Angel Journey

                            CHAPTER 1: Hostage!

There was a slight screeching sound as Rachel and her Father felt their wagon stop abruptly. The cart swayed a little when someone jumped up on the steps leading inside. The curtain around them was sliced with a dagger and a tall sandy haired man held up a long, sharp sword to her Father’s throat. “Give me money, or you and the girl die!” He spoke in a deep growling voice, still holding the sword firmly.

 

“I- I don’t have much money here, but how about if I go home and get it for you… the castle is uh d-d- down the road a ways… “, The father said with pain from the sword on his throat. He knew that when he got home, he slowly thought to himself, he could order men to catch these criminals, since he was the king.

 

Rachel said a quick prayer, as she watched the small droplets of blood ooze from her father’s neck. She could see the pain in his eyes, something she had never seen before. It frightened her even more. Rachel was taken from her thoughts when the man called out to two other men, and then he turned back and spoke to her father. “How about if you send a warning to your family, to bring the money... And just so I know you won’t just run away and not pay me, I’m going to take the girl as a hostage until you come back...” He laughed hysterically to the other two men as they began to dismount their sturdy, chestnut horses.

           

            One of the horses nickered and the other reared in the air when the one man pulled out his sword.

 

Rachel was horrified of the thought of being a hostage. Her father hesitated a moment, then held out his hand for an agreement. “It’s settled then!” The man said happily. “But of course if you do not return with the money, she will be killed! And don’t expect it to be a quick death either; I have plans for this one...” The Sandy haired man snorted.

 

Rachel held back a cry as the man began to tightly tie up a rope on her wrists. “No Daddy, no! I love you dad, please bring the money please!” Rachel cried out as she was dragged onto one of the men’s horses.

 

“May the Lord keep you safe, I love you, and I will get that money!” The father yelled back trying to keep his own tears in, but sadness and hatred overwhelmed him as he watched his youngest daughter being taken away from him. He would not let them kill her! Never could he! NEVER!

 

Rachel rubbed her sore wrists immediately, which were uncomfortably tight and itchy, once the men took off the ropes, and then threw her in a small, barred prison. Rachel looked around to find that she was in some kind of cave. She sat down wearily onto the small bed. She looked at herself in a small puddle on the dirty stone ground. She felt a warm breeze brush across her tanned cheek.

 

 

 

Rachel’s father rushed as quickly as he could to reach home. The horse that was pulling the wagon was too tired to run with the wagon, so he had decided to leave the wagon in the hot deserted land and ride bareback. He could retrieve the wagon later.

 

He pushed the big white mare as long as he could at a hard gallop, until she was lathered, then he brought her down to a trot. As he was riding he thought of what had happened. He thought of the sword stabbing into his neck, and most of all he wondered if Rachel was okay, and where she was being kept. At that instant someone shouted out behind him and he quickly brought the mare to a stop, and turned his head towards the voice.

 

 

As he turned around he prayed. He gulped loudly and then suddenly there was a banging shot. The deadly bullet pierced him in the chest, a clear shot. The thief jumped off his horse, which was stolen, then he walked carefully over to the man he had just killed. As he looked at the dead face he grinned as he saw whom he had killed. It was the king himself. The thief searched him head to toe looking for money or anything else useful. After he was finished he walked back to his horse, and loped away.

 

The kings Mare nudged his body carefully with her nose, waiting for a reply from him, but he didn’t move. She nickered painfully and knelt down, leaning on her side for support beside the man, keeping him in her shade.

 

Rachel shivered in the cold air as she lay down on a small and dirty bed. There was only one sheet, which covered the mattress. It was torn and obviously very old and used. Rachel wiped her cheek feeling the tears drying on them.

 

As she crawled under the thin blanket, she realized how close God was with her, and at that moment, she felt warmth and peace. She prayed until she slowly drifted off to sleep.

