Well you just made my day! I was beginning to think it wasn't doing so well. Thank you for your support! I'm working on the next chapter right now!

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My closest friends are in my head!

I really enjoyed writing this chapter and I hope you'll enjoy reading it! And this one gets a bit more mature.

Sparrow and Hammer head back to Oakfield, but something is amiss with Sparrows mood and they must travel back through Rookridge in order to reach their destination...

Chapter 16
–A Curse and a Blessing –


  “Hey, what is going on?” Hammer asked, placing a large hand on my back. I shrugged it off. What was wrong with me? I normally didn’t get this angry for anything. “I’m only trying to help you.” Hammer said as I began walking down the hill. Danny and Courage quickly followed. I kept reviewing the events of the day in my head. As I thought, I started growing angry once more. My neck started to itch.

  Hammer stopped me in my tracks by picking me clear off the ground,”Alright, stop! I want to talk to you for a sec.”

  “Well could you put me down?!” I yelled. My neck itched more.

Hammer let me down and I swivelled on the spot, looking up into her amber eyes. I realized I was glaring and then backed up and shook my head.
  “What on earth has gotten into you? When I met you, you were a lot more cheery than this. Was it the butler that got you riled or what? As for Theresa, I’ve learned to just ignore her...”Hammer looked back down at me. My neck really started to itch and I scratched at it.

  “Oh, that’s right. You told me what happened to your neck. You never got it fixed did you? Let me have a look see...”Hammer tilted my head as I scratched away at both sides. She grabbed my hands to so she could get a look. I had totally forgotten about the bites Kama had given me.

 “Nasty! Oh, you really need to do something about those, fast. It looks infected, badly.”Hammer stepped back and I started scratching back at them. They felt hot and began to hurt as I continued to scratch.
  “Well, you keep doin’ that and they’re gonna get even worse!”Hammer held my hands down. I knew she was right, but it itched so BAD. I rubbed my neck on my shoulders to quell the itching, but it wasn’t the same as a long nail....

  “Well then, what are your suggestions?!” I asked, still rubbing.

“Well, what Theresa told us to do. We’re going back to Oakfield. There you can get your wounds blessed by the monks.”She replied.

“So what are we waiting for? Let’s get a move on people!”Danny chimed in and started walking. Courage barked his approval and started walking along as well. Hammer followed and then I. We all hiked back through Rookridge, to my dismay. But this time I had Hammer with me to help. We didn’t meet with any bandits this time luckily and the bridge was fixed just as Barnum said it would be. But my thoughts weren’t really on the bandits or the bridge. I looked up towards the Temple of Shadows and shuddered. I knew Kama was there, as if waiting for my return.
  We set up camp near another odd stone face. I didn’t want to go near it for fear that this one would talk as well. We built a fire and Hammer handed out some jerky which I kindly refused and just chewed on a stalk of celery instead. This made her laugh. “You’re so weird, Sparrow!”

  Night fell quickly in the stormy mountain pass and I shared a tent with Danny. As we all started getting to sleep, rain poured down and thunder growled over head. I curled up into a ball, feeling a slight chill, and shivered. I had tied a piece of fabric around my neck to keep myself from scratching, but I wished I could so badly. I lay there listening to the rain, trying to ignore my neck and fell into a fitful sleep.
  Lucien appeared before me. Again he sat in a large dark room overlooking a vast ocean. He was pouring over a large book in front of him. I laughed thinking of Theresa reading his diary and wondered what she was reading about. Lucien turned and looked around. Why did he do that? Then I saw a large hulking man enter the room.

 “Oh...it’s just you.”Lucien held his chest. “What is it?”

I recognized the man who had entered. He was the one in Garth’s tower that took him away.
  “We have Garth secured, my Lord. He will not try to escape again, I can assure you.” He laughed darkly.

“You’d better pray that he doesn’t, because if you lose him, your life is forfeit. Do you understand?” Lucien said casually, standing and walking over to the man’s bowed figure.

  “I do, my Lord.”He didn’t look up at his master, but stayed bent over.

“. Now go, I have more reading to do.” Lucien turned and walked back to his desk.

The man left swiftly, leaving Lucien and I-no...just Lucien alone. After the man left, Lucien sighed and strolled over to a large balcony. I followed. He looked out over a stormy sea and sighed once more.
  “What’s wrong?” I asked out of instinct more than concern. Lucien froze and looked right at me. I froze. Wait. Where was I? Why was I here? I’m not, I’m sleeping in a tent in Rookridge.

  Lucien looked around frantically and I felt a tugging in the back of my mind. My vision blurred and everything swirled away. I sat up straight, panting, my heart racing. Thunder clapped above me and lightning lit up the tent. It was then I saw someone in the corner, staring at me. I gasped and felt ice cold hands clap over my mouth. I flailed at the person now pushing me to the ground. They were unnaturally strong and it took little effort to keep me pinned.

  “Shh, shh, shh...little Sparrow...”Kama hissed through his fangs. “Oh, don’t worry. I’m not going to hurt you, I cross my heart.”

I still tried to free myself, but Kama kept a firm grip and lay on top of me. I could feel his well toned body against my soft one. He let go of my arm and trailed his long nail up my exposed leg. I inhaled sharply at this feeling shooting through me. I didn’t move and just closed my eyes.
  “I bet....you’re wondering how I knew you were here? Hm?” He whispered softly to me. I felt him lift his hand from my mouth and began to unravel the cloth tied around my neck. He let the cloth drop from my neck and suddenly my neck burned. I tried to scream but Kama again silenced me. He leaned down and kissed my wounds, making them burn more. I struggled against him, but this only made him smile. Kama nipped at my neck making me squirm more. I could feel him grow more excited as I frantically struggled beneath him. He took his hand off of my mouth, but quickly placed his lips on mine. His skin may have been icy, but his mouth was smouldering. I felt his hot tongue trace along the top row of my teeth. He pressed himself against me harder and reached down, pulling one of my legs up. I pushed him, but he wouldn’t budge. My heart was pounding in my ears and I was trembling from the fear and the adrenaline.

  “Don’t try and fight me, Sparrow. You will lose....You will lose...”He hissed in my ear. He licked my jaw up to my ear,  nibbling here and there. I made the mistake of letting out a soft groan at this. Kama lifted both my legs and straddled me. Another flash of lightning. I could see his mad eyes, fiery and wanting. He was deathly pale and his silky black hair seemed as if it were slithering...
  Even in the returning darkness I could faintly see his demonic eyes as he stared down at me. He traced his fingers over my torso and lifted my skirt. I sat up and tried to push him back, but he merely pulled me closer and kissed me again.
  “You are a fighter! I like that!” He said enthused. He grabbed the collar of my shirt, tearing it straight down the middle, exposing my soft breasts. I pulled back my fist and slammed it into his face. He recoiled and let out a growl like I have never heard. It seems I packed a little more punch than I expected and had steam issuing from my balled up fist.

  “What’s going on?” I heard Danny. Courage barked from outside. Kama hissed at me. “Who’s that?!” Danny screamed and scooted over to me. I held the cloth to my chest and backed away. Kama stepped forward.
  “Sparrow! Are you okay?” Hammer poked her head into the tent and saw Kama closing in on me. “Bloody Hell!” She yelled and the next thing I knew, there was a large hammer crashing through the top of the tent. As it impacted Kama he disappeared in a flash of fire and smoke.

  Hammer helped us remove the tent from on top of our heads and looked around, puzzled. “What the hell was that all about?! Where did that guy come from? Where did he go?”

I was still trembling. The sun peaked up over the mountains and I was glad for it. I tied the cloth around my chest and sat down as the rain continued to wash over me. Danny sat in the other  tent while I sat outside with Hammer.
  “That....was Kama.” I answered. Hammer looked at me in disbelief.

“That was not! Couldn’t have been! Why was he down here? I thought he never left the Temple!”She gawked.

  “He’s left it plenty of times for me.” I said, shivering from the cold wet drops on my skin.

“What was he trying to do?”She asked cautiously.
 
  “Well, if my guess is correct. He wanted....he was trying to...”The words wouldn’t come, but Hammer could guess.
  “Well it’s a thing I socked him then. Maybe it knocked some sense into ‘im, not to mess with my friend, hm?” I could tell she was trying to make light of the situation, but all I could find myself doing was trying not to cry. I was terrified.

  A little later, we were moving again and made our way into Oakfield. I still had the cloth tied around me and I looked like the gypsies back at camp. Some of the men stopped and took their hats off, waving stupidly. I just crossed my arms in front of me and went red. Danny and Courage trotted on ahead, while hammer and I strolled along at a pace.
  “Well, do you want to have some breakfast? They have some deals here, ‘specially for me. Oh and their eggs and bacon are to die for! Come on then!” she placed a gentle hand on my back, guiding me towards the Sandgoose tavern and Inn. Danny followed us, but Courage stayed outside to bark at some passing birds.
  “So, what are you gonna eat?” Danny asked me. I just shook my head,”I don’t really care. Not that hungry...”
  Danny frowned. Hammer sighed and waved a barmaid over.
“Oh! Hannah! You’re back in town! Was wonderin’ where you got off to. Here for breakfast?” She pulled out a little notepad and a pencil.
 “Yeah, I’ll have my usual and how about some eggs for the little one here.” Hammer pat Danny’s fluffy blonde hair, making his head sink into his shoulders. Danny flailed at her to get her to stop. This made me laugh slightly.
  “For you then?” The bar maid turned to me.

“Oh...I-I’ll just have some eggs thankyou.” I stuttered and lay my head on the table. My neck no longer itched, but I had uneasy feeling in the bottom of my stomach. I could still feel Kama’s slimey tongue inching it’s way up my neck. I gave a great shudder and closed my eyes.
  “Hey,”Hammer shook me,”You’re going to be fine. Nothing happened alright. Unless...it did...”

“NO. It’s definitely did NOT happen. He tried to but...I hit him in the eye with ol’ Will fire.” I told her, holding up my fist.
  “Bully for you! See, you showed him.” She smiled at me. My mood was starting to lighten. I think maybe it was my wounds that filled me with a profound sense of doom and dread. I shrugged it off and looked around at passing villagers. Then my dream came back to me. I remembered Lucien looking at me. I didn’t have my wine last night either. What did this mean?
   The barmaid brought our food over. Hunger took my mind off of the worry for now and I gulped down the delicious hot meal.

  After we finished, we headed out for the Temple of Light to get my neck checked out. But we didn’t get far as Jeremy called out for me. “Hey! Sparrow! You’re back!” An involuntary smile broke out on my face and I swung around to see him jogging up. He scooped me into a bear hug and I welcomed the familiar touch.

  “Well now, who is this?” Hammer smirked at us both.

“Hammer, I’d like you to meet Jeremy. He’s my...boyfriend I suppose you could call him.” I went red.

  “Look at you! See you get on alright without me there. Nice to meet you Jeremy. You better treat this girl right or she’ll knot you into a pretzel! That or I will!” She joked and slapped him hard on the back. Jeremy laughed and stumbled forward.
  “Where are you headed?” Jeremy asked me.

“Oh, we were going up to the temple. I’ve got something I need checked out.” I said, pulling my hair down over my neck.

  “Well, I’ll still be here at my stall. Come see me when you’re done. We can schedule our next date.” With that he kissed me on the cheek and winked. This left me all flustered and giggly. I never had felt this way before, it felt like I was drunk or something. Danny just stuck his tongue out and blew a raspberry.
  “Oh, hush, one day you’ll have a girlfriend and be all gaga over her.” I said pushing him on towards the temple trail.

  We made it up to the temple in no time at all and entered. It seemed that no one had replaced the abbot, but there was one monk who was taking donations by a large statue.

  “Ah! Sister Hannah! You’ve returned to us!” He bowed.

“No, not returned, just visiting. I brought some friends with me. Remember Sparrow?” Hammer waved towards me.

 “Ah yes. Such a brave girl. What brings you back to our temple? Are you here to donate perhaps?”The monks asked.

  “Sorry, I gave all my money to a greedy butler, but perhaps later I’ll have something to contribute. I’m actually here because....well...”I moved the hair from my neck and he gasped at the sight.

  Hammer even stared closer at it. “What happened to it?” She asked.

“What? What does it look like now? Gangrenous?!” I tried looking at my own neck.

  “No..it’s...got some weird symbols around it. It’s not red or puffy anymore though.” Hammer got closer, examining it.

  “I wanna see.” I told her, pulling my sword from it’s sheathe and looking at my reflection. I could just make out some black swirls issuing from the two puncture marks. I put the sword away and looked at the monk. “What do I do? What does this mean?” I asked with a bit of panic in my voice.

  He called some monks over and they whispered together. Hammer shook her head and rolled her eyes. I could tell that she still didn’t approve of what they were doing. Danny wandered outside not wanting to be in the way. The monks separated and the head monk clasped his hands together and looked at me.
  “We shall perform a blessing to rid you of the shadow mark.” He told me.

“Shadow mark?” I was puzzled.

  “Yes, it’s the name we give to wounds such as these. It is the mark of someone who has been touched by pure .” He whispered a quick prayer under his breath.

  “Rubbish. You just made that up. I’ve never heard of it before. Come on Sparrow, let’s get out of this nut house.” Hammer turned to walk out, but I stayed.

 “I c-can’t. I want the blessing.” I stuttered.

“What? Why-“ She stopped. She knew why I wanted it. It was Kama that frightened me most. “Fine. I’ll be down at the Sandgoose with the pipsqueak then.” Hammer left and the monks started praying once more. I hoped that this blessing would work.

  They handed me light robes and instructed that I must wear them for the blessing. They all turned as I changed but I kept an eye out for peepers still. After I had changed they escorted me out of the temple and down to the little spring at the foot of the hill. There were more monks gathered there and all of them were chanting. Suddenly I began to think that maybe Hammer was right in believing this to be a bunch of hokey.
  They ushered me into the water and two monks accompanied me. They all chanted and prayed over me. One monk waved his hands over my wounds while another poured water over my head. I suddenly felt very ridiculous and self conscious in these light colored robes now soaked with water. After they had finished showering me, they brought me from the water and said one last prayer holding hands in unison. There was a flash of bright light and my neck seared with agony. I shrieked and grabbed at my neck, then everything went black.

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My closest friends are in my head!

This is the best story I've ever read lol. Better than actual books written by 'famous' authors. Keep writing it.

Finally done! Enjoy!

Sparrow has a bit of time to herself before Theresa calls her back to the guild with daunting news....

Chapter 17
-A Moment to Breathe-


  “Is she alright?”The faint voice of Hammer floated through my brain. I tried to open my eyes but they felt heavy and sticky. My brain was the only thing I could feel, the rest of my body didn’t exist. There was no breathing, no pain, just me and blissful darkness.
  “Wake up Sparrow!” I heard Hammer call out to me. There was panic in her voice. I felt a twinge, but it quickly faded and all was peaceful once more.

  “Sparrow?” There was a smaller voice. A child perhaps. “You’ve got to wake up little Sparrow.” Rose? Was that-?

  I suddenly felt an immense cold wash over me and I sat up, coughing and sputtering.
“She’s alive!” Hammer gripped me in a bear hug. I was soaked.

“Ack! Hammer! I can’t breathe....”I said as she squeezed me. Hammer let go and I looked around. All the monks, Hammer, Danny and Courage were all gathered around me in the Temple of Light.

  “What happened?” I asked.

“As we were finishing the ceremony, you collapsed. We thought maybe the shadow had been too far integrated into your body and you were dead.” The main monk explained.

  “Oh shut your hole.” Hammer waved him away and the monk backed up. “You’re fine. I think maybe it’s the sun that got to you or something. Maybe a trip down to the Sandgoose will pick you right up.”

  “But...wait, what about my neck?” I felt my neck for the puncture marks and felt nothing.

“Well....the holes are gone but...”Hammer trailed off.

  “But what?” I looked at her.

“The mark is still there. Kind of like a tattoo.” She shrugged as if it meant nothing.

  I thought for a moment. I no longer felt the dread that came with the bites, but that didn’t keep my stomach from squirming. I looked down at Danny. He was giving me the,”Let’s go, I’m bored” look. I laughed and pulled the cap over his face, standing up.

  “Hey!” He fixed it and kicked the air at me.

“Well, there is no sense sticking around here. I thank you all for trying to help.” I bowed to them and they bowed back.

  “May the blessing of Light be with you.” They chanted. Hammer scoffed and we left the temple once more.

“I just don’t understand what it does. All they do is stand around all day talking to themselves. Honestly, I find it all rubbish. I’m going to do some real stuff that actually makes a difference in the world. Can’t wait for the next mission. I’m going with you no matter what Miss Mystery says.” Hammer continued to ramble on like this until we returned to the town. There I saw Jeremy talking to a few kids passing by his stall.
  “Hey there. Raking in the dough?” I asked playfully, trying to put my ordeal out of my mind.

“Oh, Sparrow! Uh, yeah. Well...I mean sort of. Not a lot of people can afford much these days. Economy gone south and all. Especially here in a small town. Need anymore clothes?” He laughed.

  “Well, I ain’t got much. Clean out of money at the moment. But I’ll get back to you on that.” I wandered over and took his hand. He leaned his head on mine and I smiled. He was wonderful...

  Hammer spoke up,”Well, how about you two get a room? I’m gonna go back to the bar.”

“Well what am I supposed to do?” Danny crossed his arms.

  “Why don’t you go and be Beedle for a while?” I grinned at him.

“ enough for me.” He shrugged and walked off. Courage stuck by my side and I pat his furry head.

  “Business is slow today. Maybe I could close up early and we could go on a hike together?” Jeremy suggested.
  “Only if you want to. I don’t mind hanging out with Hammer for a while.” I said, looking up into his big blue eyes. He stroked my cheek gently. His hands were rough from work, but they were warm and inviting.
 
  “I think I’ll close up for today.” He said and I let him tend to the stall. When he was finished he took me around the fields, showing me what the farmers grew and even a charming scarecrow.  I found myself smiling much more than usual whenever I was around Jeremy. I just couldn’t help myself.

  Jeremy nudged me as we walked along. I lay my head on his shoulder, just feeling the warmth radiating from him.
  “Sparrow?”He said softly. I looked up at him, waiting for him to say something.
“I heard what happened in Brightwood. How you took down Ripper, and word has spread about you running the bandits off from Rookridge. I have to say...”He chuckled lightly then continued,”I feel a bit intimidated.”

  “Oh...really? Well...rumors spread like crazy. Both of those things were flukes really.” I looked at my feet,”And I had Courage here to help me. He was the one who was tearing up those nasties.”

  Courage barked his acknowledgment at this. Jeremy just grinned and walked me back to the Sandgoose. Evening fell fast on the little farming town and soon everyone was in the bar having a laugh and chugging a beer. Danny had lugged in a fair amount of gold for himself and so he bought me a bottle of wine. I planted a big wet kiss on his cheek to which he quickly rubbed away with his shirt. Everyone around the table laughed at this.
  “Someday you’re going to be begging me for a kiss.” I giggled, hugging onto Jeremy and looking at the flustered Danny.

“Well look at what we ‘ave ’ere!” I looked up to see Barnum approaching and waved. “Sparrow! Well you sure pulled off your end of the deal, too bad it didn’t turn out well for me....” He said, pulling up another chair.

  “What do you mean? The bridge got fixed.”I said furrowing my brow.

“Well, I bought this deed to the bridge. Was gonna put in a toll but uh...well, turns out the deed wasn’t exactly real. So, I’m out of a few thousand gold, but I’ll bounce back! Still got my photogramification device! Ah well. Mind if I join you lot for a round?” Barnum explained and I agreed to letting him sit with us.

  Hammer raised her bottle to this, Jeremy and I followed suit. After a while, Danny headed to the back to rest while we all stayed up talking til all hours of the night. Barnum left after a while of drinking a bottle of whiskey straight down. Jeremy had the stall to open in the morning so he kissed me night and left me and Hammer once again, drinking and droning on drunkenly.

