Chapter 15 Part1 (1/2)

CHAPTER 15 (Part one)

Two days pa.s.sed and Marcus finally saw Mahnu's carriage that had stopped alongside the road. To angry to even question why, Marcus continued, with one goal in his mind.

Mahnu notices Marcus's thoughts and for a moment grows weak at the knees in terror.

”Mahnu?”

Trying to calm down, Mahnu looked at William. They were already in a predicament with Sedric's men that have nearly surrounded them. But now, it seemed another problem has arisen.

Marcus didn't seem to be thinking straight, so Mahnu couldn't depend on his help. But...He did want to take her away...

Sedric's men are all here for her. Mahnu looked around, she could possible save these people by going with Marcus...But...His thoughts...They were dark, ruthless and a raging mess. With his one goal already known to her, would it still be wise to go with him?

Mahnu quickly tried to make a choice. Lives were on her shoulders, including her own…

The humans around her were quite a number, reaching forty or fifty. Feeling them already being a bit skittish, because they knew they were being surrounded, Mahnu could only see one choice. This choice reminded her of when she had taken the box and gone into Brackan, alone.

Sacrifices…Wasn’t that what she always was? Sacrificed her own kind, her power, her time, effort, and now, her future with her loved one…Their own child…Her mortal life…

…Sacrifice…Was that the Bain of her existence? Was this the end? Her destiny?

Mahnu wanted to hope that the Marcus she knew could be there, somewhere inside of him. Her hope for that was small. His hatred…Anger… It was like he had been holding it in for many years. That he hadn’t vented his rage and now…All of it had overpowered the man she had once known…And this rage…Was all directed at her!

I’m sorry Richard, Mahnu cried out inside her heart, I may not come back this time.

”William.” Mahnu said softly, ”Don't follow us till Sedric's men are gone.”

”Mahnu? What are you talking about?” William looked at her curiously. He had no idea that Marcus was coming towards them or of his intentions towards Mahnu.

Then Marcus rode up to Mahnu, ”Come with me!”

Mahnu looked at William sadly and put her hand towards Marcus. He pulled her savagely towards himself and galloped off without another word.

***

It was another two hours after that the King arrived and finally saw Mahnu's carriage. Sighing, he continued, but was interrupted by one of the knights following him. ”Your Majesty. I just saw someone hiding!”

The King stopped. What was going on? Her carriage is right there! Why?

Then more people were seen. Some of them went to kneel, putting down their weapons, others were running away in fear.

”Get them all!” King Richard yelled. He galloped towards the carriage in haste, worried for Mahnu's safety.

These people have surrounded this area, were they after Mahnu? Does it mean that they are Sedric's men? Is that why reports had been stopped, because they had been intercepted!? Mahnu!?

He searched and searched and finally stopped the horse in front of William. ”Where is she!?”

William looked up from his strategy plans of attack and couldn't believe that the King was in front of him. ”Your Majesty!”

”Where's Mahnu!?”

William took a moment to respond. ”She was taken away by Marcus about two hours ago.”

”What?...Marcus?”

”Yes, Your Majesty.”

”Why?”

William was confused. How can the King not know? Marcus was his most trusted Loyal Knight! In haste, William thought back to when he saw Marcus last. ”He came, ordered Mahnu onto his horse and took her. She told us not to follow until Sedric's men were gone.”

The King stared at William...What was Marcus doing? Why was it like this? ”Sedric's men are being attended to now. We will pursue after Marcus and Mahnu. Jaclyn, you will accompany us! What way did they travel?”

William ran to a horse and helped Jaclyn onto it and they followed the King, as he started to travel in the direction that William had pointed to.

***

Marcus had taken Mahnu to the road that goes between Harval and Conrella. They went to an inn there along the roadside and he starts to interrogate Mahnu as a hostage.

”Tell me...One good reason why I should let you live!”

Mahnu had kept silent this entire time. She was unable to do anything due to Marcus's anger and her own puny, human strength.

She felt...Absolutely...Helpless...

Was she going to see Richard again? Was she really to blame? If she really ran and tried to live, would she get away? Should she pay with her life? And what of this child's life?

His question ran through her head and she blurted out, ”I saved the humans!”

”And now, you are ruining the King and with that Kralaide! That reason is no longer sufficient!”

Mahnu helplessly tried to free her hands, from the rope above her head, but it was no use. She was trapped with a person with one goal. Just like the little boy from centuries ago. He continued with his goal. This time...The goal was her and her existence!

Marcus's normal goal was to be by His Majesty's side...How could she change it back when she knew that they had a fight?

Mahnu was at a loss for words...

Marcus sneered at her and got closer. ”I don't understand the power you have over him...Is there perhaps gold on your body?”

He stripped her harshly and Mahnu felt a tear drop down her cheek. She felt utterly powerless.

Marcus touched her skin and saw how soft it was, but found no gold. Not daring to look, Mahnu shut her eyes tightly, knowing Marcus was still curious.