Swordchick: tries to add to suspense What will happen next? How will this effect Jaffar? Is Princess Ive even dead?
Legault: Wait, you mean she might still be alive?
Swordchick: Yep. Oh wait…I mean…I… … …crap.
Matthew: laughs
---
Oh, and K-GForever, thank you for my very first romance tip. It will come up a little later (aka many many chapters).
Jaffar ran as fast as he could to Princess Ive, ducking and leaping around attacks as he went. When he reached the princess, he realized with relief that she was still alive. He didn't know how she had managed it, but she wasn't dead. Yet. Picking her up and slinging her over his shoulder, Jaffar backed away from the enemy, trying to stall for time. If Kent or Sain didn't get here soon…
As if on cue, there was the sound of hoof beats behind him. Jaffar whirled around to face the knights, but his face fell when he saw them. Two knights rode up to them, but they were not Sain or Kent. They waved their lances, ready to attack. Jaffar leapt out of their path, barely avoiding their lances. Then he abandoned any hopes for an offensive stance and ran, stumbling through the forest because he didn't get a good enough start.
Hoof beats gained, and he ducked under their lances, veering to the side to escape the knights. Then more came from his left, and he gripped his dagger even firmer in his free hand. Maybe he could pick them off one by one, at least until help arrived.
The knight came into view and Jaffar lunged, driving his weapon towards the knight's throat. Kent cried out in alarm and reared his horse up and Jaffar stopped himself just in time, landing awkwardly after that sudden surprise.
"Jaffar?" Kent asked, stunned. "What are you doing here? What-?" then his eyes fell upon the princess, slung limp over Jaffar's shoulder. "What happened to Princess Ive?" he cried, alarmed.
Jaffar whirled around, facing the small army that was already almost upon them. Kent followed his gaze and paled. Thinking quickly, Jaffar thrust the half-conscious redhead into Kent's arms and turned to face the enemy, grimly gripping his daggers.
Kent laughed bitterly. "Surely you don't think you stand a chance against that alone, do you?" he asked. "Hurry, if we run we might be able to outrun them."
Jaffar didn't answer, just pressed his lips into a thin line. Then he charged. Kent shuddered. As the former assassin ran for the enemy, he had a terrifying look on his face. Deadly, unmerciful. It probably was adapted from the pain and suffering he had experienced when he had killed for the Black Fang.
As Kent watched, Jaffar leapt upon an archer, killing him instantly. Blood flew into his face but Jaffar ignored it. Then he lunged off of the body and into a mercenary, who fell dead as fast as the first. Kent was startled and slightly scared at the sight before him. Jaffar was so skilled, so deadly, so terrifying, that it was unnerving. Jaffar leapt from enemy to enemy, killing them without hesitation. That probably was what had made him a cold-blooded killer. That he would not hesitate to do what he had to, no matter what it was.
Princess Ive watched as well, a look of both awe and fright on her face. Jaffar's movements were graceful, yet devastating. Not a single movement was wasted; all had a purpose. But it was alarming how easily he killed. Where did he learn all of that? How could he do all that? Kill so easily…how could he take their lives without even hesitation?
Finally, a few minutes later, Jaffar stood in the middle of a bloody mass of bodies. He was breathing hard, looking on the brink of collapsing. But when he walked back to Kent and Princess Ive, he had hidden all signs of weariness.
"Jaffar, where did you learn all that?" Princess Ive asked, still feeling daunted by his abilities. But Jaffar just shook his head, dismissing the question.
"Where are the others?" he asked Kent. There was a cut down the side of his face that wept with blood, and a gash all the way down his right arm, but other than that he was fine.
"They are still out there somewhere," Kent said, looking around. "We had better go find them. They are probably still fighting."
"Nope."
The three turned around and saw Matthew and Legault walking towards them. They were both injured, Matthew more gravely than Legault. Legault had once been part of the Black Fang, so he was used to combat. But to Matthew, battle was new. Spying and stealing was familiar territory, but killing, not so much.
Legault smirked, making the scratches on his face look even worse. "Why did they send us with two thieves and an assassin, but no clerics?"
"Where's Sain?" Kent asked, ignoring the thief's attempt to verbally attack Lord Eliwood and Lady Lyndis.
Matthew frowned slightly. "I don't know. I haven't seen him."
Kent bit his lip. "Is he okay?"
Matthew rolled his eyes. "I said I don't know. I haven't seen him."
