{"id":2675,"date":"2019-08-03T19:08:16","date_gmt":"2019-08-04T00:08:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=2675"},"modified":"2019-09-15T07:40:08","modified_gmt":"2019-09-15T12:40:08","slug":"lucky-luck-part-12","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=2675","title":{"rendered":"Lucky Luck – Part 12"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lucky Luck<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

by AJ Marks<\/span><\/p>\n

A lucky Rebellion part 2<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Gwen looked around seeing a very different atmosphere around the city that Zeltran said to meet up with the rebellion in Sinthal.\u00a0 The town she could recall from her days in the Realm, a small trading post for the Shadlowlands.\u00a0 Riding in she hoped no one would recognize her, except those who wanted to see her.<\/p>\n

Looking around she spotted a few guards, who glanced at her, but otherwise paid no mind to her.\u00a0 Most looked more at Zoe than her, her long blonde hair, and cute figure made her easy to look at.\u00a0 Gwen had no idea what to expect, and made her way to the stable.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow much?\u201d Gwen asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cTen creds,\u201d he said, causing her to almost balk at the price.<\/p>\n

\u201cTen!\u201d Zoe exclaimed, shocked at the price.<\/p>\n

\u201cYep, that\u2019s the standard faire missy,\u201d he said, not backing down one bit.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow about eight?\u201d Zoe said.<\/p>\n

\u201cNope, ten, take it or continue walking,\u201d the man said.<\/p>\n

Gwen placed a hand on Zoe\u2019s arm, making her pause in her outrage.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, ten it is,\u201d Gwen said, watching as Zoe looked on.\u00a0 She knew the prices in the Realm were higher.\u00a0 Usually about double, but this seemed even higher than normal.\u00a0 \u201cTough times?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMust not get out of the Shadowlands much,\u201d he finally said after taking the coins.\u00a0 \u201cMost usually know the prices.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBeen a couple of years, but didn\u2019t imagine the price to triple in that time,\u201d Gwen said.<\/p>\n

\u201cTaxes,\u201d the man said.\u00a0 \u201cHave to raise the prices, otherwise can\u2019t afford to eat myself.\u00a0 But I\u2019d watch who you talk to, the king has spies everywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGreat,\u201d Gwen said, wondering if they would recognize her.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou in town for business, or traveling through,\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe both, we\u2019ll see,\u201d Gwen replied, not wanting to give out too much information.<\/p>\n

\u201cBounty hunter stuff,\u201d Zoe said, hoping that would explain it.<\/p>\n

\u201cThought so, you look the type, but she doesn\u2019t,\u201d the man said, looking over at Zoe.<\/p>\n

\u201cExactly,\u201d Gwen said, with a smile giving Zoe a squeeze, then dismounting.\u00a0 \u201cAnything good to eat around here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRenee\u2019s Tavern, best ale in the area,\u201d the man replied, pointing to a building nearby.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, thanks,\u201d Gwen said, walking off across the road.\u00a0 She figured if anyone in the rebellion wanted to see her, they could make contact with her there.<\/p>\n

Inside things were normal, the regulars off to one side, and probably visitors off to the other side.\u00a0 In between the girls worked their charm on potential customers.\u00a0 She walked in sitting Zoe down at a table before heading over to the bar to get something.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat can I get ya?\u201d the bartender asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo ales,\u201d he said, watching as he looked at her, then over at the girl before pouring the drinks.\u00a0 \u201cFour creds.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gwen placed the coins down before heading back to the table, intercepted by one of the girls.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey honey, how about you and me?\u201d she said, giving Gwen a good view of her assets, practically trying to feel Gwen up.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot today,\u201d Gwen replied back, moving forward seeing green eyes narrow at the move.\u00a0 Oh boy Gwen thought, a jealous lover, not what she needed right now.\u00a0 \u201cHere,\u201d she said to Zoe, placing the ale down on the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomeone you know?\u201d Zoe asked, though the tone seemed reasonable, it held a note of danger.\u00a0 Gwen knew physically Zoe could do nothing to her, but she did not want to test her luck.<\/p>\n

