by C A Ardron
‘But it will help you defend yourself. Plus, once you've completed your training you'll be given a medallion.’
Jay sat back in the wooden chair, reeling from the very idea.
‘And if that's not enough incentive,’ Falcon said with a small smile, ‘the wage might be.’
‘Predgarians get paid?’ He asked, exciteded now.
‘They patrol around the clock, Jay,’ Falcon told him, sounding greatly amused. ‘How do you think they eat and buy clothes and such? All of the five Orders are funded by the governments of Courin and the Priesthood of the Light.’
‘The Priesthood? What have they got to do with the Orders?’
Falcon swirled the tea in her cup, staring at him.
Jay felt his face turning red. He got the feeling he'd just asked an incredibly stupid question.
‘The Priesthood of the Light were given the first medallions by the Empire,’ she said. ‘They were tasked with finding five champions who were compatible with the medallions. Those five champions became the founders of the military Orders which repel the Sarpien forces.’
Jay nodded slowly. He'd heard of the founders, of course. He hadn't realized the Priesthood had been responsible for them though.
He looked down into his tea, sadness overcoming him. ‘I-’ he started to say. ‘I can't go home, can I?’
‘Do you want to?’
‘Yeah,’ his voice started to choke and he stopped talking.
‘I understand,’ Falcon told him, her voice the softest he'd ever heard it. ‘You want to go where you always felt safe. But that place isn't safe anymore. If you go back, your uncle will put you straight into Jackal's hands again.’
Jay tried to stop himself from shaking, but couldn't. He put his head down on the table and cried, knowing she was right.
He felt Falcon put a comforting hand on his shoulder but she didn't say anything, just waited for him to cry himself out.
Jay eventually did stop crying, feeling a little foolish. Falcon was always so strong, he was positive she'd never cried once in her entire life. He didn't really want to talk about his uncle anymore. He knew that staying with the Predgarians was his best option. It was the only way he'd ever be safe.
Falcon seemed content to leave him alone with his thoughts, simply drinking her tea. Jay glanced at the clock on the wall, it was almost four in the morning. They'd only been sat there for perhaps twenty minutes, and knew he shouldn't be concerned the Predgarians hadn't returned yet, but grew nervous anyway.
Jay watcehd as Falcon's resolve finally gave in and she fell asleep at the table, her tea only half drunk. He decided not to wake her up, she seemed so peaceful.
He jumped, hearing movement out in the corridor and got up, a wild stab of fear rising in him. He was relieved to find it was the Predgarians though.
Lion and Tiger were missing, Jay supposed they were out in West Sector, protecting the town. He suddenly found himself in awe of these people. They'd done so much for him, and they were probably as tired as Falcon, yet they still made West Sector their main concern.
‘Hello, Jay,’ Dove greeted him as she made room for Wolf to carry Hawk into the corridor. ‘Where's Falcon?’
‘Oh, she's-’ He gestured vaguely at the kitchen.
Dove popped her head in and smiled. ‘Of course, she's had a long day.’
Dove turned back to Jay, making him swallow. She seemed so serene, pure, even holy. She placed a friendly hand on his shoulder, ‘and so have you. Give me a minute to get Hawk settled, then we'll find you a bed.’
Jay smiled at her, more grateful than he knew how to express. A bed sounded very, very nice.
***
Lion was most definitely sleepy, but faced the sunny morning bravely, trying not to think about his warm, comfy bed.
He had no urgent need to stay up. Dove and Leopard had left several hours earlier for their dawn patrol, but he wanted to speak to Jay before he rested.
The youngster would most likely be up soon, and Lion didn't want him to have to wait around all day before being offered his place as a candidate. He marched up and down the corridor outside his office in his golden armour, impatient, trying to stay alert.
Lion wondered if anyone had mentioned it to the teenager yet, Falcon possibly had last night.
The name springing to mind made him realise he hadn't seen her yet. Perhaps she was still asleep too. Yesterday was quite the ordeal for both her and Jay.
The boy finally made his appearance, coming down the creaky stairs.
