Burning stable

Restlessly Alana digs between her satin sheets. Her breath catches in panic as sweat beads on her forehead. Hopelessly she clenches her hands. "Alana" a soft voice echoes through the warm bedroom. "Alana?" sounds again. Alana opens her eyes, growling. Sighing, she lifts her head. What now does she think angrily. "Katinka, please go back to sleep." "Alana?" "Katinka, please be quiet" Alana curses and puts her head back down. "It's okay, it was just a dream. Now go to sleep" she sighs and places her head. She slowly opens her eyes when she feels a hard chest."I didn't know we were so close already" chuckles the young man who has laid himself in her bed. Alana jumps back in shock. The Knight! Why does he keep bothering her in the middle of the night? "What do you want from me?" Alana whispers angrily. The intruder straightens himself. When Alana wants to escape, he lies on top of her. "Isn't that clear?" he whispers. "Who are you?" Alana growls and tries to roll away. The intruder grins coldly as he wraps his rough hands around her narrow wrists. "You know who I am" he whispers. "I know you know". Alana swallows. That is impossible. And yet? "Please, get off me," she begs fearfully. Again the intruder grins coldly. "Who are you and why are you here?" she asks again. The intruder comes dangerously close and places his lips next to her ear. "You know who I am.. Alana" he whispers and continues; "but I will play. I like games.My name.. is Hate.." A chill runs down Alana's spine as tears burn in her eyes. "No" she whispers. You can't! Why is he here? Why is he invading their room? "What do you want" she shouts fearlessly to wake Katinka. "Come on Alana, now you can't deny. I know you feel it, the attraction?" Alana swallows. She has to admit he's right. All her senses are stimulated when he touches her. She wants him to stay as far away from her as possible and yet part of her wishes to see him What is that feeling? Why does she feel this way? Is he doing this? "Please" Alana whispers hopelessly as his lips slide down her neck. Hate smiles amusedly. "Come on Alana, indulge your deepest lusts." Alana tries to shake her head "Please Hate" she begs hopelessly Hate sighs. Is he the reason why father didn't come back? Did he kill her father? Would she ask him? "It's time. Alana" he whispers. "Time for what?" "Your professor is not who he claims" replies Hate mysteriously. "What do you mean". Does he want to tell her that Jaspar is mean? Bad? Or that he works for Hate? No, that can't be! Why would Jasper lie to her?"Hate please, I can't breathe" Alana squeaks scared. Hate chuckles and gets off her. "You'll be mine soon" he whispers menacingly and comes closer. "Now...now I want you to know...""Alana" Katinka shouts loudly. Alana opens her eyes abruptly and takes a deep breath. Startled, she jumps up. "What the hell?" she grumbles and rubs her eyes. Katinka rubs her hair soothingly. "What's wrong with you lately?" Katinka asks concerned. Shuddering, Alana ignores the question. What the hell? Why is she dreaming about that knight? Time after time? Why doesn't it feel like a dream? The warm sunlight burns into her face. "Hate" she whispers. "What?" Katinka looks at Alana with concern. "Alana, what did you say?" Alana shakes her head. "Just something I've been dreaming about. It's nothing Katinka." Katinka smiles wryly and sits down next to Alana. "Alana, you said Hate..." Alana swallows. "Alana, if there's anything you need to tell me, you should. Please." Alana smiles. "It's nothing, just a dream of everything that happened with father, you know how I just hate that he's gone forever." Katinka nods. "Katinka what are you going to do?" Katinka smiles again. "I'm going to the village." "Katinka.. why?" Katinka sighs. Mother wants us to rest and sit here, but I don't want to spend all day owling with Mother. I don't want to sit and think about father." Alana swallows. "You're right." "Really? I mean, I expected a little more response" Katinka says incomprehensibly. Alana grins. Katinka,"I'll go where you go" Alana smiles. Katinka grins. "Alana, I just want you to be happy too" Katinka whispers. Alana slaps her arms around Katinka "I promise you're right. Everything will get