***
Helen glanced in anger at Kheal and she avoided her eyes. They had been journeying to the valley to cross to Jau's capital. Those who wished to enter the capital with the aim of climbing the Jau mountain range must pass through the valley to do it, or they would not be allowed entrance when the mountain range opened. But the dark valley before them was just as the name described, Dark. Standing at the entrance with many other travellers hoping to pass and looking down into the valley, Helen frowned. The entire valley from the entrance was utterly dark. No light from the brazing sun overhead made its way in.
"Must we come?" Helen asked.
"You only need to pretend to be me in the Jau capital. To get to the capital, you need to pass through here," Kheal came beside her and said. Even though she spoke normally, only the four of them in the group could hear her. Si Sanga understood that the last thing they needed was someone overhearing them. As such, Kheal locked their voices between them. If not, except for Kheal's identity being exposed, many would understand their plan to switch the two people.
"You said she only needs to pretend to be you in the capital. So, we should enter through the capital gate," Si Sanga said.
"If she passes through the capital gate, they will not believe she is me. As I need to pass through the valley. Even if they do not notice her enter, they will watch us cross into the mountain range. If she does not cross the valley, she cannot enter the mountain range with me," Kheal said.
"And you will be following right behind me to enter. What about Lizzy and Sanga?" Helen asked.
"Only two of us from our entourage entering the mountain range will be suspicious. We should all enter together. I will explain why later. Let us go," she dragged Helen and Helen hurriedly dragged Lizzy, whose hand Si Sanga grabbed quickly and they were enveloped by the darkness of the valley when they stepped in. But for some reason, the valley was not dark inside. Light that did not seem to be from any particular place shun on every leaf. Helen was disoriented for a second, then she turned back to look for Lizzy, but she was nowhere to be found.
"Lizzy? Lizzy!" she made to go back the way she came.
"You can't exit the way you came. You can only exit at the capital," Kheal said and Helen paused. She turned back to Kheal with panic in her eyes.
"Lizzy.," she started to say.
"Probably with that black tribe, Si clan's heir," Kheal sighed.
"You did not tell us we would be separated," Helen said coldly.
"I did not say a lot of things as I knew you would be with me and she with him, the moment we enter. As long as he is there, nothing will happen to her. Let us go, or they will arrive before us," Kheal started walking forward. Helen's eyes turned cold as she stared at her leaving back, but said nothing and followed her. They walked through the forest path silently. Not even insects could be heard around them. After a while, Kheal stopped and turned sharply, looking at Helen with a sigh.
"What?" she asked and Helen frowned at her question.
"Something about this situation should make you very angry, yet you are following me without a word. Speak,"
"And how does my lack of anger affect you?" Helen asked coldly.
"Following me like a puppet will not get us off this path. Every time I tried to pass this valley, I was stuck here till the mountain range closed its gates. Do you know how long that is? I was stuck here for two weeks which is two years here,"
"Why?" Helen asked.
"Because you were not here," she said and Helen paused, her frown deepening.