23 Dreams and nightmares

She rose early even before morning dew despite having little sleep last night. She had a lot on her mind. She knew all this was more about her. For all she knew the prince could reconcile with his father.

But her?

The king would not hesitate to kill her, she was of no use to him and as a matter of fact he hated her now than before.

She was sure this cut him off guard and he was Angrier than ever. He must have thought she was the one that instigated the idea before...

You are awake, a soft voice said to her. She paused her thoughts for a few seconds only to turn her back and see Gerald.

They were in the front of the cottage and the morning wind sizzled through their skin.

She nodded standing there and her back turned against him.

He came to her side looking at nothing in particular. He knew she was worried, she still had that look on her face since yesterday and he noticed it.

Do you miss your home? He asked.

She hasn't expected that question, she stared at him searching for answers in her head.

Of course she did but she didn't want to start talking to this man she badly knew.

Yes I do, she said like she was forcing every word.

He knew that she didn't want to talk to him so he dud not push it instead he told her about himself.

She looked tensed, like someone was watching her every move and would pounce on her any minute from now.

You know I lives here all through my childhood then I was sent to sturdy , in france, far away from here. I spent many years away from my home and my father. My mother died when I was born so I didn't know her.

She looked uninterested at first but was starting to pay attention.

You were sent away to sturdy? She asked surprised. Only influential and very wealthy families like the royal family sent their children to go learn things in other lands.

Oh yes, I was the only child you know, my father wanted me to have a better life, he did all he could to send me away and I could imagine his disappointed face when he knew I had join the army there,he wanted me to do other things.

That must have been hard for him, she said noticing the pain in his voice, he looked gentle than ever and she wouldn't know in her wildest dreams that he was in the army without him saying it.

Oh yes, he couldn't take it just after few months, he fell sick. Just before I came back he was already dead. I couldn't even say good bye I felt like the worst son nobody wished to have.

As he spoke he lifted his face away from hers. He didn't want her to see the brokenness he felt in the last months before coming back. Lily was the one who truly knew how he felt. He had fought depression and loneliness and she was the only one who had comforted him.

It is not your fault, she said trying to comfort him.

I know but it was hard to push away such disturbing thoughts lingering in my mind. I kept thinking of how I had failed him by going to the army, how I hadn't come back early enough before his death maybe I could have talked with him one last time or better still he wouldn't have died. He lived here alone for many years working tirelessly just to see me prosper and see how her repaid him. I was too selfish and only thought of myself.

Or maybe he didn't see you as such, maybe you are just making silly assumptions and he doesn't think of you that way. He worked so hard for you to make it, that means he loved you and he was willing to do anything for you. I sure he understood your choice as a human to do what you want and his death was just an unfortunate circumstance that just happened.

She said knowing fully well that he was just self sabotaging and blaming himself for an unforseen incident.

He stared at her face, Williams was right this woman was angelic, she had the right words to say and for a moment he felt better.

You know, that was also what lily said to me, you are right. He told her.

Lily? She wanted to ask him how he met her but couldn't. See her avoiding talking to him at the same time wanting to instigate a conversation.

I met lily in France, she was also studying there as before I joined the army. She had come back to here home long before my father died. I couldn't tell anyone my pains except her, she had comforted me and we are still together, he said answering her unmasked questions.

Were the man she said was in love with? Natalie asked.

Yes, how did you know, He said knowing they had being hiding their relationship.

Williams told me, I am sorry you couldn't be together.

Well, we can, her parents agreed when Williams had rejected the marriage.

Congratulations, she said beaming, that was the first good news she heard in days.

Not yet, We heard Williams was in trouble and offered to help. That is why I am here.

For you two.

Me? You don't have to help me.

Williams wants to, you know he told me that the first day he saw you he had felt a connection.

I feel same thing now, I feel like fate had brought us together. He said.

The sun was already rising and he could see her face clear and bright.

Fate? She rebuffed. Fate had killed my sister.

The king had.

Well, fate allowed it, if we could thank Faye for the good things can't we blame Fate also for the opposites.

You think you have a bad fate? He asked

I don't think, I do. She said heaving a sigh. And you know what I think about, changing it. Everyday I think of changing my fate.

Since I can't go back in time and avert it, I must change it now.

You know what they say about say about changing the future? He asked her. Noticing Williams had woken up and was at their back wondering why there were outside there talking rather low voices like they were planning a siege.

She looked at him, uncertain, he had that face that seem to say "you can trust me'.

Well, I learnt somewhere that you can't change the past but you can prevent the future. He said and before she could ask more questions he went into the house.

She could hear Williams voice now, she felt a little peace.

Maybe she wasn't alone like she earlier thought, these men were actually here gir her.

It sounded unbelievable but it was real. They would help her.

..... ... .... ....... .... ......

It was hotter than the day before and Sebastian was tired even when they still had more distance to cover.

There were going to Avelon where the duke and duchess ruled over. That waa lily 's home and the first place the king could think of finding them. Even when the trail he found of them was of opposite directions.

What could he say, he didn't dare refuse the king. The king was not very smart contrary to what he thought. He was just powerful. And they were not mistaken 'powerful fools brings the most misery".

The king had ruined so many people lives including him throughout his reign.

The warriors who had been walking non stop since there set off didn't show any sign of tiredness, he wondered if they were human. They didn't even notice him and for all he knows they were not all that glad he was with them.

They shouldn't blame him, again it was the fault of their stupid king. He knew the prince and Natalie were not in avelon. If they were it means that the prince was more stupid than his father.

Avelon was easy to guess and also the duke was the king's friend and would be more than glad to help find them at all cost.

Some men in chariots came to meet them, their we're messengers from avelon.

They came to welcome them, they had heard they were coming.

They rested a little before setting off into the kingdom.

They soon reached the palace of the duke and they we're welcomed in delight.

They were given food and not too long he felt his normal self again.

The duke was talking in low tunes with the chief warrior like someone was spying on them.

He only watched them in amusement, he didn't care less, Of course the chief warrior do not trust him. Not like he wanted to listen to them either.

Then something caught his attention, he saw lily for the first time that evening. She had come to inquire what was going on.

Then an idea crossed his mind, for if lily knew their whereabout. She was the prince's friend if not his only friend too.

It won't be surprising if she knew.

How could he ask her of it?

What if she had also known about what happened between him and Natalie.

Then it would be impossible for her to tell him anything.

He could only try.

And as she walked out of there, he excused himself telling them he wanted to urinate outside.

He set off after her without the others noticing.