Chapter 4
Jester knew he may be overreacting, for he and Jane had been friends for years, but as she sensed her presence slowly drifting away from him as she left the practice yard, he also thought that she was being rather indifferent with him. She had not tried to get to the bottom of his sadness. Do I expect too much of her? Am I being selfish? Jester stood up from his place on the swings, feeling very self-involved and angry. He felt bitter when thinking of Gunther, whom he was developing a hatred for born from jealousy. He continued the rest of that day in silence, not wishes to express his problems with anyone, for he felt no one could understand. He attended dinner, remained silent, and was as pleased as he could be at that time (which was not very much) for Pepper had already began her nighttime work in the kitchens and could not bother him once again. He then headed for bed as they all did and took some time to fall asleep, for he was too emotional. Jester hated that his emotions were causing him to be like that and decided right before he drifted off into welcoming sleep that he would have to do something to ensure his relationship with Jane. He would have to make her hate Gunther.
That night when Gunther readied himself for bed, thinking of Jester, who he knew was in love with Jane as he was, he decided that he would have to make Jane hate Jester in order or her to accept him. Neither of them had knowledge that the other was making the same decision. They did both know that Jane could not make her decision if she did not have solid feelings for one of them and none for the other. They could not let Jane have the slightest romantic interest in the other, and they just hoped that in the end Jane would not hate both of them.
Jane awoke from bed the next morning thinking about Jester. Lately, he had been up, then down and she wondered why, though she figured she knew the answer. Love. Jane had always known Jester had feelings for her, but did not feel ready to show them back. Now, as she was thirteen, she wondered if she should say something to him. But she didn't have the gut. She had the gut to confront an army, but not to confront her friend.
She got out of bed and brushed her hair, as she did every morning. Then she returned to her bed to sit on, waiting for Dragon to arrive. She did not feel like going to breakfast. Dragon soon flew to her window and asked, "Jane, are you up yet?"
"Yes, Dragon," she replied. Jane opened the door and came out of her room. She mounted the big lizard and they flew off.
Jester watched them fly off from the courtyard like he did every morning.
Later that morning, Jester performed his new song for the King. Gunther, who had been assigned to stand guard there, stood there glaring at him. It was a song about a lost adventurer who found their hidden love. Gunther knew it was about Jane.
The King and Queen applauded when he was finished and Jester bowed. He waited until they left the room to take his leave. Gunther stopped him.
Jester noticed Gunther tightening his grip on his sword, but did not shy away. He looked up at him and asked, "What?"
Gunther glared back at him. "Just that you could work on your songs a bit more. They are all starting to sound the same now."
"Who made you conductor? You know nothing about music."
"I know more than you think."
"Then show me."
Gunther dropped his glare for a second. "What?"
"Show me your musical talent."
Gunther put the glare back on his face. "Fine then."
Jane, who had come back from patrol, was hiding in the doorway, intrigued.
Gunther took a breath and then began singing a song he had heard Jester sing before. In a high (compared to his speaking voice) and cracking voice, he sang:
Oh star, oh star,
Come out tonight,
And grant me the wishes
I ask you.
Oh star, oh star,
I come to you,
When I need help
And cannot seem to find it.
Oh star, oh star,
Please do not ignore me,
For I have nothing to give you
Except for a "Thank you."
Oh star, oh star,
I shall thank you,
With all of my heart,
For that is the best gift of all.
Jane had to pinch herself so hard it bled in order to keep from laughing. Jester, however, did break out laughing. "Call that 'musical talent,' do you?"
Gunther was very embarrassed, and so he said, "Well I can fight much better than you," and he pushed Jester to the ground.
Jane gasped.
Jester let out a scream-wail as his head hit the ground and began to bleed.
Jane ran away from the scene, knowing if she intruded it would only make things worse.
Gunther left Jester lying on the floor bleeding.