Kaleb
A boy, whom I recognized to be one of my men steadily made his way to the front, averting everyone's gaze from I and Gallihead for a second.
He was injured and was thought to be one of the lucky survivors.
"Damion, what are you doing here? You're badly scarred." An overwhelmed with surprise Gallihead uttered.
The people's eyes followed Damion as he waddled to the center; my eyes inclusive. For a moment, I thought the story line would change there since it'd be coming from another person new and calmer this time around.
Damion halted as he stated, "The chief asked us if we were Rocainians." he uttered, igniting mixed feeling up in the crowd. "That was the question."
I could see everyone lost in bewilderment and I had a quiet but curious and angry look. What was the matter here? What was this nonsense?
"W-wait. You're saying that our Kaleb, that we all know, asked such silly question? Something is quite off about that." The questioner confessed and I too waited for a response.
"It's true sir," Damion pleaded with some kind of act- I couldn't tell, that instigated some sort of believe in almost everyone. "I need to know the root of this and where it'd be taken to."
What certain proof did they have?
"If I may speak?" I seeked permission. "I have been with that fool," I pointed bluntly at Jeremy, caring less of my tone. "all day, including yesterday, and there is no way I could do such a thing."
"It's true." Jeremy confirmed, but later on changed his facial expression because he had realize what he had called himself in acceptance. I didn't mean to be rude, but I was on a hot seat, you see.
"For all we care," Gallihead let out. "you're our chief and we know what you're capable of!"
A raised hand from the regular crowd was seen. The person, being a woman, enquired with outburst fear as she stood up.
And I suddenly remembered the children saying they loved me.
"Is there a way for a Rocainian, who already knows we're Forelenes, to ask such a question?"
"Maybe some mindless game ma'am." A little respect stuck to Gallihead's tone, this time as he answered.
"We need not waste time! We should send him off! This wouldn't be the first time a chief would fail Forestille!" Mixed voices from the crowd encompassed everywhere and I needed to fight back my emotions for I thought they were the parents of those who were no more.
"A leader, convincing us to give our kids for pointless battles, and still having the guts to kill them!"
"We shouldn't have trusted him!"
"Who knew if he was the one that led them to Forestille back then in the first place…?!"
"They could come back! He knows our location and he'll tell them!"
"It was their strategy, that why he was sent here!"....
More and more words launched thorns into my chest.
My eyes felt giddy even more worse than the time of the poison plant. I needed rest and pulled my head up high in uncertainty.
"It's okay villagers," Mr. Benjamin calmed. "Shall we proceed? You were saying that your head that you grew up with, and trained you, slaughtered innocent towners, going on asking one by one if they were Rocainians?"
The now extremely exasperated Gallihead went on, "I saw him kill my comrades. I was begging for my life yet he had cold in his eyes. His sinister feeling gave out he wasn't going to have mercy on anyone including us that he knew. He probably worked for the Rocainians all these years and now is showing it. The only way I escaped was when I witnessed him interrogate a woman. He asked her if she was a Rocainian and then she said
'no'. Giving that answer, she was killed and then the next was my turn. I just figured, 'why not say that opposite?' 'yes,' I said. And then he freed me…"
"It's enough, warrior." I stood up with interjection. "I have decided on my own verdict. I shall leave new Forestille to journey to the Great city inorder to ask for their help. I shall not return until I have proven myself and shall go alone."
Silence scattered the place and a few ironic laughters could be heard.
"Great city?"
"They have helped us before and might again. I do not care of any allegations thrown but I do know that it is my duty to protect you all."
With that, I started exiting the place, leaving everyone in shock.
"And after everything I'd done for them." I breathed in dismay.
Darla carelessly came up to me without bother. She didn't care of being close to me, and we strode towards the cottage.
"How do you mean, Kaleb?" she was still following me.
"I have made up my mind, Darla. You can't change it."
"Then I shall come with you then."
"No. I'll go alone."
"If you can fight me then you should." she said, proposing we had a fight if she stayed. She then switched her demeanor into that of a caring fellow, "Kaleb, I am your right-hand warrior and I will not leave my brother."
I paused there, feeling her sincerity through her spoken words. I pressed down my eyelids for I had no choice. She was a tough one that I had trained. My first ever warrior and sister.
With softness in my masculine tone, I inquired, "What about Berylene and Pa? Who will take care of them?"
"Beryl's a woman now. She can take care of herself and Pa."
I went back into the house and the first person I saw was Beryl. She rushed to me for a hug and I could not help feel her emotional touch. She was so close to me and didn't let go.
"Don't go." her soft breath pleaded. "I'll miss you, or let me follow you. I may not be as good as Darla in fighting, but I want to, please…"
"Shuuu.." my husky tone gave out, redirecting my eyes to her face. "Beryl do you remember all those years when I didn't let you train with us? It wasn't because I underestimated you. Beryl, it was because I loved you."
Her honey eyes literally pierced into mine and I could see the shock on her face.
"Beryl, I have always loved you and still do. I care about you" Mentally speaking, 'Oh, I have waited for long to say this.'
With partly dilated eyes, she stared in awe and then she wrapped her arms around my figure.
"I love you, Kaleb." her breath spoke, easing me of those years I feared.
"You shall be in charge when I am gone." I spoke, still in a that position. "Then Pa could take over when well."
Of course I hugged her back with so much love, but letting go of her was hard. As much as I wanted to stay with her, especially now, I had to go.
"Safe journey." she bade me, making me feel like I should stay. I was still packing my things though in a travel bag.
I ordered nicely, "When I'm gone, I want you to take good care of the rest Forelenes for you are brave. Make sure you relocate to the hidden Raven valley when I leave."
She took me by the hand, then burried her head in my chest. She gave a smile that reached her eyes, after raising her head up to me.
"Of course, Kaleb." she said. "You should take care."
A smile hovered my lips as I looked at her. I would've still held her if not of Darla, but she had to seperate us like two glued birds.
I still smiled at her even after I was going. She should wait for me, "Beryl"
We were all packed and ready to go; I and Darla, and the villagers gave us a salute. I knew some were still having uncanny emotions in them, I thinned my lips for a smile.
We were off on our horses and were about leaving when the surprising galloping of a horse that rode at the speed of a canter, was heared towards us.
We waited with curiousity and then I imagined that there was no other person that it could've been.
"Jeremy!" exclaimed I.
"Wait for me!" he shouted. "You can't leave me here!"
I laughed out slightly at his desperation. He needed to see the world and there he got it.
Jeremy came closer and said, "Hello miss, I'm Jeremy. One of the world smartest fellows."
He refferd to Darla.
She gave him one of those weird expressions she usually did towards strangers— though not rude in this situation.
She finally said shaking him weirdly, "I'm Darla." she gave him an awkward look, then slowly trotted away.
"She's pretty." Jeremy spoke as though in a reverie.
"I better warn you of her, she doesn't like being called pretty."