Hello again and welcome back to Albion's New 'Hero'. I hope you enjoy this chapter ~

Disclaimer: As always ~

Chapter 8: Departure

Things in Oakvale had settled down once again and Jet took more care in keeping things to herself. She spent a little bit of time in the village's library every day to learn more about fighting, which in itself was a challenge. Of course there were no 'how to' books on the arts of swords play or fighting but some of the fictional books left had fight scenes in them to which she paid close attention to.

When Jet finished with the library she would take time to stroll around town, enjoying the fresh air and speaking with her neighbors.

On a particularly hot day she decided to stop by the bar and grab a drink. When she sat at a table a new waiter came up to her for her order.

"Oh hey Freyshack. Finally got yourself a job?" The boy about her age looked at her through his shabby dark brown hair. His piercing blue eyes scanned her for a second before smiling. A chuckle came from him as he answered,

"Yeah. Parents made me or else I'd be kicked out." Jet laughed.

"Nice. Just get me a jug of water please. Beer doesn't appeal to me." Freyshack wrote the order and came back a few minutes later with two jugs. She looked at him confused but smiled when he sat down next to her.

"It's break time for me," he placed a thing of water before Jet which she immediately took a swig of. "What are ya doing here Jet?" She shrugged.

"Today's really hot so I decided to stop by for a drink and to be around other people. Have you heard any good gossip lately?" The boy chuckled.

"Naw, just same old sa-" before he could finish the sentence, the table across from them held two burly men speaking of some interesting news.

"…Ruler walked through the village the other day. That must mean the Arena is going to open soon." The older of the two rolled his eyes.

"You really think that is going to happen? He banned all forms of fighting." The first shook his head.

"Doesn't matter. People break the rules. I've been hearing through the grapevine that a group has been secretly gathering fighters to open the Arena again. I'm sure our Ruler has heard it too…" The two continued chattering away and Jet knew it was time to leave. To leave her life behind. Freyshack noticed her behavior.

"Jet…don't tell me you're planning on going?" He whispered to her. Her pale green eyes met his piercing blue ones and he knew.

"So you were the one in the graveyard…Jet…just be careful, kay?" She lightly snorted at him.

"Don't get mushy on me. I'll be fine." Jet got up and left a tip behind. Freyshack turned and watched as his long-time friend walked out. There was a pang in his chest when he saw her disappear behind the wood.

"I love you…"

/)^3^(\

Back home Jet found her parents and explained what had just happened. James and Amber looked to one another as Vinni came up to her elder sister. She tugged on the skirt Jet had on. Said elder sister turned her head down. James quietly snuck out of the room.

"JJ?" Jet knelt and came eye to eye with her sister.

"Yes sweetie?" Vinni's big blue eyes watched her sister with sadness.

"You're going to go away from us?" Jet hugged her sister closely.

"Only for a little bit Vin. I'll be back, I promise." Vinni pulled away and held out her pinky. Jet smiled and hooked her pinky with her sister's.

"Pinky promise Vin." James came back and cleared his throat. Jet looked up and stood. Her father held out a new outfit for her.

"Sandra had made this the day after you came back from your first night of training. She wants nothing but the news of your success." Jet tenderly took the cloth from her father and looked at the grey toned clothing. She looked to her parents.

"Everyone's doing this for me because of the bargain…aren't they? You guys don't have to tell me the details; I know I have to find that out on my own." Amber and James turned to each other and nodded.

"Jet, you're right," started her mother, "it was because of that. I wish we could tell you what that bargain was, but our Ruler has bound us to an honor." Jet nodded.

"I understand. Thank you." Her parents wondered how much she knew about what happened.

Jet held out the fabric before her. The tunic was sleeveless and a dark gray made of a strong leather. The pants were much of the same. There was a cloak that draped over her shoulders with a hood, it was a lighter gray than her main clothing. The shoes were black that covered up to slightly above her knees.

She left her family to go change into her new clothes.

When she came back down Vinni laughed.

"You look so pretty! It looks like you were born to be 'that'." Jet smiled at her younger sister and thanked her.

Jet told them that she was going to leave as soon as possible which left her mother and father feeling despair. They only complied and helped her gather some supplies for the journey. Jet had gone back upstairs to grab her sword. The metal gleamed in the evening sun and she realized that it would not be long before night would descend.

The teenager hurried back down and found a small pack ready for her. Her mother had packed enough food for her to get to the next town, money to buy food and a room at an inn, and healing supplies. James had gotten a map from his room.

She held the map and took note of how old it looked. Jet learned that the map had been passed down for years and was one that still showed her where the Arena would be. The daughter nodded and put the map into the pack. She hooked it around her waist, as well as her sword and looked to her parents.

"Don't worry guys…I'll be fine. I've been reading some books for hints and tips. Even in those fictional books, I think I got a better idea on how to fend for myself." Her parents nodded and gave farewell hugs.

All walked outside and Jet continued on, not looking back. James, Amber, and Vinni waved their goodbyes and Jet knew that.

If I look back, I won't be able to go.

The villagers that worked outside watched as she walked by and knew. Freyshack tried to get her attention but she blatantly ignored him as with all the villagers. When she saw the gates Jet started into a run.

Trees, bushes, and grass rushed by her as she ran. She wanted to get this place behind her. There was a pang in her chest. She had already begun missing her family. Thinking of her younger brother she felt the urge to keep going.

The sound of her billowing cloak was the only thing she heard as she ran.