\u201cNope,\u201d Gwen said, looking as the same woman who hit on her had moved on to someone else.\u00a0 \u201cShe\u2019s trying to drum up business.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBusiness?\u201d Zoe said.<\/p>\n

\u201cUm, yeah, she\u2019s a lady of the night,\u201d Gwen said, seeing Zoe frown.\u00a0 \u201cA ho, prostitute, works for pleasure,\u201d she said lowering her voice.\u00a0 Some of the girls could be very offended by the terms and thought lady of the night seemed to work best for them.\u00a0 She watched as Zoe\u2019s eyes went wide.\u00a0 \u201cYou really never did get out much.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, she wanted, um, you to pay her to have sex?\u201d Zoe asked, causing Gwen to cough.<\/p>\n

\u201cYep,\u201d Gwen said, watching as Zoe now looked on, as they happened to see one of the girls head upstairs with a man.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019ll be back down depending on how quickly he finishes,\u201d Gwen said, knowing that some girls worked hard to make the guy get off quickly.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d Zoe said, suddenly blushing slightly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are too cute,\u201d Gwen said, as Zoe looked over at her in surprise.\u00a0 Gwen took a swallow of the ale, and it was good.\u00a0 She had better in the Shadowlands, but it was good for this area.\u00a0 And the further into the Realm they got, the more the drinks would be mass produced and not quite as good, or better depending on the brewer.\u00a0 She looked around the room to give Zoe a bit of time to recover, or let her mind wonder a bit more.<\/p>\n

She spotted a couple of men who were looking at them, or more specifically her. \u00a0She wondered who they might be, part of the Realm, or the rebellion.\u00a0 There were others in the room with weapons and armor, including a couple of women.\u00a0 Now she had to work on who they were.\u00a0 One got up and started to make his way over to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re about to have company,\u201d Gwen said, wondering what they might want.\u00a0 She figured she would learn rather quickly.<\/p>\n

He sat down without even asking, causing Gwen to look at him over her drink.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you?\u201d he asked, looking at Gwen.<\/p>\n

\u201cAm I what?\u201d Gwen asked back, unsure of what he wanted, and was not willing to give up information without knowing who they were.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t play games, this is important,\u201d the man said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, but I also know not to give out information randomly to people I don\u2019t know,\u201d Gwen said, a lesson she learned early on which caused her to switch her name.<\/p>\n

He leaned forward before saying anything, making sure not to be overheard.\u00a0 \u201cRuth,\u201d was all he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd, who are you?\u201d Gwen said, not about to reveal who she was without knowing if he was part of the government or rebellion.<\/p>\n

\u201cMarcy is looking for you,\u201d the man said, leaning back to stretch, then looked around before looking back at her.\u00a0 Gwen spared a glance to his friend, who walked out of the tavern.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that name supposed to mean something to me,\u201d Gwen said, keeping an eye on Zoe now.\u00a0 If anything happened she would need to protect her.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see,\u201d the man said.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m Jack.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell Jack, where did your partner go, nice subtle communications there, is he going for reinforcements?\u201d Gwen asked<\/p>\n

\u201cHe works for me you might say, times are dangerous not to be working in pairs,\u201d he said, pointing over at Zoe.\u00a0 \u201cThough this little bit won\u2019t do much.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gwen intercepted the hand and squeezed.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d be careful about who you said is worthless.\u201d\u00a0 She watched as he winced in pain from her strength.\u00a0 He was strong himself, a powerful fighter from his aura, but not as strong as Gwen and she let him know it.\u00a0 Finally relaxing, she waited.<\/p>\n

