Hey guys! So, I know I said I'd update sooner, but, guess what? Teachers have an obsession with pounding you with work in the two weeks leading up to semester finals, so i haven't had the time to type. It probably doesn't help that I've started another story, either. And I had some writer's block on this story. So, if you have any ideas, please, feel free to share. I'm always up for ideas! Anyways, enough of my life, on with the story!
The sun rose up over the treetops, casting a golden light about everything. As the morning progressed, the sun's rays dispelled the last of the fog, leaving a crisp, refreshing morning. Gilan sat on his porch, watching this and reading through letters. None of them were urgent, just updates from Crowley. There was one from the Baron informing him of an upcoming ball that he was welcome to. It was couples only. He never went to these, so he didn't see any point in the Baron sending them to him.
Deciding it was time to eat, he went inside and prepared a simple breakfast of oatmeal with honey. He went over to the table to eat, and spotted another pile of papers. He really needed to organize these. While he ate, he looked through the stack, making sure nothing too important was in the mix. He spotted an old letter from Will. Frowning slightly, he remembered the Gathering and the events that ensued. It had been a while ago. How long had it been? Oh yeah.
Five weeks. It had been five boring, repetitive weeks since the Gathering. Gilan had yet to get a letter to or from Will. It was excruciating staying in this awkward half-way phase between a fight with him. Usually these kind of things lasted for two days max. But five weeks, Seriously?He decided he was going to have to do something. He sat down at his desk, and prepared a letter to Will. He didn't really know what to say, so he wrote a greeting, talked about some of the happenings at Norgate, and wished him well. Deciding it was good enough, he sealed it off. He would get a messenger at the castle. He had to go over there anyways to assess the Battleschool, anyway.
Sighing, he finished off his coffee and walked over to the door. Grabbing his cloak off the peg, he headed out, locking the door behind him. He saddled up Blaze and rode in. He was really starting to hate how boring life was.
Jenny was in a decidedly good mood today. She had the day off, due to some renovations at the Inn, and planned on making the best of it. Walking out of the Inn and into the street, she thought of where she should set off to. It was probably after ten in the morning, and she already had breakfast. She thought she could use a new apron. The one she had now was stained and torn in a few places. She set a course for the shop area of town for some new cloth.
Jenny was walking up a street somewhat away from the main drag when she spotted a small shop. It was nothing out of the ordinary, but something about it intrigued her. She strode in, not even sure if it sold cloth.
As it turned out, the shop, Marcy's Market, has full of all sorts of things. Along with a pretty blue roll of sturdy cloth, she found an interesting variety of thyme, an exotic perfume with hints of flowers and something spicy, and a steel knife. She paid for her findings, thanked the shop keep, and walked out. very pleased with the day. She glanced up at the sun, It was only noon. Shrugging, she set a course for the castle gates. She wanted some wild flowers to spruce up her room. She knew of a pretty little patch where she could get some. Maybe she would visit Will on the way. Who knew? It was a good day. She didn't have any obligations for once, and it felt nice.
Jenny knocked on the worn pine door. Will opened it, a delighted smile growing across his face. "Jenny! It's good to see you! What brings you here?"
Jenny grinned, saying "Oh, nothing really. I have the day off, and decided to visit."
"Well, come in! Come in!"
They carried on for hours, chatting about this and that. Jenny didn't even realize it was dark until about ten. She just so happened to glance out the window, noticing how dark it was. "Oh my gosh, it's dark outside! I should be going, now."
"Alright, Jenny. It was good seeing you again. Take care!"
"You, too, Will." She hugged him briefly before heading out.
Jenny walked past a dark alley when she saw a familiar person. "Steven! What are you doing out so late?"
The figure stiffened, then relaxed as he recognized her. "Hey, beautiful." he said, walking over to her. He staggered and swayed a little as he did so. "Wh-what'd're you doing out so late?"
"Oh, just coming home from Will's house. I had the day off, so I went and visited him. I lost track of time."
Steven frowned at that. He didn't like the sound of his girl hanging around another man. "So, you and Willare real cozy, aren't ya?" Jenny heard the slur of alcohol in his voice. If she had ever been around him when he drank before, she would have run. She didn't know, however, so she kept talking.
"Well, we're friends, but nothing more."
We're friends, nuthin more," he mimicked.
"There's no need to be so unpleasant."
Whack! "DON'T YOU TALK TO ME LIKE THAT!" he yelled out. Jenny took a step back, shocked. He hit her.
"Steven, you hit me!"
"Shut it!" he said, this time punching her in the stomach. Jenny was so shocked she didn't even know what to do. Steven, normally so sweet and understanding, was now hitting her.
Then her brain came over her shock. "I'm going home, Steven." she said firmly. She was not going to stay here and be hit by him. She would talk to him in the morning, when he was sober.
Steven had no such plans. "Get back here you!" he shouted, grabbing at her. His hand grasped her hair. He grabbed hold firmly and yanked back. Jenny shrieked and tried to get away, but his years in the smithy shop allowed none of it. He pinned her up against the wall. When he spoke, Jenny could smell the heavy liquor on his breath. "You're not going anywhere." He stared at her for a few seconds, then was suddenly kissing her. She struggled to get away from him, the last thing she wanted to do right now was kiss him, but he only held her tighter. Finally, she bit his lip.
He jerked back, grunting in pain. He half punched, half smacked her over the back of the head. He was so drunk he couldn't quite form a fist. The blow still hurt. "Think you're gonna bite me, huh?" he hit her again. "Think you're so tough?" and again. "I'll show you, you dumb bitch!" the last blow that came with 'bitch' made her feel dizzy and her head spin.
He let her go, stepping back from the wall, and turned to pee on the other wall. Jenny fell back against the wall. A few minutes later, he turned back to her. "Come on," he said, pulling her up by her arm. "I'm walking you home." And so he did. He walked her back to the Inn as if nothing had ever happened.
When they got to the door of the Inn, however, he leaned in close to her, whispering, "If you saying anything, I'll beat your fucking brains out."
He opened the door for her, and she walked in. She walked through the dining room, up the two flights of stairs, and down the hallway in dead silence. She undressed and put on her nightgown. It was only when she climbed into bed that she made any noise. She quietly sobbed herself to sleep.
O_O Steven isn't so nice, now is he?
I must apologize again for taking so long, put I have two days of finals tomorrow, so I haven't had a whole lot of time to write it. It's finally up, though. So I hope you enjoyed, and please review!