better." Katinka closes her eyes sadly and nods. "But Alana .. why did you say Hate?" Alana shakes her head "I don't know", she lies and stands up.Katinka bites her lip. Frowning, she hands Alana a white blouse. Alana takes the matching brown skirt. Katinka sighs as she helps Alana tie her brown leather underbust corset. Maybe... Maybe she should tell Mother this. But what if they have to move again? Katinka was happy here. She sighs and decides to ignore it.Now that Alana knows she is dreaming about Hate, she should ask Jaspar straight out about him. Her subconscious sent several signs in her sleep. Signs she shouldn't trust Jaspar. She needs to know why she thinks that. Why she dreams about Hate. Maybe Alana's goofy head is just coming up with a conspiracy theory. That's probably why she dreams like that. And yet? It kept feeling like more. More like a contemporary dream. Perhaps. Perhaps there was more to it. But what? Is Jasper different after all? Different than she thinks? She has to question him about Hate, no doubt about it. Only then would she discover who Jaspar really is. And why her subconscious fantasizes that Jaspar is evil. Maybe Jaspar could tell her why the witch spoke to her yesterday. And why she claimed to know Alana. She hastily follows Katinka, who has already run halfway up the stairs. "Katinka, you are sure you can do this" Alana asks concerned. Katinka has always been more emotional than Alana. She would be more likely to cry or collapse and Alana doesn't want her sister to collapse. She hates it when Katinka gets hurt. Katinka takes a deep breath and nods. Bravely she opens the mahogany door and walks to the village. "I can cry all day and think about father Alana, but that won't help." Alana looks at Katinka proudly. "I'm glad you're my sister Katinka" Alana whispers. Katinka smiles with satisfaction and takes Alana's hand. "You know I've been thinking" Katinka begins. "Oh" Alana asks mockingly. "I think I'm going to marry Müriel," Katinka says firmly. Alana smiles at Katinka . Katinka looks at Alana without a smile. "Oh you're serious," she asks with a smile. "Yes" Katinka replies indignantly. "Is this because of father?" "Not really" replies Katinka hesitantly. "Katinka" Alana sighs and stops abruptly. "You have to live your life the way you want it, and especially with who you want. Don't let anyone make that choice for you." Katinka smiles amusedly. "By the way, Muriel isn't for you, even if I'm rid of him then." "Oh" Katinka laughs amusedly. "What's for me then?" Alana grins. "A more.. quieter type. A more mysterious but strong type of man. You know the power over words kind". For a moment there is silence between the sisters who stare at each other with dead seriousness. Finally Katinka and Alana both spit and burst into laughter. Laughing they look at each other "I think you just described a villain" Katinka laughs loudly and wipes the tears from her eyes "I'm sorry" Alana laughs amusedly "And you" Katinka mocks "What about me" chuckles Alana "What's your type then?" "Not a villain" Alana laughs. "No, you seem more like the caring type. The sweet and giving type dares to stand up for himself and for all he loves. The strong and silent type. And no, not the power beyond words. Strength yes, but above all heart." Alana looks at her seriously and then she chuckles. "Sure Katinka. But seriously. Muriel is really not for you. He is so... boring. And serious!" "Okay I get it" Katinka mocks. "What do you think of Rodehanthe?" "Rodehanthe is" Alana begins with a sigh. "well.." A smile appears on her lips. "That can work. I mean, I can't say he's not charming. He's very sweet. Always has been. And he's actually quite attractive. I mean. He's got his looks. Oh well. He's handsome, and well.. cute". Katinka nods amusedly. "And have you looked at his arms?" she winks teasingly." Alana shrugs. "Forge is hard work. He might be the kind of man I want to share my life with." Katinka grins and twists her finger."Oh no you didn't" Alana whispers indignantly and turns herself slowly. Rodehanthe smiles at her. "Rodehanthe" she greets in shame and angrily looks at Katinka. Katinka sticks out her tongue. "I promised," Rodehanthe says with a smile. Alana smiles amusedly. "You