‘Ah, Jay,’ Lion accosted him immediately. ‘Did you sleep well?’
‘Um,’ Jay responded, glancing around nervously. ‘Not really.’
‘Oh. I'm sorry about that. Well, I won't keep you long from getting breakfast, but why don't you come to my office for a little bit so we can have a chat.’
Jay nodded at him and Lion led the way down the corridor. Once through the door he directed Jay to chair and sat at his desk.
‘Jay, I'm not sure if anyone's mentioned this to you yet, but in the event we managed to rescue you, we were going to offer you a place here.’
Jay nodded, his eyes serious. ‘Karen told me last night, Sir,’ he replied.
‘Well, what do you think? Would you like us to train you?’
‘I...well, do you really think I'd make a good Predgarian?’
Judging from what Lion had seen of the boy on Lister Road, he'd probably make five good Predgarians, but he didn't say that.
‘Of course, Jay. Once we've taught you some martial arts and how to control your fire, there's no reason why you shouldn't be given the chance at your own medallion.’
Jay nodded. ‘Karen says it'll protect me from Jackal.’
‘That it would,’ Lion agreed. ‘You'll have us around you as well as being able to look after yourself.’
‘Okay,’ Jay said, his face showing his nervousness. ‘If you don't mind me being here.’
Lion laughed. ‘I don't think any of us will mind.’
Now that was out the way, Lion was about to outline the training in more detail when there came a knock at the door.
It opened right away and Wolf entered. Jay twisted around in his chair to see who it was.
‘Lion.’
Lion tensed immediately at his friends grave sounding voice. ‘What is it?’
‘We knew it was coming,’ the big Canine rumbled, his voice both sad and angry at the same time. He raised his hand, showing him the silver medallion dangling from it, a fierce falcon in flight decorating its centre.
Lion found he was angry, and a little hurt. She hadn't said goodbye. Of course she hadn't, why would she? ‘Where was it?’
‘On the kitchen table, along with the blanket I put over her last night.’
Wolf definitely sounded angry now. Lion was surprised, he hadn't thought Wolf had liked her very much.
‘Wh-where is she?’ Jay asked. ‘Why would she leave her medallion behind?’
Lion glanced at him, hadn't Falcon told him?
‘I'm sorry, Jay,’ Wolf said. ‘Falcon only agreed to be a Predgarian until you were safe.’
‘What? why would she do that?’
‘It's what she wanted,’ Lion told him. ‘She said she was being chased by the Sarpiens and that it was too dangerous for her to stay. We tried to persuade her to join us, but she wouldn't have it.’
‘But that's stupid!’ Jay sputtered. ‘She's just like you! She acts just like you and Leopard and all the others!’
Lion was taken aback at the child's vehemence. He got to his feet quickly as Jay started to rush from the room.
‘Wait! Where are you going?’
‘To find her, I won't let her do this!’
Wolf barred his exit. ‘She won't listen, Jay, not to any of us. She made that clear yesterday.’
‘You'd never find her anyway,’ Lion added. ‘She could be anywhere by now.’
‘I know where she is,’ Jay told him, his voice uncharacteristically hard. ‘She
took me to her flat the night before last. I remember where it is.’
Lion sat at his desk again. ‘Forget it, Jay. There's no arguing with that woman.’
‘Please, Lion,’ Jay pleaded.
‘I'll go with him,’ Wolf volunteered.
‘Wolf?’ Lion asked, taken aback.
‘I know what she said, but that was before we went into battle. Events may have softened her resolve.’
‘I doubt it,’ Lion muttered.
‘Let me try just one last time.’
Lion snorted, washing his hands of the entire thing. ‘If you really want to,’ he allowed.
Wolf nodded, placing the falcon medallion on the desk. Lion picked it up slowly, still mad at her for not saying goodbye. He looked down at it, his anger fading as he allowed himself to see what he was really feeling.
‘Wolf,’ he said as they started to leave.
‘Yes?’
‘She was amazing, wasn't she?’
‘Yes. She was, Lion.’
