The Trio, part 2
by Susan Owens
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Jett sat by the entrance to the cave. He took out his weapon and sharpened it. He knew that he had to be ready. Being an assassin made all his senses sharper. He knew he could hear anyone trying to sneak up on him, but in his line of business you did not take chances - not if you wanted to live very long.
He thought about how he and his brothers were so different. They all looked alike except for Jace when he was wearing that stupid wig and talking with a stupid phony Spanish accent.
Joxer meant well; he wanted to be a warrior. But he was just not good enough. He remembered their father teaching him and Jace how to fight. Not Joxer, though. Their mother did not want her youngest to fight. She wanted him to play music. But their father let him watch, and he tried his best to learn. Jett laughed. Here mother had wanted Joxer to love music and not fight and it was Jace who ended up that way. Joxer wanted to be a warrior.
Jett thought about Jace. Jace had learned the skill of using the crossbow. He was good at it. He could hit an apple off a tree at a hundred yards. Their father was so proud of him. But one day that all changed. It was a long time ago, but Jett remembered it like it was yesterday.
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It was a day like any other. The boys were fighting it out with each other while their father Judd watched. Suddenly Jett knocked Jace's weapon out of his hand and knocked him to the ground. With a wild look on his face he plunged his sword towards Jace. Jace somehow managed to roll out of the way. He jumped up and screamed at his older brother.
"Are you crazy? You could have killed me."
Jett laughed. "If I wanted to kill you, Jace, you would not be standing there." He laughed again and put his arm around his brother. "Come on, I'll buy you a drink."
Jace stared at his brother and shook his hand off. "No, thank you."
He walked away as Jett stood there, laughing. Jace entered their home and threw down his weapon. Joxer looked up from playing his lute.
"Are you okay, Jace?"
Jace sat down next to his younger brother. "Yeah, Joxer, I'm fine. Please go on and play. I like to hear you play."
Joxer started playing again, and as he played Jace hummed along. Suddenly Judd walked in and grabbed Jace.
"Why aren't you outside practicing your skills?"
Jace looked at his father. "Because Jett is crazy. He tried to killed me."
Judd laughed "Your brother was just teasing you. Now get back out there."
"No Father, I will not. I don't want to fight or get killed." He paused for a moment. "I want to go and sing for people. I know I have the talent."
Judd stared at his son. "Are you disobeying, boy?"
"Yes Father, I am."
Judd picked up Jace's sword and swung it towards him. Joxer let out a scream.
"No!" Joxer knocked his father away from Jace. His father got up and grabbed Joxer.
"Get outside, boy, now."
Joxer stood his ground. "I won't let you kill Jace."
"I said get outside, boy." Judd then pushed his son outside. Jett came over and saw Joxer was upset.
"What's wrong Jox?"
Joxer looked at his brother. "Father's going to kill Jace. Please, Jett, stop him."
Jett walked into the room. Their father was standing over Jace, who was shaking, ready to kill him.
"Father, wait!"
Judd faced his oldest son. "Don't try to stop me Jett. This coward has to die."
Jett placed his arm around his father. "Father, there's a better way. Make him an outcast, with no family. A man without a family is nothing."
Judd smiled at his son. He didn't relish killing his own son. This was much better. "Get up, boy, and get out of my house. You are no longer my son."
Jace slowly got up. "I want to say goodbye to Joxer."
Judd shook his head. "No, you leave now, or I will kill you."
Jace hurried out the door. He started for his horse and an arrow fell in front of him.
"That horse belongs to me. If you take it, I'll kill you."
Jace turned and walked away. He could hear Joxer calling for him but did not turn around.
Judd called Joxer back and he told his two remaining sons, "Jace is no longer part of this family. You are to never speak his name again. If you ever see him again you are to kill him. Do you understand?"
They both nodded their heads.
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Jett suddenly heard a noise. He turned around to see Joxer standing there.
"Joxer, what are you doing out here?"
"I though you could use some company."
"Thanks, Jox. It's almost morning. Let's wake up Jace - we've got a lot of work to do today."
Joxer nodded his head and went into the cave to wake Jace up. "Come on, Jace, it's time to get up." He waited but there was no sound. "Jace?" Joxer walked over to the place where Jace had been sleeping. He pulled back the bedding and no one was there. He ran out of the cave to Jett. The assassin looked up.