  “So...so...what d’you think...*hic* Theresa will...will find in the...in the um...the uh...”Hammer snapped trying to think of the word.

  “Diary? I dunno...maybe what he ate for breakfast...stuff ‘bout his family? Ah, who cares....”I slumped down in my chair after draining the last of my wine and dropping the bottle, letting it roll away. A villager walked by not watching his feet and slipped on the run away bottle, comically falling backward. Onlookers laughed heartily and I slipped into a drunken sleep.

  When I woke up, I noticed I was sleeping in a soft bed. Perhaps Hammer had taken me to an Inn bed before turning in for the night? I sat up, looking around. It was very dark. Was it still night time? I threw my legs over the edge and felt the ice cold floor. Why was it freezing? I stood up and made my way to where I believed to be the door. There was nothing, just the wall. I found it odd that I didn’t hear anything but an odd humming noise. There were no villagers hollering or glasses clinking. Shivers went up and down my spine as I fumbled around in the dark, searching for the door. I heard a voice. It was deep and commanding. I knew that voice.

  “I do not think you comprehend the peril you are in, Garth.” Lucien spoke. I stumbled towards his voice. Wherever Lucien was, he was talking to Garth. I had to get to him.

  “I understand completely. I am sorry it has come to this, but I will not betray a friend.”Garth boomed.
  I desperately searched for the door and suddenly there came a swooshing noise. I gasped looking straight ahead of me. The wall had moved! Everyone looked over at me. There the creepy tall man stood with Lucein. Garth was on the floor, bound in chains and bleeding badly. He had no shirt on and I could see slash marks. There was blood on the tall man’s sword. They were torturing him.

  “Stupid door...”Lucien hissed and turned back to Garth. They didn’t see me. I walked forward and knelt down beside Garth, tears starting to form at the sight. Lucien knelt down as well and stared at Garth who labored to breathe.
  “Now. I will ask once more. Tell me who was there at the Tower with you. Whoever they were, they killed thirty of my men. I know it wasn’t you. The Commandant here had you cornered the entire time. So tell me who it was. Was it another Hero?”

Garth shook his head,”I will never tell.”

Lucien stood and snapped. The Commandant struck Garth again and I screamed.

“Stop it!” I tried to push the Commandant, but I fell through him. I stood there blinking. Lucien looked in my direction, so did the Commandant. They could hear me, but they could not see me. What on earth was going on?! I saw Lucien reach out for me and I backed up out of instinct.

  “Stay out of here!” Garth yelled at me. I looked down at him, I wanted to break his chains and steal him out of there, but I wasn’t even here. Why was this happening to me?

  “Search the Spire. If she’s here, we’ll find her.” Lucien ordered and the Commandant bowed before running out. Lucien just looked down at Garth and I felt that familiar swirling and everything faded back to reality.

  There was light, precious light. I could hear birds and people and glasses. I could hear Hammer snoring next to me as I opened my eyes. My head pounded and my back ached from slumbering in the chair. I sat up, my back cracking all the way, and looked over at Hammer. She was again asleep in a puddle of drool, but this time I knew not to wake her. I just picked up my things and headed out into the new morning. Jeremy waved from his clothes stall and I waved back. I saw his brother at the weapons stall and walked over.

  “Hey! You must be the concerned brother.” I curtsied.

“And you must be Sparrow. Liking those weapons I gave ya?” He asked.

“Well, I try not to kill many things, but they do come in handy. Thankyou, by the way. So, Jeremy must be telling you all about me?”I grinned.

  “Yeah. It’s been a long time since he talked to me about anyone he liked. You’re the first one he’s actually had the gall to ask out. I told him it’s because he was drunk off his ***.” We both laughed at this.

“Well it’s nice to know you look out for your younger brother. My sister used to look after me when we were kids.” I told him.

  “So I’ve heard. Well, it was nice talking to you, but I think maybe Jeremy wants you. He’s giving me that look again.” Jeremy’s brother looked over.

“Oh yeah. See ya!” I waved and walked back over to Jeremy. “Sorry, just wanted to officially meet your brother. He’s nice.”

  “Yeah. But not always.”Jeremy said queitly.

“What do you mean?” I raised an eyebrow at him.

“Naw, it’s just he gets a bit over protective sometimes. Don’t worry about it.” Jeremy hugged me close and I wrapped my smallish arms around him.


   The next few days consisted of Jeremy and I going out around the town and visiting some neighbors of his. They were all friendly and inviting, wanting to share some food to “help my cause” as they called it. I thanked them for their kindness and generosity and then we were back to exploring. I had taken up a job at the windmill chopping firewood to make some more money for anything else I may need later on. I kept expecting a call from Theresa any day now, but there was only silence. Hammer took me up to the hill to visit her father’s grave. The golden acorn had begun to sprout and I smiled at the thought of it becoming a huge oak someday. I hoped I could keep coming to check on it, to watch it grow....
  Hammer just slugged me in the arm and called me a pansy. I laughed and rubbed the spot.
“Hammer, you know you’re gonna keep coming here too. And what’s wrong with being a pansy?” I slugged her back. This led to a slug-fest and in the end my arms were both bruised and sore, but I didn’t care. She had some bruises too.

  “I want to see your sister’s grave.”Hammer said as we sat on the hill. “You got to show your respects for my father. I want to give my respects to your sister.”

  “Thank you.” I said, looking off into the sunset with a bit of tears in my eyes.

“Sparrow. I’ve translated Lucien’s diary. Come back to the Guild and bring Hammer. Though I would advise you leave the boy in Oakfield.” Theresa called.

I stood up. Hammer had heard it too.

  “Let’s go.” She said. I rounded up Courage.

“But why can’t I go? I don’t wanna stay here, it’s boring!” Danny argued as I told him to stay.

  “I’m sorry, but those are my orders. I’ll be back soon, I swear. You just sit tight until I get back alright?” I kissed his forehead and he wiped it off with his hand, irritated at me.

  Hammer and I left Oakfield. Since we didn’t have Danny with us, we could go much faster and didn’t have to make a stop, though I could still feel the burn of Kama’s gaze as we traveled through Rookridge. We returned to Bower Lake and entered the cullis gate into the Guild cave.

  “Ah, you’ve arrived. . Lucien’s writings were fascinating. I have learned much from these entries. I've translated them all for you, if you wish to read them yourself.” Theresa held out Lucien’s diary and I took it.
  “Go ahead and take that one, I have another I copied down. As it turns out, Lucien is recruiting guards for his Spire. He has forced workers to rebuild the Tattered Spire for him and keeps them in line with said guards. He hires people from Westcilff. Ones who have beaten the Crucible are eligible. I want you to go there and compete. If you make it through, then you will be able to become one of Lucien’s guards and therefore gain access to Garth.”Theresa explained.

  I stood there, holding the diary and blinking at her. “Um...so let me see if I get this right. You want me to go to some place I’ve never heard of, go beat this “Crucible” thing and then just walked right into Lucien’s hands?!”

“It is not as daunting a task as it I am making it seem. And Lucien will have no clue who you are. You were a child last he saw you and believes you to be dead. He will have no cause to suspect foul play. As for the Crucible, it is merely a competition in which you battle your way through monsters in an effort to become Crucible champion. I know you can easily make it through and become a guard.” Theresa folded her hands and looked at me.

I frowned at her, still not liking the part where I had to go to where Lucien was waiting. I hesitated to tell her about my odd dreams. I didn’t know if they meant anything or if I was just having nightmares.
  “Okay, so, say I do go to Westcliff, I beat the Crucible, become a guard and get into the Spire. I still don’t know how on earth you plan to get him out of there.” I told her.

“Well I don’t plan anything. You do. While you’re there, you will have infinite resources available to you. It is up to you to find a way to escape.” Theresa said calmly.

“Forgive me if I fail to see the logic in this insane idea. I’ll go to the Crucible, I’ll beat it, but then you’re going to help me with a few things before the big trip. Okay?” I stuck the diary in my pack and left without giving her time to argue. With that, Hammer and I were on our way.

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My closest friends are in my head!

Kind of a lame title but can't think of anything else. This chapter is a bit more mature than the last one. Hope you enjoy it!

Sparrow and Hammer make their way through the bandit coast and she reads an interesting entry in Lucien's diary...

Chapter 18
-The Dangers of Bandit Coast-


  “Wow. I never knew how beautiful Brightwood was.” Hammer marveled at the massive trees and thick brush surrounding us. I just nodded at her comment. I was feeling tired after hiking all day and was eager to make it to Westcliff in a hurry.

  “So, how far is this place? Are we talking a day’s hike? Two? Three?” I asked, adjusting my heavy pack on my shoulder.

  “Well before we get to Westcliff, there is the Bandit Coast.” Hammer told me.
I groaned loudly.

  “Come on now, buck up there, Sparrow. A little hiking never killed anybody.” Hammer paraded along in front of me.

“Yeah but a bunch of bandits can. Hammer, I have to tell you something. When I went to rescue Garth, Lucien’s men showed up and attacked. I had no choice but to kill them to save Danny. I wouldn’t have done it for myself. I would have found some other way that would more than likely have ended with me be captured as well...I don’t kill people to get them out of my way, understand? I find it hard to pull that trigger. Ending a life, it’s not as easy as you might think.” I told her, looking at my feet as we trudged on.

  “I know. When that man shot my father though, I lost it. I bashed that man’s face in so he wouldn’t shoot me either. And you yourself are on a mission of revenge you know. What are you gonna do when you’re staring Lucien in the face? You gonna find some other way to deal with him?” Hammer asked.

  I thought about it. What was I going to do? I knew Lucien needed to be stopped, but suddenly the thought of him standing before me, with a gun pointed at his heart....I shook the thought from my head.
  “I’ll find a way. I will end him. He killed my sister, he deserves it.” I answered Hammer as we climbed over a fallen tree trunk.

“Alright, he killed your sister, he killed my father and he’s kidnapped Garth along with countless others. So, if he is worthy of death, why not the countless bandits who have raped and pillaged, kidnapped and sold slaves? Why are they unworthy of tasting your blade? Or your gunfire?” Hammer brought up an excellent point. But I knew I would still have issues when actually faced with a living breathing human, no matter how corrupted.

  We journeyed through ruins of some ancient structure and found ourselves deep in the woods following a path that would occasionally appear and disappear. We met with few travelers and so far no bandits. The sun was beginning to set when Hammer stopped and looked around.
  “What’s wrong?” I asked quietly.

“There should be bandits here. We’re very close to the coast now. I heard rumors about their being a guild of Highwaymen around here as well. Just be careful.” Hammer warned.

I took out my gun and scanned the area cautiously for any movement. I heard thunder rolling overhead and chills ran up and down my spine. Courage barked and I jumped as he ran ahead. I could see large purple banners bearing black skulls, mounted on sharpened logs. I knew we were at the coast and could even hear the ocean. I knew now that I was in for a rough night.
  “Now we’re in trouble, Sparrow. Don’t let down your guard even for a second.” Hammer told me as we wandered into the coast.

  The wind blasted the side of the mountain and roaring waves crashed below on the cliff side. The moon rose quickly, but was little help stuck behind sinister clouds that threatened an onslaught of harsh rain. Lightning was the only thing making sure we didn’t take a dive off the side of the cliff. Any second now I expected to be ambushed and Hammer as well. Courage sniffed at the ground making little grumbles here and there.
  “So, it’s getting pretty late huh? Why don’t we find a place to camp?” I suggested, shivering from the cold.
  “I suppose that we could, but we’ll have to take turns keeping watch. Bandits prey on travelers coming through this area, just like they did in Rookridge. I’m not that tired, so I’ll take first watch.” Hammer replied as we found a nice little patch of grass to set up on. Hammer set up the tent while I made a small fire. Nothing too noticeable. We weren’t looking for trouble, at least, not yet. I set up my little “bed” and nestled in. I lay down and quickly found sleep.
  Voices and shadows swirled around in my mind. I felt another odd dream coming, but just as the shadows began taking form, Hammer woke me.
  “Come on, it’s my turn to sleep.” She yawned and I could smell the alcohol on her breath. I just sighed and let her sleep. I grabbed my pack and sat up by the fire. It was quite warm for being so small and provided sufficient light. I looked around making sure that no one was trying to sneak up on us. It seemed a pretty boring thing to do, so I started fumbling around in my pack for something to do. There wasn’t much, just some old cloth, Kama’s robe and some withered celery sticks which I threw out. Then I noticed Lucien’s diary, sitting in the bottom. I pulled it out and looked over the worn leather cover. It wasn’t in too bad a condition. I flipped it open and noticed that there were normal letters in place of the odd cryptic ones.
  I looked over at Courage who lay fast asleep in front of the tent,”Well...Theresa said she translated it. Couldn’t hurt to take a look I suppose.” I said to myself and began to read a random entry.

  “How long has it been my dear Helena? Since I have looked into your beautiful green eyes...” I gasped dropped the book. I heard his voice. It was in my head like when Theresa spoke to me through the seal. What was going on? I picked the book back up and continued reading.

“Too long. And our poor Amelia. She was too young, you were too young. Everyday I pass the dining hall where we used to sit and laugh as a family. I have since locked it and do not look upon the sad, empty room where I was once happy. Where I once had a family. There is no one left for me in this world, maybe it would be best if I too joined you....”

   The entry ended and so did Lucien’s sad voice. This was after his family had passed. I wondered then if earlier entries might contain some information about what he was like before this all happened. I flipped to the beginning.

  “They are gone. My wife and my daughter. Helena has long been buried, but I prayed that maybe Amelia might survive what her mother could not. But last night she stopped breathing. The doctors told me there was nothing that they or anyone could have done to stop it. The sickness spread through the towns, I should have quarantined more and sooner. Then perhaps they would not have fallen ill with the Flu, as the doctors called it. Why didn’t I catch it? Why can I not be with those that I love?!”

  I noticed tear stains marking the page and smudging a bit of the entry. This diary was written after his family had died. Maybe he wrote to keep from bottling it up inside? Wish I had thought of something like that. I continued to read about Lucien’s loss and how it had devastated his life. At first he never left his bedroom where him and his wife slept. He cried for days and days. His butler still brought him food, but he never touched it. Eventually he began to turn to dreadful thoughts.

  “I do not wish to stay here in this dreary existence. Without my wife and child, I see no reason for me to keep on living. Maybe I shall throw myself through this window right here? It wouldn’t be too hard. Or rather I should die laying here, with no food and thinking only of my loving family waiting for me? Either way, I do not wish to carry on anymore.”

  My own tears now fell upon the book. It was such a sad thing to read about. It brought up old feelings of Rose and what I had gone through. Only I had turned to the thought of revenge instead of suicide. Obviously Lucien had gotten out of bed and never threw himself out of a window, but what made him change his mind? Why did he get so motivated all of a sudden? How did he come to know of the Spire in the first place?

  I heard a crunch and looked up. There was no one there, but I heard something. I looked around, setting the diary down and pulling out my gun.
  “Who’s there?” I called out. There was no answer. Why would there be? If they were trying to ambush us, I wouldn’t expect them to announce their presence. I walked towards where I heard the noise, holding up my gun and trying to see into the dark woods in front of me. I saw no one, so I returned to my spot in front of the fire. “Maybe it was just an animal.”I told myself, picking the diary back up and continuing to read.

  “I am lucky to be alive. Today, I made my way to the study in the tower. I was looking for answer to why this may have happened. Perhaps a book about sickness, when I saw a small letter opener on the table. It gleamed in the candle light, shining and sharp. My mind was dark and weak, I thought only of what awaited me once I was dead. I snatched the dagger and looked over, thinking of what might be the best way...I placed it to my temple. It would be th quickest way....but no, I wanted something a bit more...I don’t know, dramatic? My mind was in delirium. I took the blade and cut into my wrist. I felt the pain, felt the hot blood pouring out of me. For a moment it was release, but it was not enough. I dug into my other wrist, feeling the blood gush forth. I watched it drip all over the carpet, all down my clothes. I began to feel light headed from the blood loss and days of not eating. My head met the floor and I lay there, waiting for death, when suddenly I noticed a book I had not seen before in my study. How did it come to be there? Had it been here all this time, hiding away?
  Jeeves came bounding into the study and propped me up against the bookshelf. I weakly pulled the book out as Jeeves ran for help. My mind was fading, but I continued to read. It contained so many things..so many secrets. There is something called the Heroes Guild. It has long since been destroyed, but the writings of it fascinate me. Things of the old kingdom still remain here and there, but the thing most interesting to me at this time is something called the Spire. It has the power to grant it’s user anything he desires...this is how. My prayers have been answered. I can bring you back to me my dear family...”

  There was a click and looked up to see a man holding a pistol to my face. I didn’t move, there was no expression on my face and I didn’t speak.
  “Just be a girl and come with me huh? I wouldn’t want to hurt that pretty little face. I want you to look nice when I’ve got you under me.” He smiled and took the diary. I rose, my mind buzzing with everything I just read. Before I knew what I was doing, I had slapped the gun from his hand and was pulling his arm behind his back. I pulled his sword from the sheathe and held it to his throat.
  “Now, now, I wouldn’t do that. Got the place surrounded like. You kill me, they kill you. Got it?” He continued to smile.

  “Are you a nice person?” I asked coldly.

“What the hell kind of a question is that? Why you want to know that? Just come along quietly you stupid ***!” He yelled.

  “I just want to make sure I’m not taking the life of someone who doesn’t deserve it, but...”I slit his throat. He gurgled and sputtered on the ground. I took the diary back and put it away, waking Hammer. Courage as well.
  “Oh my god, what did you do?! You killed him? But I thought you said you didn’t enjoy killing anyone!” She sidled around the dead bandit.

“I never said I enjoyed it. I hate the thought of killing any creature, but sometimes it’s necessary. You said that yourself didn’t you?” I argued.

  “Yeah, I suppose. Still nasty business though. You couldn’t have thought of a cleaner way to get the job done?” Hammer took the tent down quickly and stuffed into her pack.

“I had a gun to my face with threats of rape. I don’t think he deserves a nicer death.” I said stone faced. My mind was still in the pages of Lucien’s diary, of him discovering the Spire.

  “Well, whatever. Just be ready to kill loads more. The place is crawling with ‘em.” Hammer told me as she started back on the path. Courage stayed a bit behind me as we walked on. I assumed he was making sure no one snuck up on us. Making camp anywhere was dangerous, so we would have to go on through the rest without stopping again.
  My stomach rumbled along with the distant thunder. Hammer handed me some jerky, which I had to refuse. Killing people was enough, I couldn’t handle eating meat too. She just shrugged and chomped down on it herself.

  More bandits attacked us. Hammer flung them off the cliff and I shot at them. Every shot felt horrible, same as back at Brightwood Tower. But I continued fighting my way through with Hammer and Courage there with me. I knew I had to.
  “Well! That certainly is thrilling don’t you think?” Hammer said, tossing back her dreads.

“Thrilling? You’ve ended dozens of lives and you call it thrilling?” I gawked at her.

“I mean the fighting part, not the killing. And besides, we have to. They’ll kill us if we don’t kill them It’s necessary remember?” Hammer explained.

“Yeah but you don’t have to get so happy about doing it! It’s horrible!” I pulled at my hair, stressed over the ordeal.

  “You’ll get used to it.” Hammer told me.

“I hope it never comes to that.” I told her as we continued. She just walked ahead silently. I didn’t want to push anything further. The last thing we need is for us to be fighting amongst ourselves. The rest of the way I stayed quiet, partly so bandits wouldn’t hear us coming. I kept replaying Lucien’s words over and over in my head. He tried to kill himself because of what happened. He blamed himself....just as I blamed myself for Rose’s death. He chose death for himself and I chose revenge. What did that say about me? But then he found that book and it changed his views. Now I have found a book, his diary. I was beginning to wonder if all of this was even worth it.

