Day 13

Griffith approach the Skiopia prince and princess. He had plans to rid the land of the queen. He didn’t care how.

“It is an honor to have you here. The queen must be delighted that you have come in person. Your son is a fine young man, and he has honoured you well during the peace conference. But having you here is even better.” He stirred.

“Thank you.” Princess Libelle said uninterested in him.

“I am Griffith.” He introduced “I will see you in the talks.” He said leaving.

They had not taken the bait like he had hoped ‘but little steps’ he reminded himself.

Drake went to his parents.

“Now that you are here, let me take some of our army and find those responsible for attacking the castle and those who took Jessica.”

“The queen has insisted that you represent our people. But worry not. We will find the woman Jessica.” Ryu lied to Drake.

Ranger was in the gardens with Fiona he saw their lying color and listened in to their conversation.

“Thank you.” Drake said happy that his Jessica would be returned to him. But also, sad that he would have to break off their courtship.

* * *

Autumn found Rachael Ceronio in an unrecognizable state. Her body was cold, and life was fleeting from her. Her eyes were so swollen they could not open. Her hair was thin, as most had been pulled out. Autumn was not sure if she would live long enough to get back to the castle. She picked her up carefully and headed for the castle. The journey back was long and when she arrived with Rachael no one was there to greet them. Autumn put Rachael in a clean bed and ran to find Spice and other physicians.

Shane West was called to come help with Rachael.

When Shane saw her his heart sank.

“What happened?” he asked.

“I found her like this in the streets of Point.” Autumn said.

“She is one that speaks strange.” Spice told him.

‘Another dead earthling’ he thought.

“Her name is Rachael.” Keimoni said standing at the door.

“Rachael, hang in there. We are going to help you.” Shane said in English.

Shane began to clean the dirt out of her wounds. Spice put a root in her mouth to numb her body and ease the pain.

Rachael groaned so softly it could hardly be heard and twitched but barely moved.

Shane looked at Autumn.

“You found this girl and you knew she was one of ours. Please find my sister Jessica. She has red hair, and she was taken.” Shane asked her.

“Red hair?” Autumn asked.

“Please find her.”

“I will. But I cannot promise what I will bring back to you.”

Autumn left and went to find Jessica.

* * *

Viola Stone sat on her windowsill with her legs dangling down. She gently kicked them in the breeze. Her body hurt from all the abuse it had taken since arriving. She stared onto the middle distance. Something moved in the corner of her eye.

Shane the earth doctor was leaning on the balcony in the room next door. He was unaware of her. He sighed a heavy burdened sigh.

“Hi.” Viola said.

Shane was startled.

“Hi” he replied seeing her “I thought I was alone.”

“So did I.” she smiled sympathetically.

He was about to go but she said.

“Don’t go. I was going in now. The fresh air makes you forget all the horrible stuff.”

Viola went inside and left Shane to be alone.

Rider knocked on her door.

“Come in.” she said in English.

Viola wanted to keep her secret about understanding the language to herself. She knew that her lie to the guards about being General Stone’s daughter could come out. She also knew that they might be among the dead. So, until exposed she was going to keep playing both sides.

“I am coming in.” Rider announced.

Viola met him at the door.

“We are taking Jacob home. We are going to have our neighbor look after him. Xoma is going to stay at the castle until she is sure Griffith doesn’t know about us. What I am trying to say is. Goodbye.” Rider said.

“Oh, I am surprised you are staying goodbye to me. I appreciate it but I am surprised.” Viola said.

“Why?” Rider asked.

“Because you don’t like me, and do I need more reasons than that?” Viola asked.

Rider ignored her question/ statement.

“Would you like to come and say goodbye to Jacob?” he asked.

“Yes please.” Viola answered.

She went to their room. Jacob was happy to see her.

“We are going home.” Jacob said.

“So, I have been told.” Viola replied.

“Do you want to come live with us?” Jacob asked.

“I would, but I can’t. I need to go home. To my family.” Viola said.

“We could be your new family.” Jacob said hopefully.

For Viola it was not as simple as having a new family. She was a German spy, and her disappearance would have consequences. She had to return. After all, was she just going to travel around the country with her new friends killing people? Or babysitting Jacob? No, she had to return. She knew life was not about what she wanted but about fulfilling her responsibilities.

Jacob hugged her.

“I will miss you.” He said.

“I will miss you too.” She said hugging him.

Viola kissed Jacob on the head.

“Viv my friend. I wish I had more time with you.” Viola said.

“Our paths crossed and now I know the stories are true. It has been an adventure.” Viv said.

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Viola hugged Viv.

