"What do you want?" Jael asked, the ax still on his shoulders. Another unwanted visitor was here. Everyone seed to want to bother him tonight.
"Danag speaks the truth. Surely, you don't intend to ignore his words?" Louis asked, walking out of the cluster of trees.
Jael frowned, wondering how long Louis had been hidden there. He hadn't noticed his presence until Danag was gone. "What I intend to do is none of your business."
Jael lifted the ax from his shoulders and got back to work. He raised the ax and brought it down with enough force to smash a rock. The tree fell, bumping into its neighbor before rolling on the ground. Jael's nose scrunched, showing his disapproval.
"I don't care about that," Louis said into the silence. "I am here for a completely different topic."
"Drop it," Jael said without looking at him.
"You know that's why I'm here. I can't just drop it because you don't want to hear it."
Jael spun around, swinging his ax at Louis. The ax stopped a breath away from Louis's neck. The wind from the swing caused his hair to lift before slowly dropping down. The only sign that Louis was unnerved was the slow blink that followed as the ax stopped in front of him.
"Do you have a death wish?" Jael asked, still pointing the ax at Louis.
"Of course not. Irrespective of how I sound, I do like having my head attached to my body," Louis replied and used a finger to push the ax downwards.
Jael let it fall to his side and stood glaring at Louis. His body language would have been enough to incite fear in anyone.
"I'm glad I have your attention, but I'm not here to fight. I am simply here out of concern. You don't have to treat like the enemy."
"I would if you would stop acting like one."
"That aside," Louis said dismissively. "She is already showing signs."
Jael frowned, looking confused. "Signs of what?"
"Do I really have to spell it out?"
Jael gave him a look that said he either stated his business or left.
Louis sighed. "The ham," he replied.
"What does that have to do with anything?" Jael asked, partially disinterested.
"Really? Do you have no idea about pregnancy, or are you generally this dense?"
"Was that what that was?" Jael asked.
"Obviously, there was nothing wrong with the ham."
"Got it. Now leave." Jael turned around, his back to Louis.
"Jael," Louis called.
"We are not discussing this, Louis. I have already made my decision, and there is nothing you can say that would change that."
"Even at the cost of Mauve's life?" he asked.
"That remains to be seen. Besides, I don't think I could live with the guilt," Jael said. "This conversation is over. The next ti you bring it up, I won't miss."
"You won't slice my neck," Louis said confidently.
Jael turned only his head. "Don't push it. I won't miss you. It would be like you never ca back, and I'll just tell Mauve you were attacked by Palers. I will make sure she forgets you."
"Alright, I hear you. Enough with the threats. I have delivered my ssage, and I shall be on my way."
Jael didn't acknowledge Louis's words. He just turned back to the trees and resud chopping them down. After more trees went down, Jael grunted his disapproval and tossed the ax to the ground. The tal hit the floor with a loud sound and bounced before falling flat on its side.
He dropped and sat on the ground, not caring that he might get dirt on himself. After a few monts, he rose, picked up his ax, and made his way to the castle. It would be ti for the second al soon enough. He had to make sure he was on ti to help Mauve to the dining hall.
Jael walked through the connecting door after changing. Mauve was seated on the bed while Mill stood next to her, adjusting her hair. As soon as they heard the sound of the door opening, they both turned in his direction and Mill bowed.
Jael simply waved and walked straight to Mauve, who was getting to her feet. She wobbled, and he used his hand to steady her by holding onto her waist. She smiled and looked up at him. Suddenly, as if rembering sothing, her smile vanished.
"What's the matter?" he asked without letting go of her waist.
"You know what the matter is," she stated, then frowned lightly as she looked up at his face. "What have you been up to?"
"Nothing serious," he replied. "Are you ready to go?"
She nodded, and he guided her by the waist to her door. Mauve didn't protest, and Jael couldn't help but take pleasure in the fact that she was leaning into him. They were at the bottom of the stairs when his mood soured.
He could see Danag standing by the entrance of the dining hall. He didn't look like he was about to go in, and he wasn't alone. Right next to him was Damon. Jael's frown deepened. He knew they were waiting for him. His grip on Mauve's waist tightened, and he pulled her closer. She let out a soft gasp and looked up at him. He managed a smile that he knew didn't reach his eyes and kept walking towards the dining hall.
"Sire," Danag said as soon as he was close enough. Damon was silent but he bowed low.
"Whatever it is, I'm sure it can wait until after the second al."
"I am afraid not, Sire. It will only take a short ti, but you absolutely have to see this now."
Jael's gaze darkened and he looked ready to spit fire when Louis walked out of the dining hall in such perfect timing. "I will take her ladyship," he smiled and stretched out his hand.
Mauve didn't hesitate. Even though Jael clung to her waist as tightly as he could, she slipped out and took Louis's hand. "If Danag says it's important, then it must be."
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