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Chapter 12
Days turned into weeks and those weeks turned into months as Juliet trained and learned to assume the role of Casta, and through it all, Lance did his best to stay by her side, guiding her along the way.
It had been difficult at first for Juliet. She was forced to watch silently as her family and friends grieved over her supposed death. And when the time came for the new school year to start, her heart bled as she watched another take her place in room seven of the local elementary school. Simon had warned her that it would be difficult and indeed, it had been. But here she was now, holding Council with the four other members of the chosen group.
As Juliet sat down, she acknowledged the people she'd come to trust and understand. Justin of 98 Degrees sat to her left as Li. In front of him was Simon. Across the fire from Juliet was Alison, leader of the wind people. She was the one called Melisenda. And to Juliet's right was Quinn.
As soon as everyone had settled down, Quinn brought the Council to order. "As you all know, there has been yet another setback, this time deep in Asia's wilderness. This latest guerilla war left many on both sides injured. I know we usually try to stay out of skirmishes like this one but our chosen candidate for that area has been seriously injured. There's not enough time to train another to replace him and it's vital that we go there ourselves and help in the fighting until someone is ready to take over."
Simon gawked. "You can't be serious! You would jeopardize our lives for a minor battle like that?"
"Yes. This is an unusual situation I know, but do you have any other suggestions?"
Silence blanketed the Council for a bit. From the quiet, Justin spoke. "Is it necessary that all of us go?"
"No, it's not necessary."
There was another short pause before Alison spoke up in the quiet. "I have a proposition."
"You have the floor," Quinn acknowledged.
As all eyes focused on her, she began. "Since Quinn says that it's not necessary for all of us to go, I say she stay here and teach the successor for that area. Meanwhile, the three of you would help in the battle. I will act as the in between for Quinn and the rest of you. It makes the most sense and the plan has worked in the past countless times."
"That's all and well Melisenda," Simon said slowly, choosing his words with care. "But this is a key battle. I know it's not like the World Wars all over again, but it's getting pretty heated out there in the jungle. Are you certain you don't want to help us in the fight? There are those of us who don't know their capabilities in war yet." He took great pains not to look at Juliet but they all knew what he was talking about.
"Look, if you don't think I can do it, I'll stay behind and be the go-between."
"That's the thing," Justin replied. "If you don't join this battle, when will you have the chance to prove yourself?"
Simon persisted though. "Forgive me, Casta. I don't mean to be putting you down or anything of the sort, but this is a major war."
"No offense taken," Juliet lied.
Quinn though, noticed the pained look almost hidden from her eyes. "Casta, this is up to you. Do you feel you've prepared yourself enough for this?"
Now's the moment of truth. Do I feel confident enough of my skills to carry me through this? Juliet smiled to herself. There was no question about it. "Yes, I feel like I can contribute to this war by fighting."
Li smiled from his seat next to her. "Welcome to the team, Juliet."
Juliet smiled back easily but inside, her mind was aflutter. Despite the wonderful feeling of being accepted, there was a feeling that something wasn't right. Sure, there was Simon's reluctance but they'd both talked about it before. He was just making sure. No, it was something else. Juliet found herself looking into Quinn's eyes. A thoughtful look had settled into the teacher's face but when they locked gazes, Juliet could have sworn there was a faint flicker of sympathy reflecting back into her own eyes. Juliet wasn't able to dwell on this though, for the Council had broken for the night and she wanted to go home and rest.
"Are you sure you want to do this Jules?" Lance asked for what had to be at least the tenth time that morning.
Juliet smiled back at him. "Yes, I'm sure."
"I'm sorry. I can't help asking. Of all the stupid twists of luck, this had to be the time when I can't be by your side."
"It's not your fault or anyone else's for that matter that you and the rest of the guys have another chance to take the world back by storm. You should be happy, Lance."
"I am, but that doesn't make me feel any better for leaving you out there! It's your first battle!"
"And it won't be my last one either. You'll have plenty of other times to fight alongside me. And besides," she winked. "You're not supposed to be following me, either. You're superior is Simon."
"I know that. That doesn't mean I can't be friends with you though."
Juliet laughed, knowing that she'd have little to laugh about the next few days. "You're so sweet, you know that?"
"Of course I know that," he said, getting up to stand behind her and give her a hug. "It's my job."
Juliet flashed him another smile and then turned back to survey the place she now called her home. It wasn't much, really. Just a little, one-room cabin tucked away deep into the woods. It was practically bare. A bed took up one corner with a small wardrobe next to it. A table and a couple of chairs made up the kitchen. A rug, a small couch, and a few more chairs made up the remainder of the house. Despite its small size though, Juliet loved it. Right outside, a small brook lazily made its way past the house and at various times of the day, she could watch as wildlife came by to take a drink. It was a peaceful way to live life when she wasn't so busy. "Well, this is it," she announced. "It's time." Already, she could feel the faint stirring within her.
