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Just as Elizabeth stated four years earlier, she hadn’t spoken more then a sentence to Jack. She could tell it was killing him, but he killed her all those nights ago when he aided in her kidnapping. Of course Ryan didn’t believe it was an inside job, because Jack was nearly a brother to Donovan. He believed he was scared, and a bit nervous. Jack tried to speak with her, but she merely left the room, or ignored him. When he would seek council from her brother, he didn’t have any advice. He probably just said it was her time of month, and to leave it as it is. Which he did.
But today was a different day. And she was surprised at what she was listening to. Her father and mother gathered Donovan and herself, General Andarie, Ryan, Hannah, and the leader with his general, and advisor from Finela for a meeting.
“I have some terrible news for everyone here. Firstly to my son.” He looked at Donovan, and said, “Jack was working for Koura,” he began. Then looked at Elizabeth. “And aided in your kidnapping.” Donovan gave his father a fierce look and shook his head.
”I’m afraid so. His house was raided last night, and documents were found that proved he was in league with Koura’s leader, Rodriquez Koostal. He was also aiding in a war,” he said, telling this to the leader of Finela, and his party, as well as Ryan and General Andarie.
“Koura has declared war on us, for the simple reason of there being none. They’re power hungry lunatics, and that’s why I have asked you here, Daniel, for your assistance. If they take over Koura, Finela is next.”
“I wish to speak to you and your people privately, away from the little ones,” Daniel, the leader from Finela said.
”I’m not a child. I’m staying,” Donovan said boldly, standing up.
“Elizabeth, please,” Ariel said softly. Elizabeth wasn’t too happy, and left angrily, stomping her feet all the way down the hall till she got to the staircase.
Even though she had been avoiding and ignoring Jack, that didn’t stop him from invading her dreams. She had many dreams where he saved her life from some silly person or from a fire. And in others, they were walking along paths of rose petals, hand in hand, enjoying the summer nights. But why? Along with dreams about him saving her, and romance, she also had those scary dreams that you don’t remember. And if you do remember, you never utter them to another human being. She just had to see for herself. She had to speak with him. She had to stop the war. But at least find out why.
She quickly climbed the stairs, and put on a light summer dress, and hopped around on one foot trying to put on a sandal, and find her hairbrush. She brushed her hair while trying to find her missing sandal, and put that sandal on while putting on a bit of eye make-up. When she felt she was suitable, not too dressy, not to casual, she left the estate.
She knew his father was a blacksmith, and they lived only two doors down from the shops. So she went walking down the street’s, looking for the shops. After asking many times the way to the blacksmith’s, and after finding the wrong ones, she came to it. There was nothing left of it now but a broken front window, and deserted equipment.
“He was a good blacksmith too,” a man said by her side.
She looked at him and asked, “Do you know where he is now?”
”No, and I don’t want to. Him and his son have been planning a war with them people over in Koura.”
”Why?” She asked again.
“For money. They work with the strategy men, and weapon suppliers. My guess is they’re running out of business, and need the war to boost their standings, and wealth.”
”But do you have any idea where they could be?”
”My best guess is in a pub somewhere, hiding in the cigarette smoke. Or they skipped the city, and went to Koura. But don’t listen to me. I let my mind wonder sometimes.”
She thanked him, and headed towards the nearest pub. No harm in looking.
Big mistake. The dress she put on was loose and short, and made her look like a barmaid. Her eye make-up didn’t help much. By the time she made it to the bar, she had men stuffing coins and bills down her bra, and one of her sandals went missing. She took a quick look around, and was lucky to have made it out with even a sandal. Well, she made it out with much more. She still had her dress, but her other sandal was gone, and there was a tear in her dress. She had dirt all along the skirt, and one man attempted to pinch her rear, and then grab her chest.
She spat on the building, and walked up the street. It was just getting dark, and it was rather cool tonight, so she decided to stay out. Yea, her parents would worry and send the guards out, but she hadn’t had much freedom since she was kidnapped. And she was sure that even now, her father was sending Ryan and General Andarie to retrieve her from her room. And then they’d run back saying she was missing. Then they’d search the estate, and then, he’d send out the guards.
Well bring them on. She needed some excitement. Maybe she could find a shop that’s open, buy a better dress, and go to a pub and have a drink.
She quickly tossed that idea away after a drunk man came out of a pub she was crossing, and made a grab at her. She moved out of sight of the drunk, and continued walking. Soon, street lamps turned on, bathing the pale stone streets an eerie yellow and green. The sky was darkening even faster now, and in minutes, it was completely black. She could tell it was going to rain. What a nice way to end the day, wandering around Kanta in a skimpy dress, no sandals, and wet. The pubs were going to be loaded, so that was out of the question. She’ll just walk around a bit.
She walked out from a street, and found herself in the center of the city. In the center was a huge fountain with statues of Adia, and his disciples. For many feet around the fountain was nothing was beige marble. She slowly trudged her feet to the fountain, wanting to take in the fountain at night. There were no lamps around the center, just candles along the circumference of the marble. The candlelight glinted across the water that was pouring out of the top, and falling gracefully to the awaiting pool at the bottom. She took a seat at the edge of the fountain, and listened to the trickling water, when there was a loud bang from somewhere amongst the city streets.
