CH 132: Out of the frying pan

Jasmine jolted awake the next morning in a panic. She shot up, her heart pounding.  She slept through watch.

She heard several groans around her as she hastily got ready. Her body was incredibly sore, making it hard for her to walk. Still, she leapt to the driver’s window. She flung it open, finding Claire giving her a confused look.

“Good morning?” Claire asked hesitantly.

“Fuck.” Jasmine sighed, deflating. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to sleep all night.”

Claire giggled. “I figured. We all thought it was best, given the bags growing under your eyes.”

Jasmine rubbed beneath her eye, feeling the lingering puffiness. She sighed and slumped beside Claire. ”It almost happened again,” she muttered to herself. “I thought with Ursa, it’d be better… but I never really slept.”

“She mentioned that,” Claire mused. “She’s quite perceptive, but struggles with bringing it up.”

“Yeah, probably due to her enhanced sense,” Jasmine said with a tired smile. “It’s funny. She has no issue with sex anymore, but with the smaller moments… she locks up.”

“Adds to her charm,” Claire smirked.

“Fuck off,” a sleepy voice mumbled from inside the wagon, making both women laugh.

A calm silence fell upon the two as they watched the sunrise. They could hear the stirring of their party members as they all slowly woke up. Jasmine watched as the sun began to peak above the treeline, highlighting the scenery in light.

Jasmine glanced at Claire. The sun was hitting her face, illuminating it for Jasmine to see. Her eyes were full of emotions, something that was far too common.

Jasmine leaned against Claire, resting her head on her shoulder. “You’re thinking about them again, aren’t you?”

“Yeah, but… more concerned about the next ones,” Claire said with an exhale. She shook off the faces that had been plaguing her. “I’m finding it easier to rationalize my actions, yet that scares me.”

“I bet,” Jasmine whispered back. “You believed in all those stories growing up.  Tales about noble warriors, honorable battles, and true evil. But reality’s messy. It’s not as simple as slaying the bad gals and celebrating.”

Jasmine felt Claire’s arm wrap around her waist. She was pulled in closer and rewarded with a kiss on the forehead. “True. But I’ll face that reality head-on. My Goddess demands that of me.”

“She demands it of us .” Jasmine corrected sharply. “Did you forget?”

“No. Next time I dream of her, I should ask about that.”

“Who knows, maybe we’ll join you.” Jasmine joked.

“Starting to think that you will,” Claire said, shifting. She paused for a moment, mapping out her thoughts. “Have you ever heard of a person’s class changing like this? Not evolving like ‘Master Assassin,’ but transformed.”

“No. Nothing solid,” Jasmine said, shaking her head. “Some think the Tyrant’s class changed. Others think he was born into it. Hard to say if that’s true.”

“So he was a hero from the start?” Claire asked.

Jasmine shrugged. “They think so, but others argue his class changed. I’m not too sure, maybe ask Lily about it.”

“Or one of the twins,” Claire mumbled. Her thoughts drifted to the man, one so foreign to the men of the present. Taller than women, muscles far larger than any seen on a woman. Body hair, too, apparently. Reminiscent of the giants.

What made him different from her? Did he start out like her or was he evil from the start? Did he face injustice and snap? Would she change into a hero? These questions bugged her as she sat with Jasmine.

Would she end up like him?

“Was he like me?” Claire muttered aloud. “Given a divine mission and… failed? Corrupted?”

Jasmine squeezed her thigh. “You’re nothing like him.”

“But he went mad after losing his wife. If I lost any of you…” Claire’s voice trailed off. She didn’t even want to think about that possibility. She shook her head, exhaling. “It’s nothing, just bad thoughts.”

“We’re here if you want to talk.” Jasmine insisted. She cupped Claire’s chin and pulled Claire’s gaze to hers. “Seriously. You should talk to us about these things.” Jasmine watched as a smile grew on Claire’s face. “You're one to talk.”

“Listen to my words, not my actions.” Jasmine snapped back.

“Sure. Didn’t just sleep 12 hours because you couldn’t admit you needed help.” Claire giggled.

“Fuck you,” Jasmine said, gently punching Claire’s thigh.

Jasmine tried to wrestle out of Claire’s grip, finding herself overpowered. Claire held Jasmine tightly, embracing her. The two settled into silence again, listening to the birds singing.

“Elsie’s been quiet too,” Claire murmured, breaking the silence. “She’s tried to keep her pain to herself, too.”

“How does she expect to do that when Ana can read her thoughts?” Jasmine mused.

Claire shrugged. “She’s tried unsuccessfully, but it’s easy to tell. Even I notice when she zones out or when her attitude shifts.”

“I’ll talk to her.” Jasmine sighed. “You should, too. You’re both in the same boat, so it will be easy for you two to understand each other. I don’t want either of you to suffer with the guilt alone.”

“Mmm, let’s focus on the task ahead first,” Claire said, her tone serious. “Focus on finishing our missions, then we can have the winter to deal with the emotions.”

“I doubt we’ll have that kind of time given Elizabeth’s plans,” Jasmine said. “But, once we’re home, it’ll be easier for you two. I know being around your moms will help.”

“True, true,” Claire said, feeling a sense of longing. “Mom’s food will be nice after months of rations…”

“Yeah, Daphne worries me…” Jasmine said. She stared out and thought of her sister, who probably didn’t even notice she had left. Too busy with her work and side projects. “She’s always nose-deep in projects, always angry. I think I’m going to force a vacation on her.”

“She’s tunnel visioned?” Claire asked. “I wonder where she learned that from.”

Jasmine hit Claire’s thigh again, easing the tension. The two shared a laugh before settling back in for the sunrise.

The others slowly joined them. One by one, the driver’s seat filled up until five of them sat, soaking in the morning sun. Ursa stayed back, sharpening her axe.

It was the last time they’d feel peace that day.

After an early departure, they were set to arrive at their destination by the evening. The outskirts of the fief with no villages or farms. One lonely outpost in the middle of the wilds with little else. This wilderness was nearly untouched by women.

A place where monsters felt at home.

The usual chatter inside the carriage had gone silent. No teasing or banter from Elsie. No humming from Lily that usually accompanied the silence. She didn’t dare work at a time like this. Their shared energy had changed.

They were deep within enemy territory, and they felt it. The feeling of being watched surrounded them the further in they got. Everyone was on alert.

Their windows were cracked open as they all scanned the treelines. No one relaxed, no one was far from their weapons. Their attention snapped to any sound the wilderness created. Any twig, any rustle had six pairs of eyes on it.

Jasmine knelt atop the carriage behind her, bow ready. A makeshift cover gave her partial protection as she scanned the road ahead and to the sides. Her eyes narrowed, flicking from shadow to shadow.

Claire sat up front, armored and shield-ready, gripping the reins tighter than she realized. The horses were the most vulnerable and if they lost them, they’d be stranded. Then hunted. Without them, they’d be in danger.

Claire kept her breath steady. She scanned the road, looking for hazards or traps. She needed to keep her focus. She needed to be on guard.

Somewhere in the trees, someone was watching them. They could feel it.