Jack Of All Trades ✓ | steampunk, dragons, trickery

Chapter 8.2: Who's the Better Survivor?

He's going to kill me! Jett's thought pierced.

"I thought Piets were ruthless." Jack snapped out his knife as four dark shadows moved in for the kill, eyes gleaming. A low growl emanated from the pack.

"I should've left the ship." Jett's teeth chattered. "Snizzles."

Jack wasn't about to babysit anyone's arse. The first wolf came for him, and he quickly changed his knife to the gun, shooting the wolf square in the chest. It fell with a whimper and the others stood for one stunned moment.

"What?" Jack sneered. "Is that all you got?"

They all came for him, but it was easier to fight animals who had instincts and a way of doing things than humans who could be unpredictable. Snarling fangs were artfully avoided. Clothes were torn, but no skin was scratched. The only blood on his body was that of the wolves until the three betas of the leader ran away with their tails between their legs.

A laugh bubbled up Jack's chest as he put his foot on the dead wolf. Fighting wolves wasn't cathartic at all, but it was a thrill he'd missed. Spear and knife slashing flesh. Fighting for life and for the want to see the blood of those who tried to dispose of him. 

His heart still beating fast, adrenaline rushed through his veins. Wiping his brow of sweat and licking the blood on his hand, he finally looked up. During the entire thing, Jett's mind had been silent and still it was. He just stood there, peeing his pants, clutching the spear for dear life.

What a bastard. Jack sneered. Some Piet.

"Well, looks like we'll have wolf tonight." He kicked the wolf with his shoe. His good shoes were ruined, but it couldn't be helped. He ditched his shredded jacket and made a net out of it, tying it between two branches.

"I heard the splash of fish. Chase them to me and I'll snatch some."

How did he know? Jett thought as they both stood by the stream where a school of fish were swimming against the currant.

About an hour later, the look on Eli's face was golden. Jack threw the fish on the ground and held out the wolf. "Dinner," he said and took the wolf to a tree to skin it.

"I-I can cook the fish," Jett said and disappeared inside.

Eli hurried over to Jack. "Where have you two been? I thought, I heard, I thought—"

"You heard wolves. You thought we'd be dead? Goners?" Jack leaned against the tree and closed his eyes for a bit. "I'm Jack of all trades."

"We can't eat wolf."

Three finger-sized fish aren't enough for us, missy. "We will." He opened his eyes to see her poking the wolf with a stick, lips curled in disgust. He allowed himself a moment to stare at her figure, remembering that red dress.

"They all look the same once you cook it." He heaved himself up and snapped open his knife. Eli flinched and rubbed her hand where he'd sliced through for the blood pact. "I've had horse," he added.

"Ew, gross," Eli said, still rubbing her hand.

Jack reached for her hand, and she pulled away. "Let me see," he said, grabbing her wrist. She tried to pull back, but her resistance was weak. When he undid the bandage, which was not much of a bandage at all, the wound had healed quite well. It wouldn't leave a scar. He'd almost hoped it would.

"Does it still hurt?" He raised his gaze to her. Eli looked away.

"Sometimes."

"Hm. I thought you were a tougher cookie. I guess you are just a girl." 

When he thought back the words he just said, he almost felt a little sorry for her. She didn't ask to be with someone like him. Her grandfather was the real bastard here, telling her to find anyone that was cursed so that she could help cure them and become a Seeker. 

Eli could have winded up with someone who could have hurt her. Jack almost did. He really did think he might just kill her. But back there in the Enchantress' cave, she was actually quite helpful. It was good he didn't kill her.

But I left a mark. If I could take it back, put on my own hand. Can't Jack do a bit of magick? He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the wound, tasting the saltiness of her sweat. She snatched her hand away.

"What was that for?" she shouted. "You mongrel!"

"Will you help me skin this?" He smirked and stabbed the wolf's neck with his knife. It made Eli's face pale. "Or do I need to do it all myself?"

Color came back to her face. "I hate you for leaving me to pay for the entire stay of two people."

He chuckled. "I thought you might hate it. How much was it?"

"I had to pay all I had."

"I guess you're cheap." He sliced the wolf from neck to the tail.

There was a pause and Eli came to sit next to him. "How do you know how to skin?"

"I'm Jack of all—"

"I know," Eli said in annoyance, "I mean, how does a prince know how to skin beasts?"

Jack took her wounded hand and squeezed, wanting to take back that kiss he gave. She winced and pleaded to him to stop. He let go and continued with his work in silence.

He's a prince?

Dungs and apples. Jack heard Jett coming towards them.

"I-um—"

"You overheard and the fish is nearly done, right?" Jack said without looking up.

"You didn't tell him?" Eli said with a huff. "He's a prince. In fact, the dead Prince Jack Plantagenet."

Anger boiled in his chest. He took up the wolf by the limbs and set off into the forest. He didn't want to be with people who were going to judge him for his past or call him names that weren't his anymore. The past was the past, after all.

"Where are you going?" Eli came after him. He spun around and she stopped.

"Away from you imbeciles! You yappin' imbeciles!" He glowered at them. "And you don't even have to follow me, do you?" He pointed his knife at Jett. "He's cursed. Use him. You don't need me. I'm going into the forest, free the dragon, and be free myself. You go back and do what you want with..." He let out a loud sigh.

I don't have to explain myself.

"Well, thanks to me, you're alive now!" Eli shouted after him. "If I didn't come when I did—"

"I had everything under damned control, Lady Eli. Duchess' daughter. Runaway to be a stupid Seeker."

She's a real Lady? Jett thought. Whoa! And she's my age, too.

Jack went deeper into the forest hearing the bushes rustle behind him as Eli came after him. Why wouldn't she leave him alone? He could survive by himself. He'd done it before. He could do it again. It was no big deal. Besides, he didn't have to stay around to help those kids. It was none of his business. He was here for himself and no one else. 

Eli was also here for a selfish reason. What was in it for her to be with him? Or for Jett? It so happened he was cursed by the Enchantress. Maybe coming along with Jack helped him find the Enchantress. Good. Now Jack could ditch the kid.

"Wait, I'm sorry," Eli called, "I just didn't know how much of a touchy subject, well, I mean, we need you! We don't know how to do this survival stuff. I rely on your all trades."

And just like that, trying to butter me up, are you? Your problem is not my problem.

"Goodbye!" Jack snapped at them over his shoulder. He would find a cave himself. Maybe even the cave where the dragon's breath was. They didn't need him. Who would need a jerk anyway?