  Hammer stopped as we neared a hill with more ruins. There were bandits sitting around their camp, some drinking, others making conversation. Hammer and I stormed in and the bandits scrambled for their weapons. Hammer was swinging away, but I waited until they had weapons in their hands. I wasn’t about to kill someone who was unarmed. The battle was over quickly and twenty more men lay at our feet. We searched around and found some bread and cheese for me to eat as I was growing weaker by the minute. After eating, we were back on our way. I felt better from the sustenance, but worse about those men.
  “Well, we’re nearly there I think. From what I remember some travelers telling me, the entrance to Westcliff shouldn’t be too far off now.” Hammer told me.

  “, I’ll be glad to be rid of the place. I hate bandits.” I said, clutching my stomach.

“Yeah, but they’ll look downright welcoming after Westcliff.” Hammer said ominously.

  “Why?” I groaned.

“One word,” She said,”Balverines.”

---

My closest friends are in my head!

I really like this story. I'll admit that for the first few chapters though I thought this would just be a carbon copy of the fable 2 storyline but you've reall branched off from it a bit now and the parts that are the same seem fuller and more real than in the game.

I hope you keep writing because I'm hooked!

P.S. I like the way you depict Hammer especially, I was never really that attached to her when I was playing the game but because of your story I've grown fond of her.

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1 year on the forums and counting! Get it? Counting? Oh never mind...

it was ok i dont remember jeremy or kama and my guy just kills without remorse mine is very

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yeah i know

Jeremy and Kama weren't in the game they were characters made up for this story... although Jeremy is based on the clothes trader in oakfield (who has different a name for everyone I think)

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1 year on the forums and counting! Get it? Counting? Oh never mind...

Wow. Thanks for the positive comments It makes me happy that other people enjoy it so much! Here is the new chapter. I had alot of fun writing it. Probably would have been up here sooner but I had some adware issues to take care of Anyways, chapter 19!

Sparrow and Hammer find themselves thick in the forests of Westcliff and surrounded by fierce Balverines....


Chapter 19
-Hostage-


  I took my first steps into Westcliff in the early morning. The sun had not yet risen, but I didn’t expect it’s beautiful rays to permeate the thick gloom that hung around this dense forest. I could smell rotting vegetation and a foul stench I couldn’t quite place. Courage shivered and growled low, inching along behind Hammer and I. All this atmosphere must not have had any effect on my larger friend as she strode along like it was Springtime in a sunny meadow.
 
  “You can’t be serious.” I said reproachfully.

“What? Not afraid of the big bad woods are you?” Hammer gave me a sly grin and I slugged her playfully in the arm. I knew she was trying to goad me into putting on a brave face.

  “I’m not afraid of the woods, it’s the big bad balverines I have a problem with. Got any idea what they’re like?” I asked, trying to get an honest answer out of Hammer.

“Well, I heard this story once when I was smaller, a kid I mean,”Hammer saw the look on my face,”There were these balverines that attacked a family traveling through here. Both the parents were killed but the kids survived. Some bandits found ‘em, caged up the poor things. At night, the kids turned and killed the bandits.”

  I gave a shudder. “So...if you get bitten, you turn?” I asked.

“Well it’s just rumors, some say you have to get bitten by the white balverine, the leader of the pack. Others say it’s any balverine, I dunno. All I know is to smack the lot of ‘em! Don’t let ‘em near you.” Hammer puffed out her chest and held her fist high. I shook my head and smirked. Brutish though she was, I only found myself having a time in her company.

  Courage started barking like crazy and Hammer swung out her steel mallet. I pulled out my measly gun, hoping it would suffice. There was a growling off in the distance that made me nearly faint.
  “Bugger! There’s one of them! Look, Sparrow! He’s on the stone there....”Hammer pointed out.

I could just see him through the branches of a very large, dead oak. It looked partly like a man, but as if pieces of his skin had been torn away. It had matted fur in patches around the exposed muscle. It turned it’s head towards us and I saw massive teeth, fit for tearing flesh from bone. It’s eyes were all red and glazed over.
  I found myself holding my breath, watching it closely until it leapt out of sight. Hammer and I let out a long deep sigh. I wasn’t the only one hoping that it didn’t head our way.

“Let’s go” I mouthed to Hammer and we tip toed silently along down the path approaching the stone pillar the beast sat upon. My hands were shaking uncontrollably, making the pistol impossible to aim properly. Hammer stomped along, hunching her back in an attempt to look larger. I supposed this was a tactic to make them back off, same with other animals. I looked down at Courage, his fur bristling. I tried making myself appear taller, but I felt awkward and ended up toppling over.
  “Oof!” I cried out.

“Sparrow!” Hammer yelled, lifting me from the ground with one hand and planting me back down.
  “I’m sorry, I-“

  I was cut off by a loud howl. It was close. We made a break for it, running over the brush covered path, stumbling on loose pebbles and leaping over fallen logs. Hammer was surprisingly fast and could easily run through over hanging branches. I wasn’t so lucky. As Hammer ran ahead, she held back a large branch for me. I ran, trying to hurry, but just as I was nearly past Hammer was plowed down by an enormous balverine. The thick branch swung back and smacked me hard in the face. My head hit the ground and the whole world was spinning. I could smell the blood oozing from my nose, but my whole face was numb.
  I tried to call out to Hammer, but only gurgles escaped me. The blood was pouring down my throat and making me ill. I knew Hammer was at least alive, for her yells echoed out over the hills. There were screams from the balverine and barks from Courage whom I prayed was helping her. I tried to move, but my arms just sort of fluttered helplessly at my sides. It was difficult to function and my mind was growing fuzzier by the second.

  Then, I was lifted up. I heard growls and suddenly there was a hot wet nose pressed to my neck. As it sniffed I could smell a disgusting odor wafting from it’s jowls, the stench of rotting meat. I dry heaved, not having much in my stomach. Before I knew what has going on, I felt myself being dragged through the bushes and fog, carried by bristly hands. Occasionally I could feel the wind in my face and opened my eyes just enough to see the forest below. I shut my eyes tightly and didn’t open them again.
  Finally, it seemed we had slowed down and they set me down on my feet. One of my shoes must have fallen off for I could feel the cold stone I was now on. They guided me down a long procession of steps until finally entering a large room. I could still barely see, but what I could make out were more and more balverines. My blood ran cold and I thought that surely this was the end. They were going to tear me limb from limb and eat me alive on the spot.

  “There’s a doggie. , doggies. Who did you bring this time? Oooh, it’s a pretty lady.” A heard the voice of a small child. Was she living here with the balverines? What was going on?
  “Did you bite her? Were you bad doggies? But what has happened to her face? Maybe she will make a mommy. Throw her in the cell. We can wait for her to turn.”The little girl ordered and the balverines did as they were told. I was directed towards a small stone room where they tossed me. I fell and hit my shoulder hard. The pain of all my wounds swept through me and I whimpered to myself. I was cold, covered in my own blood and now locked in a room swarming with balverines who expect me to become one of them soon. I only hoped that Hammer was having more success than I.
~~~

“Where did she go, boy?” Hammer asked Courage as he sniffed the ground. A balverine lay with it’s head bashed in and brains sprawling out over the cold muddy ground. She had managed to slay the foul thing, but now Sparrow was missing and where there’s one balverine, there’s a hundred more. They returned to where Hammer had been tackled and saw a splotch of fresh blood on the branch.
  “Oh god no.” Hammer quickly ran to the spot where Sparrow had fallen and saw a path in the leaves where she had been dragged away. “No. She can’t be dead. I won’t believe it until I see her remains.”
  Courage whimpered and licked Hammer’s large hand. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, eh?” She ruffled his ears and pat his back to reassure him. Hammer tracked the drag marks until they ended at the trunk of a large elm tree. She looked up at the tree and noticed claw marks mixed with blood.
  “What on earth...Are they bringing her to the pack, do you suppose?” Hammer wiped the sweat dripping from her brow. “Then, the only thing we can do now is try to find the den.”

  Hammer walked back to the main path and stuck to it. She was determined to find her friend and take out any balverines that got in her way.
~~~

  I heard whispers and growls at the bars of my cell. Long fingers poked through trying to get at me and I backed up into a corner, terrified. They had taken my things and were rummaging through my pack. I saw them remove Kama’s robe and pull at it, but it wouldn’t tear. Becoming frustrated with the stubborn fabric, they tossed it away and turned to the other rags, ripping them to shreds. I could clearly see the child now. She couldn’t have been more than seven years old and wore a white gown speckled with dried blood. Her hair was snow white as well and her eyes were a stale gray. She just stood there watching them destroy my belongings, stone faced. Then they removed Roses diary.

  “Wait!” I yelled. They all looked at me, including the girl. Something about her put me at an unease.
  “Quiet you. Humans have no say here.” She spoke coldly.

“Please! Please, I beg you! Don’t destroy it.” I crawled to the cold steel bars and grabbed through the bars. The girl tilted her head and walked over. I sat up and looked at her.

  “I told you to be quiet human.” She reached through the bars and slapped me across the face. I gasped and looked back at her. She had returned to her previous spot. The balverines all reached for the book but I called out again.
  “I implore you! I am soon to become a balverine and then you can do whatever you want to it, but please! Give me the book and the other one too! Just the books, that is all I need. Don’t you remember what it was like to have things to love?”I begged them once more.

The little girl became irritated but nodded at the balverines. They handed her the books and she brought them over to me. “You want these so badly don’t you? They are soon to become just more human trash to you. So why bother with them?” She asked, a tad bit of interest in her voice.

 “Please, just let me read them one last time.”I pleaded, holding out my hands to them.

The girl glared,”Read them to me.” She ordered. I blinked at her demand, it seemed odd, but as long as I got them I supposed it couldn’t hurt. I nodded slowly and she thrust them into my hands. I hugged them close as if they were a dear friend and nearly sobbed.

  “Read, or I’ll take them back.”She ordered again.

“Okay...okay...which one?” I asked showing her the tiny one and then the large.

“The small one first. Does it have any pictures?”She asked, curiosity getting the better of her.

“Well, it has one.” I removed the weathered picture and showed her. She promptly snatched it up and looked it over. My heart plummeted as she flipped it over, examining every corner. I was afraid she might tear it.
  “Read!” she ordered. I quickly flipped open the small dirt covered book and began to read, fearing she may keep my picture as collateral.

  “Dear diary,
 It snowed heavily today. Sparrow and I managed to duck inside a house while no one was home. They had lots of fancy things and we even got to sleep in a real bed. That is, until the real owners came and called the guard. Luckily it was Derek who came and he let us off with a warning.”
I wiped a bit of snot and blood from under my nose as the girl casually flipped the picture between her fingers.
  “More. I want you to read while you can.”She demanded again.

“While I...can?”I knew that I was never bitten and would never turn, so I had forever to read. I may as well bide some time in hopes that Hammer would soon find me, but doubt tugged at the back of my mind. And so I read on.
~~~

“What is it, boy? What did you find?” Hammer jogged up to where Courage was calling. In his mouth he held a boot.
  “Sparrow. They took her along here. boy, Courage. You’re a tracker.”Hammer took the boot and stuffed it into her pack. “I’m sure she’ll be needing it back.”
  The two of them marched on through an impossible fog. Upturned roots tripped up Hammer and caused her to shout obscenities to the sky. Balverines descended upon her and she just split their skulls open with one swing of her hammer.
  “I’m getting tired of all these damn balverines!” Hammer said as she braced herself on a stump.
Courage whined and nuzzled her. She smiled at his fuzzy face and sighed.
  “Sparrow is lucky to have you. Come on. Let’s get her back.” Hammer stood straight and followed as Courage followed Sparrow’s scent.

  They could soon see a large ruin ahead. It’s stone walls rose high and several balverines kept watch on it’s rickety towers. “There. She has to be there.” Hammer started running. She trudged through a boggy patch and up to the top of the hill. A few of the balverines dropped out of view and the others kept watch as the two approached. Hammer was careful and Courage watched her back as they descended a flight of stairs into a dark abyssmal hall.

~~~

“Dear diary,

  Today we saw a magic show. It was okay I guess...until the magician bowed and cards fell out of his sleeves. I always knew there couldn’t be anything as wonderful as magic left in the world. Not this world. Not the same place where mum and dad died.”

I finished reading yet another paragraph and had all the balverines gathered around to listen. It was eerie. These brutal creatures were sitting around as I told them stories. Some were even falling asleep! The girl looked up at my pausing and held up the photo.
  “Keep reading. They need to sleep. They get cranky if they don’t sleep.”She told me.

I flipped to the next page to keep reading when there came a loud banging. All the balverines picked up their drowsy heads and sniffed the air. Their fur stood on end and some of them started scrambling for the door. The girl looked over at me again and tossed the photo to the ground. She suddenly leapt into the air and landed on a stone pillar high above.
  “Go find the intruder!” She bellowed. Her voice had gone from soft and sweet to hollow and deep. I was taken aback at this sudden turn of events. She was one of them? But...she just looked like an ordinary little girl. I spotted the photo laying just outside my cage and decided to reach for it while they were distracted. I stretched out my arm through the narrow breaks in the bars and felt for the picture. It was just out of my reach...

“Yaaaaaaah!” Came the hearty cry of Hammer as she muscled through the horde of rabid balverines. They all fell to the floor growling and whimpering. Courage burst through, taking a bite out of another.
  “Hammer! Courage! Over here!” I screamed in joy to see my friends.

“Sparrow! You’re alive!” She yelled back, smashing another balverine.

“You thought otherwise? Get me the hell outta here!” I screamed as the balverines began to swarm around her. Hammer just swung her hammer around, bowling them out of the way. She ran at my cage and held the mallet high.
  “Better get back!” She warned and I scrambled for the corner again. She smashed the bars down and I was free!
  I stood up, scooping the journals and the photo into my arms. I looked frantically for my pack and found it tattered on the ground. There was no way it would hold anything now.
  “I’ll take those!” Hammer said and snatched my things, stuffing them into her pack.

“Kill them!” The girl balverine yelled to her followers.

  “Get your weapons! Over there!” Hammer pointed out and I took a dive for my gun. A balverine tried to slash me, but I shot it clean in the face. It dropped dead in front of me. One more down.

  “Sparrow, we need to find a way out of here now! Go that way! I think it’s the way out!” Hammer motioned with her head. I looked over and saw a flight of stairs leading up into another hall. I figured anything was worth a shot. I continued picking off all the foul beasts and they clawed and bit each other to get to us. Hammer held them back as I ran for the exit. I stopped cold when I nearly fell into a pit filled with spikes.
  “Hammer! It’s no ! There’re only spikes this way!” I yelled, shooting another balverine dead.

“Oh, it’s never easy is it? Well how about I throw you across? You’re the one who needs to go on, I’ll be alright here!” She offered.

  “No! You came to save me, I won’t leave you to these fiends! Now help me find a way across!” I said, backing up against one of the pillars. I heard a crackle and looked down at falling rubble. I whipped around and saw a large crack in the pillar. Everything clicked. We were getting out alive.

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My closest friends are in my head!

I'm loving it...

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1 year on the forums and counting! Get it? Counting? Oh never mind...

Everyone including Lionhead and Peter Molyneux:

We're loving it...

Hi hi! Got the next chapter! Chapter 20!

Sparrow and Hammer somehow manage to get out of the clutches of the vicious balverines and make it to the Westcliff camp....


Chapter 20
-The Westcliff Camp-


 “Hammer! Hit this pillar!” I told her.

“What will that do? I’m already getting all my anger out with balverine bopping!” She roared, pummeling another into the ground.

  “Hammer! We can use this as a bridge across! I’ll keep them off you!” I yelled at her, shooting another one.
 Hammer nodded and slammed her steel hammer into the crumbling pillar. I felt the vibration of the impact through the floor. She truly was the Hero of Strength. I picked off two more balverines and then noticed I had run out of bullets.

  “Uh...Hammer. Might want to hurry!” I said, looking around for my sword.

She groaned as she pushed the pillar,”And why....is that?” She asked as I tossed the useless gun down. “What are you doing! You need to keep them back!”

“Don’t worry, I’ve got them!” I said suddenly remembering that I had another extraordinary weapon. Will. I shot fireballs at the foaming monsters catching a few on fire. They shrieked and ran around in circles trying to dowse themselves.

  “NO!” screamed the little girl as the remaining balverines fell down, smouldering. She leapt from her pillar and transformed into a fierce white balverine. I staggered back, bumping into Hammer. Courage ran to my side, barking and trying to defend me. I fell back along with Hammer and I heard a loud roaring and crackling as the pillar came tumbling down over the spikes. The white balverine descended upon me and I shot it full in the face. The white balverine screamed and slashed my torso with it’s sharp talons. I could feel it burn as they raked across my skin.
  “Aaaaaaaaah!” I screamed and Hammer punched it in the nose with a sickening crack. The creature let out a howl and fell back, holding it’s face. Hammer picked me up and was pulling me towards the exit.
  “No...no wait! We have to finish this!” I said, pulling against her grip.

“Are you mad? We need to get out of here, before that thing gets back up and slaughters us!” Hammer argued, but I pulled away and ran back.  “Hey!” She yelled after me. I ran and picked up Kama’s robe and my sword. The white balverine found it’s feet again and lunged at me. I pulled the robe over my head as it plowed me down. It scraped at my belly, trying to fillet me, but the robe somehow shielded me. I picked up my sword and swung it at the white beast. It leapt out of the way and my sword hit another pillar.
  “Hyaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!” Hammer came barreling towards the monster, crumbling through another pillar. I felt the ground rumble as the rubble fell. I ran before a large slab nearly crushed me.
  “Hammer! Keep doing that!” I shouted to her.” Bring this place down!” I took my sword and started chipping away at the next pillar occasionally hitting it with fire or force push. Hammer attacked the balverine as well as more pillars. Soon we had the place in shambles. The ceiling began to fall and Courage ran for the exit.

  “Come on! We got to get out of here!” Hammer waved at me. I bolted for the door, but suddenly stopped and fell backwards. The white balverine had me by the collar and wrapped it’s claws around my throat. I tried to pry it off, but the claws were cutting deeper into my throat and I feared suffocation as well as getting my throat slit. Hammer was nearly at the door when she turned and saw me being strangled. It seemed that the white balverine had it’s foot crushed by a large chunk of rock and was unable to run.

  “You are going to die down here with me....” It hissed in my ear. My mind raced and I tried to produce fire, but it wouldn’t come. The cave was collapsing around me and Hammer was trying to get to me.
  “Go Hammer!” I managed to shout. “Get...out!” I struggled. Courage paced nervously and whined. I tried to strike the beast but my arms couldn’t make any impact. I swung my sword back and managed to slice into it’s shoulder. It let go instantly and I ran forward. Hammer scooped me up and ran back across the makeshift bridge and up the stairs to the exit. We could hear the last howls of the white balverine as it’s home came crumbling down around it.

  “Well, definitely not going back that way.” Hammer joked. I just smirked slightly as she carried me out of the dark howling halls and into warm fresh sunshine. I could breathe again and inhaled deeply. I coughed a bit as I felt how much my throat had been restricted.
  “Oh, we’ve got to get you somewhere fast to get that looked after. Don’t want to have to go back to the temple for another “blessing” now do we?” Hammer started jogging, Courage following, towards the rising smoke that signified that the camp was not far off. All I could do was lay there as she carried me. My head rolled back and I stared at the sky, the sun rising high. I watched the passing clouds and tried to ignore the pain in my throat and belly. The gently rocking from being carried lulled me to sleep and I welcomed it.

  “We’re sending another ship out this morning to Westcliff. We need more guards, my Lord, after the last batch turned out to be a disappointment.” The commandant spoke gruffly.

“Very well. Be on the look out for more workers as well, can’t have too many.” Lucien ordered, turning a quill between his fingers, pondering over a large book.

