Chapter 30

Ding-dong, ding-dong, ding-dong.

"You don't have to ring it so many times," Conner complained as he opened the door for his army friend.

"Conner!" Leo lifted him up in a bear hug. "It's been too long. Even though we're still at the same base, I rarely see you." He held up his backpack. "And I've brought my collection of runes as promised. Do you really think we can get them to work?" He set Conner down and followed him in. "Hey, kiddo." He greeted Ariel. "I've heard all about you. Your brother boasts about your big brain all the time."

"Is that so?" Ariel glanced at Conner. "It's nice to meet you." She held out her hand, and he shook it with a toothy grin. Damn, he's huge.

"Same, same! Ah, and who is this young fellow?" Leo looked down at Jade, who held up a plate with scones, cookies, and mini sandwiches. "Oh, food. Don't mind if I do." He took the whole plate and shook Jade's hand. "I'm Leo."

"Jade," he replied with a small bow.

"Friends or more than friends?" He pointed at the two of them and continued munching.

"More."

"Ah, okay, okay." He invited himself further in and sat on the couch. "Man, these are good. Did you make them?"

"Yes." Jade sat beside him and spread his runes on the table.

"Oh, so you're the one with the interest..." Leo set the plate down and picked up one of Jade's runes. "I swear these are glowing. Where did you get these?" Leo couldn't pull his eyes away from it as the symbols shimmered green in the light.

"Passed down in my family."

"This Uruz rune is warm. Does that mean you've gotten them to work?"

"Yes, they work. They're real runes. This line of questioning is making me wonder if yours aren't."

"I have a mixture of ones passed down, ones I bought, and ones given to me by others throughout the years." Leo finally set it down and pulled his runes out of his bag, scattering them on the coffee table. "And it's a bit complicated as to having had them work. I've had some of them do a bit of magic, but I can't seem to replicate the process other than on a rare occasion. I wonder if I'm missing something." He glanced at Jade. "Something it seems you have. Well, have a look and see if there's something you were looking for. I'd be willing to part with some of them if you can show me how to use them properly."

Jade spread Leo's runes out, some of which matched his own. His eyes widened as he picked up one with a sideways triangle along a line on it. "These runes were banned long ago," he mumbled.

"Banned? The Thurisaz? I never heard about that."

"Ahem." Jade cleared his throat. "My family passed down stories, and the use of the Thurisaz runes were banned because of its destructive power."

Leo nodded. "Well, I've never gotten it to work, so I'm not sure if that one is real."

"It is." Jade ran his thumb over the symbol. You have quite the collection of runes here. Even some I don't recognize."

"Why do I get this feeling you want to use these runes for something, and it's not just a hobby for you?"

"And what if it isn't?"

"Is this a dire need?"

"Yes."

"Are you going to hurt someone with that rune?" He motioned towards the Thurisaz rune.

"No, I wouldn't use it for that. It has the ability to boost other runes."

Leo nodded. "Okay." He patted him heavily on the back. "You seem okay to me, and if Conner accepts you, then you're definitely cool, so I think there's a place I should take you to. When are you free?"

Jade glanced at Ariel, thinking about school. "Not until the weekend."

"The weekend?" He nodded. "Okay, I think I can make it work."

"About the stones." Jade's eyes trailed along them. "How much do you know about combining them? To say... travel to another world."

"Never thought about something like that. But you'd need runes for movement, travel, and the cosmos, if you ask me. Oh, hey, I have a few of those books." He pointed to the pile. "That middle one there might have some information about rune combinations. Maybe not exactly what you're looking for, but it might help you form your own combination of stones. Seriously, though, can you show me how to use one? Even one that will barely do anything. I'll help you test combinations afterwards."

Jade picked up one of the runes and held it over a small cut on Leo's arm. "Uruz." Light glowed from in between, and the cut sealed.

"Wow." Leo's eyes widened. "I have so many questions."

Ariel felt a light tap on her arm and turned to Conner, who nudged his head towards the kitchen. She followed him over, her eyes still on Jade. "What's up?"

"I'm sorry if I went too far asking Leo to come over. He's a good guy, and I'd trust him with Jade's secret."

"Considering he showed him the rune's power, I'd say he has some trust in him, too. Why would you think this is too far?"

"Because..." Conner sighed. "As much as you want to help him, I know you want him to stay."

"What? No... I want what's best for him."

"Because that's a part of who you are, but that doesn't mean it won't hurt you to see him leave."

"Well, without him, the bullies will come back."

"That's not all it is, and you know it."

"Really, Conner, it doesn't matter. He has a home and people to return to. People who are important to him."

"He has that here."

"Well, he has a prince to protect over there."

"I'm sure someone else could do that."

Ariel frowned. "What's with the mixed signals? Do you want him to stay or go? I thought you wanted him out as fast as possible."

"I... I don't know, but this looks like it'll be a step closer to going home, and I want you to be prepared for that."

"For someone else to leave me? I'm used to that. Now, if you'll excuse me."

"Wait..." Conner sighed as he watched her walk away. "What am I thinking? Mom, dad, how am I supposed to help her in this situation?"

"Is everything okay?" Jade whispered as she sat next to him again.

"Just peachy."

Leo flipped through the book he pointed out at a stone combination for safe travels. "This would be for part of it. Ansuz will help navigate the realms. Raidho will help with travel and movement. And I think Laguz here will help with the different world part."

Leo's explanations faded to the back as Ariel stared mindlessly at the book in her lap.

I was right, though; if he leaves, the bullying will probably start again. It might be worse than before because he embarrassed her. But more people are aware of her behaviour now. Does that mean people will try to help or keep ignoring the issue? What would Janice do? Other than blame me for Jade leaving.

She glanced at him as he talked with Leo, a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

Maybe it'd be best for everyone if I dropped out and studied at home. I could finish school early and look for a job to help pay the bills. I can't continue to be a burden on everyone.

Her heart clenched.

Focus, Ariel; you have to help Jade.

She shook her head and refocused on the book.

I must help him... go home. Far away. Where I'll never see him again.

The feeling in her chest worsened, and a lump formed in her throat.

"Okay, I'll call you on the weekend, and we can set things up. Thanks for everything." Leo stood with Jade and shook his hand.

"It is I who is thankful," Jade said and walked Leo to the door.

"I'll talk to you soon. Bye, Conner." Leo called out to him.

"Bye." Conner stood in the kitchen doorway.

"And thank you for introducing him to me." Jade gave him a small bow.

"Sure thing."

"Ariel." Jade knelt down beside her and couldn't help but notice her watery eyes. "Are you okay?"

"Hmm? Yeah. I'm fine." She swallowed hard and set the book down. "I think I'm just tired. I'm going to head to bed early. Goodnight." She walked around the other side of the coffee table and headed upstairs.

"Wait." Jade followed her up and grabbed her hand, turning her around. "I'm sorry if we caused you any distress."

"I'm tired; nothing more."

"If you say so." He leaned in close and kissed her forehead. "Goodnight, and pleasant dreams."

A tingling sensation spread through her. "G-goodnight." She opened the door to her room, then turned around and headed to Conner's, having forgotten they switched.

"Uh, her behaviour is probably my fault. I have foot-in-mouth syndrome or something like that. Sorry," Conner apologized, having watched their interaction from the stairway.

"Goodnight, Conner."