Kent helped Princess Ive down to the ground and rode off to find his companion. Princess Ive, too weak to stand on her own, needed Jaffar to help support her. Jaffar ignored the two thieves' amused gazes.
"What happened back there?" Princess Ive asked, blinking.
"You were attacked, and Kent rescued us," Jaffar explained.
Princess Ive looked at him skeptically. "Only Kent? With the skills I saw just then, I think there might be a bit in there you aren't telling me."
An emotion crossed Jaffar's face momentarily, but then disappeared. "Mainly Kent, princess," he said. "He's the one who saved us."
Princess Ive came him a knowing look, but changed the subject. "I thought I told you not to call me princess."
"…"
Princess Ive frowned crossly. "Why didn't you do what I asked you to?"
Jaffar could feel the two thieves' gaze upon him as they watched, amused. It was burning into his skull, making him want to turn away.
"…"
"Why?"
Jaffar looked at her with cold, emotionless eyes. "Because, my lady," he said slowly, "I will never be equal with anyone again, much less you."
Princess Ive's anger disappeared, and she looked at him curiously. Matthew and Legault's amusement turned to surprise, then slight shame as they realized what he meant by his words. But before Princess Ive could ask him, Kent rode up with Sain in tow, slung unconscious across his horse.
"He was trying to woo an enemy pegasus knight," he said, lip curled.
The group's gaze moved to Sain, who was unharmed, save for a large bump on his head that could have been inflicted by either a pegasus' hooves, a spear handle, or even both.
"We had better tell Prince Zephiel about this," Matthew said to Kent.
"What? Why? It was just a group of bandits."
But Jaffar shook his head grimly. "No. This was planned. They seemed too well that there was a woman among us." He knew also who might be planning all of this, but he made sure not to add that. He would speak to Rath later.
Speaking of which…. Where was the nomad?
Princess Ive seemed to notice this at the same time Jaffar did.
"Where's the quiet one? Rath?" she asked, looking around.
Everyone looked around as well, but the nomad was nowhere to be seen.
"Huh. I didn't even know he was gone," Legault said. "He's so quiet, it's hard to tell the difference."
Kent frowned slightly. "I saw him shortly before I found Jaffar and Princess Ive…" (Princess Ive snorted as he called her princess, muttering how nobody listened to her even though they obeyed her every whim.) "…so he must be okay. Matthew, could you go find him?"
Matthew nodded, relieved that he was finally able to do something he was good at. He ran through the trees, searching for the lost nomad.
"I don't feel leaving you here alone is a good idea," Kent said, "but someone needs to inform Zephiel about this."
Legault grinned slyly. "We'll be fine. Don't worry."
Kent paled at the sight of the thief's grin. "Are you sure?" he asked, this time to Princess Ive and Jaffar.
Princess Ive nodded, and Jaffar remained his usual silent self, but he didn't seem to mind. So, with a slight look of reluctance on his face as he glanced at the still unconscious Sain, he rode of as fast as he could in the direction of Bern.
Legault sighed, obviously glad that Kent was finally gone. "We'll camp up there tonight," he said, pointing to a large hill a short distance away.
Princess Ive frowned slightly. "What? The sun isn't even setting yet."
"What about it?"
"Shouldn't we move on?"
Legault laughed. "I don't think some of us can take much more after that battle," he said. Sure enough, there were quite a few scars and wounds marking all of the companions.
"And besides, princess," Legault said, eyeing her meaningfully. "I don't think you should be walking for a while."
Princess Ive's frown deepened. "I'm fine," she said, but Jaffar noticed that she was leaning on him more than she was standing on her own.
"It's going to rain soon, as well."
Legault jerked in surprise, nearly falling over. "What the-! Rath! When did you get back!"
"Just now," Rath said, slinging his bow over his shoulder.
"Where's Matthew?"
Rath just looked at him blankly.
"Matthew? Didn't he come and fetch you?"
Rath frowned slightly, puzzled. "No. I found you on my own."
Legault sighed. "He got himself lost again. I swear, he has no sense of direction. I'll go find him." The thief ran through the trees, searching for their missing companion.
Jaffar studied Rath. The Sacaen nomad was unscathed, save for a few scratches on his face and arms, which looked like they could have come from branches and thorns, not weapons.
"How did you escape so easily, Rath?" Jaffar asked, eyeing his few light wounds. "I didn't think even a nomad from Sacae could be so quick."
"We are," Rath said coolly, turning his gaze on Jaffar.
