Destiny of Sapphire - Book One: The Baron and His Elf

Chapter 10 - Taken Away

Taken Away

A scream filled the air and Blake saw a blur of flash before he saw the snake flopped onto the ground in half. Some of its blood had splattered onto his shirt but he didn’t care. All he felt was relief that he was safe.

“Blake?” Alfhild called out from his left. Turning, he was relieved that she was unharmed saved for a a few scratches. “Did you get bitten?”

“No. This lady saved me, she is,” Blake faltered, he did not know her name yet.

“Sunila,” she curtsied before resuming her task of skinning and cutting the meat off the cobra.

Alfhild looked at Sunila who was not bothered by Alfhild or Blake. However, Blake suddenly called out and both women turned to stare at him. Alfhild was worried while Sunila was looking at him calmly.

“Prince Aricin gave me this and it’s yours, Sunila,” Blake took out a small package and handed it to her. When she opened it, her face softened, something that Blake and Alfhild thought was not possible.

“Thank you, this means a lot to me,” Sunila gave them a brief smile before her face turned neutral again. It took them some time but with Sunila’s help, they gathered the herbs from the cliff edge before returning to the village again. The village was now looking better with the repaired or new houses being built. Only a small number were still waiting for their houses to be ready. The rest had moved into their new houses and were having dinner.

Zeki was waiting for Blake at the guest house and he jumped at him when he saw him. “Zeki, good to see you,” Blake ruffled the little boy’s hair briefly. “Have you eaten yet?”

Zeki grinned while shaking his head and pulled Blake towards a woman who looked like Kate. “Sir Blake?” she asked. She asked again when Blake didn’t respond.

“Kate?” Blake uttered. She looked confused. “Why are you here?”

Afraid that he would do something when he stepped towards her, she stepped back. “Sir Blake, please,” she murmured. Blake felt an ache in his chest, she was not Kate. She merely looked like her. Closing his eyes briefly, he managed a weak smile.

“I’m sorry. You looked like someone I knew a long time ago,” the lump in his throat refused to go away. Zeki looked at him in confusion. Upon seeing Zeki, Blake gave him a bigger smile, “So, who is this lady here?”

“She is my mother,” he replied with a bright smile. Blake found it difficult to believe but he kept his smile and shook hands with her.

“Nice to meet you, my lady.”

“The pleasure is mine, I am Zeki’s mother, Kareema,” she bowed. “My son would like to invite you and your friends for dinner.” Still smiling, Blake glanced at Alfhild who nodded and they agreed to have dinner after they had washed up. As the dirt and leaves left his body, Blake wondered if agreeing to having dinner with Kareema was a good idea. She resembled Kate too much. Heaving a sigh, he put on a clean set of clothes and waited for Alfhild.

When Alfhild came out of her room, Blake blinked rapidly. Even though he had seen her in the castle, he had never seen her dressed like that. She was dressed the way the villagers were wearing, plain with just a sash tied around her waist. Despite her simple dress, she still looked stunning.

“Blake?”

“You look beautiful,” was all he managed.

“Thank you, I think we better go.” Blake went up to her and they stood close to one another for a few seconds. Hearts beating faster than Blake thought was impossible. On impulse, he pecked her on her cheek, hearing a small gasp from her.