Defying Equilibrium: Book II

Chapter 21: A return to the city

**Hiya! Just me again. I was listening to the song 'Brother' by Gerard Way while writing this chapter...Talk about depressing myself. Good song though. I realised today that I'm up to chapter 21, I've posted 8 drawings, and I still haven't done one of the second main character. That was dumb of me, sorry! So this drawing is of Dare, if you couldn't tell. It came out a little blurry when I scanned it though, oh well. Anyways, please vote and comment, cause I always love to hear from you!**

Now that he was back, the city looked different to his eyes. For Oscar, every street that had once held no interest was a source of curiosity once more. He no longer felt like this city was his home. In fact, it felt as unfamiliar as the forest had. A certain nervousness pervaded him as he walked through the streets.

They had arrived back in the city in the early evening of that day. When they first had seen a glimpse of the city on the horizon, Dare had given a cheer. Now, however, he was silent. He didn't know what going home would feel like, knowing he was returning to a city his brother would never see again. Jackson would never again walk these streets. He would never again take the long road past the butcher, cross the bridge over the river and turn left at the fork in the road. The way to their house.

Lex elected to wait on the outskirts of town with the wagon, as it would attract too much attention. The first house they came to was not a house at all. Madame Jade, Fortune Telling adorned the shop's window in peeling gold paint, and as the opened the door and pushed past the heavy purple curtains the familiar smell of incense washed over them. Liana and Sansu were home.

Madame Jade knew that they were coming. Of course she did. She always knew. In the back of the shop, where the girls and the old woman lived, a table was set out, laden with food and surrounded with seven chairs. She knew exactly who was coming.

When her girls returned, she embraced them with tears in her eyes. Knowing that they would return was no consolation for knowing what danger they were in. To have them back, unharmed, was something she was immensely grateful. But she had always trusted Ahmed to bring them home. She gave them all fresh clothing and gave them a chance to clean themselves up, sending Liana and Sansu upstairs to their room and Oscar and Dare to her spare room.

Once they came back downstairs, Madame Jade handed Oscar an envelope. It had his name written on the back in familiar handwriting. Louise's handwriting.

"What's this?" He asked. "Louise isn't here?"

She shook her head. "You're sister was recruited by the militia shortly after you left here. She left this with me and asked me to give it to you when you returned. She was posted to the border skirmish at Zetacos."

Oscar felt sick to the stomach. That was the same place that Dare's brother had been posted. If he went home, would he find notification letters in his mailbox? Sensing his anxiety, Madame Jade added, "Do not worry though. I read her cards two days ago, and they did not point to tragedy. Her past card was the The Moon, which can signify enemies and danger, but her present card was the Knight of Wands. It signifies a new beginning, an escape, and the arrival of someone from her past. And her future was The Emperor. Which means stability, conviction, power." Madame Jade looked contemplative. "And also signifies someone who will become important to her."

None of this was particularly reassuring for Oscar, but he opened the letter.

Dear Oscar,

By the time you read this, I will most likely be long gone. I don't know when you will return to the city, but I hope this letter finds you.

I am about to be recruited by the militia. Some men came by the house yesterday, informing me. I wanted to punch them in the face, I was so mad. I have no choice though, I will have to go. I can hold my own as a Shielder, so don't worry. I'll be home again before you know it. My service is only two years long, which seems like an eternity, but I will return.