"Where's Jace?" he asked.
His younger brother shook his head. "I don't know. He's gone."
The assassin threw down his dagger. "I am going to kill that moron. Joxer, go back into the cave and stay there."
"I want to come with you."
"No. Now, do what you were told."
"Who died and made you boss?"
Jett shook his head. "Please, just go in the cave. I'll be right back with Jace."
Joxer turned around and walked back into the cave. He turned around to face his brother again.
"Jett?"
"Yeah?"
"Please don't hurt him."
Jett waved him away and started towards the river. He figured Jace might go there. As he was walking to the river he heard splashing noises. He came to the edge of the forest where he could see the water. He was right. Jace was taking a bath and being very noisy about it, acting as if there were nothing wrong. The assassin slowly and quietly approached his brother.
Jace was enjoying his bath. He had felt dirty last night, and he hated to feel dirty. All he wanted was a bath. He had left the cave by another exit so Jett would not see him. This felt good. He would be back before Jett knew he was missing, or maybe he'd sneak back, get his horse and ride out of there.
Suddenly Jace's head was pushed into the water and held down. Survival instinct kicked in and he struggled to come up. But the hand on his head held him down. Then he felt himself being pulled up by his hair. Jace was now coughing up water and trying to get his breath. He found himself looking into Jett's face.
Jett's cold eyes stared at Jace. "You are so lucky it was only me who came upon you. If it were father or any of his men, you'd be dead."
He then threw Jace's clothes at him. "Now get dressed, and hurry."
Jace slowly got out of the water. He side stepped around his brother and quickly got dressed. Jett handed him a crossbow. "I am going back. If you want to come, fine. If you don't, take this to protect yourself."
Jace watch his brother leave and slowly followed. He was too frightened to do anything else. When they enter the campsite, Joxer was nowhere to be found. Jett began to search the area. He bent down and saw the signs indicating that their father had Joxer.
Jace stared at his brother. "Where's Jocshur?"
"I think father may have him."
"Maybe he yust left on hees own. Chu are enough to scarrre enyone."
Jett grabbed Jace. "Listen to me. Joxer is not afraid of me. Someone took him. Can't you see the signs? Well, at least they are easy to follow. Which means it's probably some of father's men, a small group, I think. I'll pay them a visit. You stay here."
Jace looked at his brother. "Pleeese Jett, I wan' to help."
"No. Now stay here."
Jace watched Jett go, and then followed him. Jett saw the small campsite. He counted about six of his father's men sitting around it. He scanned the area and spotted Joxer tied to a tree. One of the guards was playfully poking him with a stick. His brother's head was down, and Jett could not tell if he was even alive. The guard poked Joxer hard in his middle, and the youngest brother doubled over in pain.
Jett had seen enough. He took out an arrow and aimed it at the guard. The arrow flew straight and struck the guard teasing Joxer in the back. The man fell down dead. The other guards jumped to their feet. Another arrow got another guard .The remaining guards searched around. Where were the arrows coming from? Another guard dropped like a rock. The remaining guards ran for their lives but never made it. They were also shot down.
Jett entered the campsite, stepping over the bodies of the six guards he had just killed. He walked over to Joxer and lifted his head. His younger brother was unconscious. Jett slowly began to untie his brother. One guard, who had had gone out to scout and thus survived the massacre, was now staring at Jett. Slowly he took out his knife, and was ready to throw it at the assassin. Jett suddenly heard the sound of a body falling. He turned around to see another dead guard lying on the ground and Jace coming out of the forest with his crossbow.
"Thanks, Jace. You saved my life."
Jace walked past Jett to Joxer and helped untie him. Carefully he picked his younger brother up and glared at his older brother. "Don' boder to tank me. I deed it for Jocshur, not chu. I know uf someone who can help heem."
Jett reached out for Joxer. "I'll take him."
But Jace held on. "No. Thees time Jett, chu are going to leesten to mee. I am takeeng Jocshur to a frriend of mine. She ees a healer. You weell haf to keell mee to shtop mee."
"I won't stop you. Just let me have him. Hades is stronger than that nag of yours, and he can easily carry both of us."
