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Nights in the desert weren’t known for their warmth, but the falling rain brought with it a chill that soaked through to the bone. Thick clouds cut the landscape off from any source of moonlight, the darkness devouring what little light torches and lanterns could provide, while the deafening rain forced the masses inside their homes. Silent figures moved about the city unseen, some masked while others simply cloaked, all observing from their places in the shadows. Many things were witnessed that night, though death was only but one horror among many.

By the time the rain began to let up, most of the city’s occupants had either retired to their estates within the walls while few others had already embarked on a long journey home. Five small shadows darted from cover to cover, careful not to spend too much time out in the open where they could be spotted, holding their breaths each time a Drakkan drew too close for comfort. One by one they made their way to an abandoned shop, a disheveled location that looked like someone had left in a big hurry, bloodstains left behind indicating that it was not of their own volition either. 

Three girls stood at the back of the building, furthest from the door so as to minimize the possibility of detection despite the hour. One leaned up against the wall with her arms folded against her chest, both her hood and her mask still donned despite her companion’s appearance. Poking her nose into every corner of the building, the second young woman took to canvassing the area while they awaited the arrival of their leader. While it was highly unlikely they would be discovered, it was always better to be sure than to assume. The other two sat together on the floor, the elder of the two helping to warm the shivering youth.

“[color=c4df9b]We’re in the clear, you can remove your mask here. Friends, remember?[/color]” The one spoke, rolling her eyes when she received no response from her masked companion. 

“[color=39b54a]It’s alright, leave her be.[/color]” Came another voice from the doorway, the new arrival pulling her hood down as she took refuge from the rain. Her breath escaped her mouth in tiny white tufts, water still dripping from the edges of her cloak but it didn’t seem to bother her all that much.

“[color=39b54a]So, what do we have?[/color]” She asked, looking around the room expectantly. No explanations were necessary, there were very few reasons they would risk entering the capitol especially this time of year.

“[color=c4df9b]Unfortunately not much. With the ceremony being moved up the way it did, there wasn’t enough time to properly prepare. Trying to find a way inside on such short notice was next to impossible, so outside of you… and maybe [i]him[/i]... the best we have is long after initial contact with their husbands.[/color]” The woman she was reporting to nodded her head thoughtfully, eyes drifting to the floor.

“[color=39b54a]I see. While it was not an ideal situation, it was not a total loss. Every bit of information helps, you know that. The initial contact is a great teller, but it is not everything. We’ll have to wait and see how they fair after a few days spent in their new homes. Was there anyone in need of immediate liberation?[/color]” She spoke, looking around the room to each of her companions.

“[color=a2d39c]Excuse me ma’am. There were a couple we took note of that might need our assistance. Whether or not they’ll be good candidates for the front line is still unknown, but I’m sure there’s something we can do… Right?[/color]” The shivering girl spoke up, voice light and quite timid as her eyes darted about the space. She looked as if she expected a Drakkan soldier to pop up out of the shadows simply by speaking about them.

“[color=39b54a]We will try to do whatever we can, but we can’t take in everyone. We’ll have our absent friend look into rehoming the ones we cannot support. An awful premise, I know… but a necessary sacrifice to our cause.[/color]” The younger girl looked deflated, clearly having hoped to save whoever it was that she saw. Such was the price they had to pay though, with such limited resources and abundant risks, it was impossible to care for anyone that couldn’t give back to the cause. It hurt the woman’s heart to have admit it, but it was her duty to make the difficult choices.

“[color=39b54a]There were a few right out of the gate that managed to catch my attention. I think we should consider looking into recruiting them if at all possible. More than a few feisty ones this time around.[/color]”

“[color=8dc73f]If by feisty you mean mouthy, then yes… Quite a few.[/color]” The deeper sound of a male voice made a few of the members jump a little, the leader clearly having expected the arrival if her relaxed posture was any indicator. Turning around, she motioned for the Drakkan youth to enter and share his thoughts with the rest of them. He was barely old enough to be considered an adult by Drakkan standards, but he had been quick to learn how to blend in with the crowds and appear as if he belonged… An easy task considering he was one of their kind.

