-Edit-
At the end of last chapter, Mikona said that the group was back together, when they're actually not yet... so yeah... sorry! ^^
At the end of last chapter, Mikona said that the group was back together, when they're actually not yet... so yeah... sorry! ^^
Jessina: Okay, just admit it. You're lost.
Chase: Am not.
The two of them rode upon the black horse, trotting along a snowy hill as the sun was beginning to set. The air was chilly and growing colder it seemed with ever step further north. They expected to run into Cal and Lissabelle sooner or later, but so far, they had no luck.
Jessina: Are too!
Chase: AM NOT!
Jessina: Oh really? Then why is this the fourth time I've seen that crooked birch tree?
Chase: You're just hungry and tired... Seein' things...
Jessina: Or maybe you're the tired one and you're too tired to admit to yourself that you need to follow the path instead of going whatever way you want to!
Chase: You can't even see the path! The snow's covering it!
Jessina: Well you could at least...!
At that point, the horse's hoof slid across some ice, making the animal lose its balance. The horse leaned awkwardly to one side, hauling its passengers off of it and to the ground below.
Jessina: Ahh...Ow...
Chase: You okay?
Jessina: I think...I think i sprained my wrist...
Chase: Here, let me see...
He took her hand and examined it closely, turning it and twisting it to see what was wrong.
Jessina: AH!
She hissed in pain and tried to yank her wrist back, but he kept a firm grip on it and continued to look over it.
Chase: Yeah... I think it's sprained...
He let go of her hand and felt a nearly-elastic pull as she yanked it back, obviously feeling a bit uncomfortable with this strange boy holding her hand in such a way.
Chase: We should stop here... I don't want you to hurt yourself...
Jessina: No... We really need to keep...
Chase: No, really, you need to rest it.
He spoke firmly, staring into her eyes with sincerity and seriousness.
Chase: Erm... And besides, we don't want to get too far ahead of Cal and Lissabelle... It'll be best just to meet them here.
Jessina: Alright... I'll go get some firewood so we can...
Chase: No, you rest up. I'll take care of that...
He turned and headed out towards the woods.
Jessina: But...What the... Just because I hurt my wrist doesn't mean I...!
But he didn't turn back.
Jessina: Hmph...Weirdo...
She thought, trying her best to hide her blushing cheeks.
Cal: You sure you're better now, Princess?
Lissabelle: Mm. I'd feel even better if you called me by my name...
Cal: Sorry, Lissabelle... It's just so hard... I mean, I know you're the princess... My head just keeps telling me to call you that...
Lissabelle: Well...um...
She thought as they sat in the night by the newly lit fire, already resting from their journey on the horse, only a day's ride from Sapphire Lake. Then she thought of an idea. She unclasped the back of her pearl drop necklace, removed the jewelry from her neck, and then dangled it in front of Cal's face.
Lissabelle: Well, as of right now, I'm no longer a princess.
She tossed the necklace behind her, letting it fall to the dirty path and break.
Cal: Lissabelle.... You didn't have to do that....
Lissabelle: It worked, didn't it?
She smiled cunningly as Cal sat silently.
Cal: Erm...well.... Hm... Now I feel bad... Didn't you like that necklace?
Lissabelle: Well....yes... But my father gave it to me... It was a symbol of my royalty and I have cast it away.
Cal: Well... Maybe I can give something to you in return...
Lissabelle: Oh...you don't have to...
Cal: No no no. I insist.
He reached into his shirt and pulled out a simple silver pendant, a small sapphire dangling from the end. It wasn't expensive or fancy, not flashy or elegant. It was perfect.
Lissabelle: Oh...Cal... Really...I can't take this...
Cal: No, really... It was my mum's good luck charm. She gave it to me when I was little, the same time she gave me my sword. I hope it'll bring you good luck too.
Lissabelle: Thank you, Cal.
He removed the pendant from his neck and scooted over behind her.
Cal: Here... Lift up your hair...
She obeyed as he clasped the necklace behind her neck, letting it dangle gracefully down her chest.
Cal: Beautiful...
Lissabelle: Thank you...
Her face lit up with a deep red blush. Cal smiled back, then quickly changed the subject. He didn't really want to spill all of his feelings.
Cal: Well, erm... Tomorrow night we'll probably reach Sapphire Lake. Excited?
Lissabelle: Incredibly!
She beamed brightly as the vision of her old home re-entered her mind.
Lissabelle: It'll be the first time in years... Sadly, it'll also be the last time for a while...
Cal: Well, that's alright... Maybe as soon as the trouble dies down...I'll take you back there...
Lissabelle: Really?
Cal: Sure. It is my home, anyway. Besides, I know how much you love it there...
Lissabelle beamed again, smiling more brightly than Cal had ever seen her smile before.
Lissabelle: Thank you, Cal....for everything....
Later that night, Lissabelle lay asleep in the snow, shivering just as Cal had expected she would. He draped his jacked over her freezing body, then added a few logs to the fire before heading to sleep himself. He woke in the middle of the night, colder than he had ever been. The temperature had dropped at least twenty degrees since they had gone to sleep. He could barely move he was so cold. His hair felt so frozen to him that he thought he could chip off a piece by just bending it.
