Chapter Three

A few days after the culling the villagers returned to see that their village had been nearly destroyed and that their trusted leader was missing. They instantly turned against Arabella and Genova. The two understood why they saw them as a threat. However, one of the people that had stayed behind during the cull explained what had happened while they were gone. Everyone stared at them in surprise. Still uncertainty plagued them.

When help from the Vosat arrived Genova explained what had happened to the Commander while Arabella gathered up their things. None of the Vosat that had been sent paid her any attention except for one. One man, who was the Commander of the army, stared at her with such sadness in his eyes.

Arabella stared at him for a moment before deciding to approach him. She wasn't sure why but she felt like she wanted to talk to him. As she got closer she could make out details that were harder to distinguish from far away. He had slightly bronze skin and chocolate brown eyes that had crease marks around them. They showed her that showed he smiled a lot. His nose was straight-edge. His cheek bones were high with a small mole on the right cheek and a scar on the left side of his forehead. He was very tall with a broad and muscular build. Arabella studied him as she got closer.

He looked at her as she approached him. He wondered what would make her approach him right now. As she approached him, he noticed that her eyes were the same bright emerald green. She seemed nervous as she approached him. This was not normal for her. The girl he knew would have ran up to him and started to talk to him regardless of who he was. This girl seemed more cautious though. His heart squeezed with sadness with the thought that she treated him as a stranger.

"Excuse me," She began a little unsure of herself. He decided to smile at her and ease her nerves.

"Yes." He asked. "Are you worried about them returning?"

"Yes. I hope it's not too much to ask but please watch over them for now?" She said bowing her head to him.

"Arabella," Genova called. "Are you ready?"

"Almost." She said running off to gather her things. He watched her go with a sad smile.

"Hey," Genova said coming up to him.

"Hey." He said. "Why was she so afraid to approach me?"

"Many of the Commanders of the guard looked down on her after the old ones left. So until recently no one would have anything to do with her." He said as they watched her pack up her things. The Commander sighed.

"Is that why she looked so scared to ask me to look after them?" He asked.

"Not quite. One of the commanders in the guard wanted to teach her what her place was as a Vosat with no power so he offered to spar with her when I was out running errands. When I came back she was in tears and he had been sent to the infirmary. After that no one would even talk to her." He said sadly. The Commander nodded.

"I see. What was his name?" He asked.

"Why?" Genova asked suspiciously.

"Don't worry about it." He said.

"She will kill me if I tell you." He warned. "I really don't want to die." He protested. One look at the Commander's face told him that he would not be allowed to leave until he told him. "Come on, man! Don't-"

"Tell me, Genova!" He ordered. Genova sighed.

"Samuel. He is the Commander for the first division guard." He said. "Well, it was a nice life while it lasted."

"I won't let her know how I found out or what happened to him." He said.

"It sounds like you are inadvertently telling me that you are going to commit a crime without actually telling me that you are going to commit a crime." Genova said staring at him.

"Don't worry about it." He said. "Looks like shes ready." He said watching her as one of the children gave her a flower and a kiss on the cheek.

"Yeah. Don't murder the kid for giving her a kiss." Genova said. He began to walk away but turned around to tell him something.

"What?" He asked.

"We saw the scar." Genova said. The Commander's eyes clouded over with anger and sadness.

"Who saw it?" He demanded.

"No. Absolutely not. You made her a promise, remember!" Genova ordered. "Besides almost all of us saw. It was the first time that I had seen such a thing." Genova said with sadness. "She gave so much to save you."

"I know." His fists clenched at his side.

After that Genova and Arabella left the village to continue on their journey. They walked for miles without talking until Arabella finally let out a sigh of what Genova could clearly tell was frustration. He looked over at her cautiously before determining that it was okay to speak.

"What's wrong?" He asked. Arabella shrugged. "Don't give me that." He said.

"Do you know the Commander?" She asked.

"Yeah. I've known him for a long time." He said.

"How do you know him? I don't think I've ever seen him before." She said.