While an outsider might have been confused by the sight of what was clearly a Drakkan male conversing with a bunch of wayward Gemmenite women, those that had been around long enough knew he was not someone to be wary of. He had been the child of a bride from one of the earlier reapings, sometime around when the Rebels had really started getting their bearings. The woman had unfortunately been impregnated before she was able to make her escape, but she managed to find sanctuary with the Rebels where she gave birth to and raised her son. She had long since passed away by this point, but the son proved to be a great asset to the Rebel’s cause.

“[color=39b54a]If the information I heard was correct, one of my primary interests is a girl whose been stirring trouble since she was brought over the spine. She’s got a lot of courage, and seemed like the sort to look out for her fellow brides. Has already taken quite a beating too from the sound of it.[/color]” She began, the boy who was now standing beside her shaking his head in response.

“[color=8dc73f]As great as she sounds, you should probably give up on that one. The man she was handed to is no joke, and those chains the real deal. Even the War Lords seemed unnerved around the guy.[/color]” He chimed in, fighting a shiver that had nothing to do with the cold.

The eldest woman in the group cleared her throat to gain attention, standing to her feet despite the lack of necessity. An old habit yet to have died off.

“[color=82ca9d]Our leader here has pretty sharp instincts when it comes to these girls. If she’s your prime, m’dear, then there must be reason. The girl wouldn’t be the first to liberate herself from her situation… If what you say about her husband is correct, we might have to wait to see if she makes it on her own rather than going and collecting her. In that case, we’ll be waiting to take her in with open arms.[/color]” Heads around the room nodded their agreement as the woman took her seat, the leader waiting for everything to settle before continuing on.

She went on to speak about a few others, such as one with enough nerve to all but yell at her husband and insult his prior bride, a strange girl who hailed from the Spine itself, and various others that had succeeded in standing out. Not all were spoken of in positive terms, however, as the discussion turned to interests from the previous year. More than a few of their potential candidates had died, and another had seemingly grown attached to her husband. There was little hope for converting and was thus considered a lost cause.

Another girl had almost fallen into their grasp after the death of her husband, but her mental stability had proven too weak to trust for their cause. She was left to wander the woods in the hopes that she would either die a swift death or find a way to survive on her own… Neither of these were the case as she made an appearance at this year’s event with a man known to be a bit of a hermit.

With the rain slowing to a slow drizzle, the group’s time together had come to a close. The woman in charge dismissed them, wishing them safe travels and the information necessary for locating their next meeting. She had been prepared to take off in her own direction when the elder woman from before stopped her to ask a question.

“[color=82ca9d]I was able to catch a glimpse of a girl earlier this evening… She looked a lot like..well...me and I think she might be related somehow… It’s been a long time since I’ve heard anything from my family but I have this feeling… She could be of great help to us, so with your permission I would like to look into it further.[/color]” Such a request tugged at the heartstrings of the young leader, a dangerous game to play when making decisions for the wellbeing of the rebellion. 

Normally she would have declined such a risky investigation due to the relation to the subject. So many things could go wrong in such a situation, several being along the lines of being recognized and found out, while others followed the more concerning topic of clouded judgement. Still, rebellion ran through the veins of the family in question, and if she was anything like the woman standing before her… She would be more than a help to the cause.

“[color=39b54a]You know I cannot allow you to investigate such a matter on your own… But you may choose somebody to run point on the investigation. If it pans out, I’ll consider her options, but that decision has to go through me… Is that understood?[/color]”

Deal struck, the pair made off in different directions, hoods pulled and bodies hugged close to the shadows. The Reaping might have been over, but there was far more work to be done.

[hider=TLDR] 
-Who are these strange gems? Where did the come from? What do they want?
-Finish up your first night. The next posts should be ending the night/taking placing in the morning! 
Go with peace! [/hider]