CHAPTER #10

    Jasper was asleep, the morning was cold, a low fog covered the forest, an owl still hooted in the distance, and everything was still, just... still. All quiet except for the owl. The sound seemed to be getting closer, and closer. It was lightly snowing, just a flurry. It was still fairly dark, around 4:00 o'clock in the morning. Adil was fast asleep, too. They had a rough day yesterday, and where quite tired. Adil shifted position, but was still fast asleep, and appeared to be dreaming.
   Everything was quiet now, even the owl. Adil woke up to a sharp pain in his hip, and got up to wake Jasper. She got up, "how is your hip feeling?" she said in concern.
    "Better... " answered Adil "It still hurts, though".
    "I see," Jasper said, and paused, "I wish there was something we could wrap around it, to protect it but there isn't..." Jasper said.
    "Maybe Molly has something? It's worth a try, I guess." Adil said.
    "Yes, maybe she does. Good idea," Jasper answered, "I'm supposed to go to the Armory, today. Come with me? We can stop at Molly's on the way" Jasper said.
    "Okay, but... what do we need at the Armory?" Adil asked.
    "A new sword, and maybe armor shoulder plates, and stuff like that" Jasper answered.
    "Okay, let's go." Adil said.
The fog was still low to the ground, but very thick, and might make it hard to see. They headed out the door, to the path leading to the village. On the way, they will stop at Molly's tree house. Adil ran ahead of Jasper, still being careful of his hip. Jasper walked slowly, paying close attention to her surroundings. They arrived at Molly's house.
   "Molly?" Jasper called
   "Jasper?" Molly answered
   "Yes, hi. Can we come in?"
   " Sure, but, who's "we"?" Molly asked
    "Adil, and I"
    "Alright, come in" Molly answered. Jasper helped Adil climb up the tree, his hip prevented him of climbing well, without a sharp pain. They climbed to the top. Molly came to greet them, and they went inside.
    "Molly, do you happen to have anything that might work well to wrap on Adil's hip?"
   "Let me check" Molly answered. Molly went upstairs to look.
    "Jasper, do you think I could get a sword, too?" Adil asked.
    "Well, after you get some more training, I don't see why not. Maybe we could get you some armor, when I go to get my sword." Jasper answered.
    "Alright, but when can I start training?"
    "When the snow melts, or in the spring."
    "That sounds like a long way away..." Adil said in disappointment.
    "Not necessarily... who knows! The snow could melt in a few days.." Jasper answered, hoping to cheer him up.
    "I hope so." Adil said.
They paused, and took time to look t all the beautiful artifacts on Molly's shelves, Jasper hoping Molly might want to barter with her... Adil seemed to be day-dreaming again. Jasper went to look closer at a painted pot on a corner shelf, sitting all alone in the dim light from the small cracks in the walls. She observed in carefully, making notes in her head. Adil was now looking at a sculpture of an alligator, it was beautifully made, and looked quite expensive, Molly must have worked hard to get it, or traded alot of pretty things. They gazed at them together, to be interrupted by Molly, "I found this corn-husk ribbon, it might work."
    "Alright, let's try it out." Jasper answered.
    Molly carefully wrapped the ribbon around Adil's hip, trying not to hurt him. It wrapped around fine, seeming to be able to keep bacteria and stuff out. It looked sloppy but if it works, that's all that matters.
    "Well, we should be going now, Molly. See you soon. Maybe we could get together and do something tomorrow." Jasper said.
    "Alright. That sounds good, bye guys." Molly answered in excitement. Jasper and Adil headed on their way to the Armory. They walked fast, keeping an eye on things. They got to the Armory, and walked in the door.
    "Hello, what can I get for you today?" A clerk asked.
    "I'm here to pick up my sword, and get some shoulder plates." Jasper answered. The clerk went to get them.
    "Sword, plates, 'that it?" He asked.
    "Yes, that's all for today, thank you". Jasper said politely.
    " That'll be 3 goose feathers." He requested.
   "Here you go". Jasper handed him the feathers. They went to try on the plates to make sure they fit.

 They looked like they fit fine. Adil's was a bit big, but he would grow into it. It was time to go back home. Adil and Jasper walked home.
Sorry if the drawing is bad, it's my first try, maybe the next illustration will be better.