“Thank you.”

“The coat I gave you is a special coat. Keep it always. Never loss it or give it away.” Viv said.

“Thank you. But I have nothing to give you.” Viola said.

“You gave me a friend.” Viv smiled “What gift is better?”

Viola tried not to cry at the sweet words, she had truly found a friend. It was sad knowing she would never see them again.

Xoma smiled. She wished Viola could become part of their family. It felt like she already was.

“I will join you in a few days. I want to ensure your safety before I leave. I also do not want anyone to know you are leaving. Griffith is a sly man.” Xoma said.

“If you are so unsure about him, why not kill him and be done with it?” Viola asked.

“He is my biggest client. Few trust a woman to kill and if I kill him on suspicion only, I could lose all my clients.” Xoma said.

“And if I killed him?” Viola offered.

Xoma smiled.

“It’s kind of you but I will handle this.” Xoma said with confidence.

Viola walked Rider, Viv, and Jacob to their wagon and then to the road.

Rider hugged her.

“Stay safe.” He said.

“You too.” She said.

Then off the family went. Viola watched the wagon make its way down the road towards Point until she couldn’t see it anymore. Then she remembered Viv had seen her father that abandoned her in Point.

“Do you think Viv will try to kill her father?” Viola asked Xoma.

Xoma’s eyes got big.

“Which road did they take?” Xoma asked.

She had not seen them off as she didn’t want a connection to be made.

“They took the road towards the lower town which also leads to the city.” Viola answered.

“Can you ride a horse?” Xoma asked.

“Maybe.”

Xoma looked confused by her saying.

“Go after her and stop her. She will kill him.” Xoma said.

“Great!” Viola said sarcastically.

Then she said, “Is it really a problem if she kills him?”

“He is her father. No matter how hurt she is killing him will not bring her comfort.”

“I will go.”

Viola ran to the stables and took a horse. She mounted.

“Seriously!” Viola moaned.

A stable boy was bringing in feed.

“That’s the general’s horse.” The boy said.

“I am on an urgent assignment.”

“I could lose me head.” The boy said touching his neck.

“I am on a secret mission for the general that’s why he didn’t use his normal man and why I must use his horse. I will pay you for your silence. If the general knew I told you…” Viola made her eyes big “We both know what would happen. So, help me and save a life.” She said.

“Ohhh.” The boy said with big understanding eyes.

He opened the doors and let her pass.

“Can you ride?” The boy asked.

“Maybe” Viola answered “But I must learn. Thank you.”

Viola left the stable on the general’s horse. The massive black horse was happy to be out of the stable. He wanted to run.

Viola held the reigns tightly and his main.

“Be kind to me.” She said to the horse.

Then the horse galloped down the road towards Point. Viola’s feet came out of the stirrups she clung to the saddle with her legs wrapped around the horse as tightly as she could. She pulled on the reigns but to no avail. Finally, she just held onto its neck as it charged forward. The horse ran into the field and headed for a fence.

Viola closed her eyes. Her heart pounding as the beast increased speed. Then it jumped. It was all fine until it landed. That’s when she slipped out of the saddle. Clinging around its neck and holding on with her legs to the side of the animal in a desperate attempt not to get trampled by the death horse she had chosen to ride. Its leg kept kicking her in the ribs and stomach as it ran. The front leg’s bony knee was winning the fight.

Then she heard someone saying

“Whoa, whoa.”

The horse slowed down and Viola fell off. She looked up at a man on a horse holding her horse’s reigns.

“You alright?” he asked.

“I will be.” Viola said trying to stand.

Her legs felt like jelly. They shock like jelly too.

“Let me take you home. Next time ride a horse you can handle.” He stated.

“I was in a hurry and cannot return until I have delivered a message.” Viola told him.

“You don’t look like a slave girl.” He said eyeing her.

“I’m not.” She glared at him.

“So, who are you that you cannot ride a horse?” he asked.

“Embarrassed.” she answered.

He laughed.

“At least you are funny. I am Ferox. Where are you trying to go?” he asked helping her up.

“Point.” she answered.

“This is the part where you tell me your name and we get acquainted.” He said.

“I am Viola Stone, and I am going to Point. Please point me in the right direction.” She said trying not to laugh at her own pun.

“Think you funny?” he asked.

“Yes.” she laughed.

“So do I.” he grinned.

“Get on your horse I will take you to Point.”

Viola tried to get on the massive black horse. But she couldn’t. She tried and tried. She waited for him to offer to help her, but he didn’t. Finally, she said.

“Please help me.”

“Thought you would never ask.” He said.

