Jak pulled back, breaking the kiss. “I... I’m sorry. I can’t do this right now,” she said quickly as she stood up and brushed the loose grass off her clothes.
Naem stared at her, a confused look on his face. He remained on the ground, propped up on his elbows as Jak rose. “When will it be okay?” He asked.
“I don’t know, I’m still dealing with a lot right now.”
Naem rose. “I have a lot going on too, and that’s why I want this. Having you with me, it makes things better. Don’t you feel the same way?”
“I don’t know, I think so. But…”
“So why do you keep resisting? I’ve given you some space, I realize you needed that. After everything, you’ve lost. But we need to move on from that, find joy in new places. In each other.”
Jak felt her face begin to flush. “I know, I know that. It’s just...I can’t yet.”
“Is it that other man? The one you arrived with?”
“What, no?” Jak let out a short laugh at this.
“He was obviously interested in you,” Naem said still serious. “And you saw the way he looked at me.” His voice was beginning to rise, and Jak didn’t like it.
“It’s not like that at all.”
“Well then, why? Don’t you like me?”
Why was Naem getting so upset? “Of course, I like you.” Jak offered. “I just have a lot to figure out, and you’re not exactly helping by putting pressure on me.”
“Oh, so I’m the bad guy here.”
“What? No! No one is a bad guy.”
“Well, it sure sounds that way!” Naem was almost shouting.
Other Watchers began staring in their direction.
“I just don’t want anyone else to get hurt, okay!” Now she was yelling, finally saying what had been in her heart all along. Naem blessedly calmed down. Jak felt a tear run down her cheek. This was not how tonight was supposed to go. She wiped it away with a sleeve and turned to march out of the camp.
“Wait, Jak.” Naem followed after her. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have gotten mad.”
“You think I owe you something?” Jak said over her shoulder as she walked away. “My best friend, my father, half the people I knew growing up, they’re all dead. And then to find out that Kuldain led the demons that attacked my village and killed all those people to get to me, for reasons I don’t even understand yet. Even my mother was hurt because of me. I can’t have you get hurt too. Don’t you see? It’s not that I don’t care about you. It’s that I care too much!”
She felt a hand on her shoulder, and she paused for just a moment.
“You don’t owe me anything,” Naem said from behind her. “I’ll admit I felt that you did, a moment ago. But I think I understand now.”
Jak didn’t look back around. “All I want is to lay low, complete my studies, and live a quiet life away from everything. Perhaps then, we could make something of this.” She reached up to touch his hand that held her shoulder. “But I don’t think it’s safe enough to be my friend until then, so I think we should spend some time apart for now.”
Naem didn’t say another word as she stomped out of the Watcher camp, wiping the tears as she went. The tears progressed to full sobs as she put more and more distance between her and Naem. People turned to look at her, but few saw anything more than a hooded girl crying as she all but ran back to the college.
She didn’t see Amelia or any of the teachers as she shot to her room to be alone, only barely managing to hold in her tears so the other students wouldn’t notice. But she could hold them back no longer once inside her room. She collapsed on her bed and let it all out into her pillow.
She loved Naem, she really did. He was the only person who seemed to be able to draw out the more confident side of her, the only one around whom she was really happy. But everything that had happened with everyone else she loved made the relationship complicated. She was sure that she already put Naem’s life in danger by giving him extra brands. If word of that got out, Naem wouldn’t last long against the mobs that would come for him. Jak was already an oddity in Skyecliff, and she would do what she could to keep everyone else from whatever trouble awaited her.
But maybe, just maybe, if she could focus on not standing out, the queen, her priest, and all the rest would forget about her. Then maybe she and Naem could be together.
All the possibilities, from the worst to the best, played over and over again in her mind for hours until sleep mercifully took her.
10
The next morning was High Morning, meaning every student in the college jumped at the chance to not do chores and instead dress in their nicest school uniform for church. Everyone except Jak that is. She stayed in her room while everyone else got ready, not wanting to be seen.
