Jayhaven Chronicles

After Kiirion dropped them off in the woods near the clearing, Sedge and Peak wandered back into town. Sedge knew that her parents would be steaming when she got home, but she couldn’t dampen her joy even if she tried. She had saved a cat’s life! Well, me and Kiirion. But Sedge wasn’t quite sure she like the smart-alecky owl yet.

“Well, I guess I should be getting back to the castle.” Peak said after a while. “I don’t care what Wilkka says; Panther will want to have me back.”

Sedge didn’t know if Peak was trying to convince her, or himself. So she found somewhere else to look and carefully replied. “Erm, not sure that’s exactly a good idea.”

She filled Peak in on Rapid’s house arrest, and what all the King had done in recent memory. Peak was very expressive, Sedge realized as he reacted to the story. Maybe he could get a career in acting.

“Oh no. I can’t believe it.” Peak stopped walking and pressed his non-metal paw to his head like it hurt. “How could we have been so stupid?”

“Woah, hey now.” Sedge didn’t quite know how to comfort him. “You were presented with the opportunity to train with a King, you took it. It’s what any cat with a brain would have done! And besides,” She added, trying to sound more sure than she felt, “We don’t know if he’s completely gone to the dark side yet. Maybe he just has bad anxiety or something.”

Peak laughed weakly. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. I suppose we can stop by the Healer facility to stall for time while we decide what to do next. I want to see my brother.”

Sedge nodded and they changed course, the sun rising higher into the morning sky. “So, about your paw…” Sedge began.

Peak laughed again, stronger this time. “It’s clunky, no doubt about it. You can hear me from a mile away. But it sure beats limping around like a loser.”

They rounded a corner. “Wilkka said it didn’t hurt, when they took it off. Was that a lie?”

“Somewhat.” Peak batted at a stray piece of gravel. “At that point, I was so scared that pain barely fazed me. I really thought I was going to die a prisoner.” He turned his head to Sedge. “Thank you. You’re not so bad, you know.”

Sedge suddenly felt embarassed. Had Peak only thought of her as a bully all this time? Did anyone really forgive her? “I’m not proud of who I used to be. I just want people to know I’m different now.” She said.

Peak smirked. “I literally just told you that I don’t care anymore. No need to sound like a fortune cookie.”