Chapter Five: Confusion.
I'm SO sorry it took so long to update!! I'm an awful person!! I've actually had a lot going on lately, especially because one of my friends has been having a lot happen to her that kind of sucks so I've had to be there for her, not to mention I was suffering from a horrible writers block. I wrote my longest chapter yet (we all know I have problems writing long chapters. I don't know why…) Thank you for being so patient and not egging me!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! To who? You will have to see…
Thanks to my reviewers, look at the bottom of the page for that stuff…
This chapter is dedicated to my friend Ellen because she yelled at me for not updating for a while and then helped me when she found out about my writers block. All in all, this chapter wouldn't have happened without her!
Disclaimer: I am not Tamora Peirce. The only way I will ever be Tamora Pierce is if I get really expensive plastic surgery, kill the real Tamora Pierce off, and then live in her place. That, however, is too much effort, so I am afraid I will never be her.
I stare at Jeire, fear plain and clear on my face. I can't help but wonder what he will do.
So I swallow hard, watching his face cautiously for any signs of what is to happen. He just keeps sneering at me. Just how a desert snake acts with its prey. Makes it wait, until it's so nervous that it makes a fatal mistake.
"So what will you do, Cactus Flower?" Jeire finally speaks his voice cutting through the tension like a desert storm through the night.
I blink at him, not expecting this from him at all. Normally he would be all over the killing of the woman who broke this rule. Especially one this big.
"Whatever I do, I will do in honor." I reply, holding my head steady. I don't know what compelled me to say it.
Jeire grins, a sight that makes me afraid of what will become of me. "Honor? You really think that a woman using magic will get you any honor? Jezmen Ka'eere, you seem to believe yourself like one of those savage northerners." The look on his face scares me more than anything then. He actually looks disgusted with me, because I don't want to be part of the tribe.
Well what if I don't? What if I want to be a Northerner? What if I want to be like those women who I have seen as messengers for the Voice before? Free. Confident, unafraid of what the people of the tribe think nothing to weigh me down!
Now I stare defiantly at him. Maybe I do.
He seems to read my mind and he scowls at me. "Well, you're not. You aren't a Northerner and you never will be. So why not for once in your life try to be an actual part of the Tribe, like you should do?"
With that, Jeire stomps off, leaving me alone and very confused.
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Nothing happens when I get back to my families tent, causing me more confusion then before. This isn't like Jeire at all. What is going on?
The next morning I prepare my papa's tea extra early and make sure to brew the honey sickle just correctly.
I go to the market and work my stall, keeping a close eye out for Jeire. I don't see him.
In fact, this is how the next few days pass, me constantly fearing what Jeire will do.
I rarely see the prince, either, making it very hard to fulfill my pact of protecting him, even if it seems he can protect himself better than I could.
I don't practice my magic. In the fear of being caught again, I keep it locked away in my body, not letting an ounce escape if I can.
It then seems that the purpose in my life is gone. Because ever since that one day, the day I saw those female mages riding through the tribal square, it's what I have lived for. It's my life.
"Jezmen." I glance over to see a slightly angry looking Kirae and I blink at her.
"Yes?"
"I said your name ten times! Why didn't you answer?" she asks, frowning at me.
"Sorry." I mumble to her, watching the prince maneuver his way through the crowd of women, all wanting his attention.
"What is with you lately, Jezmen?" Kirae finally speaks what is on her mind. "You aren't acting normal."
"Yes I am. I'm perfectly fine. Why wouldn't I be?" Yet even I hear the emptiness in my voice.
"Right." Kirae says, giving me a knowing look, before she heads back to her families tent.
"Hello." I look up to see Prince Roald standing there, woman flocking his sides.
"Hello." I reply, watching curiously as the women slowly back away, all frowning at me. It makes me smile.
"Can I sit?" the prince asks inquiringly. I nod, wondering what he wants. I mean, he's been really busy these past couple of days.
"I'm sure you're wondering about the ring I gave you." He says out of the blue. I nod, startled. I didn't expect this.
"I can't tell you." He says bluntly. I look at him to find him looking completely serious. I want to ask why, but my father always told me that was rude, so I wait.
Sure enough, he tells me. "I had a dream, and I saw the ring and I knew I had to have it made. So did, right before I came here." I have no idea what he's talking about. Why would he make a ring because of a dream? Is it a Northerner custom?
"Then I saw you, with that man, trying not to displease him, but hating being near him all the same." Prince Roald smiles when he sees the shock on my face. "I can read people. It's a gift."
