Chapter 5 - The Beginning

"Joxer! Jonus! Come and sit with us." Lwellen raised his arm and beckoned the two travellers to join him and his family at their table for dinner. They willingly obliged. Lwellen smiled and introduced his family. "This is my son, Trevallion, my nephew Ellius and my brother, Garion. Everyone, Jonus and Joxer." He sat back down. "These are the two wanderers Breon ran into this afternoon. Please sit and eat with us."

Joxer and Jonus looked at eachother hoping the other knew the proper Centaur etiquette for dining. Neither did. So, they sat on the hay and pushed themselves closer to the low-lying table the rest of the family was seated at. A plate and cutlery were immediately brought for them.

"This is quite a spread," Joxer stated, marvelling at the various foods on the table. "Special occassion?"

"Only our weekly celebration of Pan," Trevallion answered. "He's just like us, right Dad?"

"Sort of, son. He has hooves like us and likes to be among the trees, but he is different."

"He's no warrior," Garion said. Lwellen gave him a dirty look. "Well, he's not! All he does is play those pipes and dance around like a ...."

"That's enough, Garion," Lwellen interrupted. "He may not be your favourite Olympian, but we still must honour him." He looked at his guests. "Garion isn't much for religion, although it may come in handy for him sometime...like if he ever chooses a mate." He glared at his brother, then returned his attention to his guests. "So, tell me, what brings you to our village?"

Joxer looked at Jonus who was trying out some kind of seafood, but not enjoying the experience much. She stopped when all eyes turned to her. "Oh, well, I'm on something of a mission, I guess you could say."

"She's going to the Amazons," Joxer said. "And I'm guiding her along." He puffed out his chest, dented armour and all.

There were a few snickers around the table.

Jonus furrowed her brow. "He's doing a good job, too. We didn't have any trouble until...well, until today. He's even taught me how to shoot an arrow." She looked over at Joxer trying with her eyes to say how grateful she was for all his help. "He even managed to guide us along where there were no paths." She stopped, remembered, then pulled out the compass. "I forgot to give this back to you." She handed it to him.

Joxer was momentarily stunned. No one had ever talked so kindly about him before. Never! Mom said nice things to me, but I know what she really meant. "You're a good boy, Joxer. A very good boy." But Jonus really meant what she said. He gazed at her, his mouth half open in amazement. He couldn't take his eyes off her.

Jonus became uncomfortable. Please stop staring at me, Joxer. This is hard enough, being close to you, close to anyone, and not being able to touch or hold. Jonus's wish went unanswered. She finally grabbed his hand and placed the object in it, squeezing it gently to ensure that it wouldn't fall and break.

Joxer's mind began to spin. Here was a young woman who actually thought he was useful, who actually complimented him on his abilities. Yet, he didn't feel his ego rise to Mt. Olympus. He just felt very happy. And when Jonus held his hand, he felt even happier. What in Tartarus is going on here, Jox? You said you would never, ever go through this again! Stop it! Pull yourself toge... Who am I kidding? He sighed, somewhat disappointed in himself, but also glad. Maybe Jonus was the one for him. Gabrielle made it perfectly clear that she wasn't. His mind began to wander, to imagine the future, a future with Jonus...

"Joxer? Heh, I guess that hit to the head was worse than Cirinus thought." The table laughed, bringing Joxer out of his haze.

"Huh?" He looked around the table, confused.

"Never mind." Lwellen shook his head. "Let's just eat, shall we?"

Joxer let out a small laugh, but his embarrassment came through even louder. He felt the compass in his hand and squeezed it tightly. He shyly glanced at Jonus, who just as quickly glanced away and again attempted the meal before her.

Lwellen and Cirinus looked on as Joxer and Jonus went to the hut set up for them.

"Well, what's your take, healer?"

The older Centaur snorted. "They'll figure out pretty quick that those walls are not very thick."

Lwellen glared sternly at his friend. "What's your take on them admitting their feelings for eachother?"

"Didn't I just answer that?" He smiled wryly at his friend. "Oh, Zeus only knows. Two-legged's are such strange creatures sometimes."

They both watched as Joxer struggled with the door, failing on every attempt to open it. With a final pull on the handle, he flipped it up and managed to hit himself in the chin, sending his head back with a shuddering crack. Jonus calmly lifted the handle with no difficulty, then snickered at Joxer. She eventually looked at him to see how he was and he smiled that he was okay. Cirinius could guess that his pride was wounded, though.

"That's true, of course," Lwellen interrupted Cirinius's entertainment. "And Joxer is certainly stranger than most. But this Jonus, there's something about her."

"Mmm, I agree. Being out of the loop for a hundred years will do that. She's got a few demons to battle first, though."

Lwellen looked at his friend and then the hut. "Maybe Joxer will be able to help her out with that, too." He paused, then burst out laughing.

Cirinus laughed with him, but secretly wondered if that may actually be true.

"I insist that you take the hay," Joxer said sternly.

