Moonlight Flower

Chapter 15 - The Truth About Claire

Right after the terrorist attack, Jane immediately ordered to check for those remaining rebels/terrorists that have fled inside the nearby the village which was where Lance lived.

The 10 men who fired at Claire and Canary, plus the one who dropped Linka to the cliff and caused much damage to the village, were already subdued by soldiers who guarded the palace. They were beaten but not killed, and were sent to the prison. Even the leader and his men on the other side of the cliff were taken. They were all alive.

The damage was only done in the village since they were not able to pass through it anymore. The centralized food barn was salvaged, but not totally taken because Lance stopped them. He also provided help during the attack wherever he could reach. Some women were hurt but were not raped. But some elders almost passed out due to panic attack. Only some trees were uprooted, the fields with still wheat, some root crops and fruits slit open due to the earthquake. But nonetheless, nobody died.

The next day, the village people still looked a little down at the surprised attack. Some young people were doubting the soldiers and the whole security of their region, but most of the elders defended it.

"In my 70 years of existence, this is the first time we were attacked. The fear of the four generals were dreaded on the nearby countries. So don't badmouth them," said one old man.

"But I heard one soldier said that this probably happened one general came back. But I don't know who that is," said one man around 20 years old.

Lance was near them so he can hear them. He knew who that man was referring to. He closed his fists and remembered what Amie told him yesterday: Claire was badly hurt. The people who did that to her were those 10 men he helped to catch. He was thinking what he could have done to them if he knew right away that they hurt her. He just shook that thought away because they were also taken to the prison when he was told that.

He went inside their house and came out with his guitar. He went to the middle and started to play and sing:

♪

When I can't find the words to say how much it hurts

You are the healing in my heart

When all that I can see are broken memories

You are the light that's in the dark

You are the song

You are the song I'm singing

You are the air

You are the air I'm breathing

You are the hope

You are the hope I needed

Oh oh

You are

♪

The village people looked at him and listened to the melody of the guitar. As he was singing, their worry slowly disperse.

"That's right. God has not abandoned us," said one.

There were now smiles in their faces and their heart felt warm again. They now focused on rebuilding the damages done.

The next day, Lance came to the palace and proceeded to the same receiving room at the west side. He opened the sliding door and saw Jane and Canary, and separated by low table, opposite them were Clarence, Musica and Sora. He walked inside and sat beside the three men.

"Since you're all here," Jane said, her face serious. "I guess it's time to tell you what you want to know."

"Excuse me, Gov," Lance interrupted. "How's Claire now?"