The next day...
Jasmine: *peeks into Jason's room* "Jason?"
Jason was laying on his bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Jasmine: "You're supposed to be practicing your sword fighting skills right now."
Jason: "Why did they think it was her?"
Jasmine sighs deeply then walks into Jason's room and sits on the edge of his bed.
Jasmine: "I don't know. But we have to get her back."
Jason: *sits up* "But how will we do that?"
Jasmine: "We'll sneak out at midnight. I'll get my dragon, Violet. And we'll get your girlfriend back from the orphanage."
Jason: "Wait, what? No. Jasmine, she's not my girlfriend."
Jasmine: *smirks* "But you love her don't you?"
Jason: *stammers* "You...knew?"
Jasmine: "Of course I did, you idiot."
Jason: *looking frustrated* "Why didn't you say anything?"
Jasmine: *sighs* "Don't worry about that. Right now we need to focus on getting Grace back."
Jason: *rubs his temples* "How did it all go so wrong? I was sure she was getting along with everyone."
Jasmine: "It's complicated. The crystal was damaged, and they panicked. We just need to get to the orphanage and make things right."
Jason: *nods slowly* "Alright, so we sneak out tonight. How do we get past the guards and everything?"
Jasmine: "We'll need to be discreet. Violet is fast, and she knows how to avoid detection. I'll handle the dragon, and you just follow my lead."
Jason: *stands up, determined* "Okay. Let's do it."
Jasmine: *gets up and heading for the door* "Now get yourself up and dressed. Henry has been waiting for you at the training grounds for hours."
Jason: *rubbing his face and looking resigned* "Right. I'll be there."
Jasmine: *smirking* "And remember, don't let Henry see you distracted. We need to be sharp if we're going to pull this off."
Jason: *nodding* "Got it. I'll see you tonight."
As Jasmine leaves, Jason takes a moment to gather himself. He gets dressed quickly, his mind racing with thoughts of Grace and the plan to rescue her. The weight of their situation hung heavily on him, but his determination to set things right gave him a sense of purpose.
At the training grounds, Jason threw himself into practice, trying to channel his worry into his sword fighting. Henry, observing from the sidelines, noticed Jason's distracted demeanor but kept his comments to himself.
Henry: *after a grueling session* "You're off your game today. Everything alright?"
Jason: *wipes sweat from his brow* "Just got a lot on my mind. I'll be better next time."
Henry: *nods* "I trust you will. Just don't let it affect your skills. We need to be prepared for anything."
As evening approached, Jasmine prepared Violet, her dragon, ensuring everything was set for their covert mission. She was focused, her usual carefree demeanor replaced by a serious determination.
Linda: "Jasmine?"
Jasmine: *turns around* "L-Linda...this isn't what it looks like..."
Linda: "Is that so?" *walks over to Violet and tightens the straps on the saddle*
Linda's eyes softened as she saw the genuine concern in Jasmine's face. She placed a reassuring hand on Jasmine's shoulder.
Linda: *gently* "I can see how much Grace means to you. Just be careful tonight. The forest is still dangerous, and the King and Queen are on high alert."
Jasmine: *nodding* "Thanks, Linda. I appreciate it. We'll be as careful as possible."
Linda: *smiling slightly* "If you need any help or information, let me know. I'll keep an eye out for any trouble."
Jasmine gave Linda a grateful smile before turning her attention back to Violet. She checked the dragon's gear one last time, ensuring everything was secure and ready for their flight.
Later that night, as the clock struck midnight, Jasmine and Jason met in the shadows outside the castle walls. Violet, ready and waiting, pawed at the ground with impatience.
Jasmine: *whispering* "Ready?"
Jason: *nodding* "Ready."
Jasmine and Jason climbed onto Violet's back, and with a swift, practiced leap, the dragon took off into the night sky. They flew silently over the Kingdom, heading towards the orphanage.
The ride was smooth, with only the occasional flap of Violet's wings breaking the silence. Jasmine, gripping the reins, kept her eyes focused on their destination.
Jasmine: *whispering* "We'll need to land quietly and find a way inside without alerting the anyone in the village."
Jason: *nodding* "Got it. Just lead the way."
As they approached the orphanage, Jasmine guided Violet down in front of the orphanage.
Jasmine: *pointing to a window* "We'll slip in through there. That's how I got Grace out of here last time."
Meanwhile inside the orphanage...
Grace: "I can do magic."
Mara: *claps her hands excitedly* "Show us! Show us!"
Grace: *leaps off her bed and shifts into different animals*
The other kids gasp and murmur in awe.
Bryce: "Can you become a rhino?"
Grace: "Yes. But I'm not doing it in here."
Suddenly, the windows burst open. And there was Jasmine, seemingly floating in the air.
Grace: *runs over to the window* "What are you doing here?"
Jasmine: "I'm rescuing you. Because... To be honest, I need you. And my idiot brother was broken hearted after you were expelled."
Amy: "Aww! That's so cute!"
Grace: "Wait, so is that a good thing or a bad thing?"
Jasmine: "That doesn't matter. Now are you going to jump, or I am I going change my mind?"
Meanwhile inside the orphanage...
Grace: "I can do magic."
Mara: *claps her hands excitedly* "Show us! Show us!"
Grace: *leaps off her bed and shifts into different animals*
The other kids gasp and murmur in awe.
Bryce: "Can you become a rhino?"
Grace: "Yes. But I'm not doing it in here."
Suddenly, the windows burst open. And there was Jasmine, seemingly floating in the air.
Grace: *runs over to the window* "What are you doing here?"
Jasmine: "I'm rescuing you. Because... To be honest...I need you. And my idiot brother was broken hearted after you were expelled."
Amy: "Aww! That's so cute!"
Grace: "Wait, so is that a good thing or a bad thing?"
Jasmine: "That doesn't matter. Now are you going to jump, or I am I going change my mind?"
The kids gathered around, watching with a mix of curiosity and excitement.
Grace smiled and took one more look at the other kids, before taking a brave leap out the window, and falling onto Violet's snout.
Grace: "Hi Violet."
Jasmine: *carefully shuts the windows*