27 clash of wills.

He carried her in his arms back to the tent, and laid her on the bed. He took a damp cloth and cleaned the blood on her head.

How did he get so angry to hitting her?

He looked at her swollen face, that beautiful eyes now closed hunted him.

She had to be with him, it was the best for her. What would Williams give to her that he couldn't.

Nothing, that sly fox, what had he told her.

He was sure Williams was only deceiving her. Why would she be with someone like him, the son of the man who had ruined her life, what exactly could he offer.

He sat there beside her lest she wakes up, he wouldn't want what just happened to repeat itself again.

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

These are the men, Gerald said coming in with three strong faced looking men. There were three in number. He had gone early in the morning to bring them. And yes, he had told them what happened.

You are here, he said glancing at them, this was the first time he was doing something like this and it felt weird.

"You all know what had happened, natalie was kidnapped, she is just like you all, you know...I really don't know this plains as much as you all and I want you to help me find her ".

As you wish, they all said in unison.

Wait, I don't want you all to see me as your leader or superior of any sort. I am just as equal as you, he said as they gave him confused looks.

Gerald who waa standing their all along chiped in.

"What he is trying to say is that you should not see yourselves as his slave or servant. He thinks of you all as the same as him. "

Ok, so I should refer to him as williams not prince Williams, one of them asked.

You can call me that, it is all right, Williams said laughing. I want you to be free with me, we are in this together and if we cooperate I believe we can do this.

'Ok, when do we go. ' the other said.

Come with me he told them ushering them through the path, Gerald had shown him earlier. As they suspected, they were tracks leading all the way up into the woods.

They had followed it, everyone of them watching out for any sign or trace of them.

They know that hr was using a horse so hr would had gone far by now.

Two hours later, the sun was already high up in the sky, it was so hot that williams felt hid skin melting under the heat.

They had already left Gilda and we're heading into the thick swamp forest. If sebastian wanted to hide, that place was a very good spot for him.

How long have you bern in this plains, he asked one of them breaking the silence, atleast a conversation would do them so good.

Not less than a three months ago, the others more I think. I escape my kingdom which was captured six years ago, our king

Was killed and his family also. The rest of the people who weren't killed or injured slaved for your father"

He scoffed, "my father ", how he hated the thought of this. Six months ago, that was recent. Almost the same time Natalie was abducted.

"Did the king have children" he asked him.

Yes, two daughters, but they were also killed. "

Maybe one of them was, he said to him.

What! do you know them.

I think Natalie is one of the daughters, her other sister was killed.

"Oh heavens!, the man said. I did not think I will ever see someone from my kingdom again, I waa lucky to escape you know, that caught some people that tried to escape and kill them, I was wandering in these plains when some of those men saw me and recruited me. "

I can imagine how much suffering you pass through and...

He was interrupted by the call of the other men.

Hey, williams, look here, one of them said in almost a whisper, they had been engrossed in their conversation that they didn't notice the open path that led to several tents inside the woods.

What is it?

I think I we found this person you are looking for he said bending his head and they all followed him and saw it too.

Sebastian, I doubt it, these tents are probably too many things set up for not just one person, he queried.

"You are right, maybe he is with people.

What people? He is supposed to be alone. This is not my fathers troops either. "

Why don't we find out instead of arguing here, the man williams had been talking to told them.

Yes, you are right but we need a plan. If this people are with sebastian they are obviously dangerous.

They all agreed and spoke in low tunes without attracting suspicion.

He hoped it wasn't sebastian, if it waa, then they had more to contend with

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

Natalie opened her eyes looking around trying to remember how she got here, as she stood up, her head banged like it was been hitten by a hammer.

She felt dizzy and wanted to throw up, she made efforts to leave their when a voice spoke.

"You want to escape again, I don't think you are stable for that, Why not rest a bit. "

She turned to see a grinning sebastian, sitting down on the bed , unbothred.

Flashbacks of what happened last night dawned on her, she stood there not saying anything.

Are you going to take my advice, he said standing up and reaching for her.

I feel sick and dizzy and....

Hungry, Ofcourse, you will. I was just waiting for you to come to your senses dear Natalie.

He took her out and led her out of the tent.she felt so feeble and couldn't protest. Nothing prepared her for what she was going to see outside.

Numerous tents lay next to each other and she saw some men all dressed in warrior's outfit.

What is going on here, she asked after he led her into another tent where she was served some food.

You are not going to eat? he asked ignoring her question.

Not until you tell me what is going on, she spat.

He sighed, knowing Natalie, she was serous with her threats the last thing he wanted was for her to die of starvation. And by the way, he had no reason to keep it away from her.

What does it look like? it is my army, he told her, her face turning sour.

"Your army? You have an army. How did this happen? "

While you were busy planning to enlope with that idiot, he snapped. He gets angry whenever he remerbered that she had been with him.

I didn't plan to enlope with him or whatever but how did this happen, she said trying to convince herself she was not dreaming and in reality.

Look, it doesn't matter, all that matters is that our dreams are coming through, we are finally free and we can do other things too, he said emphatically.

What makes he think that they had the same dreams, she had her own dreams and in it, he isn't there, she thought.

But she rather not say such, he has her in his arms and it wouldnt be safe for her to upset him considering what he did to her last night.

She was going to play safe.

He was staring deep into her eyes waiting for what she was going to say.

Fine, she said hoping he would leave her alone.

Fine what? do you agree with me...

A man came into the room interrupting them, sir, the other warriors request your presence. He told Sebastian.

Sebastian stared at her one last time and left while saying, do ear your food and get some rest.

She sighed, relieved but the man kept standing there like he was looking for something.

Was he meant to watch her? She thought.

She averted his eyes, there was something in how he looked at her, like a frightened chick.

My lady...

Call me Natalie, she snapped at him.

What lady, she was no one's lady.

Oh, so it is you, he said flushing, I waa sent to confirm.

Ok, what the hell was going on, confirm what, haven't she had enough today.

What! She said startled

Hey, don't panic, it is Williams, he sent me.

Williams! Oh heavens, she thought.

is he here? she asked whispering to her.

Yes, but you should calm down, I was sent to inspect and with what I see here. It may take a while before we can save you.

Ok, but you should be careful, Sebastian is, I don't know what has gotten over him and it is definitely not good.

He came into the tent backing her, you should to make him suspicious. Please play along with him.

"I will. "She said relieved, finally she was going to get out of here, even if it had a blink possibility but it's Williams, he was going to make sure he gets her out of here.

And my lady, he said hiding his grinning face, you look more beautiful than the last time I saw you.

What!

Yes, I am from....

What are you doing here? a voice barked at him, a man was. standing there breathing furiously.

Oh no, oh no, she thought squeezing her eyes shot.