Discovery (Revisioned)

Chapter 18

I feel Joseph tug on my arm, but I don’t want to let go of my Dad. I don't care if I lived or died. My current self is horrified and I feel like my heart is going to explode with grief. I try to wake myself up again, but I still feel as if I’m being pinned under a heavy truck.

"Please, come with me. We must go." Joseph urges.

When I look up, I see the urgent look on his face and I know that I need to leave. I look out at the battle and see that the soldiers are losing the battle. I give my Dad one last kiss on the cheek before I stand up to leave.

Joseph grabs a hold of my hand and we take off running. I don't know or care where we are heading. I just know that my Dad gave his life for me and I'm not going to let Zarius win.

Eventually, we come to a clearing in the woods. On the opposite side of the clearing is the man I had noticed in the first village. He’s still standing in the shadows but he has three horses standing beside him.

When we approach, I notice that he’s a few inches shorter than I am. He has brown hair and green eyes. A closer look makes my current self forget to breathe. He looks just like Derek, with the exception of his hair. Now, I know why I felt as though I knew him. When Joseph and I stop in front of him, he gives me a slight nod and Joseph a tight hand shake.

"Hello, Adam. Thank you for holding the horses for us. What news do you have?"

"You’re welcome, Joseph. King Anthony wishes to tell you how sorry he is that this did not work as planned. He fears that if you return to your home that you will be captured by the Priest's guards. He has already taken your family into safety."

"How is my father doing? The last news you sent was not very detailed and it sounded as if he was getting worse."

Adam puts his hands on Joseph’s shoulders. I can tell by the look in his eyes that he’s going to say something unpleasant.

"I am sorry, Joseph, but your father is on his death bed. King Anthony has put his brother in one of his guest rooms for the ambassadors. He will be treated well. As soon as things are safe, I will take you to him."

Joseph shoves his hands off his shoulders and glares at Adam. “No, that will not do Adam. I want to see my father, now! I have things that I need to say to him. Can you get me into the castle?"

"I am afraid that I cannot. It is unsafe.” He looks at Joseph with sympathy. “Your father has left word that he is very proud of you. He will not be happy if you are captured just to say goodbye. He is a strong man and I know that he has taught you better than to abandon your mission.”

He looks over at me. “You have decided to take this woman as your companion. Which, she is a lovely one and your father shall be proud. But you cannot see your father until it is safe. You need to head to the mountains where your father and I used to take you."

He looks off behind him before continuing.

"You can stay there until we get rid of this threat. We did not know that Zarius had mercenaries that were loyal to him. This is something that you missed and because of that we were not prepared. We will do everything that we can to end this as quickly as possible. You must go now. You have a long journey ahead of you.”

He looks very stern and he is not going to take no for an answer. “There are enough supplies to help you get there and hopefully for a couple of days. It is my hope that you are able to set up an appropriate living station in the cave.

Until then, have a safe journey. I will bring word to your father about your whereabouts. Your mother and sisters already know. They are the ones that readied your horses. Now, go, before Zarius finds you."

"Thank you, Adam. You have been a wonderful friend. Be safe and tell my family that I will be safe."

They exchange hugs and Adam jumps on his horse leaving us by ourselves. Joseph turns to look at me with determination etched on his face.

"We are leaving. We will have a long and hard journey ahead of us.” He brings one of the horses to me. Patting her neck he says, “This is your horse. Her name is Winnie. She is gentle so don't be afraid."

He hands Winnie to me and I look into her eyes as I slide my hand down the side of her face. When she snorts and nibbles at my hair, I know that she will protect me no matter what happens. I climb onto the saddle and wait for Joseph to lead. I follow on his right as we walk in silence.

The only noises are the soft thuds of the horses’ feet. I know that he’s thinking of his father, just as I’m thinking about the look on my Dad's face as he died. I feel for him because at least I got to tell my Dad goodbye.

When the sun finally started to sets, we set up camp. We follow the same routine as the night before. The food is much better though. Instead of dried meat, we have rabbit stew with carrots, potatoes, and onions. We sleep on a canvas that his family packed for us. We do all of the with while saying nothing to each other until the next morning. Even then it’s just Joseph waking me up.

We don't stop but one time so we could eat some rations. We walk on the road in silence until sunset again. When we reach our camping spot, we follow the same routine as the night before.

The next day is cloudy and we veer off the main road onto a small path. I follow behind Joseph, as our horses struggle to walk the path. The path is steep as we start to climb up a mountain. A few times, Winnie would slow down to watch her footing.

We reach the peak about midday and Joseph finally looks back to make sure that I’m still behind him. I’m exhausted from the heat and too tired to show any response. I’m not used to the conditions that I’m going through.

Joseph looks just as comfortable as he was before we started our move with Zarius. The way down is harder than it looks. The horses slow down their walk and the steepness has me leaning forwards. Suddenly, I start sliding and I almost fall off the horse so I lean all the way back; which is very uncomfortable to my back.

Halfway down the mountain, something spooks Winnie. A rattlesnake jumps at her and I’m unable to keep myself from falling off when she rears back. When I land, the snake feels threatened and rushes to attack me.

Winnie tramples the snake before it can get in striking distance. I hear her leg break before she makes a sound. She lets out an agonizing sound just as she collapses. That’s the only sign Joseph had that there is trouble.

He turns his horse around and jumps off before he reaches us. He runs to my side without saying a word. When he’s finished checking every inch of me, without saying a word, he turns to look at Winnie. He looks shaken when he looks back.

"What happened?!" he says with such fury that I back away frightened.

He stomps over to me and, despite the pain throughout my body, I back up more.

"What happened?" He repeats with a softer almost pleading tone.

I point at the trampled snake. He looks over his shoulder to where I’m pointing, but only briefly before he rushes to wrap me up in a hug. I flinch and try to get loose from his hold. He holds me tighter.