Her King Of Shadows

Chapter XIV.

They have stayed in the house for only two days. After they had boarded the train, Gideon knew they were taking a great risk, leaving the cars behind, but they didn’t have a choice. Too much time was already wasted. Their journey had to end. While they were moving away from the city, he really believed they would make it. He didn’t expect it to be this hard when he took Boris' offer. There were too many problems. Each time he thought they were going forward, something would stop them. Attacks would be upon them. Roads would be closed. Their safe houses burned. Someone didn’t want this girl to arrive at her destination.

He watched her while they sat opposite to one another. Abel was the only one left behind. He followed them in one of the cars just to make sure they had an opportunity of an escape. Boris never told him who she was. He never explained what her connection was to Araphel. And at that moment he didn’t want to know. It didn’t matter to him. But now he had to ask. If everything was innocent. Why could Boris not do himself what he was asking him to do? Why didn't he send his warriors to be escort? He guessed she knew all the answers. He gave a sign to Davind and Jonathan to step out. It was time for them to talk. Shana looked at him holding a book in her hands. David gave her something to read when they traveled. He bought it in a small store at the station. Together with newspapers and chocolate cookies. Gideon watched her with his cold eyes. He wanted answers. But it wasn’t in his nature to ask directly. It would have been a defeat for him to do that.

-Abel has told me something which I didn’t believe at the start. Between me and you, I consider him old-fashioned. He still believes that people and things can have strong powers. He believes in fairy tales of ancient times.-he started his story. She listened to his voice. She couldn’t do more than that. When she didn’t speak he continued even more. -He had told me that the first night in the house he saw darkness in your room. Darkness which took the form of a warrior. He told me that this wasn’t the first time he had noticed something happening when you are alone. He had a feeling we were being followed the entire way. That we are never alone.-he said. But she didn’t feel into his trap. She warned him about a failure of their mission before. She didn’t owe him more than that. Warriors like him were led by greed. Boris bought their time. Nothing she could say would make him return that money.

-You are right. Those are only fairy tales.-she wanted to go back to the book she was reading. She didn't even remember a single word about it. She had nothing but sorrow in her eyes.

-Then are we really alone? Nobody is following us from your world?-he wanted to know. Dark eyes didn’t hide anything from him. They were honest. She didn’t confirm his fears. But she didn’t deny them either. Something was telling him she didn’t want to lie.

-You know the name of the leader you are taking me to.-it was the only thing she could offer to him.

-I don’t think that Araphel has such power to appear from the other side of the world.-He didn’t believe her explanation. She gave up on her book aware it wasn’t making any sense. She put it away on the seat next to hers.

-I have already told you what you can expect from this time we are spending together. But you refuse to listen.-she reminded him. He tried to control the rage in his heart. But it was becoming harder. Maybe she didn’t realize the difficulties of their situation.

-Each time we are going away from the city something happens to bring us back. Each time we board a plane or a ship we get betrayed. So I have to ask myself, is it so because you don’t want to leave? Did you betray our plans to our enemies who have you in their control?-he doubted her. But she didn’t let him. She stood up, bringing her face closer to his. She wanted him to look into her dark eyes. She wanted him to see the truth in them. He noticed the thin silver chain shining around her neck. Feeling the smell of jasmine and lavender. Her dark hair fell from her shoulders. It made her look so beautiful. He had never before noticed how different she looked when she was challenged.

-There is only one warrior who holds me in his control and his name is known to you. I admit it. Abel was right. Darkness belongs to him. But how can I share the plans which are not shared with me in the first place? How can I know where we will go and when? How can I betray something that was hidden from me from the first day? If you are looking for a traitor, start searching among your friends. I do not know you. And I do not owe you any loyalty.-she had refused his accusations.

-Who are you?-he asked. She went back to her place.

-I cant tell you.-she whispered. She closed her eyes, showing that the conversation had ended. There was nothing more she could tell him. Nothing more was there.

Gideon found himself with more questions than before. That entire day until the night was spent on a train. After that they had to go down. Abel turned up with more bad news. And this time they didn’t hide them from her. He was waiting for them in the abandoned station. Her wool sweater couldn’t protect her from the icy wind.

-They know that we are coming. I have passed almost 3 cars with warriors in them. All of them ready for battle.-he said quietly when they arrived. Gideon looked towards her.

-This is not a simple girl we are escorting.-he concluded. They all got inside the car and started to drive down the wet streets. This time there was no secluded shelter. They stopped in a small hotel at the edge of the city. Abel had reserved two connected rooms for them. They had brought her inside like a prisoner. Their faces told her it was time to start talking. They will not accept half-spoken words. She went into the modest room looking for warmth. The weather was becoming colder. She couldn’t believe it was only two weeks since she left her father's home. It seemed much longer. It seemed years.

-David you are first on watch.-Gideon stayed organized. Abel stood by the window. He had a black coat on him. Always ready to move at any moment. Jonathan was sitting on one of the beds looking at a map. Trying to find a new way for them to take. Gideon stood by the door looking at her. Waiting. And even though it appeared that others didn’t pay any attention, she knew they would listen to their every word._

Her heart was beating fast.

-Who are you?-he repeated his question loudly. And he did it in a voice demanding answers. She sat on a chair next to a cheap desk. Her hands fell into her lap. Fingers shaking.