As she was sleeping, Rachel dreamt of her father coming with bag loads of gold, and her being free, out of this cold, dark cave. It was then that Rachel heard someone else was pushed into the room. There was a big clang and the big door opened up in the little prison. That was when Rachel saw a teenager also about her age. He had curly blond hair and his eyes were misty blue like the ocean that surrounded this small island of Kamiah. 

 

She watched as the men carelessly took the ropes off his wrists and then threw him inside with Rachel. Rachel studied him as he looked at her. They stood there, staring at each other for a minute, but they were stopped at the sound of the men opening the door again.

 

The same man who had threatened Rachel’s father came in and looked at Rachel. “Come with me, NOW!” His angry voice yelled, frightening Rachel.

 

Rachel kept her head low as she walked into a big room. The rocky cave walls were brightened as a small fire was flickering at one end of the floor. There was a loud bang heard from the end of the cavern. Rachel looked to see a young man standing by a fire. He had dropped a piece of wood into the hungry flames.

 

The man was very handsome, his brown eyes peering upon Rachel’s helpless looking body; she shook with fright as her thin lips trembled nervously.

 

He looked at her, and then grinned. “There is no reason to be frightened, unless your father doesn’t come back with our money.” He glared as he spoke again. “Do you even know what’s going to happen to you if he doesn’t arrive?” There was silence, and then Rachel spoke, first shaky, but after, relaxed.

 

“Whatever happens, I know the Lord will be with me the whole way through it, and I know He would never leave my side!” Rachel took a deep breath in and listened to the man.

 

“Well, this Lord of yours sure hasn’t done much to help you yet now has he?” The man chuckled to himself, then sighed. He snapped his fingers, which ordered the two men who had helped capture Rachel to take her back into the small prison room. “Oh, by the way, you can call me Jessie,” The man said as she was taken away.

 

 

 

 

Chapter 2:New friends!

 

The boy in the room stood up as Rachel came in, and then sat back down as if disappointed. “What’s wrong? Are you looking for someone else to come in?” Rachel looked at him, concerned in a way. “Nice to meet you too,” the boy said sarcastically. Rachel noticed an accent in his voice not from around here. “My name is Cristian, and I’m looking for my friend, Sam.” He paused, staring at the ground, then looking back into her eyes. “He was travelling with me, we were on our way to the city, Dashika. I- I fear the worst.”

 

Rachel looked up smiling and spoke, trying to change the subject. “My name is Rachel, I’m seventeen! How old are you?” Cristian looked at her and sighed, “I’m eighteen.”

 

At that moment the door opened again, and a short brown haired boy stumbled in then stood up quickly shaking the dust from him. “Oh um… Hello miss I ‘m Sam.” Sam lifted her hand, bowed, and then kissed her hand. Rachel blushed as she set her hand on her lap.

 

“Quite the Lady Charmer aren’t you Sam?” Cristian laughed slowly as he brushed his curls to the side.

 

“Okay so, where were you? What happened?” Cristian said while standing up and looking Sam up and down to be sure he was okay.

“Oh I’m alright, they just asked me some questions.” Well never mind that anyways, who is this beautiful young lady?” Sam glanced pointedly towards Rachel.

 

Cristian quickly introduced the two and later that night they sat together in a small circle and talked.

 

 Rachel smiled as Sam told jokes, to lighten the mood. As Cristian looked at her, she smoothed her long blond hair down and tucked it behind her ear.

 

They both exchanged glances and Rachel noticed that Cristian flush and his cheeks were so red he looked like a beat.

 

It was now dark, and as embarrassing as it was, Rachel slept on the small bed, while Cristian and Sam uncomfortably slept on the rocky floor. There was a small noise during the night, and Rachel, who was a light sleeper, woke to it. She lifted her head slightly and opened her eyes to see Cristian sitting up, faced the opposite direction of her. Rachel looked at him as he turned around.

He slightly smiled then stood up, dusting himself off. “What were you-“ Rachel lost her speech as she looked at what Cristian was doing.

 

In place of where a dirty red rug used to be, there was the beginning of a hole, just wide enough for Cristian to fit through.

