Awakening Book 1: Rebirth [Editing]

Part 18: Jack

The morning light filtered into the oaken chamber through thin curtains draped across a circular opening. Under the soft linens of the bed lay a young boy with jet black hair. You wouldn't suspect he had powers just by looking at him. In truth he looked gaunt and weak. The journey had tested his strength and pushed him to his limits. Sleeping in that soft bed he seemed at peace. It was unfortunate that he would be quickly thrust back into his tumultuous world as soon as he awoke.

Jack's eyes burst open as the sounds of claws on wood became audible from beyond the room. His right hand flew to his waist, where a dagger hid, tucked into his belt. Staring at the archway between his room and the hall he fingered the hilt, dragging his fingers along the rough leather. His heart was pacing and his mind a sea of worry as he prepared himself for the worst.

They have found me and killed everyone, he thought as he began to feel sweat on his brow. This is how I die.

The dagger flew from its sheath as a wildling appeared in the doorway. As soon as Jack realized it was Shadowfoot he dropped the blade, letting it fall harmlessly atop the bedsheets.

"My apologies, Demon. I did not mean to wake you," the wildling said, his words sounding like growls.

"It's fine Shadowfoot. I . . . was already awake," Jack said feebly 

The beast looked down at the dagger and eyed it suspiciously. "Expecting someone else?"

"Oh, well, yeah. I feared we were under attack,"

"You can't jump at every strange noise you hear child, for I believe things will only become more twisted as we press on," 

"Press on? Are we leaving already?"

"Yes, Tylas wishes for us to leave within the hour. He says reaching the Sentinels is of utmost importance," 

"Hmm. He hasn't explained much about them. Can we trust him?" 

"Tylas is an honourable man. He treats my brothers and sisters with respect and has never betrayed us. Fear where your path will lead, Demon. You have no need to fear your companions,"

"Good. I guess I will get my things together. Did the elder say whether I needed to wear my armour?"

"Yes my lord. He wishes you wear it for he does not know how dangerous the road will be. As you well know, the forest has grown wild and uncontrollable, even with the elvish magics," 

Jack nodded his head and got out of the bed, shivering as his bear feet touched the cool wooden floor. He was still amazed that the dwelling was made out of a tree. He wondered at the kind of magic used to twist and shape the wood into rooms and stairwells.

He quickly dressed himself and strapped his armour on atop his light woolen clothing. The twisted black plates shone a dark red at the edges whenever the light danced over him. Jack felt empowered by the grotesque appearance and liked how imposing he looked wearing the metal. It could have also been from the many enchantments lurking in the layers of hammered steel and in the engravings on the chestplate and pauldrons. But he had no way of knowing of their existence, aside from a slight tingle he sometimes felt along his skin. 

Shadowfoot waited in the doorway, the silver in his fur shimmering everytime the curtains blew away from the window. He watched silently as Jack grabbed his pack and began to head into the hall. The walls were carved from the solid wood of the tree trunk, and polished so that they shone in the light. The grain of the wood made the brown pattern less dull to behold. 

"You said I don't need to fear my companions. Does that mean Tylas is joining us for the journey?" Jack asked as he entered the stairwell in the core of the tree.