The man\u2019s partner reappeared walking to the table looking down at them.\u00a0 \u201cTime to practice, you said you\u2019d train me with some new moves.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay Kerros,\u201d the man said to him before looking back at Gwen.\u00a0 \u201cLike I said, times are dangerous.\u00a0 You we can work with, her, don\u2019t think so.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen we have nothing else to talk about,\u201d Gwen said, watching him stand, look at her closely before shrugging and walking off.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was all that about?\u201d Zoe asked, looking a bit miffed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey obviously don\u2019t know much,\u201d Gwen said, knowing how much Zoe had had done for her in the short amount of time she had known her.\u00a0 \u201cCome on, let\u2019s get a place to stay the night, and work on where to go tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

She figured he had to work for the rebellion, but they seemed to expect she would automatically work with them.\u00a0 Nothing she heard made her want to work with them.\u00a0 She wondered if Marcy really had been part of this new rebellion.\u00a0 If she was, then she was doing everything possible to make sure she did not join up.\u00a0 That in itself made her curious about what might be going on.<\/p>\n

Heading out of the tavern they made their way over towards the inn, where Gwen spotted a few people watching not her, but Zoe.\u00a0 It seemed odd to her, especially considering the amount of attention.\u00a0 It made Gwen uncomfortable, and she decided to keep an eye on them.\u00a0 They started closing the distance eventually blocking their path.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, well, this is interesting,\u201d one said, he appeared to be the leader of the group.\u00a0 \u201cLooks like we\u2019ll get that nice payday after all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gwen stepped in front of Zoe, instinct telling her they were after Zoe.\u00a0 She counted three of them, all with fighting power.\u00a0 \u201cI suggest you walk away, if you want to live,\u201d Gwen said, gripping her sword.\u00a0 She would not underestimate them this time, she no longer was in the Shadowlands, and these could be much stronger fighters.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think not, you better walk away, now,\u201d the leader said, drawing his sword.\u00a0 Gwen replied the same, now all of them held drawn swords.\u00a0 Their fighting power came forth and she allowed hers to respond in kind.<\/p>\n

\u201cGuess we have ourselves a stand-off,\u201d Gwen said, feeling Zoe back up.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, you are more than some backwoods hick she got to protect herself,\u201d the leader said.\u00a0 \u201cWon\u2019t matter, you\u2019d have to be very strong to beat all three of us, and you\u2019re standing between us and five hundred thousand creds.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gwen\u2019s eyes went wide at that, and barely avoided the first strike while blocking the second.\u00a0 A throwing star stopped the third guy forcing him into defense.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see you didn\u2019t know that,\u201d the man said, laughing slightly.\u00a0 \u201cWell, guess information like that doesn\u2019t make it out into the backwoods areas.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gwen focused on attack, forcing two back as the leader stepped back allowing his two men to fight for him.\u00a0 They were better than any group she had fought against in years, and her rust showed.\u00a0 Deciding to not fool around she powered up fully, watching the men stop upon feeling her aura.<\/p>\n

\u201cBoss?\u201d one said, worry in his tone.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I know,\u201d the leader said, backing up.\u00a0 \u201cRetreat for now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gwen watched them hastily head back to the horses, and take off.\u00a0 Sheathing her sword she turned back to Zoe.\u00a0 Wrapping an arm around her they continued on to the inn, despite the stares from others at what happened.\u00a0 Already she knew whispers of what happened were spreading through the town.<\/p>\n

She could have handled that situation differently but it seemed like the best way at the time.\u00a0 The innkeeper looked at her warily but said nothing, as Zoe asked for the room and handed the coins over and headed up to their room.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like someone is still after me,\u201d Zoe finally said, sitting down on the bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Gwen replied, looking out the window at the town, seeing huddle conversations going on.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about you?\u00a0 Five hundred thousand is a lot of money,\u201d Zoe said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd get rid of my partner, nah, she\u2019s worth a lot more than that,\u201d Gwen replied, heading over to sit down on the bed.\u00a0 \u201cI mean, she puts up with me, despite who I am.\u201d<\/p>\n

