“You mean my brother didn’t send you here for me?” John teased. He knew his brother’s character too well, finding him came second to locating the girls in his book; however, John had no intention of given them to him. He would protect them even if it cost him his life, which in this case he believed it would.
“You know your brother better than everyone James; when you abandon him for those things, he took it the hardest; however, compared to them, your return home means nothing,” Hugo explained.
“Then kill me, Hugo, because I will never tell you anything,” John said spitefully.
“In due time, but first,” Hugo glanced at Caleb, who stood frozen as if he were a stick in an ice cube. Hugo smiled, then looked back at John. “Do you recognize anyone else besides me? I know it’s been eighteen years, but you know what they say, ‘blood recognize blood,’” Hugo said with a smirk.
John looked from soldier to soldier, trying to see what Hugo was talking about. In all the years he had known him, Hugo had never been the type for surprises unless they benefited him. After searching the soldiers, his eyes finally fell on Caleb’s who was staring back at him. He had grown taller, but John recognized him immediately. It was his son; a child he hadn’t seen since he was five years old. An image of him playing with his child came to mind as a tear of joy escaped his eyes. “Is that you Caleb?” John asked. Despite his situation, he was happy that it had allowed him to be reunited with his child even if it was only for a few minutes.
“Yes father, it’s me,” Caleb said, dryly, though his mind was racing with a million thoughts. It was really his father. Nothing about him had changed, expect his hair; however, everything else including his hatred towards Hugo had remained unchanged, and at that moment, Caleb didn’t know if he should be happy that they were finally reunited or angry that he left.
“You look good, son,” John replied.
“I don’t have time to catch up father, just answer the question,” Caleb demanded. He was finding it hard to meet his father’s gaze. Even being that close to him made him feel as if he were five years old again, and all he wanted to do was embrace him while asking ‘why did you leave my mother behind and me?’
John shook his head. “I will never answer that question,” he said softly. “Trust me, son; the less you know, the better.”
Caleb couldn’t control himself, before he knew it, he was standing in front of his father, moments away from hitting him. “Trust you?” he asked with a sarcastic laugh. “You? The man who abandoned his family in their time of need to care for an abomination?”
“They are not abominations son. Your uncle and that sad excuse of a man lied to us both,” John tried to explain but Caleb didn’t want to hear any of it. Instead, he punched his father, and John spit out more blood. Hugo laughed at the site, he was enjoying the site. Having the son deal with the father, was an even sweeter revenge than he had planned.
“Shut up. They must have brainwashed you are something because the father I know would never do what you have done,” Caleb said forcefully. He had hoped that was the case but there was this small voice in his head telling him that he wasn’t brainwashed, that his father actually believed in that nonsense.
“I’m not the one that’s brainwashed Caleb, you are. The only crime those girls committed was being born into this era. They don’t even know what they are,” John explained.
“That makes finding them even easier,” Hugo replied, with a smile. “Tie him up and put him on a horse,” he ordered one of his men, after realizing that nothing he could say would convince John to speak.
“We’re done talking?” John asked, hoping that he had bought enough time for Elizabeth to get as far away from there as possible.
Hugo walked up to John, grabbed the arrow and pulled it out of his shoulder. John fell over in pain and let out a loud grunt. Hugo smiled at the sound of John’s pain, then lifted him back up. “Don’t worry, that was just a small taste of what is in store for you. Besides, we can’t have you seeing the king with an arrow stuck in your back,” he said, in a sadistic tone. “Take him,” he ordered the soldiers, who all did as they were told. “We’re returning to the castle.”
“Wait,” Caleb said, with his eyes still focused on his father. “You men check the forest, make sure we have everyone in this village,” he ordered. Some of the soldiers began to move but were stopped by Hugo.
“Hold it right their soldiers. What are you doing, Caleb?” Hugo asked, trying so hard to restrain himself from choking Caleb.
“I think my father was a diversion, so we should keep checking the forest,” Caleb explained; though he knew Hugo either didn’t care or didn’t believe him. However, he did not care, he wanted to meet the people responsible for the way his life turned out no matter the cost.
“You have no proof,” Hugo hissed. His patience had run thin with Caleb. In that one day, Caleb had question his authority multiple times and his insubordination continued until the very end.
“Prove me wrong,” Caleb baited.
Finding no solution to his problem, Hugo gave in, “Fine,” Hugo pointed to a group of about eight of his men. “You men, search the forest for survivors, if you find nothing by dusk, return to the castle.”
“Yes, your grace.” With that, the men rode into the woods.
“Happy?” Hugo asked.
“Ecstatic,” Caleb replied.
“Men, let’s go home.” With John in tow, the soldiers rode back to the castle feeling victorious. However, Caleb feared that this was a hollow victory with an even tougher battle lying ahead of them.
6
Rico and Elizabeth had ridden deep into the forest. The sun had begun to set and both were exhausted, but Rico knew that they couldn’t rest until they reached the rendezvous spot, but the way Elizabeth was acting made him decided to risk it.
