I tried to move away from him but he just tightened his grip on my waist just so I stayed in my place.
"At first, I did that to calm your anger from me but whenever I thought of going near you, the courage that I gathered for a long while disappears thinking that you might never accept me again." He held both of my shoulders and made me face him. "I have tried so many times to approach you, Aliara. The time you move to the ruins of your palace, I wanted to take that chance but I never did. I saw the loneliness and agony from your eyes and I know I am the reason why so I stopped." I shook my head out of sadness. "I cannot put up with it so I promised myself not to get near you again if I can only give you pain in return."
"Sevasti…" I said in a low voice, almost a whisper as I stared at him.
WE STOPPED at the narrow path in between two stalls, stepped in it and got welcomed by a woman who was leaning on the wall of the store. She was holding a match stick and stuck it in between her teeth, having no care to whoever sees her at that position."Estra!" Gudan called, causing the woman to look in our way and fix her posture. She also trashed the stick away from her and smiled as she walked towards us."Gudan! Good to see that you have arrived. I was waiting for quite a long time for you," she said as she eyed us one by one. I stared at her, inspecting. She was beautiful but she was all soiled up from head to toe. It was never appropriate for a lady to be like that. Even her attitude is that of a man, very unlady-like. Her hair was tied up using a single strand of a cloth."My
"What does our look mean, Gudan?" Sevasti said, teasing the man."What is? You were looking at me as if to tell me that I have feelings for that woman!""Why? Was there none, Gudan?" I teased him as Sevasti did earlier."Nothing!""The way you look at her earlier, I can visibly see the sparks in your eyes. Like the shining of the stars in the night," I said while grinning widely at him before I averted my gaze to Sevasti. "Come, My Man," I said in a soft and tender voice as I pulled him away from there."It was not the truth, Aliara! Take back what you said! That was ridiculous!" he said as we walked away from him while he stay in place, bothered. I just pay him no mind and continued
AFTERNOON HAD come like lightning. I never noticed the time had passed. Me and Sevasti are at a hill not far from Gudan's house. From here, I can see the mountains and the village from down the hill.We are the only ones here, sitting on the ground that was given color by the bountiful green grasses that grow, leaning on the large trunk of the tree that was hanging low not far from the ground. It was the one that gave us shade, protecting us from the sun. Sevasti was laying down while his head rested on my lap as I was looking at him who was playing with my hands. Staring at every line, trailing it ever so softly, seemingly memorizing it."Are you counting the calluses on my hand?" I asked in a humorous manner. There was never a callus on my hand, but it was rough given the training I did for the past years prior to the five years we ha
I immediately walked towards them, Sevasti was behind me as I walked."Five silver coins for the information you wanted to know," said one of them.They never noticed I was approaching them so when I held the shoulder of the one in the middle, shock was written on his face when they landed their eyes on me. But that was just for a second when they suddenly grinned when they stared at me with their hungry eyes."Aliara!" said Gudan. His face lit up when he realized it was me. "Sevasti!" he added, looking at Sevasti. My sight never missed the reddening of his cheek and the blood that was spilled on his lips."What can I do for this beautiful lady in front of me?" said the one whom I held shoulder. He was smiling with malicious intent in
RIDING A horse, we started our journey going to Prahara, where Mikhel was currently residing. We rented two horses from Gudan's acquaintance. He was riding solo on one of the horses while Sevasti and I were together on the other one. He was behind me as he was the one who had the lead, controlling the horse.We slowed the phase of the horse when we happened to pass by a small town here in Widolla. There, Vivi flew towards us and settled at Gudan's shoulder, perhaps tired of flying around since earlier this afternoon.The town was simple and most of the places were full of grown trees. Creatures passing by were turning their heads on us.Sevasti placed his hand on my stomach, looking protective as if someone was going to steal me from him. I just smiled at him and slightly leaned on his chest.I looked at the sky which was nearly dark before turning my gaze to Gudan. Good thing we got here earlier before dark. This was the second town we have passed
SEVASTI STOPPED the horse that we were riding as we finally approached the entrance of the third town. The surroundings were now covered in darkness and the only thing that gave light to the path was the torches and lamps from the nearby houses in our sight.We slowly let our horses walk as we look for a house to rent. Moments later, we stopped by the house made of concrete. It was a long one and had four doors on it. On the upper part of the house, there were four round lanterns to give light to the vicinity of the house. Those lanterns were also the reason why we knew that this was a rented house.Sevasti preceded to unmount the horse as he stood beside it and helped me down. He held both of my waist while I held on his broad shoulders. He did not even flinch as he carried me down the horse.I smiled at his actions. With the lead of the horse on my grip, I held the horse in place for a moment, Gudan mirrored my actions as we patiently waited for Sevasti to fin
