Disclaimer:
Capella: (walks into Burger Barn with Edward in tow, goes to the counter, makes her order)
BBE: (BBE stands for Burger Barn Employee, BBE has an extremely high pitched, nerdy voice for a man) And for you sir…
Edward: Nothing thanks.
Capella: (snorts)
BBE: (thinks in mind bitterly, which Edward hears of course) Perfect, anorexic man….
Edward: I don't know how long you're going to make me apologize for this before you finally decide to forgive me.
Capella: (looks at the ceiling)
Edward: Come on Capella, it's gone far enough. This is just borderline childish.
Capella: Childish?
Edward: (thinks: "well, that got a rise out of her," but is too smart to say anything about it, he has after all been around a long time… by now he should have women somewhat figured out, (although he also knows no man has women completely figured out,) and has a fairly good idea of when to keep his mouth shut)
Capella: Edward, do you know what I had to tell my friends?
BBE: Number 42 your order's ready.
Edward: I think that's…
Capella: I had to tell them you grew up in a shark circus, and that kissing sharks was a sign of respect amongst your family. (smirks, can't help herself)
Edward: You told them what!!!??? You couldn't come up with anything better than…
BBE: Uhh… 42? Are you there? Number 42, you're order's ready…
Edward: I think that's your…
Capella: (still smirking) Well, I also thought of professional shark slayer and that kissing their neck lures them to sleep, but that just sounded too cool.
Edward: (crosses arms) Well gee Capella, thanks…
BBE: (sounding concernedly nasally) Ummm… 42, your shakes melting…
Edward: I really think you might want to…
Capella: You don't get to think anything. I'm still mad.
Edward: But your…
Capella: No.
BBE: (sneezes into the microphone) Oh no, I got phlegm all over the microphone, stupid life threatening allergies…
Man: (hear a voice yelling from the back of the kitchen) CARL! TURN OFF THE MIKE!!!
BBE: Oh cra….
Emmett: (walks into the door and waves, says in a loud, booming voice) Heeeeeeeyyyyyy! Cappie!
Capella: (smiles wide) EM! You came!
Emmett: You know it. (takes a seat, it cracks a little)
Edward: You invited Emmett?
Capella: Of course!
Emmett: (holding a book in his hand, holds it up to Capella)
Capella: You brought it!
Emmett: Yep. Read it too.
Edward: (looks at book) You read The Tempest?
Emmett: (shrugs) It was pretty cool. Shipwrecks, vengeance, (chuckles) manipulative little pixies, remind me of Alice, but don't tell her I said that… hee hee. Who knew Shakespeare had it in him?
Edward and Capella: (both look quizzically at Emmett)
Emmett: Not enough vampires in it for my taste though. We're so reading Interview with the Vampire for our next book club meeting, even if the mythology is way out there… Anne Rice… I could teach you a thing or two.
BBE: Okay, um, 42, your shake is now completely melted, and we don't give free refills so unless you want to buy a new one, you're out of luck. Your burger is also getting cold. We have a microwave, but it's just not as good microwaved, trust me, even with the glutton free soy patties the microwave seems to flair up my glaucoma…
Edward: Okay Capella, I'm pretty sure you were number…
Capella: Shh, you don't get to talk.
Jasper: (walks in the door) Hey Cap.
Capella: Hey Jazz!
Readers: Le swoon…
Edward: JASPER WAS INVITED TOO!
Jasper: Of course I was. I'm Jasper. (is holding his copy of The Tempest in his hand, sits down next to Edward across from Capella and Emmett)
Capella: What'd you think?
Jasper: Even better the second time.
Capella: Emmett, what does your family think about you being in a book club?
Emmett: Awww… they don't care. They're just happy I'm reading a book that doesn't use the phrase, "see spot run." (winks)
BBE: (In a super frustrated, hyper nasily voice) Okay, number 42, I swear if you don't come get your food I'm going to eat your burger so help me!
Edward: Capella…
Capella, Emmett and Jasper: SHHHHHH!
Edward: (sighs) I'll get it. (is back in a vampire flash with Capella's food)
Capella: Where's my shake?
Edward: (drops head to table in frustration)
Chapter 37: The Longest Night
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Jasper POV
The man that I assumed had been a Guardian disappeared into the forest. He'd gone from looking at me in confusion, to turning his attention to the horn composed of a giant shell in my hand, and then his face molded into recognition… and then he was gone, so quickly I missed it.
I stared after him, staggered for a moment, but then as I looked back to the shell, I seemed to know exactly what I was supposed to do.
I kicked the horse with a loud and determined "Hiya!" and as the horse raced forward, I put the shell to my lips and blew. The sound of the instrument seemed to echo throughout the woods, and as I rode in the direction of the palace, I would see every once in a while, a large figure in dark clothing running through the trees, keeping pace with the horse for a few seconds before I gained more ground.
