered.

“Yeah, it is.” Lex agreed, glancing around. “It was starting to get a lot better before the Chosen came.”

“I know.” Amber nodded. “I came to the city quite often in those couple of weeks that preceded the battle.”

“That’s right.” Lex frowned, pushing back a lock of raven colored hair. “I keep forgetting that. How many times did you come into the mall?”

“Only a couple times.” Amber informed him, having to double her pace to keep up with him. Lex seemed in a huge hurry to reach sector ten, though Amber found herself dreading it. She didn’t know how she would handle seeing the mall in Chosen hands. “It was far too risky. Even the few times I went I was dangerously close to being discovered.”

Lex shrugged his shoulders, not saying anything for several seconds as they darted across the open street to the next alley. “If I had known you were alive I would have recognized you the first second I saw you.”

“I doubt that.” Amber grinned mischievously, trying to lighten the mood. “You were pretty wasted that night.”

“Yeah, I was.” Lex admitted, no hint of pride in his tone, only shame. “I was pretty wrecked after Eagle Mountain.”

Amber nodded, swallowing the hard lump that had formed in the back of her throat. “I’m so sorry about Zandra, Lex. Believe me, if there was anything Ebony or I could have done to save her—“

“Hey, it’s alright.” Lex cut her off abruptly. “I’ve made my peace with that now. Just sometimes late at night I realize that I would have a son by now if she had lived.”

“How do you know the baby would have been a boy?” Amber knew it sounded like a dumb question, but she didn’t know what else to say. She and Lex had never exactly been the best of friends so it was a bit awkward between them. But after leaving the horse track just after daybreak and ducking and hiding in shadows all morning the atmosphere between them had eased a bit.

“I just knew.” Lex shrugged his shoulders. “Don’t ask me how.”

Amber didn’t, instead she chose to silently follow Lex as he led her deeper and deeper into the heart of the city. Pride had been dead set against her and Lex leaving the safety of the race track, but they needed news from the city and Amber did not want someone to go by themselves.

At first Ebony was supposed to go with Lex, however it was decided that Ebony should remain behind to train the unskilled Gaians and Mall Rats in war techniques. Lex had insisted on going, wanting to see Tai-San if at all possible, and Amber had needed her space away from Bray.

“You know,” Lex commented all of the sudden. “You’re killing Bray.”

“What?” Amber frowned, startled. “Whatever do you mean?”

“He’s still in love with you.” Lex had turned his attention away from the streets and now captured her eyes with his own. “Danni, well, he and Danni got along great and I guess she filled the need, but everyone knew that she was just a replacement for you.”

Amber shook her head, pursing her lips. She could imagine how Danni would feel if she had heard Lex’s words. Probably exactly how she imagined Pride would feel if he heard that she had used him as a replacement for Bray. “Bray and I are two completely different people now, Lex. Even if we tried to get back together it just wouldn’t work.”

“I know.” His reply took Amber off guard.

“How is that?”

Again Lex shrugged his shoulders, turning his eyes away from her and back to the roads in front of them. “You’ve both changed a lot. I think you’ve changed a bit more than Bray, though.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment coming from you, Lex.” Amber let out a small uncomfortable laugh.

“Naw. That wasn’t a compliment.” Lex glanced back at her, his eyes intense. “But this is. Amber, I always had a problem with you, but that was only because you’re the strongest most amazing woman I’ve ever met.”

Amber opened her mouth in astonishment, not sure how to respond, but at that exact moment Lex motioned for her silence and pointed to a blue robed figure that was making their way down the streets, ducking inside the alleyways and talking to the kids hiding out there.

“That’s May!” He exclaimed.

“May?” Amber frowned. “Who’s May?”

“Trust me, you don’t want to know.” Lex grinned. “But she might be some help.”

~*~*~

“I thought you were going to stay upstairs.” Panther’s greeting was clipped and cool. “You should be resting.”

