Chapter 8

A fire crackled on the hearth, filling the room with light, and warmth. Outside the giant windows, a first quarter moon rode skidding clouds thru the night.

Master Jade sat close to Stephens bedside, settled comfortably in the tall backed chair, her Staff propped against the arm. Music filtered softly thru the air.

Cloak lay, draped, half across its beloved, slumbering Chosen, half touching Master Jade.

Jade stroked its velvet softness, soothing both herself, and Cloak.

It had been a very long day.

Her hand paused, and she frowned, tracing the ragged tears she'd discovered,

'Are these from Sable? Did he Bind you?'

Cloak replied with a ripple of assent, and Jade wondered,

'How did you escape?'

Cloak shrugged, indicating it didn't matter, and a smile claimed Jades lips.

'I'd offer to mend them, but I'm guessing you'd prefer your Master do that.'

Cloak gave a twitch of annoyance at the word 'Master', which perplexed Jade, but she didn't know why Cloak would find offense at the term.

'For the record, I don't believe you were wrong to leave Stephen. Your Master has been rather...'

Cloak lifted abruptly from her lap, covered her mouth with its hem, shook its collar NO.

Jade felt Cloaks gentle rebuke, asked, puzzled,

'He's not your Master?

NO.

Cloak carefully tipped her hand, so it was palm up, and traced, in sign language, one word.

Patiently, but obviously, waited for Jade to say it, aloud.

'Chosen,' she said, with an understanding nod, 'I see. He's your Chosen, not your Master.'

Cloak bobbed, affirmation, pleased that she understood the distinction.

A slight sob from Stephen caught both their attention, and Jade let her astral form free, leaning forward, to see what was wrong.

Tears leaked from beneath Stephens closed eyelids, and he reached to curl his hand into Cloak, draw it close. Its tender reveal wrenched his heart, that he had caused so much misery to such a devoted friend.

With a fond, apologetic brush of its hem, Cloak left Jade, to curl contentedly around Stephen.

It was a bit of a struggle, but Stephen managed to open his eyes.

''Chosen', huh?' Stephen sighed, tiredly, looking at his scarlet comrade.

Cloak snuggled its collar tight to Stephens cheek, gave a nod.

Stephen managed a ridiculously happy grin, then turned an accusing look on Jade,

'You can use the Eye.'

She laughed,

'Of course. How do you think I was able to alter a week so I could paint your portrait? I needed my Staff, as well. I couldn't disrupt the entire earths timeline, just to indulge myself.'

After a moment, Stephen asked, quietly,

'Is Sable dead?'

Jade squared her shoulders, replied,

'Yes. His dust is in an urn in the Relic Room.'

Stephen clenched his eyes, tight, groaned, held a hand to his chest, and Cloak gave an anxious flutter. He felt so weird, and not just because of the injuries.

That was pain he recognized.

This was something altogether different.

'Dizzy?' Jade asked, and Stephen nodded, wondered,

'Is it from the Eye?'

'Yes. It's not exactly as easy as just turning back time so you aren't dead,' Jade explained, 'There is a price to pay for that journey. You'll sleep, probably for several days.'

Stephen made a face, complained,

'That didn't happen to Wong when I unwound his death.'

Jade burst a laugh, shook her head,

'Oh, yes it did. Don't let him tell you otherwise.

'There's always a price to pay when you use an Infinity stone.'

'Or, have one used on you,' Stephen amended.

'Rest well, Stephen. There will be plenty of time for us to discuss just how ridiculous you've been, recently.'

Stephen winced, admission, but didn't reply.

His eyes fell closed, bringing another smile to Jades lips, as she assured him,

'Wong, or I, won't be far.'

Cloak gave an offended ripple, and Jade chuckled,

'I'd venture to say Cloak will be right here, where it belongs.'

Cloak fluffed an affirmation, contentedly, and Stephen sighed,

'Thank you, Jade.'

Jade pulled her astral form back, stood, laid a gentle hand to Stephens shoulder,

'I could have done no less, Stephen.'

As she made her way from the room, she stopped by the speaker, said,

'Play 'Infinity', by The xx.'

Tilting her head toward the inseparable pair, she smiled, softly,

'For you, my friends.'


Wong was waiting in the study, his concern for his friend barely concealed, especially from Jades' heightened perceptions.

Jade laid a reassuring hand to his forearm,

'Don't worry, Wong. Given some time, he'll recover.'

'Thank you, Master Jade,' Wong replied, attempting to keep his voice neutral, but Jade heard the relief in it.

'You have Doctor Palmers' number, should you need it. I believe she intends to check in, regularly.

'I'm heading back to London. I'll return, tomorrow, but be certain you keep me updated.'

'You are visiting the Relic room, before you go?' Wong asked, his tone hardened, and Jade nodded, sharply, not appreciating the judgmental turn in his voice.

'Would you like me to accompany you?' Wong offered, but Jade shook her head, gripped her Staff tightly,

'No. I'll be fine.'


The Relic Room was barely lit, which didn't matter to Jade. She had learned to move easily thru a dark world.

Using her Staff, she confidently navigated her way to the farthest, back corner, where she settled into a dusty armchair, loosed her astral body.

Stepped close to a tall, rectangular glass case, covered in a swirl of silver black fog.

With a brief wave of her hand, she lightened the Curtain Of Night spell she had placed there, enough so she could see the being confined within.

Sables' black cloak hung inside, looking disoriented, confused, but, when it realized she was there, it faced her astral presence. Occasionally, the cloak swirled, testing the boundaries of the spell, only to return to hang in front of her.

A speculative frown knotting her brow, Jade observed,

'I'm afraid you'll need to wait a few more days before your fate is decided.'

Grimly, she informed,

'Wong won't be in favor of any leniency. I can't even begin to guess how Stephen, or Cloak, will react.'

The black cloak gave an anxious sway, raised a smokey fold toward her, almost gently, but the spell blocked its access to her.

Jade raised her hand, a brief answering gesture, then her hand folded into a fist, and dropped to her side.

She stood, very still, contemplating her captive, for several minutes, until she gave a sharp sigh, shook her head.

Briskly, her astral form rejoined her body, and reformed the Curtain Of Night.

Then, without a backwards glance, left the Relic Room.