Chapter fourteen

Maya didn't really remember much of this morning, she was back and she had told her father what she wanted. She faintly remembered her father sending her to the infirmary to make sure she was okay, and after much explaining she had told the whole story to her father. She could say he was angry, but she thought he was more furious. He was overjoyed that she was safe, yes, she could tell that much. But he was frustrated that she had run off and put herself in danger, and Maya agreed with him mostly, though part of her still thought that she had done the right thing.

She wanted more then anything for her father to surrender, she had begged him too, she had seen the army, not him but he wouldn't listen to her, part of her didn't blame him for thinking that she was acting like a child; she just wished he'd listen.

Her brothers had nearly crushed her with bear hugs after she had finished with her father, she realized how much they loved her and how much she loved them, but it only made her feel worse, for fear that she would lose them, that she might only have three more days…

She remembered William, someone she really hadn't paid attention to in the moment but now realized he must have been worried for her too. They were friends, and that was that, no time to pursue something else, and yet, why did her heart speed up when thinking of him now? When she thought of how he had put his arm around her…But again, this only made her sad because it was just another person she might lose.

Her door opened behind her and Maya turned in surprise. Grace was at the door rushing towards her with her arms open, the plump old woman clasped her arms around Maya with a flurry of kisses.

"Oh Maya, sweet child, are you alright?" Grace asked as she smoothed Maya's hair behind her ear in a motherly way. "I heard what had happened and rushed over, I-I couldn't believe you were gone." She began to hug her again.

"I'm okay Grace, really, just a little tired." But Maya was very happy Grace was back, but then she realized that Grace had left her boys.

"But, I thought you were with your family."

Grace waved her hand. "Oh, I was and it was very nice being with them but they are grown men now, they can take care of themselves."

Grace smiled but Maya could see a hint of sadness behind her gray eyes.

"I'm glad you're here Grace, but feel free to leave; I can still pay you until you can get back to your job if money is the issue." She couldn't help to wonder if there would be a job for Grace to come back to.

Grace shook her head. "I don't want your pity Maya, I will stay here and help you, for now, I think you need me more then my boys."

And Maya secretly agreed.

(Character Change)

Jade walked in the cold air out of the castle, people had questioned her all morning and in to the afternoon. They had come to the conclusion that she had done nothing to get thrown into prison for, and Jade was glad, because she found she didn't like sitting in a cell. The clouds were dark as ever, still withholding their rain, but it had grown chilly in the night she was gone, or maybe she had gotten used to the heat in the nether.

She looked to approaching horses on the road, knights. "Jade!" Mathew said, stopping his horse in front of her.

"Mathew," She answered, watching the Mathew wave the other knights on without him.

"I heard that you went to the nether with the princess." He said, dismounting.

"Uh, yes, you heard right."

"Wow," He was looking at her admirably, and she tucked her hair behind her ear, suddenly feeling self-conscious.

"Yeah, apparently it was a stupid thing to do though; I should have just gone for help." She kicked at the ground with her foot, trying to keep the bitterness out of her voice.

"Aw come on, I bet the princess wouldn't have made it out without you, those fools don't know what their saying."

Jade smiled gratefully, "Thanks," already Mathew's easy-going attitude wearing off on her.

"You're coming back to my house right?"

"Uh…" Jade hadn't really thought about it, she didn't think she wanted to go back to her father's. "If it's still okay with-"

He cut her off there and broke into a grin. "Great, my mom has been worrying about you; she'll be so happy that you are staying longer."

"Well, I guess I am then, are you heading home too?" She asked.

"Yes, I am taking my horse back to the house and then I am going to get some practice before dinner."

"Practice?" Jade asked as they began to walk, Mathew leading his horse.

"Yes, with some of the other knights, you know, sword play and stuff."

Jade nodded.

"Do you want to come?" He asked, "I heard that you are pretty good, at least you impressed Stuart."

For a moment Jade was confused, until she remembered the head guard that was in charge of her training group was named Stuart. "I would, if it's all right with the other knights."

"Nah, they won't mind, that is unless you beat them." Mathew winked and Jade laughed lightly.

(Character Change)

Maya brushed through her hair, preparing for bed, Grace was bustling around with the fire, she as being especially fussy over Maya. A knock on the door sounded through the room, and Maya said "Come in," and put her comb down.

Her father entered, "Maya," he said in a greeting,

"Hello father," Maya said, wondering what he required. "What do you need?"

"I need to speak with you, preferably privately." He looked towards Grace, who had just finished with the fire.

Grace curtseyed, taking the hint. "I will be down the hall when you are done." She left, shutting the door softly behind her. Her father sat on her bed, and Maya turned around her chair, so they could face each other. She folded her hands in her lap, slightly afraid of what he might say.

"You have behaved irresponsibly, Maya." He began, "You had half the kingdom searching for you, and it turns out you had run off on your own."

Maya looked into her lap. "I'm sorry about that, I didn't mean for it to happen the way it did."

"I would think not, but that begs the question of what exactly you were thinking, Maya. You risked your life, you know King Mortues easily could have easily killed you, you could be dead. He could have at the very least used you against me, think about the position I could have been in, my daughter, or my kingdom."

"Yes, I know, but that didn't happen, he let me go."

"For reasons I do not know!" He exclaimed, "You sacrificed much last night and the sacrifice did not pay off. If anything, you've made things worse, saying we can't fight them, you've only set our people into further panic!"

"I'm sorry," She said again. He ran his hands through his hair,

"I wish that were enough." He paused. "I have been thinking, and the safest, best thing to do right now is to send you into the mountains with anyone who isn't fighting, the day after tomorrow."

Maya's head snapped back up, "No! I can't leave!"

