Board Thread:Short Stories and Fanfictions/@comment-2601:647:4000:5CE0:AC31:BC7E:22A3:ABCB-20191122034325/@comment-2601:647:4000:5CE0:A42F:12FB:D071:2EC0-20191124182333

Chapter 2 ........................................................................................................................................

"Hi, Soph!"

Sophie whipped around, immediately straightening her silky blue tunic and leggings, and adjusting her boots and belt. For a minute, she really wished she didn't have her circlet, cape, and pin on as she stood up from her perch on Keefe's cot, and gently planced the cold water soaked cloth on his forehead before hugging Fitz. He looked handsome and perfect- like usual, and his voice still had that crisp accent. He was wearing his blue and golden jerkin and dark pants and boots- the same outfit he had worn during the showdown in London. "Hey, yourself," Sophie replied. "Is Biana with you?"

"Ah, you just had to remember," a voice next to Fitz grumbled, before Biana appeared out of nowhere, twirling in her sleeveless baby pink gown- which had a v-shaped neck. Her dark hair was twisted into a bun that balanced at the top of her head. She was also wearing her circlet, card, and pin. "I was planning on scaring you both."

"So were we- but that was kind of spoiled," Dex added from the doorway. He was wearing a green tunic, along with black pants, a cape, boots, and his Regent attire, along with the rest of the team. Stine was wearing purple, and Wylie was orange. "And we came to talk about THE SNARKY MOONLARKS!"

"YOU SHALL NEVER BE DEPRIVED OF-" Stina was about to add, when she noticed Fitz. "...them," she finished lamely.

"Them?" FItz questioned- but Biana was already moving onto another subject.

"Anyways, bro, we didn't tell you about Stellarlune. Sophie?"

We discovered something yesterday- a cache secret, Sophie added telepathically as she replayed her memories. Fitz's mind fell silent.

"I should ask Dad about it," he said finally. "See you. Hope Keefe wakes up soon." He hugged Sophie before rushing out of the Healing Center.

"Now that the Fitzter's gone..." Stina said wickedly. "HOW'RE THE SASSY SWAN DUO? OR DO YOU PREFER THE SNARKY MOONLARKS?"

"Give me a second..." Sophie said as she rushed to Keefe's side. He was moaning now, writhing in bed as sweat poured down his face. "Shhh, it's okay," Sophie whispered, pressing the cold cloth to his forehead before turning to her friends. "He's been sweating all day. Really, really hot. And his dreams are always the same- some desert wind cutting him to pieces.

"I feel so bad," Biana whispered as everyone else echoed their regrets. Sophie resumed her perch on the bed, gently stroking Keefe's hair before taking out her notebook.

"Since they attacked the dwarves," Sophie said, scribbling something down on her notebook. "They're going to want to attack the goblins. But here's what I've been thinking. There are three different species living in the Lost Cities. So why not attack them all?" She unfolded a map from her pocket and put a large circle over Eternalia. "And they're going to want a big event, where everyone shows up. And that means the gnomes, goblins, and the elves. And they're going to make it so the Council can't cancel it. So how are they going to do that?"

"Hmmm... maybe another summit?" Biana wondered. "Or a festival?"

"Maybe," Dex admitted. "But I feel like it's going to be something completely unexpected."

"All right," Sophie replied. "So what kind of big event, including elves, goblins, and gnomes, is going to take place?"

"Wait- but the trolls weren't really part of an event," Wylie reminded them all. "The festival was only a ploy."

Keefe screamed from his cot, and everyone else yelped as Sophie hurried to pour some Youth down his throat. After a minute, Keefe curled up, tears running down his face as he rocked back and forth. Sophie felt as if she were crying, too. Nothing was waking him up.

"He'll wake... soon." Stina awkwardly patted her back.

"Yeah." Dex hugged her, followed by Wylie. "But we're leaving- I need to go, and Stina and Wylie have the meeting with Lady Zillah on stellarlune, like you asked."

"Great. Biana?"

"I'm staying," Biana said, flashing a smile. "Just for a bit."

"Thanks," Sophie answered, slightly relieved.

"Of course," Biana replied, settling herself on one of the cots when everyone had left. "So... you and my brother?"

Sophie mimed a heart breaking in half.

"Ouch," the teal-eyed girl said, wincing. "What'd he do?" Sophie quickly explained, and by the end, Biana looked ready to blow. "You're kidding me?" she exploded when Sophie finished. "He-can-be-such-a-******************************!" Sophie winced at her choice of words.

"We're okay now, though. Just friends," Sophie promised, and Biana slightly relaxed. She hugged Sophie tightly.

"Well, my mom'll kill me if I'm late... but if you need to talk, I'm always here. Always."

"Thanks, Biana," Sophie called as she was about to walk out of the Center. "Thanks."

Biana turned around, a smile curling on her lips. "Any time."