Hey, guys! Welcome back to RFL 2: Into the Dark! I'm sorry for missing last week's update, but I actually have a different excuse this time. I straight up wasn't feeling well at all last week, so I couldn't do much in the writing department at that point. Now, however, I feel much better, so let's continue things right after we take care of reviews!
Thanks so much to MicroMidgett (Aw, thank you so much!) and Thebestbunny75 (Thanks, I'm glad you like them! And it's time to get a little more insight regarding what's been going on with Simon ;) for reviewing!
And with that, on with the chapter!
Chapter 8: The Imprisoned Archer
It took Jack several moments to recover from the shock that came with learning that the one-armed archer he knew quite well had been taken captive on assumption that he had been the one to attack the young sprite. Once he had done so, however, he wasted no time in attempting to rectify the false suppositions.
"Wait, Dr. Fletcher, I'm afraid that you're wrong about that," he said quickly. "The archer is not the man that attacked me. My assailant was a Motorean bandit with a vendetta against me. The man you described is, instead, an acquaintance of mine."
He thought it best to refrain from fully describing his and Simon's history. Such a tale was a bit too complicated to delve into at the present time.
Dr. Fletcher, meanwhile, looked shocked. "You...mean to tell me that you've acquainted yourself with a human? In this day and age? Does he...does he know what you are?"
Jack nodded in response. "He does. And, while it is true that he once did hold that fact against me, he no longer does. It was not too difficult to convince him that I was not a demon, actually. All it took was some talking."
The doctor still seemed stunned, but before he could question the boy further, the door opened once again, though far more forcefully this time. In stormed a young man with straight silvery hair, piercing cobalt eyes, and pointed ears-yet another snow sprite.
I suppose I should stop being so surprised… Jack thought dizzily as he blinked away his look of awe. But to be around my own people again...it's nothing short of surreal.
"You. Newcomer," the young man said sharply, addressing Jack. "Are you well enough to stand?"
Jack blinked in surprise, taken aback by the other sprite's harsh tone. "Er…"
"Arios, what is the meaning of this?" Dr. Fletcher interrupted, expression hardening.
The young man, Arios, rolled his eyes and heaved an exasperated sigh. "There's no time for this, Father," he said, arms crossed. "The prisoner hasn't shut up since his eyes first opened. When we tried interrogating him, all he would say is 'No, it's a misunderstanding!' or, 'Get Jack! Jack will explain!'" Arios gave Jack another sharp look. "I suppose 'Jack' is referring to you, correct?"
"Yes…" Jack said carefully, unwilling to further upset the already-aggravated sprite. "That's me."
"That's what I thought," the man said with a curt nod. "As such, I need you to come with me"
"That's not going to happen, Arios," Dr. Fletcher argued, standing up and turning to fully face his son. "In case you have forgotten, Jack was left for dead in the desert only a few days ago. He's only just reached the point where he can sit up for long periods of time. He's not ready to get up and walk around!"
Arios scoffed. "Then he'll simply have to be carried. Father, we must get to the bottom of this! The human claims to be acquainted with this boy...it is essential that we determine whether or not 'Jack' here plans on betraying us."
Jack's eyes widened in surprise. "Betraying you!?" he exclaimed incredulously. "Why would I do something like that!?"
"We'll just have to find out, now won't we?" Arios growled, his tone thoroughly laced with distrust. "Now, up. We need you in order to continue the interrogation. The crippled archer won't talk unless you're present, it seems."
"Arios, that's enough-" Dr. Fletcher began.
"Hold on," Jack interrupted, holding up his uninjured hand to stop him. "...fine. I'll come with you."
Arios did not seem surprised, as though he had intended to secure such an outcome by any means possible from the beginning. He gave a short nod and replied, "Good. Now get up."
"Wait, Jack," the doctor cut in, alarmed. "You don't need to do this quite so soon. No matter what Arios says, the situation is not as dire as he is making it sound. We can wait a while longer until you're strong enough to safely make the walk."
Jack simply shook his head. "No, really, it's alright," he insisted. "I'm feeling much better than I was...I can manage a short walk."
It especially helps that I'm an immortal Guardian now… he added privately. They might not know it, but I'm capable of recovery that's much quicker than anything I could manage before acquiring my immortality…
"Besides," the boy continued aloud. "I think it would be best to clear up any misconceptions about Simon-the archer, that is-as quickly as possible. I assure you...he is of no threat to you."
If anything, Jack's words only seemed to strengthen the distrust in Arios' eyes and the uncertainty in those of his father. Finally, however, Dr. Fletcher relented, sighing and saying, "Alright, if you're sure...still, allow me to accompany you in order to ensure your wellbeing."
Though Arios visibly rolled his eyes, Jack nodded. "That's fine," he said. "I'm sure I'll be alright, but I suppose there's no harm in being careful."
"Okay, then…" Dr. Fletcher took a deep breath and turned his head slightly to look a little ways behind Jack. "Cynthia-" Jack blinked in mild surprise; he had nearly forgotten that the quiet girl was there. "-wait here for a bit, alright? We'll be back soon."
Cynthia quietly nodded, merely murmuring her affirmative response as she sat down to wait. In that moment, Jack felt his heart constrict a small amount.
