With the case laid out in front of the jury, I was guilty clear as day. But that didn't stop Alaric for standing up for me.

My shoulder is sore from spending the night in a jail cell even though Alaric gave me blankets, pillows and spent the night with me.

I rise out of my chair and stare at Windsor before turning to the jury. These will be my last words until I am sent out of the Fide Clan. I gulp and squeeze my trembling fist tighter. "I lied."

I'm jury nods and a few people gasp at my blunt tone.

"But my family didn't. Please don't punish them for a sin I made. No one asked them if they were from Stratis City, it wasn't implied. So, how were they supposed to know to say anything? It doesn't matter where we're from when we're all made of flesh and bone." I turn to face the crowd of the Fide Clan. They know I'm right. "I am so sorry, I didn't want to lose any of you. It's been a long time since I belonged."

I turn and drop my head before plopping into the wooden chair. Silence fills the room and Alaric rests a hand on my shoulder. He says his closing remarks as I drown out the voices. How come I keep driving all the good things in my life away?

In my blur of self loathing and pity, I am brought back to a jail cell. Alaric sits on the other side of the metal cage, his mouth moving, but no sound.

A tear falls and I shake my head. "How come I keep doing this?"

Alaric grabs my hand and shakes it. "Stop, you'll see your family again. I know the Fide Clan, they are good people. Now they know where you come from, things might be different."

I nod and rest my head onto the bars.

"It'll take an hour for the verdict," Alaric whispers. "Stay strong, Jean."

Men call Alaric away and he whispers some other things which I block out. Focusing on his last sentence.

Strong. A funny word, I surround myself with its meaning, yet I don't know what it is. It's accomplishing things which have weight or are difficult. People call you strong when they haven't seen you do anything strenuous. Is that why this word has become so flat and bland?

Weak, however, I am familiar with. To have little strength or energy to accomplish the simplest tasks. I need not know the dictionary definition of it to feel its meaning compose my entire being. I am riddled with weakness and am brittle because of it. How do I become stronger when I break every time I try to do something difficult?

I close my eyes and let the two words sink in before I am brought out of my jailhouse and back to Windsor's building. I am sat onto a chair facing the Fide Clan, forced to face my consequences. I stare into the eyes of the people I have hurt and press my chin to my chest.

"The final verdict is the Miss Jean guilty for treason and fraud. The punishment selected by the jury is banishment for two years before coming back and completing a year of community service. During her time in community service she will complete her tasks as the Clan's archer."

A soft smile draws me out of my blurred state. They haven't thrown me to the wolves yet, but I can still feel my bones crack under the pressure of their faith. I'm still weak. How am I able to help these people if I can't help myself?

"Jean's family from Stratis City are found not guilty and may continue living here as Fide Clan citizens."

Alaric smiles as the heavy silence from the crowd weighs on our shoulders. Another tear threatens to slip down my cheek. My family is safe and protected.

Guards come to either side of me and lead me out of the doorway, directing me towards the edge of their territory. The Fide Clan funnel us out as they stare, some hold sympathy and other's hostility. Boos and curses also escape the crowd, mixed emotions running high. My family walks me out, following are Luke and Alaric.  

Once at the edge of a cliff and off of the Fide Clan's territory, my mother throws herself into my arms, "I promise to find Izzy. She'll show up, she has too."

Lady has her, but I can't bring myself to say it. I just nod and hold her back.

"Please," mom pulls away and presses a pink bag into my arms. "Take this. It was Roxy's, it'll remind you of her and us when you are out there."

I kiss her cheek. "I'm sorry."

She shakes her head and kisses my forehead. "Be safe darling and promise me you'll come back safely."

"I promise."

She backs into Adam's arm's satisfied with my answer.

Adam sighs, "I'm sorry."

"Don't," I shake my head. "You've down more than I deserve. You are a true friend I don't deserve."

"You threw me into the friend zone pretty quickly, buttercup," Alaric winks and I scoff.

"You better leave before I change my mind and don't come back in two weeks." I shake my head and squeeze the backpack to my chest.

Luke stares worriedly at me, words not needed to say what our eyes are screaming. Why is our heartbreak not enough to skewer the chemistry bubbling between us? I keep his light brown eyes on my blue ones as long as possible before he tears them away.

Oh, Luke. No matter what you or I say, you'll always be the person of my dreams. I can only pray that one day I'll be yours.

A/N

Hey guys!! Thank you for continuing to read (you mean the world to me)! I'm sorry for these few dull chapters. I'm trying to set up the scene for the next couple ACTION PACKED chapters in the near future.

I hope COVID-19 has been treating you well. Stay safe and healthy beauties.

Love your author,

Denim Hawk ❤️