Enormity // Jalex

2. My lungs can't find the oxygen

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Jack wondered the small town looking for the items that Zack had sent him for. The physician was apparently treating the Lady Taylor for bad nightmares and didn't have all the things he needed for his potion. The market was bustling with adults and children alike all buzzing around, searching for the things they so desperately needed to live their lives. Small clouds of smoke would fill the sky where stalls had open fires going, ready to cook food or heat things. The smells radiating off different places were a mixture of sweet and disgusting. Jack had to physically hold his breath as not to smell the pigs as he passed those but gladly took in the scent of the freshly cooked bread as he walked by the, rather large, man with piles of the stuff stacked up and a huge queue behind.

The raven haired 20 year old and the slightly over (by 4 years) physician hadn't yet struck up the conversation of Jack's powers, though, the talk was inevitable and would surely come up again when Zack wasn't so busy. The demonstration yesterday of how much Peter hated magic had made Jack nervous because one slip up and he'd be dead. He'd known before he came that magic was outlawed but was naive enough to think that if he explained and proved it was only for good then he would be saved. That wasn't the case. Back home if anyone found out it wouldn't have been the worst thing in the world. Maybe a few people would turn against him but they would never have burned him at the stake; they loved him far too much for that.

Jack was idly passing an old woman's stall when he heard a cluttering and crashing coming from a few yards away. "Come on, get up." A voice said, full of bemusement and the hearty laughs of what sounded like two other men followed. Jack, intrigued as always, moved closer to the scene.

Leaning up against a wall and holding his head, clearly where it had been hit against the metal hanging on the brick, was a young man, probably no older than Jack himself carrying a small shield. Behind him was the vast expanse of the green castle grounds to which he had clearly come from. The three other men surrounding him looked much more lighthearted than his solemn face. Two were supporting swords, hanging from belts and were roughly the same height and build but it was the one in the middle who stood out to Jack. He was tall, but not as tall as him, he had dark brown hair that fell loosely onto his forehead and the prettiest eyes he had ever seen. An evil smirk was held on his lips and only the slightest hint of stubble was present around his chin and upper lip. In his hands he held a mace and as he swung it round, he would flick the stands of hair that had fallen messily out of place away from his eyes.

Jack stood still, totally blown away by this man's beauty. The facade was broken however, when he opened his mouth again. "I said get up, don't be such a wimp." He teased, flinging his mace hard into the boys shield and then laughing.

Jack frowed, who the hell was he to do that? "Hey leave him alone." Jack said, full of pity for the poor boy. The four heads, as well as a few other passing heads turned to face him in absolute shock. It was almost as if he'd just insulted the king. Almost.

"Excuse me?" The pretty one said in the middle, incredulously. "Who the hell are you to tell me what to do?"

And Jack didn't understand because he had no idea that this man was Alex Gaskarth, prince of Glenfall. "I just said leave him alone." He reiterated as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, standing up straight as he did so.

Alex was so taken aback his mace fell still and his jaw dropped open. Nobody had ever spoken to him like that before and he wasn't standing for it. "Do you even know who I am?" He asked, expecting the answer to be an obvious yes but the reply he got was not at all what he had expected.

Nothing about Jack would ever be what he expected.

"Uh, an asshole?" Jack actually had to stop himself from laughing at his own comment. He bit his lip, fighting the smile that was playing so dangerously close to his lips

If Alex's eyes could've popped any further out their sockets, the would have done. And his expression soon turned into one of anger as he started to swing his mace once again, completely forgetting the dazed boy, leaning against the wall. "Say that again" he spoke slowly looking Jack up and down.

"What you gonna do? Swing your mace at me?" Jack teased in a mocking attitude. He was loving every minute of this.

"I could get you arrested for starters."

"Who do you think you are, the king?"

"No, just his son."

And the roles switched, Jack's jaw hung open and Alex loved every second of it. He loved the way his face had fallen so quickly and yet he'd captured every moment; the way his lips had been pulled out of that stupid smirk and were now quivering in fear. The boy was gorgeous, he'd admit because Alex wasn't one to deny himself that, he admired the way his jet back hair fell so perfectly around his face and the way his eyes lit up when he spoke but he certainly wasn't a fan of Jack's attitude so far. Not that he could say much for his own attitude.

"So go on then, take a swing." Alex taunted, directing every word to Jack, the venom in his voice spewing over and making him quiver. And ok Jack would admit he was an idiot for getting himself into this situation. "Go on." Alex prompted, handing the boy a mace and taking another off his friend.

Jack had no idea what to do with it. It hung loosely in his hands as Alex advanced, swinging his own expertly, the years of training paying off. His eyes shone fiercely as he launched his weapon directly at Jack. It caught his arm, ripping his clothes and catching the skin.

He wasn't going to stand for this.

With every swing the the mace that followed, Jack would easily redirect it's path with a simple blink of his eyes. That only ceased made Alex more frustrated because he'd never missed a swing in his life. Taking the weapon back and swinging it behind his head, Jack's eyes flashed a dazzling shade of gold and the previous free swing of the metal became caught in the hooks and chains hanging off the back of one of the stall. Alex's face faltered and Jack took that opportunity to stand up and swing his weapon at him. Somewhere along the lines though, when Jack was face to face with Alex, the shorter had somehow managed to swing his head back and forwards again, headbutting Jack directly in the soft part of his nose.

Alex rolled his eyes as the younger fell, staggering backwards. He stood over him and rolled his eyes. "You're an idiot." He said, "but a brave one." He added on, looking down at the boy with confusion. He was puzzling. Who would still challenge him after find out out who he was? Who wouldn't even know who he was in the first place?

Jack sat up a little straighter from where he had fallen onto a pile of hay and Alex's two guards moved forward to arrest the boy but they were stopped when he held up his hand. "Wait." Alex ordered. "Leave him." He turned his attention to Jack. "What's your name?"

"Jack."

"Well Jack," he said, grin appearing on his face once more, "I'm looking for a new man servant. Reckon you're up to the challenge?" His eyes glimmered in delight, the boys humiliation and defeat still looming in the air.

"For an ass like you? I don't think so."

Alex chuckled, "I'll see you tomorrow morning then."

And as Alex walked away with his two guards in tow, neither man could hold of the smiles on their faces at the way this afternoon had played out.

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I updated yay. I did 13 exams; praise me! 2 more to go. Hope you enjoy this chapter, Alex makes his entrance so you should.