A/N: I don't think I said it before, so I'll say it now. The girl, who's telling the story, is named Kaylynn. Enjoy.
Chapter 1
My eyes open and take in the scene before me. Sun rays shine through the treetop and vine canopy above, outside. Patches of light are shown on the dead leaf covered ground. And the songs of a few choice birds are heard echoing through the forest.
With a yawn, I sit up and stretch my arms over my head. Jace's sleeping bag is empty, as it usually is when I wake up. He's most likely doing his morning meditation, and I should probably avoid disturbing him, but we're going to have a big day ahead of us, I can feel it.
"Jace?" I call out, not knowing what to expect for a response.
The sound of tumbling pebbles and shifting weight from above me catch my attention. The noise stops, and I freeze. Seconds later, the head of a familiar boy pops from atop the cave entrance.
I laugh at his upside-down appearance, and his childish grin.
"Yes?" he asks innocently.
I shake my head with amusement. "Come on, Jace," I say. "We have work to do."
"Alright," he replies, before pulling his head back up. The sound of shifting returns, and I wait.
When he appears at the mouth of the cave, his smile is still there.
"So what's it going to be today?" he asks. "Journeying? Or Training? We're running kind of low on food. Maybe we should go hunting."
I consider his question as I stand up and walk outside to judge the weather. The sun is bright, from what I can see, and the summer air is more noticeable than it was yesterday.
Jace's eyes are on my back, I'm sure, but I continue my observations. I look at the up above me while trying to determine what the day will bring. There's no moisture in the air, and the visible patches of sky are free of clouds, so rain seems unlikely. Birds are singing and badgerfrogs are croaking, so I doubted an oncoming storm.
I'm pleased with the weather's decisions, so I answer Jace's question.
"The day's looking bright, and the air is warm," I begin, as I walk back into the cave. "We shouldn't waste a day like this. We'll hike today, get to our next destination, and hunt while on the way. There's going to be a refugee town with a black market on our way. We can trade a rabbit-squirrel for some fruit, maybe get a decent map."
By now, I've already began packing my items together. Jace nods at my plan, and at my actions, and begins to gather his own belongings.
We roll up our sleeping bags, and tuck them under our arms. I place my dual swords at my waist, and place my knife in my boot. I re-check the presence of my dagger, hanging in its pouch on my hips, and nod in satisfaction.
Looking at Jace, I see he's already done the same. He has his bow in hand, and his quiver of arrows at his back, strap crossing his chest. His small traveling pack is attached to his quiver of arrows. And his sleeping bag is in the same position as mine.
We look at each other for a few moments, as if sharing a silent conversation. Then, in silence, we venture into the awaiting forest.
---
Traveling through the forest was usually dull. But this time was most enjoyable. The trees bloomed as the little creatures that inhabited them ran around the forest floor. Everything was... talking.
I prefer not to just walk through the dirt path as Jace does, I jump from tree to tree.
"I think you're part lemur." Jace had said once. I just answered with a smile, before leaping to the next tree.
Leaves occasionally fall as I grab the branches. They slowly drift to the forest floor. Like airbenders soaring through the sky on their gliders, so peacefully.
Snap!
The branch I had just grabbed snapped and I see myself hurtling towards the ground. I try and grab whatever is possible. Twigs and leaves fly passed my face. I see the ground draw closer.
"J-Jace!" I scream, my hands in front of me as though to break the fall completely. I had come to a break from the branches and was now free falling, hurtling towards the ground. I close my eyes, waiting for impact.
Wham!
Opening my eyes, I am face to face with Jace. He tackled me just in time. Just before I hit the ground.
"I thought I told you to be careful," he grunts, standing up. After brushing off his knees, he reaches his hand out for me. I grab it and he pulls me to my feet.
"Oh come on, Jace," I respond, still playful, "Crash landings are half the fun!"
He rolls his eyes, but I see a slight smile tugging at his lips.
With that, he continues his hike, and I follow, walking on the ground itself, instead.
-----
Our eyes are wide, and confusion is written all over our faces.
"It's deserted."
And it is. The whole town, empty. I look around, my brows scrunched up in confusion. My eyes scan the once life-filled town. This used to be the most popular and successful town known to hiding benders. It wasn't possible for it to be destroyed, it just couldn't be!
"Are you sure this is the right town?" Jace asks. I look at him, and meet his powerful gaze.
I nod, seeing the many rows of abandoned shops and booths. "I'm sure."
I take a step forward, to further inspect the condition. Scorch marks, and blade marks are visible on the shops' walls. The floor is stained with small specks of blood.
"What happened here?" I ask, mostly to myself. Jace walks to the shop on the other row, and peeks over the damaged counter.
"I'm not sure, but-- Agh!" he screams out in pain, and grabs his left shoulder. The arrow that grazed his arm is laying on the ground behind him. I run to him, as I prepare battle. Turning to the general direction of the shot, six men appear, riding rhinos. Three of which hold normal bows. Two others hold swords. And the biggest, holds a carved, wooden crossbow. The arrows have shining silver tips, and black feathers, in perfect condition.
I look at Jace, his shoulder bleeding slightly, but he's already readied his own bow, and is taking aim. I draw my dual swords. The men laugh, and step forward.
"Oh look, the little pretty thinks she can fight," mocks the bigger man. The others laugh along, and I assume the big man is the leader. I see a dagger hanging on the side of his saddle and eye it curiously. He holds his crossbow lazily, as if we're not a big enough threat. But that's only because he hasn't yet realized who I am.
But it doesn't matter, the leader has an arrow in his neck and falls to the ground before he can do anything. I look at Jace again, his eyes are narrowed, and I see he's made his shot.
The men drop their smiles, as they look at their leader, unmoving, dead.
"Careful now, my boy," one of them says to Jace, scowl placed on his features. "You might hurt someone."
He says nothing, and his eyes aren't on me, but I know what to do.
I spring forward, sword in hand, and lunge at the nearest man.
---
"Jace, we should hurry. We still have a ways to go." I say, looking at our new map, the one I got from one of the men's saddle pocket.
He finally takes his eyes off of his new crossbow and looks at the sky. Nodding, he responds, "Okay," Then he brings his old bow across his chest, and holds his new one.
While he does this, I walk to the nearest tree and climb up to one of the higher branches and wait for him to finish.
We look at each other, our eyes digging into one another's for just a moment. Then, I nod.
And as if a silent shot was fired, we begin our race. Me leaping, and Jace sprinting; to our next destination.