She saw Zoe smile, and felt relieved.\u00a0 True, a month or two ago, she would have, today, it did not feel right in either her mind or heart.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, what do we do now?\u201d Zoe asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure, of course I\u2019m not sure what I to expect,\u201d Gwen said.\u00a0 \u201cWe could head back into the Shadowlands and try to find a place to settle down or something.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t see that happening,\u201d Zoe said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, or we could continue to be bounty hunters and wait for the heat to die down,\u201d Gwen said.\u00a0 That option seemed to have the best plan.\u00a0 They could keep an ear out for rumors and bounties on either of them.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess,\u201d Zoe said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were hoping something might happen?\u201d Gwen asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, it seemed like a good opportunity, and it felt right,\u201d Zoe said. Gwen paused to think about that.\u00a0 If Zoe\u2019s gut said something good, she would listen.\u00a0 The girl had been very good so far listening to her gut.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, maybe we\u2019ll be told the real issue later on,\u201d Gwen finally said.\u00a0 \u201cIn the meantime, we\u2019ll keep an eye out on anything that might happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRight,\u201d Zoe replied, cheerfully.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Gwen felt Zoe tighten her hold, deciding to sit in the back today, wanting a different feel over the past couple of days.\u00a0 The suggestion of walking did not go over well.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Gwen figured the girl wanted an excuse for an all morning long hug.\u00a0 She had done it enough with Zoe in front, and knew how nice it felt.<\/p>\n

The feeling of several fighting auras up ahead brought her to attention, slightly glad Zoe was in back today.\u00a0 She tensed up, extending her aura, feeling four fighters, and two mages, quite an assortment, and more powerful than the normal bandits.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrouble?\u201d Zoe asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cMight be, keep a tight grip, we might have to run for it,\u201d Gwen said.\u00a0 She really did not want to fight on horseback.<\/p>\n

She brought the horse to a stop, close enough to the group, reading a few throwing stars.\u00a0 She only had to wait a moment as three figures emerged from the roadside.\u00a0 One woman, average height with black hair to her shoulders.\u00a0 Gwen realized she was a fighter, about average in strength.\u00a0 The other two were fighters, and she recognized one from the tavern yesterday.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re skills are impressive,\u201d the woman said.\u00a0 \u201cAnd here we have hidden from the king himself as he went by.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, well he doesn\u2019t have bandits dropping in on him all the time,\u201d Gwen replied, wondering what she wanted.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have a proposition for you,\u201d the woman said, walking towards her completely unafraid.\u00a0 \u201cWe need you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd who is we?\u201d Zoe asked, peeking around from behind Gwen.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, your mysterious part-\u201c she stopped, looking more closely at Zoe, shock in her eyes.<\/p>\n

Gwen shifted slightly, her hand on her sword ready for anything.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t believe it,\u201d she said, looking at Gwen then back at Zoe.\u00a0 \u201cIts wonderful.\u201d\u00a0 She smiled looking almost too happy.\u00a0 It made Gwen uncomfortable about the situation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wonderful?\u201d Zoe asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, you\u2019re the one who defeated Stephos,\u201d the woman said, causing Gwen to look on in disbelief.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re the one who has a half a million bounty on her,\u201d Gwen spat out, ready to do battle.<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh?\u00a0 Half a million, oh no, that\u2019s the king, Rick, I hired Stephos to get her for the rebellion,\u201d the woman said, backing off slightly.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s try again.\u00a0 I\u2019m Betsy, of the rebellion.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gwen looked at her, then over at the others trying to determine if this was the truth.<\/p>\n

