54: Great City

Kaleb

"You feel the hate, anger."

I instantly remembered a distant memory of Darla confessing something to me. It was back then when we were still children, seated on deck near the lake:

Ten years ago

"Sometimes I do feel this feeling of hate in me. Like I'm not like everyone else. Like Beryl. I always blamed your tribe for that feeling, thinking the Rocainians are the source of that anger. But I'm scared it just might be me."

I have a glimpse at her, making her feel like I actually listened and may even answer [which I did]

She seemed shocked that I talked.

Making her feel better about herself, I spoke, still in my tone I couldn't help use. That was how I spoke cool, quiet and calm.

"We all have a bit of darkness in us," I went on but my voice seemed to trail off at the end, as if talking to myself, "some of us, more."

I quickly remembered and shock surged in through me. Could it be that this woman was saying the truth?

Darla jsut stood there, still in denial. She gaped as if the woman spoke accurately. She showed tears in her eyes. I knew how much she hated the Rocainians so finding out she was one of them would be a death sentence.

"It's not true." Darla sobbed, "You're lying and there's no way I could be one of those monstrous things." I was sure she had forgotten of my presence there.

She ran outside and I had to follow her. Although I did remembered to grant some coins to the fortune teller.

Darla hurried away obviously in attempt to conceal her tears.

"Darla, wait!" I chased behind her, but the running grew serious.

She finally knelt down and released lidee sobs. She seemingly wanted to be alone at the moment, but as we had promised each other, we weren't going to seperate no matter what.

I remember that evening at the lakeside when she consoled me after I had enlightened her that I felt bad about being a Rocainian. She told me I could be whoever I wanted regardless that.

Going close to Darla, I held her shoulder. "Darla, remember the very first time we had breakfast together that I ate so much that you, Pa and Amila were so surprised?"

Darla couldn't help give a chuckle there, though still sad. "You gave me your food and a ruthless person wouldn't do that. You almost got killed because you wanted to conceal my identity back there at Forelene city."

She stared into my sincere, grateful looking eyes.

"Darla, you are the nicest person there is and you knew my identity, yet you welcomed me in. You didn't doubt me back there at the council and you have always been my friend. Rocainian or not, you are my sister and you have showed me love more than most people have. If you were heartless like being from that tribe, then why are you here with me now? You have a heart and don't mind assumptions."

I could see her purse her lips for a smile. Though teary-eyed, she showed brightness.

"Now you light up and show me that sparkling teeth." I joked with her, pinching her cheek. She just giggled, pushing my hand away. "It's me okay? Your one and only stranger boy."

She grinned wider and then hugged me tighter with that said.

"Thank you, Kaleb." she thanked and I helped her stand up.

"Off to the Great city." I said in a livelier tone. I could see Darla wasn't so sure of herself yet. Maybe she desired to confirm the truth about her existence first from Pa.

If the story didn't add up, then we'd know it was a lie.

"Darla, Great city isn't far from here anymore, according to the map. I'll make it by dawn, I suppose. If you are willing, then fine. Join me. But if you burn to know the truth of who you are, you could confront grandpa about it."

"You mean I go to Raven Hills?" she asked with disbelief sounding in her tone. "B-but we've made it this far and..." She attempted to conceal the fact that she wanted to know the truth herself.

Finally, I spoke, "Darla," my hands went for hers. "Go to Raven Hills. I'll be just fine. You can start your journey right away and I'll ride to the Great city myself. We could meet each other in two weeks time, by dawn at the sun village woods."

"But then..." I gave her a reassuring look and she accepted. "Okay, chief."

We both fled our seperate ways.

***

The next day

At dawn

In front of the Great city walls

I was hidden behind huge roughly shaped boulders and surveyed the area from afar. The territory was large and had [dat castle up structure tin.] It was well built with supreme walls, so high, almost reaching the royal blue sky.

It was only the front view of the city and could see how heavily guarded it was.

My father, the Rocainian warrior, whom trained me, had fought with this city knights. He died in the war that I preferred calling the terrible Great city war.

I would've felt hate and fought them, but I knew I'd loose as they were tremendously gifted with power. There wasn't a slightest external force that could take them down. They were the Forelene people's only hope.

As the great head of the new Forelenes, I had to swallow whatever grief or malice I had against the Great citizens for I was going to ask for their help.

I didn't know how; the process of communicating with them, because they had arrows firing at even little creatures in sight. I'd be no exception.

I needed to think of a plan. How was I going to end up inside the Great city walls?

I positioned there for a long time brainstorming of a means to enter since I couldn't just barge in. I still concealed myself behind the boulders, that were placed in a slightly hilly place. The road to the front [that gate dat use to wine up wit chains] of the city was sandy; beige coloured.

I waited until I saw a sudden troop of knights heading towards the Hills. I quickly took caution, making sure I wasn't seen.

Fine knights clad in their armour had their pure white horses trotting outside the opened gates. There in front of them, was a breathtaking knight with silver long hair and brows. She stayed at their front.

What was I going to do? Approach them? They'd blast an arrow at me at first glance. I needed to do something though.

"Come out from where you are!" I was caught off guard by a feminine but stern voice. I didn't know how they got to me that fast, whilst I dipped myself in thoughts, but I came out.

I slowly made my way down the hills with lifted hands and the girl's eyes bore into mine.

The lady, whom had her blade directed at me, had dismounted her horse and kept boring her eyes deeply lost in mine. She squinted at me as though she knew me, but I highly doubted that of course.

"My name is princess Maya," She came closer, staring at my neck this time around. I thought I was going to die because there were leagues of other knights surrounding me.

They all had arrows glaring at me, I with a single release, I'd be a dead deer. Maybe it was the end of my complicated existence.

"You are the other head." she touched my medallion. "Al last, I have found you."

Maya ordered the other knights to drop down their weapons and I had a confused expression on. What did she mean by the other head?

"May I know you're name?" she enquired withdrawing her sword. I told her immediately. "My father told me years ago to find you. The Royal king awaits."

I witnessed all the other knights bow down to their knees, surrounding me. Even princess Maya bowed her head at me.

"What is the meaning of this?"

"Your medallion. It carries our seal. Come, my father wants to see you."

I was being led in. Just like that. I gawked in awe as I walked into the Great city. There must've been some mistake, right?

Guards escorted me alongside Maya. She seemed very brave. She enlightened me as though we were farmilar with each other.

"My mother use to be the leader of the nights. Though She is no more, she still reigns in my heart. You're medallion, who was it given to you by?"

"My mother."

We halted in front of an enormous door with circle rings as the handles. The royal doors had the same animals fighting against each other. Two well grown stallions. I gave a look at my medallion and saw that only half of this drawing was there.

The doors pulled open, and as Maya let herself in, I awaited outside. It wasn't up to three seconds when I noticed the doors open, and I couldn't behold it because I was now in the presence of the Great King Royal.