Jace started off to their campsite, and Jett followed, keeping an eye out for any other danger. When they arrived, Jace placed Joxer on the ground. He then got his gelding ready to ride.
Jett watched as Jace was doing this. Jace then turned and faced Jett.
"Eef chu are goin' to take heem, den do eet. We'f got to geet to my frriend. Hee needs help, and soon."
Jett mound Hades "Give him to me."
Jace carefully picked Joxer up, and gave him to Jett. Jett took Joxer and held him so he would not fall.
"Okay, which way to this friend of yours?"
"Follow mee."
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The Warrior Princess and her friend entered the campsite. There were seven dead guards lying on the ground. The bard stared at the bodies.
"Xena, do you think these are some of Joxer's father's men?'"
The warrior woman nodded her head. "Yeah, and it looks like Jett handled them." She climbed down off of Argo and looked around, seeing what she was looking for.
"Gabrielle, come here."
The bard approached Xena. "What is it?"
"One of the brothers has been injured."
"How do you know?"
Xena put Gabrielle's hand on the footprint. "Feel the dent. Someone is being carried."
"Which one?"
"I don't know, but let's follow in case they need help."
Gabrielle and Xena arrived at the deserted campsite. The Warrior Princess climbed down from Argo and looked for signs showing which way the brothers had gone.
"They went south. Come on, let's ride."
The bard nodded and followed Xena.
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Jett rode behind Jace, keeping his eyes out for any danger. He hated the quiet. It made him feel funny.
"How much longer?" he asked. Joxer didn't look good, and he was worried.
Jace turned his gelding around. "No far, yust trew dese trees."
As they came into the clearing, Jett noticed a small hut that was completely covered by the forest.
"Nice," he commented
Jace dismounted his horse and turned to Jett. "Geef mee Jocsur."
Jett remained on his horse holding on to Joxer.
"Jett, geef heem to mee."
"No. I'll take him."
"Dey don' know chu. Geef heem to mee!"
Jett stared at his brother. He handed Joxer to him, then climbed down. Jace walked up to the door, and with his free hand he knocked.
"Come in child, come in"
Jace entered the home with Jett following him in.
"Ello Nama. Ees mee, Jace."
The old women slowly climbed out of her chair. "Jacy, is that you, baby?"
"Yes Nama, ees mee. I need you he'p, my leetul brodur Jocsur ees been hurt."
"Oh, baby, bring him over."
Jace walked over and placed his brother on the bed. The old woman got up and felt her way to the bed. Jett noticed this and stared at Jace.
"What wrong with her?"
The old woman looked up to the sound of the new voice. "Jacy, baby, who is this?"
"Hee's no one, Nama."
"Hmm. He doesn't sound like no one. Jacy, you know better than to be rude in front of Nama."
Jett stepped forward and waved his hand in her face. She just stared at nothing. He backed away from her. He then faced Jace with an angry look in his eyes.
"Is this some kind of a joke? She's blind. How can she help Joxer?"
"I see in many other ways, child. Now let me attend to your brother. Jacy, go out and fetch Lucinda. She's down by the pond. You remember the way, do you not?"
Jace turned and left. Jett walked over to the woman who was now checking Joxer over.
"How can you help? You can't see his injuries."
"You sound like a man who cares a lot."
"What do you know about me?"
She reached up and felt his chest. "I feel a man who is trouble."
The assassin pushed her hand away. "You did not answer my question, woman. How can you help?"
"I feel his pain." She began to feel Joxer's body all over. Jett watched, staying ready in case he felt any danger.
"I will not harm him child; relax. Hmm. No broken bones. Ribs bruised, but nothing broken."
"Then why won't he wake up?"
The woman kept feeling Joxer "I suppose they gave him something, child."
Jett hated to be called that. "Stop calling me 'child'. My name is Jett."
"Of course. I'm sorry. I call everyone 'child' if I don't know them."
She got up as Jace and her granddaughter Lucinda entered the room.
"Nama. What's wrong?"
"Lucinda, hand me my potion. We need for this young man to wake up."
Lucinda walked over to the cupboard and took out a bottle full of muddy-looking liquid. Jett grabbed it from her.
"What is this stuff? Do you plan to give this to my brother?"