\u201cI heard about this latgic having incredible luck from my spies in the Realm, and so tried to get her before Rick,\u201d Betsy said.\u00a0 \u201cHowever my partner, Stephos betrayed me, and took her for his own, but I haven\u2019t heard from him in a while.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s dead,\u201d Gwen said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Betsy said, shocked.\u00a0 \u201cDamn, there went our recruiter in the Shadowlands.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was working for you?\u201d Gwen said.\u00a0 \u201cI doubt it, at least from what he told me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was helping us, now we\u2019re set back,\u201d Betsy said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI doubt he helped you, more like he used you,\u201d Zoe said.\u00a0 \u201cHe wasn\u2019t about to let me go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had a deal,\u201d Betsy said.\u00a0 \u201cTold me he was having trouble finding you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen you were played as a fool,\u201d Gwen said.\u00a0 \u201cHe had no intention of selling Zoe, and neither do I.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe isn\u2019t your slave?\u201d Betsy said.\u00a0 \u201cShe was for sale by the previous owner.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was never a slave,\u201d Zoe spat out, angry at the accusation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were told that by Father Tessel,\u201d Betsy said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was the priest of the orphanage I lived in,\u201d Zoe said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see, then a lot of information we received was incorrect,\u201d Betsy said, pausing in thought about something.\u00a0 \u201cWell, we still need you in the rebellion.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d Gwen asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u00a0 Did you not see the way things were in the town?\u201d one of the others said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeen in the Shadowlands,\u201d Gwen replied.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s about the same.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThings are brewing under the surface, full scale war is about to happen,\u201d Betsy said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen why do you need me?\u201d Gwen asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need your power,\u201d one of the men said.<\/p>\n

Gwen recognized the truth, they did not care about her, or Zoe, only if the ends justified the means.\u00a0 The same attitude her cousin showed all too often.\u00a0 An attitude Gwen would be happy to never see again.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe truth is, some in the military still trust you,\u201d Betsy said.\u00a0 \u201cAt least come meet with our leaders.\u00a0 It could save lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gwen looked over at Zoe, then back to the group before making up her mind.\u00a0 \u201cAll right,\u201d knowing that she probably would have to meet Marcy one last time.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood, Jack, let them know we\u2019re coming,\u201d Betsy said, talking to the one who had spoken to Gwen in the tavern.\u00a0 He nodded and left quickly before they began to head off as well.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Gwen walked beside Zoe, while the horse walked behind them, led by the reigns.\u00a0 She entered a small clearing and noticed several tents, neatly arranged giving an air of a professional military camp.\u00a0 The person behind it knew something about set ups.\u00a0 It looked very different compared to the warlord camps in the Shadowlands.<\/p>\n

She glanced around, seeing people stare at her.\u00a0 The glares ranged from hostile to hopeful.\u00a0 She felt Zoe move in closer, not used to such stares, and she wanted to go and knock some heads together, but restrained herself.\u00a0 She did not feel like fighting her way out of the camp.<\/p>\n

She walked into the largest tent along with Jack and Betsy, seeing several people inside.\u00a0 She assumed they were the leaders of the group.\u00a0 She quickly noticed Marcy, and another person seemed familiar to her, a woman with black hair and brown eyes.\u00a0 Gwen felt sure she had met the woman somewhere.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello Ruth,\u201d Marcy said, walking over to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cMarcy, and its Gwen now,\u201d she replied, not moving from beside Zoe.\u00a0 She noticed Marcy look between them for a few seconds before replying.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t want to do any of that, I had no choice,\u201d Marcy said, coming even closer.\u00a0 She felt Zoe move between them.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can choose,\u201d Zoe said.\u00a0 \u201cI know that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou poor dear, you have no idea who she really is do you,\u201d Marcy said, looking down at Zoe.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve both kept secrets from each other,\u201d Zoe replied back.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have secrets?\u201d Marcy said, sounding doubtful.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoesn\u2019t matter what you think Marcy,\u201d Gwen said, placing a hand on Zoe\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cWhy should I stay and help?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKing Rick has become unstable since the death of his wife, and Prince Derek is even worse,\u201d the familiar woman said.\u00a0 \u201cTaxes in some areas are as high as ninety percent.\u00a0 People disappear at night, there is a rumor that Derek is behind it.\u00a0 The people live in fear of him, he doesn\u2019t care about the people, only how they can please him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds normal,\u201d Gwen said, recalling her cousin.\u00a0 He never seemed that connected to the people.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe entire region is becoming destabilized,\u201d the woman said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve met you before,\u201d Gwen said, looking at her thinking about it.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou did a mission with a trading partner, John,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were the other merchant,\u201d Gwen said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I\u2019m Celia, and we do dealings in the Shadowlands for several reasons, including money,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Gwen digested this news, and add in the fact that the rebellion worked with Setephos it was no wonder the man attacked them on the route.\u00a0 They had been given the information by her probably.<\/p>\n

