Chapter 2

JASPER

While much of the castle rested in their quarters from partaking in the feast earlier, Jasper woke up only after four hours' rest. He rubbed the back of his neck and walked towards the bucket of freshly filled water. Rinsing his face off, he submerged them in the water for a few moments…until steam began to rise from it. Bubbles made their way to the surface of the lukewarm turned hot water as Jasper immediately pulled his hands out. 

'What in the Seven Hells…'

The shock on his face when he sees that the source of the boiling water are his hands, which are also steaming as well as glowing orange. The heat he could feel from them would have any other man screaming, but he was not in any pain. Jasper leaned in as the details of his hand became clearer.

'What dark sorcery is this and why is my skin not melting off my fucking hand?!' The young knight was far from panicking and just about to run to somebody, anybody for help, until he heard some commotion from the outer ward. Considering his chambers were in the Tower of Dread, Jasper was not too far to investigate. The glow and temperature of his hands subsided enough where he could put on his gear and make his way outside without significant damage, but he would probably have to buy another scabbard. 

He was grateful he brought his cloak, because he was struck in the face by a wind too cold to belong anywhere in the south. Nevertheless, he made his way in the direction of the noise, which he now discovered was coming from the stables. Sounds of chains slapping against hard wood were becoming apparent as he got closer, but he was quite literally the only one outside. 

 'I'll be damned if no one around heard this racket. Heavy sleeping my arse.' Jasper couldn't help but grunt. The noise increased in volume as he entered the stables, and he looked around until he discovered the commotion was coming from the last stall on the other side of the stables. The very stall that held-

'Vairon?!'

Jasper furrowed his brow as he marched towards Vairon's stall, noticing that all the other horses were sleeping through his racket. Something he was immensely grateful for. He had given orders to the horse master to let Vairon out once a day once he began leaving for the tourneys, which they assured him they did. 

'So, what the fuck is his problem now?!' Jasper puzzled over as he began to undo the rattling chains on the stall. Though Vairon's eagerness to leave did not make it easy.

"Calm down, calm down, so I can get this off, damn you!" Jasper snapped at the horse while looking over the stall at him, but to no avail. When the chains dropped to the ground, he quickly opened the stall and held his hands up in attempts to placate the stallion. 

"Easy, boy…easy! What has brought this on?" Jasper tried to relay to the horse, but he continued to snort and stomp his hooves in place. When the other avenues of restraint failed, Jasper considered one last option that he probably would not have done before. He ran to grab a unused saddle inside the stable and barely managed to wrap it around the recalcitrant horse. After several long moments of trying to get it tied around him, Vairon seemingly calmed down. Jasper sighed in relief and wiped his forehead before climbing on Vairon for the first time in nearly forever.

"Now, was that so bad? Let us get you some ai-SHIT!"

Jasper was given no warning as Vairon launched out of the stables, and he had little choice but to grasp the reigns. 

"EASY, VAIRON! ENOUGH!" Jasper yelled at the horse, but naturally he didn't respond. They were galloping towards the gate house, where the gates were wide open. 

'Gods be good, where the hell are the guards?!' He couldn't help but huff while holding on to dear life. There truly was not anyone in sight as they passed through the gate house and rode out of the Harrenhal. The moonlight was the only reason he could see while riding in the night. Jasper had a million questions as of this night and would no doubt be having more, but as for the first one,

"Just where the hell are you taking us, you fool?!" shouted Jasper at Vairon once more as he continued to gallop relentlessly. Strangely enough, Vairon began to blow what appeared to be smoke out of his nose. Another question that will have to be addressed according to Jasper. His now obsidian companion galloped for nearly half an hour until he began to slow down as they closed in on a clearing within a forest not far from Acorn Hall. A few days ride made in half an hour. 

"You've had your fun, now you won't mind taking us ba-HEY!"

Vairon neighed loudly and reared himself as Jasper fell harshly onto the ground. It took him a moment to get his wits together. This ordeal has not strengthened relations with his father's old horse at all. 

"I swear, the moment we return to Harrenhal, I will have you locked in the fucking Bear Pit!" growled Jasper as he slowly got to his feet and brushed himself off. His eyes immediately searched for Vairon until he found him under a tree.

But he was not alone.

"You know, I really wouldn't recommend that. Steeds like our friend here need all the space he can get. And he's going to have it," said a familiar voice that began to jog Jasper's memory. The man ran his hand under Vairon's neck and around as the horse leaned in a comfort, both barely visible within the tree's shadow.

When Jasper Blaze finally recalled the voice, he recognized the individual. His body froze except for his right arm as he used it to point. To point at the one man never wanted to lay eyes on ever again.

"You."

The man in question stepped out of the shadow of the tree and into the moonlight. A blond, clean-shaven man wearing all black clothes belonging that of the nobles here in the south. A three-foot black cane topped off with a miniature silver skull was held in his hands. A smile that was seemingly warm etched on his face, but Jasper knew better. The one known only to a handful as Mephisto spoke with that same silky voice he had all those years ago.

"We meet again, Jasper Blaze."