“Get on my horse.” He said, “She is not a beast of war.”

Viola looked at him confused. He helped her onto his horse.

“A beast of war?” Viola probed.

“Yes, you know, a horse used in war…” he looked at her strangely “Did you steal this horse?”

“Maybe.” Viola answered.

Ferox started laughing, he climbed on his horse behind Viola without any effort required.

“We are sharing your horse?” Viola asked a bit unhappy about it.

“A war horse can only be ridden by its rider. You will have to lead it back to its owner. Who might not be so understanding that you stole their horse.”

The big black beast was led next to them. Ferox eyed the strange woman that now sat on his horse. Her back hair had a red shine and she spoke with a strange accent.

“Where are you from?” Ferox asked Viola.

“What tribe are you part of?” Viola asked.

“What does one have to do with the other?” He asked.

Viola shrugged not answering.

“I am Terra.” He answered.

“I am from far away. Here for the peace conference. My friend is in Point, and I need to get to her before something bad happens.”

“You are with those Impudents at the castle?!” shock was in his voice.

“Hey, some of us want peace. This is a legitimate way to achieve that.” Viola was defensive.

“Do you really believe that?” he asked with a ‘only a stupid person would believe that’ tone.

“How do you think peace would be achieved?” Viola asked.

“Kill the queen.” He said flatly.

“Then??”

“Then our problems are over.” He said.

“Who would take the queen’s place?” she asked.

“The lost heir.” He said calmly.

“Was she not once the lost heir too?” Viola asked annoyed at the shortsightedness of this person.

Ferox saw where she was going with this.

“So, you think she can become a good ruler overnight?” he asked.

“She already has.” Viola said.

“No, I don’t believe it. I think that they did the right thing storming the castle. You know they left one of the queen’s friends for dead in the streets no one would touch her. She just lay there dying in a pool of her own blood.” He smiled “It’s what the queen and her friends deserve.”

‘One of the missing?’ Viola thought.

“Describe her to me?”

“She had dark brown hair and well I couldn’t tell past that, but I can take you too her.”

Viola thought about it, Sugar was blond, Jessica was a red head, so that left Rachael. Or one of the other missing people.

“Yes, take me to her.” Viola said annoyed.

“She hoped Rachael was still alive if it was her.

“Why do you care? The queen and her friends have hurt the world, they have hurt everyone. They deserve what they get.” He said.

“I think the woman you left to die in the streets was my friend who went missing during the attack. She had been a slave, and the queen declared her free. She was going to go home. See her family.” Viola couldn’t hide her anger.

They walked onto the streets of Point.

Ferox took her to where Rachael had been. But only blood that the dogs were licking up was left behind.

“Where is she?” Viola asked.

Viola got off the horse. She asked a stranger who walked by

“Where is the woman that was here?”

He shrugged and kept walking.

Viola went into a shop and asked the owner.

“Where is the girl who lay in the street there?”

“That woman was fetched this afternoon by someone escorted by guards.” He said, “Sad really, she was beyond saving.”

Viola’s heart sank. Possibly another earthling dead in this strange world.

“Who lead the attack on the castle?” Viola asked Ferox.

“Which one?” he asked.

“Either.”

“Aren’t you like meant to be nice and try honey coat information out of me?” He asked.

“You know what. I think I am going to kill him for her. I have had it with this retched world.” Viola walked away leaving Ferox very confused.

She went to the inn where they had stayed. She hoped they were staying there again.

“Hello, I am looking for some friends of mine. They are staying here. The names are Viv and Rider.” she told the inn keeper.

He eyed her.

“Were you not staying with them?” he asked.

“I was, but not I am unsure which room to go to?” she said.

“They are not here.” He told her.

Viola walked out into the street where Ferox met her.

“I have your horse.” He said.

“I don’t like that horse.” She replied.

“Why is your leg sore?” he asked seeing she was limping.

“I got shot with an arrow when the castle was attacked. First by soldiers then by a villager child.” Viola replied coldly.

“Why, are you friends with the queen?” he asked.

Viola stopped walking and looked him in the face.

“Both times that the castle was attacked armed and unarmed, men, woman and children were killed. Only the dungeon was untouched. Good innocent people died. People who never hurt others and never carried a weapon. It was not justified nor a righteous killing.”

She looked up at him shaking her head.

“I killed boys not even old enough to grow hair on their faces. Because they attacked me in my room. I took his weapon and killed others with it! Is this what you want to hear? How we all had to kill or be killed? If you were there you would know there was nothing good about it.” Viola waited for him to answer.

