TFL ch. 20

Jack's teeth clench as he turns back toward the door. "Someone doesn't want us to know what is in here. I wonder..."

The door creaks against Jack's hand, turning slowly on its hinges. Little footsteps approach us from the alley between the houses. "Lee! Don't go in-a theah. You're gonna get kilt!" Teddy grabs the porch and swings himself up with us. His blue eyes are wide orbs of fear. "Ya shouldn't be back dis way. Dis is where people get kilt."

"Who kills them, Teddy? Why not this house?" I ask. His pale face is tensed in terror and he shakes his head. Jack steps forward. "Why don't we walk you back to your place?" Placing his arm around Teddy, Jack leads the way back to the orphan's hideout. Apparently, the orphan's plight had also attracted Jack's attentions. He strides confidently down the road, the streets under his authority. I find that after a few blocks we are in the orphan's hideout. Teddy looks at me with his eyes large in fear. "That house. Don't ever go in there. They kill anyone near there."

"They? Who do you mean?" My heart beats a little faster. Whoever owned that house obviously scared the little boy. He whispers, "The Melitan raiders."

Jack shifts his weight and leans in toward Teddy. "They own a house here?" Teddy nods "Eyup. That whole street they owns now. Kilt all the other people. Found their bodies out in the tall grass." He shudders.

My heart cries for this little boy. He's seen too much of this world's darkness. Too much. The image of the flickering candles comes to mind. Death is a thick shadow threatening to choke life's light.

Jack touches my arm. "We should return to the castle."

"What?! No! Not after we are so close to finding answers!"

"It's too dangerous."

"For a woman, you mean." I spit out, my body tense with anger. "You're just like the rest of them, refusing to let me do my job just because I happen to be a female!"

For a minute, the room is silent and tense. Teddy looks at Jack then back at me. Finally, Jack states, "You're duty is to protect Guinevere, not to be a hero."

I let out the breath I was holding. Was that really what I was doing? I think back to when Eric and I were out in Sicota. He had been similarly reluctant to put me in harm's way. But someone had to help these people! My heart is being tugged at in two directions. Do I help these people of Sicota? Should I try to be a hero? Or should I just protect Gwen and stay by her side? Should I be the lady everyone else wanted me to be? What is right?

Teddy whispers. "I know who kilt those people..." Both Jack and I both respond, "Who?"

At our abrupt response, Teddy jumps. Regaining his composure, he says, "His name is Wesson." A gasp escapesfrom my throat. Wesson is the name on the paper!

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Teddy had not known much else, except that the Wesson now was the son of a man also named Wesson and that rumor said that Wesson Junior killed his own father to gain control if the Melitan Raiders. After interrogating him further, Jack insisted that we go to the castle. I turn and observe his pensive face. The entire trip he has not said a single word to me. Once we were inside the castle walls, he turns, "Good afternoon, Lee. I hope to see you soon."

I nod, even though he has already turned away. Anger and guilt fill me. I do not want to shirk my duty concerning Gwen, but something has to be done. Yet, every time I seek to help, I am dismissed as too weak! I stride through the hallways, not glancing up from the floor.

"Where have you been, 'Melia?!"

I look up to find Eric approaching me. His eyes are full of concern and anger. I reply, "Out."

"That is too vague an answer. Where were you?"

"Why are you so concerned?"

Tension permeates his voice. "I noticed that you went out of the castle this morning with Sir Williams's squire. I understand you were good friends with him but not everyone understands that. You should not galavanting with gentlemen alone."

I scoff. The gall he had! "And for what reason is it all right for me to be alone with you, galavanting?"

He flinches, as though I had struck him. "I- I- you are like a sister to me. I did not think that-"

His words sting my eyes. Like his sister. That was all I ever would be. "Of course not. But don't you be preaching at me when you yourself are the same way!" I storm off.

" Melia! Wait!"

I enter Gwen's room and slam the door behind me before he can say another word. I throw myself onto my bed and weep into my pillow, allowing the pent up anger and frustration to escape.

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Question of the chapter: If you were in Lee's predicament, what would you choose?

A. To be the hero and go back to the house

B. To fulfill her duty and be Gwen's bodyguard/companion

To be completely honest, I would chose B. I am all about duty and fulfilling my obligations so if I were Lee, I would protect Gwen.

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