Mahnu, An Immortal's Journey

Chapter 21

King Richard did not let go of Mahnu's hand, even when walking up to Marcus and the rest of the knights. They had all gathered away from the tents, close to the river that led into Brackan. Only two big torches were used to light up the area, yet it still wasn't enough to show all of the soldiers there. So many of them were in the dark and one couldn't tell when they ended, and that the scenery began.

As the King and Mahnu arrive, the knights all went silent and Mahnu heard their confused thoughts. Not only were they thinking about the two God's inside of Brackan but her as well.

The King nodded to a few of them, looking totally oblivious to the aura of doubts surrounding him at that moment. Even if he did understand their thoughts and feelings...It seemed like he was just too happy to care at the moment!

But Mahnu could not act like Richard, how could she when she heard what they weren't saying?

"I will not harm you." Mahnu said.

"Yes, please men. Be rest assured Mahnu is and has always been on our side." Marcus said out loud and proud.

"But isn't she a God?"

"We saw it!"

"The God's really don't die!"

Mumbles of scared soldiers went around their gathering and Mahnu was at a loss for words. To speak to so many to declare her innocence, seemed to be such a big step for her. She was still getting used to talking to only one person...

"Enough!" King Richard said firmly. "Mahnu is our saviour. Without her, we wouldn't even be here today! If that is not enough, then I can tell you that in my time, I have only seen her help me, this land and the people. In my eyes...She is the heart of Kralaide!"

Everyone went silent and showed many different looks. Some didn't believe it, some did but were confused on how it had happened. Some were still scared and unaccepting and then there were the few that admired her...

Mahnu looked at the King and heard what wasn't said, while he turned and looked at her. That's right Mahnu, you hold my heart too.

He squeezed her hand, in which were now hiding behind him, and he then turned back to the knights. "And now we depend on her once again for the future of mankind. Put your trust in her, as I do, and we can contain the threat that those two God's have...Marcus, did you bring what Mahnu asked for?"

Marcus unwrapped something in William's hands that revealed a box. Mahnu nodded to William in acknowledgement at his smile.

...Why was he so eager to talk to her?

Not having enough time to read William's direct thoughts, Mahnu was interrupted by Marcus who came to stand before her and the King.

"Is this sufficient enough for our needs Mahnu?" Marcus asked, picking up the box and giving it to her.

Mahnu only quickly examined it, seeing it had all the ingredients needed and nodded, "Yes, good job. A lockable, contained box with gold and silver. Thank you."

"What happens now?" King Richard asked her.

"In the previous chest, to contain approximately one hundred God's, it took the future sight from all three prophets, about five hundred lives from Havlish, dreams of any King and drained my God powers for about a month."
The hush that went over the gathering still seemed loud to Mahnu, as the humans heard the price of their freedom.

She looked at the King, to see his questioned look back at her. "Yes, Richard, you have dreams of The Siege, even though you weren't even there."

King Richard stared back at her and finally nodded. "I know I had dreams, but it was hard to ever recollect what they were about."