If you've been following this story, please note that I've edited earlier chapters, most changes were minor, however one major change was made. I don't want to ruin it for any new readers, so I won't say what that change was, but it revolves around Jarpr.
(I haven't updated the chapters on yet - but you can view the revisions on The Writers Coffee Shop)
Big thanks to my new pre-reader Dixie who had some great suggestions for this chapter.
Any Twilight characters are the property of SM. :-)
When we returned, Jane had left the room and was seated comfortably at the end of the cushioned bench along the wall. She smiled at us in welcome, her beautiful pale brown hair radiant in the fading sunlight. Jane was a beautiful young woman under the bruises, dirt, and matted hair. Ira had helped her bath the first time, and Rubi had brushed her hair free of tangles. Dressed in a pale gray dress and her hair pulled back into a knot at the base of her neck, I could tell she was younger than we initially estimated. Her skin looked almost kissed by the sun, a faint warm glow from her life before in the village and her warm brown eyes were very expressive. Since that first day, she had not spoke of her home or her life before. I imagined she had worked with her mother about the house and in a garden since they lived in a farming community. It was during those outdoor activities that the sun danced upon her skin, giving her that soft glow of warmth. Her hair fell to her shoulders, the ends blunt as if cut with dull shears. It was her smile that I most admired – for someone as young as she was to endure not one but two trials so close together, and still able to share a bright and genuine smile was rare.
I ambled over to the extended couch to sit next to her and grinned back, "How was your game?" Her laughter, like chimes blown in the wind, tickled my ears and her arms wrapped about herself to contain the laughter from erupting into full-blown fits of giggles.
"It was great, although you missed Peta's face when she lost again! Where did you and Nada sneak off to?" She readjusted her position, pulled one leg beneath her lap while the other dangled to the floor.
Nada spoke up first. "We hunted. It was wonderful! I caught three fish, but Her Highness was a little less successful." A snicker played on Nada's lips and her face contorted into a barely contained smirk. "We met a family on the way back and gave them the fish. They had small children and their eyes just lit up when they saw them. I thought they were a bit stinky – so I'm pretty happy we didn't have to clean and cook them." Her tongue jutted out against her bottom lip as her eyebrows arched high in exaggeration. She plugged her nose and wafted a hand in front of her face to dispel the imagined stench of the fish.
With a laugh, I waived her off, "They weren't that bad! And your smile was almost as big as the kids. I enjoyed how you told them the story of how you practically dove into the water after them! They were shocked to hear a lady speak in such a manner. Good thing no one recognized you or it'd be a scandal throughout the palace!" Tears leaked from her eyes as she laughed and gulped in mouthfuls of air. "When you're mended, Jane, we will need to bring you hunting with us. It's great fun and a wonderful excuse to leave the palace, even if for a brief time. The woods are calming and there's nothing quite like the thrill of a good hunt. Even if, because you're distracted, you don't catch anything." My eyes dared Nada to argue with me – and of course she did.
By time the other Valkyries returned to the chamber, the three of us – Nada, Jane, and I were reduced to wheezing, gasping, crying through our fits of laughter. Nada and I shared a few stories from our childhood, which inevitably resulted in finger pointing tactics, "Nope! That was you! I would never do that!" was repeated quite often. The moon rose in the sky and as each yawn circulated the room, we knew it was time to bid one another good night.
One by one they walked to their quarters, each turned and hugged me as they left. I squeezed Jane gently as she passed by me, her radiant smile appeared plastered permanently on her face and it made my heart fly to see her so happy.
With a wave, I turned to my own rooms to settle in for the evening. The doors to my room were open and I crossed through them and to my dresser soundlessly. As I undressed, my thoughts drifted to activities to include Jane. I wondered if she would enjoy the maze or how she would fare with a hunt. My mood sobered as I thought on Jane – both her progress but the incident that brought her to me.
Unfortunately, she had not recalled who specifically attacked her. The attack had been described as a haze of flesh, arms that had reached for her, hands that had slapped her, or feet that had kicked her. Anger threatened to overflow inside me as I considered the brutality of her attack and the helplessness I felt with the lack of resolution.
