Chapter 18
This is severely unedited, so I apologize tight now for any grammatical or spelling errors there may be. I finally decided how I wanted this chapter to go in my college algebra lecture have been working on it off and on all day and couldn't wait to post it. So enjoy (and please forgive my haste and not editing it, I will eventually, just not right now).
Clary and Marcus rode long and hard to where her father was camped. The Morgensterns had some of the fastest horses in Idris and the pair only stopped once to water the horses and allow for them to rest. When the camp was within Clary's eye sight she urged her horse to go a little faster. Clary had been too observed in the ride that she hadn't even noticed that the sounds of fighting had died down, so when she entered the camp and slowed her horse down to a walk she was surprised to find people milling around. There were Shadowhunters putting iratze on others and a few wizards roaming about, most likely to heal the more seriously injured. Clary searched the camp for any familiar face her eyes could find.
"Miss," Marcus placed his hand on her shoulder and nodded. Clary followed the direction he had motioned his head and her eyes landed on a tall man with unruly brown hair.
Luke.
Clary immediately dismantled her horse and ran towards him, calling his name as she did. He turned and looked at her in surprise before opening his arms to catch her as she threw her arms around him.
"What are you doing here?" Luke asked as he held her tight and then loosened his grip so that she could take a step back and look at him.
"Sebastian and some of his men came to the manor in search for me. Marcus got me out and we made a run for it here." Clary answered, assessing him. There was minor dirt and grime on his face and clothes and some blood, but he seemed unharmed besides a slight cut on his upper cheek.
Luke's eye's narrowed at the mention of Sebastian and he started looking around. "We have to find your father."
Clary just nodded and followed him through the crowd of bodies, keeping her hand in his. It was a childish thing to do, but she was so relieved that he wasn't hurt and she hadn't realized until just then how afraid she had been of someone she loved getting hurt in this war that Sebastian had started.
"Is it over? Is that why everyone's back?" Clary asked, her eyes looking all around her.
"Yes. It is over. It was an even match at first but we gained the upper hand on won in the end. We managed to capture those still alive, all except Sebastian and a few of his men, of course."
Clary sighed. "Good."
"Here we are." Luke said as he pushed aside the flap of a tent and allowed her to enter first. Clary ducked under his arm and he soon followed her. Inside, Clary saw her father and several other men standing around a map talking about something.
"Father." Clary said. She wanted to rush to him much in the same way she had to Luke, but didn't know if it would be appropriate or not at the moment.
Valentine's head popped up at the sound of her voice and his eye's settled on her. "Clarissa, what are you doing here?" His eyes then shifted to Luke.
"Sebastian went to your home and Marcus escaped her with Clarissa." Luke answered before Clary had the chance.
Valentine's eyes hardened for a second but softened when he looked back at Clary and held out his arms. Clary rushed to him and hugged him tightly for a few seconds before stepping out of his embrace.
"I'm glad you are safe. I should have stationed men close to the house." Valentine sighed. "It never occurred to me that he wouldn't be on the battlefield today. And the instant he didn't show I knew he would try to use the opportunity to get to you."
Clary smiled meekly and looked around the room once more. "Where's mother?"
"She's helping attend to some of the wounded with the Maryse Lightwood and a few others."
Clary sighed in relief that no one she loved had been hurt. Jace. Clary suddenly felt uneasy. She had yet to find Jace and she was almost too afraid to ask her father where he was. After thinking about it for a few moments she decided she would look for him first and then ask. Clary excused herself to find Marcus and put her horse up. Luke showed her the way to the stables and then left to take care of whatever duties he had.
Clary found Marcus in the back wiping down the horse he had ridden. Clary's horse was nearby with the saddle off. Patting the horse she finished untacking him and then brushed him. Once she was satisfied she fed her horse and made sure his water pale was full before going off to look for Jace.
Clary wondered around the maze of tents and pathways. All around was the sound of people talking, there were people telling tales of what the battle had been like for them and others just talking in general. The Shadowhunters looked tired and worn in their dirty gear, yet they were jubilant at the same time. It was easy to see that they had been victorious. The upbeat moods of those surrounding her helped Clary not get too distressed as she searched every nook and cranny of the camp.
When she neared the edge that had been set up for a makeshift medical unit Clary couldn't help but notice the change in the atmosphere. In place of the happy voices and cheery attitudes there were people with tears in their eyes and solemn faces. It was obvious that, while they had been victorious in the end, it had not been without casualties. Clary's stomach suddenly started to twist a little at the thought of Jace being on one many fatalities. After looking at every face and asking around a little for several long hours Clary was satisfied that Jace wasn't among those in the medical unit. And while this helped Clary feel a little relieved it wasn't enough to actually calm her mind or the racing of her heart.
