Of Darkness And Vengeance

Three

Jessica

When I wake, instead of the smoke and sweat of a day's work of weapon crafting, the smell of freshly baked bread and white shroom soup. My favorite meal. When I sat up, a mop of blonde curls lay beside me.

"Lora?" I said, my voice slightly hoarse from disuse. Her head shot up, her bright blue eyes were puffy. Probably from crying, Lora always showed her emotions on her face. Like an open book.

"What the hell happened to you?!" She demanded, hands on hips. Despite the puffiness around her eyes, she stood firm and unyielding. I look down, my shame, forming a lump in my throat. "My father's dead, I say, my heart clenching painfully.

Her face softened immediately, concern and pain replacing the mild agitation and worry. "Tell me everything."

"That explains the wound on your leg," Lora mutters, more to herself than me. "I have to find his killer!" I declare as I try hauling myself out of bed.
A firm but soft hand pushed me back down. "You're not going anywhere until you heal," Lora demanded, hands on hips.

I groaned dramatically. "I have to bring the bastard who killed my father to justice. I don't have time to be wasting cowering in a bed licking my wounds."

Lora shook her head solemnly. "If you want to avenge your father dying would only hinder that." You must heal, which takes time. I'm sure his killer will still be out there when you're better."

Lora and I aren't far apart, but we've always had a younger sister and older sister dynamic. "Maybe you're right. Getting myself killed is the last thing I want right now. "Now get some rest, skies know you need it."

When I awake, it's pitch black outside the windows of my small room. Stars twinkle softly in the night, the only source of light. I slowly sit up, careful not to make a sound. The wound on my leg had healed, leaving behind an ugly scar. "It truly surprises me how talented Lora is at her craft." I smile to myself.

Thankfully, new clothes were set out beforehand. Lora knows my taste in clothing well. In the massive chair beside the bed, lay a brown leather tunic with countless sheathes for the knives I always carry. Tall black combat boots are also lined with sheathes for hidden daggers.

My Hood and mask lay beside shimmering scaled leggings. The thing that surprised me the most was two of the biggest curved blades. Each blade held a gem, one light green, the other a deep purple.

A note sat comfortably wedged in between the blades. "Lora, what did you do?" I sigh, grinning. The note read:

Dear Jessica Stubborn Moore,

I already knew you were going to leave as soon as you woke up. Jess, we've been friends for years, seriously? Anyway, my dad forged the blades. Instructions are written on the back of this note. Mom sewed the leggings and leather armor. I created some vials and salves for any injuries you may sustain on your quest.
All I ask is that you take care of yourself, find the bastard who killed your father, and bring justice to the Jagged Edges!

-Love Lora

Leave it to ever eccentric Lora to go and predict my actions. Shaking my head, I stood up and walked towards the washroom. Can't kill a murderer unwashed.