"Well, he comes to see the Grand Elder a lot so I see him when he comes to the village." He hated lying to her but he had been instructed that under no circumstances was he to tell her anything about him because it might set her recovery back.

"Oh. Must be nice to be able to go and speak to someone like that without having to worry if you might offend them." She said wistfully.

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"Well, you know. Since that time I haven't been able to really talk to anyone like that." She said.

"Oh. I see." Genova said smiling. She had pushed herself really hard to try and interact with him. "I think he was glad that you talked to him." He said.

"Only because I didn't tell him who I was." She mumbled.

"I don't think that you needed to tell him who you were. Every Commander in the Vosat Army knows that you left the village and that I am accompanying you." He said reassuring her. "Trust me he was happy to speak with you."

She looked at him for a moment while trying to figure out if he was telling the truth. After debating with herself for a moment she decided that he wasn't making fun of her and she smiled.

"Really?" She asked.

"Yeah."

"Maybe, one day I could call him my friend." She said smiling softly as she looked up at the sky.

Genova smiled at her. Over the years he had worried that she would never come out of her shell again. After she had started making progress the Commander of the Vosat Guard had set her back. All the work that she had done had ended up vanishing in that one moment. He had worked so hard to see her get back to this point. For that he was happy. He decided that he would send a transmission later that night to the Commander and Grand Elder to let them know that she had already made progress.

As they continued their search for the tree they talked about things that happened when they were children. Arabella listened to the stories about their childhood. She vaguely recalled people that had been around but after the village was attacked they had been separated. Her heart twinged at the loss of the people she knew. She couldn't remember their names or faces but she still felt the loss of their presence.

Genova listened as she told him about her studies and how she had discovered the map that she had been looking at during their trip. He couldn't believe the things that she had read about. He felt bad that she wasn't able to have a more traditional education but she had somehow managed to find a way to supplement her knowledge. Instead of learning practical or militia use for magic she studied theoretical as well as the cosmology of magic.

He was surprised to learn that she was a wealth of information apart from magic. Most Vosat, himself included, only read up on magic and magic practices. Arabella on the other hand had studied the history of the world itself.

"Is there anything that you haven't studied?" He asked.

"Probably. I am sure that there are many things that I have not learned. I was in the middle of world religion before we left." She said.

"So on top of everything else you are learning about world religion. Is there such a thing?" He asked contemplating the vastness of the subject.

"Sure. Although there are many different classifications and texts to consult." She said. "There was one that I found particularly fascinating." She said.

"Which one would that be?" He asked.

"Well from what I read there is more than one religion with its bases in monotheistic practices." She said.

"Which is?" He asked already lost.

"Well, there are multiple religions that practice polytheism. That means that they worship more than one god, like us." She said. "Monotheism promotes the theory that there is only one god."

"Only one God?" Genova asked.

"Yes and from that belief we have the oldest documented religion that practiced monotheism as being Judaism. Some time after that Islamism popped up. It is actually believed that those that practice those faiths are all descendants of the same ancestor. Abraham had two sons . One was born of his wife's maid Hagar. She named her son Ishmael. The other, Issac, was born of hispp ninety year old wife, Sarah, who was also his half-sister." She said.

"That's way too old to be having children also, gross." He said. "What were they thinking?"

"Well, it is said that they had entered a covenant with God or Yahweh and that for entering a covenant with him he would make his descendants as numerous as the stars." She said. "After his son Issac was married off he married another woman and had six more sons." She said.

"How many times did he marry?" Genova asked.

"From what I read he married twice." Arabella said. "From his son Issac's descendants came both the Catholic's and Christian's faiths. They were born from the teachings of a prophesied messiah which they called Jesus Christ."

"Wow. Who knew that there were so many different versions of the same god." Genova whispered.

"Right!" She said excitedly. "I was really surprised. I have been reading this book. It's called The Holy Bible. It contains some of the same stories that can be found in the Torah."

"So whats the difference?" Genova asked.

"Apparently, the Christians and Catholics believed that the old law was no longer necessary for people to go to Heaven."