Gwen still felt unconvinced in even helping the rebellion.\u00a0 It was not her fight she kept saying to herself.\u00a0 She thought about a way to get out of this mess.<\/p>\n

A man came running into the tent, out of breath.<\/p>\n

\u201cGregory, they\u2019re coming,\u201d the man said finally, causing everyone in the tent to panic.<\/p>\n

Gwen frowned, wondering what was going on before screams could be heard.\u00a0 They were being attacked.\u00a0 Extending her aura she felt a lot of powerful fighters in the area.<\/p>\n

\u201cDamn, how\u2019d they find us again,\u201d the man said, looking around and focusing on Gwen. \u00a0\u201cStabbing us in the back?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I meant what I said, you\u2019re the one who dragged me back, and if you want people who will stab you in the back, look at her,\u201d Gwen said, pointing to Marcy.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think you\u2019re so smart,\u201d Marcy said, activating a wind spell that ripped through the tent.\u00a0 Gwen pulled Zoe with her even as people screamed as the wind sliced through them.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see you haven\u2019t changed,\u201d Gwen said to her, feeling a heat go through the tent as two mages started to battle.<\/p>\n

Gwen did not wait to see who might win, pulling Zoe out with her and quickly checking the girl over.\u00a0 A slight cut on her arm, but nothing serious.\u00a0 Outside chaos reigned as riders came in quickly slicing down anyone they came across.<\/p>\n

\u201cStay close,\u201d Gwen said to Zoe, allowing her full fighting power to rise up.\u00a0 She wanted to move out of the camp.\u00a0 Lucky few went after her, those who did were quickly struck down.\u00a0 She felt a two large auras enter the fight one headed right towards her.<\/p>\n

Readying herself she had a feeling who it might be, and not disappointed when the horse crashed through the chaos right for her.\u00a0 She rolled out of the way pulling Derek along with her.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, you didn\u2019t die, well you shall here cuz,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cDerek, didn\u2019t expect to see you anytime soon,\u201d Gwen said.\u00a0 \u201cWere you waiting for me to show up here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNope, and I see you have the infamous latgic with you, a double win for me, my luck is already changing,\u201d he laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were the one who wanted her,\u201d Gwen said, giving her sword a twirl as he dismounted.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s worth it, don\u2019t you think, cuter than I expected, though her mother is very different, easily manipulated though,\u201d Derek said.\u00a0 \u201cWith her every problem will be solved.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gwen knew he was talking about her luck, but also knew a lot of hard work needed to be good even with luck.\u00a0 She would not allow him to harm a single hair on Zoe, and rushed forward watching as he barely avoided her attack.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhoa, forgot you are powerful,\u201d Derek said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you\u2019ve never beaten me in a real fight,\u201d Gwen said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re only as strong as me, and I\u2019ve beaten you many times,\u201d Derek said.\u00a0 \u201cLike with Marcy, poor Ruth, never realized her lover was really my lover.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gwen paused slightly, deflecting an attack by Derek.\u00a0 \u201cIt figures, you two should get along great,\u201d Gwen said, before going on the attack again.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy mole inside the rebellion, allowed me to use them anyways I wished,\u201d Derek said.\u00a0 The tent that had the leaders erupted in magical flames.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think your lover just met her match,\u201d Gwen said, striking again, slicing through a piece of his armor, but not hurting him, perhaps a scratch.\u00a0 She moved forward to engage him again, seeing a fast moving rider go through heading straight towards Zoe.\u00a0 In a few seconds she saw Zoe picked up and carried off by the king.<\/p>\n

Derek laughed, quickly retreating back to his horse.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t fret Ruth, we\u2019ll take good care of her,\u201d he said, riding off with laughter.<\/p>\n

