Original X-roads-2003

In the Present…
 
    Jonothan had spent days healing, he hadn’t been up against a force this strong since the Great War. Maybe the rumors were true, maybe the Underworlders were trying to rise to power again. Then on his own side he had Mark taking whomever he chose at will.
    He thought of Jas, but nothing came to him from it. He could not feel her anymore, he did not know if she was ok or in danger. He had no choice but to trust Mark. Jonothan seethed in anger, mostly he was angry at himself for not seeing this sooner.
    Jasylin was not going to like what happened to Jamie, but what did happen to Jamie? How was he to find out? One thing was for certain he would have to put Mesiaha some place before Mark got to her. She would be next. Chasarue couldn’t take Zariaha because she was charmed and her magic intertwined with his own like a rope. However if he charmed Mesiaha, Mark would take her for his army. That was something he could not risk.
    There was only one answer to all of this. He had to send her to Sertoff, and worse still Sertoff couldn’t know he had.
    Jonothan thought for a few more days on the subject, but he knew there was no other way. Mark would not confront Sertoff, nor try to take anything from Sertoff’s hand directly. It was the safest place for her.
    Sertoff would be starting to take his place as ruler of Haven soon, if he wasn’t already. Enough time had passed that the people’s short term memories were now long term on the idea that King Osario was a king of the not so distant past. A good king, a fair king, and nothing else, then an instant subject change. No one noticed any different. It was an instant mental glitch, and everyone in the nearby villages had it.
    Jonothan walked up on Mesiaha as she trained in the courtyard. Sweat was pouring off her from the heat, as she swung her sword it flung into the air as if she had just taken a shower.