An hour before Jackal is visited by the three knights…
After ensuring that Jackal was comfortable and sound asleep, I rummaged through the satchel that I brought along for the trip. After a moment, I found what I was looking for as I pulled an old sketchbook and several pencils free from the bag. I couldn't pass up the moment to capture the image of him in the foreground of the crimson sunset. Sketching has been a favorite pastime of mine since I was a little girl drawing flowers or animals with such detail. I couldn't help but chuckle to myself as I sharpened the stick of charcoal and began to draw my model. I remembered the many times I had asked Jackal to be a model for me only to be turned down. He never really liked his image captured, but I guess he has a reason.
[(I probably shouldn't draw him in this state, but when will I get another chance. It's only natural to take advantage of such opportunities.)]
As I drew, I kept an eye on his chest as it went up and down to an inaudible rhythm. My mind replayed the scene of him collapsing to the ground. Jackal had stupidly overexerted his mana use and fell victim to mana deprivation. To put it simply, think about mana as a pool of water sitting still in a tub. Now imagine a crack at the bottom that gradually allows the liquid to seep through like casting a spell for example. There is a small leak but enough water still resides in the reservoir to keep people happy. What if that small crack turns into a hole, water will gush freely. Like that hole, Jackal allowed all his saved mana to gush without restraint causing him to collapse.
During my life, I have seen many such cases of mana deprivation. In most cases, the person would simply become dizzy and exhausted. However in more severe cases the body can't take that much stress and begins to consume itself in hopes to replenish the consumed mana. That being said, if a knowledgeable person is around then they could surrender some of their mana, or have those affected drink a potion to help quicken the replenishment process. Both are good choices, but have to be administered at the right time or it'll be too late. I say knowledgeable because if a person isn't careful then both the affected and giver would be placed in serious danger.
Sighing, I began to draw the setting sun peering into the window through its elegant velvet curtains. "I'm sorry…so sorry," Jackal muttered in his sleep as he tossed and turned only to settle back down.
[(Nightmares again, but which one? How many ghosts shall plague him in his dreams?)]
I couldn't help but feel useless to Jackal when he needs someone the most. Remembering what Scar had said a few nights ago, I set out to be by his side. I put my charcoal along with my sketchbook on the velvet cushion and moved the chair next to the bedside. After getting readjusted, I reached out with my presence so that Jackal could sense me by his side in his subconscious as I continued my sketch. I smiled as I felt his presence intertwine with mine and the sensation of his beating heart calming down as his nightmares faded away. Looking from the corner of my eye, I saw a smirk that I had come to love spread across his face.
"Patentibus," I muttered an incantation as I focused on the wooden door of the room. The sound of the doorknob turning filled my ears as it opened.
I smiled as Zeke and Scarlett made their way over to join me. I saw an interesting look on Zeke's face and showed him the drawing so far. Shaking his head with a sly smile, he muttered "You know if he sees it, he'll be mad."
"I think I know of a few ways to call him down," I looked at Scarlett who tried her best not to smile, "as I'm sure Scarlett does as well when you're upset." I couldn't help laughing along with Scarlett as she laid her head on Zeke's shoulder trying to be cute.
Zeke crossed his arms as his good eye never left Jackal, "How's he holding up? Have you seen any knights?"
I admired how much Zeke cared for Jackal even though both had tried killing each other at one point or another. I remember my first meeting with the man when he bursted into the shop bloodied and beaten with Jackal in his arms with burns and blood all over his body. I remember Zeke collapsing at the desk with Jackal. His constant pleas to look after Jackal first even though his injuries were far more severe. After several hours, both were stable enough to function on their own without help. I still to this day don't know what all happened except for the involvement of an Aranea den and flammable fumes.
Looking at Jackal, I answered "He's breathing normally so that's a good sign. I haven't had to apply any healing magic or give him any potions. As for the other, I have Orion watching from the windowsill. If they try to do anything, we'll at least have a little warning."
Zeke nodded at my report and knelt beside Jackal. I sensed that something was troubling him, but before I could ask what was on his mind, "Do you honestly think we could have killed him? I mean we are the closest thing he has to a family, but if the need came. Would we be able to?"
Looking from my sketch, I found Zeke's hand wrapped around Jackal's arm as his knuckles whitened. I saw how much pain it caused him just to bring up such a thought. After that day, the two have been close like brothers ever since. We all were a family not born by blood, but by the paths we chose to walk. With that in mind, I nor Scarlett answered him as our minds considered the idea. None of us spoke as we listened to Jackal snore.
[(We are the only ones that would be capable, but would our hearts get in the way of doing what would have been right.)]
Sighing, I leaned forward and placed a hand on Zeke's shoulder, "I can't answer that and I have the feeling that it goes for the two of you as well, but I will say this. If that bridge ever comes, we will cross it together so neither of us could be burdened with the guilt alone."
Zeke just smiled as he placed a hand on top of mine. Though I didn't think much of him at first, I have grown to consider him family along with the rest of Twilight Sand like Jackal has. A family that I would fight to protect no matter the cost. I chuckled as a thought dawned on me, "If we were in the same position, I can't help but wonder what Jackal would do." Zeke chuckled as he shook his head as did Scarlett.
[(In all honesty, he would probably join us in attempts to protect us from our own mistakes.)]
