by c a king
“You don't know that Jade. Your parents.”
“My parents,” she laughed, “are the ones looking for the most severe sentence. They are going to use me to show the town they have the people's interests in mind...to stop any possible fall out, uprising or riots. They don't need me. They have my brother. He has been their favourite since he was born. No, my parents aren't going to lift a finger to help me. They already sealed my fate.”
“I don't know Jade. We don't even know what's out there. We could walk right into something horrible.”
“How horrible could it be? We would be together, forever,” Jade replied.
“Someone is coming I have to go. I will see you tomorrow. Don't worry I will figure something out.”
Neil stood up and walked towards the stairs just as two guards turned the corner. He motioned a hello to them before heading downstairs. He definitely had a lot to think about.
Chapter Twelve
Clairity and Nathan chose to remain in the forest reading books for the day, so Willow met Ashlyn and they headed to the castle together, arriving shortly before the hearing was to take place. All of the adults from town had already assembled to hear the Council's sentence for the crimes that had been committed. Jade was sitting on one side of the Council's table and Camile was seated on the other, presumably to keep the two from talking and perhaps fabricating a story about the events that had happened the past few weeks. Jessie, Dezi and Pete were not asked to the hearing, mainly because they still had no recollection of anything that transpired, so they stayed at home with Victoria.
The Council were in their best dress and had already taken their spots. Some of the younger children of the castle were also in attendance. Jade's brother, Jordan, who had only just reached his sixth cycle, ran up and hugged his sister. A chorus of 'awe' rang out from the crowd. Jordan was adorable. He was the sort of kid you see and can't help but pay attention to, his personality demanded it. From his short mushroom top hair cut, to the dimples when he smiled, he reeked of cuteness and no matter what he did, someone always found him entertaining and delightful.
Nebulah left her spot at the Council table and led her son away from his sister choosing to have him sit with her so as not to interrupt anything important once they got started.
Zebulon led the hearing, calling for silence and then explaining how the proceeding would be held. The first part would be fact taking from witnesses, followed by questioning the two girls, deliberation of the Council and then results and punishments, if any.
Most of the morning was spent calling witnesses. There was Augusto and Opaque, Martha and Olie, Micca, all of the guards who had gone to town over the past few days, and various others from town who saw the basket or heard the threats against Willow and her friends.
After a short break for lunch, Zebulon began the questioning of Jade.
“Did you use an unauthorized love potion on Jessie, Dezi and Pete Shinning?” he asked.
“Yes,” Jade answered without hesitation.
“When did you decide to do this?”
“When I saw the things people were making for Vegetable...Willow. There was something special about them, not like items made for me. I felt inferior and angry, so I made a plan.” She twiddled her thumbs waiting for the next question.
“Who did you tell your plan to?” Zebulon asked.
Jade decided right then she knew she was going down but Camile didn't have to. She felt sorry for involving her friend and being less than honest with her. Perhaps telling the truth might get her some leniency. “No one,” she answered.
The crowd buzzed with talk after hearing that answer and Zebulon called for silence. “Who made the potion?” he asked.
“Camile, but she didn't know my plan,” Jade replied her voice shaky.
“But she did make the potion?”
“Yes, but please, let me tell you what happened,” she pleaded.
“Very well,” Zebulon replied. “I will allow this. Please continue.”
“I was upset after returning home for the second time and still being told I couldn't have the beautiful things made for someone else. I was outraged they said no to my mother as well. There is a place I go to when I am upset, down stairs an old sitting room, but this time a door had been left open to a restricted room, I went inside. It looked as if it used to be a library. I peeked through some of the books and found one on potions.”
“I was hoping to give Willow a few warts or something on the day of the dance, but I found the love potion. I ripped it out of the book, thinking I could steal her date and end up with the things that were made for her. No one would ever know. The recipe said that the recipient wouldn't remember once it wore off. Eager, I asked Camile to make it for me. I told her it was a prank I was playing on Willow, no other details. I made it impossible for her to say no. I had her make extra just in case it wore off earlier than expected. She warned me not to give anyone too much or something bad could happen. I didn't listen. I gave the boys the cake. I alone deserve punishment.”
“That is very honest of you. Why would you offer up such honesty now when we have already heard you incriminated Camile as responsible?” Zebulon queried.
“I have had time to think, sitting alone. I don't want to ruin Camile's life when she did nothing wrong,” Jade answered.
“But she did do something wrong. She made the love potion for you.”
“Because I made her and I convinced her our parents would be proud,” Jade cried out.
“Very well. The Council shall review this information and be back with the decision.” Zebulon said leaving the makeshift court.
Jade looked through the crowd and her eyes rested on Neil. She wondered what he was thinking right now...if he knew how she had tried to trick him into making a passage for her to be with her new found love.
Jordan came back and hugged her again. As much as she had disliked him and the attention he stole from her, he still loved his sister. She looked into his eyes and hugged him back for the first time.