‘It was no wonder Jackal wanted her back.’ Lion looked up at his friend, ‘bring her home.’
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
Karen grunted as she awoke that morning, stiff from sleeping bent over the table. She yawned and knocked the small white blanket off of her. She hadn't even realised it was there.
Glancing at the clock, Karen saw it was five past eight. She listened intently but couldn't hear anyone nearby. Stretching, the pain she felt was a mixture of posture stiffness and aches from the exertion of the day before. Jackal had been right, she really was out of shape.
Karen readily admitted it now he wasn't the one saying it. She didn't practice her skills on a daily basis anymore, her ice had been clumsy and Jackal had managed to sneak up behind her twice, that would've never happened before.
She sighed, what did it matter now? It was over, the crisis past. Jackal knew where she was though...
Karen looked down at the medallion still hanging at her chest. Taking it in one hand, she traced the falcon with a finger, smiling sadly as that feeling swept over her - the one she'd been steeling herself against.
She didn't want to let it go. Karen longed for one more flight, one more rush of that agile strength inside her. She took a deep breath, removing the medallion in one fluid movement. Her fingers trembled as she set it down on the table, knowing that once again, she could barely touch the gift of ice she'd been born with.
‘No more wings, only running,’ the words were a choked whisper.
Karen stood resolutely, placing the fallen blanket beside the medallion on the table. She left the kitchen, listening again for movement. Hearing nothing, Karen crossed the corridor, not wanting to see any of the Predgarians, and especially not Jay. She didn't think he'd understand. It would be better if she just disappeared.
Karen breathed a little easier once she was on her way, forcing all thoughts of Predgarians and medallions and friends away from herself viciously. She didn't have any friends, and never would.
She walked briskly to the town centre and caught a bus, heading straight for her flat. After the events which had taken place in Trine's chamber, Jackal would be far too busy to lay in wait for her. She gave a grim smile, he'd probably assumed she was a Predgarian now anyway. He wouldn't expect her to go back.
It wasn't a long bus drive, and before long Karen was jogging up the flights of stairs to her flat. Taking out her key she unlocked her door and stepped into the small living room, closing the door behind her. Karen didn't bother to lock it - she wouldn't be here long.
Grabbing a sturdy backpack from her bedroom closet she started to pack some clothes and other bits and pieces. She always kept her possessions low when she moved location, weeding out the things she didn't need.
Karen moved the bag into the living room, pushing things down before raiding the kitchen for what few tins of food she had left in the cupboard.
After packing everything else Karen laid one last item on top before closing the bag. It was perhaps the most important thing she owned. It kept her sane when she was alone at night, scared to death that a Black Emissary might be about to crash through her door. She placed one hand caressingly on the medium-sized book of Unician poetry, her only companion.
Knelt next to the backpack, Karen squinted, looking up at the wall, trying to think what the date was. It was probably too late in the year to tag along with the yearly timber traders. She was seriously considering making a long trip north towards the Cuhain foothills. She'd most likely have to buy an armed escort from the Thirshakalt nomads to get so far on foot without incident though. That would be a steep price.
She stood, thinking it might be better to try Kian or perhaps Sharan instead, at least for a while.
Turning, Karen walked right into the waiting grasp of a gauntlet, gleaming deep burnished red from the lavender sunlight streaming through her window.
She tried to draw a startled, terrified breath as Jackal tightened his clutch around her throat. Her eyes wide as he pulled her towards him, she futilely tried to dislodge that iron grip with her hands, but without a medallion, it was hopeless.
Karen stared at him, frozen in true terror. He hadn't removed his helmet or uttered a single word. This was the dangerous Red Jackal, the one through with games, coldly angry and out for blood.
She started to choke as he squeezed even tighter, and began to panic as she felt her strength and sight slipping away. No! She couldn't pass out here! Karen knew if she didn't do something she'd wake up to a table of cruel torture implements.
Karen shuddered, helpless before him. Tears formed in her eyes as her body gave in, and she fell into his waiting arms.
***
Karen's eyes opened slowly and she painfully tried to draw a single, shallow breath. Her entire body shaking, she attempted to feel her terribly bruised neck, but was just too weak.