 

“I- I was going to tell you and –“ Cristian was cut off once Sam woke up and was looking around. “Sam.” He finished embarrassed.

 

“What is that?” Sam got up after spying the hole.

 

“I started digging it. I mean its not like we are getting out any other way..” Cristian quickly explained.

 

Before Rachel or Sam could say anything in reply, there was a big clank, and the huge door opened again. The sandy haired man entered looking down as he came in. Once he was in, he looked up and then glared at Cristian.

 

“Well, well, well, what do we have here?” The man snarled in a growly and nasty voice.

 

Two of the other men came in, wide-eyed. They looked at the hole, and then glowered back at Cristian along with the Sandy haired man who called himself Harold.

 

“Oh Crap….” Cristian whispered under his breath so only Rachel and Sam could hear.

 

Then Harold held his blood stained sword at Cristian’s neck and ordered him to get up. Cristian slowly got up and the other men grabbed him and began to drag him away.

 

“Looks like we’re off to see what Jessie will think of this kid!” The abductor nastily said as he gave a big smile to the other men. 

 

Rachel and Sam heard Cristian struggle and curse at them angrily, refusing make things easy for them.

 

“W-What’s Jessie gonna do with him?” Rachel asked Sam, shaking from fright, knowing what was going to happen. They were to kill him.

 

Sam sighed sadly and looked at Rachel. “It’s…Bad, he might not be alive soon…. “Sam looked down and tried to calm himself down.

 

“Well, are they going to kill him for sure?” Rachel asked glancing at the door.

 

“Lets hope not, but I wouldn’t put anything past that guy Jessie,” Sam sounded desperate.

 

 For two hours the two sat fitfully, until finally there was a noise at the door, opening. The two men who had Cristian seemed really grumpy. Rachel and Sam stood up and looked at Cristian. He was hurt and he was unconscious. Rachel looked at the limp body by the door. She and Sam both lifted Cristian carefully up onto the bed.

 

“He’s hurt! That means Jessie must not have been in the mood for killing anyone!” Rachel exclaimed, relieved he wasn’t dead, but sad he was hurt.

 

As Rachel spoke, Sam lifted Cristian’s head and put a pillow underneath it, and then Jessie walked in!

 

Jessie just looked at Rachel, then handed her a big bowl of water and a rag. “It’s for your friend. If you try to dig in that hole again, your life won’t be spared; tomorrow we are filling it with dirt.” Jessie glanced at Rachel before leaving once more. Rachel stared as the handsome young man walked out of the prison. Then she shook herself from the thought of being with someone who had captured her for money…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 3: Safe

 

Cristian moaned as he tried to lift his aching head. “Don’t get up, you were knocked pretty hard on your head, and you should rest!” Rachel whispered, looking at him as he held his cut.

 

            “You’re very lucky to have come out alive my friend.” Sam said softly.

 

            Rachel smiled lightly without realizing it, and then looked away.

 

            Rachel felt Cristian’s cheek and forehead just in case, and then took the rag that was placed in the bowl and began to mend Cristian’s cut. The cut was deep and it was on the side of Cristian’s ribs.

 

            Sam turned around to get the big bowl of cool water that Jessie gave them, then took the rag from Rachel and dipped it in the liquid. He then handed it back to her.

 

            When Rachel took the bowl she saw Sam try to smile. She squeezed the water from the rag a bit, and then wiped it softly on Cristian’s young, beautiful face.

 

            She slowly and carefully did so, staring into his eyes. 

He tried to get up, but had to lie in pain once more.

 

He thought of how beautiful and yet familiar she was. He told himself that he would never have a chance with her though.

 

            “I just thought…” Cristian quickly said, stopping the awkward silence. “You look familiar… have I seen you around my hometown before?” Cristian looked at Rachel, then Sam.

 

            “I--- Probably not…” Rachel stuttered. She knew she probably had been, since she was a princess. She didn’t want them to know either!

            “Yes!  She’s the---- the princess.” Sam quickly said, astonished.

