Well… sorry about the late chapter… I have an excuse… no, never mind I don't. And, for anyone reading this chapter months from when it was updated (January 2004), this was a really late update. Something like over a month late. Well, let's see what's happening now.
________________________YAHOO!!!____________________________________
Ugh… I hate early mornings.
Jetrin wasn't exactly the best person to hold conversation with in morning times. Without time to perk up, he would, at best, be a moody, quiet kind of guy. And, this time wasn't any different.
Who would want to wake up at this Light-forsaken time anyway, much less work. I mean, the bloody sun rose just a little while ago! I didn't even get a bloody breakfast! …of course, a breakfast without blood would have worked too…
After that conversation with Kevan, where Jetrin had "agreed" to Kevan's conditions, Jetrin slept until nightfall. Then, he awoke and looked to his window again.
Forced travel with some backwards village girl, or out the window and down the tree. Lose all my equipment and supplies, or get twenty five GOLD crowns, supplies to keep me going for weeks, and the girl… So, all that just for giving up solitude, privacy, and most likely my sanity. Wow, what a difficult decision.
And it was, and as he gazed upon the tall tree, rising next to his window, the choice became clear. He understood exactly what he should do. Supplies could be replaced, he could find a way to make another gun, provided he found a greatly skilled blacksmith, and with all that he finally came to a decision. There was one important thing he could not do without, one thing which he could not replace or get back, and that thing was…
"Ah Jetrin, how is the morning treating you? Are you prepared for your journey?"
Twenty-five gold crowns. Twenty-five gold crowns. Must. Keep. Priorities. Straight.
And yes, Jetrin's priorities were kept straight. Although not very greedy, he understood the value of money. He knew how much a crown was worth, especially a GOLD crown. His unselfish use of the money would shame anyone, no matter what kind of person they were.
Now I'm not poor! I have money! No more sleeping in stables! No more working at inns for meals any more!
…never mind.
"Ahem… Jetrin. Are you well?"
Jetrin finally noticed the voice through his gold induced fog. Looking to his side, he saw Kevan standing right beside him. The two of them were right on the edge of the town, right by the gates. Nearby were horses, loaded with supplies for the journey. A small crowd had formed off to the side, presumably to say goodbye to Meria. Glancing around to find said center of attention, he found her missing.
"I'm all right Kevan. Just wondering why I'm already out at this Light-forsaken hour when your daughter, who I'm out here for, ISN'T HERE YET!" Jetrin had finally gotten his morning energy boost apparently, and had decided to vent some of his frustrations on Kevan. And, lets not forget that he's moody in the mornings.
Kevan looked rather unperturbed by Jetrin's aggressive remark. He answered in a condescending tone.
"My daughter is currently saying her goodbyes to her mother. As for this 'Light-forsaken hour', after a few moments, the sun shall pass its zenith. I was informed that simply waking you for this hour required a monumental effort."
Jetrin glared at Kevan. "I think any hour before noon is Light-forsaken. I can barely handle the hours after noon. Kevan, anybody who says they like these hours are liars and should be kicked right in their behinds."
Kevan continued his cool dignity. "Do you show no respect for your elders? Why must you continuously call me by my first name? I am most likely of an age with your father."
Jetrin's eye twitched slightly at this. "Well, old man, guess you're right. Maybe I should call you Master al'Derin instead of Kevan. And maybe I'll jam a stick in my eye!"
Kevan STILL was composed after Jetrin's angry comments. "Perhaps you will," was his reply.
Jetrin took a few deep breaths to calm himself down. When he felt he could speak to Kevan without wanting to throttle him, Jetrin asked an important question that had had him worried for quite some time.
"Where, if I can ask, is my gold?"
Kevan replied in his completely cool, steady voice. " It is located in the left saddlebags of the chestnut stallion. Also, I would prefer if you did not tell Meria about our… understanding."
"Oh? Why not? Why shouldn't I tell her about how you FORCED me into taking her, hmm? And what if I just drop her off at some type of village or town and run with the money, hmm?" As he spoke, he waved his arms for effect, and an old man who was a part of the goodbye group began to glare at him.
Kevan finally had a crack in his demeanor. He looked a tad out of sorts and searched for the words to explain the situation.
"Meria is… proud. If she believes herself to be a mere… charity case, she would be embarrassed and not go. I would rather she see the world and prevent her from embarrassing incidents."
"And what about me leaving her in some sort of village?" That old man was still glaring. Kind of disturbing really. Oh look, he's leaning on a cane.
Kevan's composed attitude came back quickly as he answered this question. "You do not seem to be a bad individual. During your imprisonment, you did not use the tree located just outside your window to escape. Instead, you waited for our ruling, and you have abided to it so far. I can see that you have honor in that, and that honor should prevent you from simply abandoning my daughter."
Jetrin looked rather startled at this. So, he knew about the tree… how could anyone not anyway? Big tree, window… I really have to stop thinking about that.
"Well, I didn't just leave, since you people had my things. Speaking of which, where are they, and what did you do with them?"
Not that I care. If one of them blew themselves up with my supplies, I'd laugh hardest. Unless he dies, in which case I run. They'd probably blame me.