Several Realm soldiers moved towards her blocking her attempt to chase the king and her cousin.\u00a0 They did not last long as she took her anger out on him.\u00a0 She looked on as the remaining soldiers of the Realm fled leaving the camp eerily quiet.\u00a0 The few remaining rebels seemed stunned by what happened.\u00a0 She turned towards the tent seeing it in ruins wondering if anyone even survived.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet some help over here,\u201d a person yelled.\u00a0 Gwen made her way over, seeing the destruction of the tent, bodies were slain all over, some were charred, other bodies sliced up by wind magic.\u00a0\u00a0 She recognized Celia being tended to by a few others.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve lost Gregory,\u201d one of the rebels said to Celia.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd most of the leadership,\u201d Celia said, her tone sorrowful looking up at Gwen.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re still here?\u00a0 What about your partner?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy cousin took her,\u201d Gwen spat out.<\/p>\n

\u201cGreat, we\u2019re doomed now,\u201d Celia said, defeat in her voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, he did the one thing which guaranteed I\u2019d sign on to the rebellion,\u201d Gwen said, seeing confusion in Celia\u2019s eyes.\u00a0 \u201cI was going to leave, head back to the Shadlowlands with Zoe when he attacked.\u00a0 Now I\u2019m on board to get her back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut she\u2019s luck, how do you win against that?\u201d Celia said.\u00a0 \u201cWe barely held our own before this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have me,\u201d Gwen said, recalling some things about the luck.\u00a0 She believed in the bond between them, Gwen had Zoe\u2019s luck in her heart.\u00a0 She had to believe it, and even if they did not help, she would not rest until Zoe had been freed.<\/p>\n

\u201cGreat,\u201d Celia said sarcastically.<\/p>\n

Gwen looked around seeing the defeated attitude around her.\u00a0 \u201cListen up,\u201d she said, jumping up on a box.\u00a0 \u201cI want a group tending to the wounded, another group working on our supplies, getting them ready to move.\u00a0 Another group out on guard and a few messengers ready to go, move it!\u201d<\/p>\n

The group of rebels seemed stunned until she repeated herself spurring them into moving before looking back at Celia.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, what type of resources do you have in the Shadowlands?\u201d Gwen asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cAside from Stephos, who is dead, not much,\u201d Celia said.\u00a0 \u201cI have a partnership with John, but that\u2019s about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gwen thought about it for a few seconds, finally coming up with a plan.\u00a0 \u201cI might though,\u201d she said, thinking of some people aside from John, mercenaries like Sven and Otto, fighters like Ottis, merchants like Valerie and Greis, and others like Hans and maybe even people like Zeltran.\u00a0 In a few short weeks she had done so much with Zoe, had it all been part of the luck?<\/p>\n

\u201cYou plan on attacking them?\u201d Celia asked, getting her arm tended to.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, or at least my lover back,\u201d Gwen said, the driving force behind all of this.\u00a0 \u201cWe have work to do, and now that the mole is gone things might be looking up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t believe she fooled us,\u201d Celia said.\u00a0 \u201cShe was our spy in the Realm.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, she was with Derek, probably went back and right into his bed,\u201d Gwen spat out.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat!\u201d Celia said, obvious that she had slept with Marcy as well.<\/p>\n

Gwen decided not to think about it, she had other things on her mind.\u00a0 She had to get to Zoe before anything happened to her.<\/p>\n

End part 12, continued in part 13<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Lucky Luck by AJ Marks A lucky Rebellion part 2 Gwen looked around seeing a very different atmosphere around the city that Zeltran said to meet up with the rebellion in Sinthal.\u00a0 The town she could recall from her days in the Realm, a small trading post for the Shadlowlands.\u00a0 Riding in she hoped no […]
Continue reading…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[3,6,28,12],"class_list":["post-2675","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-original","tag-aj-marks","tag-fantasy","tag-original","tag-story"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2675","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2675"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2675\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2687,"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2675\/revisions\/2687"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2675"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2675"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2675"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}