So, she was surprised when she heard a knock on her door.
“Who is it?” She asked, brow furrowed.
“It’s me, Amelia,” came the peppy voice.
Jak rose and opened the door. Amelia stood there, dressed in her uniform, and bouncing on the balls of her feet in excitement. Jak looked around. “Haven’t the others gone already?”
“Yep,” Amelia said. “I didn’t go with them. Semwei said I could stay, so I did.”
“Then why are you dressed?”
“Because we’re going to go to that handsome man’s church.”
It took a moment for Jak to understand who she was talking about. “You mean Seph? How did you know about that?”
“Oh, he came by last night, didn’t I tell you? Of course, I didn’t, I haven’t seen you until right now. Well, yes, he came by and recognized me as your friend. Isn’t that nice? He told me to tell you that he’d like to see you.” Amelia paused to wink at Jak, twice.
Jak rolled her eyes. “I’m not sure he’s my type.” She walked away from the door and sat on her bed again, picking up the book she had been reading.
Amelia followed her. “Of course, he is. Someone with eyes and a smile like his can by anyone’s type. Come on, Jak. Just this once, please! I think it could be fun!”
Jak looked up from her book. “Why do you want to go to his church?”
“Because I’ve heard horrible things about it.”
“And... that’s a good thing?”
“Oh yes! You see, I’ve only heard bad things from those snobby rich people that go to the cathedral for church. I overheard one of them arguing with a shoemaker I know who attends Seph’s church. And if they don’t like it, it must be good, right?”
“I guess.” Jak appreciated the logic. Anything that displeased the Royal Priest and his followers were worth looking into. She closed her book and looked Amelia in the eye. “Well, what are you waiting for? Get out of my room so I can change.”
“Oh good!” Amelia clapped her hands once and scrambled for the door. “I’ll be waiting right here.”
True to her word, Amelia was standing right outside the door when Jak opened it again, this time dressed in her school uniform. She wasn’t sure what they wore to Seph’s church, but she figured dressing nicely was always a good idea. Plus this way she matched Amelia, so if they stood out from the crowd, they would do so together. On her way out, she made sure to pocket Seph’s book. Perhaps she could lend it back to him.
It took them longer than Jak anticipated to find the winding road that led down to the cliff base. Jak had never been there before and regretted missing it as soon as they arrived. The ocean was beautiful, and the cliffs were stunning. Looking up, she almost fell over backward as she tried to get a view of the cathedral and palace, which perched on top of the cliff, hundreds of feet above them.
Once at sea level, it didn’t take them long to find a small group of people gathered at the cliff’s base. But it was hardly what Jak would call a church. There were maybe three dozen people gathered there, all standing, with no building or structure of any kind. Jak wondered what they did when it rained.
Standing on a box was Seph, who spoke loud enough for everyone to hear. In o
ne hand, he held a book, which Jak realized was probably another copy of the same book that he had given her.
Seph paused as they approached, looking them both in the eye. A few others glanced in their direction, but most kept their eyes on their preacher. Amelia blushed, and Jak almost chuckled. She had grown so used to people staring at her that she forgot that Amelia didn’t really know what it was like.
But Seph only smiled and continued with his speech. “Are we some random intelligences brought here by chance? Do our father’s fathers, who are all long dead and gone, still influence our lives? I say, they do not. We revere them as our forefathers, but they were nothing but mortal men and woman, no different from us today. There is nothing that makes them more important, or that gives them a greater place in the hereafter. Each of us is capable of the same great things that they accomplished.”
Many heads were nodding in agreement. Jak surveyed the crowd and found that most of them were listening intently.
“But the Book of Illadar teaches us that there is a guiding Hand over all of us, a God who shapes this world and worlds above us. The sun and the moon and the stars, all were fashioned by this guiding Hand. I read now from the words of Abel,” He raised the book, pointing to a specific passage. “‘Indeed, I know that my mother and father knew it. They have taught that they would have perished on Earth, were it not for the Guiding Hand and his angels. And I add my testimony that the Hand exists, and I have seen his angels with my own eyes. They have taught me much and have revealed the future to my mind.’”