The Council returned quickly. Nebulah took Jordan's hand again this time she had a tear in her eye and they remained close. Malarchy stood on the other side of his daughter. The crowd was loud with anticipation of what was about to be revealed. Zebulon stood and again called for silence.
“Jade, it has been decided that you did cause harm to another, wilfully or not, by use of an illegal substance, for personal gain. The Council has decided that you shall be kept under lock in the guard house, without visitation rights for five cycles and during such time you shall be delegated work to be done to aid the orphanage.”
Jade's knees went weak. This was far worse than she had anticipated. She remembered the words she had been told in her dream and blurted out, “You have no authority to cast such a sentence only Acacia can pass judgement by law.”
The colour drained from Malarchy's face. He screamed, “Noooooo.” It was too late. The earth rumbled and quaked as a great tree rose up on the hill. “Foolish girl, now your life is forfeit.”
Ashlyn turned to Willow. “It's now, it's happening now,” she cried, before running off in the direction of the hill.
Everything was moving so fast. People were scared. Neil took a few steps backwards and almost tripped over Willow. He was staring at Jade saying 'No' over and over. Then all of a sudden he looked at the sky and raised his hands. For a moment it looked as if the sky was a rubber ball, bouncing up and down. People were running, Malarchy was holding Jade and Nebulah was holding Jordan beside them.
Suddenly the sky ripped open. An army of men instantly appeared, dressed in red and black. Willow noticed Neil wasn't moving. She grabbed his arm pulling him behind her. They ran. Camile caught up to them when they stopped at the gates. Willow grabbed Faramund's arm pleading him to tell her where Diana was being kept.
“In the guard house,” he answered. “I will make sure she gets out safely.”
Willow nodded. “Head with Diana into the forest. It's the only pla
ce with cover from the enemy. I will find you and lead you to shelter.” She disappeared with Neil and Camile into trees heading to the only place she knew they couldn't be found.
Chapter Thirteen
“Well boys looks like we hit the jackpot!” Joseph said to his brothers as they walked through the newly formed hole in the fabric between worlds, an army of men following behind. “Our sisters will be buying dinner tonight.”
“How do you want to split it up?” Lance asked.
“You and Simon head to town, empty it, then move into that forest area. Split it up how you want. My team will take the castle and castle grounds. How much time do we have?”
“Just over two hours,” Simon replied.
“Men, we have about two hours no fooling around. Let's get to work,” Joseph yelled.
It took only moments for Joseph and his men to reach the stone table. “Secure that lot,” he ordered motioning to Jade and her family. He stepped up on the table. “And the rest at the table here. Put them in one group beside the princess. Leave a few men to help keep them here.” He turned his attention to the others in the grounds. “Ladies and gentlemen,” he yelled. “If I could have your attention. If you run or give my men any issues they will kill you. I suggest you stay put and wait to be processed as a prisoner of war.”
He jumped down with a smile. “This is fun isn't it?” he said brushing Jade's hair with his hand. “And I want to thank you for your role darling.”
“This wasn't what we agreed to,” Jade said shaking.
“Ah now, now, we never actually discussed what would happen to your world. Did you think you could have all those things you want without people to serve? Worlds to rule are conquered worlds my dear. Maybe you should have asked more questions before you were willing to sell your soul? Ah, but don't worry. I am a man of my word and you shall have everything you have ever wished for.”
He turned to one of his men. “Take the brother.”
“Noooo. Jordan. No. You can't. What are you doing?” she cried.
“You wished he would go away and you would be an only child. I am making that happen for you,” he smirked as he watched his man drag the crying child away.
“That's not what I wanted,” she shrieked.
“Perhaps not, but it is what you wished.” Joseph rounded the group gathered before him tapping on their shoulders. He enjoyed the pain he was causing her. It was his game. His amusement for the day.
He stopped behind her mother, looked straight into Jade's eyes and snapped her neck. Nebulah's body fell to the ground lifeless.
“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” Jade cried in hysterics.
“You wished many times she was dead.”
“I didn't mean it. I...was angry. I would never. I take it back. I...take it back. Please!” she pleaded.
“It doesn't work that way I am afraid. Death even I can't undo. Lesson learned...careful what you wish for, it might come true,” he said still walking.
“I wish you would leave us alone,” Jade said. Her father was hugging her now, trying to keep his eyes off the lifeless body of his wife.
“Interesting,” he said treating her statement as a twist to his game. He had taken out a dagger and was tapping the blade on his lips. “I was going to enjoy you this evening. I suppose another one of these young girls will do. Very well, as you wish.”
He motioned to a man who came running awaiting orders. “Take these two to the town and leave them there. They are not to be harmed.” He turned to Jade. “You and your father will be alone as you wish. The only people left in this world when the necrid flames engulf all you know and burn the flesh of your body while you feel every second.” He sat cross legged on the stone table laughing as he indicated to the other men to bring the remainder of the group for processing. Then he began whistling a song while watching his victory unfold.
Chapter Fourteen
It didn't take long for Willow to move Camile and Neil through the forest. They were almost at the hidden quarters when they stumbled upon Jessie, Dezi and Pete, with Arnold following behind them.
