"Hey, what do you think you're doing?" Diana tried to block the armed men who were trying to take away all the old and young men, children ages thirteen were not exempted.
"How could you let them fight alongside you when in fact they can't even raise their fists against someone! This is obviously suicide!" she yelled at them.
"You!" One of the men who seemed to be in his thirties pushed the woman away. "If I were you, I'd better shut up my mouth."
"Unfortunately, I am not you!" she stood in front of him fearlessly. "Don't you have any shame left in yourself mister? Forcing this people to fight against their will, against their families and masters… do you think they'll be able to lift their hands against them? You're just shoving them right into their graves!"
"They'll die anyway so why not have a worthy death?"
"In what way do you call that worthy, mister?" she contested. "Tell me, if you are in their position right now, do you think this is the right thing to do? Forcing the elderlies, the children… these weak people to fight for whatever cause you have, do you think it make sense?"
She was trying to shove some sense to them since they came early morning to gather the men, both young and old to teach them some basic fighting techniques in preparation for the battle in the coming days.
The man leading the troops raised his sword against the noisy blabbering woman. "I don't know you are and where you came from. But there's one thing I know, you are under us so you should act one." He eyed him murderously.
She didn't bat an eyelid.
"I'm giving you one last chance, let them go and I promise you safety when he comes."
The leader of the troop laughed madly after hearing her absurd statement.
"You? promising me safety?" the man scoffed in disgust. "You're totally insane, woman."
"Once you step outside that gate with these people, I'll guarantee you, I won't spare you any mercy."
"Keep dreaming miss. Who knows your knight in shining armor might appear to save you?" He mocked the determined woman.
"Unfortunately it's not a dream, mister. So you better prepare yourself to meet his wrath." She smirked confidently. Seeing her confidence, Daniel heaved a sigh of relief. She's too brave to confront these armed men not fearing for her own life. Well, he'll trust the woman for now. He'll trust her confidence towards the man who will rescue them from the hands of the raiders.
"Diana…" Daniel smiled genuinely at her. It was a smile of faith and hope.
"Mr. Daniel, everyone, please bear with it for a little while. He'll surely come, that's a promise."
*Unknown to her, someone among the troops marveled at her faith and confidence. That woman, she's definitely something!
"This woman will definitely stir trouble in the camp. Make sure to watch over her and whatever happens, don't let her leave this area, is that clear?" the leader of the troop warned the men guarding the camp.
"Yes Sir."
As soon as they left, Diana tried to comfort the women who were shivering in fear for their children.
"Please take courage everyone. help will come soon."
Her confidence somehow brought a bit of courage to the people left but their fear for their fathers and children were painted all over their faces.
"Miss Diana, please eat a little." Mary, Daniel's maidservant entered the tent bringing her food.
"Did everyone ate?"
"Y-yeah…" The old woman lied. The food that the guards gave them was not enough to feed everyone. Seeing how her eyes shifted its gaze, Diana knew she was lying and probably didn't eat yet.
"Thank you, Mary, but I'm not yet hungry." She smiled.
"But miss Diana, you didn't eat anything a while ago, how could you s----!"
"Don't worry about me, I'm fine."
The old woman heaved a defeated sigh. She knew that she won't be able to convince her since she's been skipping meals at times to give her portion to others who hadn't eaten yet. Such a selfless woman!
Diana forced the tears wanting to escape from her eyes. How could such a thing exist in this world? Selfishness, power hungry people, a society that practice discrimination religiously… ah, what a cruel world to live in!
She muttered a simple prayer to be grateful to God Almighty because she was blessed enough to experience a life of freedom. Seeing how the slave people manage to live day by day despites the sufferings they are going through is making her cry. What can she do? what can she contribute to ease their suffering? If only she was rich!
"Please, let me speak to your leader." Diana decided to make an audience with the chief leader so she tried to approach the guards.
"I'm sorry but your request is too impossible." One of the guards answered.
"Please, I really need to talk to him. Just a few minutes will do."
"You don't know his temper young lady. Besides, he is very busy and probably sleeping right now."
���Then I'll come back tomorrow. Please let him know."
Walking back to the tent, Diana halted for a few minutes and looked up at the starry sky. Danger after danger. She sighed.
"Liam…" she mumbled softly. "Are you searching for me right now? I'm sorry, I keep on bringing you troubles." she bit her lower lip. Guilt suddenly flooded her conscience.
*************
"Did you receive any news from Liam?" Lemuel asked Asher who seemed to be in deep thought at the tiny balcony of the house that the town chief provided for them.
"No message yet. Maybe he's in the middle of gathering some data." He sighed before facing the man. "How's the training going?"
"They're doing great. They all know the seriousness of this matter."
"That's good to know then. Assemble everyone tomorrow at the hillside. We shall proceed as planned."
"Yes I will."
"How's Sarah by the way?" Asher suddenly remembered the girl.
"Oh, she's in her room trying to learn the books that the old woman gave her."
Asher smirked suddenly. "We must give her our full support, Lem." However, Lemuel raised his brow suspiciously. "What? I really mean it, bro." He chuckled.
"Tsk! your very obvious, you know."
"Fine fine. I'm sorry. Guess I was too excited knowing that we have a seer with us. Do you know what that means?"
"What?"
"It's a blessing!" Asher exclaimed. "They only aid the kings of our country. But knowing that Sarah is a seer and also the granddaughter of the great herald is in a totally different level. Tell me that I am exaggerating but who knows, with Sarah's help, Liam might become our future king."
"Tsk!" Lem rolled his eyes. "You're going too far, Ash."
"I know but who knows right? Besides, prophets are born to assist kings, right?"
"Well, it would be nice if Liam was born as one. He could be the change that everyone has been seeking for a long time now."
If only… Asher suddenly looked up the sky and smiled. Thinking about Liam, anyone who gets to know him will surely know that he is destined for greatness. Too bad, he was not born with a royal blood. If only he was born one, then he will surely rise to the throne.
If only if…