...To The City...

Anastasia kept following the soldiers from afar. As for Lucia, her face became pale when she realized that Anastasia didn't follow that scary commander's order.

- My lady, please, let's go back.

- Lucia, we are still not that far from the camp. If you want to go back, do it now.

- What about you?

- I took my decision and I will never back off. I will go to the city on my own. I can understand that you are afraid. You can go back, I won't get angry.

- It is not about me! What if the commander knows? He is a very scary man.

- Don't worry, he won't know. I will make sure to head directly to the city and not cross paths with them.

- Even so, you have never gone to the city before. Going alone is a bit dangerous.

- I have been locked in that house for so long, it is time for me to go out and see the world. You know, I can die any minute. Every moment is very precious and worth fully live it without any fear. So, Lucia, stop worrying and enjoy this little trip.

Lucia couldn't argue more, She witnessed all the torture that Lucia lived in that house because of her stepmother. At that moment, she understood that Anastasia went to the army to run away from that prison and get her freedom back.

" My lady has been so mature since she was a child. she never acted like a child, even in front of her father. Her face was always emotionless and nothing could make her smile. But since we came here, I saw her smiling brightly and enjoying her time. it is like she was back to life. I must support every decision she takes. "

- Alright, my lady, let's go...Let's go to the city.

Anastasia kept following the soldiers until they reached a river, after a half-day. The commander ordered the soldiers to rest and to give their horses some water, before continuing.

Valdimir kept looking around the place with a disturbed face.

- What's wrong, commander?

- Sergio, I feel like someone is following us.

- What? Are you sure?

- I'm not sure yet...I got the feeling that someone is watching us from afar.

- I will go to take a look, you know I'm good at tracking. If there is anyone, I will find it right away

- Alright, make it quick. We don't have much time to waste.

Sergio walked slowly through the forest until he heard a strange voice:

" The commander is right? Someone is following us!'

He approached carefully to not make any noise, then he suddenly jumped while swinging his sword:

- WHY ARE YOU FOLLOWING...

At that moment, when he saw Anastasia and Lucia, he became shocked.

- YOU? WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?

- SERGIO? YOU FREAKED THE HELL OUT OF US... HOW DID YOU FIND US?

- The commander felt that someone was following us and he sent me to check it.

- What? Did he know about us?

- Of course, he will. Our commander is very sharp. I knew he was right, but I didn't imagine that I will see you. Were you following us since the camp?

Anastasia looked desperate. Sergio was a good man, but he won't lie to his commander.

- Yeah...

- Why did you do it?

- I wanted to go to the city.

- But the commander didn't allow you to do so. Please, my lady, go back to the camp. He will be furious if he knows. No one dares to disobey his orders.

- Can't you just ignore it? I will just visit the city and then I will go back to the camp before he knows.

- But...

Lucia held his hand while looking sad:

- Please, Sergio, help us. We came all this way already, we can't go back after we become this close to the city. It is my lady's wish, can't you help us to fulfill it?

Sergio's heart started beating so fast:

- A...Alright...I won't tell him.

Lucia smiled at him brightly:

- Thank you, very much. I know that you will help us.

- Just be careful to not get caught. Our commander is not someone to be fooled easily.

Anastasia felt relieved that Sergio won't tell about them.

- I will try my best...Can you tell us in which way the city is?

- When you reach the river, go right. You will find the city after about a mile.

- What about you?

- We will go left. There is a place we must check first, then we will go to the city after that. Make sure to leave before we arrive there.

- Fine...thank you, Sergio. You covered us and helped us. I will make sure to compensate you.

Sergio looked at Lucia then he felt embarrassed:

- It...It's nothing...Now, I must go back. I hope to see you again in the camp.

Then he left...

Anastasia took a deep breath. She thought for a moment that they were busted.

- Let's wait for them to go, then we will move...

Sergio went back to his commander while thinking about a good excuse:

- Did you find anything?

- Oh, some travelers happen to go in the same way as ours. They didn't intend to follow us, they are only going to the city.

- Who are these travelers?

- They are two women. There is nothing suspicious about them.

- Should I go check on them?

- No, that's not necessary. I made sure that they don't intend to do any harm to us.

Sergio was so nervous, he tried his best to not lie to his commander.

" Thank god, he didn't suspect me. If I lied to him, he will know it immediately. "

- Everyone, prepare yourself. We will keep moving.

When the soldiers left, Anastasia and Lucia approached the river, then they went right like Sergio told them.

- Lucia, I think you must reward Sergio for helping us.

- Why me? Shouldn't you be the one giving him such a thing?

- Well, he will appreciate it more if it was from you.

Lucia's face turned red:

- I...I don't know what are you talking about.

Anastasia started laughing:

- I think you do...

They kept walking until they finally reached the city. Anastasia felt so happy.

- Look, Lucia, how beautiful that place is...