Cabochon

Chapter Three

I forced myself to take deeper breaths, glancing around for something-anything-to use as a weapon. a small pipe found its way into my hands. The drunk almost laughed as I held it out in front of me, warning him to stay back. It's tip was jagged enough to pierce through someone, but not nearly as well as a butcher knife. "Stay back! Please!" The man just twirled his blade.

Dammit! What could stop the strength of three rubies!? I could try healing afterwards-not that such a small aquamarine could fix all the damage he'd do. Maybe diamonds? I can block his attack. The butcher's rubies sparked to life as he started to burn them. No time left. He drove his knife towards my chest.

I flared both my diamond and ruby. The extra strength proved just enough to throw his aim off course as my pipe dug into his wrist. He let out a roar as his blade sunk into my shoulder. I screamed, forcing him off me as I burned my emerald, ducking under him to run.

I drained my aquamarine and sapphire next, healing my shoulder as my legs strengthened enough to run for miles. I didn't bother checking how bad my injury was, only praying that my gem would be enough to heal it.

I didn't stop running until making it back home, locking the door behind me. My emerald must have ran out some time before them, as I tried numbing my panic to no avail. At least my shoulder's fine. I grimaced as I inspected it. The knife still left a gaping hole in my shirt-something I can live with, considering the alternatives.

Plaster made up the walls, supported by wooden beams lined up across the main entrance hall. I passed by dad's study, sprinting up the stairwell to my bedroom. I could let law enforcement know, but would they even do anything without evidence? This wouldn't be the first time others have brushed off my claim just because I can't recognize faces. Just about everyone figures I'm crazy.

I turned to study myself in the mirror. Red hair, dark green eyes, paired with a fairly well built frame for a woman of nineteen. And yet I still can't recognize even myself...Even if I did tell a sheriff about him, I could never point the man out from a crowd. It would be pointless to even try.

I plopped onto my bed, my gaze soon landing over at my musket. It rested proudly on its display, probably starting to collect dust for how long its been sitting there. I don't need to be with my father just for target shooting. I figured, sitting back up. It's been a growing hobby of mine for the past couple years-I definitely know how to handle one on my own.

I prepared to head out once again after catching my breath, making sure to replace all my drained gemstones. Should I even tell dad about what happened? It'll only add more stress on top of his mounting work. Nothing good will come of it. I figured, switching out my white shirt for something dark green. I can take care of myself-today's incident proves that much.

I slung my musket over my shoulder, double checking to ensure the bayonet was covered by its sheath. Now I'll really be prepared in case someone attacks me. 

The closest firing range sat just at cletara's boarder, amounting to almost three miles worth of walking to get there. Men were lined up across the deck, taking aim at various targets spread out across the area. I paid for a booth before finding an empty spot to start firing. I went through the motions, which have practically become second nature to me. Dropping in the right amount of gunpowder, fitting a wad of cloth and a bullet into the barrel, then finally pushing it down all the way with a ramrod. If I focus, I can pull off about three shots per minute with this technique. The last step was to prime the musket before I leveled it towards one of the further targets.

"Adelaide?" I fired at the sudden voice, missing my mark by two feet. I lowered my musket, glancing to my right to see a young man, maybe seventeen, holding a gun of his own. He had short brown hair, and a cadet's uniform on. A new soldier...I swept through my memory, straining to pair an identity with the figure.