and looked out over the crowd. Interspersed among the Doonians, hundreds of unfamiliar faces, those of teens and young adults, wearing modern clothes, some with piercings, tattoos, and dyed hair, stared back at me. Not soldiers, but ordinary, terrified people waiting for some great wisdom to spew out of my mouth and take away their pain and fear. Realizing that was impossible, I decided to speak from my heart.
I raised my hand in greeting and projected my voice above the incessant clanking. “Hi. My name is Veronica Welling and I wasn’t always a queen. Like you, I’m not from Doon, but a small town in Indiana. And like many of you, before I was Called here, I lost the security of home and family. When Kenna and I first arrived here, the Doonians believed us in league with the witch and threw us in the dungeon.” There were a few incredulous laughs, and Fergus wandered up and shouted, “I’m not proud of it, but ’tis true!”
I nodded. “It wasn’t exactly what I’d imagined my reception in Doon to be like. So I know how scared and confused you all must feel to have lost so many of your friends.”
More Doonians began to gather round, many of them mingling with the crowd and taking a hand or putting an arm around one of the new Destined. Alasdair moved toward the front and clapped a hand on each of the African boys’ shoulders. I met his penetrating gaze and remembered something he’d said to me long ago.
“A wise man once told me that what is seen as light will forever be coveted by the dark. And as I look out at your faces, all I see is blinding light. A light so brilliant that it cannot be quenched by the darkness. And in your eyes, I see hope. Hope for a better future, for the home that many of you have never had. If we each hold tight to that hope, there is no darkness strong enough to defeat it.”
Trying to make eye contact with as many individuals as possible, I continued. “I’m not saying that we’ll all make it through this battle unscathed, but I do know that the Protector is faithful and he will be with us. I also know that if there’s anything in this world worth fighting for, it’s a place we can call home. You are part of that home.” Clarity struck and in that moment, I knew what I had to do. “And since we don’t give up on family, I’m asking for volunteers to send on a rescue mission.” Confusion and hope mingled on nearby faces. “I cannot believe the Protector would bring any of you here to feed the witch’s power. Our people who have been taken must be alive. It will be terribly dangerous, but I need volunteers to sneak into the castle and bring them back to us.”
Hands flew into the air. Analisa, Sofia, Ewan, and a young Filipino girl who hopped up and down shouting, “Me, me, me!” I nodded to my friends as each one came forward and then turned to the Destined girl. “What’s your name?”
“Cheska Ann Santos, and I’ve been training for this exact moment.”
“How so?” I arched a brow. The girl couldn’t be more than fifteen.
“I’m a gamer, Yer Majesty. I specialize in a war game that puts me in a position to strategize and spy on other groups.” Her voice grew higher as she spoke. “Sneaking into castles is what I do! I’ve dreamed of this moment!”
My eyes shifted to Ana, who gave a barely perceptible nod. She would watch out for the girl. “All right then, you’re in.”
She pumped a fist in the air as the brothers from Africa, Jeremiah and Ezekiel, stepped forward. “We’re going too.” Ezekiel lifted his chin and met my gaze with such confident determination that I didn’t question them further. Kenna had shared a bit of their horrifying and heroic past. These boys were perfect for the job.
“We have our group then.” Catching Cheska’s enthusiasm, I threw a fist into the air and shouted, “Today, we will take back what is ours! Today, we fight for Doon!”
Fists flew up around the group as they shouted in unity, “Fight for Doon!” The chant grew so loud, it drowned out the skellies’ clanking.
My chest burned as I yelled along with them, the mantra echoing from all corners of the camp as Doonians joined in. After several moments, the people began to disperse