Chapter 19: Cohabitation

* The first thing he did to me when we moved to the ranch was cut my hair. My beautiful blonde mop that I was so proud of went to simple short hair. I almost looked like a man but he had left me enough anyway *.

-It doesn't bother you though? * He asked me *.

-I guess with that I will not be noticed.

-Thinking about it, you could have tied your hair.

-And it's now that you think about it. * I growled *.

-Sorry Sorry. * He laughed *. By the way change your clothes it would be better for you.

* He was right, I was starting to stink in this stuff. Especially since a woman has her needs. Having said that considering how women are put to contribution here I had nothing to complain about. I was free to move around within a 2 km radius of the ranch. There were guards watching all over the place, these people had a well, a mill by the river, and even a grain silot. It was a rare level of development that even our citizens had not reached. They had become self-sufficient. I did simple everyday tasks like chopping wood or picking berries. It was rustic but I liked it. Under the supervision of 2 guards. Their gaze seemed to mean, "Go make a mistake. Give me a reason to shoot you." But I won't give them that pleasure. As Seb had ordered nobody mistreated me or insulted me. I tried to be friendly, but the hatred of the Elysians was deeply ingrained in them. On returning to the ranch with the water from the well, I saw Seb sitting on a chair shirtless being osculated by the doctor. I could finally see who it was and I was only half surprised *.

-Doctor Draxler?

-Oh it's you Lady Rhode.

-What ... Who ... How do you know each other?

-Long story. * Seb replied *. But I owe him a lot.

-I only did my job as a doctor. * He said modestly *.

-And would you help us as scientists too?

-When my job as a doctor is finished I will be able to consider the question. * Said he smiling *. The Jericho is a good place. You really managed to create something Nahel. I wouldn't mind coming and living there. Besides, some soldiers think the same thing.

-Really ?

-Well that's not all that. I have a much more urgent patient than you.

- Take care of my friend ok. * Seb told him *.

* Draxler waved goodbye to him before leaving. I heard the roar of the engine of his car, he was alone in control. I couldn't believe the closeness between these two individuals *.

-D .... Where do you know him ... No, what are you trying to create?

-I imagine you have lots of questions. * He said *. But we could already start by talking to each other. According to the doc we are the same age you and me.

* The same age he says. After all that it's true that he's as tall as Fried so I don't have to be surprised *.

-Okay we can talk to each other on familiar terms.

-Thank you. Can you help me change my bandages ... Rhodes?

* I took the care box and pulled out the bandages as I undid his *.

-Call me Arianne. Seb.

-I see. I don't need this alias anymore so call me Nahel.

-Nahel, it's not a common first name.

-Not at home anyway.

* As I changed the bandages I noticed some scars on his body. Besides being tall he was also incredibly muscular. I began to touch them instinctively *.

-You know if you continue to daydream like that we have it for the day.

-Oh sorry.

* So I got down to finishing the bandages *.

-Since when do you fight? * I asked *.

- I killed my first around my 10 years old I would say then at 12 I launched the guerrilla.

*10 years ? A bit of the period when Zell himself succeeded prompted the duke to reorganize his troops. And this guy was getting ready at 12? *.

-So ? How are we described in your home?

-Ha, nothing happy. We have heard the same speech since we were a kid.

* He turned and faced me. His gaze was very attentive so I understood that he wanted me to talk to him about it *.

- Basically people like you slaves imported from Apocrypha are just wild beasts that deserve to be caged. In the duchy you do not have access to certain jobs, you are unable to put your money in the bank and even if you go to the hospital any elysian citizen will pass you by.

-I see. It's no different from what I expected.

-6 years ago Zell and I wrote reforms to improve their living conditions on the pretext that they are as citizens as we are. And I realize we were right. Seeing Jericho I realize that your mental faculties have nothing to envy of anyone.

-Zell? Who is it?

-He is a person dear to my heart. We've been engaged since we were 12 years old. If you meet you will surely become best friends.

-Oh really ? Tell me about this Zell ....

* I waved my finger in front of him in negation *.

-Sorry but this interrogation technique doesn't work on me. * I say smiling *.

-Oh sorry. All I want is to be friends. * Said he smirked *.

* In the days that followed our discussions revolved around everyday things. He brought me on his shoot stand and gave me a loaded gun *.

-Are you crazy Keith? * Said his sister *. What if she...

* But he ignored her and walked over to me, holding my hands *.

-You a have to....

-I know how a gun works.

* And I had interest. When you're friends with Troy Der Decken you'll touch a gun sooner or later. I emptied the six revolver cartridges. Six hits on goal although accuracy was hit or miss *.

-Keep both eyes in the sights.

-Both ?

-When you shoot, you have to imagine where the bullet would reach before you even shoot. It is simple depointing.

