CHAPTER 7

Elizan POV

I stepped through the trees as the stars lit up the trail through the darkness. Whoever this person was, they were surely in a hurry. There were branches and leaves that were harshly disturbed and the grass still laid at an angle from where the person had stepped. They can't be too far ahead. 

If only I didn't leave Rayah by herself. Maybe, I'm just being paranoid. 

I wished my worries were right, but I knew deep down something was wrong. It wouldn't explain the trail from the garden or the fact Rayah suddenly disappeared. I walked fast through the trees and I came to a clearing. A small cabin sat in the middle. I slowed my pacing and made my way to the side of the small house. I slowly creeped to the front and pressed my ear on the front door. 

My heart beat filled the air, and I took in a breath as I placed my hand on the doorknob. I clenched my jaw and slowly turned the doorknob and silently prayed it wouldn't squeak once I opened it. 

I pushed the door open and peeked inside. My eyes darted all across the room but it was empty. I frowned. I stepped inside and slammed the door shut. Hoping for someone to at least come out and attack me but I was only left with silence and an empty space. The moonlight shined through one of the open windows, illuminating a wooden table that sat in the back. I walked toward it and looked underneath. Something laid loosely around the table's leg, I grabbed it and it was rough against my hand. 

Rope? 

My mind turned as all the worst possibilities formed inside my head. I should have brought my sword. I quickly stood up and searched throughout the rest of the cabin. I moved chairs and blankets hoping to find something of value. I removed the cushions from the couch. Nothing. There was nothing. 

I placed the cushions down and walked out of the front door. I stared into the dark sky. I shouldn't have left you. I clenched my jaw and closed my eyes. This is no time to be feeling self pity. Think, if they are not in the cabin then they probably took Rayah back into the woods. They wouldn't have gone toward the ceremony if anything they would try to avoid it. I opened my eyes and looked toward the opposite way I came. I stepped closer to the trees, and the laid grass formed a narrow trail. I followed it, brushing away the branches and bushes that came into my path. My heartbeat filled the air all around me as I tried focusing on other sounds. Please make any sort of sound. I promise I will never leave you again. I swear it on my life. I will always be by your side like a Knight to their Queen. My thoughts went unanswered. 

I continued to walk as the only thing that accompanied me was hope and my hammering heart. Is the trail even real? Or is it something I am conjuring up in my mind to comfort me from the idea of not being able to marry Verayah? She could still be at the ceremony with her parents while I'm out here searching for her. I stopped. 

Have I gone mad? 

Something like a murmur filled the air. My spine stiffened. 

"Hurry it up."

The voice was low enough I almost couldn't make it out. I slowly stepped closer toward the voice. I went into the bushes as dark figures appeared. Something sizzled and an orange light illuminated the 3 people standing with their backs toward me and Rayah. 

She was on the ground with a cloth tied around her mouth. A brown haired man had one of her wrists. 

"I will try to make this as painless as possible," the brown haired man pulled out a dagger, "Just don't move." 

Rayah quickly snatched her wrist away and kicked the man in his shin. I quickly looked toward the other two, the man was turned away and the woman had her arms crossed holding a lantern. Come on, think. The brown haired man grabbed the back of Rayah's hair and pulled her toward the ground. Something ignited within me and before I knew it I tackled the woman toward the ground and jumped toward the man beside her. The man reached for the sword at his hip but I kicked him in his side and he fell towards the ground. I quickly pulled the man's sword out of its sheath and turned around. 

The brown haired man sat on top of Rayah as he tried pushing his dagger toward her throat but Rayah's hand held his wrist, fighting against his pressure. I quickly ran toward them and swung the sword at his neck. The man quickly ducked and rolled away from Rayah. I positioned myself in front of her and stared down at the brown haired man. 

He sucked his teeth, "Are you serious?" the man switched his dagger to his other hand. 

"Run, right now." 

I glanced behind me and the people I attacked ran back in the forest; I looked back in front of me and the man was doing the same. 

They did all of this only for them to run with their tail between their legs. I wished I got a better look at their faces. 

"Elizan?" 

My eyes widened and turned around and bent down, "Yes, are you o-," 

Rayah lunged herself toward me and wrapped her arms around my neck, "Thank you, thank you, thank you." she whispered. 

I let the sword fall toward the ground and I placed my arms on her back as she pushed her face into my shoulder. 

I spoke, "I'm sorry I didn't get here sooner." 

I pulled slightly away from her and framed my hands around her round cheeks. The cloth that was once around her mouth now sat around her neck. Her deep brown eyes were glossed over and tears slid out of her eyes. My stomach dropped. 

"I will never leave you again. I promise you. I will be by your side, always." 

I grabbed one of her hands and kissed the inside of her palm, "I'm sorry." 

The moon seemed to come out from behind a cloud as Verayah's brown skin seemed to have sparkled a bit. Was this the gold she was talking about? 