Arabella continued to explain the differences and similarities between the religions. Genova listened attentively as they walked. He found himself genuinely interested in these religions and shared some of the same curiosities that Arabella had as well.

Later that day around late in the afternoon they came to a spring that fed into a river. While Genova set up a makeshift camp Arabella stood knee deep in the water with her bow and arrow in hand she watched as the fish swam by. Just as she was about to let her arrow fly a spear hurled to a stop in the water piercing the fish that she had been aiming for. Arabella scowled and looked up. An old man and a young man stood on the other side of the spring. Arabella aimed her arrow at them causing the young man to take a step back

"Who are you?" She demanded. The old man chuckled.

"Whats going on?" Genova demanded.

"Tell her to lower her weapon." The young man ordered. Genova raised his brow.

"I do not tell her to do anything." He snarled. He didn't like the young man's attitude. The old man smacked the young man on the head with his cane.

"I apologize for my grandson's attitude, Miss." He said bowing to Arabella in contrition. "You have my permission to let that arrow of yours fly. I will not hold it against you."

"I do not think that will be necessary." She said. Arabella sighed and lower her weapon. "However, I do not like people that think they have the right to order others around without reason." She said with disdain towards the young man.

"Hey, the least you could do is thank me for catching that fish for you." He said.

"Did I ask you to do that?" Arabella asked. His personality clearly made her bristle.

"No." He said with embarrassment.

"So what made you assume that I needed your assistance?" Arabella demanded.

"I didn't-" He began haughtily.

"Bow your head, you fool!" His grandfather ordered.

"But-" The old man smacked him on the back of the head with his cane again.

"Enough of your foolishness. Apologize to the young lady now."

"Yes, Grandfather." He said bowing his head. "I am sorry for my presumptuous attitude." He said. The old man laughed.

"Please, join us." Arabella said ignoring the young man. "I was just trying to catch a little food but it seems that all of the fish are now gone." She said with a sigh. The old man nodded. Arabella walked towards him and helped the old man across the river. As they walked back towards the camp Arabella and the old man chatted easily. While the young man helped him keep his step.

"So what brings a young lady such as yourself and her retainer out here?" The old man asked.

"Oh no. He's not my retainer. I am not someone special. He's my childhood friend. We have been sent out to update the old maps from our village." She said. Genova glanced around with a worried look. The old man nodded knowingly at him.

"I see. Then you must be a Vosat." He said. Arabella looked at Genova warily. "Do not worry. We will not tell the Council that you are out here. Our people have suffered greatly because of the Council. You have nothing to fear from us." He said.

"They're Vosat, Grandfather?" The young man asked with surprise.

"Of course." He said. "I would recognize the Vosat anywhere. I once knew the queen." He said with pride. "Also they are the ones that guard the old knowledge."

"You knew the queen?" Arabella asked with shock.

"Of course. She was regal and kind." He said with a dreamy smile. "I still mourn the loss of the queen and the princess." He said sadly.

"Yes we lost them both the night our village was attacked." Arabella said sadly. "My mother was lost that night as well." She said sadly.

"I am so sorry child. Your people have suffered much because of that horrid Council." He said with sympathy. Arabella and Genova nodded.

"What brings you all the way out here?" Arabella asked him. The old man paused for a moment.

"Something told me to come here." He said knowingly.

Arabella looked at him with a puzzled look. Genova frowned. What did this old man know? He wondered. Even the young man looked at his grandfather with a confused expression. It appeared that the old man was here for a reason but the young man was unaware of the nature of his mission. The old man reached into his pocket and produced a small item. Arabella looked at it curiously. She felt a feeling of familiarity. When Genova saw it he knew that the old man knew her identity. He could feel the worry pool in his stomach. How did he know? He wondered to himself.

"Have you seen this before?" He asked her as she looked at it. Upon closer inspection she realized that it was a ring.

"I can't be sure." She said haltingly. "It feels familiar somehow.... May I?" She asked.

"Of course." He said placing it in her hand.