"Clary!"
Clary turned at the sound of the voice a few feet behind her. "Simon! What are you doing here?"
Simon pulled her into an embrace. Clary couldn't help but think how it seemed all she had done today was hug people.
"I'm helping Magnus out a little. Bringing water and whatever random odds and ends he needs."
"Oh." Clary smiled, it was a genuine smile, but not as big as it could have been.
Simon started asking her questions about how she had been as they walked back through the camp to where she had last seen her father. Clary couldn't help but feel a tad bit guilty at not keeping in better touch with her friend.
"Well, here we are. I'll see you around, Clary." Simon smiled as they stopped in front of what Clary assumed was the tent she had last seen her father in.
"It was good seeing you, Simon. I've missed talking to you."
"Same here." Simon nodded and walked away. Clary knew he probably wanted to say more, but not all of the Shadowhunters were thrilled to see her friends walking around the camp. Sighing, Clary pushed back the flap of the tent and walked into the tent. Valentine was leaning over the table with his hands on the table supporting him. A map was on the table and her father seemed to be searching for something. Clary watched him for a moment, her nerves starting to act up at the idea of what she was about to ask him. Steeling herself, Clary gained what courage she could muster and stepped forward.
"Father," Clary's voice was soft.
Valentine looked up from the map. "Clarissa."
Clary gave a slight smile and took another step forward, her hands clasped together to keep from fidgeting.
"What are you doing here?" Valentine asked, his voice soft.
"I- well you see . . ." Clary's voice trailed off and she took a deep breath. "I was wondering if you had seen Jace."
She wasn't sure what she expected, but it wasn't her father's cool demeanor. Valentine gave her a neutral look that gave nothing away. There was no anger, no disgust, nothing.
"No. I have not seen Jace."
…..
…
…..
Jace was had been riding long and hard since he went against Robert Lightwood's wishes for him to stay put. But Jace couldn't help it, as much as he knew that he should be by Alec's side Jace just couldn't let go of the sick feeling he had. Alec had been more than understanding, and it was only when his parabatai insisted he go that Jace was able to find the fastest horse and ride to the Morgenstern manner.
The battle hadn't begun, but spies that had been watching Sebastian's camp had come back claiming that while his men prepared for battle, he was nowhere to be seen. Jace couldn't shake the thought that the only reason Sebastian wouldn't be on the field was because he had went after something he deemed equally, if not more, important than winning: Clary.
Finally, Jace arrived to Clary's home and was about to guide his horse from the cover of the trees when he heard shouting and the sound of horses' hooves. His heart quickening, Jace made his way around the property so that he could view the garden, where most of the commotions was coming from. Jace's blood started boil as he saw the dark black haired man sitting arrogantly on his horse.
"What do you mean you can't find her?" Sebastian bellowed at the men in front of him.
"None of us can find her. We have searched the house and the property and there isn't a soul besides a few kitchen hands. And our spies positioned on the roads haven't seen anyone come or go."
Sebastian roughly raked his hands through his hair. "Fine." Sebastian growled. "Pangborn, take the men and go back to the hideout. I'll follow shortly."
"But, sire . . ." Pangborn, Jace presumed, started to argue.
"Do as I have ordered. Besides, I can take care of myself if there is need." Sebastian replied and turned his horse towards the house, dismissing his men.
Jace watched intently as the men all started to mount their horses and ride off. A few minutes later he tied his horse to a tree and crept his way towards the back of the house. He paused when he saw Sebastian's horse grazing the lawn. Jace found a spot where he was hidden from view but could see when Sebastian came out of the house and waited. Finally after several minutes Sebastian stepped out of the door and before Jace lost the advantage of the other boy's distance from his horse Jace threw a dagger at Sebastian.
Not expecting it, Sebastian wasn't able to completely dodge the dagger and it managed to just barely cut his left shoulder. Sebastian was quick to pull out a seraph blade as Jace charged out of his hiding spot with a blade of his own. Their blades clashed together and they pushed each other pack and assessed the other or a few moments.
"Lightwood," Sebastian snarled, his eyes hardening as his lips turned up into a cruel smirk.
"Verlac." Jace replied with a smirk of his own, only instead of being cruel like Sebastian's, his was cocky. The muscles in Sebastian's neck twitched a little, exactly the reaction Jace had been aiming for.
"Where's Clarissa?" Sebastian demanded.
"Obviously not with you," Jace continued to smirk. "It seems she preferred me to you after all."
