Chapter 9
Twenty-four years ago …
Theophilus sat down on the floor, waiting for the soldiers to take him after the liar had run away. He smiled, the liar had not been smart enough. The lying young man had worn a mask and thought he wouldn't know? Theophilus was glad to have read the traitor's mind. So even if he died, the prophesy would go to the right person. The problem was, this person wasn't available. But then he would have to give it to someone who would in turn pass it on to the right person.
The person he had always condemned was innocent. But why do people who actually love you so much, pretend not to care? He asked himself. If only the one he trusted could get to the true prophesy, then it was all for the best. So he sat and waited and waited for the soldiers to come get him. As he sat, he remembered the way the soldiers had treated him. They had beaten him and thrown him into the little cell, well… on the orders of the king. But Theophilus knew they did that to him willingly. The soldiers hated his guts, the people too.
When he was first apprehended, two years ago, he noticed a young soldier about 18 years of age. He had heard people call him Luke. The soldier was not happy with the way he was treated. He cringed anytime Theophilus was hit. Since Luke was a new soldier, there was nothing he could do. So, just watched the whole thing unhappily. Later that night, true to his observation, Luke sneaked in and brought him some bread, vegetables and a cup of wine.
"I do not like the way you're treated … you remind me of my twin brother when he left us." Luke had said. "Eat this."
Theophilus had been so glad that at least someone loved him in the midst of the savages.
"Thank you…"
"Luke" Luke smiled as Theophilus nodded and ravished the food, he had been so hungry. After eating, he turned back to see that Luke had gone back. Had totally forgotten about the young soldier while eating.
The soldier came day after day, to give him food. Theophilus was glad to have a young friend. Well, he gladness was short-lived, the soldier stopped coming. One year passed and still didn't see the young soldier. The man was scared and felt his young friend was punished or maybe even killed. That thought remained with him. It greatly troubled him.
So, as he sat waiting for the soldiers, after the liar had run away. The gates of the little room opened and the soldiers came in. They were about eight in number and two dragged him up as the others thoroughly checked the room. From his peripheral vision, he saw Luke come in but the soldier looked very angry. Theophilus looked on, wondering why he was upset. It felt like ages since he last saw his young friend. He watched as Luke walked towards the soldiers.
"The king sent for you sir." Luke told the commander.
At the mention of "the king", the soldiers left Luke and Theophilus to answer to their king. When they were alone, Luke's countenance changed immediately. He smiled brightly at the man. The man then understood the reason for the fake anger; to make the soldiers believe he was on their side.
"Why didn't you come to see me? You were my only source of contact." Theophilus was sad, it was so hard to be all alone.
"I was caught and punished by the second in command. But the king favoured me ; I saved him from an attack. Hence, I had to always be by his side and now, they had forgotten about it all. I'm very sorry Theo." Luke's face was full of emotions, he could imagine what the man had felt when he thought his only friend had forgotten about him. "Is there anything I can do for you? Any last thing?"
"Its okay Luke. Can you give this to …?" The man relayed the person's identity to the young soldier. Luke was ready to do anything for his friend that would be dying soon.
"I'm sorry Theophilus. I can't stop this." Luke said, they already knew there was nothing to be done about the death sentence. Once condemned, death followed.
"I understand, you would have helped me, were you in a better position. But delivering that note I gave you to the person I asked, is a much better favour . I really appreciate it." Luke nodded as he hid the paper. The two men stood looking at each other. Luke got his fill of one last look.
The soldiers came back and dragged Theophilus out of the cell while Luke stood looking after them. He vowed to fulfill the man's last wish. After delivering the note to the person he was instructed to, he decided to leave the country. Three years later, did just that; went to a different country. Many years later, he contacted someone who told him about Todd.
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Lily got home, she breathed in softly. Life could be full of tales, she thought getting out of her car. The door opened and she turned to see it was her mum, who came out of the house to help her get the groceries from the car.
"You didn't spend time today dear." Her mother smiled when Lily gave her a "really" look.
"Oh… mum, are you saying that I always spend time doing this?"
"Not at all love, just teasing you." Lily breathed in relieved, her mother had a way of saying things.
"Thanks mum, Mrs Cole sent her regards."
"Oh how is she?"
"She's okay."
"Good. How was your shopping? Hope you enjoyed it. Did you meet anyone today?" lily paused, remembering the strange woman.
"Shopping was exciting mum. I met a really strange woman today."
"Strange? How dear?" Lily shook her head.
"Believe me mum, very strange."
"Okay… What did this strange woman do?" Eucharia was amused.
"Well … she slipped and I stopped it in time."
"Oh my brave baby." Lily looked shy, endearments from her mother always made her so.
"Thanks mum but it didn't end there." Eucharia looked at her expectantly.
"Could you believe this woman zoomed out on me, just stared without blinking?" Her mother just chuckled as she took some of the groceries from the car's booth, Lily got the rest. Both of them walked to the house carrying the items.
"Maybe she hasn't seen anyone as beautiful as you are my love." Lily subdued the urge to roll her eyes. Her mother never took that kindly.
"Anyway, how's Jane?"
"She's just there mum, I called her and we talked about the strange woman." Eucharia's laughter was infectious, soon Lily joined her.
"That must have been one hell of a topic. I know how Jane likes to talk about weird people. I can imagine what she told you. She really loves funny people."
"Yeah … you know what mum?" Eucharia raised her brows waiting. "Jane surprised me, she didn't laugh like expected. Only asked if I was okay. She sounded very concerned." Eucharia's laughter ceased.
"She should, after all the incidents you've been through. She's a very good girl." Lily nodded as they entered the house with the groceries.
"Sister Eucharia … hope you will love …" Lily stopped walking, she stared in dread at the owner of the voice. The voice belonged to a man who just came out of their kitchen. It wasn't just any man. It was the very man she had been seeing in her dreams; the stern looking man that Philip had warned her about. So she was staring at her nemesis!
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Lily turned back to her mum and was shocked to see the friendly exchange between Eucharia and her doom. It was normal for her mum to have younger male friends but what would Eucharia do when she found out that one of her friends was her daughter's doom? Lily didn't blame the other woman, of course she hadn't told her what Philip had said. Well … if the man was her doom like Philip had said, then she was ready to deal with it. After all, the said doom didn't know she had been warned. So, she had the upper hand here.
Lily now a master of control, schooled her features into excitement. The past incidents had made her strong. Would she then say she was glad to encounter them? Anyway, this was the time to act. This time, her acting skills were most needful. The man turned to look at her and smiled. Imagine he's smiling! Lily thought. There were no worries then, Lily gave him her most cheerful smile, two of them definitely knew how to play the game. They regarded each other as Eucharia did the introduction.
"Baby meet Magnus and Magnus meet my daughter Lily."