#KingsArm

Whitbe and Jody stopped short of their father’s office and exchanged looks, from the hard stare Whitbe was giving her, she knew he was right, even without words she knew what he meant. 

Father took it very seriously that no one was allowed in his study. That was his private area, not to be intruded on.

She shrugged, and knocked on the door before Whitbe could stop her. Whitbe stared hard at her, then looked away, muttering. “This is never gonna work.” 

“When has that ever stopped us?” she flashed back. She perked up her ears and listened.

“Come in.” She heard from inside. She turned to look at Whitbe, he frowned and shook his head. She nodded.

“Jody no-” he began, starting to pull away. 

Before he could go any farther she yanked the door open, “Jody yes!” she interrupted and grabbed his arm and pushed him through, she closed the door slightly, just large enough so that she could peek through and hear.

She peeped through the crack and listened closely.

“Eee… yuh.. Uhmm.” Whitbe stuttered in the presence of their father, Jody internally rolled her eyes as her timid brother fought to come up with something to say, while King Jupiter raised his eyebrows and put down his pen.

“Yes Whit? I’m busy son, could this wait? I must get ready for Sween and Whittle’s wedding,  I-”

“No!” Whitbe interrupted, realizing what he said, he cleared his throat, “Uhm- no sir.” he added. Jupiter took his reading glasses off as Whitbe continued, “I uh-realized we haven’t spent much time together and uhm- dad...want to do something?” He stiffened.

Jupiter smiled slightly, “Like...what?” 

Whitbe looked around for help, he spotted Jody and stared hard at her, she shook her head and shrugged, think of something, Whit! She prodded.

“Well…” Whitbe whipped around when the king started to speak again, “I do suppose a break would be nice...how about we walk through downtown?”

“Wah!” Whitbe said and Jody’s heart jolted, she and her sisters planned on going downtown to get presents for him!!! “Um what if you teach me how to fight?” Whit said quickly, he flinched as his father stood up and walked over to him, and Jody frowned.

Whitbe for the past few years, has been avoiding learning how to fight, why start now? Was this just a cover-up for the party? But no, Jody knew her brother better than that. As happy and loud her brother was around her, he was often timid and quiet around others, even their father. Who was always busy with the war, and Smalls. ‘Why him?’ Whitbe would complain, ‘Why not Win? Or you?’ he’d say, ‘I want my father back.’ 

And perhaps he would, at least today.

Jupiter looked surprised at first, then he smiled, “My son? Where’d they’d take my son Whitbe?” Whit looked up, a puzzled look on his face, “I thought you’d want to be a scholar, or a story weaver, goodness, you are an imposter! My son, where is he?” He chuckled, while Whitbe looked ready to burst, “Ok, if that’s what you’d really want?” Jody watched him nod quickly, “Then that is what we shall do.” Jupiter got up and placed a sturdy hand on his second son’s shoulder, 

Jody stumbled back and hid behind a rather large vase decorated with peace seeking bunnies as her brother and father made their way out of the room. Whitbe glanced at her with a panicked but excited look on his face. She smiled and waved him on.

As soon as they left she came out of her hiding spot, she smiled and hurried off to grab her sisters, they had work to do.

Jo walked purposefully down the cobblestone road, her sisters behind her. A harsh gust of wind puffed past her and she shivered, bunching her coat up closer around her, she glanced around the busy morning streets, does and bucks hustled to wherever they needed to be, she wrinkled her pink nose as another breeze seeped into her dark coat, chilling even the warmest parts of her.

“Uh oh, Jo…” Lily moaned and pointed past Jody, she raised her eyebrows and followed the path of the pointed digit. She scowled at the bunny about 8 yards away.

A young buck, maybe a little older than herself, was making his way down the street, stopping here and there at different stands and shops, charming his way down the aisles, at one he even stopped and smiled at the old shopkeeper, beaming a disgustingly sweet smile at the older buck, talking to him. The old shopkeeper laughed and watched, even as the buck grabbed an apple, from right under his nose! He laughed and waved at the old buck and swaggered down the road farther, while the shopkeeper smiled and waved him away.

Please don’t see us. Please don’t see us. PLEASE don’t see us. Jody silently prayed. Which of course, the buck saw them.

The black and brown brindle buck raked his blue eyed gaze across the surrounding area, he spotted the three sisters and smiled, making his way closer to them.

“Eep!” she yelped and quickly turned away, grabbing a shoulder of each sister and pushed them quickly  through the crowds, Noa grappled with her sister and stopped.

“Wha- what?! Why are we running?” Noa stammered, she obviously had not seen the brindle buck and wanted answers, but Jody did not have the time to argue with the youngest.

“Hey! Princess!” A young voice said behind her, she stiffened and turned around, but it was too late to make a run for it. The young buck shouldered his way through until he was directly in front of Jody, he panted, “Geez, getting fast aren’t you?” He smiled, but she scowled.

She looked him up and down, he had a dark blue coat on, matching is light blue flannel and dark colored pants, a beige kerchief stuck out of the neck of his clothes, she frowned harder, at least she had the decency to try  to blend in with the townsfolk, as to not being mobbed and paraded at about like this buck.  “Briar Longtreader,” she finally said, “Fancy meeting you here.” she rolled out ‘fancy’ with a meaningful glance at his garb.

“Oh.” he said, looking down at his dapper self, as if just noticing. “These old things? Pushaw, they’ll just think i’m a noble’s kid. But…” he smirked and looked at her, “What are you doing here? The King is very protective of his children, you shouldn’t be here,” He leaned in closer, rubbing the stolen apple on his coat, “We wouldn’t want one of the delicate little heiresses to get hurt...would we?” 

Jody couldn’t even begin to describe how uncomfortable she was, he was so...close to her. She hadn’t been this close to a buck outside of her family...ever. Her eyes fluttered down to the red apple, it seemed to jolt her out of this buck’s charming trance and made herself step back a bit, “Well, we are getting our father a birthday present, so.” she pushed him back, “unless you can magically conjure up the perfect present, I’ll be on my way then.” She pushed past him with her nose in the air, dragging Noa along behind her.

She heard a chuckle from behind her that made her cringe, he spoke, “Welllll  what if I did magically conjure up a perfect present?” His voice sounded so believing, almost as if he believed his own foolery, that Jody turned around. 

Which she immediately regretted.

The smile on his face was...intoxicating. She cringed. “Really?” She said before she could stop herself. “How so?”

He flashed another flawlessly beautiful grin. “Well...it’s a secret place, so only me and you should go.” 

No no NO. She groaned inwardly. But she had to admit, she was curious, “UGHHHH FiNe.” She grumbled, “I’ll come, come on girls-.”

“Nope.” Briar said, pushing himself in between her and her sisters, “Just you.” He squirmed, “Please?”

At the sudden drop of his act, Jody smiled, they had known each other since they were kids, but Briar has been more of Whit’s friend than hers. Perhaps he wasn’t such a thick headed buck after all, but she frowned again at the thought of leaving her sisters alone.

“Don’t worry Jo.” Lily murmured into Jody’s ear, “Me and Noa will meet you at the town square, 3:30 sharp, we’ll go down to the bakery and get some of those blackberry pastries that Father likes.” Nudging Noa on, Lily smiled and waved, then walked away. Jody watched them go with a sigh.

“Alright you highness.” Briar said with a mock bow, she frowned more, “Follow me.”

Ayeee this chapter was fun! lol this one is LATE but here you go!

Chapter Question: How is Briar related to the Longtreaders?