Chapter 13 Part2 (1/2)
CHAPTER 13 (Part two)
”Mahnu...The horses...” Half an hour later, William's voice came through the window.
Sighing, Mahnu wasn't sure what to do...
”Why don't we take you and Jaclyn on horseback?”
His question seemed plausible to Mahnu but Jaclyn interrupted her thoughts, ”Ah! William...Mahnu can't...shouldn't...” Jaclyn didn't know how to say that riding a horse, while pregnant, wasn't a good idea.
”Understood.”
”Stop and let the horses rest.”
”But...Mahnu...”
”What else are we to do?”
Jaclyn found herself not as scared. Is it because I don't think anyone is following us?
When the carriage stopped again, Mahnu got out and went to William. ”Just in case, I think one of you should take Jaclyn to the King and let them know we are being followed.”
”But...Your safety comes first, Mahnu!”
”And what of her safety?”
William looked at Jaclyn, now out of the carriage. After nodding, he pointed to one of the two knights that were travelling with them. ”Take Jaclyn and ride to the King. Tell him two of Sedric's men are after us...Protect Jaclyn.”
Mahnu looked at him, also saying, ”They are right behind us. You will have to go around.”
”Yes, understood. Your Highness.”
Mahnu walked to Jaclyn and said, ”No questions. Get on the horse and go with him.”
”This is getting a bit out of hand, Mahnu.”
Ignoring her, Mahnu looked at the knight and said, ”Take her and go.”
”Wait! This is preposterous, Mahnu...I think that you are sick!”
Mahnu stood before Jaclyn, now seated on the horse. ”Can you trust me?...If you can't...Go back to Bena...Now go!”
Jaclyn looked back at Mahnu. Why did she say that? Is she in complete denial, as well as delusional? Trust her? She wants me to believe her...But...
Just as she was questioning her own sanity, someone on a horse cut them off. ”Are you Mahnu?”
What?
”No, she's not.”
The rider left, back to the direction of Mahnu and they continued to gallop in the opposite direction. ”Wait! Why did you claim I wasn't!?” She yelled at the knight.
”I have to protect you.”
”But...” If it was all true they would...”We have to go back!”
”No. We are going to the King.”
”Mahnu's in danger!”
”I am following orders!”
Jaclyn looked back to see nothing. Mahnu had been already out of sight for some time.
Mahnu's words, were they true the entire time? How did she know? 'Two of Sedric's men, they are after me.'
Jaclyn couldn't work everything out but this 'secret' she was talking about, seems to be something that is endangering her life. Should I get involved with this?
'It is a big decision Jaclyn. I like you, you are honest but to stay with me you have to be prepared to protect the biggest secret in Kralaide!'
All her words...were they all true!? 'Can you trust me?'
What do I do? Jaclyn asked herself.
Jaclyn didn't feel like they were riding long before they came before the King.
”What's going on!? Why aren't you with Mahnu!?”
”Forgive me, Your Majesty, I was ordered here to tell you that two of Sedric's men are after Mahnu and I had to protect the doctor.”
”Dammit!” The King galloped ahead at full speed.
He had accepted everything that was said without question. Everyone else raced up to catch up to the King and Jaclyn admitted that she did finally fear for Mahnu's safety.
”Your master isn't worried about taking someone close to the King? I believe that would be a death sentence.” William said to Sedric's men, who were slowly cornering Mahnu and the two knights.
”No one will know.”
”The King is coming.” Mahnu said.
One of them scoffed, ”They hadn't left when we did, which was quite some time after you. I doubt your words!”