Magnifico

An empty Village.

After a long time waiting, Sun saw as specks of dust were raised to the air as dozens of riders were riding their horses inwardly to the village. He was certain it was the bandits and the way they were galloping their horses into the village tells Sun that they have not come to make peace with anyone or even to negotiate anything with the villagers. The atmosphere suddenly changed and Sun's immediate surroundings became very hot and uncomfortable for him. Sun could barely count how many men he saw riding into the village because of the clouds of dust raised by their horses.

Sun waited for them to come closer to a point they would easily notice him at the exact spot he was with his horse. When he felt that they had come close enough and will see him from that distance, he quickly turned his horse around and started rushing back into the tavern. When he got to the tavern, he was allowed to enter with his horse and the door was immediately closed.

“Did you see them?” The old man quickly asked breathing heavily than usual.

“Yes. They are here. We need to get ready and be quiet when they come closer” Sun said.

“Are you sure you were not spotted while entering inside the tavern?” Jonas asked.

“No. They are not that close” Sun said as he brings brought out a hankie and wiped the trickle of sweat coming down from his nose.

Moments later the bandits came closer but not close enough, they were in the same street road, but the tavern was situated deep into the street just a few meters from where the bandits stopped. Everyone in the village laid ambush and most people were in the old houses just opposite the tavern waiting patiently and quietly for them to come closer and enter into the trap that was set for them. Everybody in the tavern was peeping through the tavern's window to see when they will come close but they didn’t. It seemed as if the bandits didn’t know exactly where Sun followed or maybe they suspected a foul play and decided to stay where they were. They were also confused because when they arrived, they didn’t see a single soul in the village unlike before. The whole place was so quiet and silence exhumed the atmosphere. Coupled with the scorching heat from the sun that afternoon turned out to make the situation even worse. The bandits were certain that they saw someone when they were riding into the village but they just don't know which way the rider they saw took.

“There are too many of them,” Jonas said while peeping through a closed window inside the tavern. “Are you sure the plan worked at all?” he added.

Owen looked through the hole and suddenly shouted “Oh no” he said...

“What is it, Owen?” Sun asked suddenly.

“Naomi!”

“Naomi? What happened to her?”

“I can see her there. She’s with them” Owen said.

“What do you mean she is with them?” Jonas asked.

“I don’t know why she is with their leader. Since she is closer to him, I thought the leader should be dead by now,” Owen said, his countenance changed to sadness and disappointment.

“Does it mean she was caught or something?” Jonas asked.

“I don’t think so. If she was caught, she would be killed. I think she changed her mind or she probably it panned out she couldn’t do it or she didn't have the heart. Well, since they have refused to come close, I think I should go outside to lure them in before they start searching house to house,” Sun said.

“No Sir. I will do that myself. If she sees me, she will fall for it and they will come closer, besides I want to confirm what she is up to” Owen opined.

“Are you sure about this?” Sun asked.

“Yes sir! I am sure.”

Before Owen could leave, an angry loud voice was heard from the distance saying:

“Where are you, cowards? Come out and let me see you all. Who have you left your village? Who is going to defend your land? You are all cowards, come on out now."

It appears that the person shouting this was the leader of the dreadful mountain raiders terrorizing the community. With a clear and better glance, Sun and the rest of the men in the tavern I could tell he was a dangerous and bloodthirsty beast. It was rumored that he drinks the blood of his victims and that of his challengers. His body statue was quite sporty, he is tall with a nice body structure and a strong body built. His eyes were like that of a male cat and his voice was thick as someone whose vocal cords has been broken. His dangerous way of living and the endless lifestyle of living in the wild has made his pure white skin to appear darker and rough.

Owen left the room and went through the tavern’s backdoor to avoid being seen where he had come out from. Sun and the rest were watching him when he made it outside the tavern to call on the bandits to see him. When Owen went outside, he saw Naomi was sitting comfortably on top of a black horse just behind the bandit's leader and few meters away from Owen. At this point, it became obvious to Owen that she didn’t do what she told him she would do. She couldn't poison them but the question Owen couldn't answer was why?

“Why is she still standing with them? Was she caught or something? If I had known I would have done it myself at least I wouldn't take all the blame and shame if things go south” Owen said slowly to himself. He wasn’t sure what really happened or why Naomi was there.

“Hey you bullock, can’t you come and get me? Fools” Owen shouted. Owen stood on the plain sandy road. From the point where the bandits were standing to where Owen was standing, the tavern was just situated at Owen's left-hand side while at the right-hand side were houses where most of the villagers were hiding. Owen was patiently waiting for the bandits to ride their horses where he was standing so he could run backward and make them come closer. Instead of the bandits to come closer, it was only Naomi that rode her horse to where he was standing.

She rode slowly to Owen and stopped. She said “Hi hun!” regarding

Owen looked into her eyes, he was silent for a moment. Breaking the silence, he said, “What happened Naomi?”

“I am sorry. Look, Owen, I couldn’t do it.”

Surprised, Owen said, “You couldn’t do what?”

“I couldn’t poison them. If they find out someone from the village had poisoned, they will double the punishment for the people, they will kill everyone. When you told me you and the men that came to our village had killed their men, I knew they will definitely come for revenge so I had to plead with them to have mercy on young and vulnerable people in the village in an exchange for the poison you gave me.”

Sun and the rest that was hearing them from the tavern became angry and disappointed but Owen became mad and hurt. He couldn’t believe what his wife had done.

“Oh no! Naomi, why are you so foolish?” Owen said while crying. “Do you think these idiots will let our people go for killing or having a hand in the death of over their men? Why would you believe their word and take anything they say seriously? I never knew you were a coward.”

“Look Owen” she paused and came down from her horse. Pointing her finger at Owen, she said “Whatever I did, I did it for everyone here. I did it for my people. I did it to save them from harm. So do not blame me for this or anyone else but yourself who thinks he can accomplish anything meaningful with his stupid agenda”

“So you rather believe these idiots? These monsters? These…” Owen wanted to finish his statement when an incoming arrow struck his chest.