In the back of my subconscious, I was sure these were more of Seth's men. More Guardians. Somewhere in a small corner of my mind I found myself wondering just how many of these Guardian's existed in Weidinhun, and why no reports had gone out of them before. I'd never heard a single rumor. It was almost as if they were drawn out of the dust themselves for this one day, and I wouldn't hold it past them to disappear before the sun rose once again.
There was very little day light left, and I knew it'd be dark by the time I reached the palace, so I pressed on, determined to complete the task Seth laid in my hands.
I continuously blew the horn, not sure who was hearing it, or when it was heard, but I trusted that somehow it was accomplishing it's purpose, whether I was right about what that was or not. My theory was that it was like an alarm, calling the Guardians out of the shadows, out of the dust. This theory seemed to be confirmed every time one of them appeared running in the woods.
I came upon a small town I'd never been too, and found that not many people were roaming the streets. Usually at this time of day people were already settling in their homes, but I did see a few Weidinhun soldiers sitting at a little table outside a pub, mugs of ale in their hands.
I stopped the horse just in front of the trio, and they all turned to stare inquisitively at me.
"Ho, soldier!" one of them called lifting up his mug. "Join us for a pint will ya?"
He was all cheer as if the war that tread upon the capital were a distant rumor from another land and bore no weight on our country.
"Have you not heard?" I answered, my voice sounding out of breath from the hard riding. "The capital is under attack. It's an invasion of Belai's."
They all looked at me as if I were speaking complete nonsense, then turned back to each other, and after a small pause, they laughed. I stared back at them annoyed, my feet itching to kick the horse and make him run again, but I had to get help wherever I could find it.
"You're drunker than a hangman on a Sunday boy. Come sit with us and have another!" He clinked his glass with the other men.
"No, I'm not drunk. I'm speaking truth. Weidinhun is under attack and if we lose, we'll be under the command of the Belai king!"
"Now that's nonsense boy. I know you're drunk because the king got married this morning. We're all supposed to be at peace now, which means we're all out of a job ." The other two men let out a sarcastic cheer and the speaker lifted up his glass. "So here's to never having to work again! To never having to dress in this smelly, tattered, blood stained sorry excuse for a uniform again!"
"Here, here!" chanted the other two.
I took in a frustrated breath bracing myself for my last attempt to convince. "Listen to me, for I'll only say this once." They all turned their eyes back to me but the expressions on their faces did not inspire much confidence that I had their attention. "The wedding was a trap. Belai soldiers blindsided our king, and right at the end of the ceremony they struck. They never had any intentions for peace."
I could see their jovial expressions beginning to fade, and I took another deep breath. "The king is dead," I almost choked on the phrase and the three men stood up immediately, their expressions now morphing from shock to rage, "and if we don't win this battle tonight, Weidinhun is lost. Find any soldiers left in Weidinhun that aren't in the capital and get them their as quickly as possible."
I didn't wait to see what their response would be. I was off before they even had time to blink.
I lifted the shell in my hand, and once again, continued to blow.
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Emmett POV
I was raised on a farm. All my life I'd worked the land, and I'd known what it meant to be tired, sore, beaten and bruised, but I'd never known exhaustion like this. I was sure if a Belai didn't finish me off tonight, this overwhelming sense of weariness would. I could see it in the faces of my opponents as well. Both sides were falling. We'd been at it all day, and the emotional turmoil of seeing your comrades fall at the wayside was just as draining as the physical exertion.
When was the reprieve? When did the two sides make camp and recuperate to continue again in the morning? Wasn't that how these things worked? Dark was beginning to settle in and I knew neither side was going to make it much longer, but the Belai's weren't giving in or letting go. They seemed determined to see this finished, and I was sure that by morning, it would be, only it was beginning to feel and look more plausible that we would not be the victors at the end.
Somehow I managed to duck out of the battle and took shelter in a small, currently unoccupied alley. I looked around to make sure I hadn't been seen and then ducked in deep. I needed to breathe. I needed water. All I had at the moment was the former, so I leant back against the wall and tried to slow my agitated breathing.
I used my sleeve to wipe the sweat off my face, the cool breeze of the night soothing away some of the heat that covered my body like fire, and when I pulled it back I found it splashed with blood. I put my hand to my neck and pulled it back to observe, and it too was covered in the thick, dark liquid.
I started to panic for a moment before I realized I couldn't feel any pain. It hit me then, the blood wasn't mine.
Before I realized what was happening I was hunched over and hurling out everything I hadn't eaten that day. When I finished I leant back against the wall and slowly sank down till I was sitting on the cold stone floor.