I nod, slightly afraid of what will come next.
"And I knew. I knew that the ring was made for you. I think we were meant to become friends you and I. It seems as if the Gods have wished it so. Don't ask me why, I'm only the messenger." He grins, but I feel a pit of fear stir in my soul. The last time the gods meddled in the life of someone I knew, he ended up scorched on the desert floor.
"But don't worry," yet again, the prince reads my face, an ability that scares me to no end. "I don't think that they want us for anything TOO disastrous." He smiles comfortingly at me, before waving goodbye.
Just what I need in my life, the gods meddling.
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I sit in my room of my family's tent, feeling the empty feeling I have gotten to know the past couple of days. How I wish I could now go to practice magic, like I have always done. I know Jeire is right, I should be a normal Bazhir girl…but I'm not. I've always questioned things that I know shouldn't be questioned. Why? Maybe the gods really are meddling in my life.
I step out of the tent before I even know what I am doing. What am I doing? I shouldn't practice my magic again, maybe if I ignore it, it will go away and I can be a normal Bazhir again.
I continue walking down the familiar path to where I always practice my magic. When there, I stop and wonder what I'm doing.
"Maybe just light a small fire, or something." I mumble to myself.
So I sit and look into my core, letting my cool magic wash over me. Without knowing it, I automatically pull a thread of it out and light up the area around me. Only to see a face staring enraged at me.
"Jezmen Ka'eere!" my father screams his face red in anger. He stomps forward and strikes me, cutting my cheek with his wedding ring. He hits me again and again, until I almost black out, before grabbing me by the wrist.
"No longer are you my daughter. I'll make sure you die in the most dishonorable way, with an unmarked grave. Oh yes, just like how we bury those savage Northerners you love so much. Enjoy your night tonight, Jezmen, because it's your last."
So…yeah. That's the chapter. How exciting. Now I get to go eat a sandwhich. Reviews would be lovely. By the way, today is my birthday. Yay. The best birthday preasent for me would be a review!!
Lady Arianne Of Ambers Valley: Wow, you responded REALLY quickly!! I was still on when I got it! Thank you! Thank you for the cookie. It was delicious! My brother was jealous! :)
Lysara: I just couldn't stop smiling when I saw your review. I have no idea when I will say who the guy in the shadows was. We will have to see. As for explaining why Jezmen and Jeire are who they are, I'm sure I will. I think I have the character Jeire just because I love to hate him. So of course he has to be a jerk. But I'll try and explain his hidden secrets of why he's a jerk. I love your subtle hint there. I felt that deserved another chapter for you so here you go!
Opal-169: You know. I had a feeling as I was writing it that I sounded too modern. Thanks for pointing that out. I'll have to make sure I don't do that anymore.
Stariinights: Thank you ever so much. I really like Jezmen and Roald together and I have cute things planned. And the whole 'Desert Rose' thing will be actually a big part later on in the story. So look out for it!! :D
focid 360: I actually have an answer to your question. I'm glad you caught that, because it's something I was wanting Jezmen to ask him, once they begin talking a little bit. It will be explained, I promise you that. And I know I'm not nice for leaving you with a cliffhanger (Ps. Did you see I changed it so it says her entire body broke out in a cold sweat? I did it just for you!) anyone I know could have told you that!
Will: Why thank you ever so much. You're so kind!!
bclovr-22: Thanks. I mean, I'm not trying to offend anyone who likes her, but she was never my favorite character. And I love being evil. I don't get to do it very often!! Thanks for reviewing! Reviewers are awesome!!! :)
KrisEleven: Thank you for reviewing! Hopefully I can use all that to help myself!
mia-piin: Thank you for the complements on my grammar and ideas. And I agree that my characters do seem very modern and I am honestly trying to work on that. However, I never said that they were going against the Voice. In fact, if you read on, they take his son as a guest, in honor of the voice. People never take to change very well and it takes a while to get used to new things. So of course her tribe is still aloud to hate Northerners, no matter how wrong it is. People in our world hate other people too. It just happens like that. Thank you for reviewing.
Lady-Serene-of-Purple-Mountain: I don't know. 169% amazing? I don't think I could handle that! The world might just explode!! And I know it's too modern, I am honestly working on it, I promise! As for the sharing the account thing, it's basically because we were all too lazy to make our own. Jeire's a good character, you always need a character to hate in stories. Everyone awesome is insane anyway so...whatever. Thanks for the reviews!