did indeed." "Hello Katinka" he greets and kisses her upper hand. Katinka smiles. "Are you okay?" he asks concerned. The girls nod hastily. "If it's okay for you, I'll walk you home later." Alana smiles. "I wouldn't want it any other way," she replies sincerely. Rodehanthe smiles with satisfaction and bows. "See you later" he greets. Alana turns her to Katinka as he walks away. "You're so mean" she hisses. "Those arms" Katinka mocks again. "Oh shut up" Alana growls. "Bully" "If I wasn't I wouldn't be a good sister" Katinka mocks. Alana shakes her head with a smile. "You're the worst sister." "But you love me" Katinka mocks and teases Alana. Alana sighs. "Unfortunately," she jokes. Katinka laughs amusedly and walks to the campfire. They sit in silence on the benches. Alana looks at Jaspar who is not much further with a cup of mead. She nods carefully. Katara follows her gaze and swallows. "Alana, have you spoken to the professor?" Alana nods. "I'm sorry Katinka I..." Katinka shakes her head. Katinka looks up to Muriel."I'm going to get something to drink. Do you want something?" Alana shakes her head. As soon as Katinka stands up she slides to Jaspar. She looks at Jasper hesitantly. He greets her but she doesn't greet back. Something is holding her back. Maybe Alana is just overtired. Maybe she's thinking too hard. But what if there is indeed more to it. What if she really can't trust Jaspar. The voices that keep her awake in the middle of the night seem to disturb her thoughts. But what if they weren't voices, what if they were warnings. What if Jaspar was indeed not who he claims to be? She doesn't know what to believe anymore. Or what to think. She slowly gets lost in the darkness. "Professor what do the red symbols on his chest mean?" she asks abruptly. Jasper stares at her confused and swallows. Sighing, he looks at the ground again. "Those are three red flower shields" he answers understandingly who she is talking about. Also called French lilies. "What do they mean?" "On his surcoat below left and right is three red crosses at the height of his hips" the professor begins and continues; "this means that he is dressed in a Britannica knight's outfit". "French?" "Yes, he wears the outfit of the knights Britannica, also known as French Templars". "He's not French, is he?" "No child, you don't have to be from the country to be knighted there." However, since he is Hate, he wears the black surcoat of the exiled Templars. His coat of arms is depicted on his chest. The crosses of his legs are also gone. It's just a simple black surcoat with red trim. Only his coat of arms adorns his chest. Some say this is because he killed his fellow Templars and others because he is just bad. Whatever it is, I fear that with the white surcoat all his honor is gone. "Are they all Templar knights?" "No. Everyone has their own origin.Take Vengeance for example. He has a yellow surcoat.A black 8- pointed star is shown on his chest. Also called the star of venus." Alana nods. Finally, she got him there. She would discover the truth!"What about Greed?" "Greed is an English knight". He has a crowned lion on his chest and a simple black surcoat."Fear?" "Your curiosity continues to grow," Jaspar chuckles. "Fear has no surcoat or chainmail. She is dressed in a completely black tunic." "She?" "Yes indeed fear is a woman" laughs Jasper."And what about Jealousy? He is from France". He in fact has the same symbol as Hate himself. A white Fleur de Lisse. But the difference is that Jealousy wears blue. That's how you can see that they are different."And what has Anger?" "He's the one with a hammer". "A hammer?" Yes, Anger wears a red surcoat with a red hammer. He is of Switzerland.I'll tell you in advance that Sadness is an English knight too. He has a completely red coat of arms with a white cross in the middle of his chest. And let me guess" laughs Jaspar. "Why the sudden interest in them Alana?" Alana shrugs. She can't speak to Jaspar yet. She cannot tell about her dream "Hello professor" greets Katinka. Jaspar nods "Alana baby, will you come home with me please? I've got something I want to show you." Alana hesitates for a moment but then stands up. She slides her hand over Katinka who follows in