Jay sat in front of his father's desk, waiting for him to bring the gavel of judgment down upon him. His father just sat there, piercing Jay with his eyes of sapphire, so much like his own. The drumming of his fingers on the hardwood desk made Jay nervous. This hadn't been the first time he'd been interrogated. His father always seemed to find some reason to scold him.

Jay held his breath. Any second now. Just wait for it, he thought. Always at first his father wanted to just sit there and wallow in worry and thought about what he had done wrong.

Finally, his father opened his mouth and then…he sighed.

"Jasson," he said it calmly with a small groan. He put on his most disappointed look, which seemed to be reserved for Jay alone. Why couldn't he find something good ever? No it was always disappointment. Never anything more.

No matter how nervous he was, Jay stared his father right in the eye. The other times he had gotten this look from his father he had been ashamed of himself. He would stare at his lap and not make eye contact with his father. But not this time. This time was different.

The other times, Jay had done something stupid and immature just for the sake of being a pain. He had found it fun and an easy way to get attention that was given to his older siblings. But this tim,e Jay had not done anything worth receiving this treatment, except what he had wanted to and what he had thought was right for once in his life.

"What?" Jay responded, a little more aggressively then necessary.

There it was again; his father just sighed. Jay nearly laughed, thinking he may make a record for how many times he sighed in a minute but stopped himself. He was too angry for laughing.

His father put his head in his hands and said through his fingers, "What were you thinking?"

Jay gritted his teeth. "I was thinking of helping people," Jay breathed deep, trying to get his anger under control. "Any decent person would have done the same."

Jay's father took his hands away from his face. His face, at one time filled with disappointment, was replaced with fury. "You could have been hurt—killed if the guards hadn't gotten there when they did." He shook his head, looking at Jay like he must have been either very stupid or out of his mind.

Jay's mouth fell open. "I would not have been killed. It would have been a peaceful demonstration had the provost not shown up." Jay sat back in his chair and crossed his arm over his chest. "And I bet I know who sent him." Jay looked at the rage grow still yet on his father's features with a mixture of satisfaction and regret.

The dream came to a sudden end when Jay felt his body sway uncomfortably. He opened his eyes and looked up at the…. sky? Jay sat there for a moment and just watched the clouds flout by; not understanding where he was or how he got there.

Had he been killed? Maybe he was going to the Black God. But he'd never heard of seeing the sky before you were taken up. A wave of panic hit him. He couldn't die! Not when he was so close!

"Ay! Maverick, 'e's awake!"

"I see that Prewt. I ain't blind!"

"Am I dead?" Jay asked, interrupting the men's argument.

"Not yet you ain't, you dirty bandit!" That came from the voice of the man who had spoken first. Prewt had it been?

Jay panicked. Yet! He thought feverishly. He sat up quickly. He had the quick five-second view of his surroundings. He was in a shabby rowboat. For a second he even thought it a wonder that the thing was still afloat.

Right in front of him was a man with a gaunt face and skinny skeleton. His receding hairline giving him a high forehead with only a bit of reddish brown hair left on the top. Jay was only able to glimpse the two men rowing before the man in front of him kicked him in the collarbone, knocking him down to the floor of the boat once again.

Jay hadn't notice the humongous bump on the back of his skull until it broke his fall. Yelping out in pain, he instantly reached up, trying to touch the bump out of reflexes but he couldn't. Looking down at his wrists, he grimaced to see them bound.

"That's right ya' filthy thief! Hurt didn't it? Them's steal toes them is!" That was Prewt speaking again. Jay couldn't figure out what in the world he was talking about until he realized that he must have been the one to kick him.

A few times during Jay's trip he had felt confused about why he had left, but right now he felt only plain remorse. Why did I leave? He though over and over. Why? Why? Shows what good it did. He had gone though so much trouble. Sent maybe half of Tortall out hunting for him all for it to end with these…these…people! Whoever they were.

Jay thought about his mother. When was the last time he had seen her? Oh, that's right, it was right before the demonstration. That was as far as his memory went. Had he even said 'goodbye'?

Jay loved his mother. She was the most patient, kind, beautiful person he knew but she was also strong and brave. Unlike his father, she never gave him a look that said she was disappointed in her son. And how had he repaid her? He left with no intention to return, without even saying good-bye.

The boat continued to glide over the water. Where were they going? Jay didn't know. He tried to make himself believe he even cared, but couldn't. All that seemed to matter was the fact that he was going to die, and he would never see his parents again. Or his brothers. Or his sisters. He would even miss his mule. The worthless beast. What had happened to him?

Why did I leave? Why did I leave? was all he could think until the rickety boat gently hit land.

Disclaimer: I am not genius enough to own anything Tortall.

Oh by the way, to the gracious Lady ( ), thank you for reviewing. I wasn't expecting any. And also regarding your guess, I have one word for you—correctamoondo!

If you haven't figured out who Jay is yet, then you will have to wait a few weeks. I am not trying very hard to conceal his identity, I mean I can't from most fans, but I don't intend to say it straight out for several more chapters. Thanks again Lady!

(UPDATED: May 25, 2006)