Jaron sat with his back against the carriage, fingers absentmindedly picking at the grass around him. Both Fink and Tobias kept glancing back and forth at each other, Fink obnoxiously nudging Tobias with his elbow constantly, gesturing to their distracted king.

"Ask him!" He angrily whispered at Tobias.

Tobias just glared at him even harder, sending him a look that would make even a brave man shudder.

But since Fink was neither brave nor technically a man, he kept nudging him.

Tobias gave in with a sigh and cleared his throat. "Jaron, do you want to fill us in on this little plan of yours?" He asked quietly, making Jaron look up from his weed that he was currently picking.

His nose was swollen to almost twice its size and the bruising around his eyes had already taken effect however his face was almost devoid of any pain. He smiled reassuringly as he looked at his two nervous friends. "Since our kidnappers are either too dumb or too careless to scan the area around them, they failed to notice an Avenian patrol at the border in the woods about seven miles back." Jaron said, smile growing larger as he leaned in.

"Mott and Roden went back to the patrol and are on their way to get reinforcements from not only Carthya but also Kippenger." He finished.

Tobias spoke first, "Jaron there is no way that they will get back in time."

"It would take a miracle." Fink finished.

Jaron shrugged. "We've done more with less before boys, have faith in Mott and Roden."

Tobias would not let up. "It is a two hour ride to the Kippenger and at least another hour to get to the reinforcements from our side. We have at most forty five minutes before they leave to go and kill you."

Jaron brushed his hair back, running his hands through it as he did so. It was a nervous tick that he had developed just recently, and Tobias suspected through his brief studies on human behavior (and just knowing Jaron) that it had something to do with how Imogen had always ran her hands through his hair when he was stressed.

Tobias placed his hand on Jaron's, something that took Jaron by surprise as he flinched and looked up at Tobias. "I am sorry your majesty. I have doubted your brilliance once again." He said seriously looking at Jaron.

Jaron smiled and nodded at him seriously. "We cannot forget how amazing I am." He said.

Tobias scoffed as Fink spoke up. "I am with you as well Jaron, whatever the outcome may be."

Jaron stared at his two friends for a moment before a commotion brought their attention back to their surroundings. The three looked around and were confused at first, until they spotted the sight near the clearing of the woods.

There were three men on Mott and two on Roden, practically pushing them along as they fought with all their might against them. One of the men dragging them called out to Kilner. "Eh boss! Look what we found running amuck!"

Kilner looked amused at the sight as he moved away from the group he was talking to to go approach Mott and Roden. "And who might you two be?" He asked, now standing in front of them.

"We are nothing more than two homeless vagrants wandering around the woods. We mean no harm to you or your men." Roden tried to lie, making Mott not-so-subtly roll his eyes.

Kilner frowned, attempting to hide his amusement with a fake curious glance. "Vagrants you say? I have never seen such vagrants with this nice of clothing." He said, pinching the material of Roden's shirt. "I don't even think that this is normal civilian clothing. Too high end."

"We stole the clothes off a drying line months ago." Mott said, drawing Kilner's attention away from Roden.

"So he can speak." Kilner smiled. "Tell me, are you a thief and a vagrant? The punishment in Carthya might not be so severe, but when I was a boy I saw many a thief get his hand cut off because of his actions. Some for just stealing bread. I can't begin to imagine what would become of those that stole a merchant's clothes."

He took out his sword and held it in his hand, parallel to Mott and Roden. "Shall we test it out now? We do have some time to kill..."

At this point, Tobias had figured that Jaron had had enough. Much to the shock of the few guards still watching them, Jaron stood up, moving towards Kilner.

"Enough of this! You know as well as I do that they are with me. Drop this act and stop being a coward." Jaron said.

Kilner's frown dropped once more as he turned towards Jaron, who now had two of Kilner's men holding back both of his arms.

"There is nothing wrong with just having a little fun, your Royal Highness." Kilner's vicious smile was back, making the four of Jaron's friend nervous.

"You said yourself you wanted me, you have me. Leave them out of this." Jaron reasoned.

"Jaron what are you doing?" Roden asked.

"Please, with your inability to act and Mott's awkwardness this charade would have been up within a matter of minutes and someone would have lost a hand. This coward thinks that going after my men is the best thing to do."

Kilner smiled at Jaron before nodding at his men to release Roden and Mott who know had their hands tied. They were shoved to the ground alongside Finch and Tobias who were simply watching in frustration and worry as they were helpless on the ground.

"You are not a very wise king to be talking so big when you are restrained." Kilner said to Jaron as he came closer to him, placing his hand on his shoulder. "It is hard for someone to defend themselves with their hands tied behind their back don't you think?"

