The Prince and the stag *wip*
this is a snippet of the second story of Tales of Someplace Eles. for some reason, this one is taking me longer to write then the first but I'm still having fun with this so I guess that's all that matters.
“if everyone hates you why did you help me? What if, when I'm healed, I sent people to come to get you? Why would you take that risk.” Ambrose asked, accepting the offered glass. Jia takes a moment and gathers his thoughts.
“ you are not the first you know,” Jia stares off into the distance, “the first prince yes, but not the first hurt traveller. These woods are dangerous.” he looks back at Ambrose. “You ask me why I help. Because I value life. I am not just going to leave them there to die. I have this power I should use it for the good of others.”
He holds out his hands and looks down at them. “And I guess, no matter how much I hate to admit it, some small part of me believe that if I help enough people then maybe they won't see me as a monster.”
Ambrose stares and him, noticing the slight shake of his shoulders.
“As for you bringing the watch guards here,” Jia continues, “I could charm you so you could never find your way back here but I do hope that will not be necessary.” Jia stands abruptly, grabbing a hooded cloak from the hook beside the cot, pulling it on and grabbing a small bag from a small table.
“Have some things I must do. I will be back soon but you should rest. You hit your head hard.” said Jia as he exited the small hut.
“Wait, I didn't mean…” Ambrose calls after him but Jia was long gone. He finishes his water, lays down and waits for Jia’s return.
Ambrose woke up sometime later to a dark room and sounds of movement outside. He sat up as the door opened revealing Jia, his bag now overflowing with plants and a bucket of water in each hand. He sat the buckets on the counter and, with a wave of his hand, relit all the candles as well as the fireplace.
“I hope you rested well,” said Jia, picking up the abandoned cup, refilling it and returning it to Ambrose, who took it gladly.
“Yes, Thank you. Did you get all your work done,” replied Ambrose. Jia chuckled
“It sometimes feels like my work is never done, but I did accomplish quite a bit this afternoon.” he busied himself with emptying his bag. “Now I bet you are almost ready for supper,” said Jia pulling a pheasant from his bag and beginning to prepare it for cooking. At the mention of food Ambrose's stomach betrayed him, letting out a loud rumble. Jia only laughed and threw himself into the cooking.
It started as a simple hum, almost too quiet for Ambrose to make out amidst the ambient noise of the cabin. It grew through and soon Jia was full on singing, a new song but in the same strange language as before, as if he had forgotten that he was no longer alone. Ambrose was transfixed, scared that if he moved, even just an inch, that Jia would notice and the song would stop. Time past quickly like that, Jia weaving silvery notes into the air as he moved around the small kitchen and Ambrose sitting still, trying not to ruin the moment.
In what felt like a lifetime and yet only a moment the bird was done cooking and Jia's song cut off. He cut the meat evenly in two and served it with a side of the greens to Ambrose. Jia took his seat and they begin their meal.
“May I ask you a question?” Jia breaks the silence, gently setting down his cutlery.
“Of course,” Ambrose answered around a bite of pheasant, “you answered mine, go ahead.”
“What is your family like?” Jia asked quietly, not quite looking Ambrose in the eyes.
“What do you mean?” Ambrose replied, setting his empty plate down beside him.
“I’m just wondering what it's like having siblings. I don't,” Jia paused a moment, “I mean I guess I have hundreds of siblings but I've never met any of them.” Ambrose paused for a moment in thought before answering.