“We were told that only the queen’s friends were harmed and that the prisoners were set free. We were told that only those loyal to the queen where still in the castle.” He said.

“Well, you were lied too. Surprise!” she started limping away.

“I will clear this up with the people.” He said.

“Doesn’t make it better nor bring back the dead and I think the Lovac tribe want revenge. Best you stay away from the survivors that attacked. They will be hunted down.” Viola hadn’t stopped walking.

“Lovac tribe?” he asked confused. “The dead tribe the queen killed?”

“Every alive and now freed by the queen. They may never be slaves again. They are even getting land back.” Viola told him with a tone.

“You know what.” She said annoyed “Come with me to the castle. See and hear for yourself how good it was. Smell the blood-stained floors and see the blood on the walls.”

“What about your friend?” he asked.

“She can kill her dad. He deserves it.” Viola said flatly.

“You friend is going to kill her father?” he asked horrified.

“Deadbeat rotten sperm donor.” Viola replied.

“I do not even understand what you are saying and I get that you are angry. But letting your friend kill her father” he shook his head “Stop being so angry that you become a bad friend. Clearly you care about this person as you stole a war horse to get to her. So, help your friend.” Ferox said.

“Take back my horse to the castle stable. Tell the stable boy that I am fine. Ask him what happened during the attacks? If our wounded were targeted? They killed those that couldn’t defend themselves.”

Ferox agreed and left with the war horse. Viola sat near the fountain. She was so angry. The retched man believed a good thing was done. Mass murder was not her normal line of thought but that afternoon it was.

Rider approached her.

“Hey stranger. Why are you here?” he asked.

Viola got a fright.

“I was looking for Viv and Jacob.” She said.

“Why? Did you decide to come with us?” he asked.

“No. I just don’t want Viv to kill her father. I don’t want her to have that weight on her soul. So, I will do it for her.” Viola said.

“You surprise me. I thought you didn’t like killing only crippling.” He responded.

“Rider, I am not in the mood. Please just take me to Viv and Jacob.”

Rider could see that she was not alright. She was even limping a little with her left leg. Her face looked sad and her eyes like those facing death and knowing they will lose. Rider led her to the inn they were going to stay in.

“Look what I found.” He told them as he opened the door.

Jacob jumped up and ran to hug her.

Viv smiled.

“Welcome. Are you coming with us?” Viv asked.

“No, I am here to help you with a problem?”

Viv raised an eyebrow.

“What problem would that be?” she asked.

“A certain deserter. I don’t want you to carry the burden of doing it. So, I am here to do it for you.” Viola said.

“Thank you but I want to do it.” Viv said appreciatively.

Viv whispered in her ear.

“Are you sure that’s why you are here?”

Viola looked at her confused.

Viv looked at Rider and gave facial expressions, raising an eyebrow and winking

Viola scowled at her.

“You wish.”

“I do.” Viv said sadly.

“Why?”

“Because then you would be my sister and we would be family. You would be a great addiction to our family. Everyone loves you and you can kill.” Viv said.

“Okay, but Rider and I don’t get along. He dislikes me like a rash.”

Viv burst out laughing.

“You are too funny.”

Everyone looked at them. Jacob came over eager to hear the funny story.

“It’s not funny.” Viola said.

“Tell me, tell me.” Jacob said itching to hear.

“Viv is being silly.” Viola said.

“Viola thinks Rider dislikes her like a rash.” Viv told them.

Viola felt so uncomfortable.

“Why did you say that?”

Viola felt awkward.

“Because it’s funny” Viv said.

Viola rolled her eyes. She gave an awkward forced smile at Rider.

“You’ve made it worse.” Viola moaned at her.

“You worry about silly things. If Rider disliked you, you would be dead.” Viv said.

“Great, like that’s going to make me feel better.”

Viola had a bad feeling in her gut. Something bad was going to happen. Or was happening.

“We need to leave here.” Viola said seemingly randomly “Now, hurry!”

Viola began to pack things. Viv and Rider looked at her strangely.

“Viola are you alright?” Viv asked.

“I have a bad feeling. We must leave.” Viola replied not slowing down in her pack up.

She had helped them pack up so many times she knew how to. She knew where everything went when moving.

“We must go back to the castle. You are stronger as a family. Hurry, hurry.” Viola said with real concern in her voice.

Rider and Viv and Jacob packed up quickly. They were out of the inn in less than five minutes.

“We need horses. Ones that can be ridden.” Viola said, “We need to get back to the castle.”

“Your, crazy talk is scaring me.” Viv said.

“Sorry. I just have a bad feeling and bad feelings are followed by bad things. I think your mom is in danger.”