“Follow me,” she said. “I know the only safe place we can go.” There was no time to explain. She needed to keep moving, the invaders were close behind. Words of caution whispered on the leaves of the trees providing her with news of others hiding in the forest. All she could do was find as many people as she could before the invaders did.
The group arrived at the building and were greeted by Clairity and Nathan. Both were worried, sensing something was wrong and seeing the state of those who were arriving. Willow had forgotten they knew nothing of what had happened.
“They can fill you in later,” Willow said catching her breath. “I need to get back out there and look for others who may have survived.”
“Survived?” Clairity shrieked.
“Yes, listen to me everyone, this is the safest place you can be. No one can find you here, but you have to stay inside. If you stray to the forest, you will not find your way back. Clairity, Nathan, explain to them when I am gone.”
The two nodded they would and Willow turned to leave adding once again, “No matter what you hear or think you see, no one can find you. You must trust me.” She disappeared into the trees.
The group went about trying to fill each other in as best they could with the information they had. Fear made a thickness in the air choking them of their sensibility. The situation became worse when the voices of men talking about tracking people became clear. They were close.
“This is crazy,” Arnold said. “We are waiting to be picked off one by one. This is not even a proper building. When they find us, they have an open shot. I'm not waiting to die in this death trap. We found this place, they will too.” He ran for the forest before anyone could stop him.
He had only gotten a few steps when he first turned around to see if any of the others were following him. He stopped dead in his tracks, the building, the others, everything was gone. He tried to back track but ended up running into a group of the invaders with cross bows.
“Stop there!” a man yelled.
Arnold ran.
“Bring him down,” another voice said. Almost instantly an arrow flew through the air and with exact precision pierced the knee cap of the boy. He tumbled to the ground screeching in pain.
Simon walked up to where Arnold lay. “You should have listened. We don't take the injured, they slow us down.”
A deathly scream carried on the branches of the trees which made Willow shiver. She didn't have time to think about who it was. She had just found Diana, Faramund, Iskander and Zsiga. “Quickly this way,” she said as they raced for the white stone building.
“Prince Simon over there,” a man called out.
An arrow whizzed by her head just missing. Another hit a branch which moved to protect her. 'Almost there,' she thought as an arrow hit Faramund in the shoulder. He stumbled, barely catching his footing, Willow grabbed his arm, pulling him along. She motioned behind them, sending tree branches flying at any enemies that followed. New trees began growing to block the path they were following. Her heart raced. She could feel the pounding in her throat. Her mouth was dry. At last she saw it. As they set foot in the clearing she knew they were safe for the moment. She flopped on the ground, breathing heavily.
“Gran!” Nathan exclaimed with joy as he ran into her arms.
Willow motioned to Jessie who came to help Faramund with his injury. He looked at her, his eyes longing to hear if she had found Victoria yet. She shook her head and headed back out to see if she could find his sister.
It wasn't long before she heard another scream. Willow rushed in the direction it came from and arrived in time to see a man firmly holding on Victoria's arm.
“I don't want to hurt you girl, just come along quietly,” he said.
A branch from the tree behind him swung straight at his legs. The man tumbled to the ground releasing the girl. Willow lunged forward and picked her up. Looking down at the man on the g
round she was stunned for just a moment. She felt something move in her stomach and a lump form in her throat. His two bright blue eyes locked on hers. His jet black hair with blue highlights blew in the wind majestically. Willow had never seen a boy as beautiful as he was in that moment.
'Now?' Kiera's voice sounded knowing what Willow was feeling. 'Now you decide to get interested in boys and did it have to be the enemy? Really?'
“Lance,” a voice yelled out too close for comfort. That was enough day dreaming. She was gone in a flash. Behind her she heard, “What happened to you?” and a reply, “I didn't see a branch,” before the voices faded out of her hearing range.
Up ahead she saw two figures standing over someone on the ground. She approached with caution but saw it was Malarchy and Jade. The boy on the ground was Arnold. There was nothing they could do for him. It was already too late.
'Could this day get any worse?' she thought to herself.
Shielding Victoria's face from the body on the ground, she passed by the two, paused for a moment before motioning to them to follow. They were only steps away from the building.
Victoria ran straight to her brothers and hugged them. When she had smothered all three thoroughly, she greeted the others, using her talents to heal anyone who had been hurt, as best she could. The rest of the group stood and stared in disbelief at the sight of Jade and her father. An awkward situation to say the least. The two had been at the very heart of the reason everyone was standing there right now.
“We can't leave them out there,” Willow said knowing what everyone was thinking. Seeing the others weren't in agreement with her, she added, “They made wrong choices, I agree, but like any of us they can learn and change and they will have to carry the burden of what they have done with them for the rest of their lives. If we leave them out there, we will be making a wrong choice too, that we would have to live with.”
“She is traumatized,” Malarchy blurted out referring to his daughter. “She watched them kill her mother and take away her brother.”
