Different Worlds

Preparing For War

Another sunrise.  The only difference was this time everyone was awake to see the sun's rays begin to make the sky glow in a magnificent light show.  As I lay on my back watching the night slowly turn to day, I could almost fool myself into believing that today was just another day.  A wonderful, beautiful, carefree day.  But my vision was shattered when Jarvis' face suddenly appeared over me.

"Time to get up, lazy one," he said teasingly.

I scowled.  "Lazy one?"  I retorted, lifting up onto my elbows.  "Really?  You choose today of all days to joke around?"

The smile didn't leave his face as he suddenly flicked a finger at me.  Without my permission, I suddenly found my body standing on its own accord.

"Hey!"

"That's what you get for not getting up," he chastised jokingly.  "My magic may not be as powerful as yours, but being able to make you stand when you're not expecting it is somehow surprisingly satisfying."

"You choose the weirdest days to get into a good mood," I grumbled as Devon came up to us.

"A good fight always gets the blood pumping," he said with a grin.  "Besides, if I don't have my good mood and we end up losing, then it will be a completely wasted day, won't it?"  He flashed me one last smile before walking away.  I glared at his retreating back.

"He is completely insane," I said, turning to Devon.  "I've been getting taught magic by an absolute maniac."

The half-smile Devon gave me was very half-hearted.  Looking down, I saw what he was holding out to me, and I took a step back in retreat.

"No, Devon.  I can't ..."

"I want you to wear it," he insisted.  Stepping closer, he tied the belt holding the sheathed dagger around my small waist.  When he was done, he took both my hands in his and brought them to his lips.  Planting a kiss on each hand, he slowly lowered them between us, but didn't let go.  "It's only for emergency," he said softly.  "In case you need it.  I would feel better knowing you have something with you that you can use if you need to."  When I was about to protest he added, "please indulge me this one thing.  Your safety is the only thing I care about."

Seeing the desperate look in his eye, I swallowed my protest with a quick nod of acceptance.

"Thank you."  Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a familiar-looking piece of blue fruit.  I couldn't help but smile.  "For you."

I accepted the ajen fruit without a word.

"We don't have time for a cooked breakfast this morning," he said quietly.  "The army is only an hour's ride away.  Our scouts reported back earlier with the news.  We need to get into our positions."

My eyes widened as I listened.  One hour.  I suddenly felt like I couldn't breathe properly.

"Eat," Devon commanded as I continued to stare at him.  "I know it's not much, but it's better than nothing."

Lifting the fruit to my mouth, I took a bite without really tasting it.  One hour.  It was the only thing going through my mind.  Looking around, I finally noticed that there weren't many people around, and I frowned.

"Where is everyone?"

"We're all assembling at a clearing in the forest which the army with reach before coming here.  It is a place of our choosing to have the battle.  Choosing the battleground gives us a bit of an upper hand."  I watched silently as he put on his sword and made sure his fighting knife was belted to his side.

"All ready?"

I looked up as Jacek suddenly made me aware that he was with us.

"All ready," Devon answered before he put his hands around my waist.  It took a couple of seconds to realize what he was doing, and by that time I was already sitting on Jacek's back.