55: Story Of Me

Darla

Raven Hills

I walked into Raven Hills with a feeling [big word for sadness] I was confused and couldn't believe my life.

I was stopped formerly at the gate, which the people set; my own warriors. They were hard-working and I saw it in them as they didn't fail to tighten up security. They even had to make sure it was me before letting me inside.

"Beryl!" I exclaimed as she came and hugged me. She was so fine and had her hair woven all-round and clipped to the side. She was womanly, had a matured sense, had a thin shape, which was stunningly alluring.

"Where's Kaleb?" she questioned on not seeing him.

"He's gone to the Great city for help. We will meet again in two weeks time for answers." I enlightened, then swayed my eyes afterwards. "Where's Papa?"

"He's inside his cottage." Beryl described the place for me.

She was busy and I was surprised at how responsible she had become. Putting other's needs first before here and serving the village, she helped everyone in the smooth running of Raven valley.

I went on to where my Papa was. On my way, I encountered one of my men.

"Mistress, Darla, we need to speak." a clad in a furry warrior's cloak Damion alerted me whilst I ambled. I increased my steps to strides, wanting to reach my destination faster.

Not now Damion, I needed not. I wanted to speak to Grandfather first before returning to Kaleb or even handling any matter on ground. I needed to have rest, to know whom I was.

"Tell Gallihead. I will be back before you know it. Tell me then" I slammed the door at his face.

I walked into the house; where I was informed that Pa lived. We had reconstructed new cottages and shelters and had turned the place to a fortress. Marketers were spread across the field but warriors stood by to watch them and protect. We had toughened our defense.

I entered in search of my old Pa, and had seen him in a better looking condition than before. He just came out of the kitchen, and had sighted me in his room.

"My Darla!" he soothingly exclaimed and I went to him for an embrace. Pa continued in his forever happy tone, lighting the ambiance with a good face, "You're back already from travel? It must've gone well then. Where's my boy?"

"He's-" I struggled to speak further, but had ate my words completely because there was a sudden swelling in my throat. I had only been pretending all this while to be okay, when actually I was not.

I forced myself to speak further so I wouldn't give Pa the wrong impression about Kaleb. "He's fine and unscathed. He's probably in the Great city by now, and there's nothing to worry about."

Pa gave a caring look at me. "Then what bothers you my dear?" His fingers pressed down my pody cheeks to clean. "You've never let your emotions take control of you before. Even if it tries, you conquer. There's nothing in the world that I can control you, Darla. You're strong-willed and in there, you have it."

He refferd to my heart.

"There's something I need to know." I exhaled, adjusting myself in preparation. "I need to know the truth of my past."

I had seated down on a chair, anticipating Grandfather's response and Pa just stood up to speak.

Walking far, he said, "I knew this day will come. I wanted to tell you about a long time ago, but maybe now is the time. Darla, my girl, I wasn't always this farmer you know.

Long ago, I was a warrior, 1st ranking in the central Forelene city." I tried picturing as he narrated, because this was unbelievable. "We were much back then, I, Rustuls, Reyer, and more. We were all in the army, trained to fight Rocainians. We attacked countless warriors in the Rocain land and I was the leader of the troops of warriors. I led the central Forelene officers to war, thinking it was a way of bringing peace to my home. But the killing never ended.

I was called one day to take up a certain mission. Since I was good at serving my nation and was one of the best swordsman, I was called to erase the entire Rocain land with my comrades. I was shocked since most of the Rocainian warriors had started retreating. Why would they send me to take out unwilling warriors?

It was only when they had attacked that I knew to defend. I would've refused, but then my rank would be taken away from me and I'd be banished for good. I took up my sword, knowing that was not what I intended. I went at night to the Rocain land, stealthily and without them being alert, and my warriors under me ambushed them. We Killed numerous Rocainians, both men and women, boys and girls.

My eyelids pressed down each time I took out innocent villagers. Even though they were Rocainians, they still hadn't done anything. I was just following orders.

I came across a said house, confirming if anymore villagers were inside. I was about leaving, when I heared a sudden cry of a baby. I didn't know what to do at the moment.

I was told to kill everyone without sparing anyone, not even a day old baby. But then, it was you Darla. You were just a tiny child. So small, swaddled inside your blanket and I couldn't do it. I couldn't kill a baby so naive.

You were a child with no experience or knowledge of the world. Why wouldn't I obey my heart?

I didn't care anymore. I had decided not to kill you, infact I ordered my men to stop and we evacuated the place. We went back home with the mission unaccomplished, earning consequence from the top.

'We told you to wipe out everyone, and now you've failed.' They said.

I and some few others released ourselves from duty and swore never to hold even a knife in this war. I and the few people who were banished for disobedience, formed our tribe; Forestille.

This was the reason we told everyone in Forestille never to hold up any weapon in the war."

What was I supposed to feel? Angry? Sad? Betrayed? Broken that the only person I thought I knew everything about while growing up wasn't someone I knew everything about.

I was shattered yet wanted not to hate. I loved Pa no matter what.

"You may despise me for my cruel past." Pa said, shedding tears. And this was the only time I had ever seen my father cry. "I may've even destroyed people close to you for I didn't even know what your parents looked like-"

Cutting him short, I hugged him and he didn't talk anymore. I said, "Thank you so much for saving me." I hugged him, making him understand that I would always love him.

'A changed person is a different person; if truly from the heart.'

I left the house with that, closing the door behind me. I felt stinging in my heart continuously.

As I was going out, the first person I set my eyes upon, who was at my front, was the Gideon; Jeremy. I quickly went to hug him and didn't care how he'd feel or react. Surprisingly, he hugged me back.

"It's okay my lady." Jeremy cooed, tapping my back.

We held each other's hands and began sauntering into the night. The moonlight gleamed on us and I could see Jeremy's face.

"So you decided to stay." I smiled at him.

He still had his hands locked in mine as we moved. "Yes lady Darla." He spoke to me, blending with the nice breeze that danced around, "I ran as fast as I heard of your arrival."

"Jeremy," I paused for a while. "I'm from somewhere no one likes." I confessed, finding it hard to go on.

"You mean Rocain land?" a stunned me displayed as he asked that. He said, "I know. I heard you and your father speaking." he then gave an awkward chuckle and the end, scratching his back head. "I didn't intend to though."

The nervous laugh continued. "Darla, you see, life could be a really er...something at times."

I laughed at his attempt to advice me. "Is that supposed to be like a sort of advice?"

"I mean yes." he laughed too. I could see his bright eyes.

He held me to his front and drew me a bit closer. "Darla, I don't care about that. I really don't. Let's just be who we are and leave the rest."

I stepped closer to him. " I also don't care what type of Gideon you are."

I could feel a romantic breeze blow and the need to hold his shoulders round came. He held me by my waist.

Jeremy's eyes bore into mine and I could swear the moon spied on us both. I didn't know how, but bending his head,

Jeremy breathed, "Darla."

Leaning forward, he felt my lips, kissing me so sweetly into the night.