The anger spread to my fingers as I jerked the gown down over my frame, the fabric gathered at my bust and flowed freely to my ankles. Loud thumps echoed throughout my bedchamber as I stomped to my bed and ripped the covers down. I climbed between the bed sheets and punched my pillow for good measure, then lied down and willed my mind to quiet. Eventually, sleep took me.
It was the screams that woke me from my restless slumber; they rang clear throughout the entire chamber, their pitch high and frenzied. The pitter-patter of feet that shuffled along the floor came next and I bolted upright in my bed. Had those screams come from me? No, I did not have another nightmare. My sleep had been dreamless, no fires, smokes, or unseen faces reached for me. No, the screams came from somewhere else. I ripped blankets away from my skin and threw my legs over the side of my bed. Another scream erupted and a crash. My legs carried me quickly through the bedchamber doors, across the sitting room, and into the Valkyrie quarters.
The room had darkened, the fire reduced to a smolder, with only the faded light of a few embers to light the room. All eight women were awake, breathless from the sounds that met my ears. Yet it was not their quietness that made my hair stand on end.
Jane was in her bed, molded to Peta – her arms wrapped tightly around Peta's back, fingers clawed at her pale nightgown. Great, heaving sobs tore through her small body. Each Valkyrie was frozen in their place, helpless onlookers to the scene that played out before them. Peta, like Nada before her, shushed and rocked Jane, attempted to soothe the girl and whispered assurances in her ear. Sob after sob erupted from the girl's throat, until finally they subsided into whimpers, and then hiccupped cries, and finally faded altogether. Peta cradled the small girl to her body, rubbed soothing patterns across her back, and when the girl slept, tenderly reclined her back in the bed. As if Jane were a child, Peta pulled the covers around her body, tucked them close to her limbs, and then with a sigh, brushed her hair aside and kissed her forehead.
When she straightened, she turned to look back at us and jerked her head to the side. Silent understanding passed through each woman and we quietly exited the room and tip toed to the sitting room. In a low, hushed voice, Ira inquired, "Was it another nightmare?"
Peta nodded, "Yes. I had hoped, that the distractions of today would drive her memories away, at least in her sleep." Her arms wrapped about her waist as she hugged herself in an attempt to hold herself together. "Something must done, I'm not sure how long these memories will haunt her"
"For the rest of her life," I whispered. "For the rest of her life, when she closes her eyes, she may see the whole scene replaying in her mind. If she is very lucky, with time – the memories will lessen and will remain at bay. But something truly terrible has happened, without any repercussions against those who wronged her, and even if we keep her busy everyday for the rest of her life, she may remain haunted by those memories." Seven heads nodded in agreement.
"I wish we knew who they were, we could kill those bastards!" Ava hissed and slammed her bunched fist into her thigh. We each flinched at the impact, the anger radiated from her form. Yet, we each also understood the anger behind her outburst – for it burned brightly as well in our own hearts.
I nodded in agreement, "Something must be done. Yet, nothing can be accomplished this evening. We will discuss this tomorrow, after she has gone to bed." Each agreed and one by one filed quietly back to their room. I rose and returned to my bed, but my body was fitful and I could not sleep.
My thoughts drifted to my wedding night – how I had run from Yåkov's room after he had finished with me; how the Valkyrie – my sisters, had comforted me, washed me, and burned the offending gown that would only fuel my memories. For weeks, I had tiptoed throughout the palace, fearful of crossing his path – fearful inside my own home. Easily, I could relate with Jane's feelings. As days bled into weeks following my wedding, I had curled under the bed sheets and dreamed of Yåkov's death. The anger and fear that had built inside me and created such bitterness that it overflowed into all my interactions. I snapped at my sisters, then I would dismiss guards – I had made poor decisions in the courts without concern for the consequences. It had taken Nada and Ava's persistent love and care to bring me back from that edge, from allowing his actions to not only ruin what should have been a special evening, but also who I was as a person.