The two stared at each other for a moment. For Princess Ive they looked like emotionless stares, but for Rath and Jaffar they were filled with threat and intimidation. But after a moment Rath turned and headed up the hill to where they were to make camp. Jaffar watched him go for a moment before finally leaving him be. He would talk to him later.
Suddenly Matthew stepped from the trees. "Hey," he said, panting slightly. "Has Rath come back yet?"
Princess Ive blinked. "Isn't Legault with you?"
"No, why?"
"He came to look for you."
Matthew sighed. "He got himself lost again. I swear, he has no sense of direction. I'll go find him." He turned and started to run off, but Jaffar quickly snatched the young thief by his collar to stop him.
"No, you won't," Jaffar said, stopping him. Princess Ive laughed. "Just wait for him to come back on his own."
Matthew looked at him questioningly, but finally followed Rath up the hill to camp. Sain chose right then to come back to his senses.
"Wha…? What happened?" he asked groggily, then his brain started working again and he remembered what had happened. "Sweet Alanna! Where are you? Wait for me!"
Princess Ive laughed again and Jaffar grabbed Sain's horse's reigns and lead him up the hill without a word.
---
When camp was finally set up, Jaffar did his best not to collapse until he was inside his tent. He was exhausted, and his muscles burned from weariness. He lay on the ground for a moment, trying to either fall asleep or get called out to do something more, whichever happened first, and it turned out to be the later.
"Jaffar!" Legault called.
Jaffar did his best to keep from throwing his dagger out of the tent and into Legault's throat. The temptation was almost overwhelming. But Jaffar restrained and pulled himself to his feet, striding out of the tent. They said he was the personal bodyguard, but so far he had done that and everything else as well.
"Princess Ive needs help fixing her tent," Legault said as he walked off to collect firewood.
Princess Ive looked a little embarrassed as Jaffar walked over to her. "I'm sorry. I've never been out in the forest before. Princesses aren't usually allowed to do those sort of things…."
Jaffar just shrugged, dismissing her apologies. Then he set to work, putting up her tent slow enough so that she could watch and learn how next time. He didn't speak once, just worked.
When he was finally done the sun was setting, so he had to help set up the campfire. Jaffar was beginning to wonder if he was ever going to get a break. And, sure enough, he didn't. He was working all the rest of the day, and only had a few minutes to finally wash and dress his wounds. That was only when Legault and Matthew had gotten in an argument, God knows over what.
Rath had been right. It rained, just like he said it would. Once it started it was just a small shower, but soon became a downpour. The others ducked into their tents, retiring for the night.
Only once he was sure everyone was asleep did Jaffar leave his tent. He looked around to make sure nobody was there, but all he saw were the tents and the now extinguishing campfire.
The rain fell heavily on his head and bare shoulders as he strode from the camp. The ground was already soggy and slippery, but Jaffar didn't stumble. It came with the territory of being an assassin. Being an assassin was a gift and a curse.
Walking smoothly through down the hill and to the forest, Jaffar watched as the rain washed away the blood from the attack. The bodies had all been taken care of; thrown in a pile and burned. He could see it now, of on the horizon, still smoking slightly.
As he walked along, his boots soon became crusted with blood that was then washed away by the storm. He didn't know where he was going; he didn't even know why he was out here. Just to get away from the camp, he guessed. Just to be alone for a while.
Suddenly Jaffar saw a shape on the horizon. Instinctively he threw himself to the ground, landing in a puddle. He flinched, but didn't make a sound. There were two shapes he noticed, as he looked closer. Crawling on the ground, ignoring the water and blood on his chest and arms, he tried to get closer to see something through the darkness of the night.
Two men were talking to each other, hidden behind a small group of trees. Jaffar moved as quickly but silently as he could to the trees. He had to hear what was going on. He had a hunch he knew what they were talking about…
"She's asleep in her tent."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Alone?"
"Everyone else is asleep. It should be easy for you."
"Good. But before I finish the job I want to see the payment."
Jaffar tensed. Another man being paid to kill Princess Ive?
Jaffar leapt out from behind the trees and killed the second man in an instant with a slash of his daggers. The man fell with a stifled cry. Then Jaffar whirled to the first man, who seemed taken aback. Jaffar couldn't see his face, but he was pretty damn sure who it was.
Before Jaffar could stop him the man spun on his heel and ran into the forest. Jaffar pursued, but soon lost him in the dark of the night forest. He strained to hear anything, but there was silence. After a few more minutes of running through the forest, Jaffar still found nothing. He was soaked and chilled to the bone.