Kilner reared back his fist and punched Jaron in the stomach with a hard blow. All four of the men on the ground called out at once, each of them cursing Kilner in a creative array of curse words.

Jaron was on his knees on the ground, trying to recover from the harsh punch. Once again on his knees, Kilner pulled Jaron's hair to get him to look at him. The harsh jerk barely registered on Jaron's face as he looked at Kilner with a stubborn indifference.

"I will enjoy killing you." Kilner hissed.

"Why wait?" Jaron asked him.

"Pardon?" Kilner asked at the same time that Mott, Fink, and Roden all sat up while Tobias heaved a deep and worried sigh.

"I challenge you to a duel. Right here, right now. If you are not a coward you will accept."

Kilner laughed, a flash of worry spreading over his face before returning to his stoic mask. "I know what you are doing, boy. You want me to untie you." He said the last part as if he was talking to his men, who now found themselves circled around Kilner and Jaron.

Jaron know wore a smirk on his face as he looked up at Kilner. "You retie my hands in front of me and I will battle you. One on one. Unless you are scared."

Mott and Tobias instantly realized what Jaron was planning. "Jaron, no. Don't you dare." Tobias muttered.

Mott was louder. "Jaron do not be foolish."

Kilner looked over at the four men on the ground. "You should listen to your friends."

Jaron was harsh. "They are my advisors and as king of Cathya they are also below me therefore I do not adhere to their council so let me ask you again Kilner: will you accept a duel against a restrained and injured man or will you refrain like the coward and trash eating scum you are?"

Jaron was barely able to finish the sentence before Kilner slapped him. "You do not talk to me like that!" He yelled.

Jaron yelled louder. "I said DO YOU ACCEPT THE DUEL?"

The two men stared at one another, both breathing heavily. There was not a sound among them except for the birds which after a moment went silent themselves. The silence was thick and Tobias, Mott, Roden, and Fink waited for one of the two men in front of them to speak. Kilner's men were gathered in anticipation, each one of them looking murderously. Some directed that gaze towards Jaron, but others, although few, directed it at Kilner himself.

Tobias understood Jaron's plan. He really did. Kilner would not be able to refuse his offer. If he did, he'd lose the respect of his men and it would turn to a civil war. That was the thing about being in a group of murderous rebels: there is no loyalty except to one's self.

If Kilner accepted, then Jaron would fight. Normally a battle against a man of Kilner's size and clumsiness would be easy for Jaron, but with Jaron not only restrained but possibly injured? He was not sure.

But then again, if he could defeat Roden with the pirates...

Tobias chanced a glance at Roden who was looking at him already and Tobias realized that Roden had come to the same conclusion he had. He turned to Fink and Mott who were looking at him as well. The four of them nodded in agreement.

They would stand behind Jaron. If he lost, they would do all they could to save him. If he won, they would ensure they all made it out. No matter what, they were leaving with Jaron... alive.

A low whisper was voiced, breaking the silence. "Someone retie the king's bonds and hand him a sword. I accept the challenge. If I win, I get to kill you, and all your friends."

"And if I win," Jaron said as he was jerked upwards. "We get to leave peacefully."

"Deal." Kilner spat.

"Deal."

...

Kilner and Jaron faced each other as a circle consisting of Kilner's men and Tobias, Roden, Mott, and Fink surrounded them. Jaron's hands were tied in front of them, the knots so tight Tobias could already see the blood flowing down his arms. When they got back to the castle Tobias made a mental note that they would need to be disinfected.

When they got back. Not if they got back. Never, ever if.

"You better hurry, Kilner," Jaron sneered, "we don't have long till you get winded. It must be hard for a man of your size to be standing for long."

Kilner lunged at Jaron, sword out and enraged as Jaron managed to dodge under his outstretched arm and bob up behind him. He allowed himself a sideways grin as he looked at the bewildered Kilner. "What's the matter? Can't keep up?"

At this point Jaron was just trying to antagonize Kilner. Tobias had to admit, despite all of Jaron's traits, getting on people's nerves was perhaps the one he was most skilled at.

Kilner grunted angrily and turned towards Jaron, smiling. "Perhaps you are not as bad as I originally suspected."

Jaron smiled back and gave him a small and quick bow. "Thank you. I suppose I can let you surrender and live now if you wish me to."

Kilner laughed. "While I thank you for the offer, I think I can defeat a restrained child."

Jaron motioned him forward with his sword. "Come get me then."

Kilner yelled as he approached Jaron again, his surgence in speed causing Jaron to stumble back a moment. Kilner's sword clashed against Jaron's as he brought it down towards Jaron's head. Jaron was able to block his sword but before he could move, Kilner used his foot to kick Jaron in the stomach.