-My name is Shana.-she said finally. If she said that name only two months before, they would never know it. They would have no idea what that name is supposed to represent. But now it was different. She saw it in their faces. Gideon was shocked. Jonathan lowered his head in his hands. Abel was calmly looking through the window. Now they all knew what that name meant. Even the mercenaries of her father. Warriors who turned their backs on their families.

-Why would I trust you? Anybody can call himself that.-he needs to have proof.

-Last two weeks are enough proof for me.-Jonathan said bitterly. There was silence after that.

-Return me to my father.-she demanded. Gideon waived his head. It was impossible.

-He will not accept you. He told me as much when I took this task. He told me he would never take you back.-He said in an icy tone. She stood his look full of hatred.

- Then simply leave me and move on. He will come for me. When he realizes that I am alone, he will come.-she didn’t want to risk their lives. Hers was enough.

-Do you think we could get another task given to us after that? When, everybody finds out, we gave up and abandoned you. It would mean the end to our business. Our lives. We didn’t grow up in safe sanctuaries. Our families depend on our success. We can't just give up.-Jonathan showed his frustration. She understood him. She didn't even want to but she did.

-I am afraid there is nothing else you can do. Her enemy will not leave her.-Abel joined the conversation. She noticed the difference in their eyes now. As if she grew in them.

Gideon was still not ready to give up. He stood up looking at the map with Jonathan. Silently thinking what he could do. Which way can they go? Shana stood up, also feeling restless. She knew the trip was a failure. She felt it from the first moment. And now they were coming to the end of their journey. There was only little for them to do.

-They are expecting us to still keep trying to push forward. They are expecting us to circle all possible ways out of the city leading to the west. Because they know very well where we are trying to go.-she was thinking loudly. Gideon realized what she was trying to tell him. He still looked at the map.

-As long as we keep going west they can anticipate our every step.-he confirmed. Now she stood next to him, curious herself in their direction.

-Not only that. We can't just make a bigger circle and go back to the west. We have to go deeper towards the east.-she whispered. Her finger showed her to the well-known place on the coast. It was one of the largest ports in that part of the world.

-There are dozens of ships sailing from this city. Hundreds of private ships are equipped for long voyages. From this place we can sail wherever we want.-she said. Gideon waived his head.

-Do you know the leader controlling that area?-he asked her. She shrugged her shoulders. Jonathan knew what they were talking about.

-The desert is his place. And there is plenty of it.-he warned. Shana didn’t understand their refusal.

-We will only stay in the city. Not longer than a week. It would be enough for renting a boat and continuing towards the west. I don’t understand what the problem is.-she was confused.

-Rishon.-Jonathan said that name but she didn’t recognize it. She had never heard it before. Gideon turned towards her.

-If they only suspect that you are in their area, you are dead. Everything that is connected to Araphel is forbidden in this area. Rishon and Araphel are enemies which divide our world and they hunt each time when one of their members crosses the line only they know about.-he explained.

-They do more than just hunt. They kill without question anybody who reminds them of the other leader. If we go east, your life will be in danger.-Jonathan was ready to give up on that plan. She came back to the desk aware they didn’t have anything else.

-We can't stay in this place. It is only a matter of time when they will find me.-she touched her hair. -What our world actually knows about me? They have never seen me. All the warriors that know me are in my father's home. They know only my name and we can change that easily. Rishon will never know that I am even there. You already said his place is in the desert. The city where we can run away from is more than 400 kilometers away from the desert. You would have to travel a whole night by car on the roads that don’t even exist to come to him.-she knew she had to talk them into it. They didn’t have anything else.

-I don’t want to play with your life.-Gideon stood to his decision. She looked him in the eyes. He had to admit she was always honest to him.

-I want our trip to end. My fate is what is is. Nothing can change it. But I refuse to sit in the darkness while the enemy is getting closer. That is not my way.-she was honest. Abel and Jonathan waited for his decision. He looked towards the map again. Already tomorrow they could board the train and leave for east. This time nobody would stop them. Nobody would expect them. This plan was perfect. But was it safe? He promised Boris he would protect his daughter. And now he was ready to take her to Rishon. It wasn’t the safety he promised.

-The risk is too great.-he refused. It didn’t stop her. She was the daughter of a leader. She knew how to talk to warriors. Her brother was a warrior.

- I'm afraid we don’t have a choice.-Abel said. Giedon didn’t listen.

-We will find another way.-he insisted. Abel came to him. There were things he didn’t way to anybody.

-Warriors are following us with each new day and they are coming closer. We have left all safe places. Next time, I'm not sure where we can find rest. You and I both know that nobody will help us if we are attacked. We are completely alone in this. And we have to consider every possible solution. Because they know where she belongs, they would never expect us to go there. There are hundreds of ships and we only need one.-he tried to make him see reason.

-This is not about us being proud. If we fail, we are done. Boris will talk about our failure. And Araphel would be ready for revenge. We have to make a decision. Tomorrow will be late.-Jonathan also joined. Gideon looked at Shana. She nodded her head, silently showing him her agreement. They had nothing else they could do.

-Call David. Tell him we have a train to catch.-he said in an icy tone. It was a sign of his acceptance.