Jade the Starr Within

Chapter 12

    After a short ceremony, we're back on the road.

"How did they know you were the princess? You're traveling with a certified Amazon Warrior and two elves." Hannah asks.

"It's us. We're wanted for abandoning Woodbine." Khay'rat says.

"Yeah. Because this idiot had to chase after Hannah." Kazimir replies.

"Well worth it." Khay'rat says with a laugh.

"You'll be at home at rebel base seven. We have the best defense in the country." I explain.

"Khay'rat, let's take to the trees. We can see more from up high." Kazimir suggests.

"Let's go."

"Don't fall!" I yell as they quickly climb up.

"They won't. Elves are trained as children to climb palm trees. Pine trees are simple."

"You know a lot about elven culture. It's surprising."

"I learned a lot in my year in Woodbine. I never thought I'd meet someone." She looks up at Khay'rat. "It's weird. He makes me laugh, all the time. And he picked up on my culture pretty quickly."

"Tell me about his friend. Kazimir."

"Oh, I thought you'd like him. He and Khay'rat have been best friends since children. Khay'rat was almost forced out of their village because he looks different."

"How so?"

"Elves have brown hair and green eyes. Khay'rat has-"

"Black hair and blue eyes."

"Exactly. So, they were going to kick him out because he was different, but Kazimir was nice to him. Khay'rat stayed and trained. He was captain of the elven guard."

"He was in charge?" I ask with surprise.

"Yes, he was. That's why they are so angry. Their leader left."

"How does one become leader?" Jade asks.

"By killing the last one." Khay'rat says when he lands in front of me.

"You had to kill to get to the top?" I ask.

"Yes, but we've all done bad things. What matters is how we act after they're done. I gave up that life. The day I met Hannah."

"We'd already been doubting our ways." Kazimir says from the tree. "Foolish for it!"

"Ignore him. He acts tough but he's actually soft on the inside." Khay'rat says.

"Now tell me, princess, have you ever killed?"

"I have, as an act of war. Not to certify my position."

"I either killed him, or I died myself. He challenged me, not the other way around."

"I'll give you that, then." I glance up. "We're almost to the base. I ride in first."

"Yes, ma'am."