Lucinda stared at the man who looked so much like Jace, and the man lying on the bed.
"Give that back. Nama needs it to help your brother."
She reached for it but he held it out of her reach.
"Not until I know what's in it."
Jace suddenly grabbed the bottle out of Jett's hand and put it in the old woman's hand.
"Here, Nama."
"Thank you, baby."
The older brother stared at him. "Are you crazy? You don't know what's in that."
"I troost Nama. I troost her weeth my life."
"It not your life. It's Joxer's."
Suddenly Joxer started coughing and spitting up what he was given. Nama was holding him.
"It's all right baby, just let it out."
She held him as the stuff came out. The woman, who was letting him get sick all over her, amazed Joxer. He noticed it didn't seem to bother her.
"I'm sorry," he said weakly.
"It all right, baby. It will come clean." She slowly laid him back down. "Now rest, baby. Rest."
She turned towards the others. "The stuff worked. He will rest now."
The assassin walked over to Joxer. "We can't stay. We have to move on."
The Healer placed her hand on his shoulder. "He has no use of his legs. They're too weak. You cannot move him. I will not let you."
"How are you going to stop me?"
"Chee may no bee able to shtop chu, but I weell."
Jett stared at his brother who was staring back at him.
"Eef Nama say he canno' be moof, den we haf to stay."
"We can't. Don't you see that father will kill these people?"
"Why would chu care? Chu keell people."
"This is different. I'm not paid to kill these people."
"We haf to stay. Togeder we can protect dem."
"I thought you didn't like to kill?"
"I don', but soometimes dere ees no uder choice."
"If you need help, Gabrielle and I are here."
Both brothers turned to see the Warrior Princess and her friend, standing in the doorway.
Jett nodded his head. "Thanks. We could use it."
The bard walked past them to Joxer, who was asleep on the bed. She held his hand and stared at him. Absently, she began to stoke his hair. Lucinda walked over to her.
"He will be fine. He your boyfriend?"
The bard looked up at the young woman. "No, we're just friends."
Lucinda smiled at her "Funny. I see something more."
Gabrielle just stared.
Conclusion
by Susan Owens
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Jett sat by the entrance to the cave. He took out his weapon and sharpened it. He knew that he had to be ready. Being an assassin made all his senses sharper. He knew he could hear anyone trying to sneak up on him, but in his line of business you did not take chances - not if you wanted to live very long.
He thought about how he and his brothers were so different. They all looked alike except for Jace when he was wearing that stupid wig and talking with a stupid phony Spanish accent.
Joxer meant well; he wanted to be a warrior. But he was just not good enough. He remembered their father teaching him and Jace how to fight. Not Joxer, though. Their mother did not want her youngest to fight. She wanted him to play music. But their father let him watch, and he tried his best to learn. Jett laughed. Here mother had wanted Joxer to love music and not fight and it was Jace who ended up that way. Joxer wanted to be a warrior.
Jett thought about Jace. Jace had learned the skill of using the crossbow. He was good at it. He could hit an apple off a tree at a hundred yards. Their father was so proud of him. But one day that all changed. It was a long time ago, but Jett remembered it like it was yesterday.
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It was a day like any other. The boys were fighting it out with each other while their father Judd watched. Suddenly Jett knocked Jace's weapon out of his hand and knocked him to the ground. With a wild look on his face he plunged his sword towards Jace. Jace somehow managed to roll out of the way. He jumped up and screamed at his older brother.
"Are you crazy? You could have killed me."
Jett laughed. "If I wanted to kill you, Jace, you would not be standing there." He laughed again and put his arm around his brother. "Come on, I'll buy you a drink."
Jace stared at his brother and shook his hand off. "No, thank you."
He walked away as Jett stood there, laughing. Jace entered their home and threw down his weapon. Joxer looked up from playing his lute.
"Are you okay, Jace?"
Jace sat down next to his younger brother. "Yeah, Joxer, I'm fine. Please go on and play. I like to hear you play."
Joxer started playing again, and as he played Jace hummed along. Suddenly Judd walked in and grabbed Jace.
"Why aren't you outside practicing your skills?"
Jace looked at his father. "Because Jett is crazy. He tried to killed me."