“Are you okay?” he asked in a worrisome tone. For the first thirty minutes of their journey, Elizabeth had been trying to do everything she could think of to make him turn the horse around, but he wouldn’t. After several failed attempts, she grew silent. He had tried to speak to her, but she said nothing. So, the fact that she didn’t answer him when he asked if she was okay was nothing new, but he could tell that she wasn’t. “Let’s take a break,” he said, as he pulled the reigns on the horse hard, an indication he wanted to stop.
The horse complied and Rico demounted. He then reached his hand up towards Elizabeth, who was staring straight ahead. “Come on Elizabeth, the horse could use a break and I know you could too.” Elizabeth turned her head towards his and looked at his hand. Her eyes were glossy and red from crying so much. He knew she was more hurt and confused because she had no idea what was happening, only that it cost her, her father. Elizabeth reached down towards Rio and he helped her off the horse. “Take a seat, I’ll get us something to drink,” he said, softly.
She walked a few feet away from the horse and sat down. Her mind was racing with thoughts of her father as she tried to make sense of what was going on. While deep in thought, she felt Rico’s hand on her shoulder. She looked up and saw him smiling back at her holding a pouch of water towards her. She looked at it for a few seconds, as if she were afraid to take it, but her thirst got the best of her and she gratefully accepted it. The coolness of the water was enough to help with the dryness in her throat. “Thank you,” she said, handing it back to Rico, who had joined her on the ground.
“So you speak,” he said, with his same smile, and trying to lighten the mood, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that if he weren’t dead, then he would be soon.
“My father’s dead, isn’t he?” she asked bluntly. Her eyes had grown cold and at that moment, she felt as if she had been crushed by the weight of the entire world. She didn’t want to think that way, but her dream and her father’s last words told her differently.
“I don’t know,” Rico admitted through gulps of water. He had wondered the same thing, and though he wanted to stay optimistic and believe that he was s
till alive, he like Elizabeth couldn’t shake the feeling that he was either already dead or at the brink of death. “But we can’t rest too long, we have to meet the others,” He informed her.
“Why are we running and what did my dad mean by he deserved to die?” She asked, ignoring his response. She really didn’t want to know, but at that point, she felt as if she had to know because not knowing was torture to her.
Rico shook his head, “I wish I could tell you, but it’s not my place,” he replied apologetic.
“I knew you were going to say that,” she said, as she rubbed her hands together and stared intensively at her.
“But,” he added, “I can promise you that all of the answers you seek will be answered once we reach the camp,” he assured her.
“It’s the army, isn’t it?” she asked as if she already knew, and again ignoring his question.
He looked at her shocked. How did she know? “What do you mean?” he asked nervously, wiping the sweat from his brow.
Elizabeth pulled her knees to her chest, then wrapped her arms around them. “Never mind, you already said that you couldn’t tell me.”
“That I did, but what makes you think it’s the army?” he asked stunned.
Again, she sighed, “The fact that you not denying it means I’m right, but as to how I know, I can’t explain it,” she said softly.
“Can’t or don’t want to?” he asked, trying to figure her out.
She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. “They said they were just dreams, but they are so strong and so vivid; I can’t get them out of my head. I didn’t think they were real.” She sobbed and he pulled her close and held her.
“Everything is going to be okay,” he declared.
“No, it’s not,” she sobbed. “My daddy is gone and it’s all my fault. He was protecting me,” she said, hurt and mad at herself for not listening to her dreams earlier.
“How is it your fault?” he asked in disbelief.
“I don’t know, but I’m sure whatever is happening right now is because of me. Why didn’t I just make daddy leave yesterday,” she said, more to herself than him.
“Lizzy, look at me.” She looked at him and he smiled down at her. “This is not your fault.”
“But…”
“This is not your fault. Nothing that is happening right now is because of you. Your father decided to send you with me because he knew I could protect you and I promise I will. You have nothing to worry about. I promise on my life that I will keep you safe,” he assured her.
She didn’t know why, but the way he said those words and the way he held her, made her believe him. It wasn’t her fault. It was the fault of the people chasing them for some unknown reason. She would be fine, and reunite with her father soon, all she had to do was wait and believe in Rico’s words. She shook her head in approval. “Thank you, Rico,” she said, meaning it.
“No problem.” He stared down at her—finding it hard to look away. Despite everything that he had been told about her, he couldn’t help but realize how beautiful and delicate she was. She wasn’t this frightening creature that he had heard so much about, but an innocent girl, who needed him to protect her and at that moment, she had never looked more beautiful. Without thinking, he innocently brushed her hair from her face.
She smiled, “What are you doing?” she asked softly.
“I don’t know,” he said, leaning in to kiss her.
She smiled then closed her eyes and tilted her head back to meet his lips, but before they could do anything, they heard a noise coming from the bushes. Frightened, Elizabeth hopped up and ran to the horse, trying desperately to climb up. Rico had already drawn his sword waiting for whoever it was to attack.
Moments later, seven horses emerged from behind the bushes, carrying Martha and the rest of the survivors from their village. The moment they saw Rico, they freaked out and were about to run in the opposite direction until Elizabeth called out to them. Happy to hear a familiar voice, Martha looked towards Elizabeth’s direction and smiled.
