THE GREAT LADY OF ALKION

CHAPTER 7

It was dark again and Aretha lay on the ground under a large tree. She moved her head sideways. A woman was touching her face gently and she opened her eyes and saw the blurry image of the woman. She blinked and soon the woman came into view.
"What are you doing ?" she groaned as she tried to get up and winced.
" Don't try to move much,"the woman replied as she helped Aretha lie back. As she was about to touch Aretha's forehead, Aretha brushed her hand away.
" Don't touch me."
The woman tipped her head back in laughter confusing Aretha.
" What's funny ?"
" You really are feisty. I have helped you and rescued you from a possible rape ordeal and here you are getting pissed off. You owe me your life."
" I'm sorry. Thank you."
" I've treated your head wounds already and given you a good blouse. Here, you need to have something to eat. You have been knocked out for hours,"she said as she passed Aretha some broth and bread." It's not as delicious as the food the cooks prepare for you to eat at your home."
" Thank you but how did you know ?"
" Your hands are so soft. Your skin is smooth and the quality of your clothes tells that you are of high rank in the kingdom,"she smiled.
" What is your name ?"
" It doesn't matter. You need to head back. I'm sure that your family is looking for you. Here are some herbs to help with your pain."
" I have no horse. My horse ran off."
" Don't worry. I will accompany you for a while and from there you'll go on your own."
" Thank you once more for your generosity," Aretha smiled despite the pain she felt all over her body.
After some time she was helped to mount the woman's horse. The woman mounted it with ease. She had brown hair and she looked strong. Perhaps she was a warrior. Aretha did not want to ask more questions so she kept quiet throughout the journey.

Meanwhile, Astrid,Fabian,Julian and their search party were looking for Aretha.
"I think that we should go this way," Julian said pointing ahead.
"Why ? She could've ran off in the opposite direction of where you're pointing to,"Fabian said.
" Just trust me. I have travelled widely and I know the ins and outs of most part of the woods. Let me lead you."
" We have been looking everywhere and other search parties have sent us word that they've not found anything yet. If anything were the only ones who are successful because we've found her necklace thanks to Julian so let's trust him Fabian,"this from an exhausted Astrid.
" Alright fine. But if we don't find her by dawn tomorrow, then we'll have to split up and use other routes. We can't bet on one direction only," Fabian said.
Julian nodded and they continued to look for Aretha.

"This is the farthest I can go Aretha," the woman said." This part of the woods is safe. Just head north and you'll find your way back. Here have some water to take with you."
" I thank you once more for your kindness. I shall never forget it."
" Don't worry. We will meet sooner than you think,"the woman said before riding away leaving Aretha wondering who the very mysterious woman was.

Everyone was about to lose hope of finding Aretha. They were tired and felt defeated.
" We need to set up camp for the night," Julian said.
" Where could she have gone ? I hope that she wasn't captured by slave traders or attacked by animals," Astrid said.
"Don't think that. We will find her," Julian replied as he looked into her eyes.
" I can't begin to imagine what mother and father will do if we return without her. They'll be devastated," Fabian said." I feel like a loser. I can't lose her."
" We will find her," Julian assured him.
" Let's get some sleep. We're all tired," Astrid said. " Goodnight."