"HURRY, Vivi. We are going to talk for a while," said Sevasti as he scooped my pet on my shoulder and took a few steps away from us."Can I know where we can find the man, Miss?" Gudan said, catching the attention of the lady.The woman smiled again and immediately nodded. "You can see him here later because he will be the one who will deliver the dried animal skin to us," she even looked at the surroundings, looking for something. "I think it will be now," she added so I looked around the place, mirroring her.I nodded at Gudan and left him there as I went where Sevasti was to move away from the store. I held him on the arm where Vivi was resting and pulled it towards me."Seems like Mikhel is already at this place, Vivi. Go and help us find him," I commanded."Indeed, My Lady! Indeed!" he said as he flew away from us. I just watched him fly above the market in circles."Be alert too, Sevasti. Tell me if you have seen any sign of him," I sa
He was carrying a sack that was made of cloth. I took my knife out of its pocket and took a turn to the path I knew he would not see me. I get behind him and slash the sack that was in his back without him noticing me.His steps continued as the stuff from the sack flowed out and he halted when he realized it. I did not move from where I stood since I slashed his sack, he saw me standing right here. I welcomed him with a sweet smile on my face as he looked at me, confusion was written on his face that eventually turned into shock.He took a few steps back, released the sack in his hands. He did not waste any time and ran away speedily. He passed through the narrow streets of the market, in between the stores that were innocently built there. My whistle was immediately heard by Vivi. I nodded at him so he quickly followed where Mikhel went and ran to.I also ran in that direction, circling around the market like I am so familiar with it I can walk in it wit
Sevasti's Point of View I WATCH her in the middle of the forest, here in Kozania. She was sitting in front of the clear water of the stream, the thing that is between us. I was so far away from her the reason why I think she did not notice me. Also, she seemed to be out of it and was thinking deeply to even notice my presence. She had been here earlier in the afternon and now it was getting dark but her position did not seem to change even in the slightest. I exhaust my eyes just staring at her beauty, at her hair wavy every time the wind blew. She is dressed better now than before. Truly, she became the queen of Kozania. She had achieved her dream of rebuilding her kingdom, and I am happy for her. Even if it costs the death of my father and us losing the ownership of the throne in Farianio. It was never ours to begin with so it was only just for it to be returned to its rightful owner. This is my only free time to stare at her because as soon as she feels my presence, I will immed
I LOOKED at Adrina when we reached Farianio's palace. Tonight, to be sure to really surprise them with our attack, and another is for them not to be ready so that we can easily conquer this kingdom.Everyone is in the dark, hiding and waiting for the signal so that they can show up to the opponents. We use the sturdy weapons made by the Verdantes.It also took a long time before Dardo made his decision but in the end he chose to be my ally. I gave him a chest of gold which he really enjoyed. But he did not join our attack, considering the welfare of his kinsmen. I did not force him either. We have enough weapons from him and I think that is enough.He nodded at me so I smiled and turned to Vivi."Vivi," I told her. He flew away from my shoulder and fly freely through the air."Start the attack! Start the attack!" he shouted repeatedly with his shrill voice until it reached all our comrades.I pulled the sword out of its sheath and jumped fro
"I LOVE you so much, Aliara! And yes, you are wrong if that is what you are thinking about me. You are the only woman I have ever loved in my whole life. The woman I will continue to love and will love until the last of my breaths," he said, seemingly trying to make me understand what is being said by him as the heaviness of his breath intensified. He looked down and when he spoke again, calmly. "I am sorry that I am not with you in all your suffering. I am not there when you need me. I am not there when you are looking for me. But, Aliara, I really want to go and see you at times you want me to be there. I want to save and protect you but my father always stops me. He does everything just so I cannot see you." His mouth clenched his jaws and turned to face me again, his eyes full of anger, longing and sadness. "I really love you, Aliara. That will never change. I hope you will forgive me for all my shortcomings. And please, do not take away your love for me. I cannot afford to lose
