A LIFE UNSEEN

The Outcast

"It was great spending time with you . " Rufus said to Anabelle as he returned to the workshop.

"I should go and check up on my father and maybe whisper to him we'll love to meet him together this evening." Anabelle said. Rufus was excited and prayed their meeting went well. Another apprentice and blacksmith had arrived and started working. Just when he was about to join them, he overheard Graie calling. "Graie is calling, that's strange, she doesn't love to come around here." Annabelle said as she also heard her voice. Rufus rushed out of the workshops with Annabelle behind him. "Ohh Anabelle you're here." Graie who was still on her horse said, acting surprised to see her. "You know I come here all the time, I'm less busy ." Anabelle responded with a smile. Graie turned her attention to Rufus who waited for her to finish her conversation with Anabelle and invited him to the house that evening. " Well my husband has seen all your efforts and invites you to our home for dinner. " Graie said. Rufus, who was excited believing his prayers had been answered, appreciated her as she went away. Rufus turned towards Anabelle and noticed she wasn't happy. "You don't look happy, can't you see our prayers have been answered." Rufus said. Annabelle promised she was happy but only felt it was weird to hear her father send Graie instead. Rufus held unto her and pleaded she should not let her emotions get the best of their happy day. Annabelle saw the excitement in Rufus' face and confirmed she was also excited. Annabelle got on her horse and made her way back home.

It was already evening and Rufus arrived at Annabelle's home. The cooks had served dinner on the table and the atmosphere was filled with fine aromas. He offered himself a seat as he didn't see anyone yet. He beckoned on one of the maids to tell Annabelle he was around and she agreed. "Why can't I see my father? I just want to talk to him before dinner. ” Annabelle said as she followed Graie who walked hurriedly downstairs with Amira by her side. Graie was disgusted by Annabelle's continuous disturbance. She paused immediately and Annabelle who was trying to meet up behind her was taken unawares in which she mistakenly hit Graie. "I'm sorry. " Annabelle said immediately. Graie was annoyed but stood calm. "I hope you're satisfied now, get out. " Graie said coldly. Amira who was beside Graie moved closer to Annabelle and said " if you try this again with my mother, I will hit you "

Annabelle felt insulted and pleaded she spoke to her in a better way because she was older but then Graie and Amira burst into laughter and walked away. Annabelle gave out a sigh of relief, telling herself she was used to their annoyance. The maid walked towards her and whispered Rufus was around. She thanked the maid and walked downstairs.

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Graie arrived at the dining table and was pleased to see Rufus was already seated. She smirked as her treachery went about to unfold. She asked Rufus to go into Annabelle's father's bedroom as he wanted to speak to him alone in private. Annabelle was about to question Graie but Rufus opposed immediately. He stared at Annabelle assuring her, there was no harm in seeing her father alone. Annabelle nodded in agreement as Rufus made his way upstairs accompanied by the maid. When he arrived at the bedroom, he knocked on the door and Annabelle's dad beckoned him to come inside. " Sir, you asked to see me. " Rufus said as he moved closer to him. Annabelle's father stood still without uttering a word again. Rufus stood for a while but didn't hear him and suddenly there was a cold breeze in the room. Nothing felt right in the room to Rufus, he decided to move closer to Anabelles father, counting each step he took and still calling on him. Then suddenly he looked at the mirror and saw a figure, it was an old looking lady with a dagger in her hands, just then he screamed and thought of saving Anabelles father but the scenario suddenly changed. Before he could realise himself he heard Anabelles's father scream and in his arms. He noticed he was holding a dagger and blood everywhere. He screamed for help too and when everyone rushed in. Anabelles's dad laid lifeless on the floor and a dagger in Rufus' hands. Graie screamed " murderer! " As she instructed the maids to call on the security guards. Annabelle's world was crumbled, she couldn't believe her eyes, tears trickled down her cheeks as she walked closer to her father who laid lifeless and Rufus by his side. "Anabelle, I didn't do it. " Rufus said in tears. "I saw something in the mirror, It was a woman with a dagger, I promise I didn't do it." Rufus continued to defend himself. Annabelle fell on her knees and screamed in tears. Rufus' mind kept reeling with disbelief " I didn't do it, I promise, I could never harm him." Rufus continued. Amira sobbed as she stared at her mother who stood by the door quietly without uttering a word. The guards went in and grabbed Rufus who was still pleading his innocence. His hands were bound behind his back, his heart raced as they dragged him to the protector's court. Everything kept echoing in his mind, the tears of Annabelle and the death of a man who was more like a father to him.

Everyone in the kingdom was already gathered to hear Rufus' fate. They continuously called him a murderer and wizard. He was forced to kneel before the protector. "Rufus, you're accused of killing the blacksmith, I don't need an explanation from you because you were caught with the dagger and the lifeless body. I hereby pass my judgement. You're banished from Gassel into the forbidden forest" Theo said with fury in his eyes. " May the gods have mercy on you. " He continued as he made his way out of the court. Rufus' pleas were silenced by a gag and the guards dragged him away. Rufus was thrown into the forbidden forest.