 

            “That’s right, I saw you!  Now I recall!” Cristian pointed out as he remembered it.

 

            Rachel looked down and sighed. She sadly looked up, to see Cristian and Sam bow their heads.

 

            “Why didn’t you tell us?” Cristian spoke to Rachel and then bowed his head again.

 

            “No! Please, I didn’t want you to know...” Rachel said as they looked up.

 

            The room was quiet and then Rachel spoke again... “You know you can speak…”

 

            “We were waiting for your permission” Cristian looked at her sparkling blue eyes and waited.

 

            Rachel sighed again and spoke, “This is why I never get to do anything, because everyone thinks they have to treat me as a God!” She looked at them sorrowfully, “Well I’m not a God so please can you just treat me like you did before you knew that I was the princess?” Rachel began to get angry, but took a deep breath and recoiled herself.

 

            Sam and Cristian nodded their heads silently and Rachel tentatively allowed a small smile.

 

            Night fell and everyone rested.

 

Now Cristian knew for sure there was no chance to be with the beautiful princess. He smiled in his sleep as he thought of her lovely smile and her kind heart and her beautiful face and posture.

 

Rachel was deep in thought in the darkness of the cool night. She wished that Cristian and Sam never knew she was the princess. Now she knew that things would be different. But her thoughts soon drifted as she fell into a dreamy sleep.

 

Rachel dreamt of Cristian’s fine hair and perfect blue eyes. She wished she had a chance with him, but she doubted it; after all he was only a year older then her and most likely when she was 18 her parents would choose her a husband around 40. She hated arranged marriages and wished she could choose for herself.

 The next morning dawned bright and sunny.   The three new friends woke at the sound of the big door clanking open. It was the two men, and they held shovels, for the hole. The opening was small but still a threat to them.

 

They grabbed Cristian and Sam and then Jessie came in and escorted Rachel out. He seemed kind to Rachel, but Rachel didn’t like him. He had taken her captive after all.

 

Jessie hastily explained what was to happen. “The men have to fill up that hole, so while they do that, I will bring you all to another room, but you will only be in there for a few hours.” He then looked at Rachel, “Oh, and if your father doesn’t come with that money in three days, well, it’s all over for you. I’m deeply sorry, I really am, but rules are rules and if word gets around that we let our prisoners go for free then no one will be scared and pay up the big bucks!”

 

            Rachel shook that from her thoughts right away. There was no way her father was not going to bring the money. He wouldn’t, he just…. Couldn’t.

 

When they got in the room, they saw that it was bigger then the other one they were in.

 

Cristian seemed surprised that if Rachel’s father didn’t bring the money, she would be killed. He looked at her gravely, but she didn’t notice.

 

He could not let that happen, he loved her or could love her. It was too early to tell yet.

 

He stopped to think about that for a moment. Did he really love her? He hardly knew her, but he felt something deep inside his heart that he felt with no other person.

 

Sam asked Rachel, “So, do ya think the King will come?”

 

“I don’t know,” Rachel sadly spoke “I hope so …. Hey, but when he does, maybe he can get you two out too!” Rachel selflessly and hopefully said.  She had almost forgotten about her dad [until Jessie reminded her] coming to free her from this… not so awful place.

 

She only liked it because of Cristian, (and Sam).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 4: Free

 

            Rachel’s father, Garret was not dead. He grabbed his chest where he felt a warm and sticky liquid spilling out slowly from his wound. Garret looked up to see that his horse had ran away. He carefully opened his eyes up to the sun, squinting. He then lifted his body up off of the ground. If he were to get money to free Rachel and help for his wound, he would need to walk home.

 

            It was only a few more miles home, but the trail was rough. There were many hills ahead; And Garret didn’t know which direction to go until he saw a faded mark of hoof prints, which hopefully belonged to his mare.

 

             It was very hard for Garret especially when he had to rest so often because he was badly bleeding. He stopped the bleeding by using his shirt, but that never worked very well. In addition, if he wasn’t home soon to be helped, he and Rachel could die.