* Is it simple depointing? Zell had said the same thing once about planes. Nahel was definitely very intriguing. However, following his advice, my technique had improved significantly *.

- Everything is rolling.

* Within a week my freedom of movement was increased. I had the right to go hunting without any guard. I found Nahel on his sofa staring into books. But I constantly had Aisha's gaze on me. In addition to one of her dogs, "Massa" followed me wherever I went. Once I climbed the stairs to go upstairs and she blocked my way *.

-Ok Aisha this is getting ridiculous. * I sighed *.

-You are poison.

-Thank you for the compliment but I let my bath run.

-All this would not have been possible without the talents of Big Brother Keith, Lars and Big Sister Jessie. * She said angry *.

-Jessie?

- Big sister Jessie should be here at the ranch looking after big brother. Not you.

* I see, for this little one I am only a foreigner who is screwing the incrust. That said, I wasn't going to let it go *.

-Aisha. * I say dryly *. Do you hate me ?

-What ? Are you really asking the question? Obviously yes the Elysians are our enemies.

-I'm not talking about that. Why do you hate me?

-Because the people of your people have hurt mine.

- Basically you hate me for what others have done and not me.

-Stop confusing me. You are one of them so you are necessarily like them.

-If we follow your logic since the Elysians think that you are all savages who live in treehouses then they are right.

-No that's not what I meant. * She shouted *.

-You know what you just told me the Elysians think exactly the same about you. You keep saying that I am your enemy and that you hate me but what exactly did I do to you?

-You ... You ....

-Since the time I'm here I haven't even tried to escape once. Yet it is not the opportunities that were missed.

- It's because you want to stay the better to spy on us, that's all.

-Haha. You know I admire your loyalty to your brother. I also have a little older sister. * I say, stroking her hair *.

-Hey. * She said moving away *.

-Learn to see the big picture and direct your hate to the right people.

* When she heard this sentence she was silent for a while before going down the stairs in tears. When I went upstairs I saw Nahel leaning against the bathroom door *.

- You just quoted me without even knowing it.

-Oh really ? Guess you need me to pay you copyright?

-Not worth it. Money still doesn't run here. But it was well sent. Now that the war is over what I'm trying to change is the mentality.

* I see, that's why he keeps 50 thousand soldiers under his elbow. He tries to force the Jericho to live with people who once would have hurt them. Considering the frightening pressure which he releases his orders serpnt followed to the letter. That said*...

-Your plan has limits. You can't feed them all indefinitely. You've been holding them prisoner for almost two weeks.

-Exact. That's why we're going to release more than half.

-More than half ?

* The bath water had finally overflowed and flowed out of the room to our feet. Our faces were appallingly close. I could feel my heart beating ridiculously fast and his probably too *.

- Go take a bath. We're moving in 30 minutes.

* Then he left me alone. Half an hour later I was ready. We then headed south. In the far south was a large gate signifying entry to the north or entry to the Elysion depending on the position. There I saw a miriad of soldiers marching towards the exit. At the top of one of the towers next to the gate was Lars *.

- Something promised, thing due. I hope you understand that we cannot set you free all at the same time. Don't worry about some seriously injured people either, we keep the doctors with us. The light wounded I count on you to take care of them.

-No worries friend we will repay you for that.

* It was then that Oslo, the big, bearded, red-haired man screamed *.

-So friends. Do you love hospitality in Jericho?

-YEAAAAAH

* I was speechless in front of this spectacle. Nearly 35,000 men returned home without any worries. We even gave them back their guns. More disturbing as a spectacle you die *.

-What is your plan?

-My plan ? * Said Nahel smiling *. It was to make them all slavery until their death in Sterben and then to use their machabbe to grow tomatoes. Here is my plan.

* I was very surprised at his approach, he who had been courteous to me until then. Unless*....

- Normally I have no mercy towards enemy soldiers. Civilians are spared. But Lars had a better plan than the future development of agriculture.

-A plan ? Which ?

-Kill hate. These soldiers come from the 4 corners of the Elysée, whether they are nobles, commoners or simple peasants they lived for 2 weeks just like others they had to work at the mine. When they get home they will spread the rumors of our hospitality all over Elysion and public opinion will reconsider who we are.

-What if their officers order them to shut up?

-That is precisely what they will do. But they cannot silence 35,000 men. And the better they will transmit the fear of our non-existent army.

-I see. Basically they will let it be known that as a soldier you were ruthless, but once you became prisoners of war you treated them like kings. Which means that you are open to discussion.

* I stared at him watching the soldier's ama leave. I saw him bite his lip as if he wasn't satisfied. He watched until the last soldier. After that he went to the infirmary in a place called the refuge where he found Dr. Draxler *.

-So doc, how's our mutual friend?

-He is totally healed now. Finally his right arm leaves something to be desired.