I didn't want to but I couldn't help it. I looked over to my right out the entrance of the alley and saw the battle still raging on. I found myself hoping in the back of my mind that Sam didn't catch me here. I didn't want him to think me a coward. I wasn't. I just needed to breathe... and to eat…
I checked my pockets, knowing that in the end I'd find nothing. Fatigue was catching up to me and I was feeling light headed. I closed my eyes and pushed my head back against the stone wall, hoping the coolness of the rock would sooth.
"Come on Emmett," I rehearsed out loud. "You can do this. Get back out there. Do it for them. Do it for your family. Do it for… her…"
I winced as memories of my sweet, beloved Rose came flooding in. Daily I'd had to push her outside my mind as far as possible, but thoughts of her always assailed my thoughts at night. Something about the darkness brought her back, and each time it killed me a little more.
Where was she now? Could she see me? Was Edward right? Did we really go to Heaven when all this was over? I never cared before about that kind of thing, but with her gone, the thought that I would never see her again was an agony I couldn't bear. If Heaven were real, if she were there, I'd stay awake through every church service from here on out. I'd do anything just to see her beautiful face once more. The hope of that thought was the only thing that kept me going now.
I gripped onto the edge of my sword and used it to push myself up off the ground. "Come on coward," I chanted. "Is this where you'd want her to see you if she's watching right now? Hiding in the darkest corner of an alley while your brothers are out there risking their lives?"
And with that I brought my sword into both hands, and ran back out, only to find that once again, while the number of Weidinhun's seemed to be dwindling, Belai had only the appearance of increase.
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Esme POV
Alice and I peered out over Jack and Riley's window and scanned the scene below us. The full moon now hung high in the night sky casting a bluish glow on the battle below, giving it a haunting appearance. In this faint light the colors of the soldiers uniforms blended into one, both dark and mysterious. One thing was certain, even in the dark, there was just enough light to know that we were being conquered. But that wasn't what filled my thoughts now. All I could see were the weapons, and the men that stole my husband from me.
A tear escaped from the corner of my eye and fell down my cheek. I brought my hand up to wipe it away before Alice could see. I knew she was thinking the same thing, but I didn't want to add to her sorrow. There would be time for tears later. Right now, we had to survive through the night.
Heidi was closed into herself in a corner with a blanket over her shoulders. I turned back and noted the frightened expression on her face. She looked like a little mouse in the corner of the kitchen cowering before Emmett. The thought of my son in that mess below brought a new tightening to my stomach and I fought it back.
I slowly made my way over to the beautiful blond on the floor, knelt down next to her side, and wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulders.
"It's alright dear," I said as soothingly as possible. "Everything's going to be okay."
She looked up at me with panic in her eyes. "How can you know that?"
I didn't. I looked down at the face of the frightened girl, and I didn't know how to answer her question. It was something my husband would have said, but without him here, it seemed impossible. So I just smiled and kissed the girl on the forehead.
"Mother, come here," called my daughter's voice from the window. It sounded composed, but something lay underneath the tone that she was trying to hide.
I gave Heidi one last assuring look, and then quickly made my way over to Alice. I copied her stance and peered out the window, and what I saw I'm sure froze my heart for a good five seconds at least.
Alice and I both turned to face each other, and I was positive my face had paled just as much as hers. Her eyes were wide and fearful, and her mouth had dropped open just a little.
We both turned back and looked straight down. A large number of Belai soldiers were storming into the palace.
Even in the midst of the overwhelming fear I felt just then, I knew what this meant, and I was saying it aloud before I could stop myself.
"It's over."
I felt my daughters hand clutch tightly to my arm, and though it startled me, I didn't jump.
"Come on," she said with a bold determination in her voice.
I looked back over at her questioningly, and her expression held that same fire I'd heard in her tone.
"Alice?" I asked, wondering at her thoughts.
"Heidi, up," she commanded to the girl, and there was an authority in my daughter's voice and in her face I'd never heard or seen in her before.
Heidi got up off the floor without question, as if Alice's very words had moved the girl themselves.
Alice walked forward and met Heidi halfway, not allowing her to see what was out the window. I went over quickly to join them, and I knew my daughter had some sort of plan.
"Alice, what's going on?" I asked in a motherly tone that always got her to tell me the truth.
She ran over to the large red tapestry on the wall and began pushing around the thick decoration.
"I didn't want to say anything unless it was absolutely necessary, but Jack told me a way out of the palace if it came to that." She peeked back around the tapestry and gave me a knowing look, than disappeared again.
Heidi and I stood there a moment looking towards my daughter confused, and then I heard something that sounded like a giant stone being rolled across the floor. Heidi and I both ran forward and pushed back the tapestry, which was heavier than it looked, and found that Alice wasn't there. We went forward, and found something that couldn't have been seen unless you were standing right in front of it.
The wall had been pushed in, taking the shape of a large door, leading into the palace walls. Alice was right there looking around for something, feeling the walls through the darkness, and Heidi and I took a cautious step forward.