understanding. The girls follow in silence. "Katinka, we'll be right back," says Jaspar. Katinka frowns understandingly. Alana smiles wryly and hesitantly steps into Jaspar's house." "I'm sorry to take you apart from your sister but there is something I want to discuss with you". Alana looks at him silently and sits down again. What should he ask that Katinka may not know. Would it be possible? Perhaps he was going to confess everything to her now. Or worse? "Alana kid...how do you know what he's wearing?" Alana thinks for a moment. "You showed a picture once." "No kid I never did that" he mumbles and pulls on his pipe. "I don't even have a picture of him." "In the book there is one" she defends. Jaspar sighs and shakes his head. "I don't think such a book can be published child." Alana swallows. If Jaspar was going to tell her something she would have ruined it herself. "Alana there is something I have to tell you about him." "What is that?" "Whatever happens, whatever you do. You should never underestimate him." Alana nods in understanding. Even weakened, he is stronger than a trained elf. Look, I know your father's and grandmothers death is very profound but I ask you as a friend. Not as your professor please don't make crazy ideas about this. "Crazy ideas," Alana asks suspiciously. "You know, ideas about conspiracies for example," he mocks. Alana sniffs amusedly. "Professor... I..." Would she ask? Jaspar smiles as if he knows she's hiding something. "Alana child, you've come this far." Alana smiles impassively. "I'm still in the same village where I was born Professor. It's not that far." "What many seek is often right under their noses and yet some cannot resist the unknown. Your time will come. The time when you have to decide what to do with your life." Alana nods. Why does it feel like he almost wants her to leave the village? Jasper stares at her softly. "I have a birthday present for you". Jaspar stands up calmly and walks to his desk. Alana peers curiously at the professor who pulls a pentagram necklace from his dusty drawer. Silently he rubs the dust off the pearl and blows on the chain. "It's been there so long I almost forgot. I saved this especially for you. For your eighteenth birthday. "What is that?" Alana asks curiously. "This is a very special amulet. It's a witch's necklace. It will protect you." "Who says I need protection?" Jaspar smiles. "My child, you are already so grown" he laughs and ties the necklace." Never take these off. Don't let anyone see you have this." Jaspar stares at Alana. "Wow" he whistles and continues inaudibly; "just her". "Come on Alana" where are you blows Katinka and looks at the house. Why did Jaspar have to speak to her alone? She looks impatiently at the village square. What if Alana was right she thinks thoughtfully and stares at the witch. The howling sound of an owl sounds, fast followed by a birds call..The witch looks at Katinka with a grin "Don't be silly Katinka" she sighs and brushes a copper lock from her face. That silly witch wants just drive you crazy.! There's nothing or no one in this village that... Startled, she screams when a strong hand covered in a dark glove slides over her mouth. A muscular arm slips around her waist and drags her back. Alana smiles shyly at Jaspar and leaves his cabin. Of course, Katinka hadn't even waited for her. She sighs. It seemed as if Jaspar was just about to tell her something. Maybe he wanted to confess something. Or find out something? Stop Alana bites herself. Jasper is not bad! Annoyed by her own thoughts, she walks into the village center. She looks up abruptly when a soft whisper rings in her ears. It looks as if the prisoner is whispering her name very softly. Alana looks suspiciously at the chained woman. Her dark locks and poisonous yellow eyes accentuate her pale skin. Alana takes a hurried look at the lace-up dress, which is draped tightly around her slim body. On her bare chest rests a black rope with a green natural stone attached. A smile appears on the woman's lips, causing a cold shiver to run down Alana's back. "I know you" the witch finally smiles. "My god, you look just like her"! Alana stares at the witch incomprehensibly. "Only you have his eyes, I would never