Beyond Immortality

CHAPTER TWELVE

"I haven't stolen anything, why would he summon me? Wait, how did you find me in the first place?" He takes out a golden compass whose arrow points at me. Objecting to its judgment I move to the side expecting positive results it still points at me no matter the direction I take. I sigh. I just found out I have abilities, the king sending out for me meant I was considered a threat. I'm loss of courage, vulnerability taking place. My eyes get teary.

"please, let me go I promise to leave the border to another kingdom. I don't want to die." I plead for my life. The stranger laughs. Nothing I said was funny. My life is at his majesty's mercy.

"not so tough anymore I see."

"When a life is being threatened.." he cuts me short.

"his majesty means no harm to you... yet," he says but it does not lessen my worry. "don't child let go."

"right now?" he nods at me. Disobeying a direct order from a person so mighty could get one on the wrong side of the law. I was going to keep my head well till I knew exactly why I was summoned. Exhaling roughly I agree. I excuse myself to get inside to get supplies. The man declined saying I wouldn't need them.

"Can I at least get a shawl?" I say the dress I was in was torn from me outgrowing it but still shoved it down my body. He sighs I take this as my cue to get inside. I grab the shawl mother had given to me once long ago and wrap it around me. I swore to carry it with me till the day I see her again. I put out the fire and packed up the leftover fruits. Once outside I toss the bag to him. He fails to catch them and the fruits end up scattered onto the ground. I almost laugh at his humiliated face as he bends down to pick them. He glances at me.

"Hmm!" I say lowly smirking and raising a brow at him. I was going to torture him till he went insane as payback for being rude to me when I saved him. We trail our way through the forest in silence.

"Are you trying to walk me to death," I complain faking exhaustion.

"shut your mouth and get on with it." The man does not reply rather he goes on ahead so does his garrison.

"ooh! Now, you just showing off." I shout. He halts and then heads back to me his strides longer. I take steps backward intimidated by his movement. He grabs my hand roughly.

"I don't know what your game is but one thing is clear I don't have time for your pettiness." He stares intensely into my eyes making sure his message has been passed across . "don't let me vent out my anger on you." I yank my arm from him and continue with the journey. Once we are out of the thicket we find several horses. He orders we camp for the night.

I turned down their food not so famished as I mused on my life. I distance myself from the rest and hug my legs burying my head in between them when it gets too emotional. I was miserable no matter how tough I was. Within that tough shell was a small girl in pain, withering with each passing day. I can hear the manly laugh from the men escorting me. It sure would take me ages to be happy like them.

"you should get some rest," I hear the same voice talk to me. I'm yet to inquire his name. "we will be at to the kingdom day after tomorrow." I follow after him barely sleeping enough. When it is morning am handed a horse. I scan the horse and then avert to the stranger. Are they seriously kidding me? I watched how they did it and decided to follow their lead on mounting the horse. The animal was not steady enough and I ended up falling on the other side. I hear them laugh quietly but as expected the green-eyed man exaggerates his laugh to spite me. They must think I'm clumsy. I get up quickly wiping away the shame on my face. One of his men helps mount the horse. The man laughs again when I look at him.

"What?" I ask annoyed. He shakes his head not wanting to laugh.

"When was the last time you combed your hair?" he ask as we kick off.