June 16, Summer 1545
Farrenbrook
0800
Abby awoke, her gaze catching Luna's across the room, who was still sound sleeping and had not awoken to the sound of the crows in the small coastal village. She thought of peace for a moment, and any immediate dread of the war fled her spirit. I don't want to get up. I wish I could lay here and forget the cares of the day. And I feel strong. I killed a man the other day. It was so different from killing the cows on the farm. To feel his flesh tear so easily from the blade in my hand. We're all just dirt. Dirt that will fade away eventually. I don't think I am doing my grandfather justice by moping, but that's what I feel in my body.
Luna wiped her eyes. Her blue sleeping gown glistened as the morning sun illuminated the room. "I guess the roosters are the alarm clock. You grew up on a farm, so you're probably used to it. How long have the roosters been going off?"
Abby managed a small giggle, casting a glance towards Luna. "The roosters have been going off for about 15 minutes now. You are a deep sleeper!" Abby's smirk grew in size. Her feet hit the carpeted floor of the hotel room.
Luna turned to the left as a knock penetrated their ears. "I'll get it," she mumbles, standing up and meandering to the door. Cracking open the door peeping through the small slit into the hallway.
"Are you guys doing okay?" Rebecca's pendant gleamed as she prompted to step into the room.
"Oh! Come on in," Luna remarked, opening the door.
Rebecca sauntered in, a little bit woozy.
"Are you okay?" Abby walks up, grabbing Rebecca by the hand and guiding her over to the bed to take a seat.
"Yeah, I'm okay," Rebecca states, giving off a slight smile. "You guys won't believe this, but I had sex last night."
"What!?" Abby jumped back laughing, surprised. "You're the last person I thought would sleep with someone."
Luna closed the door and rushed forward, wanting every detail. "I've never been with a man. I'm curious! I hear stories, but my parents strictly forbade us to have boyfriends. Honestly, we were taught that sex was only for reproducing and not pleasure."
Rebecca let go a sleepy smile. "Sadly, that teaching is taught all across Flora in smaller communities. Honestly sex is a beautiful thing, and I've had it once before with someone who broke my heart. He used the goddess as an example for us to make love to each other, and then he left me for someone prettier. It was a level of manipulation and gaslighting that I will never let happen again."
"I'm sorry to hear that someone broke your heart," Abby says, bowing. "To taste love and have it ripped away so quickly sounds like a horrible situation. I've never really focused on that part of my life. I was always working so hard on the farm that love was a fleeting thought. Love and sex seem like they're on the same coin but are quite distant from each other and the true meaning."
"I never thought I would be having such a philosophical conversation about sex this early in the morning. But I'm a deep thinker, so I guess it comes with the territory. I had sex with Marcus last night." Rebecca pushed her two index fingers together.
"Marcus!" Both women jumped back in astonishment.
"I would have never thought that you and him would share a bed together." Abby put her thumb finger towards her head, deep in thought. "How was it?"
Rebecca blushed, her cheeks a scarlet red. "It was wonderful. He is strong like the oak tree. I loved it. After he stormed out last night, I went to talk to him for a little bit. We just kind of clicked in each other's arms. Marcus may seem gruff on the exterior and like a bit of a womanizer, but he's far from it. We talked for about four hours last night about his life and how he saw his mom abused by his father who was a preacher of the goddess. I don't want to share too much. But his outburst last night was justified because of his past."
"So you just didn't sleep with him to sleep with him. That's good to know," affirmed Luna, crossing her legs and stretching on her bed. "Here I thought you jumped in the bed with him just for a ride. I know that war can make people do interesting things."
Abby shook her head. "I'm glad you had fun, and it sounds like you made the best decision in the moment. You won't hear a peep from us. I don't like spreading rumors. "
"The one I'm worried about is Marcus! He has a big mouth." Luna perked up and leaned off the bed, her hand gripped on the mattress edge.
"Don't worry!" Rebecca put up her right-hand index finger and winked. "I told him if I hear any of mutterings of our intimacy the goddess with strike him dead with a powerful bolt of lightning."
"That sounds like a horrible fate," Abby spouted. A giggle escaped her mouth as an image of Marcus walking through Flora and suddenly struck by a bolt of lightning ran through her mind. "Trust is built over time, and Marcus, even though he's grown, still has a lot of rough edges. I'm going to keep my eye on him. "
"May I ask?" Luna giggled before trailing off.
Rebecca put her hand up and closed her eyes. "He is more than adequate... the goddess has blessed him in that area."
Abby let go of a loud laugh before leaning back on the bed and rolling in circles. "I didn't want to ask," Abby blurted, sitting up from belly laughing and almost face planting on the hard wooden floor.
Rebecca put her fist to her mouth, coughing softly. "There is no need for me to go any further than that." She stood up and looks back at her friends. "Thank you for listening to me. Rosemary let me know that go time is in 20 minutes for our meeting. Sorry for wasting so much of your time. See you at the briefing room downstairs." Rebecca walks towards the door and headed out into the carpeted hallway.
"I wanted to know more," Luna laughs trying not to blush. "We need a little bit of cheer in these trying times."
Abby shook her head and let go of a smile at Luna. "You've grown since I've met you."
"How so?" Luna started to slip off her blue gown and fix her hair up in the mirror at the corner of the quaint room.
Abby put on her black leggings and her tan fatigues. Tightening her long skirt, she wrapped a heavy bronze belt over her lower body. "Do you know what Monica has in store for us today?"
