The journey continued under the noon sun as Paul, Victoria, Alexander and Derek boarded a solid, old looking sail boat - sailing through the north sea of Azma.
The wind kissed the broad sails, propelling them forward through the calm waters expanding around them, deep blue in colour. Paul's unexpected skill in navigation came as a surprise - guiding the boat using a large rudder as it rocked to the peaceful open sea.
The second day of the the journey came with a raging wind, it took Paul's leadership together with the obedience of Derek and Alexander to set things through the changing conditions - adjusting the sails and steering of the boat. As though the sea was against them a brief storm welcomed them on the third day. Derek had no doubt of Paul's expertise, to lighten up the tense atmosphere he smiled with content knowing he stood his ground as Victoria and Alexander threw up several times, emptying their bellies of the dried pork and fish they've been feasting on.
Dark clouds rumbled overhead by the early hours of the fourth day, releasing a heavy downpour on the sail boat, forcing them into the cramped deck built for two. The wind howled and rocked the boat violently, despite all, the tempest subsided - leaving behind clear skies as though the storm never happened. At sunset, they finally arrived at a shrub forest having sparsely dispersed birch trees.
They docked by the forest then found a suitable spot, where they hid the sail boat under an over grown shrub vegetation before venturing into the forest. It was an amazing sight to behold - evergreen with dense undergrowth, the forest was adorned with vibrant shrubs - coating the forest floor with mosaic colours, ranging from deep greens to hues of gold and crimson red. The scattered spindly birch trees stood elegantly with slender trunks almost touching the sky, their leaves fluttering to the gentle breeze.
Before dark, they searched for a nice spot and found a small clearing, were they set up a fire pit. It was a starless, half moon night, cool and airy, flourishing with the smell of sap and berries. The flames burned a bit low with sticks crackling after a while, just Paul and Derek were seated, Alexander and Victoria had gone from their presence a while ago.
Paul took a glimpse at Derek then a quick look at the flame, before gazing at him again.
"I didn't get to ask Derek."
Derek's eyes met with Paul, his voice calm, "What?" He asked, grasping what may have crossed Paul's mind.
"You mentioned earlier that you were from Olives, right?"
"Yes. You knew the town?"
"Not really," His voice sounded heavy, "If you survived the attack then you were either lost or taken as a captive by Lankins."
Derek squints his eyes, now things were going somewhere. "How do you know of this? I thought it was a secret."
"Not to Aaron, it was part of the reason I hated the pig."
"Seems you've always hated him then." Derek smiled despite Paul's serious expression.
"Aaron was responsible for the attack that night." Paul held Derek's gaze.
"I wasn't sure at first, but I heard rumours." Derek broke the intense gaze, staring at the whooshing flames. "What was his objective?" He clenched his fists, already aware of the answer.
"He wanted the girls and the Lankins property. As Chancellor such a person was a threat to his pride and it needed handling."
"That bastard really had no dignity." Derek's rage quenched, for being vexed by the deeds of a dead man wasn't worth it.
"There was no avoiding it, that's the sentiment of the wealthy and those in power, they will always stop at nothing to destroy every threat in their path."
"A better reason to hate them." Derek's eyes gleamed with silent rage.
Paul smiled looking up at the sky. "You sound just like Alex."
Just then, Alexander and Victoria stepped in, they had succeeded in dying their hair black. Alexander cut his hair short, while Victoria knotted hers into a pony tail, giving her a new beckoning look which kept Derek and Paul stunned.
"How is it?" Victoria asked shyly.
"Beautiful." Derek and Paul spoke, they gazed at each other before breaking into a chuckle.
The next morning they continued their journey through a clear pathway slithering through the forest, Paul and Victoria walked side by side up front while Derek and Alexander followed behind.
"Have you noticed?" Derek whispered to Alexander.
"Absolutely, mother and Paul seems closer than usual." Alexander whispered back.
"I don't know about you, but they look great together." Derek glimpsed at Alexander for his reaction.
"I have no argument on this one Derek, she has suffered enough, I trust Paul will fill her with much happiness."