He sat up and looked to the fire, which had dissipated to mere ash. Quickly, he found more wood and added it to what was left, then lit a match and tossed it into the kindling. Sheilding it from the wind and blowing softly, he caused a fire to begin to roar again, giving him the peace of mind to return to sleep, that is until he saw Lissabelle.
Her face was pale and colorless; her lips blue and chapped. She was shaking uncontrollably and trying to curl up for warmth.
Lissabelle: C-Cal...
Her voice was quiet, timid, and mostly scared. Cal quickly ran to her side and clutched her hand.
Cal: It-it's alright, Lissabelle.... Just... Here... Let's get closer to the fire...
He cautiously brought her up into his arms and brought her closer to the warmth. Then he got down on his knees and took her hand again, his eyes soft and sincere.
Cal: Is...is that better?
Lissabelle: So...so cold....
Her teeth were chattering in between words. Cal silently laid down next to her and wrapped his arms around her cold, shaking body, using his warmth to warm her.
Cal: Just...just don't worry... I've got you....
He whispered softly into her ear just as the two of them began to drift off to sleep, holding each other in their arms.
Chase sat by the fire as Jessina lay asleep on the other side of the flames, her head turned away from him as if trying to ignore him. She had let her hair out of the ponytail, letting it spill out over the snow-covered ground, letting it sparkle with the frost around it. Chase looked at her, smiling curiously.
Chase: (Such a strange girl... She drives me crazy, yet I can't resist her...)
He sighed as he poked the firewood with a stick, letting sparks fly upward with the smoke.
Chase: (Oh well... She knows she feels the same way.
He grinned conceitedly at the thought.
Guard: You there!
A man came up from behind Chase and tugged him up by the arm, staring at him as if he were scum of the earth. Behind him stood many other soldiers on horseback, all staring him down, one in particular hopping off of his horse and walking closer.
Aderas: Chase Kirk...
Chase: Erm... Who?
Aderas: Don't play dumb with me, boy. I know who you are. I know you've been running with those two princesses, fleeing the country as their little chaperone.
He paced back in forth as if her was lecturing. Chase just stood there, still being held by the strong, buff guard.
Chase: What do you want with them?
Aderas: Not them, just her. I don't care about her bratty twin sister. I just want Lissabelle.
A sinister grin crawled across his face as he stopped dead in front of Chase and looked him square in the eye.
Aderas: And you, my friend, are going to help me get her.
Chase: Heh. You wish.
Aderas: Oh, it's gonna happen. If you don't tell, we're going to imprison you for the rest of your life...
Chase: I'm willing to take that chance...
Aderas: I wasn't done. If you don't tell, we're gonna lock you up, but first we're going to kill Jessina.
Chase's eyes grew wide and his heart fell into a black hole.
Aderas: Just imagine...sitting in a dungeon until the end of your life, the life of a poor princess on your hands... Imagine the grief you'd be experiencing
Chase: You wouldn't... The king would never...
Aderas: I see you never heard the news. The king is...ehem..."missing" at the moment.
Chase: WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM?!?
Aderas: Oh, he's very alive if that's what you mean. Just lying in the dungeon, full of grief at the fact that he forced his daughter to marry me, now seeing that she was right about me all along.
Chase grew red with anger, trying to pull himself away from the guard, but only to get punched in the back.
Chase: You're...evil...
Aderas: Well, I do try...
He grinned maniacally.
Aderas: I'll tell you what. I'll let you and that bonnie little lass go run off wherever you please. No more chasing. No more fighting. Just you and Jessina, wherever you want to go.
Chase hesitated, hanging his head to the ground in shame.
Aderas: It's either you tell us where the other two are, or she dies.
He stood still, not looking at the cruel man in front of him. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Aderas nod to another soldier who drew a sword and began to walk toward Jessina.
Chase: NO! WAIT!
His head shot up, causing the man with the sword to pause and causing a smile to light up Aderas's face again.
Chase: She's... They're... Right now they're west of here... Lissabelle had been caught by some people trying to get the reward. They took her over there, but then we know Cal saved her...
Aderas: And where are they headed?
Chase: They...they're headed to Adria, but we know they're stopping at Sapphire Lake...
Aderas nodded to the man who was holding onto Chase's arm, who then let go and walked away.
Aderas: Thank you, sir.
The soldiers started to clear out as Aderas mounted his horse.
Aderas: If you tell anyone about our little meeting, I will have her killed.
With that, his horse took off at a canter, following the rest of the horses behind.
-PREVIEW!-
Mikona: Puu! I'm here to help Starlite give a preview for her next chapter!
What's this? Wow... after all this time they finally make it to Sapphire Lake. Wait... Is that good or bad now? AHH! THE CONFUSION!!!
Next time, Chapter 16, Farewell for Now!
Mikona can't wait!
Mikona: Puu! I'm here to help Starlite give a preview for her next chapter!
What's this? Wow... after all this time they finally make it to Sapphire Lake. Wait... Is that good or bad now? AHH! THE CONFUSION!!!
Next time, Chapter 16, Farewell for Now!
Mikona can't wait!