"Last night she seemed disturbed and perplexed." Luna put her index finger to the tip of her chin.
"I wonder if she and Bartholomew enjoyed some time together last night too?"
Abby snapped her head to the right, catching Luna's gaze. "You are turning into quite the rumor mill over there."
"The quiet ones always keep secrets," Luna giggled, picking up her sniper rifle from the edge of the bed.
"Keep that attitude up. I'm going to need some of your joy because our kill count is only going to get higher." Abby's smile turned solemn. She grabbed her pistol and strapped it to her waist. Hopefully they have some fresh coffee and fruit down the hall.
"I could go for a banana." Luna doubled checked her sack, pulling out three magazines filled with ammo.
"You got everything you need?" Abby neared the door, turning the handle and walking into the hallway.
Luna skipped towards the door, taking the handle and leading the way to the breakfast area.
"Yo! Good to see you guys," Marcus states, walking down the hallway with his hands intertwined behind his head.
Abby's cheeks were flushed red trying to muster the words to speak to her comrade.
"You guys okay?" Marcus took out his toothpick. Cocking his head to the right he took a closer look at the two women in front of him.
"Just a little tired after yesterday," Luna whispers, wiping her head.
"If you guys need anything, let me know. We are in this together. Even though I'm a bit wild, we are humans and we gotta make it back alive." Marcus put up his fist.
Luna put her fist towards his, smiling. "You're right!"
Abby turned her head to the right, trying to fix her face. "Let's get some coffee," she exclaimed, quickly storming over to the dispenser.
"All things considered you did pretty well," Luna states, pouring some sugar into her coffee.
Abby's teeth were clattering. "I have a difficult time keeping a straight face when I have a secret to tell. That is a big secret... I must focus. "
Luna lowered her glasses, her face almost touching Abby's. "Don't be a tattle teller or I may just snipe you with a simulation round in the butt. Rebecca trusted us."
Abby rolled her shoulders back, her eyes shifting to the right. "I got it! Not a word from me." She stepped to the right, Luna's eyes following her every step.
"Hello there, fellows!" Cody passed by, a black canteen in his hands, and he took a drink from it.
"How's the coffee? This one smells a little different." Abby's nose jerked to the right, her lips smacking lightly against the corner of her mouth.
Cody smirked as he turned left, passing the two ladies and taking another swig of the mysterious liquid.
"I think he was drinking something a little heavier this morning," Luna ogled, walking with Abby and taking a left into the briefing room.
"Nice to see you two. Looking elegant. Though that hair could do for a little touch up," Ian states, crossing his legs.
"Ian, that is the last thing I need to hear after yesterday. Tone it down a bit, will you?" Abby countered, taking a seat next to him.
"My parents always told me to tell the truth and speak it plainly. I cannot help but do so, even during the war. How can I resist you, Abby? You're kind and a warrior at heart. All of us can learn something from you." Ian nudged his shoulder towards hers.
"The charm is turned on a bit high this morning, don't you think?" Rosemary refuted, elbowing him in the rib.
"I'm still tender!" Ian rubbed his left rib, nursing it for a few moments.
"Good to see you guys," Rosemary states, leaning forward and smiling at Luna and Abby. Her twin blue pigtails swayed as she leaned back in the chair.
Abby let go a gentle sigh that was slightly delayed. Her eyes peered towards the chalkboard in front of them where many squares and horses were drawn with names beside them.
"Alright everyone, thank you for being here on time." Monica storms with Bartholomew in tow.
"Is there news from Masten Bridge?" Marcus spoke up before Monica could even point at the chalkboard.
"The news is still the same," Monica sighed, eying Marcus from across the room. "Everyone, after deliberating with Bartholomew, I have decided that we will be splitting into two groups."
"WHAT?" The whole group leapt out of their chairs.
"That's a horrible idea," Cody yelled. "We just fought in our first engagement, and you want to split us up. That doesn't make sense. We need each other."
"I agree with Cody as well." Ian put out his hands, gesturing them towards the ceiling. "We need to stay together and push towards our next location."
"Did these orders come from the home station?" Rebecca inquired.
Abby was at a loss, looking over at Luna who was staring down at the ground. I hope we don't get split up... that would be the worst thing. I need Luna beside me... I need her friendship with me as I live up to be the woman who will continue to live up to our name.
Monica put her hand up, shaking her head and calming the room. "The decision has been made. One group will head to the outer skirts near Masten to find a way to cripple the offensive. Another group will head north and pick up the officers in charge. We will move through the shadows. On the first team going to the south will be Me, Marcus, Cody and Luna. On the second team will be Rosemary, Abby, Ian, and Rebecca."
Luna put her hand over to Abby's, clenching it tightly. "I'm not happy with this."
"Let's fall in line everyone, Monica has made her decision, and we need to be on board. There is no need to disagree." Rosemary leaned forward, intertwining her hands.
"I, for one, want to blow up all of those scum near Masten bridge. Thank you for taking my needs into consideration." Marcus smiles trying to contain his fear and joy. "I'm worried about my family. I want to get there as soon as possible."
"We will," Monica states. "I know that this is a shock to some of you, but we need to maximize our effectiveness. As your leader, it is my duty to do so. Get your rest today, because our offense begins at the break of dawn tomorrow."
Thank for reading Vol 1 of The Liberation of Flora. I am hard at work creating several novels. If you feel so inclined, support me on Amazon and spread the word. My dream is to convert all my light novels into an anime. I believe in this dream wholeheartedly and continue to grow as a writer daily.