Silks & Swords

SILKS & SWORDS

Hero’s Sword Vol. 7

by M.E. Sutton

Smashwords edition

Also available in print

Copyright 2017 Mary Sutton

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Other titles by M.E. Sutton:

Power Play

Storm Clouds

Wedding Bliss

Snake in the Grass

Fire Storm

Shadow Dance

Contents

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

About the Author

Also available

CHAPTER ONE

I stared out the window, watching fluffy white flakes drift from a dirty gray sky. Once upon a time, I’d loved winter. Sledding, making snowmen, looking forward to Christmas. Now I mostly wanted to stay inside and be warm. Okay, I still looked forward to Christmas. Usually.

This year, I didn’t feel very Christmas-y. At first, being elected eighth-grade rep and going head-to-head with Trina Poppelman had been fun. But keeping it up was a lot of work. It had gotten to the point where I dreaded Student Council meetings. To be honest, I hated them. They were all the same. Trina proposed ridiculous events—parties and dances. I objected. She objected to my objections. Everyone else sat around and watched us argue. Eventually one of us lost or gave up. Next meeting, it would happen again.

It was annoying. And boring.

I had managed to get a few things done that I considered important. We passed an anti-bullying statement. We approved using Student Council funds to for a fall clean-up of the town park. The cafeteria food was getting better, including an addition of a salad bar. I’d pushed for all those things. Not that Trina had backed me. But Nate Fletcher had.

People liked Nate. I mean, people other than me. When he said he was behind an idea, the others got behind it, too. Without him even explaining why he thought the thing was a good idea. All he had to say was I agree with Jaycee and the others were like, sign me up.

I appreciated the support. Flattered, even. But at the same time, these were my battles, my issues. I needed to be able to stand on my own two feet and win the day. Relying on Nate’s popularity was cheating.

Also contributing to my un-holiday mood, I hadn’t been into Hero’s Sword since before Thanksgiving. While that was kind of reassuring—because I figured it meant nothing was happening that required my presence—it was also disturbing. I’d never gone this long without a visit. What was going on? Was everyone okay?

Jaycee, are you even listening to me? Kara interrupted my thoughts.

Huh? Yeah. Sure. What did you say?

She rolled her eyes and sighed. We were in her room, supposedly for our weekly math tutoring session. She’d come a long way since the fall. Enough that I’d suggested she didn’t need my help anymore, but she shot me down. Your help is the only reason I’m doing well, she said. Besides, I like hanging out. Don’t you?

I did. We didn’t play Hero’s Sword, but it wasn’t all math, either. Kara had made it her personal quest to make my nails presentable. And while I still said no way to the sparkly pink, blue, or purple nail polish, I liked the dark reds, blues, and greens. I didn’t have claws but my hands did look good. She’d also given me makeup advice. Nothing outrageous, just simple tricks to polish me up. Stu still didn’t understand, but at least he accepted the fact that he wasn’t my only friend these days.

I knew it. You aren’t listening, she said, throwing a pillow at me.

I caught it. I’m sorry. Say it again. I promise I’ll listen this time.

Well, she lounged on her bed, is it true Trina wants to have a Christmas party slash dance or something? Because Christmas is in, like, three weeks.

I know. I laid back on the oversized beanbag in the corner. Yeah, she does.

How do you feel about it?

I dunno. I really didn’t. I mean, it was Christmas. That meant parties. But we’d just had the Homecoming dance, or that’s what it felt like. Did we really need another one?

You could dance with Nate again, Kara said, winking at me.

I could. One the one hand, it’s Christmas. That means celebrations. On the other, can’t we do something more meaningful? Like a coat drive or something for the food pantry? Another party seems so, well, unnecessary.

She rolled over. Can’t you do both?

A party and a charity event? It was an idea. I suppose. I’d have to think about it.

Don’t think too long. Like I said: three weeks to Christmas. She glanced at me, smirking. But I’m sure with Nate’s help, you could ram something through.

I threw the pillow at her.

