Disclaimer: I do not own Fable or its characters. Jet and her family do belong to me though.

Chapter 5: Yes my Lord

Bargain…he said bargain right?

Jet turned her head, scrutinizing her mother's face. She had never seen her mother's face this hard before. Jack and Vinni clung tighter to her forest green cotton shirt. The two had a staring contest, pale green against vibrant gold. Those shivers returned.

"Yes…my Lord." The young black haired female turned towards the man across from her. Her mouth slightly agape.

She could not believe it. This man…THE man who loomed over the village everyday and she never had seen him her whole life. Though, there was something about him that she could not quite figure out.

Despite there being a mask, Jet knew he was smirking underneath that concealer. Savoring his victory over the once proud woman who sat defensively, but yet so vulnerable. He was the Balverine while she…a lonely trader. Nothing could protect her…except her eldest daughter. Jet reminded herself she needed to keep calm. The fate of this village rested on her shoulders.

Please…don't find my sword… Metal smacked against wood as the Ruler sauntered forward, stalking her…or was it really her? His eyes were not fixated on Jet, but rather one of her siblings. With each step, Jet became more and more restless. She was not going to let him get too close.

He came within arm's reach and allowed one of his appendages reach out. Not to any person…but to Jack. Instinctively she clung to him, sheltering him behind her. The masked man bent over low enough to stare her eye to eye. Jet dared to glare him in the eye. Somehow, instead of being killed right there, the man stood there and watched her for moments. His voice, so cold and icy, made her flinch after anguishing moments of silence.

"There is a fire in your eyes child. You have a spirit to fight." Jet remarked with a smart alec comeback.

"Fighting is forbidden." His golden eyes narrowed with impatience.

"I know that child! I created those laws."

"Then why did you say that?" He rose to his full height, those eyes of his never leaving hers. He finally turned away, his tattered cloak lightly swaying. She noticed at that point her heart pounded in her chest painfully. Was she scared? Yes.

"It makes me wonder…who may have been in the graveyard." Jet gave him a questioning glance.

"Why would anyone go into the graveyard? That is in forbidden territory." He swiveled so quickly on his feet it took her a few seconds to realize he was right back in her face. The closeness of them brought rose to her cheeks.

"I don't know, why don't you tell me?" Jet cocked and eyebrow.

"What am I supposed to tell you? Someone was stupid enough to go there?" Amber chided,

"Jet! Watch your tongue. My Lord, please forgive her. She has never been in such…a position before."

The masked man turned his attention to her mother for a few moments before rising again. His hand found Jack and pulled him out from behind Jack. Jet nearly retaliated until she took note of her mother's warning glare. Vinni began to cry for her brother and all Jet could do was hold onto the little girl.

Jack wailed in the sanguine cloaked man's hand, which wore quickly on his patience. A slap to his face quieted him quickly. Jet clenched her hands. How dare he.

Finally those monster creatures came back down with nothing in their hands. Jet thanked whichever spirit was watching over her at the moment. Angered, he glared at the mother.

"Woman. Where is the warrior?" Amber shook her head.

"I do not know of any warrior in this village. Perhaps it was one of your creature's looking for a fight." A snort came from him.

"Until the traitor comes forward, little Jack will be locked up in one of my charming little cells."

"NO!" Those shining orbs turned to Jet. She had leapt from her spot on the couch. "You can't do that! Jack is still too young! Are you trying to kill him!" She felt it again…that smirk. He raised a hand, palm upturned, almost as if gathering energy in his appendage.

"It could happen…we'll see if the traitor waits in hiding for too much longer." With that he turned and drug and struggling Jack behind him. Jet, furious and ready to pounce, stood there glaring daggers in his back, fists clenched so tight they bled, and tears streaming down her face. When the door closed she fell to her knees, face in palms, bawling.

"Jack…I'm…I'm so… so sorry…."