Always A Hero

Rescue?

Jasmine watched as one by one, the Great Seven Gems felt Anna's touch, besides the Opal. She watched her raise her head, framed in long, brown hair, tied in a tail, trailing onto a shoulder. Emerald eyes met emerald eyes. Both with determination, one with fear and sadness. Then without moving her head, Jasmine looked to her right. She heard footsteps, but she couldn't see their owner. She grinned.

"Well, what will it be, your highness?" Roared Dain, breaking through Jasmine's mind, which was racing almost as fast as her horse. Jasmine watched her daughter tilted her head in disdainfulness, saying 'No', which was easily heard with her trained voice and the eery silence. Jasmine smiled at her play on words. She watched as Dain covered up his startled confusion, heard her husband mutter 'Good girl', felt her mother-in-law force a smile, then it faded.

"Where are the boys?" Doom hissed. Lief shrugged pathetically, as if he's already given up.

"It's would probably best if they didn't see- what happens..." Sharn muttered. Jasmine sighed.

"You've already given up?" Lief jumped at his wife's voice, it seemed louder, as if she was closer.

"For pity's sake, Lief, don't move!" She hissed. Slowly, Lief saw that to his right, the stake was empty and ropes littered it like a moat of snakes, the ropes seemed cut. Lief felt his wrist feel slack, then he realised his ropes were being cut.

"Who-" He whispered.

"It's me dad, shh. We want to get him by surprise." Lief risked a glance left, saw his son cutting through his mother's bindings, saw his wife freeing his father-in-law.

"Are you sure?" Dain desperately wanted - needed - the Belt; or else. It was crystal clear in his voice and he was completely oblivious to his surroundings.

"I will not repeat myself, Dain!" Bellowed the girl, cursing the Ol. "Nor will I rethink my decision!"

"Quickly Grandmama!" Endon urged quietly, holding her hand, leading her down the stairs.

"Jarred!" Doom hissed. "Hurry-" It was his turn to stare as Lief let out a muffled cry, Anna screaming out, Dain laughing, a blood-stained dagger gleaming and Jasmine's dying body lying on the floor. Dain easily lifted her limp, small body and dropped it over the edge. There was a dull thud! and the ghastly crunch of bones.

"Jasmine!" Cried Lief.