Just after breakfast the adults gathered around for discussion. We all know what it must be about; they had to decide whether to go back to their land and face whatever awaits them there, or risk staying here and suffer their children to be oppressed by the witch, and worst of all being wiped out by the king of Nagi as Madame Devlin vision warns.
After a few debates from one person or the other the decision was made. They must leave. But before they leave they must do well to inform their host.
The men and the women were sent in pairs , with the advice of an older woman two children went with them Lyon was among them.
Immediately they got near the city a horn was blowed to signal the others of visitors.
The soldiers at the gate came to stand at the front in-order to observe who they were; intruders or visitors.
"We come in peace " they chorused until they finally got to the gate.
"Oh! They are the people who king Edwin has given refuge in the outskirts " one of the soldiers said .
"What do you seek ?" Another walked towards them with his hands on his sword.
"We seek audience with your king " Madame Reynolds answered.
"Under two conditions will you see his majesty, one you must be truly searched, and secondly this lady must be left here to entertain us until your return " he smiled slyly.
"Which lady do you speak of?" Madame Reynolds asked with a frown.
" Her " he pointed at the lady on a blue gown , if not for the war she would have passed for a princess.
"This infidel " he cursed. " if not for the fact that we might be chased and beheaded if we do not seek the approval of King Edwin to go back home , why purpose are we here to receive this insult from this creature " .
"She is my wife "he blurted not paying regard to the expression on the faces staring at him.
"She is yours?" The soldier asked with displeasure.
"Yes sir ,she is mine" he smiled at her signaling her to come close to him.
"If she be truly your wife kiss her " the soldier smiled wickedly.
"We are not here for romance sir, but to seek an audience with the king, and also a man will not be compelled to kissed his beloved " he challenged.
"What is your name?" the soldier asked .
"Grit sir" .
"Hmm truly you live by your name. What of hers" he looked at her lustfully.
"Gloria" he said and held her hands.
"Hmm" the soldier sighed " if we would not be entertained by her fairness than I regrets to tell you, you will be denied of whatever you seek" . This time he looked serious.
"Kiss her now or she is taken by coercion if you must secure an audience with my king" he shouted. " And if you kiss her when she is not yours the punishment for taking her innocence will be on your head".
"Madame Reynolds" someone said from behind the soldier.
"Commander Lyon !" The elderly woman exclaimed.
"How long have he kept you waiting?" He asked staring at the soldier.
"Not too long " she answered and smiled.
"Come on in" he stretched his hands showing them the way.
"I am not Gloria but Carol" the young lady whispered into Grit's ears.
"Oh! " he exclaimed " my apologies ". He bowed.
"How long have you been in the camp "
"Not too long ago" he gave her a warm smile." I have been staying in the next village ".
"Oh! No wonder you don't seem familiar " she smiled warmly. "Thank you".
"What for?" .
"For defending me. I have never been so protected by someone " there was a trace of tear on her lashes." My parents were my shield but they left early".
"Oh! I sorry for your lost" on a second thought he said ," my father dead even before my birth, while my mother was after delivering , so I never got the choice of seeing them. I stayed with my maternal aunty until the war took her, hmm" he gave a small laugh." I must say you are lucky ".
"Your story is really sardonic " she muttered." "No wonder the reason for the name Grit" she said more to herself.
"I believe that to be a compliment " he looked down at her to see her response.
"I guess I wanted it so" she gave a ladylike laugh.
"Careful!" He drew her as she was about to hit her leg on a stone.
"You have saved me twice in a day" she wondered.
"That must be a sign " Madame Reynolds teased with their back.
"They really look so perfect together " Madame Devlin whispered into her ears.
"Young love" they said in unison and gave a heartfelt laugh.
"I have never been so happy like this since the war" Madame Reynolds held her face as though she could feel her happiness in that way.
"We would get more happy days " Madame Devlin held her hands. They all walked briskly into the palace.
"We shall inform his royal majesty on your presence" commander Lyon bowed.
" Alright " they nodded.
"His royal highness! King Edwin (II) of Cano ! The invincible king" announced the king's man.
"Long live the king " they bowed.
"To what do I owe this August visit?". The king smiled friendly at them.
"We shall not waste his majesty's time, so we must precede to say the reason we all are here. We the elders , youths and children who you have refuged in your land for these times have come to say thank you!".
"Alright…my father was a good man , and so his father before him, and so his father father…the line of goodness continues" he paused and added " Madame Reynold I think I have come to know you well enough to know that when you speak , the reserve the vital part for the later" he narrowed his eyes with a suspicious look.
"Your royal highness has done enough for us, we would not want to continue burdening him".
"His heart is so good" Madame Devlin thought"Why should the good always perish first?".
"You seek to leave?" King Edwin sat straight on his chair.
"Yes your majesty" she replied with a bow.