Arabella inspected it closely. Her brows furrowed in concentration as she stared at it. Her eyes clouded over as a hazy vision filled her mind. It was a woman she was tall and elegant. For some reason Arabella wanted to hug her. She knew who she was but she couldn't recall her face or name. Then that night flashed before her eyes. The face was hazy but she had run to her and the boy. Arabella could see the ring gleam in the fire light as their village burned. Her hand had reached towards her. Then blood filled her vision. When Arabella came back to the present tears cascaded down her cheeks. Her hands shook and one hand clenched at her shirt just over her scar. Arabella dropped the ring as if it had turned white hot in her hands. The horror on her face made the old man feel pain and relief at the same time.

"Miss," The young man began. "Are you okay?" Arabella shook her head and tried to calm her ragged breathing. She looked at Genova.

"Who am I?" She asked. "What does this ring have to do with me and why can't I remember who that person was?" She demanded. His face contorted with pain.

"I can't-"

"Don't give me that crap! What am I even doing out here?" She asked.

"I am not allowed to say more than I already have." He whispered. Arabella frowned at him. Her chest heaved as she looked between the two of them.

"I don't know what you know, Genova, but I will find out what you're hiding from me." She said storming off. Genova hung his head.

"So she is the lost Princess." The old man said.

"How do you know this?" Genova demanded.

"The Goddess Tsigili told me to come here. She said that I would be able to return an item lost to someone important." He said.

"Grandfather has longed for the day that he would see her." The young man said.

"Now I can be with my lost love." The old man said sadly. "You will find more on your mission." He said leaning on his cane as stood up. "Please give my regards to the Princess and apologize on my behalf for bringing her such painful memories." Genova watched as the young man helped his grandfather across the river and back to their village.

He picked the ring up from off of the ground and slipped it into his pocket just as Arabella came back to the camp. She looked around and sighed sadly. She had not meant to run off like that. She wondered what they had thought of her. She sat down and looked at Genova with mixed feelings. She wanted to trust him. He had always been with her no matter what yet it hurt to know that he was keeping things from her.

Genova looked at her sadly. He wondered just what else could happen on this mission. He had never seen such a look of mistrust on her face before. His heart ached that he had to keep secrets from her but there were somethings that she needed to find out for herself.

"Arabella-"

"Genova, I know that there are things that I need to find out for myself." She said with a sad sigh. "I just don't like feeling like you are keeping secrets from me."

"I know...I want to tell you but I have been forbidden from saying anything until you figure things out for yourself." He said.

"Who else besides you and the Grand Elder know who I am?" She asked.

"Just us." He lied. "There are others but they have been removed to prevent them from saying anything." He said.

"Removed?" She asked with alarm. Genova shook his head.

"They were sent to other villages."

"Why?" She implored him.

"For your protection." He said sadly. "I never wanted to lie to you or see you feel such pain. But-"

"I know." She interrupted. Arabella stared into the fire listlessly. "Where did they go?" She asked.

"They went back to their village." He said. Arabella's head popped up.

"What?" She asked. "I should apologize." She said standing up. Genova reached out to stop her.

"You did nothing wrong." He said softly.

"What do you mean?" She asked looking down at him with a puzzled expression.

"He was happy to be able to return the ring to its rightful owner." Genova said producing the ring. Arabella looked down at it nervously as he placed it in her hand. "Please take this. He would be sad if you refused." He pleaded with her. Arabella clenched the ring in the palm of her hand. She nodded her head. "He also said to give you his regards and that he was sorry for bringing you such painful memories." Arabella shook her head.

"No. I shouldn't have run off like that." She said. "Still, I wonder what this ring has to do with me." She whispered.

It was at that moment that Genova realized the true purpose of this mission. It wasn't just about her gaining her power back. Yes it was an essential part of the mission but it was to push her forward in more ways than one. He could see her struggling to fight and he would be with her every step of the way. Genova knew that eventually she would get back to how she used to be, but what he didn't know was that she would grow on this mission in more ways than one, and that it would prepare her for events that would happen in the future. Just like their friends he awaited the return of their queen.