Chapter 2 – Five Years later .
Over the years since we had been selected for the special task force we had been on countless assignments , all the while we have never told a sole what we did . after our second year we all left the academy with the blessing of our commander on the basis that we found work as ordinary people and told no one what we were nor what we could do . In all that time we only lost one person ,Rick .He was given the job of taking over his father as head of the battle school . this left him no time for our work , as it would put the existence of this independent facility in jeopardy. Looking back on it know none of us have ever been able to find a replacement for him. But then again we haven’t had a assignment for over 2 years.
However I must I miss everyone ,Aridian , Cai, Thaion , Teo, Kieran , Stephen I cant wait to see them again. Ever since I came here so much has happened . after being mistaken for a boy I was apprenticed to the town black smith , who also supplied the weapons was a farrier for the farmers horses as well as everything else . He had no family of his own and it had taken him little time to figure out who I was.
I still cant believe I have made it this far .. .
Suddenly a Rough Male voice resounded through he small space she had for herself in the hut she shared, “ Rhiannon , are you finished yet . seriously girl you are sixteen today . we have to find you a man.” The voice was light and resounded through the small space . with this Rhiannon sighed , pulling on her smock and apron she walked out into the kitchen , a small smile playing on her lips . “ Who says I need a man Papa. Am I not capable of fending for myself .” her tone was light as she stopped crossing her arms in front of the man who had become like a father to her since her arrival. “ Yes my dear but don’t forget I do want grandkids before I pass form this earth.” Rhiannon rolled her eyes at this as the man let out a small chuckle.
The pair spent the rest of the morning breaking fast and laying out the new plans for the upcoming seasons , calculation a estimated amount of tools and equipment they would need as well as weather or not they needed to hire any more apprentices or not .
The morning passed quickly and soon the day found them in town visiting farmers, artisans and people of the trade to pick up commissions and other things that needed mending or replacing. As the only free town the trade was astronomical .
As they walked down the dirt path to their cottage they noticed seven men on horse back outside there small dwelling . looking at each other they knew what they had to do .
The pair continued walking , all the while remaining alert to the forest that surrounded them .
As they reached the cottage the closest figure raised a hand in welcoming “ Hail to thee smith . We are looking for a girl she would be sixteen this day .” the mans voice rang through the clearing . It sounded familiar but she couldn’t place it . Before Rhiannon could answer her father stepped forward a joking smile on his face. “ I’m sorry for the trouble sir , but there are many a young girl in this village that be sixteen on this day. But if you please dismount and we shall talk face to face.” The man just nodded in agreement and mentioned to his party to dismount.
Rhiannon then collected the horses and led the to the stable they used when shoeing the towns horses. When she returned she found the men standing with their backs the her. She quietly made her way around the group to stand behind her father .
It was then she saw who the men really were . She couldn’t believe they were here .
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Disbelief spread across her face as she just stared at the men . They were here. That could only mean one thing. They had another job to do.
It was at this point her father turned to her , “ My dear . You know what to .” . nodding She slowly drew her hood back , revelling her long silvery hair and fair features . she looked up at the men. To see they had also removed their hoods. Teo, Kieran , Cai, Stephen, Thaion , Aridian, they were all here. There was another one as well , someone she did not know . Right now that didn’t matter .
They spent the remainder of the day helping with the preparations for the upcoming festival that the town hosted every year in celebration of the chiefs sons birthday, which was only one day after Rhiannon’s.
As the sun set through the tree’s the seven men sat outside constantly looking over the place their friend had called home for the past five years. “ young sirs. I need to know the reason you have really come today . I know there is more to this visit then to just see a old friend.”
This caused a look of sadness to spread across the gathering . “ Your right sir. There is another reason. We need the aid of your daughter . it is time for us to take our place among the world as the rightful heirs . she is the missing link. We know about her past. Only she can bring peace and unit this land , lest it all fall into the darkness that has already settled and is threatening to destroy all we hold true.”
In saying this they all looked up at the man , expecting to see a look of disbelief . instead a look of pain had coved his features and the man suddenly looked as old as time itself. “ I always knew this day would come. She has grown so much but is not yet ready for this. “No longer can I shield her from the world.” he said a sigh escaping his lips. “ if she must go I must go as well.” This time his tone left no room for question. They spent the next hour discussing the details of the trip and arranging the smithy. He had sent for his apprentice and told the man to sell if he wished or keep it himself.
With everything sorted and dinner eaten they told Rhiannon that they would be leaving tomorrow on a assignment that they needed her aid to complete and that her father had wanted to accompany them as he had orders to collect from the neighbouring countries.
Although everything they said was valid she couldn’t help but feel as if there was something they were keeping for her and she had to find out .
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The group awoke early , leaving before the sun had risen to avoid the oncoming flow of people swarming to the town for the upcoming festivities.
As they rode it no one talked , it was as if hey were all waiting for her to ask that one question , what was their mission ?. the time slowly passed with each minute feeling as if a age had past. By the time they stopped for lunch she could not contain herself any longer , she needed to know. She had to get answers. Determined she walked briskly over to The only one who had stayed behind to help care for the horses.
“ Teo, why are you all really here ?.” instead of answering he just continued on with his work , not answering his question and causing Rhiannon to become more aggravated. “ Teo .! please … just talk to me . being ignored by every one is driving me insane . wont someone just tell me what the hell is going on here.!”
