CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Damn it, damn it, damn it, Jasper thought as he ran away from where Falon and Peter were. What was he thinking? What were they thinking? He had much more important things to worry about than what Falon and Peter thought about each other.

And yet… he could not shake the feeling of betrayal, the feeling that he was, once again, entirely and eternally alone. He stopped running and looked around him. He had ended up by the pool, away from where all the tables were set up. Slouching down against the wall, he allowed himself to slide all the way to the damp stone floor.

What would his grandfather think of him now? He was wallowing in self pity over a stupid human - allowing their kind of emotions to actually affect him in this way. His heart hardened at the thought.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

Jasper’s head snapped up at the sound of a crash. Rising quickly, he moved toward where the sound came from. Weaving in and out of tents, he came upon a crowd positioned in a semicircle. Jasper, craning his neck, could see Falon on the other side along with Peter who was standing behind her. This however, did not hold his attention for long.

Before him, surrounded by the Myrths, was an elf. His white hair showed brightly even in the faint glow of the candles. His skin was white and pulled across his face as his mouth was pulled back in a snarl. Jasper's eyes grew wide as he saw what was restraining him. Thick, shining chains were wrapped what seemed like endlessly around his arms up to his elbows, his legs tied up to his knees. Though there was no gag, he was silent. He was wearing the uniform of a foot soldier, the mark of Renash embezzled over his heart. There were four men restraining him, each struggling to get him near Red's Cabin.

Red was by the door, a look of pure hatred spread across his features. Falon, watching from the other side couldn't believe this was the same man that had welcomed them in when they had first arrived. He seemed to be giving off almost a hiss as his lips were drawn back from his teeth. His eyebrows, already heavy, were pulled so low over his eyes all that remained were slits of black. The elf was thrown against the wall of the cabin, the head snapping back painfully. The elf slumped to the floor, and still did not make a sound.

Red came out of the doorway, unfurling a long, black skinny whip.

There was silence in the cave. Then, an uproarious cheer grew.

Jasper’s eyes trailed over all the Myrth’s faces. They jumped and laughed with each other, but all he saw were animals. They were violent, uncaring, and – Jasper couldn’t help but think as he looked to where Falon and Peter were standing – selfish creatures.

Red said something to the other four men. They nodded and lifted up the elf from the ground, pushing him once more against the wall. Obtaining more chains, they spread his arms above his head and secured him to the side of the cabin.

Red held up his hand to the Myrths. “Brothers and sisters, we found this elf patrolling the roads near our base. Upon securing him and learning his name, we found out that he had taken part in the fifteen murders of humans since his inception into the Klepsydra force. He has killed not only men, but women and children, and ruined the lives of many more.”

A great cry rose up from the crowd.

“If this elf had any decency, any sense of conscience, then he would tell us everything he knows that would help our cause.” Red eyes seemed to be burning.

“You!” he began, finally addressing the elf. “Is there anything you wish to tell us about the supposed spies that are being sent to our base?”

The elf remained silent, deafly looking at Red.

“This is your final chance, elf. Tell us how many spies have been sent.”

Jasper watched as the elf’s eyes roamed to crowd, passed by him and returned to Red. He remained silent.

“Then you leave me no choice,” Red said, raising the whip. Falon’s eyes squeezed shut as she heard the whip sing as it sliced the air, ending with a crack as it licked the elf’s back. There was a cheer around her, Peter’s voice seeming to ring in her ears.

It came again, the singing and resounding crack. Then again, and again, and again. Finally, when Falon had her back completely turned, a cry rang out. Falon opened her eyes and thrust her head around. Red had stopped and the Myrths were silent.

“Is there anything you wish to say now, elf?” Red asked. The elf turned his face away from the wall. His voice was clear, like water pouring into a glass, almost musical.

“You can kill me, for I will not tell you anything.”

Falon, for the second time in her life, did not feel a deep hatred for this elf. Her eyes found Jasper, and the look on his face almost made her want to grasp her heart. There was pain on it like she had never seen before. His eyes were wide, his mouth open, and his cheeks shown in the candlelight. She watched as he stared at the elf, then turned and ran away from the crowd. Falon broke away from Peter’s hand, which she hadn’t realized had been on her shoulder.

“Please don’t follow me,” she said to him.

Jasper’s heart seemed to be beating in his ears. It was all too familiar and it sent his mind spiraling out of control. Memories began to surface from long ago, the images tearing at his eyes and his composure. He was going to do it; these humans did not deserve to live.

***

12 Years Earlier

There was a knock on his bedroom door. Jasper looked up from his book and rose into a seated position on his bed.

“Come in,” he said, pulling his stuffed rabbit closer to his chest. His father came into the room, looking exactly like his grandfather.

“Jasper,” he said, smiling a little. The smile was not real, though. It was fake. Fake.

Jasper’s father came in a sat on the end of his bed, patting the spot next to him and signaling Jasper to come closer. Scooting, Jasper let himself be encircled by his father’s arms.

