Liam is on the rush.
As soon as he was done giving instruction to Cole, he set out to the next village. He must find the group at all cost. The woman doesn't have any idea how dangerous this country is, but Liam and the others does.
Asher was left with Cole but then Cole forced him to go after Liam. he can't be alone searching for the woman right now.
As for Cole, he went back to the inn to meet the team.
"Cole… what happened? Did you find her?" Grace rushed to meet Cole who had just entered the old man's house. She seems really concern since worry is painted all over her face.
"Where are the others?" Cole asked. When the old man saw him coming, he prepared him a tea.
"None yet." Grace followed Cole. The man seemed so tired, his mind is obviously somewhere else. Why is he in deep thought? Grace was looking at him intently, observing his facial expression. Hmmm… looks like he didn't find the young miss. She smirked.
Of course, no one can find the young miss even if they turn the whole village upside down. Unless they search the other villages at the next region. If they set out early today, then there is a chance they'll find the gangs at the next village but setting to the next village in the afternoon leaves no chance for the team.
After a few more minutes, the other men arrived one after the other. Seeing the atmosphere around them, they surely didn't find the young miss. The woman felt at ease upon seeing them but the next words she heard made her tremble, not sure if she'll panic.
"What did you just say?" Leon stood surprised.
"You heard it right, Liam and Asher set out to the next village to find the young miss." Cole assured them with a warm smile.
"Then that's a relief!" Gideon leaned his back on the sofa. The others heaved a sigh of relief as well. knowing that their big brother went before them gave them a little peace within.
"Now gather your stuffs because we will follow them as soon as possible." Cole advised. Then the men dispersed to fix their things while Leon and Gideon stayed resting on the sofa.
"D-did you say Liam went to the next village to find Diana?" they heard a frail voice behind them. It was Grace holding a cup of tea on both hands. She's trying so hard to hide her trembling.
"Yes Grace. I met them at the intersection road a while ago. I believed they already reach the village as we speak----'' Cole stopped when he heard the sound of broken glasses.
"I-I'm sorry… m-my hands slipped!" she's breaking as she steps backward, Cole definitely saw her uneasiness.
"Grace, are you okay?" Gideon stood up and assisted the shaking woman to sit at the sofa.
"I-I'm sorry… I was just overwhelmed to hear that Liam and Asher set out to find the young miss." She forced a smile. "I was so worried about Diana but knowing that Liam went before us is a great comfort."
"Yeah, your right. there's no reason for us to worry anymore." Gideon responded but Cole was looking at her intently. his eyes hint a bit of suspicion.
After a few more minutes, the team gathered in the kitchen. The old man was thoughtful since he prepared a meal for the whole team before setting out to the next village. He even packed up some snacks for them along the way. As for the lodge that was consumed by the fire last night, Cole gave him enough money to help for the reconstruction.
"In a day or two, some men from Ikarai will come to help rebuild this lodge. We are very sorry that this had happened to you." Cole apologized.
"I'm not taking this against you, young man. But I'm grateful enough that you have a good heart to help this old man. Whenever you come to this village please drop by anytime."
"We'll sure do." Cole replied. They were about to leave the house when they suddenly heard a knock on the door. They were looking at each other with suspicion. Who could it be… are they possibly….
One of the men prepared his sword and opened the door gently. To their surprise, they found a woman along with more than 15 men behind her.
"Who are you?" Gideon sternly ask, never letting their guards down.
"Liam's men?" the woman confidently smiled. "My name is Rohelia, the chief's..."
"The Chief's daughter?" they heard the old man walking towards them.
"Yes."
"Please, please come in…!" the old man cued Cole and the others therefore they placed their swords back in the sheaths and gave way for the woman to enter. They followed after.
"About the fire last night, I just heard it this morning. I'm sorry." the woman somehow is sincere.
"Thank you for visiting me personally, but you should have not come, Madam." The old man kowtowed.
"I shouldn't be, but Liam persuade me." the woman laughed. "That brat, why should I even heed to his command?" then she stared at the men standing on the sides, one by one. "You should set out and follow your leader. I will take care of the situation here." She assured them.
"Y-yes… Thank you then." Cole and the others doesn't know what's happening but looks like the woman is harmless.
"Ah, such a fine young people, I guess siding with Liam is not a bad idea at all." Rohelia smiled then turned to the old man then continued their conversation.
*******
"Grandpa, I'm done cleaning the yard, do you have any chores for me?" Sarah enthusiastically run towards the old man reclining at his working place. He's not yet done preparing the things that Milcah wrote.
"Ah, you're indeed fast. Would you like to catch some fish in the banks?" the old man need to make the child busy so she won't question her grandmother's whereabouts. Milcah earnestly pleaded the old man, a fellow herald.
"Yay! I love to! grandma loves fish!" the girl exclaimed and run to where the fishing rod is and went on her way. The riverbank is on the other side so she needs to walk fast. It should take her some hours to come back.
The lady was hopping and singing as she treks the rocky mountain trail. Her excitement to go back to Ikarai Region and see her friends once again inspired her. At last! She will be able to see the guy she likes. Ah, Lance! ^_^
However, she immediately stopped when she heard some voices not far from where she is. A group of men… and a woman? Her curiosity pushed her to find those people. Discreetly, she hides herself behind a tree and saw a group of men eating and laughing together…. And a woman that was tied up in a tree?? Ah, such a beauty! Sarah was mesmerized at her beauty but wait, the woman seems familiar. Wait… she was thinking… where did she saw her?
Ah! That's right! it was the foreigner woman! she got a glimpse of her once at Ikarai and she was with some young guys before but looks like she was kidnapped!
Kidnapped?! The young lady seemingly snaps out from reality and stared at the young miss that was tied down.