“I’ve been resting for weeks.” Bray scowled at her, his dislike for this particular Gaian growing with each encounter. “I’m restless. I need to be up doing something.”

“We were just getting ready to go out to the practice yard.” Ocelot offered him a friendly smile, though he could tell there was no warmth behind it. “You can join us if you’d like.”

“I think I’d like that.” Bray nodded. He hadn’t seen Amber all day long and the chances were she was out with the rest of the rebels practicing for their first attack – the attack on the petrol dump. Lex had kept him informed of at least that much.

“You better keep up.” Panther scowled at him. “We’re not going to be carrying you.”

Bray followed behind the two Gaians as they led him out of the racetrack house and onto one of the courses. They had converted it to a practice field and even from the distance that Bray was at he could distinguish Pride’s tall figure and Ebony’s short one demonstrating fighting tactics.

“I wouldn’t try that if I were you.” Ocelot fell in step with him, her deep blue eyes studying him carefully. “Your leg must still bother you a lot.”

“It’s not so bad.” Bray stated defensively. He had examined it that morning and nearly all of the swelling had gone down and the blackish-purple bruise had begun to fade into purplish-brown.

“He can fight if he’d like to Ocelot.” Panther stated, a smug light in her eyes. “Only I get first spar.”

“I, uh—“ Bray gulped, knowing the dark Gaian would not go easy on him.

“I don’t think Pride would want you fighting just yet.” Ocelot reprimanded both Bray and Panther. “And it’s ultimately his decision. We’ll need you as healthy as possible for the attack day after tomorrow and from what Eagle has told us you aren’t completely unskilled.”

Bray chaffed under the comment, not knowing how he should take it. Rather than remark on Ocelot’s words, he took a different tactic. “Her name is Amber, you know.” He growled, annoyed with the use of Amber’s Gaian name. Whenever someone said it he felt like they were throwing up a wall between them. It was enough to drive a man mad.

“I know.” Ocelot frowned at him, her eyes disapproving. “But she took the name Eagle when she became a Gaian. I call her Amber from time to time, but as much as her name is Amber it is also Eagle.”

“It says Amber on her birth certificate.” Bray scowled.

“No.” Panther rolled her eyes. “It says Elizabeth. Amber’s her middle name. Besides, birth certificates are a part of the Old World. The Old World is dead, or maybe you’ve been living in a fantasy world for the past two years.”

Bray grimaced and said nothing. He did not know if Amber’s real name was Elizabeth or not, but rather than look like a fool he decided to hold his tongue and follow Panther and Ocelot in silence.

They were near enough to the practice field by now for Bray to distinguish the other individuals practicing their techniques. Hawk and Pride were sparing as were Cloe and Robin. Manatee was showing Dal some moves and Ebony was standing off to one side supervising and calling out instruction as they moved.

“Where’s Amber?” Bray demanded, startled.

“The city.” Panther told him with a flick of her hair as she walked off to join Ebony. Seconds later the two braided beauties had begun to fight and Bray knew he would get nothing else from her.

“It’s true.” Ocelot came up beside him, her eyes almost gentle with understanding. “She and Lex left at daybreak.”

“Lex?!” Bray scowled. “Why?”

“They’re scouting out the city.” Ocelot shrugged, her eyes leaving Bray’s face and turning towards the sparring individuals on the field. “Lex really wanted to see Tai-San and Amber was getting restless.”

“It’s too dangerous in the city!” Bray exclaimed. “Amber could get captured.”

“Maybe.” Ocelot nodded. “But it’s not likely. She has more skills than you give her credit. She knows how to disappear nearly anywhere if she wants to.”

“But she’s with Lex. He’s sure to get them captured.”

Ocelot shook her head. “You underestimate your tribe, Bray. Perhaps that was your failing as a leader.”

