Chapter 18 - New

Chapter 18- Dresden

We have a problem and it’s not Jael’s icy mask. It’s that no one else knows it’s a mask. Jayden is so distraught he is completely useless. I can see in his eyes that he thinks he has lost his other half. He won’t last long without her opening the connection he so relies on for sanity. Tristin is so shocked by her transformation that he has lost the strong confidence that made him so valuable to this journey. Everyone else is simply stunned.

Traveling through the city to the harbor I try to think of a way to bring her out of her frozen cocoon or help her connections understand that they have not lost their heart. It suddenly occurs to me that I will have to accomplish the later before attempting to thaw out the ice princess.

Elan seems to be the least affected. Pulling my horse up beside him I try to determine his reaction to Jael’s dramatic change. “Elan, we have a problem.”

He regards me for a moment in silence. “She has gone cold,” he says simply.

“I am not as worried about her as I am of those with us whom she is connected to,” I say directing my gaze towards Jayden.

He regards the young prince gravely. “Yes, he is not as strong as his siblings,” he states with a hint of disgust. “His brother is much stronger. Prince Jon should not have let him come.”

“Jayden has his uses. We need him Elan,” I'm surprised at the defensiveness in my voice. I hadn’t realized Jayden had turned into a friend. “His simple connections have worked well so far. He is also good with a sword if you didn’t know. Have you seen him in the practice courts?”

“Practice courts humph,” He raises his chin clearly unimpressed.

Apparently our young warrior is a snob when it comes to the fighting arts. Shirley Elan had seen Jayden fight. He was known to be the best sword fighter in Nordura. Not that he had seen many real fights being a prince. I was sure his skills would be put to the test soon enough. I wonder if he makes a connection to his opponents. That would be quite an advantage. Even if his connections were not strong enough to force their actions he would know their next move simply by reading their thoughts.

Elan didn’t seem as affected as most of the group, but clearly he was not going to be as much help as I thought. I am convinced Jayden is the key to cracking Jael’s façade. Perhaps a sword fight is exactly what he needs. His confidence needs a boost. I cant believe I am considering feeding into the arrogance that usually proceeds every action Jayden takes, but perhaps once he is out of his stupor we can work together to turn Jael around. Now I just have to figure out how to get him into a fight without hurting someone.