by Nova Rose
Chapter IV
Jenel’s Decision
Jenel leaned on the rail of the balcony overlooking the keep. She shivered from the chill in the air. She felt alone. Tesnayr had left her behind. Now her father seemed to have disappeared. She wrung the handkerchief in her hands. The tears of sadness that she had shed earlier burned as they turned to anger. She hated Rybnik for betraying her. For betraying them all.
“I thought I’d find you here.”
Startled, Jenel whirled around. “Max,” she said, “I didn’t hear you come in.”
“Obviously,” said Max.
“Drink,” Jenel offered as she lifted a flask of wine and began to pour a goblet full.
Max eyed the ale with longing. Summoning his vestiges of will, he turned it down. “No. I think I should stick with water.”
“Why did he do it?” asked Jenel.
Max did not ask about whom she spoke. “I do not have an answer.”
Jenel puffed out a lungful of air. “I hope he pays for what he did.”
“I’m certain he will,” said Max.
“I’m going to kill him,” spat Jenel. She swallowed back tears.
“It is natural to want revenge for what he did to you, to all of us,” said Max, “But vengeance isn’t the answer. Someone very wise told me that it is best to bury your desire for revenge. Such emotions only lead to your destruction. Of course, I thought my mother a fool at the time.”
A small smile appeared on Jenel’s face. “I cannot just let this go.”
“And if you do catch up to him, what then? Will killing Rybnik mend the hurt in your heart?”
Jenel refused to answer the wizard.
“Rybnik made his choice,” said Max, “And you have a choice to make as well. Be certain it is the right one.”
Jenel looked out at the valley beyond. Dark clouds covered the sky. “It’s so cold here. It’s so quiet.”
“It is the last frost before the coming of spring,” said Max. “Soon it will turn warm and the birds will sing. Flowers will grow and life will return to the earth.” Max pointed his hand to a tree with buds forming on the branches.
Jenel broke down into another bout of tears. Gently, Max enveloped her in his arms. It had been a long while since he comforted anyone. “There, there,” he soothed.
“I loved him,” said Jenel, “He was like a father to me.”
Max said nothing. He just held her allowing her tears to soak his shoulder.
“Max, where is my father?”
Max pulled away from Jenel. “Your father left yesterday.”
“Why did no one tell me?”
“It was his wish that you not know. And that you stay here.”
Jenel ran into her room. She tore off her dress and put on her riding clothes. “Where did he go?” she demanded of Max as she strapped on her leather armor.
“Jenel,” said Max, “He wanted you to remain here.”
“Where did he go?”
Max grunted as he relented. “He rode east after Tesnayr.”
Jenel snatched her sword and cloak. She bolted out the door and dashed to the lower level of the keep. She made a quick stop in the kitchen where she packed a bag of food. Max chased after her. Jenel ignored his pleas as she darted to the stable. Quickly, she saddled a horse.
“Lady Jenel,” called a voice.
Both Jenel and Max turned. King Edrei ran toward them. A cook had warned him of Jenel’s intentions.
“Jenel,” said King Edrei. “You are supposed to stay here. I promised your father that I would protect you.”
“I am tired of men telling me what to do,” said Jenel as she jumped on her horse. “The man I have chosen for my husband rides to his death. My father chases after him. I’ll not lose another person I love simply because everyone desires to keep me safe.”
“But, Jenel,” pleaded King Edrei, “If you leave how am I to keep my oath?”
“My lady,” said Max, “If you ride after them, then you go to your death also.”
“We all go to our deaths,” said Jenel, “I’ll not hide here while Sym’Dul is ravaged by the orcs. If you wish to protect me, then come with me.”
Jenel kicked her horse. It galloped into the canyon toward the valley beyond. She never looked back as clouds of dust trailed after her. She had made her choice.
King Edrei ran into the stable and grabbed two horses. He brought them out handing one of the reins to Max. “Boy,” he called to the stable boy. “Tell the captain of the guard that he is in charge until my return.”
He and Max leaped into their saddles. Each dug their heels in their mount and took off after Jenel in fulfillment of a promise.