"Yes, you can and you will, my father did the same for me and my mother, you will not be staying here, in danger when the battle begins."

"No, I want to fight, father please!"

"No, if worse comes to worse, you may have to be their leader."

Maya shook her head. "How can I leave while my whole family is here? I can't just go and leave my kingdom, my people."

"You won't be, you'll be with your people, and that is the last I'll hear of this."

He stood and walked out of the room, leaving Maya alone.

(Character Change)

Sweat dripped off Jade's brow as she sidestepped another stroke of a sword. Unfortunately, her opponent interpreted this move, and moved with her, pointing his sword, yet again, at her throat. He lowered his sword,

"Beat again!" He said happily and high fived his fellow knights. "Though, you are very good, most people wouldn't last a second when fighting me."

His name was Basil, and it was the second time he had beaten her. Basil's family was well known throughout the kingdom for the legendary heroes that came from that family line. His grandfather died fighting in the previous war with the neither, but only after he had helped the Prince kill the Nether king.

Basil had tanned skin, light brown hair, hazel eyes, and he was well-built and muscular, and nearly every noble girl in the kingdom had a crush on him. Not that Jade could blame them, even she had to admit, he was quiet attractive but Jade would never fall for a guy like that.

"Thanks," Jade said, even though she wasn't sure if he was bragging or giving her a complement.

Mathew grinned "I think she'll be great with a little practice,"

"Definitely a natural," Basil agreed, "But just remember you can never be as good as me," He flexed his muscles and Mathew rolled his eyes.

"I think we'd better get back, Jade," Mathew said, "Or Basil might pull a muscle, I think it's hurting him to flex like that."

Jade laughed, she had to confess, the face Basil was trying to make did make it a look like he was in pain, but he still managed to look gorgeous through it. "Okay, thanks for letting me practice with you guys," She said turning to the rest of the knights that were there.

"We'll practice with anyone who doesn't mind being beat." A tall one named Ethan said teasingly, swinging his diamond sword.

"I'll practice with you as long as you don't mind when you get beat." Jade called back to him. She heard the knights chuckling at her response as she walked away with Mathew.

"That was fun," Jade said, walking beside him happily, because it was, she hadn't beaten any of them but she had enjoyed herself tremendously.

"Yeah, you're pretty good. Get you some practice, and a diamond sword and you'll be great."

"Thanks," She didn't say that she doubted she would ever hold a diamond sword much less own one. On the bright side, she had been given a new iron one from Mathew and despite it being a little worn; it was in even better quality than the one she had been given before.

They walked the rest of the way in mostly silence, time for Jade to wonder what exactly what Maya was doing now that she was back. She might visit her, just to make sure she had overcome her trauma, that is, if the princess wanted her now that she was safe.

All Jades life had been envying those with money, especially the royals but seeing how Maya acted made Jade wonder if they were snobby at all. Or if they were aware of how bad things had become for those without money, people like herself or her father. Maya had seemed like a good person and so were Mathew and all of his friends and they all come from money. Mathew spoke, interrupting her thoughts,

"I know it's none of my business but," He sighed, "Are you just going to leave your father? You know, I'm trying to be optimistic but these might be the last days you can talk to him." He had stopped; they were in front of his house.

Jade swallowed, she knew he was right, "I, I just don't know, I don't want to forgive him yet."

"I think you should give him a chance, but I know what he did was awful, so I understand if you aren't ready yet, I'm just saying, I don't know how much time you are going to have to forgive him and well, I don't like to see my friends hurt."

Jade sighed, "I know,"

He left it at that and they walked up the path and opened the door, Charlotte was in the living area when they entered.

"Jade, Mathew, you two are back late," Charlotte walked to were they were standing and kissed Mathew's cheek and to Jades much surprise, kissed hers too. "I've been keeping your dinner warm; it's in the kitchen if you are ready."

"Thanks." Jade said.

"Oh it's nothing; you two couldn't eat a cold dinner!" Charlotte said as if the idea was ridiculous even though most of Jade's dinners had been cold.

But Jade hadn't been saying thank you for the dinner, but for the affection that she had received from Charlotte, affection she had never received from her father.

There you go guys! I hope this long chapter makes up for the previous short one.

In fact, this was my longest chapter ever! So *happy dance* for me!

So review this long chapter and tell me whatchya think. Did I just do that? Whatchya…Hmm

Moving on! Reviews:

Mindblank: Sorry about the cliffhangers, not really, but I do suppose you can make me pay with cliffhangers of your own. Yes, I do enjoy writing these cliffhangers very much, because unlike you people, I know exactly what is going to happen! I even know how it ends! Mmwwaaahahahah…

Feedrag0n: Yes, I could post the chapters every day, except I can't. :( Unfortunately, writing takes time in order for me to give you my very best work. However, I do appreciate the enthusiasm for more chapters! Thank you for continuing to review. :) As for Grace, as you read I'm sure, she is back, I just wanted her gone so that I could give her a motherly aspect in the way she was worried about Maya.

EternalDraygon: Thank you so super much for reading. :) I'm sorry to disappoint you but there will be no youtubers in my story. I am much to afraid of messing up their character because I might think he would do something this way when you might think he wouldn't and meanwhile, he is completely oblivious that I am writing a story about him and wouldn't do either of the things the way we thought. You see my problem? I just don't trust myself, but again, thank you for reading; I hope you will continue to read. :)

Thanks for reading everyone! Happy thanksgiving! I am just going to say it,

I am thankful for the internet so I can share my story

I am thankful for the people that read my story, especially when they review ;)

Lastly, I am thankful for everyone that participated in the making of Catching Fire because I saw it yesterday and it was AMAZING! So, I suggest seeing it, not to mention Josh Hutcherson is in it and I sort of love him. :)

-Bailey