Warriors (OH HOLD)

Chapter Nineteen~ The Inventor

Jordan wished he didn't have to carry Tom. When the Mianite Guards attacked, before they managed to knock Tom out, they cut him pretty bad on his leg. And twice Tom had insisted that he was fine and could walk on his own, but then he would limb slowly behind the other two boys and wince with every step. So to save time, Jordan carried Tom, as much as neither of them liked it. 

And it also wasn't the first time in their little adventure that Jordan thought that it would've been better if they turned around and forgot reviving Sonja. The group had expired their food meager supply of food, not expecting do not have found the mineral by now. Tom and James both got themselves hurt and they didn't bring any proper bandages with them. 

But then Jordan remembered what Martha had told him before they left. She told him that reviving Sonja and turning Tucker back would be huge part of bringing Andor and Ianite back. Jordan really wanted to see his little brother again. And if traveling across a poisonous landscape was what it took, he would do it. 

"Hey do you guys see that?" James asked and pointed out into the distance. Jordan stopped walking followed his finger with his eyes and saw the outline of a tiny house. He squinted to make out details, and the only one he saw was a thin tail of smoke coming from what looked to be a chimney. At least, Jordan hoped it was a chimney, after the incident in Katsir. 

"Yeah. It looks like a house," Jordan said, walking on. 

"Do you think we should check it out?" James asked. 

"Maybe there'll be food there," Tom said, looking hopefully at the little hut. 

"Off we go then," Jordan said, walking towards the hut. He heard James follow him, moving the chicken he had from his hood to his shoulder. Jordan wasn't sure why James kept the chicken with him, but it fed on seeds, and there were no shortage of those around here, so it didn't eat any of their food. 

The three walked on, or two, because Tom was being carried, and then Jordan realized how much they had underestimated how much they had to walk. After a few minutes, it had seemed that the house had not gotten any closer. Jordan mentioned this to James and he told him not to give up and keep walking. But after another couple of minutes, when the hut seemed just as far away, Jordan let out a sigh of defeat. 

"This is useless! We've been walking for ten minutes and we haven't gotten any closer to the hut!" he groaned in frustration. Once again, Jordan felt like it would have been a better idea to turn back, return the compass to Thomas, and try to forget about Sonja, Andor, and Ianite. Then, once again, he remembered that forgetting them would be impossible. 

"Yeah... why is that?" James said. He walked in front of Jordan, looking quizzically at the house. "Wait," James turned around. "didn't we pass that tree a few minutes ago?" Jordan turned around. He did notice that tree a few minutes ago, and it was strange to see it right next to them again. James turned to Jordan. 

"Let's keep walking," he said, but he didn't turn around. Instead, he started walking backwards, keeping his eyes trained on the tree. Jordan kept walking, and looked down, realizing Tom had passed out in his arms. 

"Uhh, James? We should hurry up," Jordan said, his worry rising. The two kept walking, Jordan quickening his pace. Surprisingly, he saw the house getting closer. 

"Huh, funny, the tree is getting farther away," James said. 

"Yeah and the house is getting closer," Jordan replied. James turned around and walked next to Jordan. He looked at Tom, quickened his pace to match Jordan's. Soon, they were standing in front of the house. Tom groaned, and mumbled something about being hungry. Jordan felt a worry lift from his stomach, seeing that the boy would be okay with some food and medical attention. The light from the windows and smoke from the chimney gave Jordan hope that whoever owned this hut was alive and hopefully willing to help them.