Seph looked back at the congregation. “That future, my friends, is Illadar.”
The crowd seemed to swell at the name, and Jak felt an odd rush of elation.
Seph continued. “And I would add my own witness, that these angels Abel speaks of, are real. I have seen them. It was one of them who told me where to find the Book of Illadar, and who taught me many things concerning our future, and the part we were to play in it.”
Strangely, Jak realized that she didn’t doubt Seph on his radical claims. It was new information to her, the idea of a God, a Hand guiding the forces of their world. She must not have reached that part of the book yet. But something tickled the back of her mind, a moment from when Yewin, the Bright Fae, had revealed the truth to her. That moment enabled her to brand Naem with his extra brands, but there had been other information revealed to her at that moment, most of which had disappeared as soon as the link was broken. But she thought she could remember something now. Or at least, something about a Guiding Hand, and angels that served it felt familiar to Jak.
“It would appear, my friends, we have some visitors today, one of which is a friend of mine, a special witness to the fulfillment of prophecy.”
Oh no. Jake looked up at Seph, barely shaking her head in his direction. She did not need more eyes on her.
Seph raised a hand in her direction and smiled. “I apologize, Jak if I put you on the spot, but I hoped you might share some of your experience with the Fae.”
At the mention of Fae, excited whispers spread through the crowd. All turned to look at Jak, who instantly wished she could melt into the cliff face. Amelia stood next to her, wide-eyed and excited. She gave Jak a little push, and Jak found herself walking forward, against her better judgement. Hadn’t the queen told her not to talk about the Fae with people? If they found out she had told this group...
As she neared, Seph stepped down from his box, his arm still outstretched to Jak. She took his hand as he guided her onto the box.
She stood, totally and completely petrified. The cold ocean air whipped at her hair.
There weren’t nearly as many people here as there had been in the cathedral, or even in her classes at the college. But something about the way they looked to her made her feel even more nervous than she had in front of those other crowds. These people actually wanted to hear what she had to say, and they would believe her. That lent her a responsibility that she didn’t necessarily want.
But she stood, looking from Seph, to Amelia, and back again. Amelia gave her an encouraging nod, and Seph merely smiled, waiting patiently for her to speak.
“Um... hello, everyone. My name is Jak. And I guess what Seph wants me to talk about is my experience at Foothold.”
Excited whispers moved through the crowd again. Jak swallowed, gathered her courage, and continued. “Your Book of Illadar speaks of twelve races. Us, and eleven others. If I had seen this book a year ago, I would have thought it a fantasy. But I have met the Fae, at least two varieties, and they are very much real. They are not merely a new spawn of a demon, like some may have you to believe. They are not unlike us in intelligence and emotion.”
Jak was finding the words came to her easily, and she realized her voice sounded far more confident than she would have ever imagined. It almost felt like the words leaving her mouth were not hers but instead belonged to someone else speaking through her.
“Some of you may have heard of a demon attack in Foothold. I’ve heard many rumors. Some say the Fae joined the demons in the attack. Others say that the Fae helped fight the demons. Others say they weren’t even there at all. Well, I was there. I can confirm that the Fae participated in the battle, and without them, every human in that stronghold would have died. The Fae saved our lives.”
“Which of the twelve did you see?” Seph asked. He knew the answer but asked on behalf of the crowd.
“One was like a shadow, living in darkness. The other was bright, shining like the sun in the morning. They each had abilities that fit their appearance, but neither were like demons.” Jak didn’t really know what more to say about them. But the crowd was eating up every word. Expressions of joy lit some of their faces.
“It’s like the book said.” One person spoke up, an older man who looked like he might be a beggar. “Doesn’t it, master Seph? Doesn’t it say the Fae of darkness and light will come first.”
