LOGINShare
20. Let the duels begin
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
FOREST BRIDE (a gift from the river god) 21. Arawa masked participation
She suddenly felt intimidated which was unlike her most times. She remembered at that very moment that she was the only woman in the group. She wanted to give up and turn away but then she saw Orau looking in her direction, a question mark evident in her face. She stood there for sometime trying to make sense of what she was trying to tell her when suddenly a warrior yelled from behind her and crashed into her. Arawa was nearly floored but thank the gods she had found her footing. Sudden rage flooded her veins as she saw what mischief he had intended. She had her back on him and he had taken that advantage to strike out. This was weakness on display obviously, Arawa thought as she recalled all that Orau had taught her. She looked around her briefly, everyone was fighting and then in front of her, the same warrior had taken a stance and was preparing to make another advance. He seemed too confident and Arawa decided to use his confidence to floor him. There she stood, waiting and takin
FOREST BRIDE (a gift from the river god) 22. Arawa fights
She stood there, her eyes fixed on her mask that was already on the floor. She was busted as she knew well enough that the markings on the face would not hide the fact that she was female. Besides, she had been sweating and must have sweated out part of the paint. There were gasps around her and then murmurings. "Arawa?", she had heard her father say and she knew she was doomed. Of course she could not let him know that Orau had a hand in this plan or Kili, so she turned around and faced her father. For a moment, she tried to hold his gaze and then she suddenly felt bad seeing the look of worry, anger and disappointment written on his face. She knew the rules and had just broken a big part of it. He could not accept nor forgive this. He had to do something about it whether or not she was his daughter. Although, thanks to his behavior towards her, she was cock sure that he would not be doing much to save her. He walked down and into the ring to where she stood. The warrior crush of h
FOREST BRIDE (a gift from the river god) 23. Short-lived victory
Whatever was giving her such a boost in morale, Bron wondered. The woman was simply something else, beautiful, graceful yet there was this hint of danger in her eyes . He had actually always had his eyes on her but dared not approach. She was a curse after all. But now, standing there watching her stand across from him panting and all, he might have lost his head in the clouds for a while. She was simply beautiful and captivating. He had never seen a woman So fierce and yet so alluring. She had surprised him even more when she suddenly threw down her shield to merge with his vulnerability. She was in charge obviously. A good part of him asked that he yielded at that point at least, saving his image and leaving the people in assumptions. They would be confused as some would think he pitied Arawa, while others would call him a coward that yielded to a woman. He snapped out of his thoughts. No way was he going to let her take any glory, not in the very least. He was going to fight it ou
FOREST BRIDE (a gift from the river god) 24. Captured again- Taken
Kuka had demanded a description and got the shocking details of his life. The leader's description fitted none other than his daughter and this was beginning to make the part of her disappearance these few days clear. She obviously had been in league with Orau and lied to him that she was training. Even the high priest was against him, he felt rather stupid about the situation. His warriors with him obviously knew who this culprit was and were looking at him for an answer. He was in a real fix and began blaming himself for letting that baby live. She had finally brought his enemies to his doorstep after corrupting those whom he should have been trusting. He turned to look at the man across, obviously he could sense that he knew exactly whom it was he was speaking about. He demanded that he be told exactly what the penalty was going to be. Adrian could almost laugh out loud. The thought of this probably providing him with alliances seemed to amuse him but then, he knew better than to
FOREST BRIDE (a gift from the river god) 25. Go get your savage
Adrian was much obliged to receive her. He left a few words with the savage king and then, looking at the king's daughter, he remembered it was time to begin heading home. Home was his brother and he knew definitely that Brian would be anticipating his return. The savage princess was a beauty and he would have done things to her but he would restrain himself. Probably when Brian was done playing, he might share with him. He had her put in bonds after all, she had proven herself too dangerous. The glint in her eyes scared him , it was almost like she could kill him from where she stood. That night, he decided that they would begin a return home journey . There was absolutely no trusting these savages. He had been in strong doubts about them not being able to swim. If they were not swimmers, then how did they get over to the other side and besides, how did she know how to swim? It was all a lie and fabricated stories. They would probably be waiting for them to sleep and then attack. He
FOREST BRIDE (a gift from the river god) 26. Burn in Anula's crest
It was time. He had finished dressing up. His thoughts briefly wrapped around his brother. He knew Adrian better than anyone and could tell he was not really happy with their father. This all started actually when Dorian had tried separating the both of them. Of course the action did have its toll on the golden haired twin of he's and he suspected that fueled his anger towards wanting to overthrow the current king and his family. Knowing Adrian well enough to understand that whatever he put his mind to, he most definitely would find a way to achieve it. He was however not going to occupy his mind at the moment with thoughts like this, he had a savage to tend to in the dungeons as his brother called her. His hands automatically went to where his injury was as he remembered what had actually happened between them both. Nonetheless, she was going to pay for attempting to kill him. Brian was done dressing up and stepped out. The sun was up and bright already but he knew that the dungeon
FOREST BRIDE (a gift from the river god) 27. Which would it be, Princess?
