" it's this box, please spare my life" the thief said giving her the box
" liar, what did you steal from the old lady" she asked again
" I swear on my families life, it's the box" he said before he pushed them away and ran off
" leave him, let him go" Cyma said as Zion was about to go after him
" but..."
" he's of no use, he'll probably go and report to the one who sent him. let's return the box back to the old lady" she said climbing her horse.
when they returned the old lady was really happy to see them.
" you're wounded," the old lady said noticing the blood stain on her cloth
" it's nothing, here" she said handing the box over
" what do you mean it's nothing?, you should have let me kill that guy" Zion said wrapping her injury with his small face towel.
" you're such a brave young lady, you both look so good together " the young boy said
" when you grow up, you should also be strong like her so you'll protect your grandma " Zion said patting the boys head and Cyma smiled
" our house is nearby, why don't you change. some of my daughters cloth will fit you" the old lady said
" no, there's no need" Cyma said
" there is need, you can't go back to the palace covered in blood" Zion said
" I'll lead the way then" the old lady said taking them to her house.
there house was looking a bit old, they were other houses around in the village but everywhere was empty.
" what happened?" Zion asked looking at the destruction of some part of the village
" we were attacked, everyone had to move away from here" the old lady said
" then why are you still here?" Cyma asked
" I can't move until I'm sure the box is in safe hands" the old lady said with a smile.
They went to her house and Cyma got changed and they sat for a cup of tea. The old lady opened the box and the only thing that was inside it was a bracelet and Cyma couldn't believe it
" it's still there, thank you " the old lady said
" why would they send those many thieves over a bracelet, they even sent back up" Cyma said
" such a big fuss over a bracelet, this thieves are unbelievable " Zion said and the old lady smiled
" it's an important bracelet " she said
" if it's that important why are you keeping it with you, put it in the property bank " Zion said
" it's not something that people should know about " she said
" if it's that important that means they'll surely come back for it" Cyma said
" they wouldn't meet it here by the time they come back" the old lady said
" that's much better, you should also move from her to be safe" Cyma said
" it's getting late now, we'll be on our way" Zion said as they got up
" sure, let me get something for you children" she said as she was walking towards them. she almost fell and Cyma caught her.
" sorry, my eyes are a bit blurry this days" she said smiling at Cyma
" there's no need for that, your hospitality is enough for us" Zion said
" you're leaving already " the young boy said
" we have to go back home before it's late, here. keep this and practice with it, so you'll protect your grandma one day" Zion said giving him a small knife
" I will" the boy said
" we'll leave now " Cyma said as they climbed on their horse
" I hope you make use of it well, and I know you'll protect it with all your life " the old lady said to Cyma but she didn't understand. Then they rode off, when they got back to the city they got off the horse and started walking with there horses behind them
" how is your arm?" he asked
" it's fine, no one should know about today" she said
" sure. you wouldn't still tell me" he said
" tell you what?" she asked
" what you were doing by the river?" he asked
' I thought we have dropped that topic " she said
" I know you're the beautiful dancer " he said
" I know you know, you were the one who talked me into it" she said
" it's your talent, it shouldn't be wasted." he said
" that's why I didn't want you to know I was about to dispose the clothes or you wouldn't allow me to " she said
" well, you disposed it in the wrong place" he said
" the water would have probably washed it away, there's nothing to bother about " she said
Meanwhile, at the river bank a lady went there to fish and she saw a bag lying there
" who dropped this here?" she asked as she opened it
" this are expensive clothes, I'll get a fortune by selling them" she said as she left with the bag.
Quentin sneaked into Cyma's room and successfully hid the veil in her wardrobe. he was about to leave when he saw Cyma standing by the door.
" what are you doing here?" she asked
" I came to look for you" he said
" why?" she asked
" to give you this" he said giving her a bag of coins
" why?" she asked
" you've been a good sister to me" he said
" alright, can you leave now" she said
" I'm your elder brother but you treat me like a slave" he said
" that's not it, I'm tired and I need rest" she said
" okay" he said leaving
" wait, I'll take this" she said collecting the bag from him
" that was my bag of fortune, and I had to let that go. oh well, I don't mind. as long as the beautiful dancer becomes my bride, I can sacrifice more than a bag of fortune " he thought as he left her room.
Cyma laid on her bed after having a nice warm bath, she couldn't help but smile as she thought about how Zion was today. he almost killed that man for hurting her and he was so cute with that boy. he would make a good father for her kids. she had a huge crush on him since they were kids but only Alpena and Queen mother knew. she felt something in the pocket of the cloth she just took off, it was the bracelet. the old lady must have put it there when she caught her from falling.
"