With his hands tied together, Jaron was completely vulnerable as he fell back a few steps. He fell into a member of the circle around him and was expecting a swift push back into the ring.

Instead of the push, he received a pull from hands behind him. "He's not playing fair, Jaron and neither do you so fight. Use his size to your advantage. Think of Imogen. Use her as a tether. You can do this." Mott whispered quickly in his ear, patting his shoulder before lightly pushing him back.

Jaron found himself with a new energy and swung his sword as much as he could with his bound hands. "Come on!" He yelled in a loud voice that Mott, Roden, Tobias, and Fink had hardly if ever heard before.

Jaron was mad. Not just mad, but furious. Even during the times they had fought together during battle Jaron had never truly really lost his cool. He was calm and calculated, kept himself together for the sake of his people.

Now he was among friends, fighting solely for survival, and any restraint he may have had before had vanished... except for the ones on his hands. "Come on! Fight me!" He yelled surging forward.

Kilner blocked Jaron's attack but the surprise at his aggression was shown and Jaron used it to take him down. He quickly struck to the left, to the right, and then back to the left. Kilner blocked every attack but when Jaron moved to attack his head Jaron elbowed him in the face.

"Go Jaron!" Fink shouted out suddenly taken aback by how fierce Jaron was fighting. He ignored the disapproving looks he got from Mott and Tobias and instead focused on Roden's face with the same amount of amazement Fink had.

The four of them could see Jaron's small smile as he continued to surge on, brutally attacking Kilner, not only with his sword but also with hits and kicks. If Kilner was going to play dirty, so was he.

The fight continued for what seemed like another hour but what could only have been another two minutes until Jaron delivered a deliberating kick to Kilner's knees causing him to fall to the ground. Jaron immediately went behind him and placed his sword to his neck, his bound hands not allowing him to secure Kilner as tightly as he wanted to, but close enough.

Kilner's face was a mix of terrified and agitated. "Well... seems I underestimated you, my king." He spat out the last part and Jaron brought the sword closer to his throat, almost drawing blood.

Tobias wanted to shout out but he was too stunned to do anything but watch in silence.

"Now," Jaron said, "you and your men either leave now on foot or I can kill you while you stand."

Kilner audibly gulped. "Your majesty," he said, voice quivering,"if you allow us to go now, we will leave and never bother you again." He laughed shakily. "You have my word."

Jaron brought the sword closer, now drawing blood. "You better not cross the border into Carthya or else I will find you and put you down like the dog you are. Do you understand me?"

Kilner would have nodded had the sword not been so close to him. "Yes, yes of course." He said.

"One of your men needs to untie my men and give them their swords." Jaron stated calmly. "Now."

Kilner motioned to one of his men with his hand and one of the ones that was holding Jaron back earlier now went to go untie Mott, Roden, Tobias, and Finch. Eventually all four of them were free and holding swords.

Jaron watched the whole thing with a careful gaze and then he turned back to Kilner. "Now leave." He said pushing the man with his foot and removing the sword with his neck.

Kilner was away from Jaron then as Jaron stood strong and looked at him. Roden came up to stand beside him and cut away the rope bounding Jaron's hands.

Immediately after the rope was gone Jaron gave his sword an impressive swing, probably to intimidate Kilner's men even more than they already were.

They all backed up and started collecting their items and scrambling to leave while Mott, Tobias, and Fink came up to Jaron.

Well, Fink came running up to Jaron. "That was so cool!" He said excitedly. "Jaron, you are a total bada-"

Tobias cut him off, grabbing one of Jaron's wrists and holding it up so he could see it. It was raw and bleeding, and when Tobias grabbed it Jaron winced, pulling it back.

"I need to treat those." He said pointing at Jaron's wrists.

"And you will get that chance as soon as we get back to the castle." Jaron smiled.

Tobias made a huffing sound while Jaron chuckled and the other three could not help but smile.

"That was some awfully good fighting, Jaron." Mott said.

Jaron frowned. "I'm rusty and that fight took longer than it should have but I appreciate the sentiment."

"You did do good, Jaron." Tobias said. "And... I should not have doubted you when you warned us in the beginning."

"Can I get that in writing? Specifically the words 'Jaron was right'. Just to make sure you do not go back on your words when we go back to our wives and all." Jaron winked at him and Tobias animatedly rolled his eyes.

The four of them were interrupted by the sound of a throat clearing. Jaron looked behind him to see that all of Kilner's men except Kilner himself and two others had left. While they were talking Jaron had kept an eye on all the men leaving, but he had to admit that he had gotten a little distracted and just assumed either Roden, Mott, or Tobias might have started watching for him.