Arawa had never felt so humiliated and decapitated at the same time in a day as this one. She could not believe what was happening at the moment and actually was beginning to feel cold and full of regrets. She should have never given herself up, yes , she should have run. As far away from the village as her legs could carry her. Her legs still hurt and there were a couple of scraped flesh down there. The barbarian had tied her with an extended rope all the way through the journey, neither caring about her or if she was keeping up just fine with his pace. She had expected that since they wanted to be allies with her people, at least, they might treat her with a tipsy bit of respect. Instead, she had to be dragged like an animal; like the wild dogs caught in the forest around Wuwa. These men were evil and to her best of reasoning and definitions, they were the total opposite of what humanity stands for. She had however done her best to contain her pain and followed through with every tr
FOREST BRIDE (a gift from the river god) 28. I can clean myself up nicely if you must know
"Arawa? ", he said, pronouncing her name ever so sweetly. She had never heard her name pronounced in such a smooth way before that reached the depths of her soul. He turned around and faced her, calling her name again as though to confirm if he had gotten it right, Arawa nodded slowly even as she felt nauseous. "It's got a nice ring to it, maybe you could tell me what it means ", he said, approaching her and stopping just where the end of her line was. Arawa sincerely prayed that he would not begin poking into the meaning of her name for even she too was ashamed of the meaning. He brought down the bowl and pushed it towards her, to where she could reach. Arawa with the flash of lightning rushed towards it and grabbed the food bowl. It smelt really nice and inviting, so she started eating. Whatever it was, this was simply nice. She had never tasted anything like it before, not in her entire life. He chuckled and rose up, the blanket still slung across his shoulders. She looked worrie
Latest chapter
FOREST BRIDE (a gift from the river god) 85. Would you be taking her to the capital?
Brian had been in his room obviously tidying up. He had just finished his bath after breakfast as he had been really hungry after waking up. Upon his insistence, Arawa had stayed although she still refused to take anything from him. But he could tell she was hungry, her stomach still sang the hunger song before him. That morning when he had woken up and found her sneaking out of his room to get her bath, Brian could not help but wonder if she really was the same person who had been singing the previous night. She just did not show any reaction even when she returned with Booma and the girls. Arawa had become much better with handling his affairs. He was glad that he would not be needing to dismiss Booma as Arawa would be accompanying him to the capital. When she came inside, she tried not to meet his eyes when she noticed he was staring. However, he had seen her from the corner of his eyes looking worried at him. Brian still wondered exactly what had happened that drunken moment, had
FOREST BRIDE (a gift from the river god) 84. Coming of the barbarians
His hand held her still but although his eyes were open, they seemed glassy. Almost like he was in a trance. She tried to pull away. "Please mom.. Stay." he said again. Mom? Arawa could not believe her ears. He was such a grown man after all, so why on earth would he be calling for his mother like some little baby. Nevertheless, she did as he asked as somehow she felt pity for him. She sat by the bed and began observing him, where their mother was, she wondered. She recalled at the moment that since she arrived, she had not seen anyone being referred to as their father or mother. Could it be that the barbarian brothers had none. Her hands stole up of their own volition and brushed away his hair scattered on his face and forehead, caressing his forehead. He looked so peaceful as his eyes slowly began to shut. Arawa noticed now that even though his eyes were closed now, his hand still gripped her. It was not like she was planning on leaving him there but she wanted to shut the door a
FOREST BRIDE (a gift from the river god) 83. Paying home a visit
Arawa felt the need to panic and she actually did as she first brought a finger to his nostrils. Thankfully, he was still breathing and she had never been more relieved. She knew she needed to do something about his condition but she was at loss on what exactly she should do. She did not even have any idea why he was like that and had to dash off outside to seek out the one person she trusted with such delicate situations, Booma. As she ran, she could not help but notice how quiet the entire place was save for the soldiers huddled together around fires and those on the walls. This was their duty. She tried her bestest to be less noticeable. "Halt woman!!!" she heard someone behind her. It was a soldier who had noticed her and she had to turn slowly. He was there standing and his companions seated around were all staring at her. He demanded that she stepped into the light where he could see her properly. A fearful Arawa now walked out to the light where he could see her. "Oh. It's
FOREST BRIDE (a gift from the river god) 82. Excited about the forges
