It was another oddly sunny day in Querencia. The phoenix was hard at work yet again, and the same could be said for Jesika and Rowan.
Jesika felt her body stinging even more-so today. Her head ached, begging her to rest. She felt her mind losing focus and her body sway. She tried her best to keep herself going, fighting to keep control. Finally, her body gave out on her and she fell back into the ground. Rowan ran to her side, asking her if she was okay. She panted from the heat, her body burning like it had the day she was burnt. One of the knights noticed what was going on and came to yell at her to get back to work.
Rowan stood with his fists clenched as he got in the man's face. "She has third degree burns all over her!! She can't work out here!"
The knight glared at her, but sighed, reaching out his hand. "Come with me. I'll take you to the fountain in the castle to heal the burns. But then it's right back to work."
Jesika nodded, but didn't take the man's hand, instead grabbing Rowan's, letting him pull her up. She began to follow after him, stopping beside Rowan to whisper in his ear:
"I'm going to see if I can hear or see something about Darryn and Aquila."
Rowan looked at her and nodded. "Be careful," he said.
Jesika gave him a small, pained smile before following the knight into the castle.
Jesika looked around the castle as the knight kept a tight grip on her arm. Pain struck her heart at the familiarity of the castle and the inability to roam around it freely as she used to. She had the strongest urge to go lay in her parents' bed and breathe in the familiar smell of their room. Now the castle seemed so foreign, so invaded. It was an odd feeling to say the least.
As they neared the fountain, Jesika's heart lurched when she saw Darryn walking through the halls by himself, clutching his side tightly. She glanced at the knight gripping her, then back at Darryn. She quickly yanked her arm free with her all might, swinging at the knight's head, efficiently knocking him to the ground. Before he could get back to his feet, she brought the bottom of her boot down on his head, knocking him unconscious. Darryn noticed the commotion, his eyes catching hers, watching the scene go down.
He quickly made his way to her, taking her by the arm and pulling her into a hidden nook in the hallway.
"What the heck are you doing?!" Darryn shouted in a whisper. He paused, looking at her, seeing her irritated burns and her red face. "Jesika, you look like you're about to pass out."
She nodded, gripping his shoulder tightly. "That's because I am about to pass out. They have Rowan and I working in the farmlands. I've been working under the sun and a phoenix all day. They made us work 'til sunset last night. It took my body giving out on me for one of the knights to bring me to the healing fountain. That's where I was heading when I saw you."
Darryn nodded in understanding. "I'm glad Rowan and you are okay. Aquila and I are alright too. We have been forced into Audric's army, patrolling the streets and the castle."
She gripped his shoulder even tighter. "Tell Aquila her parents are okay. We saw them working alongside us in the farmlands."
"I will," he assured her. He started to pull away, but Jesika tugged him back.
"We have to set things right, Darryn. Tonight, find us in one of the peasant homes near the farmlands. Alright?"
He nodded yet again. "I'll see what I can do," he paused, pulling her close, but holding her gently in fear of rubbing her burns.
Jesika sighed as she hugged him back, wishing she could relax in his arms longer. Instead, she pulled away as the knight she knocked out regained consciousness. Darryn disappeared through the halls as Jesika allowed the knight to take hold of her once again.