I could not allow that to happen to Jane, a wisp of a girl who was maybe 15 years of age. No, to loose oneself to the feelings of rage, hurt, fear, and worthlessness that followed such an act was to only power the offenders who had already taken too much from her. I could not allow her to be swallowed whole and lost to raging storm that threatened her regardless if her eyes were open or closed.
Angry again, I tore the covers from my body and again threw my feet over the side of the bed.
Slowly, I inhaled deeply and relaxed my muscles; limb-by-limb I focused on the tension there and released it from my mind. If I were going to do this, I would need to be quiet – angry and stomping around was the exact antonym of quiet. I padded across the floor to my dresser and retrieved the smooth leather of my Valkyrie attire. My teeth bit down on my bottom lip as I removed the dress and tossed it to the floor. It pooled beside me and for a moment, I considered putting it away, then with a grunt kicked it across the room. Somewhat satisfied, I roughly pulled the black leather leggings over my body, then my feet slid effortlessly into the soft, flat boots that kissed the bottom of my kneecaps. The black leather tunic slid effortlessly down my torso, the cool skin that clung to my own sent a thrill up my spine. The snug leather defined each curve and valley with etchings of Odin's protection for his warriors carved into the tunic; the scaled leather bracers protected my forearms and the gloves blended my fingers with the darkness. A thrill of anger or adrenaline, I'm not sure. My hair was already braided before bed this evening and I secured it into a braided knot at the base of my neck. My hands shook as I drew my facemask over my head – it concealed my face and hair, left only my eyes visible, the cloak and hood secured across my neck by the wings of a raven.
I would melt into the dark night.
Anonymous.
I smiled behind the mask and attached two small knives to my side, one at my hip and one tucked into my boot.
My heart pounded as I crept through the chambers. The main room remained dark, the shadows of the sitting area creepy in the abandoned room. A shiver shot down my spine and I pressed myself forward to the door. Ever so slowly, I cracked the door until I could squeeze past the opening. With a soft click, I pulled the door closed again and stole through the hall, with only one destination in mind.
The guard's quarters.
Each day Leif had escorted me to the maze and during those walks through the halls, he updated me in regards to the state of the kingdom. The seemingly unending influx of new guards had slowed and finally halted. Yet, the people's conditions had neither improved or further deteriorated. It was curious, as if time were almost at a standstill. Briefly, I considered sending Leif out further into the kingdom to inspect the conditions of the people, but had almost immediately dismissed the thought. I wanted Leif to remain in the palace until Jane's attack had been resolved, one-way or the other.
The hour was late and very few people remained about in the halls. Various servants and guards passed as their conducted their rounds, yet under the cover of darkness, I remained unseen.
The guard quarters were on the far side of the palace, just East of the general servant's quarters. A large courtyard for training settled within close proximity of their beds. Should the need arise, the guards could leave their beds and reach the courtyard or the armory that lay just beyond. For a moment, I considered barring the doors to the armory, but dismissed the foolish thought. I was not here for the entire guard, many of whom I had known my whole life, but rather for a select few.
The guard's quarters was sectioned by long rooms connected through a common room that contained several wooden benches, ale, and a spit for cooking. The center room was rather large, with a high ceiling and sturdy beams throughout the structure. Scattered throughout the room were benches – some cushioned, some not, sturdy cabinets and dressers housed mead, herbs, medicine and bandages. Hung upon the wall opposite to me was an iron structure where swords, axes, and mace rested. Below them, thick shields reclined against the wall, each one emblazoned with the seal of Dagez.
I crept into the common area and slid behind a beam as I examined the three halls that lead to the sleeping quarters. Similar to the Valkyrie, all the beds lined the walls of the long rooms. It reasoned that since all the men shared a long room, that Jane's attackers were limited to only room. Of course, others may have heard the noise from the struggle then upon inspection of the situation decided to participate. Bile rose from my stomach and burned the back of my throat as I fought to swallow it down. A red haze blurred my vision and I ground my teeth as I imagined the gruesome scene as it played out. My body struggled with rage that threatened to bubble from inside and overflow in war cry.