Knocking came from the door, sending us on guard. Looking to Orion, I watched as his back began to arch and his feline eyes narrowed into slits as he hissed. I crept to the door like a thief trying to evade capture as Zeke and Scar took a position in front of Jackal with weapons at the ready. Looking through the peephole, I was surprised to see Veronica standing in the hallway with several pieces of parchment in hand. I was tempted to tell her to leave us alone, but I thought about Jackal.
Sighing, I opened the door inviting her in, "Just keep quiet, he's asleep."
Veronica looked up from the parchment, "If right now is a bad time, I can come back later." Her eyes fell upon her brother who was groaning in his sleep, "Is he ok?"
Following her gaze I saw Jackal tossing and turning as if trying to fight off unseen figures while muttering, "I'm sorry, so sorry. I-I didn't," his body finally relaxed again as Zeke tightened his grip.
Looking at the floor, I muttered "If only you'd listen to me," shaking my head I stared into Veronica's concerned eyes. "He suffers from night terrors, but he'll be fine. Come in, you can discuss things with the three of us," I gestured for Veronica to come into the room, however she was hesitant, "Wouldn't it be best to get things done when you can? Sit by the table and I'll get some tea."
Sighing, Veronica did as I asked and sat down on the chair closest to the window while I went and poured two cups of tea. A simple brew of black herbal tea with a hint of mint and lemon. It was Jackal's favorite after travel and remedy that helps him sleep after a long day on the road. Before he fell asleep, I had made this batch adding a few medicinal herbs to help regain his mana while he slept. Though it was better for those with mana deprivation, the brew was also a refreshing drink to just sip on and relax. I often drink a cup whenever I read or sketch after a long day at the shop.
[(Guess I'll be making it more often soon.)]
Handing Veronica her glass, I sat opposite her and looked at the table between us. A map of five large land masses with several tiny dots that represented islands was spread out. In the middle of the five lands was a large ocean known as the Ironfail Ocean. From this single point, several waterways ran throughout the map and into the accompanying oceans. Though the map showed the four lands, there have been talks of new lands discovered to the far south. Rumors of entirely new kingdoms had spread like fire throughout Siegfried by ship captains looking for anyone willing to sail there.
Putting my curiosity away, I focused on the red circle near the coast line of Athax Frein. "We'll travel to Westbrook by land where a boat will be waiting for us," Veronica traced an invisible line from Westbrook to the north eastern continent which appeared to take the shape of a broad chest with a series of tiny dots on either side known as Vusta, "a boat will then take us to the port city Windstall where we will be met by Lady Udreth's brother and his guard. If things go smoothly then we should reach Breura within a week."
"Wait," Scarlett took a seat next to me as she asked, "the princess has a brother?"
"Technically speaking she does," Veronica answered with a hint of disgust, "from what information given to us, he was disowned long ago for assisting slavers with transport of their assets for a portion of gold. Not only that, he is now a Vaniel representative or the like. Anyway, we should forget about that for now. We may have bigger problems."
I asked "Are you expecting problems, my Lady?" Veronica didn't say anything as she stared at another parchment with a list of towns marked in red. I couldn't help but wonder why she had such a list.
Veronica nodded as she laid the list down to the side and began drawing a number of X's that matched the number of towns listed. "Each X represents a town that was completely burned to the ground and townspeople slaughtered except for one. If you notice, it appears that the X's are expanding from Westbrook."
I looked closely and understood what she meant. [(Corentha is closest to Westbrook and oddly is the nearest X. Come to think of it, we hardly received any travelers from that area in a while.)]
I turned and looked up at Zeke hovering over my shoulder, "Zeke, did any of you run into anyone from that area on your way back from Vaniel?"
[(It's just a theory, but I fear Westbrook might be the central point of this needless destruction.)]
"Hmmm…now that you mention it, we did meet a crazed forest hermit ranting about cloaked figures and fire. To be honest, we didn't think much of him even after he stayed with us while we returned to Siegfried. What was his name?"
Zeke looked turned to Scarlett who shrugged. Sighing, "I didn't catch his name, but maybe one of the others did. I'll ask them when this is over. Anyway Nyx, don't you have a delivery?"
Looking at the setting sun, I chuckled "Yeah, I should start heading that way. Client runs a business in the Slums, wanna join me?"
Zeke nodded then looked toward Scarlett who was already by the door with cloak in hand. [(Always one step ahead,)] I chuckled to myself. "Veronica, would you like to tag along? The more the merrier and all."
Veronica didn't say anything as she stared at her sleeping brother as if making sure his chest rose and fell to a rhythm that only it could hear. Looking at her, I couldn't help but understand her hesitance. I could also see the younger version of myself in her eyes. She spoke in a soft voice as if in fear that Jackal would wake, "I…I-I don't think it would be best. After all the torment he suff--"
"It'll be alright in the end," I took her hand into mine. "Besides, I think we should get to know one another." It was my turn to look upon Jackal, "After all, we are engaged."
"So that's your relationship," Veronica chuckled. "I thought as much seeing the two of you together," she smiled as she stood.
I watched as she made her way over to kneel beside Jackal's head. She continued to whisper in his ear that none of us could hear though I thought it was something pleasant. She stood and kissed his forehead as she ran her fingers through his hair like a mother would. "If you don't mind my company," she turned with a pleasant grin, "I'll gladly accept the invitation. I could even show you all around Siegfried."
With that, the four of us left the room. I took up the rear as I turned to see Jackal snoring once more. I smiled as I blew him a kiss, "Te Amo Aeternum."