He also smiled and seemed defiant. "How can I not know that there was such a commotion that day. The rebels that were a threat to the peace of Farianio escaped. The fairies only saved you, the reason why you are still alive today. Who would have thought that even the fairies were on your side? Maybe you really ought to live quite a long life.""It will still take a long time because I am barely done with everything I have to do." I moved closer to him, he did not budge and just stayed in his place. "But how do you make sure they are fairies? You just heard that they can control plants, do you not? You know it was not just fairies that had the ability to control plants."His forehead furrowed, wondering, and eventually that was replaced by panic."But--how ..."I proudly smiled and nodded softly at him. Agreeing with what is currently in his mind right now. Yes, Dardo, Hederon. They are not yet dead. They are just hiding from our sight. And now, it is time
WHEN Adrina and I met again, she gave me another hope to continue what I had started, revenge on Henicio. She talked to me a few times about it but when I asked her why she was encouraging me, she did not answer and in fact, changed the subject.Now, I am standing in the middle of the forest while looking at the moon as I realized why she wanted me to kill Hencio. She wants revenge because of Matias. It is not hidden from my knowledge that she loves the man and even though I did not see her grief at his death, I know how much she felt at that moment.Perhaps, she has not forgotten yet. She has not lost her anger for the creatures that were the root of all of this. Especially with Hencio. He is the one who is responsible for all of this so he is the one to be avenged.I turned to Zalina who was by my side, she was Adrina's mother but she seemed to have aged just a little ahead of me when it came to appearance. Adrina and I were with her when I went to the V
We now face the creatures who were watching. The reactions they show vary but curiosity prevails. I closely watched them as the soldiers adjusted the rope at my height. That only faded when I heard Vivi’s loud whistling in the air. He circled the creatures in front of us before approaching them. He did not stop flying, but his eyes were focused on me.A soldier pulled me up again to attach the rope to my neck, I just let him do that, still looking at Vivi. Earlier, he had been quiet all the way down as he followed us and I know he was sad now as he witnessed my fate. Her chirps seemed to be crying as I heard it so I also felt sad. I will leave him. It was just now that thought crossed my mind. That I will be leaving him.I smiled at him to convey that it was all right. That he did not have to cry and be sad. I know he can do everything without me. She can find a new friend to love and take care of him like I did. Otherwise, he will join other birds and live
THE SURROUNDINGS were bright as the sun had already risen when we reached the center of Farianio. The creatures parted to give way to us, curiosity was written in their eyes as they looked. The soldiers were in front and on our side, watching us closely as if we could still escape in this condition. Aside from chaining our hands, we were already tired and weak from the long journey. And most of us were still wounded.I could no longer walk properly because of my trembling leg. The aching wound in my thigh seemed to spread all over my body. My sweat was dripping, my throat was dry and I was definitely pale because of the blood I had lost.These stupid soldiers do not even give us a drop of water."Aliara," Casias called, he was just next to me. Hands were also tied and had nothing to do but obey these soldiers. He called me several times but I never looked back at him.This stupid traitor! He still really wants to talk to me."Do not talk to me," I
I nodded and stomped on his foot. His jaws clenched and we applied more strength to our swords, still stuck to the air. I quickly backed away and struck the sword I was holding on his stomach but he immediately dodged so it just touched his clothes.He gripped his sword tightly and successively rushed at me but I avoided everything as he continued to retreat. When he stopped, I turned around and rushed first, with each strike of my sword he shielded it with his weapon. However, I hit him several times with my arm and hand. But because he was strong he was not shaken by those measly attacks.Annoyed, I blew a massive puff of air when he kicked me on the side, I backed away and stopped. My eyes were firm as I turned to him. I was ready to rush again but I stopped when an arrow hit my arm causing me to release the sword I had in my grip.My mouth stopped at the pain I felt here. I did not notice it coming! However I no longer paid attention to it when Favier rushed
"YOU ARE a princess, Aliara?" Rowan spoke again but I ignored him.And since Casias was also not surprised by that, it was only a fact that Favier was stating the truth, that he was affiliated to the palace.I smirked after a while, sarcastically. There are many questions in my mind but I am slowly coming to an understanding on what is happening now. They have known each other for a long time, even before I came here to Ohayas. It was very clear that Casias had betrayed me, he pretended to know nothing about me, that he did not know me. Perhaps that fool Henicio is watching over me. And this is the right time to kill me.Am I quick to trust so I am always betrayed by the people around me?I want to laugh at myself for that question.But even if he deceived me now I do not intend to question him. It also does not matter if I ask him why he did this to me. All of them wants only my life.And I will not just give my life without resisting.