Judd laughed "Your brother was just teasing you. Now get back out there."
"No Father, I will not. I don't want to fight or get killed." He paused for a moment. "I want to go and sing for people. I know I have the talent."
Judd stared at his son. "Are you disobeying, boy?"
"Yes Father, I am."
Judd picked up Jace's sword and swung it towards him. Joxer let out a scream.
"No!" Joxer knocked his father away from Jace. His father got up and grabbed Joxer.
"Get outside, boy, now."
Joxer stood his ground. "I won't let you kill Jace."
"I said get outside, boy." Judd then pushed his son outside. Jett came over and saw Joxer was upset.
"What's wrong Jox?"
Joxer looked at his brother. "Father's going to kill Jace. Please, Jett, stop him."
Jett walked into the room. Their father was standing over Jace, who was shaking, ready to kill him.
"Father, wait!"
Judd faced his oldest son. "Don't try to stop me Jett. This coward has to die."
Jett placed his arm around his father. "Father, there's a better way. Make him an outcast, with no family. A man without a family is nothing."
Judd smiled at his son. He didn't relish killing his own son. This was much better. "Get up, boy, and get out of my house. You are no longer my son."
Jace slowly got up. "I want to say goodbye to Joxer."
Judd shook his head. "No, you leave now, or I will kill you."
Jace hurried out the door. He started for his horse and an arrow fell in front of him.
"That horse belongs to me. If you take it, I'll kill you."
Jace turned and walked away. He could hear Joxer calling for him but did not turn around.
Judd called Joxer back and he told his two remaining sons, "Jace is no longer part of this family. You are to never speak his name again. If you ever see him again you are to kill him. Do you understand?"
They both nodded their heads.
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Jett suddenly heard a noise. He turned around to see Joxer standing there.
"Joxer, what are you doing out here?"
"I though you could use some company."
"Thanks, Jox. It's almost morning. Let's wake up Jace - we've got a lot of work to do today."
Joxer nodded his head and went into the cave to wake Jace up. "Come on, Jace, it's time to get up." He waited but there was no sound. "Jace?" Joxer walked over to the place where Jace had been sleeping. He pulled back the bedding and no one was there. He ran out of the cave to Jett. The assassin looked up.
"Where's Jace?" he asked.
His younger brother shook his head. "I don't know. He's gone."
The assassin threw down his dagger. "I am going to kill that moron. Joxer, go back into the cave and stay there."
"I want to come with you."
"No. Now, do what you were told."
"Who died and made you boss?"
Jett shook his head. "Please, just go in the cave. I'll be right back with Jace."
Joxer turned around and walked back into the cave. He turned around to face his brother again.
"Jett?"
"Yeah?"
"Please don't hurt him."
Jett waved him away and started towards the river. He figured Jace might go there. As he was walking to the river he heard splashing noises. He came to the edge of the forest where he could see the water. He was right. Jace was taking a bath and being very noisy about it, acting as if there were nothing wrong. The assassin slowly and quietly approached his brother.
Jace was enjoying his bath. He had felt dirty last night, and he hated to feel dirty. All he wanted was a bath. He had left the cave by another exit so Jett would not see him. This felt good. He would be back before Jett knew he was missing, or maybe he'd sneak back, get his horse and ride out of there.
Suddenly Jace's head was pushed into the water and held down. Survival instinct kicked in and he struggled to come up. But the hand on his head held him down. Then he felt himself being pulled up by his hair. Jace was now coughing up water and trying to get his breath. He found himself looking into Jett's face.
Jett's cold eyes stared at Jace. "You are so lucky it was only me who came upon you. If it were father or any of his men, you'd be dead."
He then threw Jace's clothes at him. "Now get dressed, and hurry."
Jace slowly got out of the water. He side stepped around his brother and quickly got dressed. Jett handed him a crossbow. "I am going back. If you want to come, fine. If you don't, take this to protect yourself."
Jace watch his brother leave and slowly followed. He was too frightened to do anything else. When they enter the campsite, Joxer was nowhere to be found. Jett began to search the area. He bent down and saw the signs indicating that their father had Joxer.
Jace stared at his brother. "Where's Jocshur?"
"I think father may have him."
"Maybe he yust left on hees own. Chu are enough to scarrre enyone."