Calm down, you cannot accomplish anything in a blind rage.
Imagine what you can accomplish with a clear head.
A smile tugged the corners of my lips as other images danced across my mind, the gruesome scene I would leave in my wake.
My mind struggled to recall the details Leif had shared with me – had everything occurred in his room or did he become aware of what was happening in another room? I could not recall and with a deep breath I moved to the hall at my left. The connecting hall between the long rooms and the common area was short, and I heard men talking as I crept along the wall. My ears strained to hear the specifics of their discussion.
They spoke of mead and food, local barkeeps that had caught their eye, and a few spoke of the families they had left behind. None of the conversation touched on Jane or her sudden disappearance from the quarters. Silently, I moved back to the common room and to the middle hall. In this hall, the men were snoring – some louder than others. With a grunt, I returned to the common area and descended the final hall.
Some men were asleep; their even breaths were heavy and rhythmic. But there was a group of men, huddled at the opposite end of the long house that spoke in hushed whispers.
They spoke of someone missing – I could only assume they meant Jane, that had been taken the previous week. Oddly, they wondered if the same would happen to them. Curious, I leaned closer to the frame to hear their whispered words. The phrase "that girl" caught my interest as their voices lowered even more.
"Dammit!" I cursed and knew that if I crept forward any further, they would surely find me.
These seemed like at least a few of the men who had attacked Jane, should I risk an attack without full confidence?
Yes.
No. You are not sure they are the ones. What if you harm or kill innocent men?
They harmed an innocent girl. Even if they are not directly responsible, they did not do anything to stop it.
How do you know that? You don't! You cannot attack them without every confidence that they did this terrible act.
Roughly I was pulled from inner conflict as one hand grasped my shoulder while the other covered my mouth and effortlessly towed me backwards. The grip was solid and my struggles were fruitless as the stranger pulled me through the hall and to a side exit. My feet kicked aimlessly and the grip continued to pull me back into shadows of the courtyard located adjacent to the long houses. It was only after we were away from the houses, past the courtyard, and I imagined outside of hearing range should I scream, did the grip release its hold.
I spun around to face my attacker and was met with frightening dark orbs – darker than a starless night. "Jarpr?" I questioned. The eyes hardened, his face angry.
"What were you doing there?" his voice was dark, angry – and my body warned me to tread carefully. His body was tense, his stance rigid, and for the first time – I noticed his arms at his sides with smalls fists that were tightly bunched. Ever so slowly, I shifted the weight from one foot to another and moved just a fraction away from him, the movement slight enough I doubted he had noticed.
"That is none of your concern." I spat, my anger surprising even me. "How dare you put your hands on me in that fashion! How dare you drag me," he did not allow me to complete my tirade as his arms gripped mine roughly and shook me roughly.
"Stop behaving like a spoiled child! You will not go there again, do you understand?" His eyes burned into mine, fury radiated from him – surrounded me and bore down on my senses. Painful fingers released their grip and I dropped to the ground among the damp grass and earth. Shock washed through me at his actions, and then anger. While I wrestled with a maelstrom of emotions, he crouched next to me and hissed in my ear, "I will return you to your chambers, Highness, and you will remain there or with your maidens. Do not return to this part of the castle, I warn you – stay away."
"Fuck you Jarpr!" I screamed in my anger, my hand flew from my side in a swift motion and met with his cold, hold skin. Though my hand screamed in objection – heat radiated from my palm, I hid the pain. The impact turned his head to the side, away from my sight as my chest heaved from my rage. A gasp escaped my lips as he turned to face me again – his dark orbs enraged and wild, the fury barely contained behind his previously dispassionate mask.
Cold fingers gripped the offending wrist and with a hard yank pinned it to the soft earth below me. I whimpered as the pain shot from my shoulder at the awkward angle. "Highness," he hissed, "I would not do that again if I were you. We will return to your rooms now." His tone implied the finality of the statement and numbly I nodded my head.