It took Jaffar a while to find his way out of the forest, then even longer to finally find the hill that their camp was. Once at the camp, Jaffar headed straight for Rath's tent. He burst in looking for the nomad. He was sure that he wouldn't be there, but he was, asleep. Jaffar was taken aback for a moment, but as Rath woke up and looked at him, slightly alarmed, Jaffar regained his composure.
"…What were you doing out there?" Jaffar demanded.
Rath blinked.
Jaffar's eyes narrowed. "…I heard you out there. Why are you doing this?"
Rath blinked again. "I think the rain must be affecting you," he said.
"No it's not." Jaffar looked Rath over. His clothes were dry, but he could have easily changed before Jaffar got back.
Thinking of something, Jaffar reached down swiftly and grabbed a strand of Rath's hair. Rath jerked back, sure that Jaffar had gone insane.
"Why is your hair wet?" Jaffar asked coolly, straightening.
Rath hesitated a moment, but then regained his composure. "My horse was startled by something and I had to calm him." He gave Jaffar a look that said, 'Now that I think about it, he was probably startled by some psychotic assassin.'
Jaffar snorted. "…I've seen what you are really doing, Rath. You can try to deny it. Just know that I am watching you." And with that Jaffar turned and left the tent. Rath stared after him for a moment puzzled and slightly alarmed. But then he dismissed the thought and settled back into bed.
Jaffar, slightly worried for Princess Ive's safety, headed for her tent before going to his own. It was hard to find through the rain and darkness of the night. When he finally found her tent, he slipped inside as quietly as he could. It took a moment for his eyes to get used to the dark. It was even harder to see than outside. But eventually he was able to see better, and looked around the dark tent. Princess Ive lay, sleeping. She was still breathing and visibly unscathed. Jaffar suppressed a sigh of relief. He was afraid that Rath had come in here already and finished the job, completely dropping the idea of mercenaries.
He turned to go when suddenly he heard someone speak.
"Jaffar?"
Jaffar jerked slightly and turned around wincing. Princess Ive was sitting up, awake and looking at him questioningly. "What are you doing in here?"
Jaffar regained his composure. "You are well?"
"…Yes."
"You didn't hear anything?"
"Save for you, no."
"Nobody has come in here?"
"Again, only you."
Jaffar nodded and turned to head out of the tent.
"Jaffar, wait."
Pausing, Jaffar looked over his shoulder.
"What are you doing? What's going on?"
Jaffar just shrugged, then started out of the tent again. Princess Ive made a soft sound and Jaffar turned again, startled. Princess Ive was looking at the ground and her eyes had a flicker of both embarrassment and fear in them.
"…Can you stay for a moment?" she said quietly. "I need to talk with somebody, and I think it would be easier with you."
Confused, Jaffar nodded and stepped from the tent entrance. Princess Ive looked at him questioningly.
"You can sit down," she said, raising an eyebrow slightly. But Jaffar shook his head.
Princess Ive lit a lantern and pulled herself out from her bedroll. It wasn't until then that she got a good look at Jaffar.
"You're soaked!" she cried. "What happened? What were you doing outside?"
Jaffar shrugged again, which Princess Ive soon learned was his answer for almost everything. "You wanted to say something?"
Princess Ive nodded. She didn't look Jaffar in the eyes. At first Jaffar thought that it was because she was going to say something about him and was worried of Jaffar's response, but then he realized that it was because it was hard for her to look up at him when he was standing. With reluctance Jaffar sank to the ground, sitting back on his heels. Princess Ive seemed more at ease then.
"You know I am to be wed to Prince Zephiel," she said slowly, as if trying to find the right way to phrase her words.
Jaffar nodded, able the urge to make a sarcastic comment. Her wedding to Prince Zephiel was only what had gotten him stuck in this situation in the first place.
"As a princess I am told to do many things, some that are a burden and some a blessing," she continued. Jaffar frowned slightly. What was she talking about? What was she getting to?
Princess Ive paused for a moment, her gaze shifting to the ground. "I've heard that Prince Zephiel is a good man, but…"
Finally Jaffar understood. "…You don't want to marry him," he finished for her, a hint of realization in his voice.
After another long moment, Princess Ive nodded slightly. "It is not that I do not respect my title or appreciate the honor of being wed to him," she said quickly, "but I just don't love him. What if I met someone else? Someone who I really loved, but I was already wed to Prince Zephiel, a man I feel no affection for?"