Jett grabbed Jace. "Listen to me. Joxer is not afraid of me. Someone took him. Can't you see the signs? Well, at least they are easy to follow. Which means it's probably some of father's men, a small group, I think. I'll pay them a visit. You stay here."
Jace looked at his brother. "Pleeese Jett, I wan' to help."
"No. Now stay here."
Jace watched Jett go, and then followed him. Jett saw the small campsite. He counted about six of his father's men sitting around it. He scanned the area and spotted Joxer tied to a tree. One of the guards was playfully poking him with a stick. His brother's head was down, and Jett could not tell if he was even alive. The guard poked Joxer hard in his middle, and the youngest brother doubled over in pain.
Jett had seen enough. He took out an arrow and aimed it at the guard. The arrow flew straight and struck the guard teasing Joxer in the back. The man fell down dead. The other guards jumped to their feet. Another arrow got another guard .The remaining guards searched around. Where were the arrows coming from? Another guard dropped like a rock. The remaining guards ran for their lives but never made it. They were also shot down.
Jett entered the campsite, stepping over the bodies of the six guards he had just killed. He walked over to Joxer and lifted his head. His younger brother was unconscious. Jett slowly began to untie his brother. One guard, who had had gone out to scout and thus survived the massacre, was now staring at Jett. Slowly he took out his knife, and was ready to throw it at the assassin. Jett suddenly heard the sound of a body falling. He turned around to see another dead guard lying on the ground and Jace coming out of the forest with his crossbow.
"Thanks, Jace. You saved my life."
Jace walked past Jett to Joxer and helped untie him. Carefully he picked his younger brother up and glared at his older brother. "Don' boder to tank me. I deed it for Jocshur, not chu. I know uf someone who can help heem."
Jett reached out for Joxer. "I'll take him."
But Jace held on. "No. Thees time Jett, chu are going to leesten to mee. I am takeeng Jocshur to a frriend of mine. She ees a healer. You weell haf to keell mee to shtop mee."
"I won't stop you. Just let me have him. Hades is stronger than that nag of yours, and he can easily carry both of us."
Jace started off to their campsite, and Jett followed, keeping an eye out for any other danger. When they arrived, Jace placed Joxer on the ground. He then got his gelding ready to ride.
Jett watched as Jace was doing this. Jace then turned and faced Jett.
"Eef chu are goin' to take heem, den do eet. We'f got to geet to my frriend. Hee needs help, and soon."
Jett mound Hades "Give him to me."
Jace carefully picked Joxer up, and gave him to Jett. Jett took Joxer and held him so he would not fall.
"Okay, which way to this friend of yours?"
"Follow mee."
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The Warrior Princess and her friend entered the campsite. There were seven dead guards lying on the ground. The bard stared at the bodies.
"Xena, do you think these are some of Joxer's father's men?'"
The warrior woman nodded her head. "Yeah, and it looks like Jett handled them." She climbed down off of Argo and looked around, seeing what she was looking for.
"Gabrielle, come here."
The bard approached Xena. "What is it?"
"One of the brothers has been injured."
"How do you know?"
Xena put Gabrielle's hand on the footprint. "Feel the dent. Someone is being carried."
"Which one?"
"I don't know, but let's follow in case they need help."
Gabrielle and Xena arrived at the deserted campsite. The Warrior Princess climbed down from Argo and looked for signs showing which way the brothers had gone.
"They went south. Come on, let's ride."
The bard nodded and followed Xena.
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Jett rode behind Jace, keeping his eyes out for any danger. He hated the quiet. It made him feel funny.
"How much longer?" he asked. Joxer didn't look good, and he was worried.
Jace turned his gelding around. "No far, yust trew dese trees."
As they came into the clearing, Jett noticed a small hut that was completely covered by the forest.
"Nice," he commented
Jace dismounted his horse and turned to Jett. "Geef mee Jocsur."
Jett remained on his horse holding on to Joxer.
"Jett, geef heem to mee."
"No. I'll take him."
"Dey don' know chu. Geef heem to mee!"
Jett stared at his brother. He handed Joxer to him, then climbed down. Jace walked up to the door, and with his free hand he knocked.