A tear came out the corner of her eye and my thumb caught it. 

I dedicate everything to you. Even though we are not yet married, my heart, my life, and my future all belongs to you. So, please stay with me. 

***

I sat still on the couch beside Rayah and my grandfather sat on a wooden stool in front of us, frowning down at the tea in his hand after hearing about what happened with Rayah. His house was filled with a porridge smell which matched well with his familiar brown and white aesthetic of the house. 

Rayah had a bowl of the porridge my grandfather made for us. It had turkey, rice, and mushrooms in it. Rayah was stuffing her face which was so unlike her but I did not question it. I thought it was cute despite the circumstances. 

It must bring her a lot of comfort. 

"This is unexpected, I never thought-," 

I looked at my grandfather as his eyes moved to Rayah. 

"I'm sorry, Verayah." 

Rayah continued to stare down at her food as she chewed. 

I answered for her, "You didn't do anything wrong. We should be figuring out what to do next?" 

My grandfather looked at me, "You're right, I will need to inform this to the rest of the council. We should find them immediately. Did you happen to get a look at their faces?" 

I shook my head, "It was too dark to get any real description but two of them were men and-," 

"What's the point?" Rayah interrupted me. 

Me and my grandfather turned our heads toward her.

Rayah looked toward my grandfather, "There's more than likely more of them. They had valid reasons for not believing in the prophecy. They were just acting on what they believed in." 

I clenched my jaw, "There was nothing valid in them trying to kill you," my voice was stern. 

Rayah's eyes stayed on my grandfather as she tightened her hold on the bowl in her lap. 

My grandfather asked, "Rayah, do you not believe in the prophecy?" 

Rayah's eyes seemed to grow dull, "Their belief only makes sense. I'm not a fighter or have any sort of special abilities. I'm just a regular person. How could I be the savior when I couldn't even save myself? There isn't any actual proof. The old man just made a mistake is all." 

My grandfather quickly stood up from his stool and made his way toward his desk on the side. He pulled something out of the draw and began shutting off all the lights except for one. He walked back toward us and sat on his stool. 

"Give me your hand," my grandfather held out his hand. 

Verayah looked down at her bowl. 

I spoke, "This isn't necessary."

My grandfather ignored me as his voice went rigid, "Give it to me, child." 

I frowned and was ready to defend Rayah again but she slowly inched her hand toward my grandfather. He softly took her hand and turned on the lamp in his other hand. My eyes widened as the dark color of her skin quickly turned bright gold. That's incredible. 

"What color is your skin?" 

Rayah continued to stare at her porridge as her eyebrows began to knit together in a frown. I placed my hand on her shoulder and she looked at me in the corner of her eye. My brown eyes connected with hers and she seemed to straighten her spin as she looked at my grandfather. 

"Gold," she answered. 

"This is proof enough. I know it may seem confusing now but everything will eventually reveal itself in time." 

"But why me?" 

"I can not answer that," my grandfather clicked off the light and stood up. 

"But everything happens for a reason," he walked off and started to turn the lights back on. 

Rayah said, "Then what should I do?" 

I spoke, "I don't think it's a good idea for her to go about her day as if nothing happened." 

He walked back toward his stool, "Yes, I agree. If you are indeed right Verayah and there are more of them then I'm sure they are already coming up with a plan to kidnap you again." 

My grandfather stayed silent and rubbed his beard. 

He soon stopped and frowned, "You . . . you're going to have to leave the village." 

I also frowned, "What are you talking about?" 

"Why?" Rayah asked. 

My grandfather looked toward the side, "There is so much you both don't know." 

He looked at me then Verayah, "I can't tell you everything because it will take forever but right now your primary mission is to collect 4 gold items. In the past, there was an abundance of these items and they were used to fight the dragons but most of them were lost throughout the years. One of those items are here I will make sure to give it to you before you leave-," 

"Wait, I'm just supposed to get up and leave? And go where?" 

"To the other islands, the rulers there will have the rest of the gold items-,"

I interrupted him, "She can't. She has never been outside of the village. What about her parents? She also has a life too. There has to be a better way." 

What is my Grandfather thinking? Rayah can't just leave. Is this why he didn't want me to propose to her? 

"Elizan, we have already discussed this. This is bigger than us. This is about the future of the whole world. If Verayah were to stay here, her life would be in danger."

My grandfather looked at Rayah, "Things would have been different if the council member didn't reveal who you were during your graduation." 

I glanced at Rayah, and she seemed to be staring at my grandfather. Well, more like staring through him. Her eyes didn't have that fascination in them. Her eyes didn't hold curiosity or amazement instead she seemed to be looking at something else. Like how parents stare at the child's old belongings envisioning a time where everything was simple but there were happy visions in her eyes. 

She shouldn't have to go through this. I will take on her burden. 

I opened my mouth to speak but Rayah interrupted me. 

"Okay. What do I need to do?"