 

            It was a day and a half walk to the castle and Garret made it there, half dead. He needed water so badly that he almost collapsed when he entered. When he entered the castle a maiden ran to his service and retrieved his wife, who was the queen, and, on her command a doctor came to his aid.

 

            Garret explained what had happened to his wife and the head guard. He then sent a soldier to find the money and bring it out.

 

            Garret and two other Guards were soon off, after his wounds were fixed up of course. Even though The Queen urged Garret to stay home and rest, He persisted.

           

 

                       

            That cool summer night, when the three were back in their room, Rachel couldn’t sleep. She was too afraid for her life. She then thought of Cristian and Sam. Why were they captivated? She wondered what they had done or if someone was bringing money for them too. But she finally drifted into a deep sleep after all she had a big and scary day ahead of her.

 

            As Rachel slept she heard a voice in her head. She thought she was dreaming but the voice continued. “Rachel, Rachel.”

 

                        Rachel quiet voice answered, “Yes, I’m here. Who is calling me?”

 

            The voice calmly spoke to her in soft but unforgetfull words, “Rachel it is I, I am. I have a task for you, but first you must escape.”

 

            “How?” Rachel enquired.

 

            “You will be freed some way or another, that of which you will find out. I will protect you. Something important will come your way. I will send a servant of mine to help you. Do not be afraid daughter.”

 

The next morning was very exciting. Jessie came in and took Rachel out to see her father. Her father had the money and he looked happy to see her. He opened his arms to her and she ran to hug him. He kissed her cheek and told her he never gave up. Nevertheless, his reunion was soon broken up because Cristian and Sam were brought in the cavern room with Rachel and her father.

 

As they walked through the door Rachel thought about what the voice had said to her. The voice said it was…I am. She assumed it meant… it meant… She was speaking to God!

 

Cristian looked at Rachel and gave her a half smile. She then explained to her dad who Cristian and Sam were.

 

Garret tried to get an agreement to set Cristian and Sam free to, but Jessie never wanted to give them up… for some reason.

 

Garret pulled Rachel away as Rachel sadly looked at the two teenagers. A small tear trickled down her dirty cheek. She was soon out of the terrible cave and was mounted atop a horse.

 

Garret told her that it was Fate they were to stay in that cavern and that it was Gods will. But Rachel still was mad. “Why isn’t Gods will good? Why couldn’t it be him letting them free? Huh? WHY?” Rachel screamed at her father.

 

“I don’t know why Rachel, But God has different plans for them and sometimes they don’t always make sense.” Garret quietly spoke, trying to calm Rachel down.

 

She looked at her fathers light eyes and spoke, “I heard a voice last night in my sleep, it was God.”

 

On the way back she explained every thing he said.

 

After many hours of riding, they had arrived.

 

Once they were back at the castle safely, Rachel’s mother brought her to her room to be washed up. Then Rachel came to the dining room to eat. She was hungry, but didn’t eat much. She couldn’t stop thinking about Cristian and Sam. They had to eat meals that were hard bread and only did they get that nasty food once a day.

 

            Rachel decided at night, what she was to do. She was going to let them free. She didn’t know how yet, but she would.

 

            The rest of that night she thought of a diversion that would work.

 

            The whole next day Rachel ‘pretended’ to be fine. She ate her breakfast, went outside, she had afternoon tea and everything, because she had to let her mother and father think that she had forgotten about the cave. But she never did.

 

            After she ate dinner, she went to her room to nap. But really, she was going to pack some food for the ride there and back. And as she was working on the diversion to get Cristian and Sam out of the prison, one of the maidens spied on her and saw what she was doing, but luckily, never told anyone. Yet.

 

             After sundown, Rachel waited until her father and mother were asleep, and then snuck out. She grabbed a long, twined rope from her mother and fathers closet (for safety reasons mostly) and then threw it over her window.

