Author's Note: Read on and enjoy my friends. So stoked to get this to you so quickly!

Cheers,
-Mintermist

Chapter 20
Maia

"Can you walk, Jane?" Maia's voice crackled like kindling, full of gentle warmth and spurts of wildfire as she offered a hand to the redhead. Her wispy blonde hair was slick with rainwater, peeking from beneath a dark cloak. Her impish face glowed; ruddy spots of exertion bloomed on her cheeks like elfin roses.

Jester swayed on his feet, eyes locked on the two girls. The sister he never imagined and the love he never dared to hope for. Something ached in his chest. Something that reminded him of home.

"H-how do you know my name?" Jane hesitated, staring at the proffered hand. Ghosts flickered in her green eyes.

Maia's expression softened.

"I know a great many things, Jane," the blonde smiled gently, casting Jester a sideways glance. "But there is no time to explain for now. Rest assured, one of us will tell as much as we can on the road. But first, I need to know if you can walk."

"I...I am not sure," Jane replied, wincing as she tested an ankle. "Perhaps I could, if I could get to my feet?" She cradled an arm to her chest, caked in grime and grit. Maia frowned, reaching for Jane's arm. Viridian eyes flinched. Blue eyes melted.

"Poor thing. This will need a splint," Maia murmured, shaking her head. "We need to get you to my aunt Octavia. And first we need to get out of here. Jester?" She turned to her brother, hands on her hips. "What about you?"

"What about m—?"

"Same question. Can you walk?"

"Oh. Why yes, I think so. I mean, I could yesterday and have since I was a small lad. But, whether I can walk without pain is another thing entirely," the boy quipped, braving a grin. Maia snorted. Her eyes darted to the periphery of the camp. In a fluid movement, she retrieved her knife, wiping it on the earth and returning it to her boot.

"If you have the verve for jokes, you have the verve to walk and help me with your lady-knight love. The horses are through there." She pointed to a cluster of trees ahead. Jester nodded, hobbling closer to the pair. Pain throbbed through his leg, and the minstrel bit his cheek to counter it. For Jane. With a grunt, the two blondes pulled Jane up from the grime, slinging her good arm around Maia's neck. Jester wrapped an arm around her waist, holding her upright. Holding her close.

The redhead's face contorted with pain, agony threatening her eyes. Jester's chest ached in response.

"Hold fast, Jane. We'll be home soon," he whispered, pressing his lips to her temple.

The squire nodded wordlessly. Her face glowed pale as a specter, scraped and bruised. Matted red curls bounced around her face. Freckles peeked from behind grime and bruises. Her lips were pressed together with determination.

Mire and grime sucked at their feet as the trio made their way across the camp. Sodden, collapsed tents littered the ground. Extinguished campfires were drenched to the core. Jester's eyes flickered from side to side, apprehension gripping his lungs. His heart hammered like a tabor, quick and rhythmic. He juddered, taking a grounding breath. His feet set out a rhythm. Right foot, left… foot… right foot, left fo- OH that hurts. His face twisted into a grimace, as he choked back a shout.

"We need to hurry. They'll be back soon," Maia said. Her voice was dark with unusual gravity. Urgency sharpened her tone.

The mud squelched beneath their feet, and the rain was an anvil of ice. From head to toe, flesh to marrow; water seeped through to Jester's very bones. Chill and soaked. Wind howled in their ears, a virulent hound crying in the darkness. Jester's muscles shuddered, screaming in discord and pain.

Suddenly, a shudder crept across his spine.

"Wait… what happened to Maurus?" He said slowly.

"Maurus?" Maia inquired, a brow raised. Her light blue eyes grew dark, and she shook her head. "I never saw him."

"He…he was here. There, in the tent. At first, at least. And then, when Ippolito…" Jester bit his cheek, willing back the wave of grief that threatened his chest. Maia nodded, her face a mirror of kinship and sorrow.

