The Quest, or perhaps The Task Set Before Her Part 25

A boy, about the age of twelve, stood armed in front of a sleeping figure. Jeddi couldn't tell who it was laying down, but he had a guess. That guess being the whole point of his mission. Removing his gaze from the still form on the ground, Jeddi focused on the boy. Two young eyes as wide as his own stared back at him. Shaggy brown hair hung down, reaching the boy's shoulders. He was clad in a grey-green tunic that was clearly too big for him. A sword dangled loosely from his right hand while his left hand opened and closed rapidly in anxiety. Seeing Jeddi, he stepped back in surprise, raising the point of his sword subconsciously. Noticing the boy's nervous motions, Jeddi opened both of his hands and laid them out in front of him in a show of surrender.

"I won't hurt you, lad," Jeddi said calmly.

The boy showed no sign of movement.

Wondering if the boy was deaf, Jeddi asked, "Can you understand me?"

Slowly, the boy nodded his head.

"Could you lower your sword?" Cracking a smile, Jeddi added, "I've no doubt you're an expert swordsman. I'd hate to cross swords with someone of your caliber."

Stifling a giggle, the boy lowered his sword. He'd already taken a liking to this strange man.

"My name is Jedediah," Jeddi said. "But you can call me Jeddi. What's yours?"

"Zephaniah," he answered.

"Zephaniah," Jeddi repeated, smiling. "That's a nice name. Can I come in and sit down? I am tired from my journey."

Zephaniah nodded as he sheathed his sword. He squatted down on the floor. Jeddi joined him, glad to be off his feet.

"What's your story, lad? Why're you here?"

Caught off guard by the question, Zephaniah anxiously ran his hands through his hair. "I...I've always been here. At, at least as far as...as I can remember."

"Where are your parents? Your family?"

"Got none. Just..." Zephaniah looked around and pointed at the far side of the tent facing the battle. "Just them. Always them. And their rebukes." He flinched and rubbed his cheek as if he were struck.

"I'm so sorry, lad," Jeddi said, his voice filled with compassion. Silence hung about them for a minute before Jeddi broke it. "How would you like to leave it all behind?"

Zephaniah's eyes shot up in surprise. "Wh-what?"

"Come with me," Jeddi said, standing up and extending his hand. "A couple friends of mine will be here any minute. We have a special mission on the other side of the island. You could come with us. You could leave this all behind."

Zephaniah stared at Jeddi's hand in complete amazement and shock. There was a way out? Away from Seassa's tyranny? Could it be true? He reached out and grabbed the outstretched hand. Jeddi gently pulled him to his feet. Zephaniah was about to accept when another thought entered his mind.

"I, I can't," he said, his shoulders slumping. Turning his head to look at the still sleeping figure, Zephaniah continued, "I'm supposed to watch her. If Seassa found me gone, she'd have my head."

"Ah," Jeddi responded. "I've been meaning to ask you about this prisoner."

"I only know her name. Seassa won't allow anyone to know too much. Leads to mutiny, she says. Which is ironic 'cause I heard some men talkin' about how she herself had led a mutiny once."

Walking closer to the woman, Jeddi asked, "What's her name?"

The response was what he was hoping for.

"Layan."

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