The Fall of the Keepers

Chapter 5 Two Kinds of Family

The three of us made it about halfway across the room before Jasmine launched herself into her brother surprised arms. As much as I disliked the Hayes girl, the joy that spread on Jasper's face was brilliant enough for me to temporarily set aside my differences with her.

"Vienna, I'd like for you to officially meet my sister, Jasmine."
Jasper said when his sister finally released him from the death grip around his neck.

Vienna smiled and extended her hand politely.

"It's a pleasure to meet you."

Jasmine shook Vienna's hand, her face unreadable.

"While we're in the business of making introductions, Vienna, this is my brother, Solomon, and my little sister, Esha."

"I've heard a good deal about you two."
Vienna laughed.

The three shook hands, my family clearly sizing up my friends. It was strange, I had never once imagined what it would be like for them to meet, I supposed I hadn't ever thought I would be so lucky.

"Solomon, lead the way to the clothing closet will you?"
I requested.

"Do you think the rebels will let them take a shower? They desperately need one."
Jasmine commented.

"I'm sure we'll survive without one."
Jasper replied.

"You might but I won't, you smell like barbecued meat."

Vienna and I winced at her choice of words and I put my arm around my friend comfortingly.

"You did what you had to."
I murmured.

"Don't we always?"
She sighed.

"They can shower in my room."
I offered.

I wasn't sure that the chamber would remain mine for very long, now that I was no longer head of the royal guard, but that was a problem that could be sorted out later. We retrieved suitable clothing from the closet for not only Jasper and Vienna but Jasmine and Esha as well.

"Might as well get you out of those gowns. They may be pretty, but you'll have no use for them again."
I pointed out.

The six of us retreated to the private wing that had now been torn through by the searching rebels. I went straight to my chambers, not allowing myself to glance down towards Ranen's rooms.

"You go first Vi."
Jasper ordered giving her a light push in the direction of the bathroom.

She didn't argue, the door clicking shut behind her. That left five of us standing awkwardly in a ransacked room. For lack of something to do I began picking odds and ends up that had been scattered across the floor, returning them to their rightful locations. After a few moments, Esha began to assist me.

"They've all but destroyed priceless works of art."
Jasmine bemoaned, retrieving a painting that had been thrown to the ground.

The frame had been broken and the canvas ripped nearly in half.

"I don't think they care much about art."
Solomon sighed, gazing at what had been a lovely portrait of some fair lady.

"It's only a painting, I'd be more concerned about how much they are going to care for living breathing people."
I said, placing a small wooden horse back on a bookshelf.

"I think they've already made their thoughts quite clear on the value of human life."
Jasmine scowled.

"The poor Princess."
Esha murmured, eyes downcast.

"Laquira was my friend, and they murdered her in cold blood."
Jasmine stated, her voice quavering.

"Don't say that outside this room or you might meet a fate similar to your friend's."
I warned.