If there was something he dreaded most right now, it was being back with his father and getting to watch that look on his face. It was a constant reminder of what he had done in the past and this brought him guilt. Why on earth would Dorian send for him instead of Adrian. After all, the latter was supposed to be his favorite after what he had done to come short of his love. This act right now was uncalled for and he had defeated his purpose by going to get the king's order. Prepare in a week, nah, he would not even be prepared in a year if he wanted. His initial plan was to run to this place as he had, get well and return back to battle with his uncle. However, that plan had changed after coming in contact with his brother's plan. Were you thinking he had changed his mind because of Arawa, hell no. Left for Brian, even though it hurt him, he would leave her with her own kind. She was just a woman and there was no place for her in the battle grounds. Give it a period of a year or two,
FOREST BRIDE (a gift from the river god) 81. Father wants me to return to the capital
It was not easy for Bron, not in the very least as he laid down there waiting for the slithering thing to get off. He was becoming scared again and managed a great deal to keep himself from shaking. But inside his heart was pounding as loud as anything that made him really scared that the snake would hear. Bron continued biding his time and waiting for the right moment. Eventually , his time came as he had been laying down there panting heavily. The snake had gone down and gradually, he started rising up and then took his sword from the upper part . He had been really lucky as it happened that it had been crawling into its hole on the ground. Weird. The hole would not have been noticed by even the daytime as it was buried underneath the dry leaves covering the area. Bron felt angered and before the tail would finish disappearing, he braced himself, took it by the cold slimy tail and pulled it out. The speed and energy with which he had done it was all he needed and he slammed it hard
FOREST BRIDE (a gift from the river god) 80. Flouting his orders
He woke up before her that morning and spent a while watching her and drinking in her awesomeness. She was still fast asleep and luckily, it was still a bit dark. That meant that he got to watch her thanks to the light from the fireplace and torch. The reflection of the light on the few exposed parts of her skin was magnificent. It made Brian crave for her and want to touch her body. But then, he just could not do so as he needed to prove beyond every reasonable doubt to himself that he was not in love with Arawa. She suddenly rolled over and stretched herself now facing him. She yawned heavily and must have not thought that he was there. Her mouth actually reeked of some foul odour thanks to the fact that Arawa had not properly brushed up for two days now. In fact, she forgot. One would not blame her completely, in Wuwa after all, they only rinsed their mouths with water in the morning. He grimaced and quickly replaced it with a beautiful smile. Just then, she popped open her eyes a
FOREST BRIDE (a gift from the river god) 79. A crocodile in Wuwa River
It had been a while since he last came to the dungeon and somehow, it reminded Brian of the early days in which Arawa had been kept there. He had to find a way to push aside thoughts about her. "I take it that you're still thinking about the savage woman's brother, " Adrian said as he noticed his brother had stopped moving and seemed to be in a trance. Actually Brian was not aware that he had stopped moving at the moment. He seemed to be drinking in the air and quickly snapped out of it. There were important discussions and talks to be made at the moment. Adrian smiled at him as they advanced inside. Caleb alongside the other four selected to accompany the princess company were waiting patiently for them. “Gentlemen, shall we?" Adrian said as they exchanged greetings. They had managed to put up what seemed like a round table and seats. Adrian had to ask to be certain that nobody saw, of course they had been careful with that as they did it all when it was dark already. That seemed
FOREST BRIDE (a gift from the river god) 78. You make this one really special
"I don't like her here and I want her to leave with me, " she said "Her? Who?, " Adrian said feigning ignorance"The slave woman, " she blurted out "What slave woman?" he asked her, with a serious expression of confusion on his face Of course, Adrian needed no soothsayer to tell him that the princess had been referring to Arawa but then he had to make it as though she meant absolutely nothing to him. It was also frustrating her and he could tell it. Women, why would she even begin to think such nonsense as taking Arawa with her. What in heaven's name gave her such guts or possibly was she beginning to think that she was the lady of this place. It made him angry but he had to control everything. He was a man on a mission after all. "I'm referring to the woman you had been holding in your arms at the stables, " she said shamelessly. It was obvious that this was a topic she was not willing to give up on. He wondered if she had felt offended. To reassure her of his undying love for h
FOREST BRIDE (a gift from the river god) 77. Where were you Arawa?
By the time they had finished cleaning up the place, Arawa was beginning to sweat it out. In fact, they both were and had to leave the rags in the pail to have another quick bath. It dawned on Melissa that dinnertime was already close by, that being if they had not started yet. She knew that if they would be meeting up, they would have to hurry up. Bathing this time did not take them long, a couple of dips in the water and they were done. They were just getting dressed up when a couple of slaves began trooping in, Melissa smiled. Possibly, they were still in time for dinner but nonetheless, they needed to hurry up. Bearing the pails in hand, they rushed to where they would be rinsing and spreading out the rags. “Why is that place always lit?” Arawa asked, referring to where she had seen that light for days now at night. She had been curious about the place and would have taken a sneak peek had it not been for distance. The said area was seemingly far from where they were. Melissa to