forget those beautiful blinkers". "My apologies, I'm afraid you're confusing me for someone else." "Oh dear you hope so" the prisoner laughs. "If I were you I would run while I still can" whispers the witch. "Or maybe it's already too late. His scent surrounds you, he has marked you for all evil." "You lie" Alana whispers softly. "It's already too late". "What do you mean?" "Oh you really don't know" laughs the witch. "You are proof of how he cheated on her". "Who do you mean?" The witch grins. "He" she replies and closes her eyes. "Who" asks Alana once again. "Who is he"? Alana swallows and hurries back when she doesn't answer. Did she mean Hate? Did she mean that Alana was evil and not Jaspar? Or did she just mean Jasper. Had Jasper marked her? And who did she resemble? Did she know her mother? But Alana doesn't look like Mother at all! Maybe she knew who Jasper really was? Stop with those stupid thoughts, she thinks and turns her quickly. Startled, she jumps up when she runs into Rodehanthe. "Hello Alana" he smiles. Alana laughs startled and blows. "Rodehanthe! Rodehanthe it...I'm sorry." Rodehanthe shakes his head with a smile. "What were you doing with the prisoners?" "Nothing" she shakes laughing. "I just walked by." "I'm glad to see you" he whispers and kisses her palm. Alana smiles and looks at the scratch on his eye. "What is that?" she asks curiously. "Oh nothing, playing with my sister you know". Alana smiles. She didn't know he had a sister. "Would you like to walk home with me?" "Please" laughs Rodehanthe and makes a playful bow. Alana smiles briefly and hooks her arm into the blacksmith's muscular arm. Wow his arms are really very muscular she thinks blushing. Behind Alana's back, Rodehanthe winks at the witch, who watches with a grin. "So blacksmith" she asks teasingly. Rodehanthe laughs briefly. "It's tough but enjoyable. You see a lot. I mean it varies. I mean... eh". Alana laughs teasingly. She finds his search for words pretty cute. "It's okay," he finally stammers. Alana nods understandingly. "Would you never want anything else?" Oh yes" he answers firmly. Alana smiles. The sea is calling me" grins Rodehanthe. "I know the sound" Alana whispers and stops on the wooden bridge. They both stare at the river in silence. "I'm sorry about your father" Rodehanthe begins. "Me too" Alana replies softly and looks into his clear eyes again. A soothing smile hangs on his lips. "Alana could you be happy with me?" Alana smiles. She knew this question was coming. "I think so," she replies shyly, whereupon a grin appears on Rodehanthe's narrow lips. Alana stares at the dimples in his jaws when he smiles. Why didn't she see this one before? It's pretty sweet. "What?" he laughs. "Nothing" Alana shakes her own thoughts cursingly. Afraid that her jaws will turn pink, she keeps her head down. They walk slowly on. "Alana I hope you will be happy again". "Me too" Alana suggests. "Hopefully with me" he adds and Alana smiles. "It was nice to be with you Alana, hope we can do this more" smiles Rodehanthe and kisses her hand. "Me too" Alana replied sincerely. "See you in the morning" he greets. Alana smiles with satisfaction. "until then" she whispers and walks into the house. When she lets out a satisfied sigh, Her mother looks at her in surprise. "What?" Alana asks and stares at the old woman. She peers patiently over the silver glasses that rest on her delicate nose. Alana looks shy into mother her glassy eyes and shrugs. "Which boy is it?" Mother asks with a grin and places her hands on her fine hips. protesting Alana opens her mouth. "Ah, ah! Don't forget I was young too" mother laughs. "When my bun was still long red locks". Laughing, Alana shakes her head. "Rodehanthe" she finally releases blushing. Mother looks up as if a wasp has just stung her. "The blacksmith's lad?" "Yes what is it ?" "Alana, I want you to stay away from him!" "Mother, why" Alana protests angrily. It's her life, she can choose who she hangs with. And besides, Father found him a descent boy. Mother shakes her head. "Alana I'm just trying to protect you! Now get Katinka so we can eat!" "Katinka" Alana asks, stammering. "Katinka isn't here?" Mother shakes her head. "Probably she's still with that boy". Alana