Jace Irons: The Shard of Chaos

Chapter Sixteen: We Make it to the Big City

We rode on for another few hours, probably crossing over multiple state lines. These pegasi made really good time. We were flying over more fields of grass when Reyna nodded to Phillip to signal another descent. We touched down just outside a small town. We hopped down off our mounts and circled up.

"Damn, that was a close one." said David.

"Right," grunted Phillip. "What took you so long?" He was looking at me now. His question sounded pretty accusatory.

"We didn't know that you got taken till that Gage guy showed up." I said.

"Hmm," he nodded then sneered. "Too busy spittin' game to notice we got kidnapped, then, huh?"

Reyna looked down. David took a step back.

If there's one thing Corey had pounded into my head when I worked out at his gym, it was that the most important tool at all times in any altercation was not losing your temper. "Look," I said calmly. "I know I was talking when you guys got grabbed. It's my fault. I'm sorry."

"You better not slip up like that again, graecus." Phillip growled.

I didn't know much Latin, but I knew that wasn't a nice name he called me. Fortunately, I could tolerate name-calling. I just shrugged it off and pulled off my backpack to check my map. We were just inside the Kansas state border.

"Well, what do we do now?" asked David.

"We walk. Closely this time," I said. "Until the pegasi are ready to fly again."

Everyone nodded. "You gonna pay better attention this time?" asked Phillip.

"Dude, will you stop? I said I was sorry."

"Ooo, okay, you're sorry. That makes me feel so much better." Phillip was pushing it. I was getting irritated.

"Hey, man. At least he rescued us" offered David.

"Nah, this guy just made a sloppy recovery." said Phillip, approaching me now. "You gotta look out for your fellow man a little better next time."

I spoke back this time. "Stop."

"Nah, I don't think I will. You gotta shape up when you're on missions. All of us could get killed if you slip up like that." Phillip got closer.

"I said stop."

He was leaning over me now. "I will when you start paying better attention."

"Guys," said David.

That did it. Pushed Phillip back hard, my metal hand clanging against his breastplate. He stumbled back then drew one of his swords.

"You wanna do this, graecus? Let's go then!"

I stepped forward and flicked out my sword, ready to put him in his place.

"ENOUGH!!" shouted Reyna loud enough to make us stop and look at her with astonishment.

"Phillip! You are out of line! Jace! One strike against my centurion and you will have declared war on all of New Rome, so stand down!" She spoke with confidence and authority, like a real military commander. Phillip and I put away our weapons immediately.

"We are going to walk until the pegasi are rested and ready to fly again! We will move quickly and quietly and we will watch each other's backs! Is that understood?!" We all nodded.

"Good! Phillip! With me."

Reyna and Scipio and Phillip and his pegasus walked together, with David and I walking together about five feet to their right. Reyna's pegasus was in between me and the Romans, that being Phillip and Reyna. They were speaking in hushed tones, and I couldn't hear what they were saying. David and I started talking.