“Yes, my Lord.” The commandant bowed low and left the room. Lucien set down the quill and rubbed his temples. I could see him clearly for the first time. His face looked worn and wrinkled.  He was extremely pale with dark circles under his eyes and silver hair. Time had taken it’s toll on him. Lucien sighed and closed his icy blue eyes. I moved quietly forward, knowing that he could hear me. I knelt down in front of him and looked up at his face. I’ll admit, I was curious about what was going through his mind.
  Lucien shifted in his chair and cleared his throat. He rubbed his bloodshot eyes and turned back to his book, picking up the quill and dipping it into a bottle of ink. I stood up and watched as he wrote:

  The mysterious woman continues to haunt my dreams. Could this be a premonition? What does it mean? Her green eyes are the same as your’s my dear Helena. Do not think I have forgotten your eyes, no. Never. The woman has emerald green eyes and earth brown hair. Always I see her when I close my eyes...when I dream, she is there. Mostly she is fighting, but fighting for what? I never know...but those eyes drive me mad. I know I have seen them before.

Lucien set his quill aside and stared at the entry. I read it over and over, disbelieving what he had written. He was writing about me! He could see me? He was dreaming about me?! Was he following me around just as I am here now? What on earth was going on? Lucien stood before I could react and walked right into me, stumbling backwards.

  “What the-“ Lucien stopped and looked straight at me. I froze. He couldn’t really see me. I moved swiftly and his eyes followed. My heart jumped. He could see me now!
  “You...”he whispered. I couldn’t think as he started walking towards me. I backed up against the wall and he lunged for me. I ran from the wall and Lucien followed.

“Wake up!” I screamed at myself.” Wake up, dammit! Wake UP!” I ran out the door with Lucien following quickly. Why were all these people so fast? Was I just really slow? I skipped steps as I ran down the stairs, past guards and prison cells. Lucien pushed past them all in his attempt to capture me. No one seemed to notice me running through the place except Lucien. They all stopped to stare as he chased nothing. I looked back to see how close he was. I tripped over my feet and suddenly felt myself fall. I fell off of the ledge and tumbled down into a blue glowing sea of light. My scream echoed through the Spire.

  I jerked awake, sitting up. My stomach burned and it was hard to breathe.

“Easy there, Sparrow. Some of the nice patrons here have fixed you up, don’t want to undo that!”Hammer eased me back down. I looked up at the stars.

  “We’re outside...” I whispered.

“Oh, yeah, they don’t have a roof on their bar. No beds either. You’re laying on a table by the way.” Hammer took a swig of beer. I smiled. Should have known she would take me to a bar.
  “Your faithful companion is here as well. He’s waiting outside.” Hammer explained.

So we were at the camp, in a bar. I was wondering what to do next. I had no desire to go back to sleep, but didn’t want to just lay here all night. I sat back up.

“Hey, didn’t I tell you to rest? Do you want your wounds to reopen?”Hammer tried getting me to lay back down.

  “I can’t stay here. I had a bad dream. Don’t need more sleep.” I didn’t want to go into any explanation of the dream partly because my throat hurt so bad and I didn’t want Hammer to worry. “I’ll be alright. I just want to have a look around.”

  “Suit yourself, but if you start bleeding again, it’s your own fault.” Hammer sat back in her chair and propped her feet up on the table. I just limped down to the lower level and out to where Courage was waiting. There were some onlookers as the two of us strolled awkwardly down the street. Or-what you might call a street. It was mostly mud and a few rocks. Most of the people here were repugnant and filthy. They walked around with a scowl on their face and a gun in their pockets. Now I knew why Lucien had chosen this place to recruit. This lot seemed just the sort to think with their fists instead of their brain. I moved past a couple arguing over who was cheating on whom and looked up at an enormous structure.
  It was quite an impressive building and it climbed the mountain. Torches were lit around it and I saw two men standing at the entrance. This surely must be the Crucible Theresa was talking about. I painfully climbed the many steps up to where the men were talking.

  “Oh, so now it’s my fault the last guy died too quick? You’re the one who suggested the trap floor. Didn’t think the hobbes could work it did you?” The slightly skinny man said to a brutish one with many scars on his face.
  “Hobbes?” I questioned mostly to myself. The two looked at me. They seemed to be taken by surprise as they both straightened up and sucked in their gut. The one with scars licked his hand and slicked what little hair he had, back.

  “Well hello there miss!” The two of them said in unison. I raised an eyebrow at them.

“H-hello. Um...is this the Crucible?” I asked timidly.

  “Why, yes it is! The Crucible, coliseum of violence and victory!...er...most of the time.” He chuckled.
  I frowned at this.

“Oh but don’t fret miss, you needn’t worry yourself about such things.” The skinny man said and I noted a bit of a condescending tone to his voice.

  “Who are you two anyways?” I asked, putting my hands on my hips, now clearly annoyed.

“My name is Stan,”said the skinny one.
  “And I’m Mad-Dog “the Strangler” McGraw.”the brutish one said.

I furrowed my brow and looked them over. They were the two least likely to be hanging out.
“Stan and Mad-Dog? Okay, so why shouldn’t I worry? Is the Crucible really easy?”I asked with a bit of anger.

  “Oh, no. We meant you shouldn’t worry because you won’t be competing.” Stan chuckled.

I scowled and stood up straight,”And why won’t I be competing? Is it that I am not competent enough? Or not strong enough?”

  Mad-Dog shook his head and smiled,” Oh miss, you’re just a-“

  “A what? A girl?!”I yelled at them both. They grinned sheepishly.
“Well I’ve got news for you two, I am going to go through this Crucible and beat it with no problem!” I shouted and stormed off.

  “Well...guess she told us.” Stan chuckled. Mad-Dog just shook his head,”You dolt.”

I was now seething with anger at the men’s comments. “I’m not just any girl. I could beat their stupid little games!” I marched up the stairs in the bar to where I had left Hammer waiting.

“So how’d it go?” She asked lazily.

“Tomorrow, I am going to beat the Crucible.” I told her, slumping into a chair at the table.

  “But what about your wounds? You’ll pull the stitches out.” Hammer argued.

“Don’t worry about me so much alright? I’m doing what I have to do. This is my mission, my duty.” I slumped further down in my chair and crossed my arms.

  “Fine, suit yourself then, but don’t expect me to carry you out if you get your guts ripped out.

I tried to ignore her words, but she did help me out of the clutches of those balverines.
 “Hammer. Thanks for...helping me. I just...really need to help Garth. They’re torturing him in there because of me.”I said.

“Hey, it’s alright now. Here. I bought you a new bottle of wine, it’s the stuff.” Hammer tossed me the bottle and I uncorked it quickly. The familiar drink felt in my belly and I felt content once more. Tomorrow I was going to fight my heart out and I needed a rest. It wasn’t long before Hammer and I found ourselves babbling incoherently at each other eventually passing out in our chairs.

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My closest friends are in my head!

thought this one was going to be boring as I'm not to fond of writing fighting scenes but i think it turned out alright. Chapter 21!
Sparrow enters the Crucible unaware of what awaits her within it's dark halls.....


Chapter 21
-Crucible pt. I-


  I woke to see Hammer curled up on the floor of the bar. I groggily wiped the drool from my mouth and sat up. I rubbed the dust from my eyes and yawned, stretching as the clouds rolled overhead. I stood up and stepped over my inebriated friend towards the stairs. My first priority was the outhouse as the drink had gone right through me.
  After relieving myself, I looked around for Courage, whom I found wandering around the camp licking his chops. “Are you getting free treats huh?” I pat his warm fuzzy head and he followed me back to the pub where Hammer was just pulling herself together.
  “Come on! Got a big day ahead of us you know!” I yelled playfully at her.
“Oh...shut up.” She waved me away. I laughed at her morning grumpiness and started stumbling towards the Crucible. Hammer followed shortly after gathering her things.

  We marched right up the steps, right up to Mad-Dog and Stan.

“Well, look who’s back, Mad-Dog! It’s the girly girl.” Stan smiled at me.

  “Ugh! What is that?” Mad-Dog pointed at Hammer. “Is this your pet troll?”

“Hey shut it!” I yelled,”We’re here for the Crucible, so I don’t wanna hear any more of your crap!”

  “Alright, but we’re not letting you in.” Stan crossed his arms and looked down at me.

“What? Why not? Am I not qualified or something?” I asked growing more frustrated.

“Listen, we’re sure that you have something to prove, but we can’t let you in. And before you say it’s because we’re sexist, I assure you, we check everyone that comes to us. We just don’t like our fighters to die too quickly. The fans don’t like it. So until you can prove to us that you’re a worthy fighter, we can’t let you in.” Mad-Dog explained.

  This time hammer stepped up and pointed at the two of them,”Now you listen to me. This girl here has been through all hell to be where she is today! She’s fought off Hollow Men by the dozens! She captured two major bandit leaders AND their crew without taking a single life. And right before we came up to this stinking dump, we had to travel through balverine central! So I don’t want to hear it! You’re gonna let us in!”

  The two men looked at each other and huddled for a moment before asking,”What are your names?”

  “My name is Sparrow.” I answered quickly.
  “Hannah of Oakfield, or as I’m more commonly known, Hammer.” Hammer told them.
They seemed to be mulling it over and finally Mad-Dog spoke up,”Alright, Sparrow is through, but Hammer, you have to wait outside.”

  “What? Why?”Hammer and I both groaned. I was hoping we could both go in together and ease my burden.

  “Because first, it’s only one person at a time and second, I don’t like the fat one Also, no dogs.”Mad-Dog insulted. I was ready to bash his face in and raised a fist to do so, but Hammer caught me.

  “Just go. I’ll watch from the stands and if you run in to too much trouble, I’ll get you out.” Hammer told me. I wanted to argue but instead just sighed and stepped forward as the large stone doors opened like a large mouth ready to chew me up and spit me out. I entered the cool dark room inside as the doors swung shut behind.
  There were only a few people waiting inside, mostly mumbling or praying to themselves. At the door stood another man, rugged and scarred. He had a scowl on his face as well as dirt and blood. I wondered if he had just been through or if he was about to enter. As he saw me approached he let out a bone chilling cackle.
  “Well, well. Sent another one for death have they? That makes....twelve in the last hour. But don’t worry, you might get lucky.”The man’s words seemed to put the others at unease, but I was resolute. I watched as one after another, each person entered and one after another they fell. Many of them didn’t make it past the third round. It finally came to my turn. I had tossed my gun back in the howling halls, but I still had my sword and my will powers to help me. I looked down and pat my stomach. There was a bit of pain from my wounds, but I was confident they would hold.
  Another set of doors opened for me, smaller than the first, but none less ominous. I knew not what awaited on the other side and gripped my sword tightly as I found myself in a circular room with vents in the floor. Cheering ensued and I looked up to see a crowd above me, watching as if I were merely competing in an ordinary sport. I spotted Hammer and Courage among them looking on with worried eyes. I just waved to them all and they gave out another cheer. Their applause gave me a little boost and I was ready to face anything.

  “Let’s all welcome our new contender, Sparrow! She hails from Bowerstone from what I hear, so let’s ll give her a big cheer and hope she can at least make it to the fourth round!”Stan announced from somewhere unseen. Again the crowd cheered.
  “Alright, let’s get this Crucible under way! Remember, there are eight blood pulsing rounds and in those eight is the possibility for gore and mayhem!”Mad-Dog informed.

“Round one!”

I looked ahead as the vents slid back and a loud buzzing filled my ears. Beetles, I knew that buzzing anywhere. They all flew up out of the vents and towards me. I just shot fire at them and they fell dead. Easy.

“Second wave!”

“What?” I questioned and another wave came up. Again I killed them. There came another and final round which I effortlessly overcame.

“Well, not too surprising. Interesting method though! Perfect round! Alright, onto the next room!” Stan announced.
 Another door opened and I stepped through it boldly. I felt a bit better than before, but was still unsure of what could await me further in...

  “First round!”

I looked around at the room. It was a bit bigger than the other room and had odd holes scattered in front of me. Gates raised from the sides of the room and Hobbes poured through. This I was not expecting. I staggered back as the hobbes came running for me. I knew what they once were. These little fiends used to be only children and it pained me to think of harming them at all. Reluctantly I pulled my sword from it’s sheathe as thy came for me with gnashing little teeth and scraping claws. I swung blindly at them, hearing their wails as I swat them back. I could feel my sword slicing through them, feel the blood as it hit me.
  I didn’t pay attention to how many rounds I had left, I just kept swinging until I heard Stan shout.

“Alright! What a massacre! Sparrow move on to the next room!”

I barely opened my eyes and made my way to the next door, not looking down. I didn’t cherish the thought of this being a victory. The next room was filled with sand and pillars. In the middle a large dark hole sat menacingly. I didn’t want to know what was at the bottom.

  “Ready now? First wave!” Stan called out.

  I braced myself, holding out my sword and frowning. There came a quake and I staggered. Suddenly the sand shifted and started pouring into the abyss. It was then I realized that I too was quickly moving towards the center and leapt back towards the wall. I think I understood now, why the others didn’t make it past this round. The came a familiar squabbling and I looked up to see more hobbes coming for me. My heart started pounding as I raced for the safety of the walls, away from the hungry mouth gobbling up the sand. More sand poured out of holes in the top of the walls. Soon their came a veil of sand, blocking me from my safety. All the hobbes were able to easily traverse the sand, but I was beginning to sink and struggled up to the top. I shot fire balls into the nearest hobbes, sending them reeling back and falling into the hole.

  “The faster you finish, the faster we stop the sand!” Mad-Dog yelled to me from above. I could hear all the onlookers cheering, Hammer booming over them. “Come on, Sparrow! If you die here, I’ll bring you back and kill you again!”

  Encouraging words. I kicked at more hobbes, sending them back into the hole. I looked around for anything to climb up on, but there was nothing but a few red barrels marked with skulls on them. I wondered at the markings and shot fire at them. There was a loud explosion, shaking the room and shoving more hobbes down the rabbit hole.
  “Second wave!” Stan shouted. I watched more hobbes flood into the room and I groaned loudly. This truly was a trial. I fervently sent fireballs at the nearest hobbes, who sent their brethren plummeting into the chasm below. Once again I found my feet buried deep beneath the sand and I pulled them up with more of an effort. It was extremely strenuous and I was sweating intensely.
  “Third wave!” Stan cried out above the wails and growls of the hobbes. More hobbes than I could count burst forth from the walls, some pushed others into the hole without realizing as they clambered for me. I used my force push to send more into the sandy pit. It seemed to be immensely deep and I did not wish to know how far it went.

  Then, a set of claws dug deep into my back. I let out a scream as it pierced my flesh. The hobbe sunk his little teeth into my arm, not letting go. I beat him about the head, trying to free myself of the little beast. I shot him full in the face with a blast of fire which made him release me finally. What I didn’t realize was how near I was to the pit. I looked back in time to leap ahead, just barely clearing the hole. The hobbes who had chased me fell quickly to their demise.

  “Oh darn...seems like she has cleared the third round! Well, that just means more blood for us!” Stan irritatingly announced.

The sand had finally stopped flowing, but now the blood from my arm was oozing. I removed a part of my bandage as I walked into a waiting room. There was merchant waiting as I entered. He seemed to want to sell me things to which I had no money. I sat down and wrapped up my arm as best I could and sat for a moment to catch my breath. I listened to the two commentators as they droned on and bickered back and forth. The fans roared their displeasure at my pause, but I didn’t care about fans. I just wanted to escape from this hell alive.
  I heaved myself to my feet and made my way into the next room. I found myself overlooking a large room with a bridge in the center. I could only imagine what this place held in store for me.

  “First wave, Sparrow! Get ready now!”Stan chuckled as large iron gates opened to reveal bellowing, scar-bearing, bandits. My eyes widened and I dashed over the railing and under the bridge. I still had my sword in hand and deflected their attacks as I headed for the bridge. It seemed a vantage point.
  “Hey there girly! Why don’t you quit right now and I’ll let you come home with me tonight!” One of them said. I turned around and slit his throat. He fell to the ground as his buddies all growled and clutched at me. I shot a round of fire at them and they backed off, rolling in the dirt to put themselves out.
 I crawled up the slope of land to the bridge where more bandits were encroaching. Again I noticed the red barrels and aimed for them. The surrounding bandits scrambled over each other trying to escape the approaching blast, but to no avail. They were rocketed off of the bridge and landed with a crunch on the ground, not moving. The surviving members pulled firearms from their belts and started shooting at me. Again I shot fire and caught their weapons on fire. They swore and howled their pain as they rubbed their burnt hands. A large bandit stomped through the crowd and up towards me.
  “You have slaughtered my brothers! I’ll slit your pretty little throat!” He roared angrily. I was beginning to feel drained of fury at the moment, something I needed so desperately to use my Will fire. But I still had my force push to deflect unwanted things ans so I pushed him backwards. But it barely affected him and he plowed on further. I held up my sword as he took a swing at me. The force of his heavy blade and strength nearly knocked my own sword from my hands as I blocked his attack. I kicked at his stomach, but he barely budged and I swung my sword at him. I wasn’t that skilled however and missed by a few inches. He held his sword high and brought it down at my neck. The thought of being decapitated sent fright through my entire body and again I felt the stirrings of will once more. It felt jumpy and exciting, like I couldn’t contain myself. I held out my hands to the man and there came an enormous burst of light surging from me. The man was flung backwards and twitched uncontrollably before finally settling. He didn’t move and was smoking slightly. The other bandits looked from him to me and started backing off. They weren’t the sharpest bunch, but they knew when they were outmatched. The rest of the bandits took off running and refused to continue fighting.

  “Come on! Finish them off, Sparrow! They’re all yours now!” Stan ordered. I set down my sword and shook my head.
 “Aww...but you’ll disappoint the crowd! Wouldn’t want to let down your fans now would you?”Mad-Dog called down.

“I don’t care about fans! I’m not going to kill someone just because I can!” I yelled up in defiance.

  “Aww, suit yourself then...”Mad-Dog said and opened the door for me to go through.

I quickly picked up my sword, leaving the place and entered another. This room was even larger and had an eerie green glow. I looked down and noticed that the floor leading to the center was only a stone bridge barely large enough to fit one person. I gulped and sidled into the middle where it was safe. I looked around and saw odd cannons placed all around the room. I shuddered at the thought of what may come out of those.
  “This better be ...First wave!” Stan shouted and the crowd went wild. More iron gates shot up and this time I saw highwaymen running out, only they didn’t run for me. They began lining up around the cannons. I panicked and ducked, holding my head in fear thinking that they were going to fire at me with huge cannonballs.
  “Alright men! Aim and fire!” One of them ordered. I heard a shuffling and looked up to see them pulling forth shotguns. I still panicked, though it wasn’t cannons being fired, the thought of being shot to death still scared me. I dashed for the safety of the surrounding walls and met with the floor. I had tripped on a large stone plate on the floor. There was a roar of fire and I looked up to see a dozen men falling into the green fog below. The cannons shot fire, not cannonballs! I quickly picked myself up off the ground and ran, dodging bullets, trying to get to the next button. I slid into it, nearly being shot in the neck. More fire erupted and spit the highwaymen into the fog. I bolted for the next one and avoided the onslaught of bullets raining down upon the second plate. I jumped and hit the next button, purging the wall of the last of the men. Relief came and I sat there panting.

  “Second wave” Mad-Dog echoed over the stadium.

“Aaah!” I screamed and shook my fist up at the two commentators. Again the highwaymen lined up, but this time men came into the middle where it was safe. I chucked them off the edge using force push and hit the button in front of me again. More men fell and I ran for the other buttons, pushing through. As I leapt for the next button I could feel a hand grip my ankle. I hit the ground and heard a crack as my chin met the stone. I sent pain up through my skull and pounded in my brain. I pulled myself up, but as I did so my leg swung off the side and the man who had grabbed me was dangling from it. I gripped the stone bridge, holding on for dear life as my other leg swung over. I was barely clutching on and reached helplessly for the stone plate to send the other men to their deaths. My fingers were sweaty and began to slip from the edge where I clung to. The men started climbing up my leg and gripped my robe. It put more strain on my neck and began to choke. Other men approached, grinning and brandishing swords waiting for me to drop or they would slay me themselves. I felt impending doom once more and prayed that somehow I would have the strength to endure.

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My closest friends are in my head!

what are you talking about? you're great a writing fight scenes! (unlike me lol)

keep it up!