Still, his grip held me bound to the cold forest floor and I dared not stir within his hold. Gone was the fiery anger that had been my companion only moments ago. Blood pumped sluggishly through my veins, my head felt light, and my vision spun around me. My lungs screamed for air and I realized that I was very afraid - more afraid than I had been in months. Something about Jarpr had terrified me, but I could not identify what it was specifically. My mind screamed at me to run, escape – flee from the glare that made my blood run cold. Somewhere else, although I could not determine what, screamed at my to fight back.
I thought of that other time I had been afraid – afraid of what Yåkov's bedchamber would hold in my future, what he would do if I had refused him. I remembered the fear that had coursed through my veins as he had roughly taken me, as I cried below him – and how utterly helpless I had felt. I remembered being swallowed, devoured by my fear and as the weeks followed, I remembered the vow I had made to myself – always fight back. Always resist.
Foolishly, I listened to the later.
And though I was terrified, though my mind screamed for me to remain still and allow his anger to pass, though somehow I knew I could not best him, I resisted.
My other hand free, I reached for the knife at my side, my fingers tugged at the strap that secured it to my hip and released the blade. The hilt was pressed to the palm of my hand and with a surge of adrenaline, I lunged forward – my other arm screamed in protest – and stabbed at Jarpr's arm. Too fast for my eyes to follow, Jarpr's free hand snatched the knife from my hand, his fingers wrapped around the wrist, and squeezed painfully. A growl rumbled in his chest and he peered down at me through feral eyes.
His body was above mine, my back sunk into the cold, damp dirt and pebbles, my arms splayed upwards beyond my head – captured with an iron grip. His breath washed over me with his faces only inches from my throat, chest heaved with each ragged breath he took. The moon illuminated his form – a dark shadow bathed in a pale glow, eyes darker than the night sky, and perfect alabaster skin that hummed and called to me. Yet now, as I watched him struggle for self control, I could not help but think of his other worldly beauty – even when he reminded me more of a demon than a man.
Untold moments passed – the night air-cooled, the moon shifted slightly in the sky, and the castle became darker as more fires and lanterns were extinguished. In the distance, I could hear the faint trickle of a nearby stream, movements in the forest – probably deer or some other animal as the meandered past. Yet, we remained here.
Frozen.
I with my fear.
He with the struggle to regain his self-control.
Abruptly, he removed his grip from me and righted his stance. Hesitantly, as though he doubted I would accept, he extended a hand to help me rise from my position. My muscles ached from the awkward position he had captured me in, and my legs felt thick, heavy, and unstable. I wobbled and swayed on my feet and he flitted to my side to catch me. I jerked away, my body and mind at war – his very presence unexplainably comforted and calmed me and yet with what had just occurred, I did not want him anywhere near me, let along touching me. I yanked my arm from his grip and began the short trek back to the palace. He followed silently behind.
"They would have killed you," he whispered. "They did not know who you were, and would have struck you dead in a moment."
This was why he hauled me away and scared me beyond measure? He thought he had saved me from something?
"You underestimate me servant, I am not without skills of my own," I explained, and then turned sharply on my heel to face him. "You've bested me twice – I'm not sure how, but I am able to defend myself."
"Forgive me, Highness, but it does not appear that way." His odd eyes bore into mine, daring me to disagree with him. As I stared angrily back, it occurred to me that I was wearing my Valkyrie garb – he should not have known who I was either.
"How did you know?" I asked, utterly confused as to how he could have possibly known it was me lurking about the halls.
"Pardon?" he questioned, his eyes narrowed into slits, and his brow bunched in confusion.
"How did you know it was me? You said the guards would not have known it was I and would have killed me. How did you know it was me?"
A/N: I hope this chapter added more insight into Izabel's character and raised some brows about Jarpr. How do you feel about these characters? What are your current theories? And, while I only briefly mentioned it - what do you think the guards were discussing? How do you think Jarpr knew it was her? I love hearing - or reading rather - your feedback, theories, and ideas. All reviewers get a cookie from me! :-)