"Is there something bothering you, Odo?" Jaron asked, using the man's first name.

If Kilner was bothered by this he did not show it, instead he nervously rocked on his heels and put his hands in front of him.

"I just wanted to formally apologize to your majesty and thank ye for letting me live. My right and left hand," he said gesturing to the two other men next to him, "also thank you for your kindness."

Jaron was incredulous at Kilner's apology and after looking back open mouthed at the other three, turned back towards Kilner, straightening out his posture. "All is forgiven." He said.

Kilner stuck out his hand for Jaron to shake and Jaron reached out to take it.

Later, much later, Tobias would flash back to this moment and rethink why him, Roden, Mott, Fink, and especially Jaron himself had not stopped that shake from happening. After talking with Mott he believes it might have been Jaron's pride or perhaps even hope at making a new ally out of Kilner had they come to terms.

After all, the biggest, most possible self-destructing trait Jaron had was his want to give everyone a second chance, even if they had done absolutely nothing to deserve it. Tobias knew this was the trait that would get him killed one day, but it was also the trait that made him the best king Carthya had ever had... and probably will ever have.

But he still wishes he could have stopped that handshake. Because then Kilner would have not been able to pull Jaron off balance right into his blade, viciously stabbing Jaron in the abdomen.

Tobias's whole world froze as Kilner ripped the blade out and his two other men advanced on Mott and Roden in a last ditch attempt to get revenge for their fallen king.

Roden and Mott quickly went into action, honestly their military training was no match for Kilner's men and they easily incapacitated them.

But while they were doing that, Tobias was staring at Kilner and Jaron.

As Kilner withdrew the blade, Jaron's hands immediately flung to his wound, his mouth forming an 'oh' as he looked down. He stumbled back a few steps and then brought his hands up to his face, looking at how they were covered in his own blood.

He would have fallen then, had it not been for Fink who immediately was behind him, catching him as he fell and gently going down with him.

Tobias looked at Kilner, who surprisingly just looked at the blade with a kind of awe, probably just realizing that there was a very good chance he had just killed the king of Carthya.

Tobias wasted no time in grabbing his own sword and plunging it through Kilner while he was staring at the blade. He only looked up at Tobias for a second before he himself fell. With no one to catch him, he hit the road hard and with a deafening thud.

Out of all of them, Tobias was by far the least aggressive, the last to use any kind of weapon. But in that moment, as he took his sword out of Kilner and threw it on the ground, all he felt was a numbness as the world around him was quiet and all he heard was a buzz in his ears.

He turned to see Mott and Roden who had the same shell-shocked expression he had. The only thing that took him out of his stupor was the sound of his name being screamed.

"Tobias! Tobias help me I don't know what to do!" Fink screamed at him in panic.

Tobias quickly snapped out of it and bent down next to Fink, looking at Jaron up and down trying to think of how to help him.

He was a doctor. This is what he was trained to do. But all he could think of was that this was serious. Jaron could very easily die if Tobias made one wrong move. Then Carthya would lose his king. Imogen would lose her husband and he would lose his brother.

His brother? At first his thought surprised him, but then again, after all this time, that was what Jaron was to him. After all, the two of them had gone through everything together for all these years, always by each other's sides.

Jaron could not die. Tobias could not let Jaron die.

Tobias steeled himself and then looked up at both Mott and Roden, both of whom looked as terrified as he felt. "Mott, go grab all the horses and get the carriage ready, we need to transport Jaron. Try and make a bed so I can stabilize him in the carriage. Roden, take one of the horses and see if you can ride ahead and get word to everyone to prepare for us. I am going to need help if Jaron is to live."

Mott and Roden both nodded and took off to do their jobs and Tobias looked down at Jaron. Jaron's eyes were open and he looked up and Tobias with a smile as Tobias took off his top layer of clothing.

"You gonna... gonna... buy me dinner first?" Jaron breathed out smiling at him while Fink cradled his head in his lap.

"Like I would ever go out with a pig like you." Tobias said as he gently pressed on Jaron's stomach to find the wound.

"Hmm..." Jaron mumbled.

"Fink," Tobias said, looking at the boy, "hold this right here." He said handing him his shirt and pointing to the still bleeding wound on Jaron.

Fink did as he was told and put pressure on it causing Jaron to groan in pain.

"Hurts, Toby." Jaron said quietly.

Tobias frowned, Jaron only called him 'Toby' on two occasions. Either when he was extremely drunk, or when he was experiencing extreme emotion. The last time he called him Toby was when Imogene had gotten sick while pregnant. In the end her and the baby were okay, but that did not mean that Jaron was not beside himself with worry.