Her demeanor… he silently thought. It's so much like Livi's when I first saw her again…
Inwardly, he cringed, hoping that his discomfort did not show on his face. Remembering his sister as the shy, uncertain, scared child that kept almost silent in the wake of her suffering only brought him anguish. He forced back the memories, reminding himself that none of the children in this hidden colony had been forced to undergo what Olivia Frost and so many others had.
And we saw to it that no more would ever fall victim to that sort of fate again… he thought, taking a deep but silent breath. ...the Nightmare King has been chained. He can no longer hurt the children of this tsardom.
Thankfully, none of the other occupants of the room seemed to notice Jack's momentary lapse of calm, and he was able to proceed as though nothing had been amiss. While Arios waited impatiently by the door, Dr. Fletcher carefully helped Jack out of bed, mindful of the boy's injured hand and ready to support him should he grow dizzy and fall.
"I apologize on behalf of my son," the doctor whispered to Jack, so low that Arios could not possibly overhear. "Being forced into hiding has made him...well, bitter, to say the least. He means well-he truly does wish to protect everyone here in New Iskald, but he can certainly be quite...brash."
"Understandable…" Jack murmured in response, grunting slightly as he attempted to work his legs back into a usable condition. "Though believe me when I say, you have nothing to fear from Simon and me both. We do not intend to bring any of you harm."
"Personally, I do believe you…" the doctor replied. Then, he sighed slightly. "Though...some of the others might be much more difficult to convince."
"Well, I hope to convince them all the same," Jack answered determinedly.
Besides… he thought anxiously. From what little I've learned about this society, it seems that they are a very careful group of people. Unless Simon and I can earn their complete trust...I'm not so sure they'll allow us to leave without resistance…
"Hurry up," Arios snapped, abruptly pulling Jack from his grim thoughts. "We don't have all day, you know."
As much as he wanted to respond with a sarcastic retort, the young Guardian held his tongue. There was still much to explain and convince the other sprites of, so he figured that it would be best if he tried to stay on their good (or at least neutral) side.
With that, Jack and the two male Fletchers exited the recovery room and made their way into the dimly lit, ice-lined (and underground, Jack noted with a gulp) hallway. When they reached a splitting pathway, the boy's sensitive elfin ears picked up the beginnings of a low din down the hall to the right, leading him to believe that that was where the main part of the city known as New Iskald lay. The doctor and his son, however, led him instead down the left hall, which seemed even dimmer than the one they had just come from.
They soon approached a door that was carved entirely from ice and was done up with several heavy locks. Two guards stood by it, one on either side, their faces impassive even as the three of them approached. Jack couldn't help but shift uneasily. Though Jack considered himself rather tall for a sprite, both of the guards easily outperformed him in the height department. They were still slender and lithe, as most sprites were, but Jack could feel immense magical power radiating off of them in waves.
Their magic is stronger than that of most sprites… he thought nervously. I'm not surprised these two were chosen as guards…
At a sharp order from Arios, one of the guards turned and undid each lock holding the door shut. Then, both of them silently stepped aside, allowing Jack, Arios, and Dr. Fletcher to enter what Jack now realized was a cell.
The cell was dark, only dimly lit by a few glowing balls of frost that floated in each corner, but Jack could see well enough once he allowed his eyes to begin to glow. The room, also ice-lined, would have been empty, if it hadn't been for the slumped figure sitting up against the back wall.
Dr. Fletcher scowled at his son, hissing, "Arios, did the council not agree to grant him better treatment than this?"
Arios shrugged impassively. "That agreement was only to apply if he did not resist. He did, in fact, resist, so he was punished."
Punished indeed… Jack agreed inwardly, eyebrows furrowing with concern as he took a few steps forward to get a better look at the young man on the ground.
As far as he could tell, Simon had not been hurt badly, though he did notice that a bandage had been wrapped around his head. He was, however, chained to the wall by the wrist, which was forcefully situated above his head and was visibly shivering in the low temperature of the icy cell. The archer had been deprived, not only of his weapons and supplies, but also of his usual thick, gray cloak, exposing his body to the cold and also showcasing the empty, tied-off sleeve where a left arm would normally be.
"Arios, this is ridiculous!" Jack heard Dr. Fletcher whisper harshly somewhere behind him as the younger sprite continued moving forward. "You can't keep going behind the councilmembers' backs like this!"
"As a matter of fact," Arios retorted. "Councilmembers Ferran and Sera wholeheartedly agreed with my stance on this matter. I have their full permission."
"The permission of only two out of five councilmembers means nothing, and you know that," the doctor growled. "You need a majority, and I know for a fact that neither Rayla, Shiro, or I would condone this."
Jack frowned slightly at the apparent animosity between father and son, but shook his head and tuned the two of them out. That's something to worry about another time… he mentally told himself. Simon comes first for now.
The boy fully approached the chained archer and knelt down in front of him. "Simon…?" he asked quietly.
It took a few moments, but soon, Simon shifted his position slightly, eventually lifting his head to meet the young Guardian's glowing blue gaze. He hesitated for a second longer, seemingly using that moment in order to confirm Jack's identity, then allowed his shoulders to slump in some form of relief.
"Ah...about time you got here, Jack," he rasped, a wry grin making its way onto his face. "Though I can't say I'm exactly comfortable right now...mind calling off your friends so we can talk more civilly?"
Poor Simon. Things aren't really going well for him, huh? Well, regardless, that's all for now! Hope you enjoyed, and don't forget to leave a review and tell me what you think!
For now, Sapphire316, out.