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1 year on the forums and counting! Get it? Counting? Oh never mind...

Nice work.

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A big thanks to any and all who read this! Got done with this one quickly as I was on a rollllll! Some notes to add: I couldn't remember the guy's name so I just called him Stan and also, i mixed up the order of what you fight in the Crucible, but it kinda fits and I'm not changing it. >_< Anywho, Chapter 22 already! Whoo!
Sparrow must complete the Crucible in order to become a guard at the Spire, but can she make it out alive???...

Chapter 22
-Crucible pt. II-


  I kicked at the man, hitting him in the stomach. He released his grip on my robe and plunged into the depths of the mysterious green fog. The highwaymen waiting for me jabbed their swords into my arms, but no pain came. We all stopped all looked as their swords were clearly sunk in. The men pulled the swords back. They were bent and crimped. Their swords could not penetrate my robe and I let out a long laughed at their bafflement. I swung my legs back up and they all backed up once more. I shot my force push at them and they flew off the side. I stomped on the button, releasing the fire and killing the remainder of men left. The others all ran off.

  “Well, well! She managed to pull it off again! None of our remaining men will fight her. So now it seems we’re entering the sixth round!”Mad-Dog announced. The crowd let out a thunderous roar and my heart couldn’t be lighter. I was one round closer to the end, but I couldn’t help still feeling malicious things in my path.
  I walked through the door, leaving the bridge room and entering a marsh. I glanced around at the gnarled trees and murky mud water. The ground made a squelching noise as I tread upon it as lightly as possible. I stepped into the middle, waiting for whatever was coming next.

 “Now it is time for round six and it’s going to get any easier! First wave! Here we go!”Stan shouted. I looked up to the crowd and noticed Hammer was not among them, but this crowd looked completely new. Perhaps it was higher up as I seemed to climb stairs each time. I tried settling myself and focusing my emotions. I seemed to be a wreck since the last couple of rounds. I waited for the hoards of whatever it was coming next to charge in from behind the gates, yet none came. Instead the ground began to rumble and shake. I caught myself on one of the dead trees closest to me and watched as hollowmen rose from beneath the marshy waste.
  “Oh great!” I yelled and brandished my sword. The stumbling, dripping wet sacks of bones ambled clumsily in my general direction. I was suddenly reminded of the Wellspring cave when Courage stole the head of one of the hollowmen. I began to laugh at them. They seemed so comical now, I couldn’t take them seriously any longer and began cracking empty skulls and splitting hollow spines. They swung lazily, trying to catch that bit of flesh to render me helpless, but avoiding them was all too easy. After the bandits and highwaymen, these things seemed like no contest. I was over and done with them all before I could even break a sweat.

  “Perfect round! Well done, there girly! On to the next challenge! I guarantee it will not be so easy this time...” Mad-Dog proclaimed. I waved at the crazed crowd and sloshed through the bog into the open doorway. My shoes were filled with water and squished between my toes. I climbed the stairs, finding myself in another room with a merchant. I sat down and emptied out my water logged shoes. I wrung them out and slipped them back on, though they were still wet and felt uncomfortable, making me slip slightly as I walked on. I remembered that I still had no pack to store my things, and so had no money. I eyed the shiny new pistols with envy. If my Will became too drained I would have to rely on my sword to help me and I had a feeling that just that wouldn’t be enough. So, reluctantly I left the safety of the merchant room and emerged into the next challenge.

  “Ladies and gents, I know we are all surprised to see such a contender! It’s been a while since the last one made it through alive. What was his name again? Bob something? Ah well, doesn’t matter now. Let the seventh round commence!” Stan declared. I inhaled deeply and braced myself. All around the room looked like the forest of Westcliff, with ruins to match. I had a hunch of what waited for me behind those bars and my hunch was confirmed with the howling that echoed through the corridors beyond. Balverines.
  “First wave!” The iron bars slowly rose and I saw angry claws digging beneath the doors, wanting to be let free. I gripped my sword, ready for the barrage of teeth and claws. The doors lifted just enough and the balverines tore loose, tearing up the grass and dirt in their pursuit of me. The first one lunged for me and I held my sword straight, piercing the creature’s chest as it plowed me down. It gurgled and spit above me, dripping it’s rancid spit onto my cheeks. I forced it off me and removed my sword, now stained bright red and glistening with the blood of my kill. The others howled and pawed at the ground. Anger filled their mad eyes as they scanned me. These ones seemed smarter than just ordinary balverines, taking in every detail. I saw them watching carefully as I stepped sideways, watching them back. Acrid wafts of their scent reached my nose and burned. My eyes watered at the stench and I had to cover my face with my sleeve, but still kept a careful eye, daring them to make a move first. It became a game of wits, one that I could not loose. One of the younger looking balverines seemed antsy and fidgeted in place on his stone perch.

  “Come get me then!” I shouted at them. I rolled up my sleeves and showed them my arms, waving them temptingly before the foul beasts. “Come and get it boys!” I taunted. The young one leapt forth and I rolled out of the way, letting my sleeves back down. I could see it thirsted for my blood. I shot up at the others, trying to stop them from scanning my behavior. The young one howled and jumped towards me, but was careful not to get too close as I still held the sword high. The balverines all circled me continuously and the young one stayed directly in front. It seemed they were forming some sort of trap. The small one would hold my attention while the others sneak up from behind. I felt frightened again, my heart pounded in my throat and my head ached from it’s previous encounter with the ground. It was hard to think, hard to breathe with these monsters encircling me. There was dry grass beneath my feet, beneath their feet. I tried to get myself to produce flames, but they wouldn’t come, but that playful, excitedness returned. It danced in my fingertips and ran laps through my veins, making my body quiver. My feet leapt with...was that joy? I seemed to dance in place at this excitable feeling within me. The balverines growled a laugh at me, thinking they had me trapped for certain. I stopped and looked at the small one. My hands could not contain the energy anymore and I unleashed their joy and fury upon the young one. Once more I watched a body writhe with that energy, the lightning that jolted from me. The other balverines screamed their displeasure and all launched themselves at me. The energy began to surge through my body, it was almost impossible to control and my hair twirled and stood on end. The balverines fur stood up as well and I tried stopping the welling of Will, but it was too much. Lightning pulsed in shock waves from my body, sending the balverines rocketing to the ceiling.
  The fans moved swiftly from their seats and retreated to the safest place they could as the fitful bodies of the balverines plummeted into the stands. Still the surge continued like an angry storm. I closed my fists but, it did nothing, the waves were bursting from my entire being. More balverines were let loose into the cage, but another wave slammed them against the walls of the arena. I let out a scream as the lightning continued to wreak havoc upon the room and it’s inhabitants. The ruins began to fall to rubble, trees caught fire and grass dried out. Finally, the lightning struck one of the dreaded red barrels. The blast came from behind me and caused my hood to come over my head. I felt the heat searing, but there came no pain. It knocked me clean off my feet and I fell into the dust of a former stone pillar. My ears were ringing and all I heard were muffled voices. It was hard to move my limbs, but I managed to turn over. I could see just fine and saw the fans slowly returning to the stands, cheering me on. I willed myself to move and lifted an arm to signal I was alright. I could hear the cheering clearer and managed to push myself to a sitting postition.

  “Whoo! Sparrow is proving one tough cookie!” Stan cheered.

“Tough cookie?” Mad-Dog asked his fellow host.

  “Oh shut up. Round finished! Only one round to go folks! Better get your seats now! Though I doubt there are any left...”Stan commented.

  All the fans left and I picked myself up, aching and still a bit stiff in my joints. I recovered my sword and pressed on. I was glad to finally be at the last of the rounds. I was going to need large recovery time from this event. I heaved a sigh as I trudged into the final room. I stood staring at a large mound of dirt and rocks. There were no traps or red barrels, just a lot of dirt and rocks. Nor were there any iron doors to release wretched monsters. I heard the floating cheers of Hammer and looked up with a large smile on my face.
  “ luck, Sparrow!” She called down to me. I waved and the crowd cheered on.

“Alright now, this round only consists of one beast and one wave. Step forward if you would, Sparrow and we can begin the eighth and final round!”Mad-Dog ordered and I did as I was told. I took a large step forward and was instantly knocked off my feet again. A deep rumble and growl was echoing from the center of the mound. I knew what this was. I don’t think I could ever forget the troll that attacked me that day at the lake.
  This troll had huge stones jutting out of the top of it’s head and large rocky forearms with rubble for fingers. It still had crystalline blue eyes that glared down at me with fury. I hated that look of madness and anger directed at me. The troll picked up a chunk of rock from it’s mound and hurled it in my direction. I tried shooting fire or force or lightning at it, but nothing would come. I could clearly see the tendrils dancing in and out of their protective shield, yet I had no way to hit them. I felt frustrated merely dodging rocks and dirt, trying so desperately to think of a way to attack. The relentless barrage of stone continued with the occasional rupturing of the ground from it’s grubby fists. There was one way to attack, but I was hesitant to attempt such a feat.
  The pile of rocks next to it was lessening and I figured it was now or never. I ran straight for the pile of stone behind the behemoth and clambered up the heap. Sword in hand, I thrust myself at it’s back. I managed to cling to the troll and climb up onto it’s head. I don’t know wether it could feel me or not up here. It seemed confused and swivelled around in place, trying to find me. I stayed completely silent and aimed my sword for one of it’s wriggling nerves, slicing it off. The beast shook and let out a deafening roar. I hugged one of the stones on it’s head and held tightly to my sword. It was my only remaining weapon. After a bit, the troll settled back down and continued scanning the area. I reached back down and spliced another tendril. Against the troll shook and this time I didn’t have a hold on his head. I slipped and felt myself snag on something. It was one of the rocks on his back. My robe had caught up on it and now I was being swung from side to side as the monster attempted to remove me. He knew I was there now, but his big great arms couldn’t reach the middle of his back. I swung helplessly from side to side, screaming my head off and swinging my sword, trying to hit something or free myself. My only hope was that the fabric would lose it’s hold because I knew it wouldn’t tear lose. I looked up and saw that it was wedged in between two rocks. I furrowed my brow and started to flail about frustrated at my luck. The collar of the robe slipped up over my face and now I found myself even more frustrated.

  The troll gave a violent tremor and I slipped right out of my robe and plopped down on the ground in nothing but my knickers. The crowd whistled and I got cat calls. Hammer bopped one man down in his seat after he made a particularly rude comment. “Look out, Sparrow! It’s swinging ‘round there!” Hammer warned and I jumped out of the way just in time. My robe was still stuck up on it’s back and I now had two problems. Kill the troll and get my robe back before it returns to the ground. I still held my sword and avoided it’s attempts to pound me into the dust, swinging up to knock out a few more of the nerves. The wind was knocked clean out of me as I was swatted away like a pesky beetle. I collided with a nearby rock and struggled to gulp in lungfuls of air. I looked down and saw blood pouring down my front. The blow had reopened my stitches. I tried lifting my sword back up to charge him once more but I let out a wail and collapsed. My side seared with blinding pain. It had cracked my ribs as well. Now I could no longer wield my sword, what was I to do? I couldn’t forfeit, there was no way after all I had just gone through and I’m certain that these people would not allow it. They would rather I suffered an agonizing death in the crucible, than give up. Funny that I was thinking the same thing. I would rather die than give up on this chance of victory. I stumbled to the other side of the rock, shielded from the ongoing attacks of the maddened troll.

  “Come on...” I whispered to myself,”Don’t do it for yourself. Do it for Rose and Courage. Do it for Garth who is suffering up there all alone in that cold spire. And Hammer....and Jeremy.....” I sighed and leaned up against the trembling rock. If I could only have a pistol or my Will back...I tried so desperately to form anything with my fingers. Not even a spark.

  “Sparrow! You can do it!” Hammer called out to me. “I know you can! You’ve gotten out of worse jams, I know you have! Come on and finish this pathetic thing! It’s weak, I can see it! Maybe just a few more hits and it’ll be finished!”

  I knew she was trying to boost my confidence, but she didn’t know how much pain I was in. It sent hot tears down my cheeks. In any case, I couldn’t die here in my underclothing. I stood up and forced myself to face the rock troll. It caught sight of me and chuckled deeply. I just stared up into those eyes, holding out my hand and trying to feel something. I could still hear Hammer shouting jeers at the monster and cheers for me. The troll lifted his thick arms and slammed the ground in front of me. I rolled again and stood, aiming still at him. I felt my ribs throbbing as I stood my ground. If I could just push myself that much further...
  Instead of holding my arm out, I took my fist and hit myself in the ribs. My screams echoed off every wall and the crowd gasped. I pushed the wound, feeling the pain rippling through my body. I couldn’t stop, even now as blood spilled in droves before me. The troll even stopped to watch curiously at what I was doing to myself. My face screwed up in agony and just as the pain became too much to bear, I felt a wave of relief. It coursed through every vein and I could breathe again. I didn’t quite understand it, but I welcomed the energy that accompanied. I felt the Will pooling in my fingertips again and I smiled at the dumbfounded troll. I let loose every ounce that I felt towards the troll. Fire engulfed the creature and reduced all it’s nerves to ashes. It roared and sunk into the pit from whence it came.

  As the beast sunk, so did I as the pain returned. I held my side and began to sob as the crowd stood and cheered. I heard the door swing open for me to leave, but I couldn’t move. The two commentators were praising my daring and unorthodox method of dealing with the beast. I just curled up into a ball and began to cry. My whole body had been pushed to it’s limits and now I felt like just laying here and dying. I felt cold since all that blood drained from me and I lay shivering without my garment.
  Then there came warm familiar hands. I looked up to see Hammer draping Kama’s robe over me. Apparently it must not have gone down with the troll. I tried to speak, to say thank you to my friend, but she shook her head and shushed me. “You’re going to be just fine, Sparrow. Or as the folks ‘round here are now calling you, Lionheart.”
  Hammer lifted me up into her arms carefully and carried me outside to where a large crowd had gathered. I heard the cheering and applause from them, but I didn’t really care at the moment. I was still in terrible shape.

  “Congratulations, Lionheart! You have completed the Crucible and earned your right to become one of Lucien’s guards! Uh...I’d get fixed up first though. And not to worry. The next ship is scheduled to come in a few weeks, so you have plenty of time to heal up and get ready.” Mad-Dog greeted and informed me. I just nodded and smiled weakly at the man. He smiled back. “You’ve earned your title.”

Hammer then took me back to the bar and had a bit of a medical station set up. The people of Westcliff weren’t as bad as they appeared at first. In fact they were quite welcoming, bringing me food and water. Hammer and Courage stayed by my side through the next week as I recovered from my endeavor. I only wished that Garth was there with his potions to help with the healing process. Soon I was finally travel ready and the townsfolk said their byes. I felt a huge burden lifted from my shoulders as we left the camp that day. I was now secured a place on the ship heading for the Spire and to Garth.
  My first task was returning to Theresa, though I was certain she knew of my success, I still wished to speak with her. I was surprised she hadn’t tried to contact me sooner. Hammer, Courage and I traversed back through to the howling halls, certain that no more balverines would harm us.
 “Oh no! I completely forgot! The place caved in after we left it!” Hammer grabbed her hair and shook her head.

 “Well now hold on. Maybe it isn’t completely blocked off. We could look.” I stepped down into the cavern. It was dark and murky, but quiet. I had Hammer hold a large stick as I lit the tip using my Will fire. It had slowly returned over the week I was healing. All of us entered and saw a massive pile of stone in the way. I could still hear trickling of water.
  “Hmmmm...,”I thought to myself,”There could be a way through if we could move some of this rock. Hammer, why don’t you help?” I asked and started tugging on the nearest one.

“Oh let me.” Hammer nudged me aside and handed me the torch. She easily pulled the large rock from it’s place and there was a rumbling. We ran back up the steps as rubble came pouring out. As soon as the ground stopped quaking, we stepped over the rock and looked into the dark. Hammer held the torch high and we could see out over a load of crumbled stone. The flickering light reflected off of distant wall and we found that the other door way was still intact.
  “Hm, maybe we just knocked down a bunch of useless pillars...” Hammer said as we climbed through into the room.

“Just be careful though. No loud noises or sudden movements. We don’t want the place to come crashing down around us now.” I whispered. Just as I had said that their came a loud commanding voice echoing through the cavern that made Hammer and I jump and Courage bark.

  “Sparrow! You’re there, thank ness. I thought your mission had failed and you were dead.” Theresa spoke.
  “Uh, yeah, you didn’t listen to that whole thing I went through?” I answered back.
“I heard only until you were being strangled by a balverine and then a loud rumble. So, you have gone through the Crucible? Where are you now?”Theresa asked.

  “We’re back in the howling halls w-“ I stopped and slapped my forehead. “Of course! When my pack got ripped open, I completely forgot about the seal you gave me! It must still be in here somewhere. But there is so much stone everywhere....it could take weeks just to clear it all out. I’m sorry, Theresa, I forgot.” I apologized.

  “It is quite alright, Sparrow. I am just glad you are still alive.”Theresa said in her calm tone.

This made me smile. I never thought I would hear those words coming from her.
  “Sparrow, I can direct you to the seal. Let Courage be your guide. He will lead you to it.” Theresa told me. Just then, Courage began barking and sniffing over all the rubble. I followed him until he stopped and looked up. Hammer and I both started pulling stone up and digging straight down. It wasn’t too far to the bottom and there the seal gleamed brightly despite the minimal light in the room. I clutched it to me happily.
  “Very , Sparrow. Now come back to the guild. I wish to speak with you here.”Theresa ordered and I was eager to return.

---

My closest friends are in my head!

Took me a while with this one. My brother was hogging the computer. Anyways, here is chapter 23!

Sparrow must now go back to the people she loves and tell them bye before she departs for the Spire...

Chapter 23
-bye-


  The travel back through Westcliff presented no problems except for maybe being eerily quiet the entire time. Hammer, Courage and I hiked back through Brightwood and into Bowerlake. I welcomed the beautiful, sparkling waters and warm air. I was even glad as we entered the guild and saw Theresa standing there.
 
  “Ah, at last. Welcome back, Sparrow. Word has reached my ears of your victory in the Crucible. I am glad you are so resourceful, you will need every ounce you can get once you enter the Spire.”Theresa stepped forward. I looked around noticing something missing.
  “Young Daniel has returned to the towns. Told me that I was “an old hag” and then left. I’ve been keeping watch on him if you are concerned. He is doing fine, in fact, he’s spreading the word of your adventures. Nearly everyone knows who you are now, so expect to be greeted with enthusiasm next time you visit Bowerstone or Oakfield.”Theresa informed me.

  “Wow, he sure is a busy bee. I’ll have to thank him before I leave. Um...by the way, Theresa, how long do you think this will take exactly? Months? Weeks?”I inquired. If I was going to be stuck in that dark Spire for a while, I wanted to be prepared.

“That is difficult to place. The Spire is an enormous structure filled with countless guards and prisoners. Once you are in, leaving will be difficult. I suggest that you say your byes and prepare yourself mentally. Don’t worry about weapons, they won’t let anyone bring personal items.”Theresa replied.

  “What? Why? Oh, nevermind. I’ve only got about a week to spend saying my byes....better start now.”I sighed and waved to Theresa.
  “bye for now, little Sparrow.”Theresa waved back.

  As I appeared through the cullis gate on the top of Hero Hill, I felt something in the pit of my stomach. It was unsettling and daunting. I had to say bye to everything and everyone I loved for who knows how long? Hammer slapped a large hand on my shoulder and I looked up at her.
  “Well, where to first? We gonna go see little Dan? S’pose he deserves to know. And Jeremy too, oh bet he’ll be sad to know you’re leaving.”Hammer suggested. As she said these things I felt a bit of stinging in my eyes as tears tried to form and I felt my throat tighten.

  “Hammer, I....,” I stopped and thought a minute,”I want to show you where I finished growing up.”
  “Alright, lead on then. I’m here for you.”She smiled down at me and gripped my shoulder tightly.