"I know it does Jaron but just let it do its job and you'll be good as new." Tobias responded quickly working on him with whatever tools he had. He did not have much, and instead he found a rope next to Jaron and tied his shirt around the wound after having Fink help him lift up Jaron quickly. Tobias also managed to get a quick peak at Jaron's back, almost crying in relief that the knife had not gone all the way through.

All he could do was wait while Mott got the carriage ready for them to use. Tobias kept close watch on Jaron and tried his best to keep him talking.

"Jaron, I need you to stay with me. Stay awake with me." Tobias insisted.

"I don't want to." Jaron said, slowly shaking his head.

"I don't really care what you want."

"I... I am s-still your king."

"Yeah, and I'm your doctor, so don't you dare close your eyes."

Jaron huffed and looked at Fink who gave him a watery smile. Jaron turned back to Tobias.

"My girls." He said panicked, trying to sit up by clawing on to Tobias's shirt. Tobias knew he was in shock now, he knew that it was imperative he get him to calm down. Tobias held on to his arms and looked at him in the eyes.

"You will see both of your girls as long as you just stay still now, Jaron." Tobias tried.

Jaron was still panicking. He tried to grab onto Tobias's shirt even more, but Tobias held both of his arms until he stopped moving at all, too tired to fight. He leaned back down and looked at Tobias.

Tobias took his hand in his and squeezed it tight, then yelled at Mott. "Hurry!" He shouted.

"I've almost got it!" Mott yelled, trying to find all the horses for the carriage and tie them back up.

In the meantime, Jaron spoke again, this time a drop of blood falling from his mouth. He could only let out a whisper. "I've got to be there for my girls, Toby." He said. He gulped before he continued,"b-but if I can't... I want you to... I want you and 'Inda to take care of my girls and... and I want you to-"

Tobias stopped him. "Jaron, you can't. Stop this talk you'll be fine."

Jaron shook his head. "I-I don't..."

Jaron trailed off and Tobias shook him lightly. "You can't Jaron because Imogene is pregnant." He said with a sob make Fink still beside him.

Jaron's face transformed into utter disbelief. "Again?" He asked.

"Yeah," Tobias said shakily, "she wanted to wait till after you came back to tell you. But you can't leave her behind now. You're going to be a dad again."

Jaron smiled and laid his head back on Fink. Mott came running up besides them. "Let's go." He said.

Together Tobias, Mott, and Fink were able to carry Jaron quickly to the carriage causing only minimal gasps from Jaron. Whether that was because they were not hurting him or because Jaron was pass the point of feeling Tobias was not sure.

"Hang on, Jaron." Mott would whisper as they moved him until eventually he was situated and Mott was speeding away.

Mott did a good job in making the most stable bed for Jaron but as he drove he could not help the occasional pot hole and bump in the rode that he drove over. Tobias could not help but flashback to the time when Jaron came back after being with the pirates, the horrible carriage ride back with his leg and how every second they were scared of losing him. Now it was the same but even worse because although Jaron's eyes were open, he was almost unresponsive.

Fink stayed with him and mumbled to him the entire time and Tobias did what he could to keep him comfortable. There was really nothing he could do more until they made it back to the castle and he hoped that Roden had the castle well prepared.

All was quiet as Fink continued to mumble to Jaron and occasionally run his fingers through his hair in a very innocent manner as Jaron simply laid there, eyes open and full of emotion, his face in a mix of pain and serenity.

Tobias was fixing the binding on his wound for the eighth time when he heard Fink suddenly go quiet.

"Jaron?" He asked.

Tobias looked at Jaron and saw that his eyes were now closed. Tobias sat up and moved closer to him, seeing that he had stopped breathing as well.

"No, no, no." He said. "You don't get to do this to us."

Jaron remained still as Tobias began to start CPR, flashing back to that time by the lake. "Come on, come on." He chanted until Fink but a hand on his shoulder stopping him.

"What?" Tobias snapped.

"We're here." Fink said looking out the window at the castle.

Never had Tobias been more happy at seeing the grey walls until now. He looked at Fink and then back at Jaron with a sudden immediate urgency.

"We need to move... now."

A/N:

First and foremost, I am so sorry for how long it took me to update this. I realized how horrible of a human I was for making you guys wait this long and so this beast of a chapter just kind of took its own life to make up for it. Honestly I had a plan and then I threw it out of the window while writing this chapter.

Secondly, I would like to apologize for this cliffhanger and let y'all know that the next chapter will be the last chapter and an epilogue of sorts so stay tuned.

Thanks!

~StoneyT