GENERAL SCARLETT

CHAPTER 3

Slammed against the tree with his neck held in a death grip, the poor guy groaned in pain as he stared at General Scarlett in shock.

Even as his innocent face stared at her, she didn't loosen her hold on him as she asked again.

" Who are you? And who do you work for?" Her voice cold and harsh , making the guy's breath stutter for a moment.

" My God!!" He muttered in shock before saying. "Am Alvan. I work for m..my aunt, who gives me tasks to chop wood for sale down the village. I am an Izharian." He spoke with sincerity as one of his hands held Scarlett's arm that was currently on his throat.

General Scarlett seemed to contemplate as she gazed at him, slowly loosening his hold. This guy looked like the type who could not lie even if they wanted to. So for questions, now is the best time.

" Where did you find me?" She asked as she withdrew from him. Making him breathe in relief. He glanced at the general intently, making her raise her eyebrow at him. He blushed as he gazed at the river.

" I found you on the banks of the rivers. Heavily wounded, holding the hand of a kid." As he spoke, Scarlett's heart drummed in unspeakable fear. The kid.

" I thought you were dead. With the ongoing wars between Izhar and Jotham, I have been picking up a lot of dead bodies by dawn in the river banks. So when i spotted you, I prayed. I prayed that it be that your alive and the almighty answered my prayers as I took your pulse, and surprisingly, you were still alive. With all those wounds and the state you were in, I had to call a doctor to check on you." He had a hint of a childish smile on his face as he spoke this.

" The kid?" Although she knew the answer, she had to ask. It's more like a self torment. This is a reminder of her failure. Alvan glanced at her sadly before shaking his head. " The kid was dead. If you dont mind ,I would take you to the place I...buried him."

With a strained nod, she  followed Alvan into the side forest of the rivers. It was a two minute walk till they arrived at what seemed like a small cemetery. With graves that bore no names. Soldiers and civilians who lost their lives in the midst of the war. In the far end , laid the body and soul of a young child. Buried in the premises of the earth.

She stood there as Alvan glanced at her from time to time. " I...I..I.. Do not know their names, so I...could not carve their names on the wood to be remembered. But if the boy-"

" I dont know." She answered coldy, staring at the grave.

"He died because I was unable to save him. I failed." Her voice was cold that it made him shiver. He lowered his head to mouth a silent prayer.

" How long was I unconscious?" She asked, dreading the answer. Alvan gave it a thought and replied.

" About two weeks and five days... not counting the time you have been afloat this river. Approximately three weeks."

Shock.

Shock and suprise. Three weeks!! Is Izhar fairing well in the war? Did the news of my death travel to the soldiers of Izhar? Is Jotham basking in the glory of taking me down? Are my people disheartened? Are we losing in this war? If we do, what would happen to the residents of Tanzanite city?

She stood abruptly, making her wince out of pain. Alvan quickly stabilized her posture, but she pushed him away.

"I dont need your help!" She snapped at him.

Yet Alvan pursed his lips as he stared at her sickly form. He ignored her by holding her elbow to support her. He was harshly slammed on a tree with his left hand behind his back.