“Remember me now, do you?” Jade said with a tight grin as she approached the warrior with slow, deliberate steps. He found himself wishing the guards were still here as he looked anxiously around the room. “Yes, you are correct. I’m the one that requested the Queen try to buy out your contract.”
“But why would you do that?” he asked as he folded his massive arms across his chest. “You could have just left me in there and it would have made no difference. I’m nothing but primitive entertainment now.” The warrior lowered his head as his pride fell with every word. “My only purpose now it entertain a mob!”
“Oh, I think you’re much more than that!” she shot back a little more sharply than she had intended. Jade cleared her throat and softened her tone before continuing on. “You were a great warrior before that life was forced on you.” This time Jade lowered her head. “Forced on you because of me,” she whispered as if no longer talking to him, but speaking out loud the silent thoughts of her conscience. Together they sat in silence for a while, each reliving that day in their own minds: the day when both of their lives changed forever. “I owe you your life back and I plan to repay that debt,” Jade finally said in a voice so soft it could hardly be heard.
“Not from where I’m sitting,” he boomed as his bright green eyes flashed at her. “What I did that day, I did because my heart wouldn’t have forgiven me if I hadn’t. What they were doing to that boy!” They both swallowed hard as the graphic memory flashed through both their minds. “Look, you pulled me from that life in the arena.” The big man leaned forward and put his face close to the girl’s. “The way I see it, that debt belongs to me, not you.”
She stared at him a long while as she considered his words, her crystal-blue eyes flashing with contemplation. “Then let me make a proposal to you,” she said with a devilish grin as her eyes sparkled. “What say you accompany us on a little adventure?” The look on his face was one of curiosity with a touch of regret.
The two of them talked well into the night. Jade did her best not to overwhelm the warrior with minor details. The quest they were about to partake in would seem bewildering enough without trying to cover everything. Keeping the discussion broad and open seemed like the best way to convince him the quest was honorable and worthy of his efforts—and to convince Morcel she was not crazy.
To Jade’s great relief, it seemed the warrior was surprisingly well-versed in the prophesies of the ancient scrolls—a trait usually found among the more educated, or the few historians that roamed Tarmerria. Jade began to wonder more and more what Morcel’s formal background really was. Where had this deadly beast come from, and where did he study the arts of reading, writing and general history? Questions for another time, she supposed. The important thing was that he had agreed to accompany them. An extra sword, as well as an honorable man who could be trusted, were always a welcome addition.
The morning came far too quickly as everyone began to prepare. Jacob and Eric dragged their feet as they slowly got dressed. Eric stood before the shared mirror staring at his own reflection. The words kept floating through his head. They will see exactly what everyone else sees. He shook the words from his mind as he splashed the scented water on his face. “Are you ready to get going?” he asked Jacob, who was still facing away from him.
Jacob said nothing as he continued to dig around at the side of his bed. Then he turned suddenly, twirling his staff in a flashy show, aimed to entertain. He brought the dazzling spin to a halt as he pointed the end right at Eric’s face. “You better believe I am,” he said as he wore his usual sheepish grin. If Jacob had one talent above all others, it was his ability to relax everyone around him, no matter the situation. Eric rolled his eyes at him but smiled as he turned away from the pretend assault.
As the two headed down the hall, Eric eyed the art on the walls as they passed each piece. He seemed to notice the beautiful red curtains pulled back from the windows for the first time, the silk tapestries that someone had poured their heart and soul into, trying to create scenes frozen in time that should outlive their creator. It occurred to him suddenly that this might be the last time he’d see any of these marvels. Funny, he thought to himself, how we constantly take everything for granted—the beauty that is all around us, that we never even acknowledge until it seems we may never see it again.