Judgement

Chapter 2: Jade Lannis.

Argos collapsed onto the bed in the small room, surrounded by the wooden log interior, the floorboards didn't make a noise, which surprised Argos, he expected them to creak and groan, Jade's house was in good shape though. He heard Jade open the door, speaking to someone, then slamming the door shut, this caused him to get up, he walked out into the main living area where she had her hands on her hips, staring at the floor. Argos spoke up, "You okay?" She looked over at him, he gulped, afraid he had done the wrong thing yet she smiled. "Yeah, I'm alright, just some news." He nodded, "Can I ask what the news is about?" She shook her head, "Sorry, that is for another time, go back to your room and rest, tomorrow is going to be a big day for you." Argos nodded and with that he turned, leaving Jade alone, he sat back down on his bed, falling back against the pillows, the bed was surprisingly comfy, the mattress sinking, moulding to his shape. He took notes of the room, a clean window, looking into the woods outside and the lake. It was a beautiful view, there was also a few paintings around on the walls of mountains, the room consisted of a bed and a bed-side table. Soon Argos drifted, his eye lids growing heavier with each breath until they overcame his will and he drowned into his slumber. Argos dreamed, seeing the black crystal, seeing that black Ashen hand reach for it, to the side the king was dead, his brain disposed, ripped freshly from his skull, then he awoke, it was midnight, he breathed heavily, looking up as Jade walked in, she was still in the same uniform. "You alright? I just got back from my shift.." He nodded, "Just a nightmare.." She nodded, exiting his room, he had noticed her hood was off but it was too dark to fully concentrate on her features.

Argos didn't sleep for the rest of the night he heard jade go to sleep in the other room, or at least he thought she did, he sat on his bed, thinking of Ember and Horace, he wondered what they'd be up to. They'd probably be looking for him, worried, this made Argos think, did they think he'd completely left? He didn't want to know, so he tried concentrating on the dark shadows outside. It became daytime soon and Argos hadn't slept, Jade walked in, "Come on, let's go, you've got work to do." He followed her out to the living room, she was in a different attire today, more casual with just normal clothing and a green cloak draping over her shoulder. "Now I am going to go sign all the papers and what not to say you're my apprentice, you on the other hand, are going to go feed the horses outside around the back, feed the chickens, get water and polish everything before I get back." 

"But I thought I was going to do-

"Ranger training? Oh, you will, just give it time." This was the first time Argos had noticed she never had a hood on and she was pretty, but too old for Argos, he was only 17 turning 18 after all she was around 24 he guessed. With that she left and Argos was left standing there, for a while he just looked around the house, it was in good shape. The pots and pans hung from a rack on the right wall with with a long counter made out of wood cutting them apart, there was knives in drawers behind that counter and on the left side of the room was a living area. It consisted of a red rug as furry as a lions mane, a fireplace made from cobblestone and a few chairs. In the middle was the dinner table, it was long consisting of only 2 chairs though, which confused Argos even more than he already was.

Soon later, Argos went outside, he found the horses, beside was some apples, there was a note saying only feed them 2 each, Argos noticed something about the horses, they weren't battle stallions, instead they were a lot smaller like ponies, Argos raised an eyebrow, there was 2 one black and white, the other caramel brown. Argos did as he was told giving them 2 apples each, the Horses looked at him for a moment then ate, Argos then found a pail, he went down to the stream to retrieve the water, he filled the pale and wandered back to the cabin passing a few civilians, they smiled and waved, Argos waved back. He made it back, filling the water tank beside the cabin, doing this many times before it was completely full the water was clear, clean. Argos stared at his reflection, he shook his head walking back inside, looking around the house for a cloth. He found one, wetting it with the fresh water, cleaning the tabletops and other parts of the house until he had finished. He then sat down on his bed, looking around, all of his stuff was here he raised an eyebrow, how had he never seen who brought all of the stuff? Argos didn't question it further instead he waited, looking out the window until he heard the door open, which made Argos get up, he then walked into the main room where Jade stood, she threw him something, a uniform. "Whats this?" Argos asked, looking at her, "Your ranger uniform, try it on, I'll take it back if it doesn't fit you." Argos nodded, walking to his room, stripping down. He pulled on the ranger uniform, it fitted nicely, he liked it, a lot. The uniform consisted of brown leather a white undershirt and a green hood with a green cloak and leather pants. He walked out Jade eyeing the uniform, "looks good, right?" Argos nodded back, smiling, "So, what now?" Jade thought for a minute her eyes watching him, like she was thinking of what he would be capable of. "First I'd say you get introduced to your horse and you name him, he will be your companion for a long long time."