Jaffar did not answer. He himself had never felt affection, save for the slight hints of something he had been feeling lately. He did not know what it was, but it was beginning to haunt him more and more….
Princess Ive sighed, putting her forehead on her knees and wrapping her hands around her head. "I don't know what to do…"
It took Jaffar a moment to realize that she was crying. He was taken aback for a moment, startled. Was he supposed to reassure her? Comfort her? Or just wait until she was done crying?
As it turned out Princess Ive didn't wait for him to do anything. In a moment she had regained her composure, embarrassed at her outburst. She sat straight wiping her wet face.
"I…I…don't…" Jaffar said, trying to think of something to say, but he was at a complete loss.
Princess Ive shook her head. "Can we change the subject? I don't want to talk about it anymore."
Jaffar just blinked, unsure. He had never had someone want to be in his company before, much less talk to him. He wasn't used to conversation, and it showed.
After a moment of silence, Princess Ive asked, "Where did you learn that?"
Jaffar blinked again.
"It's made me wonder ever since I saw you fighting that army earlier today," she said. "How did you learn all of that?"
Jaffar was silent for a long time. At first Princess Ive was afraid that she had hurt him in some way, but finally Jaffar moved. He reached up and undid his tunic, opening it and revealing his chest. On it was a tattoo of a shattered, jagged fang, blood and death seeming to radiate off of it. It was a dark, threatening black. Princess Ive gasped.
"The Black Fang…?" she asked, alarmed.
Jaffar didn't answer, and didn't look into her face. He didn't tell anyone in his new life of his connection with the Black Fang. Ever since he left them he tried to leave them behind. Disconnect his relation with them.
"…Is that what you meant by never being equal to anyone?" she asked quietly.
Jaffar still didn't look at her. "I was an assassin. I killed hundreds of innocent people. I can never be considered human again."
There was another moment of silence again, until Princess Ive moved towards him. Jaffar flinched, but didn't pull away like he was tempted to.
Princess Ive placed a hand of Jaffar's chest and looked up at him. Jaffar blinked and looked down at her hand, confused. What was she doing?
"You have a heartbeat," she said finally. "You are human. And we are all taught that all humans are equal."
Jaffar resisted the urge to make a skeptical remark. Everyone taught that all humans are equal? Some may be taught that, but very few listen. Jaffar didn't want to think of how many times he or anyone else had been hurt just because he was what he had been forced to be.
But still, he was awed by her words. She had obviously been taught well, being educated on how to comfort and hearten her citizens. Even just when she was around, Jaffar felt reassured some how. It was odd, and questioningly powerful.
Princess Ive settled beside him, pulling a blanket around her shoulders. "Why did you tell me that? Why didn't you just lie? I could tell the truth was hard for you."
Jaffar shrugged. "…You told me one of your secrets, I just returned the favor," he murmured.
"Yes…" Princess Ive mumbled, looking down at the ground again. Jaffar winced. He had opened old wounds.
"I…I didn't mean…" he stammered, trying his best to prevent any potential sobbing.
Princess Ive shook her head. "Don't worry. Before I was just upset. I had kept it in for so long…it was…it was overpowering me."
"…I know how that feels," Jaffar said before he could stop himself. Why was he telling her this? He would be rid of her in a few days. Why trust her with all his secrets?
Princess Ive nodded understandingly, but Jaffar could see she was growing tired. Her eyes were slowly closing, coming closer and closer to staying shut after each blink. Finally her eyes closed and didn't open again, and her head drooped. Her breath came slower, becoming a relaxed, peaceful rate.
Then Princess Ive, now asleep, drooped even more until her head was resting upon Jaffar's chest. Jaffar jerked in surprise, looking down at the princess with a look of pure bafflement and alarm on his face. He started to leap back and out from underneath her when he looked down at her.
When awake, Princess Ive had a tough and sophisticated appearance. But now that she was asleep, she seemed different. Peaceful. More innocent.
Jaffar thought for a moment more, considering whether to stand up and knock her off or just to wait until morning. And, knowing he would regret it later, Jaffar chose to wait. He didn't to wake her, now that she was finally asleep.
And besides, Jaffar thought as he himself fell into sleep. What could happen?
Legault&Matthew: Laughing hysterically
Jaffar: …whoa now…
Swordchick: smirk
Jaffar: She did that on purpose.
Swordchick: Nope. Just a coincidence.
Jaffar: …that's what she wants you to think…
Swordchick: R&R