“And they shall cast a shadow on the errors of old and illuminate the path ahead.” Seph nodded in confirmation. Turning to Jak, he offered his hand again. “Thank you, Jak. You’ve been a great help.”
She accepted his hand and stepped off the box. He rose to take her place.
“My friends,” he said, his voice solemn. “This marks the beginning of prophecy, fulfilled. We live in a wonderful era, and many among us will live to see everything promised in the Book of Illadar. A hero will rise, the first Oren in modern history, and he or she will make us stronger, and will build for us Illadar, where we might find peace among the Fae and us.”
It was all a bit touchy-feely for Jak, but having read Seph’s book, as well as the original copy of the Annals of Adam, she couldn’t deny that some convincing arguments supported what Seph said. Without a doubt, they lived in a time of change. And Jak found herself hoping that Seph was right, that someone would build them a paradise for all to live in, including the Fae. But just the thought of this Oren troubled her as it always had. Could it be her? She had branded Naem with two extra brands, but it was a one-time thing, a fluke. Perhaps something about her connection to the Bright Fae at that moment had made it possible. She couldn’t replicate it, could she? And even if she could, that didn’t mean she was the hero Seph spoke of. There could be others.
She was so lost in her thoughts that she barely heard the sound of horse hooves approaching. But when Seph broke off his sermon, she looked around to see what the man was looking at.
Four Watchers in full uniform sat on horseback, their armor gleaming in the morning light. Jak recognized one of them as a man who she had talked to earlier when she went looking for Naem in the Watcher camp. The second, Jak noticed immediately was Estel, looking smug as always. She didn’t recognize the other two.
Seph hesitated only for a moment before smiling at the newcomers and spreading his arms in welcome. “Hello my friends, do you wish to listen as well?”
“By order of Her Majesty, the queen, this congregation is no longer authorized to meet, either in public or in
private.” The lead Watcher repeated from a piece of parchment he held in one hand.
Disbelief swept through the crowd, as faces grew angry. Jak looked at Seph in shock, but he only calmly regarded the Watcher as he continued.
“All persons are required to return to their homes and not meet together in a group exceeding two individuals. Should you continue to gather here, or anywhere in Her Majesty’s kingdom, you will be subject to punishment no less than fifteen lashings in the public square for each perpetrator.” The Watcher rolled up the parchment and stuck it back in his tunic. “And I’m afraid we’ve been asked to give ten lashings to this man, today.” He pointed at Seph.
11
“No!” Jak said, but her protest was lost among others from the crowd. All four of the Watchers raised their spears in warning as angry faces drew closer.
“Peace!” Seph said loudly. The noise quieted and all turned to look at him. Seph faced the Watcher. “May I see it?” He indicated the notice the Watcher had read.
The Watcher dismounted and brought the writ to Seph, who looked it over carefully. Seph nodded. “It bears the queen’s seal, I will gladly accompany you to the market square.”
Protests erupted again but quieted as Seph raised one hand. “We must abide by the laws until such time as we are delivered from them. Lead the way, soldier.”
“Ah, see.” The Watcher looked genuinely uncomfortable. “We weren’t explicitly instructed to punish you publicly. Right here will be fine if you wish.”
“Very well.” Seph began stripping his shirt off.
“What are you doing?” Jak stepped forward. The Watcher turned to regard her, and Jak saw recognition in his eyes.
“It’s okay, Jak. I always knew persecution would come with the territory.”
“But the queen can’t whip you just because you preach something she disagrees with.”
“I’m afraid she can, and she’s done far worse things to me.” A look of revulsion crossed his face for only a moment. “This is temporary, but Illadar will last forever. Remember that.” He raised his voice to address the rest of the crowd. “My friends, I’m sure these gentlemen would be more comfortable if you left. Do not worry, I will be fine.”
Growing Ripples: An Epic YA Fantasy Adventure (Roots of Creation Book 2) Page 10