  I took Hammer through the fields of Bowerlake and up over the bridge to where the Gypsy camp was. I felt a bit homesick already, seeing the homely place where I spent the remainder of my childhood days running around with the gypsies. I was welcomed back like a hero when everyone caught sight of me, though it wasn’t hard with Hammer tailing me.
  “Sparrow! You’re back! Been adventuring all over Albion have yeh? Why don’t you stay here tonight? We’re going to have a big bonfire just like we used to. Remember the bonfires?”An elderly gypsy woman, whom I recall was named Dinah.

  “I’ll consider it, Dinah. I have some things to do that are very important.”I told her and walked to the center of the camp. Everyone gathered around and gave me hugs and kisses. The children ran around me swinging toy swords and popping toy guns, the men around gave me googly eyes (especially John) and the women danced in place. Now I remembered why I loved this place so much. It was as if everyday were a celebration just to be alive. I found myself smiling from ear to ear.
  “So, you gonna introduce me? They all keep staring.” Hammer whispered to me.

“Oh yeah! Everybody, this is Hammer! She’s my best friend and she hails from Oakfield!” I announced. Everyone cheered and shook tamborines for her.
  “Welcome, welcome!” They cheered in unison.

“Hi everybody.” She smiled timidly, something I had never seen from her. I smiled even wider until my teeth peeped out from behind my lips. This place was truly happy. Courage was glad to be back as well, chasing familiar chickens and peeing on new things. I just shook my head and walked on with Hammer to my old caravan.
  “I didn’t realize how long it’s been....”I said as I opened the door and dust covered the place. I took a small broom from outside and began sweeping out the clutter. I coughed a bit at the dust swirling in the air as I was cleaning. Hammer sat outside on a fallen log, watching gypsies dance around and drink.
  “My kind of place! Glad to see you got a upbringing, I think that’s what makes you so humble, Sparrow. I never see the hint of pride in your eyes like I do in some people. Even when people are singing your praises, you blush and tell ‘em to stop.”Hammer sighed and looked up at me in the caravan. I finished sweeping and stepped down.

  “Oh, really, nothing I did was really that amazing. All a giant fluke, every bit! Why if it weren’t for this robe, I’d be dead several times over.” I told her.

“See there you go again!” Hammer laughed. I had to laugh too. I was being a bit humble, but it was the truth after all. A dreadful thought came to my mind. If I had to leave personal things behind, I would have to leave the robe here with Hammer. I couldn’t take it with me for safety in the Spire. Then I came to wonder what sort of garments I would be wearing once in there. For a while Hammer and I sat there, me in my caravan and she on the log. I watched the gypsy children playing around with Courage, happy that they were all having such a time. I didn’t want to have to say bye to all of this again. I was eager to leave the first time, but now it felt like security and home. A place where I could forget all the fighting, forget about Lucien and his plans. But then I thought of Rose, her grave in Bowerstone cemetery.

  I stood up, knowing I had many more things to do leaving. “Come on, before I get too attached.” I told Hammer. I whistled for Courage and waved bye to the gypsies.
  “Wait!” Called the Dinah again.
“Oh, I’m sorry I couldn’t stay for the fire, but-“I tried to explain as she approached me.
  “I know. Forget about that, I want you to have these.” Before I could protest, she shoved a pair of dazzling gold hoop earrings into my hands. I looked up at her and shook my head, holding them away.
  “Dinah, I can’t take these. I have no place for them and they’re too valuable.”I kindly refused.

“Oh, hush! Just take ‘em! I don’t need them anymore, I already got a man. You’re a pretty young thing. I hope you bring back a strapping lad next time you visit.” She winked at me. I smiled, thinking of Jeremy.

  “Okay, I will.” I told her and put the earrings in. I was glad now that they had my ears pierced, though it was fairly traumatic at the time...
  With more hugs and kisses, I left the camp once more. I sighed deeply as I walked from the only place I had considered home after Rose passed. Hammer pat me on the back.
  “You’ll be fine, Sparrow. I’ll be down here to visit while you’re away. Now why don’t we head for Bowerstone and pick up the little brat hm?”Hammer asked.

All I could do was nod and walk along with her. She seemed to be keeping me going when all I wanted to do was stop and look at everything. We walked on swiftly, but it still took us another day to reach Bowerstone Market where we found Danny in the square, singing his little heart out.
  “Hey! How was your trip? Did you beat it? The Crucible I mean? Gotta have some material, I’m running dry here!”Danny greeted me exuberantly. I laughed and pulled him into the biggest bear hug I could muster.

“Eh! Lemme go!” His muffled cries came,”You’re gonna suffocate me!”

  I let him go and then Hammer stepped up and squeezed him. I could almost hear the little bones cracking and when she plopped him back on the ground he gasped for air. “Geez! Are you two TRYING to kill me?!” Danny choked.

  “We’re saying bye, you dolt. Well, at least Sparrow is anyway.”Hammer told the sputtering boy, now picking himself up.
  “AGAIN?! You can’t keep leaving me like this ya know? It’s not healthy! What am I gonna do without you?” Danny looked up, giving me the most heartbreaking face.
“I’m sorry, but it can’t be avoided. I have to leave. It’s part of my mission. I’m going to the Spire to be a guard and to try and get Garth out of there. So please, come with me one last time before I leave?” I placed a gentle hand under his chin and he sighed.

  “Alright...I guess. You know I’m too soft on ya.” Danny pushed my hand away and ran over to Courage, ruffling his floppy ears. I grinned and sighed. Leaving all this was going to be tougher than I thought.

“So, where to now? We heading to Oakfield?” Hammer asked, shifting her pack.
“Well first, I’d like to visit my family one last time before I leave.”I said as I started to walk..

  “You’re family? But I thought...oh...right....”Hammer followed silently as we all headed through an alley to Old Town. I lead them to the alley where Rose and I shared a little make-shift shack. I showed Hammer where we made the wish with the magical music box that disappeared and then we went to the cemetery. It started looking stormy as we walked on through all the winding pathways towards Rose’s grave. Upon arriving Hammer set down her things and stepped lighter than I had ever seen her tread. She knelt down in front of the grave and looked it over. I watched silently as Hammer whispered something inaudible. I assumed she was paying her respects her own way. Danny just watched from the gate with Courage. After Hammer stood and backed away, it was my turn.
  “Rosie. I have to go now for a little bit, but I promise I’ll come back as soon as I can. Give mum and dad a big squeeze for me will you?” I kissed the tips of my fingers and placed it on the stone. “I promise, I will see you again. And you know how I am with my promises.” I smiled and stood again.

  “I wish I could have met your sister. She must have been real special to you.”Hammer said softly. I smiled with tears in my eyes and Hammer slung her arm around my shoulder as we strode along, Danny and Courage in tow. Next we visited my parents graves. They weren’t anything special, but they were decent enough. We both said our peace. I never really got to know mum or dad, but from the stories Rosie told me of them, they were grand. Dad went on loads of adventures until he met our mum. Then he fell in love and settled down. Then they had Rosie and me. Why did everything go so wrong?

  After the visit, we all left and were on our way to Rookridge. Once more I felt the heaviness that meant Kama was near, but again Hammer picked up the pace to assure no stopping. I had a laughing fit when she threw Danny over her shoulder. He was going in to meltdown, but one pop made sure he stayed quiet. As soon as we were clear of Rookridge and into Oakfield we were exhausted, though not as tired as before. Hammer let Danny down off her shoulder. He had been able to snooze on the way, but both of us were worn out and headed for the Sandgoose tavern and Inn. We rested until nightfall when suddenly there came a loud bell ringing.

  “Whazzat? Huh?” I sat up in bed and rubbed my tired eyes. There was shuffling and I heard gunfire. I reached over for my sword, though I suspected I would need to use Will, and I ran for the exit. There was chaos in front of my eyes. I saw several villagers sprawled out in the road with dark pools under them. People were shouting and guards were running to their aide.
  “What the bloody hell is going on?!” Hammer ran out of the Sandgoose, brandishing her trademark hammer. “I have no idea!” I yelled back to her. We both ran up the hill to where a guard was directing people out of town.

  “Hey, can you tell us what’s going on here?” I asked frantically.

“I need you two to leave promptly, let the guards handle this please!” He told us.

“Listen to me, I came here a while back. My name is Sparrow, maybe you’ve heard of me?” I smiled, hoping he had.

“I have heard of yeh, but right now, I really need to get civilians out of here.”He said.

“Yeah, but why? Maybe we can help?”I asked.

“There are a band of highwaymen attacking the town and some shadow folk hangin’ ‘round the Temple of Light. Dunno what they want, but I heard that Kama is among them.”The guard replied as he called to his fellow men.
  My heart skipped. Kama was here? Why couldn’t I feel him? Where was he? “Hammer, you go find Danny and Courage. I need you to protect the town while I see what’s up with the temple. Can you do that?” I asked of her.

  “Wait, it’s my father’s temple, why can’t I go too?” She tried arguing.
“Hammer, please go find Danny! I have to deal with Kama!”I yelled back at her.
  “Now you hold on, why do want to go deal with him? Aren’t you terrified of him? Let me go, you deal with the town?”Hammer reasoned.

“I’m sorry, but I just have to alright? Danny needs to be safe! If something happens to him...”I looked down at her. I could tell she wanted to fight more, but there was no time. She nodded and ran off to find Danny while I took off up the hill towards the temple. On my way I passed several highwaymen, which I slaughtered on the spot as they attempted to gut villagers. I finally reached the zenith and ran into the temple where shadow temple followers stood around frightened light monks.
  “Let them go!” I ordered. The shadow priests turned to me and laughed eerily, their chuckles echoing off every wall. “Let them go or I’ll use force!” I threatened. Again they laughed and one of them spoke.

  “You will find the prince of darkness where the precious water flows. There he waits with others....Go and see him young Sparrow.” He said mysteriously. There was something mad in his eyes and I ran out. Hammer would get to them for sure but now they were threatening the Wellspring. I had to stop them. But why on earth would they do it? What were they trying to accomplish?
  I sped down the path as swiftly as possible until I came upon the entrance. Something made me pause before entering. I felt a light tug on my robe and jumped, but noticed no one was around. I looked down and saw I was wearing Kama’s robe. I took the time to remove it and set it aside before walking in. I would have no protection from assault now, but I think the robe would only hinder me if I wore it. I entered the cave and started hearing more ominous echoes of chanting. Deeper and deeper I ventured, the chanting becoming closer and closer. The closest one was in the first room. I walked through the lengthy hall and entered the room. I saw a shadow priest chanting in some strange language. It made my head a bit fuzzy and hard to focus.

  Just then, a highwayman swooped down and slashed my arm. “Hey!” I shouted, not really caring that he almost nicked a vital artery. I swung my sword forward at him, but he did a back flip out of the way. “Stand still you pansy!” I yelled after him as he continued to flip around the room making me even more dizzy than I already was. He jabbed at me, but I leapt backwards just in time. Finally I grew tired of his incessant flipping and shot a bolt of lightning at him. He twitched and fell to the floor. The shadow priest stopped his chanting and turned his focus to me. He chanted something different now and glared with dish red eyes. Again I shot at him, but missed horribly. I shot a fireball which was much easier to aim, but for some reason it missed.
  “You wanna play like that?” I asked, running up the steps to him. He hissed and tried to bite me as I approached, but I just thrust my sword through his chest. His robe was all that met the ground. The rest of him seemed to dissolve into dark mist and dissipate. I stood there shocked for a moment before shaking it off and running for the next room.

  Again it was the same deal. Highwayman, flipping around. Bolt of lightning, he falls and I stab the shadow priest. It was then I ran for the last room. I had no doubt in my mind who I would find there.

  “Well, finally! I was beginning to wonder if you would show at all...” Kama’s soothing tone floated through the hall as I approached. When I entered the room where Hammer and I had learned of her father being held, it was murky and suffocating. The mist was more like a thick blanket wrapped around me. I looked over to the stone plate here Kama stood. His hair was still long, dark and smooth. His skin was like porcelain as he was shirtless with only a black skirt on.

  “What are you doing here?” I asked him angrily, trying o control myself as he shifted in and out of view behind the dark fog.
“Well, I saw you walking through my land once more and you didn’t stop in to say hello, so I came to you. I was lonely. You can’t blame me for that can you?”His velvety laugh echoed around the room. It sent chills all through me, but strangely at the same time I felt aroused. I shook the feeling away and held up my sword.
“Oh....getting defensive? Let me cure you of that feeling...” Kama lifted his arm and twisted his hand around. My sword was pulled violently from my hands and thrown far across the room to where I could not see. I knew there was no use in trying to recover it. I would just rely on my Will to deal with him.

  “Oh little Sparrow. It’s no use trying to hide what you feel inside. So innocent....so pure.....but give me one night and that will all change.” Kama said, stepping towards me. I held up my fists, ready to strike the second he got close. But as he got near, he instantly vanished. I wheeled around, thinking perhaps he was trying to sneak up on me, but he was not there. I listened as his laugh rang out through the cave, shaking the walls and making me cringe. I backed up to where he stood last, waiting for him to reappear. I suddenly felt freezing hands on my throat and torso. I gasped as Kama held me close. I didn’t move, knowing the flailing would only excite him further.
  “I can hear your heartbeat....smell your fear. I want it. I want that fear. I want your innocence, Sparrow. Give it to me....or I will take it. Actually I think I like that last one better.” Kama whispered sensually in my ear. I tensed up as he pulled my head to the side. I knew what was coming now. Kama bit down, letting hot blood pour forth down my front. I fell into him, the pain was immense, far worse than it had been before. I couldn’t let this happen.

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My closest friends are in my head!

Once again, I'm speechless... You breath life into the world of Albion in ways I never thought possible...

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1 year on the forums and counting! Get it? Counting? Oh never mind...

Get on with it! I want more! Lol.

Here it is finally. I have been quite distracted lately trying to make a webcomic as well as doing alot of nothing...and i just watched Watchmen. Anywho, here is chapter 24!

Sparrow is trapped by Kama in the wellspring cave, can she save herself?

Chapter 24
-Proposal-


  I could feel the fangs of Kama pierced deep in my flesh, the hot sticky blood dripped down my chest. Kama’s icy hands gripped my stomach tightly, his long nails digging into my flesh. It had been a trap. Kama knew I would come running to the rescue, desecrating the Wellspring was just a bonus. My mind was a blur trying to think of a way out of this, but the pain kept me from thinking for more than a minute at a time. Kama licked the oozing blood from around the wound, digging his tongue into the holes he had made. I screamed out in anguish. Why was this happening to me? What was it about me that he wanted so badly? There were others like me I was sure, why couldn’t he go after them?
  Kama moaned into my ear and began to caress my breasts. I felt my head roll back and lay on his shoulder. His bite was almost like a tranquilizer. My limbs grew heavy and my mind fuzzy.
  “Ka.....kama....”I whispered to him.

“Mm...yes?...”He whispered back.

“Why....me?”I asked him as he continued feeling me all over.

“Because...you are innocent and I want to corrupt that. I live to corrupt....”Kama pulled me down and lay me on the plate. “And with your corruption, I shall desecrate this holy place, finally being rid of this disgustingly bright village. There is no running from the darkness, little Sparrow, for the sun must set eventually...”
 Kama set me down on the ground and continued to drink from my neck.  I felt his hands moving lower, down my side to the brim of my panties. He crouched above me, fangs flashing in the dim light and eyes glowing a sinister red. I scowled at him, trying to kick or scream. He just smiled wider. Kama started pulling slowly on my panties and I could feel them sliding off. A small tear trickled down from my eye and onto the cold stone beneath me.
  Kama licked his lips and leaned forward to lick more blood from my neck. It was dripping onto the stone plate and traveling along little cracks and designs. Kama positioned himself above me, ready to pounce. More tears slid silently down my face as he removed his black skirt wrap.

“Sparrow!” I heard Hammer yell as she came barreling into the room. “Damn you, Kama! I’ll murder you!” She swung her hammer high over her head and aimed for the hellish man.

  “You again! You will NOT INTERFERE!” Kama shouted and sprang up. Feeling suddenly returned to my whole body and I leapt to my feet, taking a swipe at Kama. He vanished in a puff of smoke and reappeared at the top of the small hill that lead to the exit. “I will have Sparrow!”He screamed to us.

  “Are you alright there, Sparrow? I told you I should’ve been the one to take care of this!” Hammer lectured me.

  “Alright, Hammer you can do your gloating later! Right now we kinda need to take this guy out permanently!” I bellowed back at her.

  Kama whistled and suddenly shadow things formed from the mist surrounding hammer and I. I ran and grabbed up my sword, swinging at the dark things lounging for me. Hammer swished her mallet through the air, striking several beings at once. I shot ferocious blazes, taking out many. Kama slipped in and out of the mist, scratching at Hammer and I. Every time he appeared I attempted to strike, but to no avail. He was like smoke.
  “Having fun now, Sparrow?! I like to get rough, don’t you? Makes the ending all the sweeter...”Kama shouted in echoes throughout the room. The shadow hobbes and men clawed and attacked viciously, leaving me bleeding in several spots. Hammer was no exception, she was equally scratches and bleeding.

  Kama laughed cruelly when we had disposed of all the shadows. His glowing red eyes pierced the mists. He stood back on the stone plate just staring at us as we panted. It was then I had an epiphany. Slowly, I inched towards the plate that revealed the stunning rays of light. I only hoped it would work...
  “Give in to me...it’s the only option you have. The only way to ensure that I leave you alive. Well, not entirely” Kama began mocking me. I quickly bolted for the plate and as I expected, sweet shining rays beamed down upon Kama. He let out a shriek like I had never heard. It hurt my ears so much I had to drop my sword and cover them. Kama fell in place and shrieked the entire time. Hammer tried getting closer, but it was difficult to hold her hammer and still close her ears. I had no need for the sword with my Will and marched forward to him. He hissed and swatted at us, but I just grabbed him and held him down.
  My ears were on fire, filled with his cries. I could see his skin peeling back and revealing darkness beneath. His fangs grew longer and his face became distorted, almost mask-like. I then felt a hot liquid drip from my ear. I looked as the drops fell upon Kama. My ears were actually bleeding!
  “Hammer!,”I screamed over Kama,”Get my sword! I think we need to remove his head!”

She must have heard because she dashed to where it lay and ran back in no time flat. “I need you to cut it off! Let the light touch the blade, make sure the light shines on it!”
 Hammer did as she was told and then held it up, ready to sever Kama’s head. “Do it!” I shouted and she brought down the blade with incredible force. I felt the blood spurting, covering me in crimson. I gasped and felt Kama slip through my fingers, turning into black smoke and vanishing.

  Hammer stood there drenched in blood as well. “Sparrow...you okay?” She asked breathlessly. I just nodded. We both picked up our weapons and exited the spring quickly. When we emerged, the sun was peaking over the ocean and a crowd of people were gathered outside. At the site of us, they erupted in a flurry of questions. Hammer and I just shook our heads and avoided the over enthusiastic crowd.
  “Sparrow? Sparrow!” Jeremy called out for me. I looked for him through the crowd and he ran for me. He saw the blood and ran faster, pulling me to him and holding me tight. “Oh Sparrow. I was so worried...Wh-what has happened to you?! What went on in there?” Jeremy frantically asked, brushing my hair back from my face. All I could do was shake my head and bury my face in his warm chest and let him hold me.

  The evening had come swiftly and with it came a feast in Hammer and I’s honor. The entire village gathered to thank our valiant efforts and to celebrate the destruction of Kama. I was even more relieved at this fact. No more worries while traveling through Rookridge. It meant that we could have rest next time we passed through. Jeremy wouldn’t stop holding my hand as we talked and drank with friends of his. Jeremy’s brother stood against a beam, watching the interaction. For some reason, he was frowning. I didn’t look too much into it and just ate and drank my heart out.
  Jeremy had kindly given me new clothes since Kama’s robe had vanished as well. I would be sad that I couldn’t use it as protection any longer, but happy the reminder was gone. I nuzzled Jeremy’s chin and took comfort in the fact that he was here. Took comfort in knowing I had him to think of all the while I would be at the Spire. And that is when it hit me. I still had to break it to poor Jeremy. He laughed and he smiled. I just smiled back. Perhaps I would tell him tomorrow. Tonight was for happiness and friends.

