Here it is!!! The next chapter! Hope you guys like it!!! Only one more chapter after this and an epilogue so enjoy!!! Feedback welcome and wanted!!!

Kayti

The next morning Perk woke up early. He had not slept well as the tree and ground were not very kind to his back and legs. He stood stiffly, aching all over but determined to do what he had set out to do today. He was going to find Pick and ask his forgiveness; from there he would decide what to do next.

He hobbled slowly but surely out of Newcity on his crutches as the sun rose and cast dancing shadows all around. He admired the rolling countryside, the sweet smell of the blue flowers which grew all around. He sighed as he thought of what he meant to do but then pulled as much courage as he could to himself. He needed to do this; it was the least he could do. He needed to try and redeem the name passed to him by his father and grandfather. He had disgraced them, and he wanted to mend his mistakes.

By mid-morning, he had made it to First Warren, with the help of a carter who had given him a ride. The carter had dropped him off in the city square and then given him directions to an inn, where the carter said Lord Picket often went. He now stood outside of the inn. It was a fine cozy-looking establishment with a restaurant and bar in the bottom. The sound of pleasant, happy chatter drifted through the open door and windows. He looked up and read the sign above. “The Citadel of Dreams, huh.”

“Some claim, huh. But it earns it, Cap runs a fine place. Do you need any help, sir? A veteran, I suppose?”

Perk stiffened; he knew that voice. He shook his head, thinking of the lanky buck who surely stood behind him. “No, no veteran. Just a dead buck walking, just a shell of regrets that’s all.”

“Aww, I wouldn’t say that,” the buck replied, his voice smooth and caring.

Perk shook his head, not for much longer. He thought for a minute, then decided to try and make this laughable. Maybe Jo wouldn’t be too mad, hopefully, Pick wasn’t with him. “But it’s true, and you know it. On that note, how’s the arm, Jo? Do you still get it wrapped with love?” He smirked and chuckled softly. He hoped this went well.

Jo stepped around him so that they stood face to face. He looked into the lanky buck’s green eyes and hoped he could see the repentance and pain that laid there in their depths. “Perkinson!?” Jo said, incredulous.

“Yeah, that seems to be the reaction of most,” Perk chuckled softly and steadied his crutches. He wished he could rub the back of his head, but that would send him toppling over, so instead, he fingered the handles on his crutches.

“I…we…”

“I know, that’s what Heyward said, thought I was dead. Pacer saved me after the fall, and yes, he’s alive too. Pacer headed back to Cloud Mountain this morning after we received pardon from Smalls last night. I am so sorry, Jo! You have no idea how sorry I am! To you, to Cole, to Emma and Heather, but mostly to Picket and Master Helmer. I let you all down. If I could go back, there is so much I would change. There is so much I regret. I betrayed all of you, my friends. I can’t even believe it myself. I’m so sorry.” Perk looked down, afraid to look into Jo’s eyes. Afraid that he would see judgment or anger there.

But instead, he felt a hand on his shoulder, and Jo said, “It’s alright if we could all go back, there are things we would each do differently. I forgive you. Now can I help you? Is there anything I can do for an old friend? Do you have somewhere to stay? Need work? Where have you been?” Jo raised an eyebrow at the last one.

Perk chuckled as he said, “Where have I not been. First, a cave under Cloud Mountain, then anywhere Pacer could find that was dry and safe. I wanted to come back sooner, to apologize sooner, but I couldn’t, physically I couldn’t, Jo. That fall broke me in more ways than one. Sure, I can hardly walk, that’s why I couldn’t come, it has taken me forever to get strong enough to walk, and we were hoping I would get stronger, but this is it. My legs are almost useless. I can hardly feel them. But the other way that fall broke me was inside. It was like suddenly the veil was torn back, and I saw who I was. I was a horrible buck, a terrible friend, a bad person. But I have changed if you can believe that.”

Jo’s face looked calm, collected, and touched. He laid his hand on Perk’s shoulder. “I believe you because I can see it. Now, anything I can do before I have to report to the Princess.”

Perk looked up into Jo’s sincere eyes. “Thank you,” he said, meaning it with his whole heart. Then he paused and said, “One thing Jo, can you tell me where to find Picket and Helmer.”