sighs and walks out again. So that's why Katinka didn't wait for her. Why not tell Alana?It's not like Katinka to keep secrets And mother? Why was she acting so strange about Rodehanthe Is there something she should know?"Out of the way" roars a gruff man loudly and runs next to Alana with a bucket of water. "Hey" Alana yells angrily and straightens herself. What is his problem? She watches the dark fumes slowly rising to the sky. What is that? Why is everyone so into panic? Is that.. Fire! She accelerates nervously. Then it shoots to her. She knows where the plume of smoke comes from. She knows this way.. "Damn, Rodehanthe" she curses and runs hastily to the forge. "Stay at a distance" yells the gruff man loudly and brutally stops Alana with his strong arm. "No Rodehanthe" roars Alana loud. Devastated, she stares at the orange flames greedily licking the wooden walls of the forge. "Rodehanthe" she roars again. Where is he? Why isn't anyone going to help him? As the forge fades into smoke and fire, her hopes for Rodehanthe dwindle. If no one does anything she has to do it! Recklessly she pushes the man's arm out and runs to the burning stable. "Hey" the villager roars and tries to grab her again. Alana clumsily clambers between the iron sliding doors over a fallen support beam. "Rodehanthe" she roars and carefully crawls into the burning workshop. Coughing, she holds a hand over her mouth. "Rodehanthe" she asks hesitantly when she finds the unconscious boy on the ground. "Oh Rodehanthe" she whispers and strokes his face covered in ashes and blood. "Alana" roars a loud male voice. "Rodehanthe!" "We're here" Alana shouts loudly and places his head on her lap. "You're crazy" the doctor's son roars loudly and kneels next to Alana. "Giles, please. I can't let him die, but he's too heavy for me." Giles glances around the burning barn and sighs. "Your mother will kill me if I leave you here," he yells nervously. "I'm not leaving without him" Alana replies stubbornly and crosses her arms. Giles nods. He hastily grabs Rodehanthe's arm and wraps it around his neck. "Stay close to me" he shouts and drags the unconscious blacksmith with him. Alana nods and hurries away from the roof, which is slowly breaking apart. Coughing, Giles squeezes through the doors again, careful not to cause Rodehanthe more pain. Hastily some villagers rush to Giles and take over Rodehanthe. "Rodehanthe" Alana yells and kneels next to him. "Watch out," the doctor mumbles and lifts Rodehanthe his head. Carefully he pours water between Rodehanthe's lips. "He's not breathing," he grumbles. Alana gently rubs Rodehanthe's hair. "Come on Rodehanthe" she whispers and kisses his forehead. Blowing, the doctor presses his chest repeatedly. "Come on" Alana repeats. "Come back to me" she whispers hopelessly. Coughing, Rodehanthe lifts his head. "Rodehanthe" Alana blows with relief. "Rodehanthe" Alana whispers and places her hand on his chest. "Alana" he asks softly. He looks incomprehensibly at the people around him. "Without Alana you would be toast now" Giles grumbles and wipes the ashes from his hands. "Thanks to Giles" Alana improves. Coughing Rodehanthe sits up. Rodehanthe looks hurt at the forge. "It's gone;.. My house just...melted." "Rodehanthe" the doctor begins slowly and continues cautiously; "your parents they..." Rodehanthe swallows and looks again at the smoldering remains. "I'm sorry Rodehanthe" Alana whispers sincere. Rodehanthe swallows and sits on his ass. "If you want, you can always stay with us," Alana suggests comfortingly. Rodehanthe nods. "Thank you Alana" he answers and stands up. "Are you okay?" Alana asks concerned and places her hand on his back. Rodehanthe nods hesitantly. "Giles" Alana yells startled when Rodehanthe falls through his legs again. Hastily Giles grabs Rodehanthe and places his arm around Giles' neck again. "Don't let this become a habit of your blacksmith," he mocks. Teasingly pokes Alana the doctor's son. Giles chuckles and looks at Alana. Completely forgetting why she was here in the first place, she comforts the unconscious blacksmith's hand. "Come on, I'll walk you home" he suggests. Alana nods gratefully.Again the howling sound of an owl sounds, fast followed by a birds call..