“Lizzy, thank God you’re alright,” she said, overjoyed.
“Lizzy,” another woman said. The woman was short with shoulder length brown her and fair skin. Her brown eyes looked so sad but were relieved to see Elizabeth. Her name was Jenny and she was one of the nicest people in the village.
“What are you guys doing here? Shouldn’t you be in the village?” Elizabeth asked confused.
Martha hopped off her horse and ran to Elizabeth. “It’s terrible Lizzy, the soldiers,” She stopped, it was almost as if she were afraid to say what had happened, out of fear that it would happen again.
“Mrs. Pratings, what happened?” she demanded.
Martha took one of Elizabeth’s hand then placed her other hand on Elizabeth’s cheeks, as if she believed this would be the best way to cushion the blow, “The village has been destroyed.” Her words were small, like a child that had been sent to stand in the comer for misbehaving, and her eyes were sad, like she was holding something back—something, Elizabeth thought was even worse than the destruction of the village.
Elizabeth let go of Martha’s hands and stepped back. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. First, her dad, now her village. Why? What did they want? And why did she feel like it had something to do with her? “What about the people? We can’t be all that’s left of our village?” Elizabeth asked. She was looking at Martha for some kind of hope that, it wasn’t a complete massacre, that more people had made it out. “What about your daughter? Where’s Alex? Why isn’t she here?” she asked, searching the faces of the twelve survivors for a clue as to where her friend was. Though she and Alex were not as close as she was with Renee and Jasmine, Alex was one of her best friends, who she would always go to for advice.
Martha looked away from her ashamed.
“When the soldiers came, they made the mayor announce that the crown prince was having a royal ball and was going to choose his bride. We should have known then that it was a lie.” One of the men in robes said as he removed his hood. He was tall with funny shaped eyebrows and long brown hair. All her life, Elizabeth had wondered what the creepy men in robe looked like, and after seeing this one, she wished she hadn’t.
Elizabeth stumbled back, but Rico caught her. “Why? Why would they do that? What were they after? Why our village? We’ve never done anything to anyone,” she said, in shock and shaking her head as the tears continued to fall from her eyes.
“We don’t know either,” Jenny said, “but my husband was killed because of it.” She sobbed.
“Are you the only survivors?” Rico asked as if he knew it was going to happen. It wouldn’t be the first time that the army destroyed a village and he knew it wouldn’t be the last as long as the current king reigned. Everyone looked at him and shook their heads.
“Who are you? Where is your father, Lizzy? Did they get him too?” Elizabeth turned around and cried on Rico’s shoulder.
“A friend of the family, her father asked me to keep her safe. Anyway, we should keep moving. Lizzy, come on and get on the horse,” he said, helping her up and getting on with her.
“Where are we going?” another woman asked, she was of average height and built and very plain. No one ever talked to her and she hardly said a thing to anyone else and she liked it that way. Her name was Erin.
“Someplace safe, you guys are welcome to follow if you’d like, but we have to go,” Rico informed them.
“Wait Renee and Jasmine, are they…”
Jenny shook her head, “I didn’t see them, I’m not sure,” Jenny replied. “I hope they’re alright,” she said softly.
Martha and the rest of the survivors got on their horses and followed Rico and Elizabeth deeper into the forest, to what they hoped was a safe place.
7
The journey home was a long and exhausting one for Hugo and his men, but it was worth it. Though the capture of the girls was yet to be determined, he had still caught a big fish: Prince Jam
es, a man he had hated for years. Since they were children, James had been better than him at everything; it was effortless for him, but Hugo had to work extra hard to keep up. But this time was different. He was the one the entire country respected. He was the one that the king looked for when he needed advice; James was now a traitor, a no one, someone the entire country wouldn’t mind executing at a moment’s notice; and if Hugo had it his way, he would be the one carrying out the execution; however, he knew it wouldn’t be that easy. Despite the anger and betrayal, the king felt towards James, he still cared deeply for his younger brother and would probably—Hugo thought, make him spend a few years in the dungeon, before letting him off for good behavior. Hugo shuddered at the thought.
“We’re here sir.” A soldier announced with delight.
Hugo smiled at the sight of the castle, which sat on a hundred acres of land, surrounded by two lakes and a large village in front of it. The village was the largest in the entire kingdom and richest too. People would come from far and wide to experience the beauty and luxury of that city, hoping for a chance to have an audience with the great king. “Let’s go men,” Hugo ordered proudly, happy to be home. The soldiers rode as fast as they could until they reached the three story gate that leads to the royal city. Made of iron and steel, the gate had survived more than a century of wars, both external and internal. It was the proud of the kingdom, baring its kingdom’s crest like a badge of honor.
The men on guard lowered the gate, allowing Hugo and the rest of the soldiers to enter. Everyone in the entire city stood outside, watching as the royal army proudly rode towards the castle. Word had spread throughout the city, that Hugo and his men had returned after accomplishing their mission, and so fast. Normally, it took weeks, and even months before finding anything remotely close to the location of the criminals, but they had done it in less than a day. Then again, that was to be expected of Hugo, especially since Prince Caleb was with him.
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