Natures Force

Natures Force XI

Chapter XI

Anna

The hall quickly cleared out after that. Once again I was dragged behind Vince after king Malcolm ordered him to clean me up and find me a room to stay. He even told him to find me a dress. Vince was grumbling the entire time and I got the distinct feeling that babysitting wasn't part of his normal duties.

I haven't really tried 'reading' anyone anymore because I know what they want or the little they themselves know. The only person who can shed any more light on the situation is the seer they keep mentioning. After king Malcolm realized that the only way to be sure that I am the one they were looking for would be for me to leave so my identity could be confirmed.  The keep was in uproar with all the details of the impending trip. 

I stayed in my newly appointed room, keeping to myself and out of the way. I had a feeling that Vince's patience was wearing thin. He didn't like his new role and he definitely didn't like me. He didn't even have the presence of mind to remind the king of the first time they found me and I knocked everyone out. 

If he remembered that, all this planning would be for nothing. So why isn't he saying anything. Why would he go along with this trip. So that is why early the next morning I was sitting on top of a horse in front of Vince, sharing a horse once again. The only difference this time was that I wasn't tied up. We galloped away returning over the bridge past the guards heading the same way we came.

"...I have to get her away from here..."

What is Vince up to and how does it affect me?. He still scares me and it does have something to do with his beady eyes and the scar.

There we were being trailed by around ten soldiers and I couldn't do anything, Some gift I had, it was useless. I was still trapped and even if I could get away where would I go?

John

It took Will and me hours to get out of the bounds after they took Anna. I couldn't believe that they took her and we didn't do anything, I couldn't do anything. Will wanted to rush out to go look for her, but where would we look.  We have no idea what direction they went in, where would we even begin.

We decided to stay in Harper for a while, looking for clues, Will was like a man possessed. He went out early every morning, returning only when he was to dark out to see anything.

"John hurry I think I've found something" Will came running in, shouting excited. "What's going on? What's is happening?". He was jumping up and down, too excited to wait for me to finish my sentences and just started pulling me along.

He led me to our horses who was saddled already and I had a feeling that Will had the stable boy do this when he came looking for me.

The only thing was that Moonbeam was saddled as well. I guess that Will was so sure about what he found he is even bringing Anna's horse. We were an hour outside of Harper when Will put he's finger on his lips telling me to be silent. On our way here Will said that he was riding and saw the soldiers stopping to water their horses. He was about to follow them to their hideout, because he was sure that he spotted Vince, when he saw Anna.  

"Do you have a plan Will? How are we getting Anna back?" I was whispering so that we can't be overheard. 

"I don't need a plan, you surround them with fire and we get away with Anna". Will answered. "There's something wrong with the plan" I whispered back. Will was looking at me confused as if I was speaking another language or something.

"What do you mean, what's wrong with the plan". It was a little funny that Will thought that it would be as easy as that.

"How do we get Anna away from them once I surround everyone with fire". I countered, "Anna included".

Realization finally dawned on him as he had a sad expression on his face. "Maybe we should follow them and wait until she's alone".

That's when I nodded agreeing with the new plan. 

Anna

We were riding through Harper and I couldn't help but think of John, Will and even Moonbeam. Are they still in Harper or have they moved on, am I already just another memory to them. 

"How far do we still have to go? When will we get there? Where are we going?". No-one has said anything about where we're going or how long we will be travelling and I was tired. I've been on horse-back for a week straight now. Vince was sullen and barely spoke only issuing orders. The only thing I could be sure of was that he has something in mind for me because all I could get from him was,

"...I have to get her away..."

We were stopping for the night and once again Vince ordered the men around to make camp. He got me of his horse and pulled me along side him, pushing me down and told me to "Stay". After we all ate and got ready for the night Vince got a piece of rope and gestured for me to give him my hands. He only spoke the bare minimum to me and I really didn't mind. 

I was tired and so sleepy and about to fall asleep when I saw movement out of the corner of my eye. I was about to say something, but thought it best to find out for myself if it was friend or foe.

"...how do we get Anna away from them?..."

"...when can we get Anna?..."

I almost cried out, I was so happy when I 'heard'  Will's thoughts. How did they find me? It is the two of them right? Even though I was happy to hear Will I couldn't help but want John to be here as well. That's the only way I could be sure that we could get away. 

I know what I had to do, I have to get a little distance between myself and the soldiers. I had a different problem now, Vince was still awake and my hands were still tied. He will probably tie another rope to my ankle before he falls asleep.

"...John's ready to start the fire..."  I'm so glad John is here. I was so relieve that John was here also. 

"Vince I need to use the little girl's room please?". Even if I was tied to Vince the fire should take care of that problem.

Just as predicted Vince tied the rope to my ankle. I walked in the direction I 'heard'  Will.

"NOW JOHN!" Will was shouting and luckily I was expecting that otherwise I would have bolted in the opposite direction. I was running when all of a sudden I was yanked back by the rope on my ankle

 "Just where do you think you're going girly?"

Vince was holding onto the rope keeping me in place, not able to move towards Will and John. John did manage to start a fire and the rest of the soldiers was cut-off but Vince wasn't. 

Will had his sword out, ready to fight  Vince, who was smirking because all of us remembered how the last one went.

"It seems you didn't learn your lesson the first time. I'll be happy to teach you again". Vince was taunting Will and enjoying himself. 

So John was busy keeping the fire contained around the soldiers so that did leave Will trying to fight Vince soI knew I was going to have to do something. I was concentrating hard and finally I could feel the all-to-familiar pressure and Vince flew into the tree behind him.