" I see you're busy, sister. Too busy to know what has being going on with Mashgad." He mocked.
" What are you doing here, Gad? how many times have I warned you not to enter my room uninvited. Leave at once!" She ordered, without giving him a glance.
" Have you seen Mashgad today?" He asked, but Diana didn't reply. instead she continued with what she was doing.
" Stop beating around the bush, go straight to the point!" she said, indifferently. Gad didn't let her indifference get to him. He was in a good mood today.
" I'm very happy today, my dear sister. The gods has finally grant me my prayer request." The smile on his face grew at the moment. " Today sister, all my worries will go away. Mashgad is leaving for Topaz today. I don't need to worry about that animal anymore." He giggled.
" What are you talking about? Mashgad is not leaving. He won't leave without telling me. I know you're trying to piss me off. I don't have your time Gad, not today." She started packing her training gears. She was to go on horse riding lessons with Mashgad today.
" You think I'm lying right? It's okay sister, you can clarify for yourself. I'm sure, he must have packed his bags already. You should hurry, he will leave any moment from now." Gad chuckled. Diana Shrug her shoulders in doubt. She didn't believe a word he spoked. She took her bag and walk out of the room, without giving him a glance.
* * * *
" Stop crying mother, you're breaking my heart." Mashgad sobbed. Both mother and son cried in each other's arms. Master Gera's men were not able to find Eli after three days of endless search. As agreed, Mashgad was to serve the punishment in his place. Today, he will leave for Topaz. Tema held Mashgad in her arms thightly, she cried uncontrollably. So this is how it all ends, she won't be able to see her son again.
" Don't worry about me mother, I will take good care of myself. You shouldn't cry when I'm away. You should be strong mother. Don't worry, I will come back for you in the future, I will take you away from this place." He said, trying to calm her down.
" My dear Mashgad, I'm so sorry you've to go through this. you don't deserve this my son. Forgive me for not being able to protect you."
" It's not your fault mother, please stop apologizing to me. You're hurting me. I'm only going to Topaz, mother, I'm not dying. I promise I will fight for my freedom. when I'm set free, I will come back for you. I will give you the life a queen deserves, you won't have to work as anyone's slave again. I will set you free mother, I promise." He said, wiping her tears.
From a close distance, Diana watched the both of them. She had been standing there for a while now. When she got to the stable, she couldn't find Mashgad there, so she decided to come over to his house to look for him.
" So it is true, you're indeed leaving." She said. Her voice interupted them. Turning around, Mashgad was surprised to see Diana standing there. He forgot they were to have horse riding lessons today.
"Animal! How dare you keep such a thing from me, I thought we were friends." She said, before leaving.
" Diana! please wait!" Mashgad tried to stop her but she didn't listen.
" You should go after her. After all, she will miss you when you're gone." Tema gestured for him to go after her.
" But,mother..."
" Don't worry about me. I will be fine. Go after her." She urged him. Mashgad gave a glance before leaving.
" Diana wait!" He said, running after her.
Diana kept waking. He ran faster until he catched up with her.
" I'm sorry I kept the truth from you, Diana. I did it because, I didn't want you to get worried. He said, in a sad voice.
" It is left for me to decide if I am to worry or not. You keeping the truth from me proves you don't value our friendship." She scowled.
" Forgive me Diana, it's not what you think. I know you will try to save me if you had found out, but I didn't want you to. I have accepted my father's punishment without any regrets. Please Diana, don't be angry. I really value our friendship. I want us to be in good terms before I leave." He gave her a pleading look. Those blue eyes, how could she resist them. She rolled her eyes.
" Okay, you've got me." She puffed.
" I will forgive you, on one condition." She looked serious at the moment.
" What is it Diana?" Mashgad asked.
" Promise me you won't die over there. I want you to fight, fight to be alive. Don't let yourself get killed. If you dare die, I will never forgive you, Mashgad." She said in matter of fact tone.
" I promise, I will not let myself get killed. I will fight to stay alive." He replied with a weak smile.
" You better" She nudged his shoulder. For a moment, a hint of sadness appeared on her face, but it was replaced with a smirk immediately.
" That's enough now, you should get going. One more thing, anyone who tries to bully you, break his nose!" A smile appeared on his face, he hugged her without hesitation.
" I will miss you Diana" He muttered under his breath.