 

            She grabbed her small knapsack and then began to descend. It was difficult to climb down in the dark, and so that followed to happen that when she was almost down, she had a hard fall. That never stopped her though. She just swiftly pulled herself together again and headed off for the stable.

 

            She grabbed her own black stallion. He was trusting and very fast. She didn’t bother with a saddle, but just a rope for the bridle.

 

            She managed to get Siria (her stallion) out of the stable hurriedly and set off to the cave.

           

            The long way was taken easily with Siria and finally they arrived at the half hidden place.

 

            “Easy boy, we’re here!” Rachel calmly said to Siria.

 

            His firm black mane flowed like a river with the wind as he stopped, smoothly.

 

 

 

            Garret and Kailua, the Queen, were woken up abruptly in the morning. The maiden that was spying on Rachel the day before was in their room.

 

            “Majesty,” She quietly said, bowing, “Your daughter, she is gone. There is a long rope leading from her room window to the ground.” The maiden moved as Garret jumped out of bed suddenly.

 

            As he was about to leave his room to change and order the guards to saddle his horse, the maiden spoke once more. “Oh, and Sir? Her horse is gone.”

 

            Garret looked away and whispered to himself, “Rachel, what have you done?”

 

            He ran to the guards and ordered them to get his horse. They saddled up quick and then they were off.

 

            Garret let them keep up a good pace and he pushed his horse on farther and harder. If Rachel were caught this time, trying to save her friends, they would instantly kill her. No amount of money would stop this.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 5: Diversion

 

            Rachel’s idea to get in was not the best idea but she was going to sneak in. She jumped off of Siria and hid him behind a big boulder close to the entrance. The sun was high in the sky and Rachel wanted to get in at night, so she waited behind the boulder for nightfall.

 

            That calm night, Rachel approached the door, ready to enter. First she had to find something to unlock the door, without making too much noise. 

 

            She grabbed the hair clip holding her thick, pale blond hair up. It was just the right size to pick the lock and in a matter of minutes she was inside.

 

            There was a tiny scraping groan as she opened the door. As she walked on the hard rock floor, her feet make a small padding noise.

 

            It was only then when she came across the door that led to Cristian and Sam. Near the door sat the sandy haired man, asleep. Rachel softly moved near the man to retrieve the key. She gently felt inside his pocket and slowly took out the key.

 

            It made a small jingling noise, but not enough to wake anyone. Or so she thought.

 

            And she thought correctly. No one woke up. It was still and silent all around her. She fumbled with the keys, and then opened the door.

 

            She then went up to Cristian (Who was sleeping on the floor, Sam was on the bed) and woke him. As she did so she muffled him by holding her hand over his mouth.

 

            He awoke surprised and happy to see her. Sam woke too and began to say something but Cristian shut him up.

 

            Rachel whispered to them, “I have come, to free you. Now come with me…”

 

            The sandy haired man then cut off Rachel. He was now awake. This was bad.

 

            He grabbed Rachel by the hair and yelled out loud, “C’mon boys, wake up, we got the girl back. Guess she wanted to save her’ lil’ friends here.” He chuckled once and then threw Rachel at the two men who just stepped up to the door.

 

            Rachel held back a cry of pain as she was pulled out of the room and to where Jessie was.

 

            He looked furious, and then sighed calmly. “I’ll make you an agreement, alright.” Jessie spoke softly.

 

            He ordered the men to grab Cristian and Sam once more and bring them to him.

 

            He then looked at Rachel and spoke again, “If you stay with me, and we marry, then your little friends here can live!” Jessie gave a little grin and waited for her to respond, “Or I will kill them both, and you can live in this god forsaken place for the rest of your life, alone.”

 

            Rachel glanced at Cristian and Sam fearfully, scared on what to say. She liked Cristian a lot, and maybe even loved him, and couldn’t let him and Sam die. But if she married Jessie she would live unhappily for the rest of her long life, without the one she loved.

 

            “Well… I will, only if you promise to let them go, safely.” Rachel broken-heartedly said. “But I will never love you…” Rachel hissed in a snake bite tone.