"I know," she said softly, touching her brother's shoulder. "But there's no one back there. He must have slipped away during the fighting. He made his choice. And there's nothing we can do for him," Maia said quietly. She ran a hand raggedly through her hair. "Come. Through here." They slipped through a thicket of gnarled oak and pine. The needles prickled against Jester's skin, sharp yet yielding. Amber sap and pungent leaves scented the air. Maia's voice floated through the foliage. "The horses are—"

She stopped abruptly.

"What is it?"

Maia frowned, biting her lip. "It's…nothing. We need to help Jane up."

A skewbald cob was loosely tethered to the trunk of a great oak. The creature snorted, tossing its mane. It pawed the ground with an elegant tufted hoof, powerful muscles quivering. A saddle blanket was draped across its back, embroidered with all manner of plants and charms. Maia nodded her head towards the creature. "Mount up, Jester. I'll help Jane and you pull her up." The blonde girl commanded imperiously.

Jester nodded, turning to the cob. He placed a tentative palm on its nose, and it butted against him gently. Its breath was as a warm hearth, and its inquisitive dark eyes blinked sagely. I'll carry you to safety, it seemed to say.

In the distance, the sound of horses and shouts echoed through the rain. The fool took a shaky breath, before arcing his hands around the horses' withers and swinging himself up onto the creature's back in a graceful movement. The horse danced slightly in place before settling. Jester bit his lip, his leg throbbing with white-hot fire as he grasped the horse's sides.

"This is a bit tricky without a saddle," he called. Maia wrinkled her nose

"All the saddles were taken. Not my fault," she shrugged, hoisting Jane up into Jester's arms. He slipped his hands around Jane's waist, holding her steady in front of him. She leaned back, exhausted, against his chest. Maia crossed her arms below. "You're going to have to ride like your life depends on it. Now, get going. I'll… follow behind."

"Wait," Jane exclaimed. "Thank you. For…for saving us. I can't imagine what would have happened if you hadn't found us." Jane's words were thick with emotion. Both gratitude and shame, Jester realized. She bit her lip, embarrassment colouring her cheeks. "And I just realized I don't even know your name."

Jester laughed, tugging a hand through his hair.

"Oh bones! How could I forget? You two haven't met before this. Well, Jane… meet my sister," Jester puffed proudly, an unassuming smile creeping from the corner of his mouth. Sister. The word was full of wonder yet. "Maia, Jane. Jane, Maia."

Jane's eyes widened. Her lips formed a tiny O.

"Maia," Jane nodded her head. "I owe you my life. We both do. Thank you."

Maia laughed.

"Then repay me by getting on the road and getting home safely. I'll be behind you."

Something prickled across Jester's skin, and the boy's eyes narrowed shrewdly.

"Stop. Wait. Maia, where's your horse?" Jester said. The blonde girl took a step back, crossing her arms. Her bow slung over her back as easily as her babe. Her eyes grew guarded.

"Around the bend…" she said slowly. Jester raised an eyebrow, staring her directly in the eye. She grimaced, crossing her arms. "Fine. She seems to be gone…with Maurus, I suspect," she said slowly. "But I'll be fine. Just go! Ride North. Tell Godric to come find me where the whistle meets the water. He'll know what I mean. Don't worry. I'll keep out of sight. I can see them coming before they do." She flashed an impish grin.

A quick finger of panic clawed at Jester's throat, as he clasped Jane and the reins.

"Maia! No! You can't stay here—"

"I'll be fine. Go!" The blonde girl slapped the rump of the cob, taking a quick step back. The horse whickered, tossing its head and breaking into a canter. The beast's hooves beat a solid drum on the earth, sending up spurts of grime and mud. Treading across the land like thunder. Like fire. Like wind. Each step tore them into the darkness, a step closer to his family. To safety.

A step further from his sister. Jester turned to look over his shoulder.

Maia disappeared into the trees.