They glanced at each other with an assuring smile followed by a nod, then they moved further to meet up with Paul and Victoria. They continued along the path for a long while, there were no signs of buildings or farmlands to show a town was close by.
Derek finally caught glimpse of a wagon, three Azma footsoldiers were unto the wagon - clad in purple padded armor, their swords held by a black leather baldric, gridded on their waist. One of the soldiers questioned a man, probably the father of the family of five, the other two searched their belongings while a woman held her three girls who cringed to her tightly.
"Ignore and keep walking." Paul adviced.
Paul led the way as they walked pass, the soldiers didn't even pay attention to them. Derek suddenly stopped on his track, he overheard the solider confronting the man asking for one of his daughters as tax payment.
Derek clenched his fists, with fury eyes he turns over to the soldier.
"That's uncalled for." Derek spoke rather calmly, still his voice harboured a deep threat.
Paul, Alexander and Victoria spun around immediately on hearing Derek speak, shock engraved on their eyes.
"Who is this?" The Soldier regarded Derek head to toe. "keep moving runt."
"Not when scum like you harass innocents with the power you are meant to use for their safety."
At this moment the other two soldiers had stopped their search, glaring at Derek, reaching for their swords.
"What was that?" The soldier asked, approaching Derek, his right hand wrapped around the hilt of his sword.
Derek kept calm, Commander Jerome had taught him better than to panic before an harmed man, especially one well-trained. He waited for the soldier to step within his range of attack, now chanced Derek landed a quick head butt on his nose.
The soldier staggered with a cry, holding his nose.
Derek didn't hold back one bit, all he needed to knock the soldier out was a solid kick to the side of the soldier's neck, pulling his head to the ground.
Lifting his gaze he met with a slash from the second soldier, which he barely evaded. He successfully avoided another then got hold of the soldier's wrist and held his belt, throwing him over his shoulder.
By the time he turned over to the last soldier, his sword was already whistling towards his neck.
Derek watched with fear - unable to intervene.
A loud ringing suddenly reverberated, Derek stumbled to the dirt as though being pulled back, his body quivering from his life flashing through his eyes, his heart kept thudding with intensity.
Paul made it in time to deflect the attack, giving Alexander an opening to knock out the soldier with a hard punch.
"What were you thinking?" Paul lashed at Derek.
"I thought I had them all." Derek straightened up, cleaning his body.
Just then Victoria turned Derek around welcoming him with a sound slap before pulling him into an embrace. The slap didn't matter to Derek, Victoria was fidgeting as she clung tight to him, he had no choice but to embrace her, placing the side of his face on her hair.
"Don't do that Derek." Victoria sobbed. "Don't try to play the hero."
"Sorry ma'am, that's the last you'll see of such." He withdrew to get a good look at her then wiped her tears with a smile. "I do not want you worrying about me, so I won't do it again."
"Are you alright sir?" Paul sheathes his sword approaching the man and his family who were cuddled up.
"Thank you so much." The man walks up to Derek. "I am forever in your debt sir." He greeted with a bow.
"It's alright sir." Derek waved with both hands at the man, gesturing him to stop, "I'm just glad you and your family are safe."
Paul squints at Derek, "Don't you dare get all high and mighty chump. You almost got yourself killed."
"That's why I have Alex and you." Derek gazes at Alexander.
Alexander raised a brow at Derek.
"What?" Derek asked anxiously.
"Please, let me help you out, I and my family are going to town, let me give you a ride."
"Can't say no, can we?" Paul nods in agreement.
The man thanked Derek again then introduced himself to them, Gerald Lamark he called himself, he was short and chubby, fair and bald with large facial hair.
Paul also introduced himself as well as Derek, Alexander and Victoria; as did Gerald introduce his family. His wife, Lovert Lamark, dark skin - short and graceful - his three teenage daughters, Jane, Juliet and Janet, all taking their fathers skin and their mother's gracefulness.
After a brief talk they boarded the wagon and continued on the journey, Gerald and Paul taking the wheels.