  Danny stood in the corner, belting out tales of my triumphs and getting cheers fro the crowd. Courage sat by my side, snoozing away. Hammer was guzzling down pints at a nearby table as a few temple monks cheered her on. It was such a sight to see the whole town gathered together like this. I took another drink from my wine bottle and leaned my head back on Jeremy’s shoulder.

  Jeremy had let me stay over at his house for the night, to my delight and, for some odd reason, his brother’s dismay. I awoke to the two brothers quarreling.

  “Jeremy, you don’t get it do you? I keep telling you that she’s-“

“I don’t care what you think she is, Tristan! All I know is that she loves me!” Jeremy argued.
I slowly climbed out of bed and made my way to the doorway to listen further.
  “You don’t understand. She’s...she’s one of them, Jeremy. As soon as she gets famous enough, she’s gonna leave you. Haven’t you heard the old stories? You know what those heroes do...she could even kill you! Do you want that?” Tristan gripped the collar of Jeremy’s shirt, but he pushed his brother away.
  “Just stay out of my business! You don’t know her! You don’t know what she is like...”Jeremy was becoming quite frustrated.
“Oh, and I suppose you know who she is? You’ve known her, what...a month at most? And she barely comes around! She’s always out there trying to prove how great she is to the world. I just don’t want you to get hurt again...”Tristan stared his brother down and Jeremy just stared right back.
  “You’re wrong...” Jeremy told him and headed back to the room. I quickly leapt back into bed and pulled the covers over my head as he entered.
 
  “Hey, Sparrow...”Jeremy spoke softly, I peeked out from under the covers at him. His eyes were bloodshot and he looked like he’d been up overnight. “I love you...”He said and placed a gentle hand on my waist.
 “Love you too...”I said quietly. I sat up and hugged him with extra squeeze to let him know I truly meant it.

  “Come on. We’re going on a little trip to the beach today. I’m gonna pack some lunch for us, okay? You can freshen up.” Jeremy gave me a sweet kiss and left the room, closing the door. I sighed heavily. I had to tell him today, but I didn’t want to break his heart. I would be back, but I was unsure of how long I would be gone. It could be years, or it could be never. But I slipped on a fresh set of clothes and brushed my hair as best I could, getting ready for the day. I opened the door to leave and saw Tristan sitting at the table. He looked up at me and I looked back, trying to smile.
  “You think you’re being cute don’t you?” He asked blandly. I frowned.

“I’m not the monster you think I am. I have something I have to take care of. It’s very important to me, as well as all of Albion.” I told him, walking towards the front door.
 “You just keep thinking that...but I know you’re going to hurt him. You can’t avoid it.”Tristan said, taking a drink of orange juice.
Again I frowned and just kept walking. I knew that today would not go well, but spending time with Jeremy made me happy. I walked out onto the road on my way back to the Sandgoose, watching people passing each other and guards tipping their hats to passers by. I skipped on down the path and entered the bar. There I saw Hammer sitting at the same table and talking to some monks. “Hey there, Sparrow! Come have a sit!” She beckoned and I willingly sat down.
  “So what have you been up to? You get it on with that boyfriend of yours?” She laughed heartily. My face went red.
  “My ness, no! Who do you think I am? No, I’m waiting for marriage thank you.” I crossed my arms and turned up my nose. Hammer laughed again and slapped me hard on the back making me cough. “Ugh....”

 “Relax, I’m only joking. Anyways, have you told him yet? We haven’t got long until we gotta head back and if you don’t tell him now, he’ll be crushed when you just take off without a bye.” Hammer told me. I knew she was right, but she wasn’t the one in love with him. Letting Jeremy go would be the most difficult thing she’s had to face, even more so than facing the Crucible.
  “I know, Hammer, but...it’ll crush him no matter what day I tell him. I want my possible last days with him to be happy ones, not sulky or dreary. You don’t know how it feels to be in love like this....”I sighed.

Hammer looked down at me as I set my arm on the table and rest my head in my hand. “Well. This guy must be really special.” She told me.
  “He is...” I sighed again.

“Hey, Sparrow. All set?” Jeremy waved to me. I grinned and jumped up to greet him. He pecked my on the cheek and took my hand. On his other arm was a large basket and I could only wonder at the tasty morsels it contained.
  “You two behave yourselves now!” Hammer hollered at us and I laughed. Together, Jeremy and I strolled down the winding road to the beach. Jeremy rolled out a blanket for us to sit on and stare out across the open ocean. My heart sunk again as I spotted the Spire off in the distance, but I didn’t let Jeremy see my anguish. He set down the basket on the blanket and opened it up, pulling two sandwiches out and handing one to me. I took a big bite and grinned. Jeremy laughed at me. I quickly finished the sandwich and wiped my mouth of crumbs. Jeremy kissed me again and I kissed back. I could feel his scratchy stubble on my smooth face, feel his warm breath on my cheeks. He pulled away and stood up. I looked up at him as he pulled his shirt off and tossed it to the sand. He beckoned and started running for the water. I bit my lower lip and took off my boots, dashing after him. Jeremy waded out into the waves and turned back just in time to see me jump and tackle him into the water. We both came up, gasping for air and hugging one another. We were both drenched and laughing and clinging to each other.
  I saw the Spire again and once more my spirits sank. Jeremy noticed the change in my expression. “What’s the matter, Sparrow?” He asked and turned to where I was staring. He saw the Spire. “Oh, don’t worry about that thing. It’s way out there.”

  “No...no Jeremy I just can’t take it anymore, I have to tell you...”I said, looking down as another wave swept past us.
  “What is it? You..you’re not dumping me are you?” He asked with sad eyes.
“No! I...it’s just that. You know the last trip I was on?” I said as we trudged back up on the beach.
  “Yeah?” He waited for my answer.
“I went to Westcliff and competed in the Crucible. I won and well, winners are allowed to become guards in the Spire....”I sat down and looked at my feet.

“You...want to become a guard in that place? I don’t understand...”Jeremy sat beside me.

  “No, far from it, but...I am after a man in there. It’s a rescue mission. He’s being held in there and-“

“He?” Jeremy became worried.

  “No, no, no. He is...he’s one of..he’s a hero, like me. I need to save him. It’s part of my mission. I didn’t want to tell you because I didn’t want to hurt you, Jeremy. I knew you would be heartbroken and...and so would I. If there were any other option I would stay here with you, but...” I trailed off. He seemed to understand, something I valued in him. He knew there was no other option.
  “Sparrow. I was going to wait for this, but seeing as you could be gone for a while....”Jeremy reached inside his pocket and pulled out something shiny. My eyes widened as he opened his palm and showed me a solid gold ring. “I feel kind of stupid now...”
  “Don’t...it’s beautiful...” I picked it up and slid it onto my ring finger. I looked it over. It had no ornament, but it didn’t need it. It was my ring and that’s all that mattered. I kissed him gently and we walked back up to our blanket to finish our lovely lunch.
  After we had dried off and packed up, we headed back to the Sandgoose. This time Hammer was nowhere to be found. I didn’t really care, it would bide me more time to brace myself for her teasing once I showed off my new engagement ring. Danny had taken Courage a round the village and was now snacking on a rather large slice of blueberry pie and Courage had himself a piece of mutton. “Hey there kiddo. Do you know where Hammer is?” I asked Danny as I played with his curly locks.
  “Nope.” He took a bite of his pie and shooed me away.
“Well tell Hammer to come and find me when she gets back, alright?” I told Danny. He just nodded and stuffed his face. Jeremy and I left the Sandgoose and began walking back to his house. And then came Theresa’s voice again. I clenched my eyes shut and waited for her news that I knew would tear me from Jeremy’s arms and into the cruel depths of the dark Spire.

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My closest friends are in my head!

You're such a great writer! I wish I was as as you

I really liked that update, we finally get to learn a bit more about Jeremy's past,

can't wait for the next update!

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1 year on the forums and counting! Get it? Counting? Oh never mind...

Thanks for reading! Here is chapter 25!

Sparrow and Hammer head reluctantly back to Westcliff where the ship is docked in the port, ready to take her to the Spire....

Chapter 25
-Departure-


  “Sparrow, the ship is nearly to Westcliff, they will be docking for one day picking up recruits, as well as workers. I need you and Hammer to travel there now. I hope you’ve finished saying your byes. Hurry, Sparrow, there is not much time.” Theresa ordered.

 Jeremy looked at me and I hung my head. Tears started forming in my eyes and a knot stuck in my throat.
 “You have to go now don’t you?” He asked solemnly. I buried my face in his chest and held him tightly. He knew it was time

  “I’m so sorry, Jeremy,”I sobbed with tear filled eyes,”I never wanted this....I would stay here and marry you if I could.”

  Jeremy just hugged me,”Shhh...Sparrow. It’s alright now. When you get back, we can marry. I promise I will wait for you.”
  “You swear? You promise? I hope you’re not the type to break a promise...please tell me you will keep your promise?” I begged.
“I will keep my promise.” Jeremy leaned in and kissed me deeply. I kissed back with tears dripping from my eyes.

  Hammer came jogging up the path and saw the two of us not letting the other go. I had a sinking feeling in the bottom of my stomach that wouldn’t leave me be. I was scared that this may be the last time I saw him. “I don’t...I don’t want to go....” I whispered to Jeremy.
  Hammer walked up and tugged on my arm,”Sparrow, it’s gonna be okay. You’ll come back. I’ll look after Jeremy, how about that, huh?”

I nodded and wiped the snot from my nose. “I will come back to you, I promise this.” I told Jeremy.
  “I never had a doubt.” He said. I kissed him one last time before finally letting him go. Hammer had to pry me away and we both ran back to the Sandgooose to fetch Danny and Courage.

“What?! You’re leaving now? You can’t!” Danny complained.
“It’s only temporary and you can come part of the way.” I told him, but Danny wouldn’t listen. Wether he liked to believe it or not, Danny had grown rather fond of Hammer and I. We had all traveled far and wide together.
  “But I wanna come with you! I want to see what’s going on in there, maybe get some stories or-“I cut him off.

“Listen Dan, they would enslave you if you went in there. That is the last thing I would want for you. If you really want to help, you can stay here and wait for me.” I grabbed his shoulders and looked him in the eyes. He turned away and shrugged me off. He cared more than I knew.
  “We gotta go, Sparrow. Don’t want to miss the ship.” Hammer reminded me. I nodded and whistled for Courage who barked and ran to my side. Danny reluctantly followed and Hammer lumbered along in back. I waved bye to villagers wishing me luck in my travels. Every bye felt like I was leaving a bit of myself behind.

  We left Oakfield and entered Rookridge. I was stunned to see that it too was sunny and clear. No longer could I feel Kama’s gaze and the Temple of Shadows only felt like an empty old building. I felt a bit better at least. We camped one night in Rookridge without incident and continued in the morning. We made it to Bower Lake easily and I was tempted to stop in and give Theresa a piece of my mind, but I knew it was just a waste of time we didn’t have. So on to Brightwood we trekked. Danny was quite reluctant to march back through here and grew even more antsy as we walked along the trail towards his father’s farm.
  “Uh...are you sure this is the way to Bandit Coast? I think it’s that other way...um...should we be going this way? There could be bandits!” He tried to get us to take the other road, but I knew where I was going. I knew I had to leave Danny here with his father where he would be most comfortable, even if he didn’t think of it as comfort.

  We approached the small cabin and Danny groaned heavily, Hammer dragging him along so that he couldn’t make a run for it. “Oh, hello there young Sparrow!” Giles called out happily. “Always nice to know you still come this way. Danny m’boy, you getting along well with these two?” He laughed at his son’s face.
  “Oh don’t be so sour.” I pushed Danny forward, towards his father who gave him a big hug. Danny hugged him back.

  “Sorry, Giles. Gotta leave the brat with you.” I said.
Giles frowned,”He’s not giving you trouble is he? You could just give him a swat. Sometimes he needs it.” Giles joked.
  “No, s’not that. It’s just that Sparrow’s got a special mission she can’t take the boy on. She’s headed for the Spire.” Hammer explained.

 “Oh....Oh I see, well. For what particular reason, if you don’t mind me prying.” He asked.

“Gotta save a friend. He lived in that tower up ahead. Last time I was here, that’s who I came to see, but he’s got himself kidnapped and now I gotta spring him.” I explained.
  “Oh dear. Well, if there is anyway I could help...er...food perhaps or rest for the night? Bandits have been slowly creeping back through these parts.” Giles offered.

“I would be glad to have one more night of sleep before heading through Westcliff again...the place terrifies me.” I shivered. Giles waved for us to follow and he took us into his small cabin as evening began to fall. Giles made us a lovely dinner. Hammer had roast duck and I ate a large salad drizzled in a dressing Giles made from some hibiscus flowers. It was quite tasty and I had my wine to help. We all talked and laughed together for a while, but I knew I needed to get off to bed so we might have an early start.
  Hammer opted to sleep out on the porch while I took the floor of the cabin. Giles scooted Danny over and lay next to him. It was a cozy night, warm and dry. I slept like a rock.

  The next morning, Giles and Danny waved bye. Danny refused to hug me and stayed in a foul mood. He was going to miss me terribly and I would miss him. Hammer and I walked to Bandit Coast. Of course, the name fit. We found ourselves fighting through hoards of men all trying to loot and ravage. We only stopped for one night and just barely as there were plenty of bandits to keep us on edge the entire time.
  Finally we reached Westcliff, but that was no safe haven either. I was constantly looking over my shoulder at every crack and whistle of the wind. At times I could swear I heard a howling further in our path and I imagined those terrible teeth and fury of claws. Hammer was on edge as well. There was one time she nearly took my head off as she swung at what she could swear was a balverine about to pounce. We wandered down the path to the howling halls again and watched each other’s backs. And there they were, Balverines, foaming at the mouth and watching us with their beady red eyes, hungry for our flesh.
  Hammer and I tensed up, waiting for them to jump and attack, but none of them moved. They only watched us descend into the dark depths. Once again we found the crumbled halls desolate and devoid of life. The only new addition was the rotting smell of death and decay from all the slain balverines buried by stone. I had to suppress a gag at the stench. Hammer held a rag to her nose. “Aww, that is just disgusting...”She said through muffled cloth.

  Finally we clambered out of the halls and out into the fresh air of the outside. My heart jolted as I saw the mast of a large ship docked at the harbor in the Westcliff camp. Hammer pushed me and we both ran as fast as our legs would allow towards the camp. I rushed past the greeters at the gate and ran through large crowds. I kept my eye out for anyone that looked as if they were wearing any type of uniform. No one caught my eye immediately but as I rounded the corner towards the docks I froze in place. Hammer, not expecting the sudden halt, barreled into me. I was knocked off my feet and fell at the feet of the man I was trying to avoid.
  I slowly looked up at the devious man, tall and dark and brooding. The Commandant. I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t move. I just stared up at him as he stared down at me. I was suddenly hauled to me feet by hammer who dusted me off.
  “Sorry ‘bout that, Sparrow! Why’d you stop all the sudden? Oh!” She spotted the dark man that stood at about the same height as her. My jaw was still on the floor and I could swear I was starting to foam at the mouth.
  “Hey snap out of it, Sparrow! This guy prolly knows how to get on that ship.” She shook me back to reality.
 “Yeah, I know,” I whispered out the side of my mouth to her, “I saw this guy in my drea-..my nightmares.”
 Hammer acknowledged what I had said, but didn’t let it show on her face. The Commandant was looking us both over. He seemed interested more in Hammer than me, for which I was secretly glad. But I knew that it was me going on that ship with the frightening man and not Hammer. Courage growled deeply at the man, but he just ignored the pup.
  “You there! Big one! Have you challenged the Crucible?” His booming growl of a voice asked Hammer.
 “Uh..no,”Hammer frowned at the man, angry at his comment,”But, my friend here, Lionheart, has! And she triumphed well! I watched the whole thing, you can ask anyone here and they can tell you.” Hammer said, holding me in place.

  The commandant reached out and grabbed the nearest villager tightly by the throat as he was running by, making the man gag. “You. Do you know this girl?” The Commandant asked.
  The man choked out,”Sure. That is Lionheart...”He said. The Commandant dropped him and the man took off.

  “Well, at least someone else has heard of you. How would you like to join our army? Have you heard of the Spire?” He asked. I nodded and gulped, trying to speak but all that came out were small squeaks.
  “Speak up, soldier!” He commanded.

“Yes!” I yelled in fright,” I mean, yes, Sir!” I corrected myself as he gave me a daring look. Hammer stepped back a bit, getting a bit on edge.

  The Commandant began walking around me, looking me up and down. I licked my lips nervously and shuddered my breaths. I felt sharp claws touch my sides and I had to suppress a yelp. Those claws reminded me of Kama so much. The Commandant lifted my arms and squeezed my biceps, trying to gauge my strength I supposed. I heard Hammer slightly chuckling at the sight.
  “Oh shut it!” I yelled back at her, almost laughing myself as the Commandant suddenly lifted my shirt. I gasped in a reflex and turned to slap him, but he caught my hand. I gulped once more and he lifted my shirt once more, looking at my abs.
  “Show me your legs.” He ordered and I quickly lifted my skirt so that he would not do so himself. He squeezed my thigh, which I was not the least happy about, and then my calf. My face was blazing red and Hammer was trying so desperately not to burst out laughing hysterically. I was glad that she didn’t laugh.
  Finally the Commandant was done and he stared down at me, looking deep into my eyes. I dared not look away, but tried to turn my thoughts away from Garth or Lucien. I had an odd feeling that he could see the truth hidden in my eyes.
  “Very well. I think we could find some use for you at the Spire. We are departing tomorrow at dawn. Be there before then or we leave without you.” He said gruffly and then walked on to look at other potential recruits.

  I let out a long heavy sigh and Hammer pat me on the back. She could tell I was quite distressed. “Come on, Sparrow. Let’s go tie one on, huh?” She suggested.
  “I’m sorry, Hammer, I don’t think I can.” I said, patting Courage’s soft head. Courage seemed tense. I think he understood that I was leaving and it was causing him grief as well. I hadn’t really given it much thought, but I was going to have to leave Courage behind as well. He had been there for me through everything since Rose died and now I was going to have to leave him here alone.
  “Hammer,” I stopped her as she started heading for the bar,”I need to ask you something.”

“Oh yeah? You change your mind?” She said, walking back.

  “No. I...I need a huge favor.” I said, looking up at her.

“Yeah sure, anything.” She assured me.

  “Can you look after this bag of fleas for me while I’m gone? I’m fairly sure I can’t bring him with me and I don’t want him to be without someone to look after him again.” I told her.

Hammer looked down at Courage as he scratched an itch behind his floppy ears,”Yeah, of course! I love the mutt!” She smiled. I was glad for this.
 “Thank you, Hammer.” I said sincerely.

“Aww, what are friends for, right? I promise I’ll check up on the gypsy camp and Jeremy and Danny. After all , they’re my friends too. And I’ll go say high to Rose every now and then, huh?” She chuckled. I was so happy to have her here. I knew I could count on Hammer. She gripped me in a big bear hug until I felt my bones start to give way.
  “Okay, okay!” I laughed and she dropped me. I held my sides,”I think maybe I’ll join you later. I’m gonna go down to the beach and play some fetch with Courage. I never really get to play with him like I used to.”

