Chapter 18: Report

 

       The crackling of a campfire was the first thing that Skylar heard as he slowly gained back consciousness. His eyes slowly opened to look up at the blurry sky overhead. The blond just laid there for a moment as his vision started to clear. It was then when he realized what had happened before he passed out. Skylar immediately shot up into a sitting position and his eyes darted from one part of the area to the other.

       He was still on the cliff, but there were no signs of Blade or Spike. The sun was slowly sinking below the western horizon now as it got ready to end its daily shift. There was also a small campfire to the right of Skylar, and sitting near it was Jessica with the hawk on her shoulder. A small smile crossed her lips as she looked towards him.

       “You're finally up, that's a relief,” she said.

       “Where's Spike?” Skylar asked a little worriedly, completely ignoring what Jessica had just said.

       “I don't know,”Jessica replied. “When I found you, you were the only one here. Did something happen?”

       “We were attacked by Blade,” Skylar stated as he looked towards the ground and sighed. The memories of what happened before he blacked out played in his mind. His hands started to roll into fists as he became a little frustrated.

       It was then when he felt something in his right hand. He looked down towards it to see what looked like green dust sitting on his palm. It took a few seconds for him to realize that it was what used to be the gem. Not only did he lose Spike, but the gem had been destroyed too. They were so close to their destination, but the entire mission was completely ruined. A curse word slipped from his mouth as he pounded the ground out of anger with his fist.

       “Why did you two come up this way anyway?” asked Jessica.

       Since there was really no point in hiding it anymore, Skylar explained how they were supposed to deliver the gem to Fairvald so they could create a weapon powerful enough to defeat Blade. He then went on to tell how the gem was now destroyed.

       “I'm sorry to hear that,” Jessica said when Skylar finished.

       “Not like it's your fault or anything,” replied Skylar. “And why are you up here?”

       “I had a few things to take care of up this way,” she explained. “I was making my way back home when I noticed you down here.”

       Skylar nodded before asking, “Mind if I head back that way with you? There really isn't a reason for me to go to Fairvald anymore since the gem has been destroyed.”

       “Sure,” replied Jessica as she smiled a little.

       The hawk got off of Jessica's shoulder and went onto the ground. It soon grew to a larger size and Jessica mounted it. After grabbing his sword and sheathing it, Skylar did the same and placed his hands on Jessica's sides to hold on. The hawk then took flight and made its way south.

       During the ride back, Skylar's mind dwelled on the black-haired boy. He was certain that Spike wasn't dead. There was something that told him that he was still alive. However, the only question was where was he? Skylar wished that Spike was maybe at the village at this very moment, waiting for him to return. However, Skylar knew that wasn't the case, no matter how much he wanted it to be.

       By the time they reached Wildtree, it was after midnight. Skylar dismounted the giant hawk and said a short good-bye to Jessica before disappearing into the village. He made his way through the streets until he reached his house. He entered the house quietly, certain that his parents were asleep. Once he was in, he shut the door behind him and made his way over to his bed. He kicked off his boots and set his sheathed sword to the side somewhere before laying down. It didn't take long until he fell asleep.

 

       Skylar woke up in the silent house the following day. The late morning sun shined brightly through a window and flooded the wooden floor with its light. The blond slowly got out of the bed and looked around the small home a little to see that he was the only one there.

       After eating a small breakfast, Skylar left the house and made his way towards the leader's place. When he got there, he told the leader about what had happened yesterday and how the mission was unable to be completed since the gem was destroyed.

       “D****t!” exclaimed Blaxton as he slammed his fist on the wooden surface of the desk out of anger.

       “I'm sorry,” apologized Skylar as he looked away a little in a slightly disappointed manner.

       “It's fine,” sighed the leader. “We'll just have to try to make a new gem and get someone else to deliver it to Fairvald. However, there is something else I'm a little concerned about. . .”

       Skylar looked towards Blaxton in a questioning manner. The leader looked towards the blond and caught the look.

       “Err, it's nothing,” he told him. “Forget I said anything.”

       The blond gave a slow nod of his head before turning around to leave.

Reviews

[Amund Schofield]

I can't really see much to go on, other then this was an extremely short chapter.