"What is this place?" Heidi asked in a curious, but timid voice.
"We're inside the palace walls," Alice answered, still feeling around. "It's going to take us outside the capital. Ah!"
She ran past us again back into the room and I followed after, not checking to see if Heidi was behind me or not.
"Alice?" I asked again, feeling frustrated and slightly annoyed she hadn't told me this before. I found an unlit torch in her hand, and she was looking around as if she were searching for something.
Her expression changed and she ran to the fireplace. Picking up two flint stones, she called and asked for me to hold the torch. I complied and watched as my daughter struck the stones until they created a spark. The torch burst up into a beautiful blue flame that quickly turned to orange. Alice smiled, satisfied, until we heard the pounding of footsteps from outside the door.
"We have to go," she whispered looking at me.
I nodded, a little disoriented as to what was going on, but having complete faith in my daughter that she knew what she was doing, I handed her the torch and we made our way quickly back behind the tapestry and through the door, shutting it behind us as the footsteps and voices we'd just heard grew increasingly louder, and more dangerous.
Alice seemed to know exactly where she was going, so I didn't question. With the torch for a light, it was easier to see the long stair case we had to make our way down. When we got to a certain floor, Alice turned and walked down another hall, making her way as if she had lived in the palace her whole life.
I thought quietly to myself at how my daughter had always dreamed of living in the palace, and wondered what it was like for her now to experience it for the first time under so much turmoil. Was she still enjoying traversing through these halls even though our very lives were in danger? Or was this memory going to be tainted for her.
She seemed so comfortable even in this trial, as if she really did belong here, and I wondered if that thought wasn't too far off the mark.
After a long run down our final stretch of the journey, Alice opened another door and a cold breeze blew through it and caressed my face. You could instantly tell the difference in the air here, and I was certain that once we stepped through, we wouldn't be in the palace anymore.
Alice led us forward a ways into a tunnel just slightly lighter than the ones we had just gone through. I could hear the sound of running water a ways up, though I wasn't sure where it was coming from.
I started to move forward, Heidi in tow, but I noticed that Alice wasn't in motion, and I turned around.
"Alice?" I called out cautiously to my daughter, who was standing frozen, a guilty, yet determined expression on her face. I took a step forward, but she held a hand out to me and I stopped in place.
"I'm not going with you mother," she said confirming a small fear in the back of my mind, which now raced to the very forefront. "I'm sorry. Follow the tunnel all the way to the end, and you'll come to a waterfall. You can't get lost. Go home. I'll find you."
"Alice, no."
She stared at me with that same authority that kept me from moving forward, and then said in a voice I knew couldn't be bargained with, "I have to go back for him."
And then, like a shadow in the night, my daughter was gone.
I ran to the door she'd closed behind her and pulled but it wouldn't budge, as if she'd somehow locked it from the inside.
"Alice no!" I screamed. "Don't take yourself away from me too! ALICE!"
But it was no use. My daughter was gone, just like my sons were gone, just like my husband was gone, and I was alone.
I turned to Heidi and said sullenly and defeated, "Lets go."
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Carlisle POV
There was no way I could be absolutely sure, but I was almost positive the child had a broken rib. When I checked her wounds, I'd found a few scrapes, though nothing that needed to be sewn, but her ribs were the most tender and would result in a pain filled outcry at even the slightest touch.
"Keep trying to calm her down," I said to the woman holding the little girl and then went quietly over to Marcus, the owner of the house. "I need to go through your supplies. I need to see if you have anything I can use as a pain medication, I need something to wrap her ribs in, and I'm sure," I said as I surveyed the other people in the room, "that I'm going to need some salve to dress other peoples wounds."
I kept my voice low, but Marcus nodded and led me out toward the ladder.
"Can I help?" Garrett asked behind me. I turned and nodded, not wanting to start an argument.
I went through the house quickly, finding most of what I needed in the kitchen. Marcus didn't have a garden, which was where most my herbs that could be used for medicinal purposes came from, but he was rich to be sure, and his wife had bought many herbs and spices which she held in little jars around the kitchen.
While I searched for different medical supplies, I couldn't help but feel a pang in my chest as I realized this was a life I could never provide for my wife and children. Esme would never have pots this fine, and Alice would never be able to dress in the kind of linens that adorned Marcus. I tried to push those thoughts back as I focused on my task.
When we were back in the cellar, I went to the girl first and wrapped her up, causing more pain which escalated my concern. I gave her some milk that had some spices mixed in to help ease the pain, but she continued crying, sending everyone in the room on edge.
"Do whatever you can to calm her down," I encouraged the woman holding the child.
She nodded and then began to softly sing a lullaby I didn't recognize, and the child's cries reduced down to a whimper, but didn't completely go away.
