Restoring the Timeline

Dinner, Attacks and Revelations

Coming up to her 18th birthday, and with Abe knowing the attack is set to happen in the next few days, he decided on an early birthday celebration. Approval for dinner outside the Academy was a welcome relief for Rose and her group. Having well surpassed the levels expected of the field experience, and given their charges would be going anyway; this would be an extension of their field experience. With Abe being heavy handed on the protection side of things, they could be more relaxed during their dinner in the human world. Being assessed on how well they stay on guard while trying to blend into a casual setting, the novices noted Abe's guardians and tried mimicking their style with varied success. While it would look awkward to the trained eye, it's doubtful that humans would know any better and they could always use the excuse of 'newbie nerves'. The meal had been amazing and everyone had eaten their full thanks to Abe's largess, each thanking his generosity, all but Tasha who had recently arrived back on campus. She still resented that her efforts to force the Queen to step in and separate Rose from 'her Dimka' didn't work and wasted no opportunity to cause issues between the couple. What she didn't seem to understand, was they were now tied together in more ways than just physically. Their souls had truly begun to fuse together, even more than the instinctual bond formed in their first meeting.

"Stop" Rose shouted to Pavel, who thankfully prevented the car jerking into the next lane at her sudden noise of concern. Rose sensed trouble up ahead but Pavel was yet to stop, eager to get back to the Academy. They were already out later than they had meant to be and he did not want any strigoi encounters. Something which was looking inevitable now.

"What's wrong Rose" he asked. Trying to remain calm for the others in their car, he slowed and was flashing his hazards to indicate to the convoy they would be pulling over. He didn't want to call over the radio until he knew what was happening but Rose had since doubled over and struggling to block the pain enough to speak. Dimitri quickly caught a flash of her thoughts though and relayed the message to Pavel. Strigoi were ahead.

"Given her pain right now, we need to pull over Pavel" Dimitri warned, seeing that Rose had not yet come back to herself enough to relay the information. "Warn the others. All novices should be armed and protect the Moroi from inside the vans. I'll quickly call Alberta and let her know we have trouble and will be delayed". Pavel quickly relayed the information while also looking for a more abandoned area just off the road. If they were going to have trouble, they did not need it witnessed by the passing cars if they could help it. And it seemed they were the targets. It was unlikely that such a large number of strigoi while they were out of wards could be random.

"Mr Mazur, Christian, Lissa" Pavel addressed the Moroi traveling with him. "You need to quickly move to the other van when we stop. We need to focus. That means having all Moroi in one place so we can fight knowing you are best protected". They all wanted to argue but Christian was the only one successful, his arguments pulling Rose back at last.

"I can help" Christian insisted. "Even if you just let me stay just outside the van and beside a guardian, I can light them up. Push me into the van and take off when needed." Lissa protested. As much as Rose knew she was expected to side with Lissa, she couldn't. Not this time. Christian could make a difference. There were just too many for guardians to fight alone, and all make it out alive at least.

"Only you though Christian. Do you understand?" Rose voiced. Knowing what she was getting at, that she didn't want his aunt anywhere near this, he nodded right away. Both Lissa and Pavel began to object when Rose cut off their arguments. "Christian and I have been working together for this; he can help without being in the way. He is stubborn so we've been working together during my workshops since he's my charge and knows to only use a small enough burst to distract but not drain himself, as well as the signals to retreat or move. I will only have him in this fight. Anyone else will only get in the way, whether they mean well or not" she grumbled. Again Christian was aware of whom she was referring. "Comrade, you may want to make that call to Alberta quickly. Tell her we'll call in when cleared but may stay in the area overnight and travel back at first light. She may want to put the school on lock down, just in case."