The Unseen World

Chapter 15: Jared

Chapter 15: Jared

I tiptoed over to Ariella's bed as quietly as I could in my heavy squire boots and leaned down. Her soft face looked peaceful as she slept, soft blond hair caressing her face like the halo of an angel. A smile played at my lips. I leaned down and gave her a mere brush of a kiss on her forehead before hurrying out of our room as fast as I could. When I closed the door, I noticed my father standing in the hallway. His arms were crossed as if he'd been waiting for some time.

"Hey," I whispered, offering a slight smile. He nodded, his lips tight. "Why is it you wanted Ariella to stay here again?" Last night, he asked me too let Ari sleep in my room. Of course, I said yes. My little lion could never be a burden. **(Fun Fact: Ariella means "Lion of God" in Hebrew)**

"She reminds me too much of your mother." My father looked me straight in the eye. I couldn't keep my eyes from narrowing. He wasn't lying, but I could tell he wasn't telling the entire truth either.

"I understand that," I began, gesturing for him to walk with me. "She reminds me of Mom too. Anything else?" His silence weighed heavily in the air. "Ariella told me it was her fault... It isn't her fault, right Dad?" I gave him a full on minute to protest. Nothing.

"Dad, it isn't her fault!" I reproached, glaring at him. "You can't blame her for being in the wrong place in the wrong time. It isn't her fault Mom got bit. Never has, never will be."

"You weren't there," he muttered.

"I didn't have to be!" I exclaimed. How could he blame her? "She's a little girl! She can't possibly be responsible. It's not like she controlled the snake. If she could, do you really think she would kill her mother?"

"I don't blame her for the snake bite, I blame her for running off! If she hadn't run off, her mother would still be here. You would still have a mother, Jared! Think about it." My father defended himself desprately.

"I may not still have a mother, but I still have a responsibility. My little sister is my responsibility now, because you don't want to deal with your own feelings and not take out Mom's death on your own child."

"Don't speak this way to me. I'm your Father."

"Don't even try and pull that on me!" I roared, stopping because I reached my destination. "As far as I'm concerned, Dad," I spat the word mockingly. "Ariella and I are orphaned." I turned and walked through the door I stopped in front of, leaving a shocked man behind.

 "Jared," A large, muscular man with a tight, rough face turned around. His brown eyes glared at me, but his shiny head was very distracting from his intimidating demeanor. "You're late."

"I'm sorry, Captain. I was distracted. It won't happen again." I gave him a curt nod and took my place at his side. He turned back to the table with the map of the country.

"I understand about your mother, and you taking in your sister. I'll cut you some slack this time. No punishment."

"Thank you, sir."

On the map, there was chess peices on different places. There was a group of four black Pawns that seemed far too close for comfort.

"Men, the dark troops are advancing. They've been on their way since yesterday. They'll be here at least by late tonight or early tomorrow morning." Captain Etan said, pointing at the black pawns. "It isn't even half their army, but from what our scouts have said, each pawn is a full legion of men."

One squire across the room stood next to his mentor with wide eyes. "How many is that?" His mentor slapped him on the head.

"Good question, rookie," The knight grunted. "It's three to six thousand men." The young squire made an 'o' with his mouth and didn't speak again.