Day 15

Josephina Jujitsu sat with Rosaleighm in the garden. She could see a storm was coming. The cold wind blew over them. But Joe was too sad to care.

She was not one who usually moped or mourned, but because of Natrica’s murder before her eyes and how powerless she was to stop it. She was feeling down. She hadn’t mourned since her mother died when she was a child. She had a brother that she loved so much she kept him a secret so no one could use him against her or hurt him.

His name was Azondre. Joe kept Azondre safe at a fancy boarding school. He was given ever sport and academic opportunity.

After Joe met Eddy, and she started earning money she sent Azondre to a boarding school. Keeping him far from harm and giving him what she believed was a good start in life. A better one than what she had. She had no need to worry about Azondre, as his school fees were paid in full. His collage fund was set and would become available once he graduated. She even had other money stashed away for his twenty fifth birthday. She knew she had taken care of him financially. She made sure that if she died it would not make a difference to his opportunities. Also, all these things were not in her name. Nor did her will have him in it. She didn’t have a will. An old lady she rented a room from who always baked her nice goodies was to get all her things if she died. Just because she was nice.

Joe’s mom was a sled dog racer who died three years after having Azondre. Joe was ten years older than her brother.

She didn’t care about her father. After her mother died, he drank so much he should have died. Joe was sure her father hadn’t even noticed they were gone.

Joe looked at her men. She knew she should feel happy that even as an alien she could summon loyalty. But she didn’t feel happy instead she was sad and angry.

Everyone had left the castle on their search for the crystals.

Joe didn’t understand how they got here nor how some stones were going to get them home.

She was afraid of what would happen when she returned. Eddy was not a forgiving man, and her story was not very believable.

Snow began to fall. It melted as it touched Joe’s skin. A bitterly cold wind carried the storm in. Rosaleighm sat with her. Looking at her with confused eyes. Joe looked at her.

“Go inside” she told her, but the child stayed where she was.

“Go” Joe said.

Rosaleighm started to shiver. She refused to move.

Joe finally got up.

“Let’s go inside” she said holding out her hand to Rosaleighm.

Rosaleighm took it and they ran inside.

Autumn saw Joe come in. She was cold.

Joe looked at Autumn.

“There you are.” Spice said coming over to Joe.

She looked at Autumn.

“Have you found Jessica the prince’s companion?” Spice asked Autumn.

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Autumn looked her up and down. Without answering she walked away.

“I wish I understood.” Joe said to herself.

It wasn’t as simple as listening and learning with some guidance from Spice. There were multiple languages and with the peace conference and so many tribes coming. She was exposed to so many that she battled to tell them apart.

The peace conference took a break. Joe went and found Zazo, but communication was difficult.

“Where is Keimoni when you need him.” Joe moaned.

Yair overheard her.

“Thank you for fighting and protecting my prince. You managed to get everyone to unite while we were under siege.” Yair said to Joe.

“You speak English.” Joe hid her excitement.

“I am a Viden.” He replied.

“Who did you kiss?” Joe asked.

“It does not matter.” Yair told her.

“Unlucky.” Joe answered.

“Pardon!?” Yair said.

“Having your everything known to someone without your consent. I almost killed Keimoni for kissing Natrica.”

“This does not surprise me.” Yair replied.

Joe raised an eyebrow. She had wanted to see Yair response, but it had been lacking. He seemed emotionless.

But his Pardon!? Had let Joe know he did have them. Even if only a little.

“Keimoni told me Viden were unemotional. Yet he is very emotional.” Joe said gauging a response.

“Keimoni is a disgraced Viden. Kicked out for his over emotional un-rational responses.”

“Then why was he sent as our queen’s Viden?” Joe asked.

“He wasn’t.” Yair answered.

“So why is he here?” Joe asked.

“He overstepped.” Yair replied calmly.

“So why has the Viden sent at the queen’s request not arrived?”

“Because no Viden was willing to come. The queen killed her last one. A leader, an example to all. No one was willing to die senselessly.”

