Hey there readers! Welcome back and I hope you enjoy this chapter, I had fun writing it ~
Reviews are always welcome ~
Disclaimer: Jack of Blades etc. belongs to Lionhead Studios. Jet and her family belong to me.
Chapter 7: Healing
The next few days rolled by slowly for the family. Without Jack, everyone kept to themselves and Vinni had a hard time passing the time by. She often went upstairs only to be called back down before she could see her elder sister.
Jet had secluded herself in isolation mostly hurt by her parents actions.
Why did they stop me? Why was it Jack he was after….she narrowed her eyes in contemplation. Does he suspect me for being in the graveyard? How could he? Are my parents keeping more secrets from me…? She sighed for the umpteenth time and for the first time felt her tummy growl.
Surprised she hugged her stomach and looked down at it.
"Have I really been up here that long?" A little bird fluttered up to the balcony railing tweeting and singing its little heart out. Jet cocked her head at it and the little creature did the same back to her. Another tweet and the teenager looked to the door of her room.
"Alright…I'll leave my room. I'll even go outside." She shifted and stood from her old creaky bed. First she went to her dresser and took out a light green tunic and soft brown vest with a short skirt matching her tunic. Looking herself over she decided to put on a pair of soft brown tights and headed downstairs.
Amber and James shot their heads up when the stairs began to creak. For the first time in three days they saw their daughter. Both parents turned to one another noticing their daughter's strange behavior.
Jet hit the bottom of the stairs and turned to the kitchen a little lost in her own world. Absentmindedly she took a roll of bread and munched away on it. James, cautious but worried, slid up next to his daughter and hesitantly placed a hand on her shoulder.
Pulled out of her reverie, Jet looked up to her father who smiled weakly. She looked away and sauntered off. James did nothing to stop her only hoping that his small gesture did not make her more upset.
The ebony haired female headed to the door. Opening it she quietly called over her shoulder, "See you later…" She closed the door behind her and slowly strolled through the village munching on her roll.
Halfway down the road Jet finished her roll and watched as a group of children ran past her giggling and squealing.
Jack…
Continuing on she subconsciously found her way to the village garden. Squatting down she tended to the vegetables. To her left a man sauntered up. When the shadow crossed her field of vision she looked up.
There stood the village elder, a man dressed in old white rags with matching hair that was as long as her hair complimented with a flowing beard. Usually she would have been grinning and greeting the man with fervent joy but her heart was not in it today.
Instead she gave a sad smile and went back to the vegetables.
"Morning Elder." Jet barely whispered. Using his staff he bent down to her level. In his deep firm voice he asked with such gentleness,
"What is with the long face child? Does it have to do with why I have not seen you in three days?" Jet stopped what she was doing unable to answer the man verbally. He was quiet for a few moments before placing a knobby hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him surprised; her own father just did that moments ago.
"What has happened dear child?" It took Jet a few moments to collect her thoughts before answering the old man.
"Our Ruler paid us a visit a few days ago…he took Jack. I don't know why…I don't know why it was him, my family, or anything else. All I can think about is how he said he and my parents had a bargain..." with an idea she looked to him, "…do you know?" With a solemn frown he stared her straight in the eye.
"I will not lie to you child, I do. Though I cannot tell you. Do not rile yourself up, it is not my choice. The whole town, besides the younger generations, knows. When the time comes you will understand what is kept secret and why you have that blade." With this revelation she replaced her displeased face with an astonished one. This secret is why her parents gave her a sword?
The man stood back up and offered a hand to her.
"Stand child, it is unbecoming for you to be in such a position when our Ruler is coming." Surprised she took his wrinkly hand and stood up, thanking him along the way. Jet slightly turned her head to see the procession of the red clad man stroll down the hill with his hands behind his back. Those weird creatures followed behind him closely. Jet looked closely for Jack but the boy was not there.
Her attention went to the man who seemed carefree as ever. When he and his procession passed by the garden, he tilted his head slightly to the left. Those golden eyes watched her without blinking. Jet lowered her head to intensify her glare.
She could have sworn she heard a chuckle before he turned his head back forward. Her fists clenched in anger. How dare he. When the Ruler was out of sight she growled and the Elder placed a hand on her shoulder. She relaxed and smiled at him. He returned the gesture and bade her good health leaving Jet to herself.
When the old man left Jet smiled. Her chest felt lighter and the burden she bore felt easier to carry.
"Thank you, Elder." Jet turned and ran back home. She tightly hugged her parents thankful that she had them and picked up her little sister.