 “Alright, you know where to find me when you’re done!” Hammer waved and headed for the tavern. I whistled to Courage and he trotted along with me down to the coast. I saw the huge ship docked in the port. Some people were boarding, others were carrying large crates to and from the ship. I looked along the shore and found a decent piece of lumber that had snapped off of a crate most likely. Courage barked up at me and I held the stick high up. He readied himself, pacing and then whining. I threw the stick as hard as I could. It flew far and courage was right there with it, catching it in his jowls. Courage ran back as fast as he could manage and dropped the stick at my feet. I picked it up and threw it again.
  Some of the workers stopped to watch as the two of us played together in the sand. After a bit, we abandoned the stick and went for a dip in the ocean. The water was cold and I gasped as I plunged into it. Courage didn’t mind and just swam around in the waves. I let the waves lap at me as I sat in the shallow water. Courage paddled around and swam back to me, dripping wet. He shook out his fur, getting the drops all over me. I laughed and tackled him into the sand. He barked and licked my face. He got wet sand all in his fur and I in my hair. But neither of us cared. It was my last day here with one of my best friends and I was going to enjoy it.

  I noticed all the men watching me romp around and suddenly stopped. They realized I had seen them and they all quickly scrambled back to work. I just guffawed at them all. After our little romp, Courage and I trekked back up the hill to the bar. Hammer was there of course, waiting for me with a big bottle of brandy.
  “Took you long enough. Here, bought you something special.” Hammer said, pulling a large shining sword from a dark sheathe.
My eyes glimmered with wonder as I took the brand new sword in my hands. I turned it over, looking at my reflection in the gleaming metal.
  “And that’s not all!” Hammer pulled out a shiny new pistol as well. “It’s one of those fancy clockwork pistols. Shoots faster anyways.” She handed it to me. I was speechless.
“Figured you’d need some protection in there and these are the best so far. I want to make sure my friend comes back in one piece.” Hammer said taking a big swig of her brandy.

  I set the items down carefully and gave my friend the biggest hug I could muster. She just pat my back. Tears formed in my eyes and Hammer just slugged me in the arm. It was her way of showing affection. I sat down beside her and she handed me a bottle of wine. Together we drank our hearts out.
  The next morning came quickly and I was woken strangely by hammer who started rushing me to get down to the docks. Apparently she had told someone to wake her so we wouldn’t miss it. I was barely awake as she shoved me down the hill to the docks. I saw blurs of people all hustling to get onto the boat.  We stopped and I suddenly felt cold water splashed in my face. I sputtered and coughed, now more awake.
  “What-the-hell-Hammer?!” I choked.

“You’re leaving today, you great lummox! We have to say our bye’s now, don’t you know?” She yelled at me. I stretched and yawned looking around. I suddenly remembered everything that was going on. “Oh my god. I’m leaving today! Hammer! I’m leaving!” I grabbed her arms and looked up at her.

  “I know! We haven’t got much time either. There shipping off in a few minutes! The guy I asked to wake us up woke up late himself. Figures.” She started rambling but I hushed her.

“Sorry...it’s just...I..never got to say bye to my father and now. Well, my best friend in the whole world is leaving me.” Hammer started to get a bit choked up.
  “Hammer, it’s alright to be sad you know. You can cry if you need to. I know you cried that night, we both did. And now I’m leaving, so you can cry.” I told her. Hammer gripped me a in a big hug and I felt tears hit my shoulder.
  “I’m gonna miss you, you Ol’ girl. Don’t you even think about giving up, you here? No matter how bad it may get in there...”Hammer let go and I looked up at her. Courage whined at my heels and I stooped down to give him a big hug and kiss his wet nose. I knew Hammer would look after him well.
  “You gotta stay here boy, look after Hammer and our friends okay? I’ll be back soon, I promise. Before you even know it, I’ll bring this ship back with Garth on it.” I whispered to him. Courage just whined and licked my hands to acknowledge what I said.

“Alright, this ship is about to set sail! Everyone who’s going better get on now!” Bellowed a gruff man from the deck.
  “I better get on then.” I said and waved to Hammer and Courage. They watched me go sadly as I stepped up the ramp to board.

  “Hey, what’s yer name there lass?” Another man asked.

“Oh, it’s Sp-...um...Lionheart.” I told him, still groggy from waking.

“Alright, you’re on the list, but you can’t bring those weapons with yeh. And you’ll be gettin’ a change of clothes when yeh arrive as well.” He told me.
  “But my friends gave me these things.” I told him.
“No arguing! Get rid o’ that stuff or we’re shippin’ off without yeh!” He yelled. I walked back down the ramp and removed my things, handing them back to Hammer.
  “What a jerk. I’ll keep them nice for you, Sparrow.” she said and then I trudged back up the ramp onto the deck of the ship. I noticed there were no other women on board and felt a bit uneasy at this fact. I take it that not many females are willing to be warriors these days. I looked up to the helm and saw the Commandant surveying the ship. This was not going to be a very nice trip.

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My closest friends are in my head!

you know, i don't understand why you're not getting more comments, this story is really !

please keep writing!

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1 year on the forums and counting! Get it? Counting? Oh never mind...

it took me a while, but I read the whole story so far, and it's great

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Then it comes to be that the soothing light at the end of your tunnel was just a freight train coming your way

Well a big thank you to everybody that reads! Sorry this one took so long. Idea's ran short and I've been drawing alot more. Went to some movies, chilled for a while and finally sat down to write. So here is Chapter 26!

Sparrow finds herself upon the ship headed for the Spire with the Commandant as captain. Can she survive this horrible trip?!

Chapter 26
-Troubled Waters-

 It was terrible. The weather, the passengers, the crew. They were all terrible. I was beginning to think that this trip would determine who was fit to guard and who would become the slaves. The first day we were sorted into different duties. Of course, I was given the task of cleaning up. They made us change our clothes into all white shirts and shorts. They couldn’t find small enough clothes to fit me so I was constantly pulling my shirt back onto my shoulders. Forget about my shorts, my shirt fit me like a dress, and I couldn’t get the dang things to stay on anyhow. So there I was, swabbing the deck in a shirt that was nearly falling off, no shorts and water surging all around me. The rain soaked my shirt and matted my hair as thunder crashed above. The Commandant just stood through it as if someone were just sprinkling a watering can on him. The rest of the crew were scrambling to close the sails so they wouldn’t be damaged, but I was ordered to continue scrubbing even though I saw o point. “It’s your duty” I was told.
  And so I scrubbed, even as I was tossed around deck. I had my safety line tied just in case. I had a feeling that if I fell off, they wouldn’t even flinch.

  After the storm had passed, I continued to swab. The Commandant stepped down from his post and walked up to me. I didn’t look up, but waited for him to speak. He grabbed the end of the mop and so I looked up at him. He pulled the mop out of my hands and tossed it to the ground.
  “Can I help you, sir?” I asked cautiously.
“Lionheart, is it? I need you to go and clean up the galley so that a hot meal can be prepared, understood?” He growled.
  “Yes, sir.” I answered and trudged off to go clean up the galley. When I arrived downstairs I saw a mound of pots and pans that needed to be washed. I groaned but knew I had no choice. Slowly but surely I cleaned each dish. By nightfall, I had finished cleaning the last pan as a buff man descended the galley stairs.
  “Ah, . Now vamoose! I need to get to cooking a meal!” He yelled at me and I quickly obeyed. I just wished that it would be done soon, I was starving.

  As I appeared on deck, the Commandant stood at the bow. I approached carefully as not to startle him or anger him in any way.
  “Um, sir, I have finished downstairs. What do you need of me now?” I asked.
He turned and looked at me. I gulped. The sight of him did startle me even in the light of day, but now at night he as even more fearsome.
  “You again. Everyone else is in the cabin taking a rest before dinner, why are you not down there?” He asked.

“Oh, well, sorry. This is my first time on a ship. I am not sure of the schedule or..or procedure or-“I stuttered.

“Quit your babbling and get downstairs. Wash up for dinner or I will find something for you to do and I guarantee it will not be pleasant.” The Commandant bellowed. I bowed and ran for the cabin. He was terrifying...
  The cabin was filled with men all dozing or taking off their soaked garments. I walked around them trying to find an empty hammock. The men who were still awake looked in my direction. I could feel them staring at me and I felt uneasy. I knew what these men were capable of if they had the thought and I was ready if they tried anything.

  “Well hey there, clean-up girl. I like the way you handled that mop....”one of the men teased me.
  “Yeah thanks I guess.” I said, not looking at him. I crawled up into my hammock and faced the wall.
  “You know, it’s going to take a while to get to the Spire. You better get used to working, else they’ll toss ya over. And the Commandant is not a tolerant man.” He warned.

“Yeah thanks for that. I know.” I turned over and curled up in the hammock. I knew I was going to be constantly hounded and made to prove myself and my loyalty. But that face...those mad eyes...I shivered just thinking about what I had gotten myself into.

  There came a ringing of what I could only guess was the dinner bell and all the men scrambled out of the cabin and up on deck. I got caught up in the hammock and fell splayed out on the floor. Grumbling, I picked myself up and ran out after them. I ran down to the galley where the men were all smacking their lips and chomping down some type of meat. I looked around for a place to sit on the benches, but there seemed to be no more space left. Any where I did try and sit, the men just stuck out there elbows or flat out refused to let me sit.
  “Well! Isn’t this jolly?!” I yelled at them. I was promptly ignored. The cook waddled over to me carrying a large pot of stew.
  “Gotta get here fast if yeh want a seat. Grab a bowl, I’m gonna dish out the stew!”He yelled. All the men dashed for the bowls in the corner. I ran for them and tried to push them out of the way to get a bowl, but got shoved to the floor.
  “Hey!” I complained. When the men had cleared luckily there were a few bowls left, but some had cracks in the side or holes in the bottom. I found a decent looking one and held it out for the cook to fill the bowl.
  “Oh yeh got one, eh? Alright. Here yeh go.” He dipped the ladel in the slop and filled my bowl with the funky smelling soup. I sniffed it. It smelled like chicken...I supposed...But I didn’t eat chicken, or any meat for that matter.

  “Um, excuse me, sir,” I said to the cook,”Um...I’m sorry, but do you have any sort of vegetable stew?”
  The cook looked at me like I were speaking a different language. “What are yeh talking about, lass? Yeh eat what’s given to yeh. That’s how things work around here. If yeh don’t like what I give yeh, don’t eat. That’s plain and simple.”He told me.
  I frowned at him and looked down at my bowl. I couldn’t bring myself to eat this. Just the thought was making me sick. I set down the bowl and left the galley. One missed meal would be fine. I appeared up on deck and saw the Commandant still standing at the bow. As if sensing my staring he turned and saw me. I jumped a bit and looked around nervously.
  “What are you doing out here? Shouldn’t you be eating? You will need your strength for the weeks ahead.”He said as he approached me.

  “Well actually....I...” I hesitated to tell him that I did not approve of the food. I felt very foolish to turn down sustenance, but I could not bring myself to ingest it.
  “Lionheart, was it? While on this ship you must do as instructed or you will not survive. You will eat what is given to you, sleep when told to, rise when order to. When I say jump, you ask ‘How high?’. Is that quite understood?” He growled.

  I suddenly felt very small and just nodded. The Commandant stared me down. I looked up into his burning eyes, not daring to look away, fearing he may throw me from the ship at any moment.
Then, the ship heaved, tossing me high in the air. I heard screams from the men down in the galley. The Commandant had fallen backwards and his sword flew across the deck. I fell back down to the deck with a crack. None of my bones had broken, but the deck beneath me had given way. There was now a small foot sized hole in the middle of the deck. I pulled my leg out of the hole in time to see a large fin slap the choppy water. The Commandant appeared at my side and pulled me to my feet with a spiked hand.
  “Get ready.” He told me. The ship shook once more, but I held my ground this time. A loud shriek ripped through the night air and I covered my ears. All the men filed up on deck, covered in food that had gotten tossed around after the first hit.

  “All hands!” The Commandant shouted to them and the men scrambled to their stations. I had no clue what to do. All I could think of was to run below deck to where the cannons were stored. I saw other men stationed at the cannons, loading them up.
  “Alright, you there! Get over here, I need you to take charge of this cannon!” A buff man missing a few teeth ordered me. I quickly ran over, thought I had no idea how to use one of these things.

  “Now remember: cannon ball, powder, ignite!” The man was instructing. I was happy for at least some insight into how to work this weapon. “And don’t forget to AIM!” He added quickly.
All the others loaded their cannons and so I copied.
  “Don’t fire until I give the okay. Wait for the beast to come into view. On my mark....”He held up his hand. The ship jostled again and we all held onto the cannons that had been strapped down.
 “Now you! Starboard side! Fire!”He roared. All the men on the right side began firing. I was on the left. I waited for my turn, holding a slowly burning staff they use to light the cannons. I heard a great screech from the creature attacking and there came a great heave of the ship. All the men on starboard fell back as the ship rocked, nearly tipping on it’s side. As soon as the ship righted itself a man came stumbling down the steps, winded severely and shouting,”Lionheart! Commandant orders you topside! Now!”

  I groaned and left my cannon. What on earth could he want with me?! I didn’t want to be up there with that hideous fiend, or the giant fish attacking us either. But I ran up the steps, holding on tight as we were hit again. I emerged and saw the Commandant sending large black spikes hooting towards the large scaly beast. It roared and slapped the water with it’s might tail. My jaw dropped as I saw the Commandant sending waves of spikes and pushing the monster back with Force. I thought I was the only one besides Garth who had this kind of power. Was he like us? Surely not...
  “Get over here, Lionheart! I know what kind of powers you possess. I need you to use your lightning on this thing!” He bellowed over the sloshing water and the shrieking fish. On instinct I ran to his side and let out a burst of blaring white lightning, striking a large dorsal fin. I shook with that odd dancing, joy feeling that the lightning gave to me. It felt so intense. It gave me a rush and I found it quite hard to control. More lightning fired off in little spurts. I tried to aim them towards the leviathan, but missed by inches. Some of the lightning bursted out towards the mast of the ship, striking scorch marks into the large post. Why was it so difficult to control? I never had a problem with the other elements, just this one. The Commandant took my wrists and held them straight ahead towards the beast. I could feel his energy directing mine. I let loose with all I could muster and I could sense that the Commandant had a little trouble directing this energy, but somehow it found it’s way into the side of the beast. The shocks left it lethargic and sloppy. It flopped around, angered and dying. I felt my own energy growing less and less. I was growing weaker by the second. The Commandant changed his position and held me up, still keeping a firm grip on my wrists. My head swam and my vision began to blur.
  “Come on...you’ve got one last burst in you, I know it....”The Commandant mumbled to me. I tried conjuring the energy within me, but nothing came.
  “You’re going about it all wrong. You must not try to call it forth. It is already inside of you, you just have to feel it.” The Commandant advised. I was panting with exhaustion and ready to pass out at any given moment, but I tried to get that feeling. The panic and the joy filling me when I let the lightning flow through my body. It was almost as if I was merely channeling the energy, not producing it. Then, it struck me. There came a faint blue glow from my chest, radiating out to the rest of me. Glowing blue lines covered my entire body and shone out into the night. I heard the Commandant gasp and gripped my wrists tighter in anticipation. I gulped in breaths of sea air as the energy started filling my whole being. My eyes and mouth shone the same bright blue and everything around began lifting up in slow motion almost. Everything began slowing and even the ship started lifting up out of the ocean.

  I felt so in tune with everything and everyone around me. I could sense their life, the leviathan’s life force pulsed. I could feel it dying and I knew that one more blast would undoubtedly finish it off for . Within that instant of thought, a large bolt of lightning shot down from the sky and struck through the sea beast. I no longer felt it. The beast was gone. Now, what to do? I couldn’t stop all of this. Was I going to destroy the ship? Were we going to lift up into the sky and just keep going? I couldn’t stop! And then there was darkness.

  My eyes opened to the faint light of a lantern swaying in my field of sight. I breathed long and slow. There was an intense calmness about me and the room I lay. I could feel a soft bed beneath me and a warm pillow under my head. I sighed and rolled over thinking I was back in the lovely caravan of that wonderful traveling family. Rose would be next to me when I rolled over and I would give her a big morning hug. But as I yawned and rolled over, my arms did not find her soft warm comfort. They instead met with a rigid, bumpy muscular body. I gasped several times and backed up away from where the man lay. It was the Commandant. I was laying in his bed, with him in it! But he did not stir at my fidgeting. I looked out the windows and noticed that it was daytime. We had clearly survived the attack then. Everything came rushing back and I held my head as it pulsed. I noticed a small lump on the back of my head. I remembered now of the pain I felt right before blacking out. The Commandant had hit me over the head to snap me out of it.
  The Commandant. I looked down at him. He was shirtless and laying there, chest rising and falling. He was not as hideous as I had imagined him to be under all that dark clothing, but he was still not much to look at. He was well toned and muscular, but blue spikes jutted out from his shoulders and hands. His nails were sharp and dark blue. The blue covered nearly his entire hand and his shoulders were blue as well. It seemed that wherever there were spikes, the blue covered the area like a permanent bruise. I don’t know why or for how long a lay there staring at him sleeping. My mind was racing with thoughts as to why he would subject himself to such a terrible thing. The lower half of his face was wrapped up with a bloody rag. My heart skipped. Did I dare try and take a peak under this mask? Surely not, he would wake and then I would have to explain. But alas, curiosity always gets the better of me. Slowly creeping over to him, careful not to jostle about too much, I lifted a small shaky hand to the cloth. I touched it ever so lightly. He didn’t even stutter breaths as I began pulling the cloth down over bruised lips. This was perhaps the most beautiful part of him, if you could call it that. His lips were a lighter blue than his hands or shoulders or head and I could see through a parting that his teeth were crystalline and glowing. I could feel an intense heat from his breath washing over my hand. Without even realizing it, I found myself entranced by this.
  The man laying before me was terrifying and powerful, yet he lay here completely at my mercy. I could have killed him right now, right here and be done with him. He would be an obstacle out of my way and it would be even easier to sneak Garth out of the Spire. But I couldn’t. It was beneath me to do something so cunning and dastardly. Instead I decided to recover his mouth. I reached out to lift the cloth back over the Commandant’s mouth, but as I did so, he grabbed my wrist. I gasped and looked down at him as his mad eyes shot open and fixed upon my frightened face. He looked to my hand and noticed that his mouth was not covered. He howled in anguish and threw me clear across the room. I crashed through a few small crates that had been stacked against the opposite wall. I screamed and groaned at being thrust from the bed. I still clutched the blanket to me as splinters fell around me. The Commandant pulled the cloth back over his mouth and stormed towards me with rage filling him. I could see it in his blood red eyes. I was afraid he was going to murder me on the spot.

  “How DARE you...How DARE YOU!” He screamed at me as he clutched a fistful of my hair, hauling me to my feet and pushing me up against the wall. My face screwed up in pain as he pinned me there, tugging my hair.
  “What did you see?!” He growled. I shook my head. “Tell me what you saw!” The Commandant pulled on my hair more and I gasped,”I..I don’t know! I..I just saw....”
“You saw my face! Never...NEVER....”He was shaking with the utmost hatred. I felt his fury and prayed he would not take it out on me. But then he loosened his grip and let me fall back to the floor. I grunted in pain as the base of my spine hit the floor. I sat against the wall holding my head and whimpering. The Commandant stooped down to my level and stared at me.
  “You will not tell a soul what you saw, am I clear? Or you will NEVER make it to the Spire....I guarantee it.” He warned. I nodded slowly and gulped down sore tears. “.” He gripped my arm and pulled me up, dragging me back over to the bed. I sat down and sniffled. The Commandant turned his back to me and started rummaging through the drawers of his dresser. I sat there on the verge of crying and tried to look indifferent, but the event was too much for me to handle. I watched as the Commandant dressed himself and then turned to me.
  “Get ready. I expect you at the helm today. Do NOT bring this up, to anyone. Don’t talk about it, nothing. Any questions you have, you had better ask them now. After we leave this room, it goes away or else, you will go away.”He told me. I nodded.

  “I do have a question. Why do you hide it? That....your lips...”He stopped me from speaking any further and walked towards the door. “Hey, are you going to answer me?” I asked.
  He paused at the door and turned,”I said you could ask questions, I never said I would answer them. Now get over here. We have a long day ahead of us.”

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My closest friends are in my head!