Jason woke up to have sun streaming in onto his face from a window set high up in the wall. It took him a moment to remember where he was, then it all came flooding back. From being captured on a pirate ship to chasing the football, from escaping to being chased then to being saved by Lydia.
Jason took in a deep breath and then let it out slowly, of course he missed his family. His home. The smell of his mother's perfume, his father's bone-crackling hug, and his sister's happy giggles. But these people needed help, this world needed help, and Lydia told him he was the one. If God wanted him here to help these people, and delay going home for awhile, Jason would just have to roll with it.
Sterling shifted his head to the side to see if Abraham was still asleep. The bedroll was empty. Jason stretched his foot to try to make contact with Frodo's fur. But all he found was empty space. He quickly sat up. The room was empty, except for him and sunlight and what noise that could filter in from the warf.
Sterling grabbed his sword, that was resting at his side, and rolled out of his pallet. Leaping to his feet, he stepped to the closed door of their bedroom. Hearing muffled voices on the other side of it, Jason gripped the knob and tugged it open.
Silhouetted in the doorway, was a six foot two man, and a smaller shadow crouched behind him. Jason lunged at him, swinging the sword at the chest of the hostile. Abraham cried out and barely dodged the blow in time, but then Jason caught him with a swinging sweep of the left arm, sending him flying.
"Jason! Stop." Lydia dodged into his path as he went in to attack his friend even further. "What are you doing?"
Recognition dawned on his face, then he slumped to the floor and sighed. "I'm sorry. I had a nightmare and thought you two were the Emperor's secret service dudes."
Lydia frowned,"What do you mean the "secret service dudes"?"
"You never heard of them? Well, obviously they aren't called the "secret service", but you've never heard of the men who kill off those who know his name?"
"Of course I have. All of the Skull's men have that job."
"I don't think so. It's not a task that could easily be trusted to a whole bunch of people. More like a band of faithful followers. A group of trusted friends of the Emperor. Apparently, in my dream, they're called the 'Keepers of the Throne.'"
Abraham laughed alittle and heaved himself up, "Don't worry about me, I'm okay. That's one way to wake up for breakfast.."
Jason sniggered and walking over he braced himself as he pulled his friend to his feet, "Sorry Ab, you just can't stop these reflexes."
Lydia interrupted, "While you two are having your moment, our breakfast is getting cold."
"Sorry, Ms. Lydia. I will wash up and be there right away." Jason bowed and walked from the room, winking at Abraham.
******************************
Lydia looked from one of her new friends to the other. Her life had just gotten a whole lot more exciting, from a poor orphan girl to a young woman who found her in the middle of what promised to be a grand adventure.
She had always been an adventurous girl, but she had not always been an orphan. Her mother had just recently died a month ago. Then Lydia's aunt packed her things and left without a word. She had only loved her sister, never her niece. And Lydia's father.. well she had never known him. He had abandoned her mother after he found out she was pregnant, and Lydia's mom refused to answer any questions about him.
Now here she was, after being lonely, she had two companions and a huge black dog. One of them, Abraham, the funny one, was taller than your average man and stood six foot and two inches. And he had dirty blonde hair that swept to the side, then he told her that he was in no way trying to copy Justin Bieber. But when she asked him who that was, he laughed and told her she was blessed not to know. With his dark blue eyes, he could pass for a native anywhere in Alepp. Or at least here in Ecler.
As for his friend, Jason was even taller then Ab. Six foot and five inches, he had sea grey eyes that could pierce with a righteous anger, and twinkle with a joy that was contagious. His hair was jet black, and his personality was one that was not to be forgotten. Ready to protect his friends, and yet ready to extend mercy to those who antagonized him. He was proud, but only proud in the One who made him. He was definitely the one to lead the way to freedom.
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