“So, Keimoni is here…” Joe pondered her words “taking advantage of our queen?” Joe asked.

Yair saw where she was going.

“Keimoni took advantage of the opportunity. You have been clever, but I am old, and I see your games. I came to say thank you. Not to be invoked.” Yair turned to leave.

“Do you think the prince will be good to Ter…” Joe stopped herself “To our queen?” Joe asked.

“I do. Prince Drake is a good man. A man of his word. He will be a great leader and husband.” Yair said.

Yair noticed how Joe called the queen a name different to Tiffany. Ter was not even close. This was not the first time he had heard someone begin to say her name and then stop.

“Thank you. It’s important that she will be alright.” Joe said “She is good people, you know. Makes one believe that life does have many paths.”

“Are you wanting to tell me something?” Yair asked.

“Take care of her when I leave.” Joe said.

“Leave? Where are you going?”

“To kill Chris, as soon as the queen is married, or the peace talks are over.”

“Your friend Natrica?” Yair asked.

Joe fought back her tears, refusing to cry.

“Yes.”

“I hear good things about her from everyone. She will be remembered. In our custom once a year all Viden meet. To give our knowledge to the keepers of all time. This ensures that nothing that has ever happened will ever be forgotten. People live on in us forever as we share those people with one another.” Yair said.

“So, my friend will be part of history, never forgotten. Always loved?” Joe asked.

Yair was unsure what to say. Keimoni was not invited or allowed to share as his emotions might be contagious.

Joe looked at him waiting for an answer.

“So, if you kiss Keimoni, you will know Natrica, and she will not be forgotten?” Joe asked.

“Yes. I would know her.” Yair answered.

“Then you will make sure my friend lives on and is never forgotten and remember I avenged her. Her killer was killed by me.” Joe inquired.

She felt better. It didn’t make sense, but she felt better.

“What’s your name?” Joe asked.

“Yair.”

“I am Joe. This is Rosaleighm.” Joe had a serious face “Thank you.”

Yair smiled.

“They call you the shadow of death.” He told her.

“Why?” Joe asked.

“Because your shadow is the last thing anyone sees before being killed.”

“Oh” Joe replied, “Why are you telling me this?”

“You are a stranger and yet your fame as a warrior is being spread. Its impressive.”

“Oh!” Joe was taken aback, “I just solve problems.” She shrugged.

“Your problem solving is famous.” Yair said “I like you. If you need help call me.” Yair offered.

He walked away.

Joe smiled. Her problem-solving skills were famous.

“Are we still going to kill Chris?” Rosaleighm asked.

Joe looked at her surprised.

“You just spoke to me, a full sentence.”

“Are we?” Rosaleighm asked with big honey-colored eyes looking up at her.

“Yes. I will kill him and you my little one will learn to kill without hesitation as well. We will be an unstoppable team.” Joe told her.

“Why do you do as Tẽra says? You are strong, we don’t need her.” Rosaleighm said.

Joe was surprised.

“I am a sword, when in the hands of a planner I am powerful. If I have no one to wield me, I am just a sword. My greatness comes from being in the hands of another, the hands of a planner, like Tẽra.”

“You saying you are great because you have a master?” Rosaleighm was confused.

“The right master. Yes. On my own I am a killer, with purpose I am a warrior.”

“You disobey Tẽra.” Rosaleighm stated.

“Sometimes you must. But your loyalty must lie with someone and Tẽra was not my master.” Joe said.

Rosaleighm expressed understanding.

“So, we serve the plan of a planner, like Tẽra but we have a good person guide us!”

Joe smiled at her. But her real smile was gone.

“Make someone who knows right from wrong, who is guided by something greater, your friend.” Joe told her.

Rosaleighm took her hand.

“How do you understand me?” Joe asked.

Rosaleighm shrugged.

They walked down the hallways. Joe needed a bath to warm up.

“Have you ever killed a good person?” Rosaleighm asked.

‘She found her voice and now she cannot be silent!’ Joe thought.

“Most people think they are good. But finding someone who is actually good is difficult.” Joe said.