He felt something was wrong somewhere. He felt he had done something unforgiving. The person he hated was the one saving him. The one he loves and trusted was the one betraying him. The one who played him for a fool. He froze instantly. What has he done?
Meanwhile, Dorcas ran as fast as she could to the emperor'sstudy room. The guards didn't want her to enter but she forced herself in. She knelt right in front of Hezron.
"Dorcas!" They exclaimed.
"What's wrong?" Asked Hezron.
"Please your majesty, no matter what, forgive my lady and save her. Please." Dorcas pleaded in tears.
"What do you mean?" Asked Hezron and Salome in sync.
"We were ambushed. " She said.
"What?How?"Asked Hezron.
"After we got to the rod of Arod, we were attacked. The two guards betrayed us. It was the coach man and the other guard who fought for us. They were killed. We ran into the forest. To divert those people, we got separated. I don't know how to search for her. She might be in the forest alone. Please save her. She's already not feeling well." Pleaded Dorcas as she cried.
Hezron felt knives piercing his heart. He didn't even know why,but he felt like killing those who dare ambushed them.
"Amos, tell Shedrack to capture Vanessa and her father no matter what. They should be in prison when I come back." He ordered coldly.
"Yes your majesty. " Amos said. He was excited.
"Also, assemble many guards. We're going to look for the empress. " He added.
"Yes your majesty." He said.
"Brother-" Salome said looking sad.
"Don't worry, I will bring her back." He told Salome. He turned to Dorcas. "You should take care of your wound. Your lady will come soon."
Everything was prepared quickly and they set off. They rode faster than ever before. All through the journey, Hezron kept thinking of her. He wouldn't forgive himself if anything happens to her. The thought of her dying caused a severe pain in his heart.
*****
I sat down under a tree after walking for hours. I was hungry and thirsty. The pain of my wound was also felt. I was surprised there was no edible food in the forest. I was hoping for a berry but there was none. Maybe it was where I was. I decided to rest for a while.
Hours passed and I still couldn't find anything. I felt like fainting but I couldn't do that now. I needed to find a way no matter what. It was already dark. I felt weaker and weaker with each passing second. The moon was brighter that night. I heard a ROAR and looked through the woods. There was a wild animal.
"HOLY SHIT!" I exclaimed before running. It ran after me. I didn't even know where the strength came from. I've already tore the rest of me clothes so I was comfortable . I used the rest to cover myself from the cold.
I would always seek shelter from the trees but the animal would always detect where I was. I ran a lot that I didn't see the pit in front of me. I fell right in that long pit. I hit my back and felt the pain. The animal was wise enough to stop on time.It surrounded the place waiting for an opportunity to get me.
Luckily, there was none. There was another ROAR and that wild animal took to its heels. What was that? I squeezed myself in a tiny hole to divert any animal from seeing me. I stayed in there for almost three hours and felt nothing was outside.
It started to snow again. I needed to find a safer place and decided to get out of the pit.I tried climbing out of the pit. I placed my hands and feet at rightful places and climbed up. I took only three steps before I fell down.
I tried the second time and fell again from a not hunger height. I felt the pain at my back. I tried the third time. I became excited when I almost reached the edge but I slipped and fell again. This time, the height was far and I hurt my feet. A sharp object pierced my feet. It went deeper and it was longer than I imagined.
"Ah!" I moaned in pain as blood oozes out of my feet. I tore half of my clothes again and first cleaned the wound before I bandage it.
Due to this, I had to stay in the pit.The weather was so much for me.
***
Meanwhile, Hezron and his men were already in the forest searching for her. They got there in the afternoon. They've been searching for hours. There was no rest for any of them.
"Your majesty, we can't go any further. The snow is quite too much." Aris said.
"Amos, set the tent. We will continue early morning. " He said.
The rest of the guards breathe sign of relief. They were very tired and cold. Hezron couldn't sleep well that night. All he could think of was how foolish he has been.
The over fifty soldiers set off around dawn to continue their search for their empress. They kept screaming her name and moving from here and there. Rest wasn't in their dictionary. The emperor was very serious about everything. The knights were surprised of his behavior. Everybody in the kingdom knew he didn't favour the empress. They all knew how he hated her. They all knew how he loved only Vanessa. Why was he acting like that? That was the question in their minds.
*****
Waking up, I was half covered in snow. I couldn't with my tummy again so I decided to go ding food even if it leaves. With determination and hunger, I decided to climb up again. I tried the first and failed. I did so many times and my wound opened again. They was blood everywhere as my back ached from the fall.
I tried again, though I was in pain, i was determined to win this time. The weather was cold but she was sweating. Eventually, she escaped from the pit. She laid on the cold floor for some minutes due to the pain, weakness and tiredness.
I was left in my chemise. I had no show on. I had so many wound covered with pieces of my clothes. The hunger was too much. I rode up to get food. When thirsty, I would gather some of the snow and swallow. Sometimes, wait for it to melt in my mouth before I swallow.
I walked for another hour before I saw two tiper fruits on a talk tree.I was determined to get that fruit by all means. There were no stones nor arrows around. I decided to climb even when my feet was hurt.
With slow but steady steps, I climbed the tree gradually, slowly and gently. I didn't want to hurt my weak body. Soon, I got to where the roped fruits were. I had a smile on my face . I stretched my hand to get the fruit, suddenly, a snake appeared from nowhere. Due to of the shock, I let go of the branch and I fell from a really great height.
"Ahhhh!!!!!" I moaned in so much pain. I even hurt my leg even more.
The worse scenario was, the fruit fell and rolled down the slope. I couldn't stop myself from crying. The pain was too much for me to endure. What did I ever do wrong? Was it my fault I married Hezron ? I had no one but myself to blame. I should have died when I was young. The second fruit fell beside me, but I felt like not eating due to the pain. My stomach wouldn't stop making noise, so I cleaned it with my dress and ate the fruit. It wasn't enough but it was fine for me.