Jaspen

When I got back, Sasha was up making breakfast while everyone else was still fast asleep. She jumped slightly when I came in the doorway.

"What happened to you?" she whispered in horror.

I stumbled in, trying to force a little of a smile to my face, but the truth was Rowan had exhausted me. Unlike Iblis, who knew my limitations and never exhausted me to the brink, Rowan didn't care.

"I-"

My knees gave out from under me. Sasha dropped what she was holding and was at my side.

"What happened?" she asked, trying to support me.

"I… I got the horses back," I whispered.

She helped me to my cot. "You're covered in blood … your axe…"

"Clean it for me," I begged. "Please."

My eyes were threatening to close. "Please."

"I … I will," she whispered.

I trusted her. My axe and my horse were my life. I let my eyes close and allowed the warmth of sleep to take me.

****

I woke to the whispering of the four. I kept my eyes closed at first so I could just listen.

"Can we trust him?" hissed Sebastian. "He could have signed our death warrants with this act against the Keltcher."

"We don't even know what the blood is from," said Eve. "And if it was the Keltcher , I'm glad he did it. They should fear the lower city residents."

I cracked my eyes enough to see the glance Alistor shot Eve. I had to admit, the girl was more bloodthirsty than I had given her credit for.

"Maverick did this to me," whispered Eve.

One of her hands was bandaged from her breaking her wrist trying to defend herself. He had busted her up pretty bad for she had two broken ribs, a black eye, and a busted lip. Alistor looked angrier and angrier every time he looked at her.

I sat up finally.

"I'm planning on leaving anyhow for all of your safety. I got the horses back. I had to defend myself doing so. When I did, I killed one Keltcher member and severed Captain Maverick's hand from his body."

Eve's hand went to her mouth covering her shock. The rest went rigid with surprise. No one spoke for a few moments.

"You… you injured Maverick?" asked Eveline.

"Aye."

She looked at Alistor and you could tell something unspoken passed between the two of them. Those two were hiding something, but what?

"You don't have to leave," said Sasha.

Sebastian shot her a look.

"Yes the bloke does! He put us all in danger with his heroics."

"He has a point, Sasha," I said.

Sebastian actually looked at me bewildered instead of his usual look of hatred. "Where would you stay?" she sputtered.

I smiled grimly. "I'll find a place, I'm sure."

She looked to the others for support.

"Jaspen, you really don't have to," Eve piped up.

I sighed. I needed to. With being a member of the resistance now, I couldn't have my comrade's showing up here.

"It's for everyone's safety. I know none of you trust me anyhow."

No one didn't say a word against it.

"How long have I been asleep?"

"It's nearly dusk," whispered Eve.

I stood up. My knees still felt like they had no bones to them. I steadied myself. "Jaspen, you can barely stand," said Alistor with a hint of concern to his voice. I smiled a crooked grin. "I'll be fine. Don't worry."

With that, I began packing up the small amount of things I owned.

"Where's my axe?"

Sasha got up trying bringing it to me. I walked over to her taking my burden and put it in its holder on my side and began walking outside.

"Jaspen," Eve called.

"Aye?"

"Thanks for everything."

I smiled faintly.