Stars in the Stone

Chapter 1. Jake

Hi, my name is Jake. I live in Nottingham in a small apartment with my old friend John. If you're wondering what I do as I job, I would class it as special. However, others would think differently. I work for a charity that helps bring people out of poverty. Why am I telling you all this? Because this is the story of how I died.

I know. Mood dampener but Twenty-two really is young, don't you think?

My story begins on Saturday the 10th of July at around 10:30 AM, when I had just left the house to head over to the next town Elmea, to collect a donation from a kind and honourable princess called Alice. There is a clear path through the forest just outside of my town that will take me directly to Elmea, where the princess shall be waiting for me. The journey will take me about half a day.

I enter the misty dark forrest. I need to be careful because this forest is known for illusionism and mis-leading people in the wrong direction, but so long as I stay on the path, I should stay safe. There are also rumours I've heard throughout Nottingham that there are bandits in the woods, so I packed my trusted throwing knives, just in case. I'm actually quite good with throwing knives, because there aren't many occupancies when I miss.

Suddenly I hear something. I pull out my throwing knives, holding them high in the air. I see a figure in the distance. I aim, but just as I'm about to throw, I hear a young female voice.

"Hello? Is someone there?" She asks across the thick blanket of just in the Forrest.

"Yes," I reply "but who are you?"

The figure begins walking towards my direction, and as they get closer I can see them more clearly. It's a young girl around 16 years old, carrying a handbag and wearing a red velvet coat.

"Aaaahhh," she screams "please bandit, don't hurt me."

Damn. I forgot I still had my throwing knives in my hand. I quickly put them back in their case and in my pocket.

"No, No, I'm not a bandit, I just have them for self defence," I explain. "I'm Jake by the way, what's your name?" I ask

"Oh right. My name's Belle. I was on my way to my friends house in Elmea, but I'm afraid I got lost." She replies.

"Sorry I scared you Belle. Elmea. That's where I'm heading. I'm going to see Princess Alice."

"What for?" She asks.

"Well I work for a charity who help bring an end to poverty, and the princess has offered to make a donation." I explain.

" right. I thought you were a bandit ahaha. Would you mind if I came with you to Elmea? She asks.

"Ahaha. No I wouldn't mind that at all, plus I could use son company." I reply before we both start walking.

After 3 hours, we had reached the middle of the journey through the forest, when Belle said "Jake! Did you hear that?"

"Hear what?" I ask.

"There's someone here." She says.

"Quick get behind me!" I tell her, quickly retrieving my throwing knives. Suddenly 9 men dressed in black all jumped down from different trees. We're trapped . I try to find a way out, they form a circle around us enclosing us with no escape but to fight our way out. They'd ambushed us. I aim and throw one a knife towards one of the bandits, killing him instantly, however it doesn't make much difference.

Then, when we thought all hope was lost, 4 more of the bandits get picked off, one by one. I see face that I easily recognise. It's John.

John hands me a bow and a quiver, containing multiple arrows. I then give it to Belle and say " Do you know how to use one of these?"