For the next hour I began attending to the others in the cellar, sending Garrett and Marcus up for any supplies I needed, or to check outside on the status of the battle, which was difficult since there was a line of stores in front of his house, and no one dared venture outside.
Everyone seemed generally okay, and the girl had finally stopped crying, though her breathing was heavy and labored. A couple hours had gone by, and her breath hadn't eased, nor had she been able to fall asleep. I was getting worried. She needed a real doctor, and that was impossible at the moment.
Marcus had gone up into the house to check outside again, when the cellar door slammed shut and he suddenly came flying down the ladder.
"Marcus?" I called out concernedly when I caught the worried expression on his face.
"Shhh," he whispered harshly to me. "Keep her quiet," he hissed at the woman and both her and the girl's eye grew wide.
The room fell into an eerie silence until all you could hear was the panting of the girl.
Marcus was looking up toward the ceiling of the cellar and everyone in the room followed suit, curious and troubled as to what was going on.
We waited, trying to figure out what it was that had Marcus so on edge, what it was that he wasn't telling us, and then the we heard the floor above our heads creak. No voice was made known, but sure as day there were boots walking around the house, and then another pair, and then another, and then another.
Slow and cautiously they moved like hunters through the forest, and we were their prey. At the first sound of the first step, I felt the air suck out of the room so quickly it almost knocked me over. No one dared even breathe, except for the little girl, whose own already labored breath was intensifying at the tension and fear around her.
Every eye in the room turned to her, and then the footsteps above, silenced.
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Alice POV
Closing the door behind me, I found myself back in Jack's room. I don't know why I came here, but I had to start somewhere, and this was the only place in the palace I knew. I felt a fear and a nausea start to settle in the pit of my stomach, and I worried that maybe this wasn't the best of ideas. Well, I knew it wasn't the best idea, but at the same time, I knew I didn't have a choice. If I went home, and something happened to him, I would always wonder, what if? And those were two of the scariest words I could think of.
I pushed the end of the torch into the ashes in the fireplace, putting out the flames so that no one outside would see I was up here from outside. The moon was full enough to light up the room.
I had no idea what my next move would be. I had no idea how I was even going to find him. Outside the room, I could hear the voices of men, soldiers, but I could tell they were at a distance and not directly out front.
I started pacing back and forth trying to think, but my brain was too jumbled to form a coherent thought. Suddenly, my brilliant, spur of the moment plan seemed like my death sentence.
A sound at the door caught my attention and I froze. Someone was fiddling with the latch, and I tried to remember if it had been locked or not. When it didn't open, I breathed a sigh of relief, even though I knew in the back of my mind if someone wanted in, no lock was going to keep them out.
I heard the screams of women out in the hall, and my whole body felt like it was going to burst at the seems as fear crept in.
I ran to the fireplace and grabbed an iron rod, feeling safer with it in my hands. I held it up, ready to swing if the soldier somehow broke through, but then the I heard the lock click, and before I knew what I was doing, I ran and hid behind the large red tapestry.
I heard the door creak open and then silently shut. The lock clicked again. I didn't breathe and I clutched the iron fire poker tighter between my fingers. Whoever this was, I wasn't going down without a fight.
I heard silent, gentle footsteps click against the stone floor, and I heard my own heart pounding in my chest.
The footsteps paused, but I my heart continued to thunder in my ears. Then, the tapestry began to pull back at the end. I took in a deep breath, bracing myself, lifted up the iron rod, and then with a loud war cry, I ran forward and swung the iron rod before the soldier could even see me. I felt it make contact, and then I heard a loud grunt.
I lifted it up to swing again, but he caught it this time.
"Alice," cried a familiar voice that sounded as if the wind had been knocked out of it.
The rod was torn from my hands, and I let out another scream of defiance, but a hand was suddenly covering my mouth, while another one wrapped around my arms and I was pulled down to the floor and pinned to his chest. I was turned forward so I couldn't see the stranger's face, and the familiar voice called out to me again.
"Alice, Alice, shhhh, it's me."
I struggled against him as my jumbled brain took a minute to calm down and register what was going on.
"Alice, it's Jack."
My heart leapt at the name, and it seemed to bring the semblance of peace that I needed to think clearly. I stopped struggling and he took his hand from my mouth, though he didn't remove the arm that kept me pressed against him.
I took in a few deep, calming breaths, and then twisted around as much as I could to see his face.
"Jack," I finally managed to whisper, and he nodded, his expression still cautious.
"Jack!" I explained as my mind finally settled enough comprehend what was happening, and I lunged forward flinging my arms around him and pulled him into an embrace.
"Ahg," he exclaimed sounding pained, and I pulled back, holding my arms out so that I wasn't touching him anymore.
"What?" I asked "What is it?"
