1x1 With AnnaCat17 and Echo!

[AnnaCat17]

-next morning-

Piper was getting ready in silence and trying desperately not to wake the others. It was barely day break but Dalton and Dash had still not arrived. She picked up her bow and got up from the bed carefully

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

Caius softly snored, hugging Clara against his chest. He didn't wake up as Piper got up.

Leaving Hestia on the chair, Caia soundlessly left the cabin. Since no one had returned, she assumed Astra had failed. She had to end it herself.

Mikah was cuddling with Azuna on the makeshift bed, a tired smile on his face as he slept.

Dalton groaned as he sat up. He hadn't got any rest last night. He looked around the dim cell, sighing.

[AnnaCat17]

Piper followed Caia quickly. "Where are you going? You are hurt." She whispered.

Azuna narrowed her eyescas she saw tge girls leaving and slipped out after them, grabbing her gun on the way.

Astra and Dash jolted awake from their restless sleep as the door was banged open. Guards entered quickly and dragged them out roughly. Astra fought back and managed to knock a few away before becoming overwhelmed and dragged off, still struggling to get free.

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

"It's my job to end it," she snapped. "I shouldn't have left her alive."

Dalton fought back, but they dragged him away with the others. He hung his head, defeated.

[AnnaCat17]

Piper and Azuna fell into step behind her, exchanging a glance. "Wont she expect you to show up?"

Iris stood at the edge of the village where three pires were built, waiting to be lit on fire. Already a crowd had gathered to watch in confusion as each of the three prisoners was tied to a wooden pole in tge center of each pier. Dash squeezed his eyes shut as Iris announced that they were traitors and must be burned for their crimes against the tribe.

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

Caia glared at Piper and Azuna. "I don't care," she snarled. "I need to finish this." She stalked away from the cabin, glowering.

Dalton felt dizzy with panic as they were tied there. He felt like he was going to be sick as he stared down at the crowd, his face pale. He felt numb, like he was watching from a distance.

[AnnaCat17]

They followed her in silence but froze, their faces paling, as they reached the edge of tge forest. Piper covered her mouth with her hand, looking horrified at where Astra, Dash, and Dalton were all tied up. "She wouldnt... She was friends with them." She said, but didnt even believe herself.

Azuna gritted her teeth. "Whats the plan?"

Iris smirked as she saw the three figures at tge edge of tge forest. "Come closer Caia and see what your influence has brought your followers." She called to her.

Astra stood against the pole feeling numb. She watched through blank eyes as the torches were lit and held in preparation of lighting them on fire. Her gaze shifted to the trio partially hidden by the trees and scoffed. She knew they would come for the boys.

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

Caia stared at them, frozen for a moment. How was she going to save them? "Azuna, can you fight Iris?" Caia knew, being injured, she wouldn't be able to beat Iris in a fight. She stiffened at Iris' words, fear glazing her eyes as she saw the torches being lit.

Dalton watched the figures at the trees, blank with fear.

[AnnaCat17]

Azuna nodded. "I can try. Piper you hold others back as you try to get the others free."

Iris drew her sword as she watched Azuna draw her gun. "Light them." She said and the guards dropped the torches setting the pires ablaze.

Dash looked at the flames panicked, feeling like he couldnt breathe as smoke coiled up and the flames began to stretch quickly across the wood. He struggled to get free of tge chains but was trapped.

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

Caia nodded. She began to approached the pires, her sword out. She hoped they could free them in time.

Dalton tried to get free, panicked. He thrashed, but couldn't get free. His chest felt tight as he breathed in smoke.