AN: Wow, its been a year since this fanfic has been updated. 0-0
Jack woke up to the sound of crows cawing close by. He slept quite well considering that he was practically on top of the world on a huge damp plant. He could have sworn Elmont was sleeping beside him last night, but he was alone. Jack removed the hood from his face and got up to stretch and look around.
The view was amazing, the clouds and the sunrise with its warm glow.
"Well, look at that" Crawe remarked, as usual popping out of nowhere behind Jack.
Elmont however had been up for a while preparing to search for Isabelle. Hearing Jack he perked up glancing over. Elmont was entranced by the view. The silhouette of Jack against the sky will forever blind his memories. He sighed and continued to pack his equipment for the journey ahead.
Elmont and his crew were already up exploring and had found the shack where the princess was last in, but it was abandoned. Jack stopped gazing at the beautiful sunrise and caught up with them.
They had arrived at one of Gantua's gates, a great mouth of what could be assumed to be a giant stone head. It had a waterfall running through it that flowed over Gantua and into the clouds below. Inside the cave-like entrance was a rough staircase where they could climb up to explore the land above.
After trying to track the princess down for a while they decided to have a break. They hadn't eaten since they woke up and finding the missing princess on an empty stomach wasn't making it any easier. They decided to stop the search and recharge. Elmont took off his pack and begins handing out bread.
He tosses some to Crawe and then to Bald. They divide it among the remaining search party. Jack is sitting on a rock away from the group looking a little tired but ready for an adventure.
"How are you holding up?" Jack looks up as Elmont sits on the rock next to him. He shuffles over as Elmont hands him a chunk of bread.
"Thank you, sir." Jack accepts the bread. "I'm doing alright. Just...I don't know whether to be excited or afraid of what kind of creatures these giants are. Are they like the stories say? If so, there has to be some treasure up here as well. And everything must be giant sized too."
Elmont smiles happily, watching Jack's eyes light up with excitement. "Don't get too excited, giants are the enemy of mankind, the story says they devour us, does it not? You'd have to be quick on your feet to avoid them." He had no doubt Jack could outsmart the creatures, but to outrun them is impossible.
He was glad that Jack came after all. Different situations expose another side of people. When he first met Jack he had to be imposing as a Royal Guardian. Elmont smirked at the memory, Jack had been terrified. On this adventure though, Jack is always enthusiastic. Now that Jack was under his care…., all he could think about was Jack.
"Is this all you have?" Roderick interrupts.
Elmont frowned at him, "The rations went down with my men."
"Ah," Roderick realizes.
"Isabelle must already be exploring," Jack was saying. Oh right, Isabelle. We came here to find the princess. Sighing Elmont musters the group up, leaving his comfortable spot beside Jack as they start out again.
Jack gets up and begins to follow Elmont. He admires the man's armour as the sun glints off its polished black silver-lined surface. Elmont really did look like a hero just then, strong with exceptional leadership qualities, not to mention his soft charisma as he led the group.
Jack smiles, increasing his speed to catch up to Elmont when suddenly he is jerked back roughly. Turning around to see his attackers, he comes face to face with Roderick and Wicke.
"Where are the beans?"
Jack glances back at Elmont, but they are already too far away. He tries to flee but they are surrounding him.
"Shh." Wicke puts a finger to his lips. While Jack was distracted, Wicke had stealthily grabbed Jack's dagger from his sheath and held it in a threatening manner towards Jack.
"My lord?" Jack questions.
"There are exactly three men in Cloister who can make a person disappear," Roderick begins. "The Lord High Constable, the Lord High Steward and the Chief Advisor to the King. Unfortunately for you, I'm all three."
"Come on." Roderick insists that Jack hand over the beans.
Jack fumbles with the pouch. "Come on!" Roderick repeats.
"Come on!" Wicke glances anxiously back at the search party.
Jack drops the pouch of beans in Roderick's hand. Roderick smiles, he finally had the beans in his clutches.
"And not a word. Or you and your uncle…" Roderick threatens.
"Poof!" Wicke motions with a flourish dangling the dagger as he drops it in Jack's hands. They turn and leave as quickly as they had come.
Jack opens his hand. He had shook out one bean in the confusion and now held it. Taking out his necklace he placed the bean in the locket, keeping it safe.
The search party had reached the forest's edge and were looking at a tree. It had been intentionally marked with an "I" where the bark had been scratched away.
"Crawe? It's her, yes?" Elmont asks.
"Course it's her. She's a smart girl." Crawe confirms.
"Isabelle?" Bald says.
Elmont replies, "So she can find her way back." Then he feels like something was missing. Other than Isabelle of course, her they were getting close to finding. Looking around he realizes Jack was not as close to him as he should be. Which was right beside him at all times and possibly also in the future.
Annoyed he shouts back, "Keep up, or you'll be left behind!"
AN: Thank you so much for reading :)