"Come in child, come in"
Jace entered the home with Jett following him in.
"Ello Nama. Ees mee, Jace."
The old women slowly climbed out of her chair. "Jacy, is that you, baby?"
"Yes Nama, ees mee. I need you he'p, my leetul brodur Jocsur ees been hurt."
"Oh, baby, bring him over."
Jace walked over and placed his brother on the bed. The old woman got up and felt her way to the bed. Jett noticed this and stared at Jace.
"What wrong with her?"
The old woman looked up to the sound of the new voice. "Jacy, baby, who is this?"
"Hee's no one, Nama."
"Hmm. He doesn't sound like no one. Jacy, you know better than to be rude in front of Nama."
Jett stepped forward and waved his hand in her face. She just stared at nothing. He backed away from her. He then faced Jace with an angry look in his eyes.
"Is this some kind of a joke? She's blind. How can she help Joxer?"
"I see in many other ways, child. Now let me attend to your brother. Jacy, go out and fetch Lucinda. She's down by the pond. You remember the way, do you not?"
Jace turned and left. Jett walked over to the woman who was now checking Joxer over.
"How can you help? You can't see his injuries."
"You sound like a man who cares a lot."
"What do you know about me?"
She reached up and felt his chest. "I feel a man who is trouble."
The assassin pushed her hand away. "You did not answer my question, woman. How can you help?"
"I feel his pain." She began to feel Joxer's body all over. Jett watched, staying ready in case he felt any danger.
"I will not harm him child; relax. Hmm. No broken bones. Ribs bruised, but nothing broken."
"Then why won't he wake up?"
The woman kept feeling Joxer "I suppose they gave him something, child."
Jett hated to be called that. "Stop calling me 'child'. My name is Jett."
"Of course. I'm sorry. I call everyone 'child' if I don't know them."
She got up as Jace and her granddaughter Lucinda entered the room.
"Nama. What's wrong?"
"Lucinda, hand me my potion. We need for this young man to wake up."
Lucinda walked over to the cupboard and took out a bottle full of muddy-looking liquid. Jett grabbed it from her.
"What is this stuff? Do you plan to give this to my brother?"
Lucinda stared at the man who looked so much like Jace, and the man lying on the bed.
"Give that back. Nama needs it to help your brother."
She reached for it but he held it out of her reach.
"Not until I know what's in it."
Jace suddenly grabbed the bottle out of Jett's hand and put it in the old woman's hand.
"Here, Nama."
"Thank you, baby."
The older brother stared at him. "Are you crazy? You don't know what's in that."
"I troost Nama. I troost her weeth my life."
"It not your life. It's Joxer's."
Suddenly Joxer started coughing and spitting up what he was given. Nama was holding him.
"It's all right baby, just let it out."
She held him as the stuff came out. The woman, who was letting him get sick all over her, amazed Joxer. He noticed it didn't seem to bother her.
"I'm sorry," he said weakly.
"It all right, baby. It will come clean." She slowly laid him back down. "Now rest, baby. Rest."
She turned towards the others. "The stuff worked. He will rest now."
The assassin walked over to Joxer. "We can't stay. We have to move on."
The Healer placed her hand on his shoulder. "He has no use of his legs. They're too weak. You cannot move him. I will not let you."
"How are you going to stop me?"
"Chee may no bee able to shtop chu, but I weell."
Jett stared at his brother who was staring back at him.
"Eef Nama say he canno' be moof, den we haf to stay."
"We can't. Don't you see that father will kill these people?"
"Why would chu care? Chu keell people."
"This is different. I'm not paid to kill these people."
"We haf to stay. Togeder we can protect dem."
"I thought you didn't like to kill?"
"I don', but soometimes dere ees no uder choice."
"If you need help, Gabrielle and I are here."
Both brothers turned to see the Warrior Princess and her friend, standing in the doorway.
Jett nodded his head. "Thanks. We could use it."
The bard walked past them to Joxer, who was asleep on the bed. She held his hand and stared at him. Absently, she began to stoke his hair. Lucinda walked over to her.
"He will be fine. He your boyfriend?"
The bard looked up at the young woman. "No, we're just friends."
Lucinda smiled at her "Funny. I see something more."
Gabrielle just stared.
Conclusion