Two days later, we had what was supposed to be our last Student Council meeting before the holiday break. Before the meeting, I spent some time spitballing ideas with Kara and Stu, trying to figure out how I could reconcile fun and charity. Kara was right. There were only three weeks to Christmas. The date for a Christmas something had been on the calendar for months, but we hadn’t come up with what. It was crunch time. I had to have a solid proposal, not just throw out ideas for discussion.

Decided what you’re gonna do? Stu asked as we walked to school. The scarf around his face muffled his voice, and bits of ice hung off the wool.

Sort of. The wind whipped by us, the sudden freeze cutting off any further words.

We didn’t talk until we reached the warm safety of Tanner Middle School. Inside I stamped snow off my boots and rubbed my hands together. Gloves or not, I could barely feel my fingers.

What’s the plan? Stu unwrapped his scarf and brushed melting snow off his flaming red hair.

I’m not entirely sure, I said as we headed toward my locker. I’d like to skip the party completely.

And if Trina insists?

I’m thinking of socially responsible partying of some sort. Still working out the details in my head.

Your meeting is today, you know. Work fast. He glanced at the clock. Gotta run. A/V. See ya. He headed off down the hall.

I spent the rest of the day thinking over possibilities. Trina wanted a party. I didn’t. It was that simple. Too bad it wouldn’t turn out to be that simple when the time came for discussion.

After the final bell, I headed toward the library and the Student Council meeting. Trina was already there, fluffing her hair and talking to Mr. Kemmerman, our advisor. Her high, fake laugh cut the air. And it’ll be so much fun! she said, clapping her hands as Mr. Kemmerman smiled.

Her laugh has always been like nails on a chalkboard, Nate said, appearing beside me. Hi, Jaycee.

Hi. Say something else. Something funny. But, as usual, my mind went blank.

I’ll be interested to hear your counterproposal. He pulled a sheaf of papers and a pen out of his bag.

Who said I had a counterproposal?

He grinned. You usually do.

I had no response to that.

The first part of the meeting really didn’t require much attention. There was the recap of the last meeting. Nate’s treasurer report. Brief discussion of a few motions from the last meeting that had been postponed. They were postponed again.

Now. Let’s talk about the Christmas party, Trina said, folding her hands in front of her.

Another party? someone muttered.

Trina lowered her eyebrows and glared. Christmas is a time for parties and celebrations. I move to hold a costume party. Low key, not a lot of decorations. We can hold it in the gym.

I sighed. I knew Trina’s definition of low key and it involved slightly less glitter than a high school prom−but only slightly.

Admission would be five dollars per person, seven dollars for couples. You know. Volume discount, she continued.

Where is the money going? Rich Kelly, the seventh grade representative, asked, raising his hand.

Student Council treasury, Trina said. We can use it to fund future events. That will keep admission costs low so more students can attend. All those in favor?

Nate shook his head. Trina, the motion hasn’t been seconded.

Then I second—

You can’t second your own motion. The resignation in Nate’s voice was clear: he’d made this point before. Besides, I think we should entertain some debate on the topic before we call for a vote.

She tossed her head. What’s to debate? Who doesn’t love a party?

Nate caught my eye and shrugged. A few mutters went through the rest of the council. It was pretty clear to me that not everyone was on board with the idea of a party, but no one had the guts to say anything.

I’m with Nate. Let’s talk about this a minute, I said. Trina huffed, but I ignored her and plowed on. I’m sure everyone loves a party. I like them myself. But Christmas is also about goodwill and giving. Not just celebrating.

What’s your point? Trina asked.

I was sure she wanted to add dorkface to her sentence, but she didn’t dare with Mr. Kemmerman present. Maybe we can have a charity drive.

A few heads nodded. I wasn’t the only one thinking along lines other than a party.

Trina shot me a withering look. A what?

A charity drive, I said, the idea having occurred to me earlier. "We can collect non-perishable food items. Kids who donate a certain number of items can earn something. Maybe a personal day. We can even have a