SCARLET’S POV
Little by little, their smell gets stronger. I took the soldier with me and led him to a corner. I would like to see the intruders first before they notice me.
I want to take them by surprise.
“I can go and accost them now, my Chamlar” the soldier said.
“We have to know who they are first and their purpose of being here. They might just be lost or something” I replied.
“I can smell them now, my Chamlar, it is a group of people. All of them cannot be lost at a time” he said quietly and tried not to sound disrespectful.
“But then, I still think it would be foolish of Diamond Cut to dare to attack me here” I replied calmly.
He kept quiet and remained by my side. However, he made sure to stay in front of me, should there be any ambush as he would like to be at the forefront.
I maintained my calm and waited, whoever it was would have the whole of me to contend with. My aim was to stop them from ever getting to the sick soldiers.
Just as I had anticipated, the intruders arrived in just a couple more minutes. They stopped when they got to the entrance of the camp and looked around the deserted camp in consternation.
I watched them from where I was for a few seconds. They did not appear like people who had come to attack, they looked harmless and visibly shocked.
I could not see their faces properly from whence I stood so I decided that it was time to go face them and I walked out to go meet them.
“My Chamlar” they all chorused and fell on their knees.
“You… from the… Pixolands…” I stammered and started to try to glance at their faces which were held low.
“Yes, my Chamlar, the Chamlee sent us to you” It was Kendra, and I was stunned.
“Kendra…” I exclaimed. “What are you doing here, how do you come here against my order?” I asked in anger.
What was so difficult for them to understand? I am in this battle because of them and would never forgive myself if any harm comes to any of them. it is my duty to protect them, they gave up their all to come with me even when they were never meant to and now it devolves on me to make them okay.
She looked at my face once and quickly brought her head low and she began to tremble. “The Chamlee asked that I bring them here. He was going to come himself but he sent me instead” she explained.
“He…” I stopped. “Stand up” I ordered and they all got up.
It was better that the Chamlee wasn’t here. He cannot abandon the palace at a time like this. I became relaxed and decided to hear them out first to know their mission of being here.
“Kendra” a voice exclaimed behind me.
I already knew who it was, but I was surprised to know that he had returned so I turned to look at him. He was together with one of our soldiers.
“You are here?” I asked.
He must have entered from our secret passage, but he left this morning, why is he back already?
“I could not continue, my Chamlar, Robin here was kind enough to bring me back” he revealed.
I heaved, I knew he would not last long in battle today.
“Why are you here, Kendra?” Rich asked.
“We were attacked just yesterday…” Kendra revealed.
My eyes opened wide, this could not be true.
RICH’S POV
I was surprised when I arrived and saw Kendra with some people from Pixolands. We did not send for them, which I am very sure of. So why are they here?
I could not help it when I exclaimed her name without first acknowledging the presence of the Chamlar because as soon as I set my eyes on her, I felt that sharp pain again. Just that this time it was a lot clearer.
It felt like Lara was there and was calling out to me. She was trying to reach out to me, but I was still far away from her.
Lara.
Would this be the reason why I have been having the odd feelings, could something have happened to her? Then why was it faded and not clear to me, I would have to go to Pixolands soon to go and be with my Lara.
“You are here?” Scarlet asked me.
I entered through our secret passage, and I was only drawn to them because of how familiar their presence felt.
“I could not continue, my Chamlar, Robin here was kind enough to bring me back” I explained and quickly turned to Kendra. “Why are you here, Kendra?” I asked.
“We were attacked just yesterday…” Kendra revealed.
My heart exploded. Attacked, by who? Scarlet clenched her fists as she looked at Kendra to continue.
My heart was practically in my mouth. My fears, hope this has nothing to do with my fears.
“Attacked… who… why…?” I turned to Scarlet who appeared to be more confused than I was.
“Soldiers from Diamond Cut. They attacked our land yesterday, it was a gruesome battle” she said.
“The palace, Lalic… what about Mama Ruth and my sister, Dawn” Scarlet asked in a state of panic. “My Chamlee, the palace”
“They could not bring the battle to the palace. We were led by the Chamlee to waylay them and the fight happened at the borders” Kendra replied.
“Okay…” I murmured, urging her to go on.
“The battle lasted a couple of hours, and we were able to defeat them,” she said.
I heaved, and Scarlet did the same too. Everything appears to be alright, if not, Kendra would have revealed it by now.
“And why are you sent here by my Chamlee, what do I need you guys for?” Scarlet inquired.
“The Chamlee sent us here to fight…” she began but was abruptly stopped by the bewildered Scarlet.
“You…” she chuckled. “And the slaves…? Chamlee should know me better than this. I can well handle this myself” she lamented in disappointment.
“We were all fortified by Lara before the fight, my Chamlar. We were able to defeat the enemies, and these are not mere slaves, they have the vampire blood” Kendra explained.
At the mention of Lara, I was at peace, one that I have never felt since this fight began. But then, it did not last long, the sharp pain made its way through my chest again, but I bore it and continued to listen.
“They do…” Scarlet’s eyes widened.
“Yes, my Chamlar. The Chamlee felt you will need us here with you” Kendra replied.
“Oh… okay” Scarlet murmured.
“And…” Kendra paused.
“What other thing?” Scarlet asked.
My heart stopped. What other thing did she want to reveal, and why is it taking her time to do so, why is she reluctant? I listened with a pounding chest.
“The Chamlee asked that Rich should return immediately together with any soldier that is wounded. He said he would be here by tomorrow to join you”
“Me…” I murmured. “Lara, what happened to Lara, please tell me she is okay?” I asked.
“Lara is fine. In the fight, they drained her blood, but she is recovering and the Chamlee has been the one in charge of her. He wants you to come and take over and then he can come here and participate in the fight” she replied.
“Oh no…” I cried.
My whole world completely shattered right before me.
“She is fine, Rich, you heard her. You will leave immediately with Landon and some of the weak soldiers. You are not to return in this fight as you are required to watch over our land. Landon can come back when he is fully recovered” Scarlet said.
“Thanks, dear… I was supposed to protect her” I lamented.
I pray this is just it and nothing worse has happened to my Lara. It is already late now, but first thing tomorrow, I will head for Pixolands, nothing must happen to Lara.