4 CHAPTER 3

Yola will be lying if she said that young Vivian's statement didn't get her worried and afraid as different thoughts of what Vivian could mewan went through her mind, ''hey Vivian don't speak like that okay, If anything were to happen to you. Your sister will die, you know how special you are to her, so whatever it is your planning to do promise me, you won't do anything to harm yourself, Promise me my princess'' Yola insisted the urgency and fear in her voice was not hidden. Vivian sighed, before nodding her head not wanting to see the older woman uneasy, after all she has been like a mother to her.

Sitting up and looking the woman dead in the eyes to make her understand now that she meant business ''I want you to take me far away from here, I know life isn't easy outside this place, but I have read the stories you give me, and am willingly to learn and work very hard. I can be able to protect my sister better if am out there than in here'' Vivian whispered in a serious voice, for a girl of seven years, she was matured and wise and she said what she wanted. That came as no surprise to any of them seeing as she was to be the future leader of West life, their little village. Before Yola could object on the matter ,Vivian knelt on her bed holding Yola's shoulders with her small hand. And urgently continued ''Please Aunty Yola, no one will know its you who took me away, am begging you Father may kill me one day and i don't want to leave my sister behind.'' Vivian finished her voice breaking.

Yola was sad, She knew that this idea has crossed her mind on several occasion, but did not want to act on it yet at least until the girls were older. But the Kings hatred was burning deeper as they grew older, and truly she didn't know what he had in mind for this child. This could be the opportunity she had been waiting for. ''do you have an idea of the implication it is for you to leave, or what it could do to your sister she has not been herself since you were locked up in this hell hole, she has not even eaten and refuse to see anyone. I don't think she will survive the shock of waking up one morning and discovering your no more. Life out there is hard Viv, your father will hunt you and if he finds you he will Kill you. Are you sure this is what you want.'' Yola asked in a whisper her voice full of emotion.

Vivian was quiet for sometime, before she responded ''I will convince Bibian to come with me, if we are caught I would be punished alone, I rather die making an effort to leave than remain here and still die quietly.'' Vivian replied her mind made up.

Yola sighed getting up ''Very well, if this is this is what you want I will make arrangements and return to tell you the date we will leave in the morning. In the mean time try to convince your sister. I hope you are successful with that'' Vivian nodded, as Yola stood up taking the tray of food and leaving.

As Vivian closed her eyes tears streamed down, ''If you can hear me Gods please help me'' She quietly prayed. As if in answering to her prayers a loud thunder noise was heard above the sky.

The King approached his daughter's room, and stood in front of her room door. He could hear her gentle sobs, earlier the servants has informed him that she has refused to eat and has been crying and sleeping. It was what fastened his decision into giving Vivian freedom. Until he has a son he wasn't prepared to loose his daughter Bibian. With his thoughts in order he pushed open the door. He needed to do this.

''Go away I don't want you here'' Bibian cried out, as soon as she saw her father. The King signaled the servants to leave the room which they did, bowing as they went out. Augustus sat on the small bed ''I have sent Yola to give Vivian all the attention she wants, and you are allowed to visit her anytime you want'' The king calmly replied. Bibian stood up at once, wiping her face as she looked at her Father trying to decipher if he was joking or not. Her father was not one who joked about anything so out of joy she hugged him. ''Thanks papa' Her father wiped away the stain on her face ''Why don't you like Viv Papa, she is you baby too. You always punish her and I don't like it'' Augustus forced a smile which didn't reach his eyes ''I don't hate your sister, princess You see she is evil and very greedy. When she was a baby just like you, she killed your mama because she didn't want me to have a son who would be a king just like you. Not just that she wants to harm you too'' Augustus quietly explained. But Bibian would have none of that ''That's a lie papa, you lie, Viv didn't kill mama. Mama was called to be with the Gods and one day we will all join mama too.'' Bibian shouted back shaking her profusely, and putting a distance between herself and her father. Augustus sighed bringing his voice down ''As the first born child of these Land your to sit in these throne, If you die or leave this land everyone here dies with you, That is why it is important that you remain here with me and that is why I am trying to protect you my child. Darkness and death follows your sister my child and that is why I am protecting you. If you die the remaining people who survive maybe forced to make her their queen as the last royal blood line'' As soon as the king finished speaking there was silence as Bibian tried to process all that was said. Series of emotion Crossed her face at once. Not wanting to loose her yet Augustus pressed on ''You see my child all I have done has been to protect you, Please Princess I love you and can never lie to you'' The King pleaded. Confused and scared the princess left the room muttering ''Its a lie''.

As soon as she left her room Bibian ran to her sisters waiting arms, as the two shed tears together, Her fathers words were long forgotten. Bibian inspected her sister's body to ensure that there was no more bruises, when the maids left after serving them food the two chatted away, with Bibian apologizing first for everything she made her sister go through, and Vivian accepting the apologies and telling her that was in the past.

Vivian stopped eating when a thought crossed her mind, Instantly sensing her sister's change of mood asked Bibian went forward to ask ''What is it Viv, why did you stop eating'' Bibian asked worried. Her sister looked at her, holding her arms ''Lets run away together, far away from here. Where father and no one else will ever find us'' Vivian whispered urgently. It took Vivian moments to realize that her sister was frozen on the spot with no reaction at all after her question.