chapter 21:

Francis woke up, his head banging and his neck hurt, so damn much, and his vision was blurry, then he remembered what happened and stood up quickly, on alert, then he saw Theo, he was sitting up and staring at nothing, they were in the hide where he left his men earlier, he had no idea how he got there.. he decided to go and cheer Theo up, seeing the kiss he and that woman shared, they were probably having a deep connection

"How are we here, Theo, Francis asked as he sat down close to him,

"I guess the men with us brought us back here, he replied without looking at him..

"That woman was really something wasn't she, Francis asked him, and Theo nodded, but remained silent..

"You did all you could, even I gave up, and you didn't, Francis said again but Theo still remained silent

"She was being ill treated, she touched my heart, Francis, I never knew I still had one, Theo said softly, and Francis nodded..

"Yes, she touched mine too, I guess she is really a great healer, Francis said and Theo shook his head,

"Didn't she feel..., I don't know, somewhat familiar?, he asked Francis, and Francis nodded,

"Indeed, I felt I knew her, but I am sure I never met an Asian, Francis said. then he nudged him with his shoulder,

"You should stop thinking of her, she is gone, now let's head home, I don't think we can do any plundering with our present state, he said and Theo looked at him and nodded

"Yes my lord, he said then stood up walking gloomily to his horse,

Francis watched him go and get bad, he got that feeling as well, like he was supposed to fight for her, like he failed her, he went to his horse feeling bad as well..

I'm the ride back home, Theo thought about her, the Asian, he could have sworn was Naya, not only did she make him feel like he needed her, like she was his, she also had the wise aura around her, just like the little Naya, his wife...

~August 1792

Frederick stared at Mary as she stitched an embroidery, she had become the lady he hoped she would become, a lovely, gentle but strong lady, and she combed her hair, she was also soft spoken and gentle, he was so proud of that, now he would look for a man to marry her, he knew James was interested but she saw him as a friend and brother, that was the problem with her gift, she saw things she wasn't supposed to see, just like when he thought to call on a friend if his, and introduce her to his son, she woke up that morning and told him not to bother inviting her because she wasn't interested, and when he tried to argue that she couldn't conclude without meeting him, she described him, and listed all his bad characters calmly, and curtsied before walking away, she spoilt so many meetings with her gift as well, telling some of their worst secret to them, so they left her alone, he was tired of being embarrassed about it..

He couldn't plan anything without her knowledge, but she needed to be married.. these wars are becoming outrageous, and she needed to get protection in a man's house..

"Mary, don't you think it's time you got married?, he asked her, and she stared at him calmly,

"Yes, it is time indeed, I am nineteen summers already, so I think I should prepare to leave here, but I have not seen any one of interest she said gently.,

Frederick shook his head, " I want you safe, the babarians are almost here, I can't be here forever ..

Mary looked at what she was sewing, his time was close, but she couldn't tell him that, she was feeling sad already, what's the use of her powers if she couldn't stop it, if she couldn't save him, she bent her head, to hide her sadness, ladies of her status don't show their emotions, they hid it...

"So how do you feel about James, he asked and she stopped stitching..

"Father not James, I don't think he is the best for me, she said, and Fredrick looked at her beautiful face, she was really a beauty to behold, such perfect feathers on her auburn hair, she was really a perfect lady now... but still a spinster,

"You say that about everyone!, you like James, you should just stay with him.., he said frustrated, and she kept quiet still stitching...

"My lord!, my lord!, some one shouted rushing in with urgency, and Fredrick turned his gaze to him,

"What is the matter, Paul, he asked the young man as he bowed his head, then he saw they man looking at Mary uncomfortably, so he knew he may not want her to hear what he had to say.....

"It's okay, you can talk, he urged him impatiently

"It is the babarians my lord, they attacked, grimwick castle, and killed everyone sir, he said with fear in his voice, and Fredrick shook, Mary gasped in fear and tried not to scream, that was their neighbour and they were next...

"Arrange a carriage for Mary, she is going back to the school, for a while, he shouted, and the man ran outside to do his bidding..

"Nay papa, I am not leaving you, she said stubbornly

"Did you see this?, he asked her and she shook her head, she didn't see this and she didn't know why!, she saw everyother useless things didn't she?

"I didn't, and I wonder why!, she said in panic..

"It is okay, he said to her, you just need to be there for a little while more,, I will come get you, he said as he ushered her out, escorting her himself, to see her get in the coach..

"Father do not believe the squire!, she said in wild panic and she panted, her eyes filled with terror, this may be the last time she saw him, "Do not believe the squire!, she shouted as the coachman used the horse with whip, and the horse moved, she flies her face to the glass at the back, taking a good look at her father and the castle she grew in, and hoped it wasn't the last time she would see them..

She sat rigidly in the coach and collected herself immediately, the head mistress harsh voice resonated in her head, "A lady must never throw tantrums!, followed by the stinging pain of the whip, she shut her eyes, she was panicking inside, but outside she had a calm and collected look,

Mama what's the point if this gift if I can't help, if I can't change anything, if I can't see everything and know how to help, she thought in despair, inside her head she was screaming, then she opened her mother's journal, in her mother's journal she saw when her mother wrote

It may seem as though the gift is useless,

it isn't, it is not as easy as you think, but not

as hard as it looks either...

Mary shut the book angrily and looked away, she wished her mother wrote in simpler words, not wise old words she didn't understand, she shut her eyes feeling powerless, so she did what she usually do to calm her nerves, everytime she was in panic or despair, and in that instance, she hummed the green eyed monster, and she felt it soothing her disturbed nerves, till she relaxed in the coach, keeping a straight, blank face, but feeling utterly relaxed as she hummed her song...