“I did not fail.” Bray eyed her coldly, wondering in the back of his mind if all the Gaians were as direct and rude as Panther and Ocelot seemed to be. He had only met a small handful and he was not looking forward to meeting the rest.

“No, you didn’t.” Ocelot agreed. “Though you fail now as you underestimate them. Lex may not be the same type of man as you are, but he is talented. Just in ways that you don’t appreciate.”

“Lex is a washed up drunk.” Bray spat angrily. “He’s only been sober for about a month, if that. If it hadn’t been for Alice—“

“Enough.” Ocelot cut him off. “I don’t know how it was with your tribe, but when you are with the Gaians you will only speak words uplifting your friends, not tearing them down. Perhaps that is why The Guardian found it so easy to prey upon the city.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” Bray found himself growing more and more annoyed.

“No, Bray. You don’t know what you’re talking about.” Ocelot countered, her expression completely closed off from him and he could tell this discussion was over. “Good day, Mall Rat.”

~*~*~

Pride watched as Bray began to pick fights with nearly every person he began to talk to. He could tell that Bray had been arguing with Panther as they approached and as soon as she walked away he had fought with Ocelot. It was Hawk and Manatee’s turn after that and Pride knew it was only a matter of time before Bray had alienated the entire rebel camp.

“Bray!” Pride shouted the shorter man’s name after he had complimented Cloe on her growing skills. “Your turn.”

“What?” Bray turned towards Pride, surprise showing on his face. Pride half wondered if Bray had actually thought to do any work while on the field.

“Don’t worry, City Boy, I’ll go easy on you.” Pride provoked him, feeling a bit testy himself. So far he had not seen a single redeeming attribute in Bray that he thought would attract Amber to him. Perhaps Bray had been different once, but in Pride’s opinion Bray was lower than the Chosen sleeze they were going to be fighting.

“You don’t need to go easy on me.” Bray scowled as he strode over, favoring his leg only slightly. The rest of the Gaians and Mall Rats began to form a loose circle around them and Pride knew they were going to have a captive audience.

Pride scanned the small group, his eyes resting on Ebony momentarily. She had been the last person Bray had spoken to and he could see the pain reflecting in Ebony’s hazel eyes. She thought she was covering it up, but Pride could tell differently and Pride momentarily wondered just what Bray had said that wounded her so.

“You ready?” Pride inquired after tossing Bray one of the long bow staffs.

“I’ve never used one of these before.” Bray admitted.

“Time to learn.” Pride chuckled, them moved forward, striking Bray’s staff so hard that it immediately dropped from his hands.

“Wait a second!” Bray protested amidst the few chuckles that had escaped the audiences’ lips. “I wasn’t ready.”

“Do you want me to count to three for you?” Pride asked sarcastically, though Bray failed to pick up on it. Bray nodded and Pride sucked in a deep breath. Panther, who was standing directly behind Bray was struggling to keep her composure and Pride knew he would have to leave this Mall Rat leader with at least a small shred of dignity otherwise none of the rebels would ever respect him.

Pride began slowly after he had finished his count, moving towards Bray and feinting blows. Bray was a defensive fighter, Pride immediately ascertained and he knew he could easily use that his advantage, but he didn’t. He allowed Bray a few successful hits to get his confidence up then began an attack of his own. Bray managed to block several of Pride’s hits, but more got through. It was not long before Bray was holding up on hand, the other holding up his staff stating that he yielded.

“The Guardian won’t be so merciful.” Pride commented as he accepted Bray’s yield. “You have very rough skills, Bray. Did you ever do something like this in high school?”

Bray shook his head. “No. Just basketball”

“Well, your reflexes are good.” Pride complimented refusing to look at any of the audience. “But reflexes alone will not save your skin. You need to practice or else you will become a liability. Moose,” He turned to the youngest Rebel, “I want you to work with Bray for the next twenty minutes, alright?”

“Alright!” The young boy with a curtain of mousy brown hair falling in his eyes exclaimed. “Come with me, Mall Rat.”

