Chapter 12 ( out of the Castle )

When we got to the village and I was really tired so Rowan decided we sleep in an inn which we did. I woke up feeling uncomfortable, I guess living in royalty for just a few days was already showing its effect. The next morning, Rowan instead that we don't eat on till we were sure of what was killing the people and as much as it upsets me, he was still right, we don't know what the people were suffering from, so we can't take any risk

As we rode into the main village, I was terrified by the view of, everywhere I looked I found dead bodies at the front of every house. While families of the dead cried sorrowfully many stood or sat quietly lost in sorrow. Some of the lifeless bodies were covered with white fabric while some were left open. I tried my best to avoid looking but where ever I looked I found the same thing, what I didn't want to see. I squeezed my dress breathing heavily as I tried to hold back that image from popping into my head, that image that hunted me for 5 years, I was almost losing it when I felt someone's arms around me, it was Rowan's, I then remembered that I was riding with him.

"Are you alright " I could hear his worried tone, I took a deep breath and nodded

" yeah, am fine " putting myself in control, I didn't want Rowan to think I was some weak girl, scared of the sight of dead bodies

We came to a stop, Rowan got off and helped me down, God he was strong, the way he always lifted me like I was just a piece of paper was surprising to me. The moment my foot reached the ground, I raised my head to thank him only for my eyes to catch his and for a second my breath was ceased, immediately I looked away thinking to myself " Damn why is he so handsome " the thing was that I have seen paintings of Prince Rowan but he didn't look this good in any of them, why now

" let's go," he said and we began walking

" I had no idea, it was this bad " Eric said with a sad tone

" Neither did I " our attention was drawn by a girl who ran out of her house with her mother behind her and the next thing I know she was vomiting, immediately we ran towards them when we got to them I then notice that not only was she vomiting she was vomiting blood

" Oh Damn it " I whispered feeling sick and I knew that Rowan heard me

" greetings " Colin greeted, the woman looked away from her daughter to us and felt bad for her, she was looking very weak and sick, actually, everyone was looking sick and weak, and the woman was crying

" sirs " she managed to say

" what's the matter with her, " Rowan asked and the woman cried louder

" I don't know sir, please help us, first it was my husband and now he is dead " she pointed to the lifeless body on the ground and I didn't know when I grabbed Rowan's hand holding it tight, not caring what his reaction would be but I was talking aback when held my hand as well, I looked at him in shock but he was focused on the woman and I smiled, glad that he didn't mind me using him as support " Now it is my daughter, please help us, she is all I have " the woman cried deeply

The girl became so weak that she fainted and we were all not expecting it, immediately Rowan told Colin to carry the girl inside and Colin obeyed, the woman lead Colin inside " Eric go and help Colin " Eric didn't argue, he went in leaving me and Rowan outside, Rowan's full attention was on me and I looked away still holding his hand " what's wrong " he sounded worried

" it's nothing," I said

" Natalia, the few days I have spent with you, I have known you well enough to know that you won't hold my hand for no reason," he said, then I let go of his hand

" Sorry," I said

" I didn't say you should let got " I raised my head to look at him not expecting those words and our gaze met, " what's wrong, are you ill or irritated," he asked and I stacked my head

" that's not it " I replied

" then what is it " it was clear that Rowan won't give up till I say something, and I was not really to tell a story, especial a sad one

" it's something I don't want to talk about," I said with my head down

" Sad memory?" He asked and I raised my head to look at him, I saw sadness and pity in his eyes which made me wonder if it was towards me or the people

" yeah," I replied

" I understand " Rowan looked away immediately he said those words, he was hiding something, something he thought I would see by looking into his eyes and I wanted to know what that something was " if you can't handle it, you are free to hold my hand," he said and I smiled at his words

" now you said it, I don't want to do it " crossing my arms " I am not as weak as you think, " I said confidently

" Maybe" was all he said before going inside

" wait, he thinks am lying " I frowned and followed. The house was small and had a lot of old furniture and it was a bit bark and uncomfortable, the girl laid down on the bed looking pale, she had lost a lot of what in her. The woman sat now as she explained what happened, how her husband suddenly fell ill and the struggle he went through before he died and now her daughter was going through the same thing and she was scared of losing her daughter as well

Her explanation sounded familiar, I remember that I went through something like that before, but it was just a small sickness, I didn't want to believe that it was what was killing the people " Excuse me lady " I interrupted calling attention to myself but I didn't mind " is it like this with every other family in the village " she nodded and began to cry again

" and all of them died the same way my husband did, now my only child "

" it's ok, she will find, we are here to help " Eric consoled the woman

I was in deep thought when Rowan pulled me to a corner of the room " God Rowan you scared me " I said

" you know something" He whispered, I looked at him for a while, I didn't know how I was going to explain it to him but I had to say something, I already said I can help them

" I think it's Diarrhoea," I said

" Diar. What " Rowan raised an eyebrow confused

" Diarrhoea" I repeated" it is a result of Bacteria from infected food " I explained

" so you are telling me the entire village eat infected food " Rowan was not too please at my result and I frowned

" Damn you are so slow," I said

" pardon " he wasn't expecting what I said and I gave a silly smile

" Forgive me, sir, in the case of the village, it will be something they all take or share, and the one thing I can think of is water "

" that makes more sense," Rowan said and I rolled my eyes

" I have to check the water they drink, I directly from the source," I said to Rowan and without thinking he agreed

" ok" he walked up to the lady and asked " the village water games from where "

" It comes from the mountain in the North, down to the river," She replied

" so you all take water from that river, " I asked again and she nodded, I looked at Rowan, who looked at me as well

" We know where to go, " He said

" yeah," Eric gave me this look, a look of satisfaction and I raised an eyebrow " What?"

" Nothing" he replied.

We all came out of the house to that Environment that I didn't want to see but I didn't have a choice

" so, to the mountain?" Colin asked

" yes," Rowan said, the more I look Rowan the more I find it had to believe that a man like him ran way after his father's death, something did happen, something that was not written in the history books and I had to find out what it was.