White stared longingly into the fire, their voices faded. She became lost in the crackling flames. Her mind drifted off to her family. She remembered them so vividly. Her sister’s sweet innocent laugh and always stealing her jewelry. Her mother’s delicious beef stew sprinkled with herbs and spices. Her father’s bear hugs made her feel like there was no safer place to be. The memories were too much to carry, a part of her wished she never remembered, but it was all she had left of them.

  White was hypnotized watching her memories on replay. Gale placed her moist hand on White’s bare shoulder yanking her from her trance. White was startled,

  “I’m sorry” Gale apologized. She sat down next to White.

  “Oh no you’re fine I was just in deep thought,” she responded.

  “About what?”

  White was silent for a moment, “Life”.

  Garett pulled Jalems to the side, “I can’t put her life in danger, which is exactly what your little cause is all about.” Jalems said, still keeping his voice low. “I know you think we’re just a bunch of soldiers, but it’s much more than that.” he persisted, Jalems crossed his arms.

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  “There is a bounty on both your heads,” he whispered. Though Jalems didn’t trust easily, after his recent brush with death, he knew he was telling the truth.

  “Okay yes we do fight, a lot and quite often, but only when we have to,” Jalems remained unconvinced, anything that sounded too good to be true usually was. “Look, don’t join our cause for me,” Garett looked at Marie, then back at Jalems. “Do it for her, we can house you, feed you, as long as we can count on you.” Garett’s voice echoed in Jalem’s ears.

  Jalems had a similar offer, during his prime years he was a world-renown swordsman. He competed in the king’s tournament, when King Cerilium first won the crown. He placed third. Lord Fairmount hired him on the spot that day. He was his personal Crimson Guard.

  At first it was perfect, he protected his lord from assassins and other dangers. He attended royal galas with his Lord dressed in the finest armor any man could forge. He even lived in the palace of the second largest city in the entire realm. His lord soon named him, the Top Lieutenant of his army. He was officially a high-ranking member of society. The arrangement was mutually beneficial. Everything worked out fine for both sides, until Jalems got married.

  Jalems’ wife was truly beautiful, her hair was bright as beaten gold, her eyes a perfect shade of honey. His lordship took notice. Lord Fairmount demanded more unreasonable requests from him, commands challenging Jalems personal code of conduct. One day Jalems refused his orders, but today was a different time and different circumstances. Jalems agreed, Garett embraced him.

  “We’re a half day’s ride away from home, it’s best we leave now while the darkness covers us.”