He had an arm wrapped around his side and his expression was pained, though he gave a wistful smile, and then it hit me. I looked over at the rod he had dropped on the floor.
"Oh, oh I'm so sorry. I'm sorry. I… I didn't know it was you… I'm… Oh Jack, I'm so sorry."
"It's okay," he laughed and put a calming hand on my cheek. "Really, I'm fine. Just give me a minute."
I put my hand against his and smiled, then feeling suddenly uncomfortable, I pulled back and sat, letting him recuperate from my attack. I watched, trying to assess how bad I'd hurt him, but if he was in serious pain, he hid it well, keeping a smile fixed on me the whole time.
"Well, you're a sight for sore eyes," he finally said sighing. I smiled, but I didn't respond.
Then, his expression changed to anger and irritation as something seemed to dawn on him.
"Your mother, and the other woman. Where are they?"
"In the tunnel," I answered, confused at his reaction. "They're probably to the waterfall by now, then again, I don't know how long that path is."
His eyes narrowed at me, and though he spoke in a whisper, it was easy to detect the fury in his voice. "Why aren't you with them?"
"I…" but I couldn't answer. I couldn't tell him the truth. "I couldn't go."
"Why not?" he demanded and sat up straighter to meet my gaze.
"I… I… There's too many unknowns…"
"What does that mean?"
"There are people I love… out there…" I looked out to the window, and the sound of the fight flowed through it and into my ears. "My brothers are fighting, and…" I paused and took a deep breath. "I just can't leave until I know what's happened to them."
"Alice," Jack breathed my name softly, taking a deep breath. "It's not safe for you, and you can't stay here. They're in the castle. That's why I came up, to make sure you left. To make sure you got out safe. I can't go back out there and fight thinking something's happened to you."
I stared at him for a long time, guilt twisting like a knife in my stomach. "I'm sorry Jack. I'm not leaving."
"Well," he said, leaning back on his hands, looking too casual for what was happening around us. "What do you propose?"
I stared at him for a moment, feeling a small sense of relief that he wasn't sending me off. "We?" I asked raising an eye brow.
"You didn't think I was going to let you tred through the bloodiest war of the century all by yourself did you?" He was smirking at me now.
"Jack, you don't…"
"I'm an idiot of course," he interrupted me. "I should grab you by the arm, march you back down to that tunnel and lock the door behind you." His face turned more serious. "But I'll help you Alice. I'll help you find your brothers. But I swear on all that is holy, if you let anything happen to you…" He couldn't finish the sentence, and I felt myself choking back tears that were trying to break through.
"You don't have to," I offered in almost a whisper, knowing I was taking him from the fight, but at the same time relieved at the same thing. "I can find a way."
He smiled at me again, and stood to his feet. He offered out his hand to me and pulled me up as I took it. He didn't let go as I stood in front of him.
"What now?" I asked.
"There's not much we can do until this war's over, and I'm not taking you out into the fight. I didn't see any Weidinhun come into the palace. It's mostly Belai looking for people hiding out, so we'll need to get outside. We'll look, but we'll be looking from a distance."
"How?" I asked.
A big smirk covered his face. "That underground tunnel that leads outside the capital, that's not the only place it leads."
I looked questioningly at him.
"There are a lot of advantages to growing up in this palace all your life."
A sound distracted us, and we both turned our attention toward the door. Someone was trying to break in.
"Jack," I whispered, alarmed.
His grip on my hand tightened. "Come on."
With that he pulled me back toward the secret door, not bothering to grab or light the torch, and as he shut the door, we were consumed by total darkness, and in this darkness, Jack pulled me forward.
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Emmett POV
The moon wasn't in the same place as it was last time I looked. I wasn't sure how much time had passed, but it felt like I'd been fighting for an eternity, and what was worse, we were losing. I was sure of it. I knew I was seeing more red than blue. The bodies on the ground were increasing, and half the battle was forced back into the field where the king's stables were kept, the other half near the gate.
I was near the gate. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a group of men in red uniform barging into the palace. I knew there were people taking refuge there, and it hit me they were going after civilians again. I wanted to run, but the fight kept me where I was.
No Weidinhun was following after. Why? Those people were in danger.
I noticed off to my side that the king of Belai was still around, still fighting against his own people, a group of Belai and Weidinhun soldiers around him, protecting him the best they could. I wondered how they didn't get attacked by Weidinhun in the confusion after all this time, but by now, word had spread that the king of Belai was fighting his own men, and the awe of it couldn't be shaken.
Though it seemed to inspire some hope, it wasn't enough. I was convinced that I would be dead before this night was over, but I would fight until that time came. I would fight for my family. I would fight for this country. I would fight for my wife.
I tried to ignore the shaking in my arms and my legs. I tried to push past it. I tried not to let it affect me, but my strength finally seemed to falter.
