41 kindled fire.

"I don't know... "

You are back, I almost went to the palace to look for you, the man stood up from the chairs, I made something for you all to eat and...

Why did you come? Natalie asked him, she wasn't angry nor happy, she couldn't tell her feelings on seeing him.

I wanted to, I was troubled, he said not staring directly at her, she was looking at him, strangely.

You we're troubled? Or he sent you. You shouldn't have told him, instead.

"Look he didn't send me okay and yes, he was angry and we had a little brawl".

Little brawl? Of course, that is why, she said sitting down.

It wasn't like that, he actually blamed me for letting you go but that was all nothing serious. I, myself was disturbed, I had regrets of allowing you go alone.

She chuckled, you think you can stop me, well you can't, This is my decision.

OK, why are you so angry, you shouldn't mind a little help, he said confused.

Help? I am fine by the way, Gerald is already here so you can as well leave, she left the room, fuming.

What do they think she was? A child?. Always wanting to babysit her like she is some two years old, when will this end.

Em, what is going on? He asked Gerald.

Oh, we had a bad day, probably why she is so furious, is this the food?

Yes, you can have that, brought it on my way, so you two went to the palace.

Yes and he didn't believe us, Gerald said chewing on the grilled meat.

No like I expected more, he said his face immediately turned sour.

Don't worry, we will get over it, Gerald consoles him.

I have been hearing that in a long time but nothing changed and now it is worse, you mean he didn't believe you all but a bunch of rebels I thought we're sensible enough believed Sebastian!

"Stop it. "

Stop what, I am not over thinking, am I, he said raising his voice.

Sebastian is more in Favour than us in convincing this people, can't you see, they see him as a hero, a liberator.

"So that means, we are fucked. "

"No, not until the end. "

Why don't we just end it now when we know the end is not going to be favourable.

You mean commit suicide? Gerald asked him.

"What! No, how about surrendering to him.

Surrender? That is the same thing as killing oneself, you think he won't hesitate to kill us, he doesn't only dislike us, he sees us as a threat, a threat to his devious plans also I won't like to see the satisfaction on his face when he is doing it, that devious grin".

"So, either way,we are going to die... "

No we are not, like Gerald said, I also don't want to see him all happy and satisfied when we surrender, remember this is not just for you, for us, this is for everyone.

"So, what if everyone don't want to see that he is actually the enemy, what do we do? Huh, tell me, what do we... "

"We make them. "

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

Since, cosmos refused to help pay for the purchase of the armory, we have to get the money from somewhere right? he stared at his right hand man awaiting a reply but the man said nothing, he sighed.

He wasn't going to worry about that now, he had other things to do.

You didn't answer me, he eyed the man.

Huh, I didn't know you were asking me and I...

You know what, never mind, I am not willing to hear your stupid speech right now, I actually came here to tell you of my plan, we are going to tax the people.

What people? He asked Sebastian.

Tones! Are you listening to me, he growled. This was the first time, he called him, by his name.

Yes my lord, I was confused, I didn't know what you meant by the people, he said almost choked by his words.

What is confusing about this, are they not people in this kingdom? The man was giving him aches, he didn't like.

My lord is just that, our people just started recovering from the days of their slavery to the late king, he said Bowing his head from the cold stares, Sebastian was giving him.

So, does it look like I want to enslave them again? He snapped, he was angry that this man was always getting him rot every time.

"No, my lord, I am just saying that, they can't afford it. "

They can't afford it, how did you know that and who made you their spokesman? Sebastian asked him.

"My lord, I am just... "

Giving your unwanted opinion again which I just told you not too not long ago, right?

i am sorry, my lord, this will be the last time, he pleaded.

Of course it will be, I will make sure of that, Sebastian said to himself.

The man watched Sebastian draw closer to him and muttered something inaudible before leaving with a sneer.

He raised up his head watching him go and sighed relieved, something tells him, he had crossed his limits with Sebastian and he awaited the worst.

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

Williams turned in his bed, he had been trying to sleep but he couldn't then he gave up, thoughts of Natalie keep coming to him. It had was about twenty four hours since she left, that it was one of the worst time of his life.

He hated worrying about people, one he knew he couldn't change anything about the situation. Where did she get the idea to do this? Didn't she think of him? He asked himself severally not finding the answers.

He must go there himself, thoughts of losing her brought pain to his severely ripped heart and he couldn't take it.

More so he was more lonely than ever.

"We will stay here and fight loneliness", he remembered her words like it just told him today and it made it feel worse. What happened to that, was that a promise?A promise she didn't wait long to break and thinking she only did this to stop Sebastian was still not better, her safety was not compromisable and nothing in this world would make him endanger her this way.

He had lied when he had said earlier, that she was going to be fine and he shouldn't go look for her, actually he had wished he would go before he did.

He finally, slept off with a silent prayer on his lips wishing she was here by his side and not his burrowing thoughts threatening to rip his skulls apart.

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

His mind was racing, how was he going to get rid of that idiot without anyone noticing? He wanted to do it fast and swift like the how he did to the woman, days ago.

He came out of his room and he met the men drinking, of course they do almost every night now and he couldn't complain sometimes the wine was there to keep them busy and he also liked to take it when he wanted to forget his pains. He was offered some but he refused, he saw tones a little way up, drinking with some men then an idea popped in his head what if he kills tones without having to physically shed blood;poison!

He could poison his drink without anybody noticing and it must be this night and no other time.

He stood up going to his room to bring the device, finding a poison was not hard,almost anything could be poison.

He came out of the room delighted, today would be the day he would cease to hear from the fool. He went towards the man and sat down, everywhere was so rowdy and noisy, it was difficult for him to concentrate but he had a plan that he must fulfil this night.

Tones was discussing with his friends, laughing and enjoying his drinks when Sebastian showed up. He was startled but didn't show it and the grin on Sebastian face made it more disturbing.

Then after few minutes, he stood up taking excuse to ease himself.

He left there as calmly as he could, he could feel Sebastian's eyes on him, probably cursing at him in his thoughts.

He was going to the back of the house when he felt a hand on his shoulders, he jerked and almost fell down.

Tones, what is wrong with you? The man asked him, observing him closely. It was cosmos.

He stood up, shivering then closing his eyes breathing hard.

I am fine, I just...em... I came to... em, he stammered, losing his breaths.

You don't we fine, why not come to my table, he cajoled tones, tapping him softly.

Cosmos directed him to a table and some chairs laid outside, some men were sat by the side, drinking and talking.

They we're outside the house, so Sebastian couldn't see them.

So, my Friend, do you mind telling me what is wrong? Cosmos asked him, watching him closely.

He thought about it, he had nothing to lose, he was going to die either ways so...

I drank it, he managed to say...

The latter stared at him confused, drank what? He asked surprised at his words.

"The poison".

What poison? Are you okay? Who poisoned you? He panicked.

Tones swallowed hard and he gave him, a stare that seem to say his name.

No!

Oh, No! No! No!, he only heard him say as he fell on the floor.