Lance moved in front of Juliet and took her hands, forcing her to look up to him. "You sure this is what you want?"
"Stop worrying already. I'll be fine."
He didn't answer. Instead, he gently raised a hand and tucked some hair behind her ear from where it had come undone from her ponytail. "You do know I'm going to miss you, right?" His voice was raw with emotion.
"This isn't the end of the world," she joked, trying to ease some of the awkwardness she was now feeling.
"Juliet… By now you must know how much I love you. It's torture being separated from you and now we'll be on opposite sides of the earth. Please, just promise me you'll be careful."
"Lance, I-" But nothing would come out for Juliet. She was shocked. Sure they were close… But love? She was too busy to even think of relationships. Before she even realized what she was doing, she had taken a step backward, out of Lance's arms. He did his best to hide his crushed feelings but they both knew it was a forced smile he put on his face. "I better get going."
He glanced down at his watch, thankful for something to do. "Yeah, it looks like I should be leaving soon also."
Silence filled the atmosphere around them and Juliet took a hesitant step forward once more and gave Lance a quick hug. "I'll see you in a few days," she whispered in his ear before turning to go out the door to begin preparing herself for the transportation to Asia.
Lance followed her out and watched her until she disappeared into the wilderness. Never had his heart felt so heavy.
Juliet walked deep into the woods, as quickly as she could. Her mind was racing. Lance's words had surprised her and now she tried desperately to get them out of her mind. Thankfully, the stirring within her had increased greatly in the last few seconds and Juliet stopped in her tracks. The calling was too great to ignore now. Forcing herself to concentrate, Juliet stilled her mind and focused on her breathing.
"I am Casta, the Chosen one of the water people," she began. "I come here now in your name oh Great One, Tanek. Aid me. Guide my hands, my arms in this battle. Help me make the right decisions. Walk with me and keep my path clear of enemies. Help me be successful, triumphant so that I may continue to spread your teachings of Balance."
As she finished her prayer she felt her surroundings change. The crisp air of the forest around her turned humid. While she had been able to hear the babbling brook still nearby and the birds chirping in the trees overhead, everything now became muted as rain fell from the sky overhead. When she concentrated, she could hear the faint sound of gunfire. Opening her eyes, she found herself completing the triangle comprised of the Lhaam Council. Justin and Simon were both waking from their trances as well. "We're here," she found her voice saying, a grim edge in it.
Her companions merely nodded their heads as they all surveyed their surroundings. Once satisfied with what they could see, Justin called out. "Joel!" Out of the wet jungle, a man appeared and came toward them. "What's the status on our people?"
"The ones who have been summoned are all here and accounted for. I haven't had time yet to see how the fighters are doing."
"Thank you. Tell the others that we're almost ready."
Joel nodded and melted into the greenery once more to warn the others.
Justin glanced back to his two companions. He nodded when he saw Simon waiting for his signal. A long-time veteran of war himself, Simon waited for Justin's signal, one hand already holding a gun, the other a dagger. Juliet on the other hand, looked very much the first time fighter. Her features showed exactly how terrified she was in her stiff stance and the way her eyes darted around, trying to peer into the wilderness around her. He laid a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Relax, Juliet. You'll be fine." She answered with a weak smile before closing her eyes and letting the rain wash her face, letting it drain away the rest of her worries.
Justin gave one final glance around him, feeling the eyes of all their followers upon the three of them. Smiling, he raised his own rifle high above his head and gave a loud whoop. As a wave of people, they were all off to help their fellow man.
It was simple at first. At Justin's signal, Juliet had let all her doubts go and her heart now pounded with excitement. Despite the rain and mud, Juliet easily made her way to the battle site. And there, she proved that she was indeed a capable warrior. Her aim was pretty accurate, always hitting at least three out of four shots she fired. And when she had run out of ammunition, she proved herself able in hand to hand combat as well, using her own steel blade with deadly precision.
As Juliet took a breather for a moment, she let her eyes scan the scene. The ground was littered with bodies of the dead and wounded. Everywhere, screams of pain and anger echoed in the dreary atmosphere. Then something flashed in the corner of her eye. She turned and watched with growing anger as someone stalked up behind Justin. As the enemy raised a deadly blade over his head, Juliet found it in her heart to scream out in fury. "No! Don't touch him!"
The enemy staggered and Justin took the opportunity to plunge his blade into the other guy's unprotected stomach. Justin turned around to thank Juliet and then screamed. "Watch out!"
Juliet looked down as silver flashed and embodied itself in the ground right in front of her. Then the stinging started on her right arm. She looked down and saw that a deep gash had been made. She turned around to seek out her failed assassin but before she could even turn fully around, she felt a strong arm go around her neck. Air burned in her lungs and her eyes bulged out as she fought for breath. Her own arms tried to pry the limb from around her neck but her right arm was failing her and her left was growing tired. Faintly, she could hear the battle continue without her as she blacked out.