Chapter 15

"We outnumber you, there is no point fighting." Melody heard a strong manly voice. A few men took out bows and were aiming at them.

"Micham, what are you doing?" Torib stepped forward as Illia grabbed Melody and hid her behind his back.

"Torib, you hid a real treasure. Melody is a Stone Whisperer." Jin's father smirked.

"What are you saying? Have you lost your mind?" Torib decided to deny everything.

"No need to hide the truth, I overheard Illia and Melody talking about it." Jin joined his father.

"Even so, why are you bringing people from another tribe? That's treason to our Tribe Micham!"

"Not really, my mother comes from the Southern Village and my whole family is moving out and we are taking Melody with us. Jin is of age and Melody matches him better. You have two options: either you die or you will handle us, the girl."

Melody was shocked, the whole situation was because of her? She felt she had to do something.

"Jin please stop, I'm with Illia and you know that. I like him. Please Jin let us go." She shouted from behind Illia's back.

"You will love me back Melody, give me a chance." Jin was determined just as the rest of the men.

"You have two options, either die or give us the girl." Micham repeated the ultimatum.

Melody wasn't a fighter but she understood that they were at disadvantage, they were outnumbered and walking up the hill.

"Find me Illia." She whispered into his ear.

"I'll go but you must promise not to kill them." She shouted walking slowly up the mountain.

"Melody!" Thorib was furious. He wasn't really angry at Melody, he knew the situation was hopeless. He hated that he wasn't able to protect his son and his precious future wife.

"The girl is smart, come here Melody. Jin will be way better than Illia. You will see." He smiled at her and Melody lowered her head.

"Drop your weapons." A man from the other tribe ordered. Melody was standing there and watching how Torib and Illia were stripped of their weapons. The other men tight their hands and legs.

"What are you doing, if you leave them like that, they will die." Melody shouted. "You made a promise!"

"We promised not to kill them and we are not killing them as you see." Micham responded with indifference. "Jin, take care of your woman."

Jin immediately came closer and grabbed her arm.

"Come with me Melody."

"Just a moment, give me a minute. I want to say goodbye." Melody pushed Jin aside and knelt next to Illia. She had in her pocket the healing crystal, which had one sharp edge. She managed to put it into Illia's hands while she bowed and kissed him. Jin yanked her up.

"Enough you are with me now. Leave that mongrel." He was angry. Melody was afraid. She managed to throw a last look at Illia. He was watching her in silence while lying on the ground.

'Find me.' She mimicked the words with her lips, hoping Illia will understand. He nodded slightly.

They were marching fast, Melody barely managed. After half of the day she was exhausted. However she was too scared to ask them to slow down. Jin noticed that and took her stuff. It was easier for a while, but when they finally stopped Melody simply dropped to the ground.

"Jin your little beauty is tired, you have to let her sleep well tonight." One of the men joked.

'What a shame, I would gladly listen ..."

"Shut up Borg. Bring some wood. We will make a fire. Borg and Neval are on the first watch."

Melody couldn't stop thinking about Illia and Torib. Did they manage to cut the ties? Are they still alive? She was anxious.

"Melody, here drink some." Jin handed her some hot tea.

"Thank you." Melody decided to be cold towards Jin and only maintain the minimal level of civility. Jin sat close to her, their arms were touching so Melody moved aside a bit, she wasn't looking at him, only at the amber liquid in the mug she was holding. Jin sighted and scratched his head then looked at Melody again.

"I know we are having a bad start here ..."

"A bad start?! Are you joking Jin? I was fine with Illia, I was happy in a way, till you decided to kidnap me. I don't even know if they are still alive. I hate you, I hate all of you." Melody was so angry that she couldn't hold back her words anymore. Jin's face was twisted in fury.

"Ilia is a nobody compared to me." To underline his words Jin grabbed her hair and forced his lips on hers. Melody wanted to move away but she couldn't. Jin was too strong. He even forced his tongue into her mouth. Melody did the only thing she could, she bit him.

"Fuck." He let her go and Melody wiped her lips.

"Whoo she's a feisty one Jin. You will have lots of fun." The men were laughing.

Melody was ashamed and trembled a bit from fear and shock. Jin was stronger than she was and could force himself on her. She never thought he would though, now she wasn't sure anymore. She was alone again and knew nobody. However there was a difference from before. Torib simply accepted her offer and in a way he was always polite to her. Illia was impulsive but he was also very insecure and has never done anything she didn't approve of. Jin wasn't like that. He wanted her and the rest was unimportant including Melody's feelings.

Jin looked at Melody again with a still angry face.

"You will be mine, soon in a week's time we will have our wedding, but I will have a taste of you as soon as we get to the village." He smirked and moved away to talk to his father.

She was scared now, how far was that village? When will they get there? If they reach the village it will be harder for Torib and Illia to help her to escape. Melody lied down thinking what she could do to slow them. It was cold and Melody woke up shivering, some warm arms pulled her closer and she felt warm.

"Ilia" She whispered and fell asleep again.

In the morning Melody woke up only to notice that Jin had been hugging her tightly. What was worse she was snuggling with him. Melody freed herself from his embrace.

"No need to be so shy now Melody. At night you were so clingy that I had problems moving. So you are the tape of a girl who says no in the daylight and yes at night. Hmm?" Jin was smiling brightly even more as all the others were already up and saw them hugging.

"You wish, I thought I was with Illia." Melody smiled and stood up not looking at Jin anymore. She was heading straight for the bushes, she needed a secluded place.

"Where do you think you are going?" Jin was holding her arm again.

"I need some privacy for a moment. I won't run away. Where to? You would have caught me in a moment." Melody gave him a stern look and pulled her arm out.

"Let her go son, women need to do these things too, you know?" He smiled at Jin and Melody quickly made her way to be as far as she could.

On her way back an idea crossed her mind. She is a Stone Whisperer, a big shot. They have to adjust to her pace and if she manages to find a stone maybe they will be willing to allow her to look for more. That would slow them down. Melody still hoped for Illia and Torib's rescue.

She was walking slowly back to the camp. All the men were already on their feet.

"If we keep up the pace, tomorrow we will be back in the village." She heard behind her back. That was bad, she had really little time. Melody picked up her stuff, it was heavy.

"If you want my help just ask me nicely." Jin was smiling at her.

"No need Jin. I don't need you as well as I don't need your assistance." The rucksack will become a burden soon, that much Melody already knew. Yet she was about to change the rules, at least for a bit.

They were walking along a cliff, that was good. There were many rocks, Melody was listening to every sound hoping she would hear something really precious calling her.

They were walking along as fast as yesterday but Melody decided to stick to her pace.