“My name is Bray.” Bray shot Pride an annoyed look which Pride chose to ignore.

“Alright. Come with me Bray.” Moose drug him away, chattering to him the entire way.

~*~*~

“I don’t know, May.” Amber frowned at the brunette skeptically. She did not trust this stranger, even if Lex insisted she was a Mall Rat. She wore the blue robe of the Chosen and was acting a bit too suspiciously for Amber’s liking. Besides, the attack she proposed seem a little too easy. Surly even the Guardian was not insane enough to believe Zoot would protect the Supreme Mother and Divine Child.

“Trust me.” May quickly assured her. “It’s a foolproof plan. But you have to act soon otherwise The Guardian may change the park she goes to.”

“It sounds too good to be true, May.” Lex commented, meeting Amber’s gaze over the top of May’s head. “How do we know we can trust you?”

“Look, Lex.” May meet his eyes. “You can trust me.” They held gazes for several seconds and Amber began to wonder what history lay between those two. She would rather not know, but she had a hunch it would come out on their way back to the rebel headquarters.

“Alright,” Lex sighed in consent. “If we do this attack like you’ve laid out, when would it be?”

“Tomorrow.” May’s face brightened. “Trudy goes on her walks Tuesdays and Thursdays.”

“Just after breakfast?” Amber repeated the details, trying to remember when Trudy had ever voluntarily gone on a walk. As long as Amber had known the girl she had refused to go anywhere or do anything without Bray attached to her side. Somehow Amber doubted she could have changed that much in the six months Amber had been away.

“Yes. Just after breakfast.” May grinned. “And I’ll be there to give you the signal.”

“I still don’t like it.” Amber shook her head, frowning at Lex hoping that he caught her drift. It didn’t feel right whatsoever, but Amber could tell that the thought of a quick victory against the Chosen had already intoxicated Lex. “We need to discuss this with the rest of the rebels before we make a decision.”

“Well, fine then.” May nodded a little too eagerly for Amber’s taste. “Take me to your headquarters and I’ll outline the plan.”

“No.” Amber and Lex said at the same instant. Amber was comforted that Lex wasn’t not as completely taken in as he seemed.

“That won’t do, May.” Lex frowned.

“What? You still don’t trust me after I just offered you the Divine Child?” May looked offended, but Amber had been around enough traitors to know that they were all excellent actors.

“It’s not that we don’t trust you, May.” Amber stated smoothly. “It’s for your own protection. If you go back to the mall and The Guardian learns that you were at the rebels base, what would stop him from torturing you to find out where it is?”

May gulped nervously and Amber could tell her reasoning had gotten to the girl. “You’re right. Maybe I shouldn’t go with you.”

“Tell you what, May.” Amber told her carefully, glancing over at Lex for confirmation. “Make sure Trudy goes on her little walk tomorrow and if we show up we show up. Be prepared either way, alright?”

May nodded, her face paling. “Alright.” She squeaked out in a small voice.

“Shouldn’t you be getting back before your absence is noticed?” Lex prompted her.

“Uh, yeah. You’re probably right.” May bobbed her head up and down nervously. “I’ll be in touch, alright?”

Amber nodded. “Later, May.” She watched as the young woman scurried off. She waited until she was completely gone from sight before she turned to Lex. She found him staring at her and the realization of that made her a little uncomfortable. “I don’t trust her, Lex.” Amber commented.

“I don’t either, Amber.” Lex admitted. “But I don’t really see what kind of choice we have. If we don’t do this we could be blowing a chance to end the war before it really starts.”

“I know.” Amber sighed heavily, rubbing her temples gingerly. Her headache was coming back. “What do you think we should do?”

“I think we should do it.” Lex murmured after several seconds of consideration. “But we go in with eyes wide open, expecting a trap.”

Amber nodded in approval. “That’s exactly what I was thinking.”