Burning Water (In process of editing and re-writing)

Burning Water Chapter 16 *edited

Chapter 16

A black bird flew in the sky, just below the grey clouds. The humming of the air in the early morning breeze calmed the stressed minds. The orphans stood around the fountain outside, cold from head to foot. They sometimes looked at one another, their hair and night-robes flowing. Most unsure and confused, some spreading rumors, others struggling to keep awake. The fountain only seemed to make more of the cold slabert splash their faces. If described in one word, it would be grim. It was the end of the 

Jason knew it, they would all get a fever. They couldn't train being sick, it had rained the night before, they were all barefoot. What kind of... idiot would make us stay out now? He grumbled beside Zach, who himself was mumbling pessimistically. Why are we even out here? 

Then a cold brush of the wind made them shiver and squeal. It was practically torture. Zach's teeth were chattering. Some of the orphans hurried to shelter around the edges of the courtyard, desperate for any warmth. Jason took a few steps into a huddled group, the body heat being shared like penguins. Teeth chattered. It got awfully cold in the night. Thunder roared in the distance. The reflection of lightning was seen in the puddles around the courtyard.

It had all started about ten minutes earlier, when Toviel ordered them to go out to the courtyard, and stay there... or else there would be punishment (although being outside seemed like a punishment itself). All he had said was that there was danger and we had to keep quiet. Naturally, they all thought the worst. There's a killer! What did we do wrong? I mean, the worst I did was ignore Abigael... but then... Jason remembered sitting beside the princess overlooking the arena, she had been crying on his knee. Was it his fault? Did she go tell the knights, or the king? It's all my fault! Why was I so stupid? She set me up for this, she set me up to think I did her falsely. She doesn't like me at all! She's..she's just out to get me! What was I thinking? Now all of us are going to suffer for my... her... our actions.

Jason's teeth ground together, his gums aching. His fists clenched until they became red. His eyes narrowed, he ran. He turned and ran. Away from the fountain, from everything. It was the only solution.

"Wha-whe... Jay?" Zach tried to speak between his closed teeth, but it was too late. He had to start over. He didn't want to fight, he didn't care anymore. Well, he never actually did.

Jason ran under the archway, heading towards the Royal Tower. He wondered if Abigael was sleeping, and he wished he could be. His face gave an expression of disgust.

A loud shout sounded behind him. He spun around to see Sir Toviel and King Etzel, surrounded by a large group of guards and more important-looking faces. Those faces were frightened, shocked and yet maintained serious and stern expressions. Something terrible had happened. Jason saw some heads peer out from windows above him.

“Children!” King Etzel spoke, stepping out of the crowd and closer to the orphans. “News has come that an enemy has enterred the castle. A traitor has been among us.”

Gasps. Different looks were exchanged between the children. Jason slowly crept back to the courtyard, his fingertips lightly brushing against the rough walls. The sight of the king made Jason feel guilty. As if he was the traitor.

“Ansel has appeared to me in my sleep, and he has told me this:

Etzel my child, be at peace for I am with you. My people cannot wait much longer to be set free. The Evil One will persuade them against me, but you must stop them! I am their Lord not him. Prepare the orphans to their missions, I have already led my chosen. The message will be delivered. You must begin when ready.

“As a child of the King I must obey his word. We will start when the sun has touched the Tower, after sunrise. You will each have training groups, which we have made from observing your actions. Meet in the Arena in your groups. Sir Toviel…”