"You've got a sore body and head. You need the more comfortable bed." Jonus countered. "Take the hay."

"But you need something soft for those stitches." He looked at the side of her face. "Do they still hurt?" He wanted to touch them, but held off. He didn't think he could touch her without losing control.

"Yeah," she answered softly. "But I can sleep without lying on them. Your head and chest need more comfort than my cheek." She held firm, her hands on her hips and a look of iron in her eye.

Joxer bit the inside of his lip. Apparently, he wasn't going to win this argument. "Fine. I'll take the hay. But take some for your head. You might need it." He knelt down and pulled some hay out for her.

"All right," Jonus sighed. "Just to make you happy." She grabbed the hay and set it over on the far side of the hut. She pulled out her sleeping fur and made sure that her bow and arrow were close by. The arrow still seemed to glow. She climbed into the fur, pulled it over and started to relax. "Good night, Joxer."

"'Night, Jonus." He waited. "Hey, is Jonus your real name? It's kinda strange for a girl. I mean..."

Jonus half grinned. "I know what you mean. And no, not really. My full name is Jonuscia, but I never really liked it much. Besides, everybody always shortened it to Jonus."

"Oh." He laid out his sleeping fur and began taking off his armour. He placed it carefully next to him, along with his sword and scabbard, and gently touched the breastplate, dent and all. He sighed. It was going to need some work to get it back to its proper shape, but he didn't have the dinars for that. Worry about it later, Jox, he thought. He reached over to put out the candle and looked once more at Jonus, who was now asleep. "Good night, Jonuscia," he whispered. "Good dreams." The hut went dark. "And good night to you, too, Gabrielle."

The sun had been up for some time when Joxer awoke the next morning. He slowly opened his eyes and sat up on his elbows. He yawned. "Morning, Jonus." He waited for a reply, but none came. He sat up fully and scanned the room. The little light that penetrated between the wooden slats cast shadows on the floor, making it difficult to see. "Jonus?" he called out. "Jonus?" He quickly rose, and quickly pulled his undershirt close around him. It was most definitely cold this morning. He reached down to pull on his armour to help warm him, when he noticed that his breastplate was missing. He lept over his fur and went over to Jonus's, but it was empty. He searched the room, but she was nowhere to be found.

Joxer went outside and was blinded by the bright morning sun. He shielded his eyes until they adjusted, then quickly looked around the village. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. No one seemed in a panic. Well, maybe Jonus went for a walk or something. But where's my plate? He walked along, smiling and saying hello to various Centaurs he passed, until he came to the edge of the village. He gazed out along the open fields, but couldn't see anything.

"Looking for something?" Cirinus inquired.

Joxer nearly jumped out of his skin. He whirled around. "Oh, uh, yeah. You haven't seen Jonus have you?"

"Matter of fact, I have. Over at the blacksmith's." He pointed behind him and to the left. "Why? Something wrong?"

"Oh no." He shook his head. "Just wondering, that's all." He smiled, patted the healer's shoulder and walked off.

Cirinus snorted. "Yep, he's got it bad." White hair shifted as he shook his head.

Clang! Clang!

"Uh, excuse.."

Clang!

"Um, excu..."

Clang!

"Excuse me!"

A young Centaur glanced up. "Yeah?"

"Uh, did you happen to see a woman here? About so tall, blond hair. Well, it's kinda dark blonde. Some might even say a light brown. But I think I would call it..."

"Human? Yeah, she came here early this morning. Needed some work done on a piece of metal. Not my usual type. I work more in iron."

"Oh. Do you know where she went?"

He pointed off to the hut. "That way, I think."

"Than..."

Clang!

Joxer walked off. "Thanks," he muttered. He stepped into the hut and found Jonus at his sleeping fur. She straightened with a start.

"You're back!" She glanced around nervously.

"Where were you? I was worried that you had taken off or something." He stepped closer to her.

Jonus thought a moment. "You were...worried about me?" She looked into his eyes.

"Yeah." He looked down at her, seeing her blue eyes, eyes that could melt the strongest metal, the coldest ice, the...

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." She fumbled with something behind her back.

"What were you doing here?"

"Uh... I was..." She sighed. "Here." She pulled her hands from behind her back and produced Joxer's chestplate, dent-free.

Joxer's eyebrows went up. He took the armour and examined it. "You fixed it." He looked at her with a smile. "There's not hardly a mark on it." He checked it over again. "Why?"

Jonus shrugged. "I kinda figured it was my fault it was damaged in the first place. Besides, you can't walk around in dented armour righting wrongs and singing songs, now can you?" She smiled.

Joxer snorted. "No, I guess not." He paused. "Uh, thank you." He wanted to hug her, but held back.

"You're welcome." She wanted to hug him, but held back.

They stood there, awkwardly wondering what to do. Time seemed to go backwards.

"I guess we should get going," Jonus finally said, breaking the silence.

"Right. Yeah. Go." Since when did you start speaking only in monosyllables? "We should thank the Centaurs, though, for everything they've done for us."