 

            That made Jessie mad. He struck her and she fell to the floor. That was when Cristian angrily ran to punch Jessie. But it was too late. Jessie pulled out his sword and stabbed Cristian. Cristian cried out in pain, and fell to the ground, still with the sword buried in him.

 

            Rachel was petrified. This could not happen. She jumped up ready to strike Jessie back, when he grabbed Sam and held a knife to Sam’s throat.

 

            “Make another move, and he dies to.” Jessie gravely said. 

 

            Rachel stepped back and was grabbed by one of the men. She looked at Cristian and a river of tears fled from her eyes.

 

            Jessie released his firm grip on Sam and gave him to the other man. As he did that, he looked into Rachel’s pain filled eyes and then as if being hypnotized, looked away.

 

            Rachel yelled to Cristian who was lying on the ground pale, but not dead. “No! Don’t Die!” She saw the fear in his eyes and then whispered loudly, “I….. Love you.”

 

            Cristian then smiled grimly and spoke, “really?”

 

            Jessie gazed at the two and then spit on the ground and laughed, “How pitiful,”

 

            Then Rachel saw Cristian’s eyes fog up and then close gently. 

           

            She felt like her heart just broke into a million pieces.

 

 

 

Chapter 6: Gone.

 

            The men were about to throw Sam and Rachel inside the cell, but then suddenly Garret came in, sword held high. Beside him were two other guard soldiers. They too had their swords held high.

 

            Garret spoke fierce words to Jessie and the others, “Let them all go, or you all die.

 

            The sandy haired man began to laugh along with the two men.

 

            The sand haired man chuckled, “You really think that you’re going to win. Heck, there are more of us then there is of you!

 

            “Only by one. It’s still worth a try, since we will win!” Garret cockily said.

 

            So they all lifted their swords and began to fight. After Garret got one of the men, wounded, not killed, he took his sword and threw it up to Sam to catch.

 

Sam grabbed it and looked scared. Obviously he never used a sword before. He worked with it fairly well though. Rachel looked at Sam for one moment and then, as if forgotten, ran to Cristian to see if he was still alive.

 

She lifted his limp head and checked if he was still breathing. She then checked his pulse. There was nothing.

 

She fearfully looked at his pale face. She felt the smooth texture of his hair. Rachel was mad at herself for what happened. It was all her fault. And now an innocent was killed. An innocent she loved.

 

She looked up one more time, and saw her father, Sam and one guard standing. Garret lifted the other guard who was wounded with the help of the standing guard.

 

Sam ran over to Cristian and also did as Rachel. He checked his breathing and pulse. No life for Sam to recognize either.

 

Suddenly, out of nowhere, Rachel kissed Cristian soft, icy cold cheek.

 

“Rachel.” Garret sighed. “Its over. He’s gone.”

 

Tears welled up in Rachel’s eyes and then something happened. It was very weird. Rachel could feel someone looking at her. She felt the presence of another. Someone great and powerful. But it didn’t as much scare her, as it did glorify her heart with joy.

 

Everyone looked at her as she smiled.

 

She got up with Sam and softly spoke, “He’s safe, with God.”

 

Garret smiled at her and Sam, trying to smile, headed out along with the guard and Garret holding the wounded soldier.

 

Rachel stopped a minute and called to Sam.

 

“Sam. We have to bring the body, for a grave fit for him!”

 

Sam walked back in and looked at Rachel. “Rachel, do you love him?”

 

Rachel looked back at him believingly and said, “I did.”

 

Sam smiled back to her and stopped to say, “Because, even though he didn’t say it, I think he loved you too.”

 

Rachel smiled back at Sam. And as she did that, a small tear fell down her cheek. This tear was not of pain or sadness, but of love and joy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 7: Home.

 

            After the horses were saddled up, Rachel rode with her Dad on his horse, Sam rode on Siria with Cristian’s body and the guard rode his Chestnut Arabian with the wounded soldier.

 

            They rode slowly so that Sam and the guard could keep the other two on top.