"We went through your pack, however, the only object of interest was that metal tube with glass. I gazed through it, and it enlarged everything I gazed upon. When we finished, we put everything back. We were careful since it is known that Illuminator goods are dangerous."
The old man was glaring even harder at Jetrin now. He'd started hobbling toward them. Jetrin decided to ignore him and continue his conversation with Kevan.
"Oh, that thing? It's a farseer. I got it in Carhien, and it attaches to my gun to… well, never mind. Anyway, did you put everything back?"
"Yes. We returned everything, even the objects which appeared to have no use, such as that odd metal tube you call a "gun", and that little box with small metal points."
The old man was closer now, looking pretty ornery too. Jetrin started to feel uneasy. Why exactly was and old man shambling towards him anyway?
Pointing towards the old man, he spoke. "Umm… Kevan, who's that guy."
Kevan looked towards the old man and recognized him immediately.
"Cenn Buie. You nearly killed him, if I recall."
Ohh… that guy. I'd better apologize.
Closing the distance to the old man quickly, he stood right in front of the old man, just out of arm length. You never know when an old man who nearly died because of you will try to hurt you after all.
"Umm… sorry about nearly causing your death and all that. It was all an acci-OW!!" The ow came since Cenn had just struck at Jetrin's right leg with his cane. Jetrin grabbed his leg and began hopping around on the other leg, cursing for all he was worth.
Cenn spoke up with a crotchety voice, "And that's what you get young'un. Don't try to pull your tricks on me again. I'm too tough to die!" And he hobbled away.
Owowowowowow. That BLOODY HURT! Stupid old man! I wish you'd died! Hitting me with you bloody stick. I'll stick you!
Unfortunately for Jetrin, hopping on one foot is detrimental to balance, and a few more hops and curses later…
The ground and I are such good friends! We meet everyday! I should really get the ground a present! I love you ground! Whee!!! …I hate this town. I'll go crazy if I stay here longer.
"Hey Jetrin! What are you doing sleeping? It's time to go! I've been up for hours getting ready to go!"
…I hate early mornings, mornings in general, and morning people. I've met all three today. Bloody wonderful.
___________!!!OOHAY (YAHOO!!! Backwards)_______________________________
Same place as alwaysJ: Hey, TI! I've gotta question for… where are you?
(TI is nowhere to be found, but his computer's still on)
J: He wouldn't just leave this here, would he? Let's take a look.
(J looks at computer.)
J: He left it on word processor mode! That means, if I type something, It'll happen! What diabolical scheme can I do with this?
(5 minutes later)
J: Bloody hero mentality. I can't think of evil things. Might as well do pranks.
(J types into the computer)
At TearRand:…what is that?
(random pie hits him in the face)
Rand:…yum, random flavor.
Back with JetrinJ: Well… that wasn't that fun. That was kind of weird and out of character. Let's try something else.
Ebou Dar, in an innMat: It's time to toss the dice. *tosses dice*
(dice hits floor, bounces, hits floor, bounces, fits floor, bounces, hits wall on other side of inn and starts bouncing back)
Mat: What in the bloody Pit of Doom?
(Other gamblers start edging away from him. Mat still watches the dice)
Jetrin againJ: This is boring. Where is TI anyway? Oh, wait, I know what to do!
(Jetrin types 'Bring TI here')
(TI appears)
J: There you are! Now… you're in a bed… and you're sleeping.
TI: *snore*
J:… … … WAKE UP!!!
TI: AHHHH!!! *wakes up* (as if you couldn't tell)
J: Finally! Where've you been all this time?
TI: WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!
J: I BROUGHT YOU HERE!
TI: WHY?
J: TO WRITE A NEW CHAPTER!
TI: STOP YELLING!!
J: NO, YOU STOP YELLING!
TI: OK… I mean ok.
J: Right, chapter please.
TI: I just updated. Now go away. I go to sleep now.
J: I mean the next chapter, and it's ten o'clock!
TI: Later, and that's early.
J: …at night.
TI: Then it's late. Goodnight.
J: Why did this chapter take so long anyway?
TI: School vacation=no working at anything. After school start=too much work to do.
J: …Do the next one soon at least.
TI: *snore*
J: Fine then. *types on computer*
TI: *vanishes*
J: *looks up* He should be back soon. I only sent him up about five hundred feet or so.
Meanwhile in Ebou Dar(Dice is still rolling, and has not slowed down. The inn is nearly empty.)
Mat: *still watching dice*
(...nearly)
REVIEWS
insane1: Well, thanks. Wait until I get around to the later chapters. The real plot starts in like another five to ten chapters.
Shralk: I actually wanted a lot of humor in the beginning. People always get drawn into funny storylines more easily than into serious, sad, or other types.
Bad Luck Charm: Why'd you change your name? Anyway, here's the next chapter, which is also the final chapter with Edmonds Field. That's about all that happens, nothing really essential to anything in this chapter.
Lord of Distraction: Well, sorry about the super late update. I knew that I'd get a review like this eventually. Anyway, what suspense? It was pretty obvious what was going to happen, right?
Right, that's it. I'll try to get the next chapter up in the first week of Februrary, and maybe another one in the last week. (or maybe somewhere in between too!… but maybe not.)
