Chapter 2

Excerpt of Chapter 2

Rastin told the crowd that they had better wipe those mean and hateful looks off of their faces. He said he didn't want to see anyone being hateful towards himself or Jade. The crowd grumbled, but slowly obeyed. One by one, the mean and hateful looks were replaced by those of toleration, quiet criticalness and cautious curiosity.

The hunters served as bodyguards at this point and made way in the crowd. Chase then was able to get through the villagers to a cleared area, so that Rastin and Jade could dismount without being crowded.

As Rastin dismounted, he saw a friendly face pushing her way through the crowd, coming towards him. It was his sister Serina. Rastin reached up and helped Jade dismount. He put his arm around her protectively, and she leaned into his strong comforting arm. Rastin was watching his sister make her way through the crowd as he pointed and said to Jade,

"See that woman coming through the crowd towards us. That is my sister Serina."

He held out his free arm to hug Serina as she came up to greet him.

Rastin and Serina had become good friends as they had become adults. She had always been supportive of Rastin's decisions as Clan leader. Serina being the Clan Healer also had a high position in the Clan. So her opinions and support really helped in Rastin's leadership of the Clan.

Serina let go of her brother and looked at Jade. She understood how Rastin felt about not leaving Jade in the forest alone. Because she was a healer she couldn't stand to see anything alive be hurt and not try to help it. She would have probably done the same thing Rastin did. Although she knew she wouldn't be as good at protecting Jade as Rastin was. His huge muscular frame was enough to make most anyone sane really think, before trying to take him on. Of course Slasher was a different story. He was a bully and used his knife first and asked questions later. That is how he got the nickname Slasher. Serina offered her hand in greeting to Jade as she said,

"Hi my name is Serina, welcome to the Clan of the Gatekeepers. I am the Healer here and would like to take a look at your wounds as soon as you get settled." Serina smiled at Jade. Jade almost cried when she saw the sweet smile of Rastin's sister.

Serina was the first one other than Rastin who had said a kind word to her, and smiled at her. Jade wanted to hug Serina for her kindness, but didn't want to push it. So Jade just said,

"Thank you for your kind welcome. I will let you look at my wounds when I get to wherever I will be staying."

Jade looked up at Rastin after saying that, as if to ask him with her eyes where she would be staying. Rastin understood by Jade's look what she was thinking, and answered her unasked question.

"I was thinking you could stay with me, if you would like. You are already used to being with me, and I would feel much better knowing I could be there to protect you." He said as he smiled down at Jade. Then he asked,
"Would you like to stay at my house where I can protect you?"

Jade smiled up at Rastin and replied,
"Yes, I would very much like to stay with you. You have been a very good protector so far and I am glad you are willing to continue to do so. Thank You for offering your home for me to stay in."

Jade's smile slowly faded, as she remembered that she would not be able to go back to her own home and family. She quickly shook off the melancholy and hugged Rastin to cover up her change in her thoughts, to thinking about her home. Rastin hugged her back, and then released her. The three of them walked together, leading Chase, to Rastin's home.
The crowd had broken up and the women remained in the center of the village to prepare the deer. As the women started to skin the deer, they watched Rastin, Jade and Serina walk away towards Rastin’s home. Rastin didn't see Slasher anywhere, but figured he had gone to stir up dissension in the Clan, using those who hated humans the most.

Copyright ©2005 Countess Demetria

Countess Demetria