“There’s something very important I need to tell you, Jasper.” His voice broke.

“Where’s mommy?” Jasper asked quickly, looking around his father to the door. “She always tucks me in too.”

“Jasper… you’re mother is no longer with us.”

“When is she coming back?” Jasper asked, looking up at his father’s face.

“She’s not coming back, son.”

Jasper sat up quickly. “What do you mean? Where did she go?”

“Jasper, some humans have hurt her.”

“Humans?” Jasper had never seen a human before.

“Humans are the things that live outside these walls, Jasper.”

“Mommy’s gone because of them?” Jasper suddenly felt his whole body break down. “Mommy’s gone? She’ll won’t tuck me in?”

Instantly, Jasper’s father’s face crumbled and tears slid down his cheeks. “I’m so sorry, Jasper. She loved you so much.”

***

Jasper's heart was pounding in his ears. Humans, humans – they were the source of it all, the reason he had lost anyone he had ever loved.

***

4 Years Earlier

“Pay attention, Jasper,” the Lord said, blocking yet another one of his stabs with a sword. “You’d be dead in a real fight.”

A fourteen-year-old Jasper struck his sword again, missing.

“Jasper!” the Lord said angrily. “Think of your target.”

Growling, Jasper ran forward and plunged his sword.

“Weak!” the Lord yelled again, his face contorted in concentration. “I’m the human, Jasper. It was me who tortured your mother. It was me that killed her. Avenger her!”

Jasper felt a white hot anger course through him, he ran, faking left and swinging his sword right, tripping the Lord and poising the tip of his sword at his throat. The rain dripped from his helmet and onto his face.

“Good, Jasper," the Lord said from the ground," Remember your target, and always remember what you are fighting for.”

***

It echoed in his head – avenge her, avenge her. Suddenly, a fierce determination overtook Jasper. Human, they actually were what he always thought they were. Primal, violent, evil creatures. They took his mother, killed his father, and were responsible for the death of his brother. They deserved nothing, no mercy no pity. They needed to be wiped out.

Jasper pushed his legs faster, running toward the cave entrance. His cracked open the door, its hinges creaking. “Penelope!” he called, not worrying about being quiet. Everyone was at the cabin, gloating over the horrendous spectacle, just like they would have done with his mother.

Out of the darkness, Penelope flew in. She knew, she always knew, when she was needed. She landed on his shoulder, her large, round eyes staring into his. “It’s time.”

Jasper ran toward the nearest tent, tearing it apart of find paper and ink. When he finally secured what he need he sat on the floor and began to write. It took no more than ten minutes to get it all down: the names, the plans, and the location. He was not concerned with being neat, just legible. He secured the paper around her leg and stepped out of the tent he had used. Running once more he went to the pool, gazing up at the opening at the top.

“Go, and quickly,” he said to Penelope. He released her, and he watched as she flew out of the opening and into the night.

That was it, it was over. His chest was rising and falling quickly, and he sank to the ground. He was overcome with emotion and for the first time in years, he allowed himself to cry.

Falon was searching everywhere for Jasper. In his tent, in other’s tents, but she could find no trace of him. She must have gone in and out of every tent for over an hour. All the others had congregated near the cabin: there was a celebration at the capture of an elfin soldier.

“Jasper!” she called out finally, sighing. She was away from the crowd now, and the cave seemed eerily empty where she was, the sound of voices was muffled by the roaring of the waterfall. It was dark, the light source only being the moon and a few candles the flickered here and there. In the darkness, she heard muffled sobbing. Worried, she made her way quietly toward the noise. Crouched down by the pool was Jasper, his back against the wall and his head in his hands.

“Jasper,” she breathed, rushing over to him. He didn’t even seem to notice she was there. Crouching down beside him she reached a hand out and touched his hair. He flinched away from her.

“Jasper, talk to me,” she said, reaching out again. He lashed out in anger this time, throwing his hands out and knocking her backward.

“Stay away from me!”

Falon tried again, reaching for him. “Jasper, its okay...”

He continued to fight her off, but only half heartedly. She grabbed his wrists and pulled him toward her, hugging him around the shoulders.

“Jasper…” she said again, her voice calming. She hugged him tighter to her, and she finally felt his arms come around her. “I can’t stand it either.”

Jasper raised his face from her shoulder and looked at her. He looked at every aspect of her face. He didn’t see human, he didn’t see elf, but he saw Falon. She was someone who had gone through the same kind of things he had. He could hate the human race, but he could not hate her. He was not alone.

Whether it was his heightened emotions or his hopes for the past months finally realized that caused him to do it, he brought her forward and he kissed her. He kissed her with more passion than he had ever kissed anyone else. He held her to him as tightly as he could, feeling her warm body, her spirit, melt into his.

Falon could not believe what had happened. She had had the inkling of it earlier that night, but now she knew. This was what a kiss was supposed to feel like. Jasper felt so right so close to her.

Something happened, though. The cave was no longer as quiet. There were not cheers, there was screaming.

