The Protector

Chapter Seven: The Promise

Hours have now passed and Kara is awaiting for Gabriel to wake up so that they can continue moving. Whilst he has been asleep, Kara has done her best to safeguard their presence but taking some of the brush and leafs and enclosing them around their small area. It was not something Kara felt would be super effective but would perhaps make it slightly harder for them to be spotted. Kara also managed to stomach some more jerky and saved the bigger portion for Gabriel knowing full well he would need his strength.
" I'm sorry you had to see that Kara.." Kara turns quickly back to Gabriel who is now rubbing his eyes and sounding slighter more healthy than before. " Gabriel? You are awake! How are you feeling? " Kara rushes to his side and kneels down. " I'm feeling like I got stabbed..alot. How did...you.." Gabriel is shocked that his wounds are now gone and is looking over just trying to establish how this could even be possible. " It wasn't me" Kara answers " Some creature came along and found us. He wanted to help so he healed you " She explains as she reaches behind her and grabs some jerky for him as well as a canteen that she had filled with Creek water in preparation for this moment.
" Well..luckily he came along. Because otherwise I probably would've died " He grumbles which Kara chooses to ignore. " Look, we do have to work together. At least for the time being. I've got some food here for you and some water. I'm sorry that..I didn't help. I didn't know what I could do in the moment. But, I promise..that won't happen again " Kara explains as she hands him the food and drink and stands back to her feet. " And also, I've been thinking. About your sickness. Queen Aurora can probably help you with that. I'm sure she would be happy to repay you for everything you've done " Kara begins fidgeting with the backpack so that she doesn't have to face Gabriel and keep her focus on the conversation. " Yeah. I'm sure she would love to help" Gabriel mocks as he begins chewing on some Jerky.
" You say that as though you believe she wouldn't help.." Kara stares down at the backroom, glancing over the threads within the Fabic that are are an old worn  lime green color. " That's because I don't want her help. I can handle this on my own" he snarls as he pours some water down his throat. " Why is it that it has to be on your own though. Why would it be so bad to ask for help? Help is a good thing " Kara can't believe the words coming from her own mouth. Sure, she is curious but she also never really liked asking for help from anyone. How does she have the right to lecture him on this. " Because I do things on my own Kara. That's how I live my life. No attachments. No help. Just getting things done so I can get home" he snaps back coldly which makes Kara turn around as though she wanted to snap in return on him but holds herself back. " What is your home like anyway? " She deflects her aggression.
" My home is full of proud people. We have worked hard to build the kingdom up from nothing. My parents, united many of the once separated Lycan tribes and brought them together under one kingdom. And it was through the unity, that we prospered" Gabriel takes another sip of his drink. " My parents worked hard for years for every single brick put into the kingdom. They broke their backs doing their best to make sure the kingdom would have sufficient food supplies and fresh water. And huge, bountiful forest to hunt through at our leisure. The kingdom is massive and is surrounded by thick woodlands. Which keeps us separated from most other creatures but that is kind of how we like it. We stick to our own kind as much as possible " Gabriel Sighs. " But my parents believed in the vision that Queen Aurora had. And so they fought along side of her. Doing everything they can to protect her and her dreams. To unite the Underworld completely. Despite the fact the Vampires would never agree to it " Gabriel places the water and Jerky down and stands up to his feet..stumbling at first, trying to regain his footing but manages to do so after a few seconds. " There has been so much lost by that dream. But, on some level, I think it's worth fighting for too. If not for anything other than to end all the wars" Gabriel walks over to the backpack and begins loading supplies up In it which makes Kara back away from it. " The wars..You've mentioned that before.." Kara stares down at her feet. She had no idea why she couldn't bare to look up at him. Perhaps it was the shame she felt for almost letting him die. She wasn't sure.
" The first war was between all the inhabitants of the Underworld. And many lives were lost in that war. My parents fought in it, and manged to somehow survive along with Queen Aurora and your father. The second war..was when Vampires decided that they wanted to treat the Underworld like their personal feasting ground and decided to attack the Witches who opposed them more than anyone else. The charge against the Vampires was lead by your mother..and your father. Who sadly, died in the war " Kara's ears perked up when she heard this. " My father..is dead?" She lifts her head slowly up to Gabriel who has now finished packing.
" Yes. He was killed by a vampire. My parents tried to protect him but they were preoccupied with other fights at the time. They tried to get to them in time but just didn't make it" Gabriel stopped moving, and simply stared at Kara who was doing her best to process all of this information. " Why didn't Queen Aurora protect him..? " Kara asked and yet somehow, already knew the answer to the question. " Because she was protecting you" Gabriel loads the backpack onto his shoulders as Kara's heart shatters. She not only had caused the death of Magerat, but also had basically gotten her father killed. " Listen, I can't transform until I get more of my strength back which means we are gonna be walking for a while so come on. We have to get moving, he pats her on the shoulder as he walks past but Kara doesn't move. She couldn't move. She felt frozen in place. As though her body would fall apart if she was to move a single inch. " I got my father killed too..." Kara mutters. Gabriel sighs and turns back to her, grabbing her shoulder and turning her around to him. He stares down at her but her eyes refuse to meet his. " Kara..it was not your fault. You were an infant. There is no way that would be your fault. Your father died protecting his family. And your mother would have happily given her life to protect you. That's weirdly how parenting works. Yes. Alot of fucked up shit has happened but that doesn't mean you can just sit there and place the fault all on yourself" Gabriel tries his best to reason with Kara who at this point, is completely unresponsive and within her own world. Gabriel Sighs takes Kara by the hand and pulls her along with him. Kara's feet begin to move but she still does not speak.