Sebastian's eyes darkened so that they looked as if they were completely black with no pupil at all and tilted his head up in a superior way. Then, quicker than Jace thought he could, Sebastian made a move. Jace was barely able to block it. The two boys continued to battle and while Jace was starting to gain confidence in keeping up with Sebastian, whom everyone said was the best at sword fighting, Sebastian seemed to be getting irritated that he hadn't won yet. Jace used this to his advantage.
Somehow, the two Shadowhunters had moved away from the house and were now in the garden. Everywhere he looked he was reminded of Clary and his resolve only strengthened every time he thought about what it would mean if Sebastian was out of the picture and was no longer a threat.
Jace went to try and nock Sebastian's sword out of his hands but the other boy spun away and brought his sword down on Jace's right arm. Bringing his sword up, Jace was able to deflect most of the attack, but it didn't prevent the sword from leaving a gash on his upper arm and shoulder. Jace's eyes glanced at his injured arm and then shot to Sebastian who had a sickening smile plastered onto his face.
Rage starting to build up at Sebastian's overconfidence, Jace swung his legs out at Sebastian's and tried to knock him off his feet. It didn't work. Instead Sebastian used it against Jace and before Jace knew it he was on the ground and Sebastian was on top of him. Bringing his sword up again, Jace barely managed to stop Sebastian's sword. There wasn't enough room for Jace to try and kick Sebastian off, so instead he pushed against the other boy and quickly used what little space he had created to land a blow to Sebastian's face, splitting his lip open.
Sebastian brought his hand up to his bleeding lip and brought it back, looking at the blood with what seemed like shock. It didn't take long for rage to overcome him and her growled at Jace, but before he could do anything Jace managed to buck Sebastian off and quickly got to his feet. Sebastian was quick to follow and swung in blade at Jace, who blocked it. This continued for a while before somehow both of their blades were ripped from their hands. Jace was quick to adapt and quickly lunged at Sebastian, bringing his should down to tackle him. It didn't faze Sebastian at all and he quickly swung his fist up at Jace.
The boys continued to grapple on the ground, neither gaining the upper hand, until Sebastian reached for his boot. Before Jace could stop him, Sebastian pulled out dagger and swung at Jace, successfully cutting his cheek. Jace pulled back and Sebastian was on top of his instantly. Quick to bring his hands up, Jace stopped Sebastian's dagger from plunging into his heart. Jace continued to push Sebastian's hands away until he was able to land a punch across the other boy's face. Sebastian's hold on the dagger loosened just enough for Jace to knock it out of his hands. This angered Sebastian and he brought his recently freed hands down onto Jace's throat, successfully preventing Jace from being able to get air to his lungs. Jace kept wiggling beneath the other boy and trying to get him off but it wasn't effective. Giving up, Jace started feeling around to see if he could find either one of the discarded seraph blades or the dagger. His vision going dark, Jace felt around more desperately until his hands grazed something cool. He quickly grabbed it and brought the blade down on Sebastian's side. Sebastian cried out and removed his hold. Jace was quick to get from beneath him and breath in deep heavy breathes. Looking up he saw Sebastian pull the dagger out and lung at Jace. Not fully recovered, Jace wasn't able to move completely out of the way and he felt the searing pain of the blade going throw his side as well.
Jace cringed a little as he stood up, blade still protruding from him. As he did he saw the gleam of a sword and as quickly as he could, lunged to get it. Sebastian was quick to follow, but not quick enough to keep Jace from grabbing the sword. Jace turned around and wasn't aware of how close Sebastian was until the dark eyed boy tried to push on the dagger in Jace's side. Jace's vision went red for a moment before he was able to center himself and with all the force he could muster, plunged the sword into Sebastian until the hilt touched his clothing.
Sebastian's eyes widen and he looked down at his wound and then back up. Jace watched as he collapsed to the ground. Cautiously, Jace knelt down to feel for a pulse and noted that for now the boy was still alive. Standing up again, Jace pulled the dagger from his side and let it drop to the ground and put his hand to his open wound and trudged to the house. Once inside he sent two fire messages and then made his way back outside, where he tied Sebastian up to prevent him from trying to move if he were to wake up. Though Jace seriously doubted that Sebastian would be able to move and if he did he certainly wouldn't get very far.
Slowly Jace made it back to his horse and searched for his stele in the saddlebags. His breathing was starting to get a little heavy and his movements were sludgy, but he continued to search because he wanted nothing more than to get back to Clary. Finally his hands brushed the cool smooth wand, but before his fingers could grab it his vision went black and he was falling.
So, there is my next installment. I'm not that fantastic at fighting scenes, though I do try, so I'm sorry if Jace's point of view wasn't that good. But I just couldn't resist having his perspective and his fight with Sebastian. I hope you enjoyed it and I will try to update this very soon. I am almost done and I am kind of getting excited because I look forward to see how you guys like my ending.