{"id":4513,"date":"2025-04-11T00:05:14","date_gmt":"2025-04-11T04:05:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hdhstory.net\/Storyblog\/?p=4513"},"modified":"2025-04-03T13:11:29","modified_gmt":"2025-04-03T17:11:29","slug":"j-jump","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hdhstory.net\/Storyblog\/?p=4513","title":{"rendered":"J – Jump"},"content":{"rendered":"

This story was written for the 2025 April A to Z Blog Challenge. Twenty-six words, one for each letter of the alphabet, were pre-selected by a random word generator (MacChatGPT) and were included for each section of the appropriate letter in the Challenge. The chosen word is highlighted within the text. To start the story from the beginning, go to https:\/\/www.hdhstory.net\/Storyblog\/?p=4443<\/a>.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

When last we met in <\/span>Part I – Idea<\/span><\/a>:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rowan discovered King Yarek planned to kill Adriana, not just to have her dissuaded from her quest. Now, Yarek also had his sights on Rowan. Knowing that Adriana and the chimera had survived the deadly fire Yarek had created, Rowan destroyed the trackable watch that Yarek had given him, hoping he would think all three of them had died in the fire. Rowan uses his knowledge of tracking to follow the chimera. He needs to know whether or not the chimera is working with Yarek before he tracks down Adriana to warn her.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

————-<\/span><\/p>\n

Destiny<\/b> – Part 10 <\/b><\/span>(jump)<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

If someone is not expecting to be followed, they don\u2019t care whether they leave clues about where they are going. Following the chimera was easier than Rowan expected. Its talon footprints, even on hard ground, were easy to see.<\/span><\/p>\n

Most people who enter the forest for the first time without guidance never find their way out, which is why the Forest was declared Forbidden; too many lives were lost. With guidance and time, one could learn the Forest\u2019s ways. Rowan was such a person, as it would seem the chimera was, too. The chimera\u2019s path led directly to the exit nearest the kingdom of Tirea.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This concerned Rowan. He didn\u2019t want to <\/span>jump<\/b><\/span> to any conclusion, but it certainly was strong evidence that the chimera\u2019s allegiance was to King Yarek.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As Rowan got closer to the forest\u2019s exit, the tracks disappeared. Where could the beast have gone? Rowan became very alert. Unfortunately, not alert enough.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rowan felt strong vise-like pincers grab him around his neck. Without having enough time to catch his breath, Rowan fell to the ground, unconscious.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0When he awoke, he found himself lying on his back, looking up at the cat-like face of the chimera, and she wasn\u2019t looking very happy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy were you following me?\u201d Springbounder wordlessly said into Rowan\u2019s mind. \u201cI saw you there at the field just before the fire came. Are you the one that caused it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Rowan had hoped that it would have been the other way around, that the chimera would be the one caught, and that he, Rowan, would be doing the questioning.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI am Rowan,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd I would ask you the same: Are you the one who created the fire? Who are you, and what is your connection to King Yarek?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI am Springbounder, loyal subject to Queen Isolara of Glandisol. I connect to no king, especially not the usurper King of Tirea! I have answered your questions, so now answer mine, Rowan the Rogue, as you are known by most. Why are you following me?\u201d it said quite emphatically.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rowan was torn as to what to say. Springbounder certainly said the right words; however, was she to be believed? But, Springbounder had recognized who and what Rowan was. Springbounder was capable of knowing whether or not Rowan was telling the truth. And, in Rowan\u2019s position, Springbounder was certainly a danger to his health. He decided to play it safe.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was hired to find Adriana and try to dissuade her from completing her quest. At the time, I had no idea who she was or what her quest was to be.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Springbounder\u2019s sharp eyes stared deeply into Rowan\u2019s eyes. \u201cContinue.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Taking a deep breath, Rowan went on. \u201cI found her and helped her on her way. Later on, I discovered more about her birth and followed her here to the Forbidden Forest, hoping to fulfill my task. That\u2019s when I found both of you in the field of blue flowers. Before I could approach her to try and convince her, the fire appeared and destroyed everything. I didn\u2019t know if you both had survived or not.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Springbounder seemed to accept Rowan\u2019s explanation. However, he still hovered over Rowan with a glaring eye. \u201cThat may be well and good,\u201d Springbounder\u2019s voice came in Rowan\u2019s head, \u201cBut that doesn\u2019t explain why you followed me, and not her, as she went along a different path. EXPLAIN!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

There was no getting around it. Springbounder held all the cards. With one swipe of its legs, Rowan was a goner. \u201cI have since discovered that the one who hired me intended more than just to have Adriana dissuaded. He meant to kill her, and probably me, too. We all were supposed to be caught in that hellfire that destroyed the field. Having survived, I hoped that if Adriana had survived also, I could warn her of his intent. I may be a rogue, but I\u2019m no murderer. I found both sets of tracks but chose to follow you first because I didn\u2019t know your intent, for if you intended her harm, I might have reconsidered my morals about killing anyone.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Springbounder smiled for the first time. \u201cIt would appear we have the same goal. Having seen you in the distance at the field, I purposely took a different path from Adriana, leaving plenty of trail markings, hoping you would follow me. For you see, I do not have the same morals as you say you have. I would have no hesitation in killing you if you intended to harm her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen, if we have the same goal, we have both made the mistake of leaving her unprotected. We must get to her before something bad happens,\u201d Rowan said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAgreed.\u201d was Springbounder\u2019s reply.<\/span><\/p>\n

To be continued in<\/i><\/b> K – Kind<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This story was written for the 2025 April A to Z Blog Challenge. Twenty-six words, one for each letter of the alphabet, were pre-selected by a random word generator (MacChatGPT) and were included for each section of the appropriate letter … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[482,4,7],"tags":[70,484,485],"class_list":["post-4513","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-a-to-z-blog-challenge-2025","category-original-stories","category-story-writing","tag-a-to-z-blog-challenge","tag-a-to-z-blog-challenge-2025","tag-destiny"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hdhstory.net\/Storyblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4513","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hdhstory.net\/Storyblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hdhstory.net\/Storyblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hdhstory.net\/Storyblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hdhstory.net\/Storyblog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4513"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.hdhstory.net\/Storyblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4513\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4521,"href":"https:\/\/www.hdhstory.net\/Storyblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4513\/revisions\/4521"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hdhstory.net\/Storyblog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4513"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hdhstory.net\/Storyblog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4513"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hdhstory.net\/Storyblog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4513"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}