The whole day neither Jack nor Leaf said much because they were too hot. Once the sun sank behind the sands they made camp. They had packed some wood from their last camp because there wasn't much wood to burn in the desert. Before long Leaf had a fire burning and they were trying to enjoy some jerky.
"I never thought I'd get tired of jerky." Jack said as he set his piece down.
"I know how you feel." Leaf said. "But it's light and easy to pack."
"I was gonna save these for later but." Jack said reaching into his pack. "Desperate times call for desperate measures."
Out from his pack he pulled out 2 MRE's (Meals Ready to Eat).
"What are those?" Leaf asked.
"MRE's." Jack said opening one and handing it to Leaf. "It has everything you need for the day. Main coarse, beverage packet, Coffee, sugar, creamer, toilet paper, shelf life of 10 years."
"Are they good?" Leaf asked.
"Just stay away from the ham." Jack laughed.
Jack and Leaf ate their meals and got ready for bed. The night was cold even colder than last night. Jack handed Leaf his jacket and laid down Leaf looked at him for a moment with a smile before she laid down next to him and but her arm around his waist.
"Good night." She whispered in a soft and seductive voice.
"Good night." Jack croaked.
He lay awake listening to Leaf breathing softly.
'I think she likes me. And I think I like her too.' Jack thought. 'Morgan pleas forgive me.' He thought and fell asleep.
Jack awoke early in the morning and found Leaf laying on his arm fast asleep and facing him. Jack felt a section of his sole that had been dead for over a year come back to life as he lay less than 4 inches from Leafs lips. The temptation to steal a kiss from her was burning within him. He looked at her for a moment before carefully taking his arm out from under her head and sitting up to make a fire. Little did he know was that Leaf was awake and waiting for him to kiss her. After he stood up and started making the fire she gave up and fell back asleep. By the time she woke back up Jack had the horse packed and ready for travel.
"Did you pack everything?" Leaf asked.
"Everything but some jerky for breakfast." Jack answered with a smile.
Leaf sat up with a yawn and stretch before standing and walking to Jack and handing him back his jacket. She made sure to have her hand "Accidentally" brush his as he took it from her and put it in his pack.
'This guy is thicker than Spark was.' Leaf thought laughing a bit remembering how she and Lyna had done everything they could think of to get Spark and Neece together. 'I bet he will wake up in a few days.' She thought with a smile.
'Boy she moves fast.' Jack thought after she brushed his hand. 'I think I better wait and be sure she's not just friendly before I make a move. Although I'm pretty sure.'
"You ready to ride?" Leaf asked.
"Yea I think so." Jack said.
"Ok next stop Flain." Leaf said as she jumped on the back of the horse and helped Jack up. "You're getting good at getting on the back of a horse. Now we need to work on getting you on your own horse." Leaf laughed.
"I'll get it one day." Jack laughed as they started off.
The day was a lot cooler then the previous day and Leaf was a lot more vocal. She continued telling Jack about life in Lodoss and about the kingdoms. The rest of the trip wail Jack was ridding behind Leaf he held her a little tighter as they rode. As they rode he could not stop thinking of Morgan and with a heavy heart he finally let her go. He looked at the woman sitting right in front of him and gave her a small squeeze.
'Wow.' Leaf thought. 'He really does like me.'
Leaf smiled and leaned back as Jack squeezed her.
'I think I'll make a move tonight.' Jack thought.
'I'll make my move tonight.' Leaf thought.
Flain castle came into view just as the sun was starting to sink.
"We're finally here." Leaf said as she nudged the horse so it would move faster. "King Kashue will give us a good meal as soon as we get through the gates."
Leaf and Jack reached the gates of Flain and went right through. No sooner had they gone through the gates than they were greeted by several guards.
"Welcome Lady Leaf." One of the guards said. "King Kashue is weighting for you. Please make your way to the throne room."
"We will." Leaf said as she got off the horse. "Let's go."
Leaf led Jack through the castle and right through the throne room doors.
"Ah Leaf you're here." King Kashue said as they walked through the doors. "Did you have any trouble along the journey?"
"A little your majesty but it was no problem." Leaf said as she and Jack bowed.
"Well that's good to hear." King Kashue said.
"So what do you need us to do about these dark elves?" Leaf asked.
"Find out what they are up too and kill all of them." King Kashue said.
"That is exactly what I had in mind." Leaf said patting the sword at her side. "Oh now that I'm thinking about it. This is Jack Thompson he is here to help."
"Can you handle your self in battle?" King Kashue asked.
"Yes sir I can." Jack said.
"Do you have a weapon?" King Kashue asked.
"I have this." Jack said showing King Kashue his rifle and side arm. "But they will soon be useless."
"Can you use a sword?" King Kashue asked.
"No sir." Jack said.
"Very well." King Kashue said. "I will have you armed with a good sword and have one of my best men train you."
"Sir are you talking about Spark?" Leas asked.
"Yes." King Kashue said.
"Well the only one better to train you would be king Kashue himself." Leaf said.
"Spark is already in the training room." King Kashue said. "Leaf, take him to the armory and get him armed. Then take him to the training room."
"Yes sir." Leaf said with a bow and took Jack by the hand and led him out of the throne room.
Leaf led Jack to the armory and turned him loose to find a weapon that suited him. He looked at brad swords, axes, bows, spears and daggers but none of them suited him. He was about to settle for a brad sword when something in the corner caught his eye. He walked over to a sword that was propped up against the wall covered in dust and picked it up. It was a sword a lot like Leafs with a green sheath and designs of trees.
"I like this." He said drawing the sword from the sheath.
"That sword was crafted by Elvin hands." Leaf said. "It has some magic in it's blade and will never let you down."
"Sounds like a good sword for me." Jack said.
"Well ok then now that your armed lets get you to the training room and get you ready for battle." Leaf said as Jack re-sheathed his sword.