She stood up just as a man came running out of one of the connecting streets to the fountain. In his arms was a bundle, being held close to his chest. He obviously didn’t see her as he ran right past her. Seconds later, a man holding a rifle came out after him.
“He stole from my shop!” he bellowed. Not having anything better to do, she ran along with the man, and soon pulled ahead.
The guy with the bundle was wearing red, and not black like most criminals do.
“Stop!” She cried out, gaining more speed.
He turned sharp corners, and ducked into alleyways, and Elizabeth followed, keeping on his heel. She finally cornered him in an alley just as it started to rain. They were both breathing heavily, and stared into each other’s eye. He was wearing a facemask, and only his eyes and the bridge of his nose could be seen.
“Get out of here. This doesn’t concern you,” he said to her.
“It does if you rob someone. Give me the stuff you stole, and you can get off clean.”
”Don’t try to get me off of this, Eliza-“ he quickly stopped.
“How did you know who I am?” She asked, stepping closer.
“Go away!” he shouted, but she stepped even closer. “I said get away!” He shouted again, throwing a knife at her. By pure luck, she caught the handle, and tossed it aside.
“Just give me the stolen goods!”
“No! My life is already over, and I need to provide for my family, as your family destroyed mine.”
”How did… Jack?”
“This is the most you’ve said to me for four years. And I won’t be surprised if you won’t speak another word to me, after what I’ve accomplished.” He moved back, and sat in the corner. “Now leave me be. And you should go home. Your wet.”
Elizabeth stared at him in disbelief.
“Why, all those years ago, did you want me to go?”
Jack sighed. “It’s complicated. Just go.”
”No Jack. I came out looking for you after I heard you aided in my kidnapping, and started a war. We need to talk.”
”And not four years ago?”
”I couldn’t speak four years ago, because I didn’t comprehend what was going on. Now that I do, we must speak.”
”No. You’ll find out everything I do through your father. Most of the things you’d want to kill me for,” he said burying his face in his arms. Elizabeth hesitantly stepped over to him, and sat next to him, putting a hand on his arm.
“I’ve wanted to kill you my whole life, and I never have. No matter how rough things were.”
”But I’ve never done something like this before. I sold all my knowledge of the Estate, and Kanta to Koura for money.”
Elizabeth gasped, and pulled her hand away, and moved away a bit.
“Why? Why would you do that? Your father was a great blacksmith! The best, in fact.”
”With the lack of fighting, we were going out of business.”
”If you needed money, we could of given you.”
He shook his head. “My father is a proud man. He doesn’t take money from people.”
”Then why did he allow you to sell out my family!?” She said angrily, standing up.
“He didn’t know!” He angrily retorted. “He didn’t know.”
“Well now you’ve done it. You’ve betrayed your family, your friends, and your city. And even more so me! You used me as a piece in your game. I’m just another object. Another woman to do your bidding! You selfish pig!” She shouted, standing up and moving away.
The rain intensified. Thunder sounded, and Lighting lit up the alley for a sec to show Jack getting up, then it darkened. The next flash showed he was stepping to her. He grabbed her firmly from behind, covering her mouth with a hand.
”You don’t know what it’s like,” he said softly in her ear. “You were born into power, and money. You got whatever you pleased. Me, I had to work for what I wanted. I didn’t have much time for friends, but my father always pushed me out the door, wanting me to live. Now that he’s out of business, I must help.”
“I always got what I wanted. In exception to you,” he said, turning her around and grasping her hands in his. He was leaning in for a kiss when the sound of horse hoofs on the street caused him to jump away. Elizabeth stayed where she as, trying to register why Jack would do that. Try to kiss her. He had pretty much told her his feelings for her. A shiver ran down her spine. The enemy loved her. But why did she linger? She found out all she needed. But she couldn’t repeat. Or could she? He sold her out. She should repay the favor.
“Get down!” Jack hissed, grabbing her shoulder, and forcing her down behind soggy boxes.
“I must get you back. I have people looking for me, and they also want to get you to use against your father. The war is starting soon. At dawn, to be exact.”
”Why are you telling me?”
”Because I didn’t want to do what I did. And I owe it to your dad for letting me hang around so much. When I tell you to, run home. I’ll distract them.”
”How do I know you won’t help them?” Elizabeth grumbled.
”You just have to trust me,” he said, looking over the boxes, through the rain. “Ok… now!”
Elizabeth jumped up and ran out of the alley as a group of men riding horses rode by. One of them rode far behind them, and saw Elizabeth run out, and shouted out to the rest. Jack swore and leapt up, running after them as they chased Elizabeth.
“Trust? Yea, I trust you as far as I can throw you Jack!” she muttered under her breath as they gained speed.
“This is stupid,” she said out loud, jumping onto a barrel on the side of the street, and blasting them all. Nothing happened at first, they all just kept charging at her, and then there was a huge explosion of blue. Horses and men were injured, and lay still on the ground. Jack ran up next to the barrel, panting.
“There’s so much trust I could give you. And that crossed the line. I should have known you wouldn’t have helped me. I’m such a fool to have believed you,” she said, jumping down and walking away.
“I didn’t know there was someone behind them! I can’t see through brick, Elizabeth.” Jack kept trying to get her to talk to him, or at least blast him, but she disappeared into the rain.
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