• "Are we there yet!!" whined Andrew. They had been traveling to Vanderhill for the last two days. "Not for a couple of miles..." answered Lance. Andrew now pouty continued, " All I ask for some sleep, or food ,just a breather!"
    "We've been walking for the last two freakin straight days!! And-"
    "Oh, just shut up you Nancy!" snapped Jude. "Vanderhill will be at the next corner before you know it!" Andrew paused. He was exhausted. Hunger gnawed at his stomach, then by the way Judes stomach growled he wasn't alone. Embarrassed now, Jude said" I guess we could stop for a break ..as long as his Lordship agrees." Jude himself was faint. His eyes drooped, his feet ached, and how he was carrying ALL of the supplies his back hurt.
    "Well…" Lance looked up at the moon. It was a beautiful full moon, like the night of his birth. It was late, and the guards must have given up miles back. " Lets set up camp."

    "Of course My Lord!" Jude said while he saluted by making a fist and holding to his heart. Jude hurried to a clearing with a few trees and shrubs in the way. Andrew sluggishly made his way to a bush were he fell face first into it." Zzzz…." he snored as he quickly fell asleep. Lance was also tired but showed no signs otherwise. He slowly walked into the clearing taking in the surroundings. The forest was dark and lush, a much better view than the castle. All was still only the steady clinking of his armor was heard.

    His ears rang as a high pitched scream filled the once peaceful air. "Huh?!" Andrew said as he immanently rose from the bush.
    " What in Oblivion…." Jude whispered as they heard someone ..or something running. Lance pushed Jude out of the way without a word running into the darkness.
    "My Lord wait!" Jude said as he heaved up his sword and followed.

    "Why do I always get into these life or death situations…." sighed Andrew as he picked up his bow and hurried to catch up.

    " Back you … you beast!" said a girl no older than them as she pointed a thin katana at the animal. The creature had raven black pelt and dry blood on its claws. Its appearance was like a huge bear with drool dripping from its talon sharp fangs. It looked at her with hunger in its eyes. Then it let a blood freezing screech as it lunged its lethal claws at her.
    Lance sprinted only to be able to hold out his hand exposing the space were his gauntlet and armor split. The slashing claws cut his wrist, dispersing blood in every direction. He let out a grunt of pain as his arm propelled to the tree from the impact of the claws. Only a second passed before Andrew sent an arrow between its eyes. With a surprised yelp it fell to the ground limp. " An onyx bear…" Andrew stated as he checked its body. Lance grimaced in pain as clenched his gashed wrist.

    " My Lord!" Jude bawled as he fell to his side. " The g-girl…." Lance said faintly.
    The girl stood up. " Is he ..is he alright!"

    " No thanks to your recklessness!" yelled Jude as he glared at her. "Jude…" said Andrew then he looked at the girl," now…what's your name?"
    "Bell" she stated. "Now Bell…" Andrew started, " why are you out here?" She looked up at him with wisps of her pale brown hair in her face, and her deep pine green eyes.
    "I could ask you the same." she said.
    " Pay your respects to the man who saved your life!" snapped Jude. She looked over at Jude with stormy eyes.

    "I've could've killed it myself!"

    "Yeah and your constant screaming and waving of that pointy stick totally shows that!"

    "Grr…" Bell growled in an irked tone. " I'm shaking in my boots," Jude replied with a smug look.
    " Now guys calm down," reasoned Andrew," the important thing is that Bell is safe now."
    Jude replied ignoring Andrew " I don't have time for runaway little girls Lord Lance needs assistance," as he walked over to Lance.
    " Are you okay my Lord?" he asked with candor.
    Bell angrily said" I'm not a runaway little girl and by the way it’s a katana not a stick!!"
    Andrew face palmed himself. " Don't let Judey get to you now."
    Bell looked at him and defensively stated" I would never let an idiot like that get to me!!"
    She looked over at Lance as Jude put some cloth around his wrist. "He's losing blood.." she continued, "you could come to my house for treatment."
    "Yeah right, like who would treat him," Jude said mockingly.
    Bell confidently beamed" I would."
    Lance rose "I'm fine-"
    "Wait!" Andrew interrupted , " where do you live?"
    "In Vanderhill but-"
    "We need to go there," his eyes brightened," and while were there you can fix up Lance!"
    " Fine but only if his Lordship agrees," Jude angrily said.
    "We'll have a guide …" Lance said" so I see know reason not to."
    " YAY!!!" cheered Andrew. "We don't have to say good-bye just yet, Bell!"
    " Oh goody.." she mumbled.
    "What?" Andrew asked.
    "Oh nothing," she said as she faked a smile.
    Jude let a grunt of disapproval. " Just what I need another idiot to look after.."
    " Judey who's the first idiot?" Andrew asked sweetly. Bell laughed.
    " What's so funny?!" Andrew asked.
    " Oh nothing, thanks" Bell said.
    " For what?"
    " The bear-"
    " You should thank Lance for that," Jude cut in, " He's the one who saved you from the blow."
    Jude was carrying Lance, he may have been younger but Jude was bigger than Lance and he was light. Bell couldn't help but blush. This man who didn't even know her risked his for hers and …he was cute asleep. " I will ," is all she stated as she covered her face.
    "Wassup?!" Andrew leaned over at her.
    " Nothing!" she said as she scurried ahead.
    " Just lead on for Azures sake!" Jude snapped. He was tired and hungry. Part of him wished that Bell didn't exist. He knew that was harsh but she had been nothing but rude and difficult, AND responsible for Lances accident. Andrew felt quite differently. He thought she deserved privacy and Lance just had a freak accident. He thought that Jude didn't like her because they were both rude.

    " Ehhhh…" Lances wrist hurt. He didn't realize how tired he really was until then. Or maybe it was just the blood lost. " Why didn't my under chain mail block it?" he dreamily thought. "Is a onyx's claw really that strong? And why was it here? They live in the Azure Plains not the Colbikian Forests?" he drifted off in wonder." What if they moved here? They could hurt more people!!"

    "My Lord….never catches a break…" he heard Jude mumble. Jude. If there was anyone who he could trust it was Jude. Andrew had been there for him but Jude had always been overly protective and insisted calling him' Lord' or something. It was strange, he had protected Jude when they were young and then Jude swore to protect him. Why would someone do that? Did he think that he owned him? Whatever the case he was happy that Jude was a loyal companion.

    "Lance has had worse than this…." he heard Andrew say. He had meet Andrew in squire school. Andrew had been a minor noble were he was a major. That’s how Andrew had afforded it while he meet Jude on the streets of Goldenrod. Lance was best with a sword and shield.
    While Andrew always had a lucky shot. He never had training with a bow ,but he could never miss. He had a bubbly attitude so he naturally made friends fast. He said he would follow Lance because he was a natural leader. "Me a leader…." he drowsily whispered. Could he ever really be a leader?

    Bell….what a strange girl he thought. He didn't like being carried. He felt weak and vulnerable. Jude though, he knew he could trust. He wasn't exactly sure were they were headed but he had faith in Jude and Andrew. But he still was uneasy about Bell…she had some sort of vibe. Whatever her plans were he wouldn't know until morning so he decided to get some much needed sleep.




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    END OF CHAPTER 1#