ArHi FF:13: The BEASTS and the BLEEDING ROSES - Page 68

Chapter 319: Invasion of Distrust

Lightning watched her Master crouch close to the ground as he inspected the tracks.

The General frowned, "I recognize the hoofprints left by Shadow but I cannot comprehend why anyone who owns a carriage must steal Kushiji and the tots."

Lightning expressed a neutral neigh in response.

The General wondered suspiciously: What would necessitate such an abduction?

Rising to his feet, he strolled back to where his white mare stood but stopped to study the vast wilderness that lay before them that was touched by the dawn of a new day.

Sighing, he looked at Lightning, "I don't think we can reach them in two days' time with the pace you're going in."

Lighting shifted in displeasure, feeling insulted by his accusation.

Chuckling at her response, the General bent down and examined the joint of her foreleg.

"You will need to rest after every two-hour ride."

Lightning snorted as though in refute of his remark.

The General mounted and picked up the reins.

From the corner of his quick eye, he noticed a hooded figure glide amid the huddle of lined trees.

He scowled. What does she want now? Stalking me! Whatever for? Would I abstain from getting to my own cure?!

Annoyed but deciding to give away no sign that he was aware of her surveillance, he led Lightning onto a light gallop across the land and towards the wilderness that waited for their passage.

Ram huddled in the corner of the stone cell, cradling Anarkali close to him.

The floor was littered with age-old dust and a prisoner could perhaps have seen the dust dancing in the air if there had been light penetrating into the compartment. But it was incurably dark inside the cell, being situated in the dungeon of some massive structure, save for the melting candles that were lit in the dusty brackets erected on the walls along the corridor outside the cells.

Anarkali sneezed lightly and Ram innocently cursed the dust. He embraced the child closer to him and she leaned up and kissed him affectionately on his cheek. He smiled and pressed his cheek to the soft crown of her curly head.

He stared at the wooden plank that lay a few feet away from where they sat. It had a piece of bread on it, a handful of grapes and a bowl of water. He was unsure how far he could trust the meal that the soldiers had served them an hour ago. The bread looked stale already and the water too misty.

His stomach growled with hunger and he contemplated on trying at least the grapes. Strangely, he realized the extent of his brotherly instincts: he was willing to starve than eat suspicious offerings, especially if they risked little Anarkali. He had promised dear Lady Anjali that he would always take care of her.

Where was Kushiji? He wondered worriedly. He needed her. What if something happens? What if I fail to be brave enough? He felt like crying but he fought back his tears. He had to be strong. For Anarkali.

He squeezed his eyes shut and prayed earnestly. Come to us, Kushiji. Find us, wherever you are...

Just then he heard the sound of someone approaching the cell and he looked up eagerly, wondering innocently if his supplication had been promptly replied to. But his heart sank when he saw the footsteps to have been made by an armed man, one of his many captives and guards, who paused to snicker at them and then passed on without a care for them.

Hopes sinking further, Ram rocked the child to and fro, trying to forget his own hunger while staring at the ruthless meal sitting before him. He wondered if the family at the Castle must have gathered by now that they were missing and sent someone in search of them.

The fog in his mind lifted and his blurry eyes gradually returned to focus on the indistinct figures before him.

Breathing in, he blinked once or twice until the fuzzy figure before him materialized into the longhaired man called Persus standing over him.

Anger exploded in his blood and, with a growl, he leapt to attack him, only to stumble backwards, his back colliding with the hard wall.

Pain shot up his arms and, wincing, he turned to find his wrists bound to the wall with metallic clamps.

He pulled his arms, trying to break free from the steel bondage, but stared in defeat at the unmoving holds. Even his feet were chained to the wall by the ankle.

Enraged, he turned to his imprisoner, "Release me this instant!"

The man chuckled evilly, "Still the arrogant Master, I see!" And then he leaned forward and whispered, his green eye glinting excitedly, "Do you not see, blind boy, that you are now my prisoner? It is not you who give the orders here, but I."

Lord Arnav gritted his teeth but, disabled of his feet and his hands, he attacked with the only available option: he spat on his enemy's face.

Infuriated by the affront, the man lifted a swift hand and rammed his fist against Lord Arnav's head.

The hard wallop nearly deafened him and left his head rattled. A ring on one of the man's fingers had wounded his lower lip. Lord Arnav licked his lips and tasted the blood, incensed by his injured cheek.

His tall enemy leaned forward and warned him in a low crawling voice, "Anger me again and I won't hesitate to break every bone in your body."

Lord Arnav growled, summoning his anger to break forth in an attempt to transform, but contrarily he felt debilitated. The more he struggled to release the beast trapped in his blood, the more wearied and exhausted he felt.

He couldn't comprehend what was happening to him. This had NEVER happened to him.

He had never been overcome by any man in his life, always emerging as the victorious, conquering one. But here he was, overpowered, bruised and seized in unbreakable chains. Weakened by the defeat, he slumped tiredly, his head bowed and the remaining strength in his wrists and legs waning.

His enemy was saying something but he did not hear a single word of it. There was a strange buzzing sound in his ears again and he felt drowsy with exhaustion.

As his mind became gradually engulfed in a darkness of fatigue, a face gazed affectionately at him from the depths of is treasured memory.

Kushi...