I found myself suddenly on my knees. Everything about this day had seemed to happen at a speed I couldn't comprehend. As soon as I'd taken one life, there was another in front of me instantly. For hours, every move I made seemed to happen at a pace I didn't think I was capable as, but here now, with a Belai soldier above me, sword about to come crashing down, life was moving in slow motion.
My eyes were fixed on the man before me, and I saw every move he made. I saw the way his eyes widened just slightly, and boiled with rage. I saw the way his mouth fell open to scream, but I couldn't hear the sound. I saw the sweat that poured down his temples, and the blood that painted his face. I saw the way the muscles in his arms flexed as he was about to strike.
I saw it all, and knew it wasn't the end, but I wasn't afraid. I was almost peaceful. I'd done all I could, and it had to be enough. I had to believe it was enough. A peace settled over me, and I thought of the woman I love, glad that her face would be the last thing I saw before I died. In a moment I made my peace with God, praying that when it was over, it would be Rosalie that would greet me into His Kingdom.
I was ready.
A sound like thunder cried out in the distance, breaking through my quiet surrender. Whatever it was, it was enough to distract the man about to kill me, and he turned around to see what the commotion had been.
In a reflex as quick as lighting, I took my sword and struck the man, his life in exchange for mine, and then stood up, too distracted by what was happening to see if anyone else was coming at me. No one did. All over the field the sound of swords silenced, and not a breath could be heard.
But the guards at the gate had dropped their confident demeanor, and were now in a frenzy. Half of them ran across the bridge, disappearing before our sight, and the other half remained in place, swords raised, and you could see the fear on their faces.
Something was coming.
The atmosphere around me remained still. Everyone waited to see what would appear through that gate, knowing whatever it was that had the Belai's shaken, had to be extraordinary.
What did finally emerge, shocked me so much I forgot how to breathe.
There before my very eyes, appearing atop a strong looking horse, was Jasper, and behind him rode a parade of men that seemed more angel than human. They trampled through the Belai soldiers on their horses like a knife through butter.
Their appearance seemed unreal. Their size, their dark colors, the silent confidence on their faces, as if they knew not one of them was going to die this night, or at least had no fear of death.
Behind them rode in more Weidinhun soldiers, probably the one's who had been left to guard the country outside the capital.
I didn't know why, and I didn't know how, but something about these men inspired the hope I had been searching for, and I knew, I just knew, that somehow, the tides had turned in our favor.
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Carlisle POV
The footsteps above us silenced, and then a voice was heard.
"There's no one here. Let's move."
"No," grunted another. "Something's not right. I can feel it."
He started walking again, and I heard thudding noises, as if he were pounding on different things in the room.
"Come on," called the first voice again. "There's no one here. We have other houses to check."
There was a long pause of silence, and then the second voice finally answered, "Fine. Let's go."
I wanted to let out a breath of relief as I heard his footsteps retreat, but I was still too frightened to make a noise.
Then, I heard a noise that made my ears twitch and my stomach turn into itself. The little girl whimpered.
The footsteps stopped.
"Did you hear that?" the second man asked. "Shhh…"
He started stomping his foot on the floor, and I knew what he was listening for. Hollowness.
"There's a cellar below our feet. Find the entrance," he commanded, and then there were more footsteps.
I looked over, and found the woman had her hand over the little girl's mouth. She stared at me, wide eyed in fear.
"Here!" shouted a voice, and then to my utter horror, the door began to pull back.
All the men in the room positioned themselves in front of the women and children, though I knew it was useless. They had swords. We didn't.
The door swung completely open, and I heard it slam as it hit the floor. My stance tightened as I planted my feet firmly on the ground, preparing for what was next.
"AAAAAHHHHH!" Came a scream from up above, and then the man who had just started to climb down the ladder was gone.
I looked up as I heard grunting and thudding above me. There was a fight happening to be sure, I just wasn't sure between who, or who was the victor.
Finally, everything went silent again for a moment, and then the footsteps were back, only this time they were lighter, almost inaudible. I wasn't sure I would have even heard them if were weren't so deathly silent.
Someone jumped from the floor into the cellar. He didn't even use the ladder. He landed with perfect precision, and took in the sight before him. Us.
He was a tall, dark sort of man, and he stared at us with eyes that seemed to know all the secrets of the universe. I had no idea if he was going to attack, or if he was a friend, but one thing I was sure of, he was dangerous.
"This war will be over soon," he said in a voice that you would expect to come out of a man with his appearance. "Stay here until I come back for you."
And then, he scaled up the ladder quickly, and as gracefully as a dove. He shut the cellar door, I heard the carpet sweep back over it, and then though I listened for his retreating footsteps, I heard none.
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Edward POV
There was only one explanation. Bella left me… again.