‘Thank the Light,’ a familiar voice said in relief. ‘I was about to call Dove.’
Karen forced her eyes to work and found Wolf staring down at her. For some reason the armoured man had removed his heavy wolf's helmet. Karen realised she was laid out on her sofa and tried to move. After a second she gave up, relaxing her screaming muscles, too weak to even sit up.
‘Wolf?’ She managed to rasp.
‘Are you all right, Karen?’ Jay asked, biting his lip anxiously as he came into her line of sight. ‘I thought you were dead!’
‘Again?’ She asked, but found she didn't have the energy to put much mirth into her voice. Her breath caught painfully as she remembered what happened. ‘Jackal?’
‘He's gone,’ Wolf assured her with a smile. He patted his long laser rifle. ‘I persuaded him to go bully someone else.’
‘He broke your window though,’ Jay added, pointing to the shattered panes, glass shards littering the floor near it.
Karen managed to turn her head just enough to take in the view. The flat was three storeys up, but the fall distance wasn't that great to someone with an activated medallion.
‘What...are you two doing here?’ She asked, trying once more to sit up.
Wolf came and helped her. ‘I told you, didn't I? I won't let anybody hurt you.’
Karen raised her hand to her neck, wincing at the bruised swelling she felt there.
‘Well, not too much anyway,’ he added lightly.
She forced herself off the sofa with every tiny bit of strength she could muster and stumbled over to the backpack across the room.
‘You can't mean to leave?’ Jay protested.
‘Yes,’ she replied, putting iron into her voice. ‘Thank you for chasing Jackal off, but I have to go.’
‘Where?’ Wolf asked.
‘I...haven't decided yet.’
‘You can't, Karen!’ Jay pleaded. ‘I don't understand, why won't you let the Predgarians help you?’
Karen stared at him, she hadn't wanted this conversation, hadn't even wanted to see him again. Why was he making this so hard?
‘I used to be a Sarpien,
Jay,’ she told him. ‘Do you really think the Predgarians want someone like me around?’
‘I know.’
Karen blinked, that wasn't the reaction she'd been expecting. ‘You know?’
‘I didn't want to believe it,’ he told her, his voice very quiet. ‘But deep down, I knew Jackal was telling the truth.’
‘Jackal...Jackal told you?’
Karen didn't like Jackal, in fact she hated him more than anything, but for some reason that information struck her hard. Jackal had told Jay? That wasn't fair! How could he sink that low?
‘You're wrong, Falcon,’ Wolf told her. ‘We don't want you to leave, far from it. We want you to stay. Please, let us help you.’
‘I'm not Falcon,’ she told him with a glare. ‘I'll never be Falcon again.’
Wolf smiled at her. ‘You might never put that medallion on again in your entire life. But you'll always be Falcon to the Predgarians of West Sector.’
Karen stared, a little uncertain. Was he actually serious? Did he really mean all the things he was saying?
Wolf sighed heavily. ‘Falcon, you are by far the most stubborn woman I've ever met.’ He folded his arms. ‘We might as well settle down, because I'm not leaving here until you change your mind.’
Karen glared in consternation for a second before narrowing her eyes at him. ‘Fine,’ she retorted, picking up her backpack. ‘Take your time, I've got places to be.’
She started to push past him but Wolf caught her arm, swinging her round to face him. Karen glared at him angrily, refusing to struggle against the grip she knew she wouldn't be able to break.
Wolf glared right back at her. ‘Lion told me to bring you home and I'm going to do just that!’
Karen's entire body tensed. Wolf looked down, puzzled as the angry expression slid from her face.
Home? Lion wanted to bring her...home?
She breathed in sharply, trying to stop the feeling welling up inside but it was a flood, wild and completely out of her control. She tried to beat it back but three years worth of tears came out, and she wilted against the tall warrior.
It seemed ages before she could stop, and the entire time, Jay and Wolf waited, letting her get it out. When Karen finally stopped, Wolf guided her to the sofa and she sat down, her backpack forgotten.