"Sure. Yeah." Monosyllables? Come on, Jonus.

They both picked up their gear. They both headed for the door. They both tried to exit at the same time. Joxer offered to let Jonus go, but she insisted that Joxer go first. Joxer held that Jonus should go first, being a lady and everything. Jonus rolled her eyes and finally stepped through.

They found Lwellen and thanked him profusely for his hospitality.

"Not a problem at all," he answered. "You are both welcome to return anytime you wish." He looked over at Jonus. "We may be seeing a bit more of you, now that you're with the Amazons."

"What do you mean?"

"The Centaurs and Amazons have enjoyed a good relationship for a long time. We are close allies."

"Oh, well, in that case, I guess I will see more of you." She smiled.

"Good-bye, my friends." He waved them off, watching them leave the village heading for the Amazons. He smiled again. "Perhaps the next time we meet, you will both have come to your senses."

"He said over the second hill, but I don't see anything." Joxer scanned the horizon, then looked back down at the compass. "Huh. I don't get it." He scratched his head.

Jonus tapped his shoulder. "Look! Over there! I see smoke." She hurriedly turned to Joxer. "Is that them?" She felt the excitement building within her.

Joxer squinted to where Jonus was pointing. "Hmmm. Could be, I guess." He looked back at the compass. "They are in the right direction, but they seem a little further than..." He glanced back up and noticed a dark blond, well, light brown, well whatever hair coloured young woman running down the slope towards the smoke. She turned back. "Come on!" she shouted.

"I'm coming. I'm coming." He quickly put the compass away and took off after her.

Gods, this is finally happening. Jonus grinned from ear to ear. I'm finally going to start a real life! The thought filled her with joy. "Yeeaaaahhh!" she yelled. She picked up her speed.

"Jon...Jonus...slow down!" Joxer puffed. "You're go...ing too...fast!"

Jonus grinned even more and went even faster. Nothing was going to slow down her arrival.

With a quick slide, Jonus stopped in front of the main gates to the Amazon village. She looked in and saw dozens of women doing all kinds of things. To her right were young girls practising some kind of punching and kicking. On the left was the blacksmith who was pounding on a piece of metal. It looked like a sword like Joxer's, but a bit smaller. And in front of her was a large building with ornate decorations and a large entrance. The door was closed denying Jonus the opportunity to see what was inside.

She didn't turn to see Joxer come up behind her, panting and bending over to catch his breathe.

"Jonus...you're real...ly fast, ya...know?" He looked up.

But she wasn't paying attention. She was transfixed by what she saw. All those women doing their jobs with a pride that she could see and feel from them. The smile on her face could not have gotten any larger. Then she noticed a figure coming towards her, looking stern. Jonus straightened and swallowed.

"Uh, Joxer," she said quietly over her shoulder. "Um..." But the warrior wannabe was still recovering from his run.

"You," the woman said. "What is your name?"

Jonus eyes darted around until they finally stopped at the woman's eyes. "Jonus?"

The woman raised an eyebrow, stopping in her tracks. She slightly cocked her head to the side, then smiled warmly and opened her arms.

"You've come to us." She held her hand out to clasp Jonus's, but was momentarily puzzled when she didn't respond. Quickly, she grabbed Jonus's arm and clasped it. "I was wondering when you would come."

Jonus's eyebrows went down. "You knew I was coming?" How was this possible?

"Of course." She released her grip. "Artemis told us of the arrival of a woman with a warrior. That woman would be named Jonus and the warrior..." She looked over Jonus's shoulder towards Joxer. "...would be Joxer." She smiled again. "How are you?"

"Oh, just fine. Exhausted, but fine. How are you, Ephiny?"

"Good." She returned her attention to Jonus. "Come. We have much to discuss." She put her arm around Jonus's shoulders and brought her into the main square of the village. "Amazons!" All around her, the women ceased their labours and looked at their regent. "Jonus has come!"

Cheers rang out. Jonus was startled and unsure of the reason for such a fuss over her. She gazed around and saw how happy the women seemed to be. She went full circle and found the same in every woman. She looked back at Joxer, her eyes saying "What's going on?" But he only shrugged. She returned to Ephiny. "What's this all about?" she whispered.

The regent stepped back. "We are pleased to have you here, our newest Amazon!" More cheers rang out.

"But...why? I'm not that special."

Ephiny came closer. "But you are. Artemis spoke to us about you and all you've been through. She has entrusted you to us. Do you not know how honoured we are? You are Artemis's chosen one and now..." She waved a hand around. "...you are with us." She looked back at Jonus, smiling.

Jonus was unsure still as to what to do and she didn't quite understand everything going on, but if Artemis had spoken to these women, then it must be alright. Artemis would never do anything to harm her and the Amazons, though strong, didn't look as though they would either. With some hesitation, Jonus smiled back and even waved nervously at her adoring crowd, still in awe.

Onto Chapter six

Back to Haven Stories