Jane planned to hole herself up in her room, but was interrupted by Pepper.

"Jane! Open up!" Pepper ordered.

Jane was surprised. Pepper was normally so timid and sweet. She hated to be cross, but since she was Jane figured she had better do what she says. She cracked the door.

"What is wrong with you?" Pepper demanded.

"I am sorry. What? What is wrong with me?"

"Yes you. How could you do that to him?"

"Do what to who? I do not follow."

Pepper scowled at Jane. "You positively know who. Jester! How could you be so rude?"

"How was I rude?"

"Jane! Jester was heartbroken as it was and then after your little comment, "Have a lovely trip." how do you think he felt?"

Jane did not know what to say. This is the first time she had ever gotten yelled at by Pepper, ever. "You have no idea what was going on."

"Exactly. Tell me because right now Jane, I think you are wicked as a wasp. He might die and those are your last words to him?"

Jane did not want to have to deal with this. She shut her door. Yes, she shut her door in Pepper's face. Pepper could not believe what she had just done. Nor could she believe how Jane could be so horrible. She went back down to her kitchen in a huff.

At the dinner table, all was quiet. Nobody laughed. Nobody dared say a word except to compliment Pepper on a fantastic meal. They could all feel the anger and sadness hang in the air like a fog. Lily, being the optimistic lady she is, tried to brighten the mood.

"Rake, what is the new plant in the garden? It is beautiful."

"Oh! It is something I want to call Alliums. Jester taught me the roots of the word. I thought it was just a funny joke, but apparently he was being serious."

That seemed to get a good laugh out of everyone, except Jane. Jane picked at her soup. Stirring it around in her bowl, not eating a bite. Jester was gone and she would just have to accept it. That or go with him, secretly. She liked that idea. What would he have to know? What he did not know would not hurt him and not having someone to help would. Excellent. I will leave in the dead of night with Dragon. I better go pack.

"Jane! Where are you going?" Lily asked.

"Up to my room. I want to turn in early." Dragon who was lying down nearby in the garden sniffled.

She tapped him. "Meet me at my widow, around midnight."

"Why?"

"I will tell you when you get there."