I sat around and waited for her like an idiot for an hour, the sun rising higher in the sky, the air getting hotter as if winter had come to a dramatic end. I knew the truth, though I tried to deny it that entire hour until it hit me in the face like a rock.
She had her duty. She had her palace. She had to do what she knew was right, and she knew she had to go when I wouldn't stop her.
Bella left me.
Bella left me.
I couldn't get the words out of my head, and each time I thought them, they stung worse than the previous time. I felt as if all the wind had been knocked out of me. I also felt unsurprised, as if I had subconsciously expected this.
I would never be enough. I would never have the strength I needed to hold her. No matter what, Bella would always leave.
With a heavy heart, I packed what I needed, mounted my horse, and began to head back to the palace. I knew it would take a couple hours to get there at even full speed, but I couldn't bring myself to go fast. I knew it wouldn't help, but I needed to wallow. I needed to feel this pain. I needed to hurt over the woman I loved. I couldn't let myself escape it.
I wouldn't have gone back at all if there hadn't of been the war. I felt responsible to go back to see what had happened, and if it wasn't over, than I needed to help. If it wasn't over, they would need all the help they could get. I didn't really care. I couldn't find the passion I once held for this country, but I knew in the back of my mind this was the right thing to do, and there was a part of me that wanted to do the right thing, because I knew the right thing always pleased my father.
How silly, to want to please my father in a time like this. It seemed so foolish and unnecessary, but still, there it was.
I barely paid attention as I made my way toward the palace, thoughts of Bella running rampage in my mind, and again, I didn't try to escape them.
What must have been hours later, I arrived. By the position of the sun, I knew it had to be well past noon, but still hours from twilight.
The gate was guarded by Weidinhun soldiers who looked at me sternly and with distrust.
"Who are you soldier?" one of them demanded eyeing my uniform.
I stopped my horse and held out my hands. "I'm Weidinhun," I exclaimed, feeling fearful for the first time today.
The looked at me speculatively, trying to decide if I was telling the truth.
"Where have you been?" they asked.
I knew right then I was in trouble. I hadn't been in the fight, but I didn't care. I had lost my reason to live, so I told them the truth.
"I was charged with guarding the queen," my voice faltered as I said queen, "but I failed. She's gone."
I couldn't disguise the sadness in my voice as I said the word gone, knowing it meant more to me than they could have ever guessed.
I didn't fail to notice the way their eyes shifted oddly back and forth to each other, and then they all turned strangely back to me.
I gripped tighter to the reins on the horse, not sure what to expect.
"She's here," one of them said, sounding as if he believed me.
I felt my heart jump at those words, although I knew I should have expected it. Where else would she have gone?
They moved and let me pass without an explanation.
As soon as I got through, my eyes widened at the sight before me. Blood stained the streets, and bodies were still being carried away.
I heard the sound of a crowd in the direction of the field where I had waited for Bella by the stables, and they sounded angry. An unexplainable fear began to claim me, and I kicked the horse hard, making him race toward the field. The closer I got, the more I could hear the animosity of what sounded like a very large crowd.
I rode through the capital as fast as the horse would go, and then finally when I got to the field, the crowd was so thick, I had to stop the horse.
They all had fists raised up into the air, shouting fiercely at something ahead. My eyes followed their gaze until they came upon what had them so enraged.
My breath stopped.
My heart froze.
My whole world came crashing down.
And it didn't matter that she had left. And it didn't matter if she did or didn't want me anymore. My bitterness, my hurt, my rage, none of it mattered.
From my seat on the horse I could see above all their heads. There was a raised platform at the foot of the crowd. A top the platform stood an executioner with his sword held high, ready to strike. And there, on her knees was the one whose blood the weapon hungered for.
Right before me she knelt, her fear filled eyes scanning the crowd as if she were searching for something or someone.
There, kneeling before the executioner, was my Bella.
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(A/N: AAAAHHHHH! I know. I'm the meanest. Sorry for the lack of Bella and Edward in this chapter, but I had to finish up the war and the other character's story lines. The next chapter will be very Bella centric, and you'll find out exactly how she got into this little predicament. It will also be pretty Alice and Jack centric, with a little Jasper sprinkled in.
I have one favor to ask… I'm expecting death threats, I'm expecting rage and shock from you all, but please don't just leave me death threat reviews. This was an intense chapter, with lots of suspense, and it took me a whole freaking week to write, because every time I sat down to work on it, someone interrupted me with something to do. I'm not even kidding. EVERY TIME! It was so annoying. Anyway, that's why it took so long. But I loved the suspense in this chapter, and I'd really like to know what you think… and you can leave me a death threat… I don't mind. ; )
Oh, P.S: What'd you think of the disclaimer? I had the idea when I was at a burger place the other day, and they were calling numbers for orders. Hee hee. You all are amazing! I'll do my best to get the next chapter out quickly! By loves.)