Jasper pulled back quickly from her. They were here already? But how? They must have been stationed close by.

“What’s going on?” Falon said, panicky.

“Falon, you have to hide,” Jasper said.

Falon whipped around to face him. “What do you mean? Jasper, what’s happened?”

“Falon, run now!” he yelled at her, but she would not move. She kept staring at him in disbelief. Frustrated, he took her by the arm and began leading her further away from the noise. “Come on, Falon!” he said when she kept turning around to look behind her. In the distance a mass of shining helmets had moved into the cave. There was more screaming, and the sounds of clanking swords and shooting arrows. Jasper, looking at her but not where he was going, almost ran head on into someone.

“Ah, Jasper, I was looking for you,” Roland said. He stood before them, his arms crossed and a slight smile on his face.

Jasper stepped back quickly, pulling Falon behind him.

"Still holding onto her, I see. I thought I made your position clear, Jasper." Roland's eyes shifted to Falon, who stood stock still behind Jasper.

Jasper couldn't speak. The weight of what he had down came crashing down on him with the force of rock slide.

"What are you talking about?" Falon had found her voice and had stepped out from behind Jasper.

"You mean he didn't tell you? The way you two were acting I thought he would have told you…" Roland trailed off and smiled wickedly.

She turned to Jasper then. "What is he talking about, Jasper?"

Jasper, unable to breathe, choked out three soft words, "I'm a Klepsydra."

"What?"

"Oh, he's more than that, human. He's the grandson of the Lord himself." Roland added.

Falon took a step away from both of them.

"You're lying…" she said. She looked frantically between the two. "Jasper, tell me he's lying."

"It's the truth." Jasper did not meet her eyes.

Falon's heart seemed to stop beating. This was it? All this time… he and her… she trusted him.

"No… I can't believe you!" She turned to Jasper. "You wouldn't! You wouldn't do that to me! You wouldn't do that to Taylor, to Peter, to Jana – to everyone!"

Jasper didn't say anything.

Falon's shock turned to red-hot anger.

"No! I can't believe… I trusted you! I let you into my life! I… I kissed you!"

"Falon…" Jasper finally spoke.

"I hate you! I hate you! Everyone is going to die because of you!" She ran forward, fists raised and started to pound Jasper in the chest, putting all her weight into each hit. I was merely seconds before two pairs of hands pulled her back from him.

"You have no idea what I've gone through…" Jasper said as two soldiers pulled her backward.

"What you've been through!" Her voice was rising with each word. "You have no idea what I've been through – what you are about to put all of us through!"

Jasper looked toward the ground – how could he have thought she would ever understand?

The soldiers began to pull Falon toward the entrance of the cave where they had the others rounded up. She struggle against their hand that held tight to her arms and her shoulders. She saw Taylor kneeling on the ground, his hands and legs in chains. Her strength left her like a gust of wind and she stopped struggling instantly.

Falon was thrust into the group of Myrths, her hands and feet instantly bound as she was forced to her knees. The Klepsydra soldiers guarded them, each hold swords and bows at the ready. He eyes watered as she watched more Myrths be forced by the Klepsydra. In the distance she saw dark forms lying on the earth. She prayed and prayed that they were not humans.

A cry rose up from further away.

"My son! My son!" Falon's heart stopped as she recognized the voice. Red came into view, pulled by four soldiers as he struggled to return to somewhere.

"Your son is dead." Roland said as he stepped forward. Falon felt her stomach drop. Dead? Peter? Tears dripped down her cheeks. Her whole world was crashing down.

"Hold on, Falon," Taylor whispered to her. Falon leaned against him as Jasper came into view. His face held no emotion, she could not tell the thoughts that were going through his head. As he went and stood next to the soldier, she could no longer bring herself to look at his face.

Jasper looked at the herded humans. Their faces all held the same expression: one of disbelief and sadness.

They brought this upon themselves, he told himself. He would feel no guilt, guilt would get him nowhere. He looked for Falon, she was leaning against Taylor. No, he couldn't look at her.

"Humans!" Roland thundered, Jasper, turned his attention toward him. "Your attempt to overthrow out Lord has failed. You'd think, after over a hundred years, you would have learned which race is superior. And we all have Jasper to thank for this raid." Roland patted him on the back, he felt like he was being scorched with each touch. "You served your race proud today, Jasper."

Falon stared at Jasper and decided then that she would never, ever, forgive him for what he did to her and her people. Peter was dead, others were dead, and others would die.

It was the end. It was the end of her hope, the end of her future, the end of her life. For Jasper, it was the end of his life as he knew it.

Author's Note: Well, this is the end of Book One. This is the first book I've ever finished (I can't say story because it's not quite over yet). The end did not turn out quite how I hoped, but there is a time for a big revision later.

Thanks to everyone who emailed me, messaged me, been there for this story since I started it two years ago on Quizilla, or even just read it. It really means a lot to me to know that someone, somewhere is actually reading the words I've written.

Thanks for reading!