Jaspen

I didn't sleep that night. Instead I went to the abandoned clock tower and looked up at the stars. I ached all over with missing Neo, Omand and Hassan. The winter wind nipped at my face and snow fell lightly, but for once it didn't bother me. I honestly barely felt it as my gaze traveled the stars. It was believed in my culture that when a righteous and brave warrior died, his spirit became a star. The ones that caught your eye were supposed to be them.

I sighed and saw my breath crystalize in front of me.

Were they up there watching over me or when I was stripped of everything, was I stripped of them too? I didn't miss the weight of being a prince, but I did miss my home the place of my birth. The warmth of the desert against my skin was another thing I missed.

Another thing I couldn't get out of my head was how Sasha had talked me into helping her get her revenge. I had only agreed because I knew how stubborn she was and I knew Maverick was a threat even with one hand. Why did I want to protect her so badly?

"What I would do for your advice right now, my friends," I whispered aloud, tipping my head once again to the sky above me.

The wind was picking up and I pulled my cloak tighter around me. That's when I heard horses and men on the other side of the wall in the upper city. I glanced over to see the glint of armor and armor in torchlight. My stomach tightened. There were twenty of them or more. Not the three I had seen at sunrise the other morning. I lurched to my feet and took off running down the old stairs and towards Quinn's quarters over in the black market district. I could hear anger in their voices. They were looking for blood for what I had done.

I pounded on Quinn's door, sucking in heavy labored breaths. When he came to the door his eyes were hooded with fatigue and he looked rather angry.

"Jaspen?" he asked tiredly.

"Twenty Keltcher entering the city!" I rasped barely able to hold my fear. "They don't sound happy. They are looking for blood, Quinn."

He straightened. "Twenty? Are you sure?" He sounded worried.

"Perhaps more."

He rubbed his beard, concerned.

"Fetch your horse and round up as many of the men as you can. I will do the same. Meet me in the black market area."

"What is your plan?"

"We're going to fight," he growled. "No innocent blood of the lower city will be seen tonight. Now go. We are losing precious time."

I nodded and quickly ran back to my own holdings and grabbed my axe as well as my mount. Luckily, most of the men stayed in the same inn as me and I told them where to go. In a split-second decision, I rode my horse to Sasha's shack and knocked on the door. Eve answered.

"Jaspen, is everything okay?" she asked tiredly.

I heard the rustling of the others waking up.

"Nay," I said.

"What's going on?" she aske.

"Twenty or more Keltcher are entering the city as we speak. I've come to ask if you will fight with us."

"Us?" asked Eve.

"My... my friends," I stumbled out.

I didn't know how Quinn would feel about outsiders, but I assumed on this occasion he would trust my judgment.

"I will," I heard Sasha say tiredly.

"Aye, me too," piped up Sebastian.

Eve glanced back over her shoulder at Alistor.

"Don't even think about it, Eve," came Alistor's voice.

"Aye. You should still be resting after your ordeal," I said.

"I'll come," Alistor piped up.

"I am not staying here," hissed Eve. "I-"

She stopped herself. What had she been about to say?

"You will," growled Alistor. "You are not fit to hold a sword."

She sighed, her shoulders sinking. "Fine.."

"Hurry up!" I barked.

I heard the shuffling of boots before they came out. They were still in a sleepy daze. Alistor came out last giving Eve a gentle kiss on the cheek.

"Jaspen?" she called as I mounted.

"Aye?"

"You better bring them all back to me in one piece," she warned.

I smiled grimly. I hoped to the gods we would all come back alive.

"I swear to you, Eve," I said.

I hoped I would lived to prove those word.