Hero

CHAPTER 16: LUKE V

Luke Golderan had never been so cold in his entire life. His Body ached and he felt like he was buried head to feet in snow. The snow fall had slowed down from the night before but the sun wasn't doing much in helping with warmth. His two companions Jason Clearwater and Kathryn Valarae had also seemingly been affected harshly by the weather as it caused them to argue even more then usual. He thought about his home, Vox and how he missed it. He thought about how his friends probably miss their families and how he had never met his parents excluding the one time he met his father. Luke got told that when he was very young his father, named Joshua Golderan came to visit him one last time and speaking the words, 'You'll never forgive us for leaving you little man but one day you'll understand.'

Those words echoed through Luke's head every day. An anger at the lack of compassion and condescending tone would build up within him but he would never release it.

"How long until we get to this bloody sword then?" Asked Jason from a few yards away to Luke interrupting his thoughts.

"It's somewhere in one of those mountains." Replied Luke pointing up into the mountain range that ran along the side of where they were walking.

Jason stared at him blankly. "Great help mate, have you seen how many of them white peaks there are, we'll be up there for hours. Maybe we should have never of come on this journey."

Luke stood still in the snow in front of them. Everything was silent but the sound of the wind blustering though the trees. "Don't you think I'm trying." Shouted Luke with a rage that neither Jason or Kathryn had ever heard before. "I didn't ask either of you to come with me. Now if you have any other useful suggestions about how to find the sword I would love to hear it? Go on then tell me!"

They all looked at each other for a few moments before Luke turned around and carried on walking forward ahead of the other two but listened to them talking from a distance.

"Never seen that before, did you see him, I thought he was gonna punch me one, right on my breathing device." Cried Jason.

"I thought I was gonna punch you one, right in your precious gems," said Kathryn with spite, "Be a little more sensitive okay, we all just need to stay strong together, it's the only way we can make it through."

"No it's not. If we don't get some shelter we are going to freeze to death. Now I'm leaving and I don't care if he comes with me or you do. I want out." Said Jason telling them what he truly thought.

Luke turned around and just stared at Jason across the snow. "Say something." Said Kathryn, "Luke, say something."

But nothing came out of his mouth not a single breath. Luke turned around and carried on walking deeper into the snow.  "So who are you going with?" Asked Jason shouting to Kathryn.

"We have to stay together Jason, don't go!" Exclaimed Kathryn, "Please Jason, we've come this far, we have the supplies!"

Jason shook his head and began to walk in the opposite direction to Luke who still journeyed on deeper into the snow. Kathryn looked in disgust at Jason and then began to follow behind Luke.

* * *

Luke Golderan had been waiting. Waiting for a sign to show him what to do, or another crazy old man to come and help him out. Kathryn Valarae was by his side but she was anxious about Jason for whom they had not been with for almost an hour. Her brown hair looked black compared to the snow that fell onto her head and her eyes charcoal black.

Luke chucked his bag on the floor and let out a bellowing roar. He fell onto his knees beginning to start crying. "He was right. Jason was right Kathryn. We never should have come here. We never should have left Vox. We are no closer to finding the sword and when the night arrives we are going to freeze to death."

Kathryn took off her back and sat down beside him. "Luke you are many things. You're brave, loyal, kind and handsome. But you're not good at telling the wrong from the right. We all agreed that we would stick this through as a team and if we fail, we fail together. We will find this sword Luke Golderan, if it's the last thing We do."

He looked close into her eyes now. He was closer then he had ever been to her. Luke could feel Kathryn's warm breath on his face warming up his cheeks. They both slowly moved towards each other. Their eyes closed and she placed her soft lips over his and he held her by her waist. He had never felt so alive in his entire life.

The two companions smiled at each other. Something they had not done in a long time. This was quickly interrupted but a strange mutter in the distance.

Luke grabbed Kathryn's hand and pulled her behind a rock. The muttering was getting closer and closer and closer until they could fully make out what it was. They heard a man saying, "But I mean what do I say. Will they even let me return. I mean aghhhh. I hate these bloody snowy mountains!"

From the word bloody, Luke instantly recognised the voice of Jason. He walked out from behind the rock with Kathryn.

"Of course we'll have you back mate. Anyways we need at least one strong alpha male on the team." Laughed Luke shaking Jason's hand.

"Are you sure?" Sniggered Jason, "I mean you two looked pretty cosy in there behind that rock ey ey."

This provoked Kathryn who let out a moan marching off into the distance with her bag. "When will that girl ever not hate me?" Asked Jason still laughing from before.

Luke put his arm over his returned companion, "Honestly mate... Probably never".