 

            The dusty desert sand blew in the air undisturbed until the slowly loping horses stirred the dirt from its natural fixated place.

 

            Rachel felt the hot wind gliding across her dirty face. She grasped a hold onto her flying, pale blond hair. She tucked her untidy hair behind her small ear and then began to think for a while.

 

            She wondered why she felt so strongly the presence of someone great. She knew it had to be and Angel, or God.

 

            For some reason she felt as if Cristian wasn’t exactly dead. She felt like he was just in heaven, waiting to be sent back into his body to live a long life.

 

            They traveled for such a long time it seemed like, but before long they were back in the comforts of the castle.

 

            Right away two maidens and the queen rushed out to greet them. The maidens helped Sam carry Cristian’s body into one of the guest rooms along with the guard.

 

            Sam looked at Cristian one more time and softly whispered, as if heard by Cristian, “Goodbye my friend. May God be with you. I’ll miss you forever.”

 

Sam turned away and began to walk out of the door. But before he could leave he heard a wisp of wind go by him and around Cristian’s body. He quickly twisted his body to the noise. But then there was silence once more so Sam turned once more to the door and left.

 

            Sam met Rachel in the hallway in the bottom floor. She glanced at him and then continued to walk, quiet fast downwards towards two big closed doors.

 

            Sam followed close behind her and watched her open the door.

 

            There on the other side of the door was a young woman and man. It was Rachel’s oldest sister and her husband.

 

            “Welcome Melissa and Jake of Gallier!” Rachel happily said.

 

             She then hugged Melissa and greeted Jake admiringly.

 

            Rachel brought them into a living room with her father and mother. They talked for a long while.

 

            As they talked of the journey and of a young man who was killed named Cristian, Sam walked around sort of exploring the whole place. He finally ended up back in the room Cristian’s numbed body was laid. He stared for a minute in disbelief and then heard a small knock on the door.

 

            The door creaked open and Rachel shuffled in. She looked up at Sam and then went to the pale body of Cristian. She knelt down beside the bed in which Cristian was laid and closed her eyes. Sam saw that she was praying, very deeply until her sister Melissa came in the room with Jake.

 

            Melissa and Jake both knelt down with Rachel and out loud they prayed for Cristian. And as they finished Sam lifted his head and opened his eyes. Even though he wasn’t really a Christian or believed in God, he still prayed along with the other three.

 

            Melissa passed her grieving sister and kissed her on the forehead, “I only wish for you to be happy, and find the right man. Do not linger on broken dreams, but rise up and dedicate your love to Jesus. I love you sister, be well.” Her eyes stayed fixed on Rachel’s for a moment, and then glanced away.

 

            After Melissa and Jake left, Rachel kissed Cristian’s dry, bloodstained lips and said slowly and peacefully, “I love you Cristian, and I always will.”

 

            Sam looked at the ground sorrowfully. Rachel and Cristian were starting something, and now because of his own foolishness and stupidity, it was over.

 

            Rachel rose and began to walk away when suddenly the door closed and when both Rachel and Sam turned to see Cristian, they were knocked over onto their knees.

 

            There was a gleaming light of glorious praise. Both just smiled widely and cried out with happiness. There was a tall women standing in front of them, smiling.  

 

            The angel said with elegance and grace, “I have great news to bring forth to you today.” She paused for just a moment and then continued, “The Lord God has forwardly brought your friend to life on this earth once more.”

 

            She lifted her head and pointed to both of them, “You three are to embark on a quest. You are to head to Balere to search for a young prince who is lost. He holds an untold secret, to which has the importance to save many lives. Find him.”

 

            She then spoke one last time until disappearing into thin air. “We will meet again in your travels. God will be with you!” She exuberantly said.

 

            Rachel immediately stood up and faced Sam. “Sam, she said ‘us three’ which means that...-” Rachel was cut off.

           

She and Sam saw the miraculous thing happen. It was incredible. Cristian rose from the bed and looked at them both. He grinned at them and walked towards them steadily.