Undiscovered Origins

Undiscovered Origins - Chapter 13

Chapter 13:

Jade sat outside of the carriage on a tree stump looking at her surroundings. They didn’t follow any trails traveling to the sea. It seemed Drake wished to keep as far away from civilization as he could. She didn’t know if that would mean the trip would take longer or shorter than traveling through the cities. Though at this point she dared not ask questions; she had enough of his answers.

The grass was short and green and there were plenty of trees surrounding her. It was the trees that kept her mind at peace. They had stopped to give much needed rest to the horses before they died from exhaustion. Now they scattered around eating the grass and some feed that Drake dropped for them. He had left and she sat all alone. Well, not completely alone, no he didn’t trust her that much. The carriage driver kept an eye on her. She wondered if the older man with the thick mustache knew of her situation, though she dared not ask. He smoked a cigar and his eyes were hidden under his top hat.

Drake told her he left to find food. She hoped he would bring some meat to cook. The stale bread he had been rationing to the three of them for the past few days was beginning to be the most dreadful part of her day. It was much better than the meals she acquired at the circus, but not by much.

The sound of birds and squirrels chattering amongst the trees caught her attention. She glanced to look at them and even saw a few chipmunks hopping from tree to tree trying to collect the small acorns before they clattered to the ground. Her glance locked with an orange and black butterfly that glided in the air. It seemed so carefree, and as it got closer, she was able to get a better look at it. Its body was orange with black lines that outlined it and created patterns inside. There were spots on the perimeter of it. It was the loveliest butterfly she had ever seen.

Clicking of leaves caused her to turn around; she stared at a tired Drake walking towards her with a hog in his arms. Gently, he set the animal down and began making a fire pit. He gathered up stones and created an oval on the ground. He set up branches on both side of the pit and shoved his sword through the hog and balanced it atop the branches. Looking back at her he winked before fire escaped his mouth and lit the fire pit that began roasting the hog.

Jade’s mouth began to water at the smell of the roasting hog. It had been far too long since she had a warm meal, not to mention meat. She preferred to not eat meat but she sure wasn’t one to pass it up. The crisp smell of pork really got her stomach grumbling and it was all she could do to hold herself back from rushing forward and tearing meat off. She had to be patient, besides Drake probably wouldn’t let her be so rash.

When the meal was finally ready, which didn’t take long from Drake’s fire, she dug in. Even though she didn’t see him use any seasonings it sure seemed like it was seasoned. She saw Drake heating up water for tea. Tea would settle her stomach much better than the warm water she was used to. The tea leaves were of various different plants and flowers and the aroma danced at her nostrils and she smiled in delight.

He passed her a cup which she gracefully accepted and silently remarked his generosity. She had assumed she would have to get up and get her own tea and not he come to her with a cup. The jester caught her off guard, but she appreciated it nonetheless. She sat quiet as did the others as she drank her tea. She let the heat warmth spread through her body. She realized she hadn’t felt that warm in a long while. No longer was she able to cuddle against Drake’s bare skin, and besides the pain it caused her heart, she also realized it kept her colder than she liked. The carriage would still be warm with his presence, but it still wasn’t warm enough for her.

“How much longer?” Jade asked without looking at anyone directly.

“Your impatience is tiring.” Drake said.

Jade sighed and turned away, fighting her mind inside to restrain from speaking harshly to the man. He really got on her nerves in the past few days though. If she wasn’t as scared as to what he was, she would attempt fighting back and running away. Though, where would she go? She had nowhere to run.

Whispering caught her attention and she looked up to Drake who was nonchalantly eating pork and drinking tea. Even the carriage driver wasn’t moving but finishing up his tea and lighting a cigar. The whispers were muffled but she could understand them if she listened really close.

“They are coming. They are here. Watch out Jade!”

It sounded like the wind rustling the leaves in the trees that created the whispers. She was dumbfounded that she was the only one to hear it. Quickly she rose to her feet and began eyeing the forest where the trees whispered. If it was indeed real then that was where they were coming from. She had no idea how much time they had before an attack, but her gut felt twisted and her body shivered in fear. Drake stared oddly at her but made no attempt to get up or unsheathe his sword.

“Jade what are you-” Drake started.

“They are coming.” Jade whispered cutting him off.

“Nobody is coming; we are safe here. There is nothing in the for-” Drake stopped as it got eerily quiet.

He turned around to face the wilderness and slid his sword out of its scabbard. The blade sparkled in the twilight as he looked around and slowly backed up towards Jade. The carriage driver hopped off of the stone he sat upon and strung his bow that hung at his back. Jade hadn’t noticed the bow before, but felt quite relieved that the two of them had weapons. However, she did not and she frantically looked around for something, anything, to use to defend herself.

An object lay on the ground close to her. She dashed for it and raised it in front of her face. It was a thick tree branch and probably had no use against a blade, but it was all she had. She gulped and closed her eyes as she heard footsteps.

“They are here.” She whispered.

Out of the forest no more than ten men walked out in full plate mail armor and helms. Their armor was worn and dark, almost black. They seemed to snarl and from what she could tell they weren’t human. Their skin wasn’t white, brown, or any other color a human would have. Besides that, the snarl they seemed to have sounded nothing human she could fathom.

Drake turned around with a glint of fear in his eyes. He seemed to be able to handle himself even against a strong force of men, but his expression actually appeared afraid. His eyes stared into hers for a long moment, questioning hers.

“How did you know?” He asked.

“The trees told me.” She whispered clutching her wooden branch tighter, hoping she would be able to use it like a staff.