Andia: The Revolution

[Duh]

Some of the rebel forces were leaving using the jeeps. The other half of them were thoroughly searching the base with torches.

Lyra approaches Aarys and Valentin's jeep. "Hey!" she inturrupted.

Dragovan suddenly appears behind Ashriel and Hremai. "Lovebirds," he said. "Kanden's ordered Lyra, Logan, and I to inform the eight of you that you are allowed to return to the camp now. You've each got the rest of the night for yourselves. Nice work out there."

Logan patted both Peter and Gladro on the back. "Good job, mates." he said. "You ready to head back to camp?"

[Eltee]

Aarys quickly disentangled herself from Valentin, and slipped into the driver seat.

[Duh]

Spoiler:

Finally, some posts. I've got like 2,000 windows opened up.

And, good news, King Acunasti will not be back for another 20 minutes[ish]!

"You guys can kiss all you want." Lyra laughed. "I don't care. But good news - Kanden's given the eight of you the night off. So you're free to head back to camp and celebrate."

She then leaned in and motioned for Aarys to come closer.

[Eltee]

Aarys obliged, leaning closer.

[Duh]

"Remember what you asked me for? You know...before the raid started?" Lyra whispered too quietly for Valentin to hear her.

[Eltee]

Aarys nodded jerkily, half-turning her head to check if Val had heard. "Yeah." She whispered.

[Duh]

"Go into my tent when you get back." she whispered. "There's a little wooden box hidden under a stack of blankets at the back. It's got everything you need inside. Take it."

[Eltee]

Aarys reddened slightly, and nodded again. "Thank you. A lot, Lyra." She briefly rested her hand on her shoulder. "Thanks." She withdrew, and leaned back against Val.

[Duh]

Lyra winked. "Have fun." she said. "You two driving by yourselves?"

[Eltee]

"If no-one else hops in." Aarys said. "You can tag along, if you like."

[Duh]

Lyra tossed Aarys the keys to the jeep. "I've got orders to follow around here. I can't head back to camp now. You two can leave whenever you'd like."

With that, she turned and merged with the crowd of celebrating rebel soldiers.

[Eltee]

Aarys shrugged. "See you later, then." She said to Lyra, and started up the jeep. She popped it into first, and sent it bumping up the road. "Ah!" Aarys blurted as they bounced through a frozen rut. "Wow! I haven't driven since basic training!" She said, but laughing all the same.

[King Acunasti]

Valentin tightly held on to his seat. "I've got a new phobia - second only to my fear of spiders." he said. "And that phobia...is you behind the wheel."

[Eltee]

"What do you mean, I'm a great... Oh, wait a sec..." Aarys narrowly avoided hitting a tree. "What were you saying, Val?"

[King Acunasti]

Valentin's eyes went wide. "Holy...sh*t...." he mumbled. "Just try to get us to camp in one piece."

[Eltee]

Aarys nodded nochalantly, shifting the gear. The truck moaned in protest. "Oh, right, I need to use clutch..." Aarys murmured, finally fighting the stick into the next gear.

[King Acunasti]

Valentin covered his face with his hands. "Just tell me when we get there." he said quickly. "I don't even want to see what's happening. Just...tell me when we get there."

[Eltee]

Aarys smiled secretly. "Don't worry, I will. But seriously! Look around! It's beautif..." Aarys's voice was interrupted by the loud clank of the jeep bouncing through another rut.

...

About fifteen minutes later, Aarys drove the jeep into the Rebel compound. "We're heeere." She said cheerily.

[King Acunasti]

Valentin quickly felt his body with his hands in disbelief. "Holy sh*t!" he mumbled. "I'm alive! I'm not a ghost!" He looked at Aarys. "And you're alive too! How is that possible!?"

[Eltee]

"Well, it was obviously my innate driving skills." Aarys said matter-of-factly, sliding out of the truck after terminating the ignition.

[King Acunasti]

Valentin remained still, not getting out of the vehicle. "You drive like a monkey." he said simply.

[Eltee]

"What's a monkey?" Aarys asked confusedly.

[King Acunasti]

"They're little people-ish animals with-" Valentin cut himself off. "Nevermind." he chuckled as he hopped out of the jeep. "I'm driving next time, though."

[Eltee]

"Fine." Aarys said. "Uhh, go to the tent and wait for me. I'll get some wine, okay?"

[King Acunasti]

"No, it's alright. I can get it." Valentin replied.