* I saw him manly grab a man covered in bandages *.

- Glad you survived, mate.

-And I don't know if I should be happy to see you again. Keith.

-Co.... Corporal Lecter. Are you alive?

-Oh it's you Lady Rhodes. Glad to know you are safe.

* The poor man had bandages on his eyes so he couldn't see well. I was sure he was dead and yet. Doctor Draxler had saved him *.

-Don't worry about my eyes the doc said I could see you in a little while.

- Too bad friend. * Said Dimitri next to it *. You won't be able to enjoy the barbecue we're having at the ranch.

- Do you have a ranch? Wait how far your architecture goes?

-Haha it's not important. Hurry and see.

* As they were leaving the tent I grabbed Nahel by the shoulder and stared him straight in the eye *.

-Thanks .... For saving him.

* He removed his shoulder from my grip before answering *.

-Steinberg didn't have so many chances.

*He was right. I didn't have to thank him for saving a simple corporal. That said in the evening they still had to invite Karl Lecter. Although he could not see anything it did not prevent him from consuming his meat. The moonlight illuminated us while everyone laughed *.

-Nan but Dim it's good you can finally shave that beard. * Said Nahel *.

-What is it ? * He said stroking her *. This beard is the symbol of my virility.

-Virility my ass. * Resumed Maggie *. You look like a prepubescent teenager looking for comfort.

- She's not wrong. Get that bush off your face or you'll end up with nothing left on your head. * Lars laughed *.

- No rage my poor beardless.

-Still happy. Thanks to that I am irresistible.

-I like beards myself. * Said Maggie *. And you Arianne what is your kind of guy.

-Me ?

* I didn't expect this kind of question from them. Especially since I tried to keep my distance. But we must believe that we have become closer than it seems *.

-Well me, if it's a white I would say 1m80 with straight hair. If he's black as long as he's taller and has a beard.

-And the beard wins. * Said Dimitri, suddenly rising with his fists raised against the sky *. Come on take a piece it's my turn.

-I admit that I also have a little loafer for curly hair. * I say smiling *.

-I knew that my charm did not leave you indifferent. Come on come in my ....

-Don't touch her. * Said Karl who hit him with his bottle *.

-Wait how did you manage to see me?

- I still manage to see silhouettes and you were too close.

-Tch asshole.

* That night made me nostalgic. This very nice little party reminded me how good it is to have friends around. Friends you could count on. That night Nahel and I slept in the same bed, each with their backs to the other *.

-Hey Arriane. You miss your family, don't you?

-A little yes. But they are used to my prolonged absences.

-You could have left with the soldiers, no one would have stopped you.

-I admit that the idea crossed my mind. But my curiosity was stronger than my common sense.

-Ha, I knew that too.

-And you miss Jessie?

-Every day that God makes.

-What happened to him? * I asked really intrigued *.

-She's gone .... Far away.

-Oh sorry.

* I don't know why, but I hugged him, holding him firmly against me. After all, it was winter and his body was emitting indescribable heat *.

-Do not worry, everything will eventually work out.

- I hope so.

* The next morning I obviously woke up alone in my bed. Nahel was definitely a very decent person. As I left I saw him running cold water over his head while he was shirtless. It was then that we saw a horse coming on the horizon. Normally we would not have asked a question. But the one was from the North and North of the Rashford Ranch, there was .... Nothing at all. The rider approached with a white flag, that did not prevent Dimitri from drawing his rifle *.

-No wait. * Said Nahel *. Don't kill the horse.

* The horse stopped right in front of the property. A black woman with frizzy hair stepped out. She had dry blood on her T-shirt and her jacket was torn. Once she got off the ground she ran towards Keith, shouting *.

-Seb ... Seb seb ....

* But as soon as she was at his level she took a Lariat from him. I know I saw a lot of wrestling when I traveled to the other continent. That said Nahel still gave her a few punches before throwing her at Dimitri who blocked her hands before kicking her with his knees in the torax. I was too confused to intervene. Fortunately Lars came and opposed them *.

-But what's the matter with you morons? * He said before taking her in his arms *. Brenda, Brenda ... Wake up.

-She got what she deserved.

- you are all crazy damn it. * Said Lars *. We ask the questions and then we knock.

-This rule does not apply to her. * Said Maggie who arrived with a machete *.

* Lars gave her some water and she coughed lightly before getting up *.

-Thank you but I don't need your pity. * She said, trying to get up *.

-I hope you know you won't leave here alive. * Said Nahel pulling out his gun *. Yu have ten words to explain how and why you are here.

-Ok ... * you whispered *.

-9

-I'm going to tell you.

-4

-Jessie is in danger.

* I saw Nahel and Lars widen their eyes in surprise *.

-Help her.

*To be continued*.