Chapter Eight

He came in the early hours of the morning, and went straight to Aubrey's room, but couldn't find her there, he felt a sudden rush of panic, as he doubled his footsteps to Alstin's room, the door creaked open and he saw them lying in each other's arm, the dry tears streak on her face shined in the reflection of the early morning light coming through the window high on the wall, he looked around and sighed before stepping out. 

He made his way back to the main hall and poured himself a drink, he shuddered as he sensed a presence was with him, 

"You did take your time, Gretchen," said Brent, standing at the window, gazing outside, still no reply from Gretchen, so he left where he was and made his way to the table, grabbed a cup, while Gretchen poured him a drink. 

"We would leave today," said Gretchen with a straight face, 

Brent Scoffed, "typical you, huh!" He replied, 

"I just don't want to cause anyone trouble, if their staying here would do that, then we did leave," said Gretchen, 

"She arrives here today," replied Brent, 

Gretchen looked confused at first, then remembered he had sent for Valerie, he downed the cup of drink at once, and poured himself another, with Brent looking at him from a corner of his eyes, 

"You don't need to get yourself drunk to forget the situation, it's something you must do," said Brent, 

"Did you tell her, it was I who sent for her?" Asked Gretchen, 

"She's glad to help," replied Brent, 

"Mmmmh," muttered Gretchen, 

"You can stay Gretchen, you have already brought the danger to us, so leaving now does not make much of a sense, stay get them trained, there is a lot on their path, especially Aubrey," he concluded tapping him on his shoulder, gulped down the wine in his cup and left him to his thoughts.

The first cock crow and Gamiel were already up, unlike him his sleep is a very important part of his life, but Gretchen was surprised to see him making his way into the house, 

"Hey," said Gamiel waving at Gretchen, 

"Gamiel, what's up?" Gretchen asked, shocked as well as surprised, 

"Well I needed to stroll this morning, you know, clear out my head," said Gamiel, 

"Okay," said Gretchen nodding.

"So when will they be commencing, I could help out," said Gamiel, 

"Okay Gamiel, what is going on?" Asked Gretchen, now turning to face him, 

"I feel really bad about how I behaved towards your guests last night, I know we all have been through a lot of stress and it saddens me to know that you did come back not because you want to, but because of them, the kids," said Gamiel, 

"Mmmh, it is not your fault, I have messed up too, a lot of times, but it is for our good and in our best interests, I do not want to put you in harm's way," replied Gretchen, 

"So, apology accepted?" Asked Gamiel, 

"Yes, accepted," replied Gretchen, 

"Good, because I would be preparing breakfast for everyone and I know you have missed my spinach beef sauce so well," chuckled Gamiel, as he moves into the kitchen, 

"I sure have," muttered Gretchen.

*                    *                       *                  *

"Mmh, this is so good," Aubrey commented as she savoured the taste of the sauce, laddened on top of her bread, they cheered, 

"You are getting used to the food, you will adapt just fine," said Brent smiling at her, 

"Well, I plan on doing just that, adapting," said Aubrey.

This morning she looked bright and so pretty, as though as the day passed by her beauty made their striking statement, she wore a bright yellow gown which Brent had picked out for her, Alstin had helped her wash her hair and brushed it, styling it in the best possible way he could, Gamiel had apologized to both of them when they had woken up, although her impression about him could not change, so she let the universe decides if they would be friends or not.

"We would be with you through this journey, and Gamiel would handle your training for today, that is if you don't mind," said Gamiel, 

"We don't," replied Alstin, before Aubrey could speak, 

"Hello everyone," said a female voice from behind, everyone turned around to see her.

She is in her early 30s, petite, so pretty. Her hair was long and styled in a very beautiful pattern that represents her rich culture, she had such an angelic voice, and her smile was great.

She smiled at everyone, as they waved at her, 

"Valerie," gasped Gary, he stood up and went in for a hug, 

"Longest time, Valerie," said Brent, 

"Yea, you have been good, right?" Asked Valerie, 

"Well, yes I have," replied Brent, standing up and going to meet Valerie where she stood.

 

The other men greeted her and glanced at each other, then at Gretchen, who seemed reluctant to recognise the presence of the person in their midst. 

He thought about the first time he saw her, he had gone to a ball hosted by the Queen of petra, four years ago, and there she was her big round eyes scanning the room for her victim, her red flowing gown did justice to her white skin and those lips of her, he had never seen one so fair and beautiful like her, he was hooked, and then she sighted him too and walked towards of him, 

"Hello there," greeted Valerie, 

"Hello," replied Gretchen, 

"Valerie," she said bringing out her hands for him, he took them and kissed the back of her palm, 

"Gretchen," he replied, 

"How are you enjoying the party?" Asked Valerie, 

"Just drinks and booze, old friends to catch up with and lots of gossip," replied Gretchen, 

"Drink?" She asked, 

"Yes," he replied, as they made their way to get drinks, they had talked throughout the night till they got so bored of the party, 

"Do you want to get out of here?" Asked Valerie, 

"Yeah sure," replied Gretchen, as they made their way out of the ballroom without anyone noticing their absence.

They walked through the gardens and back to the royal mansion where Gretchen was staying, that night was magical for him, 

"He had kissed her at the entrance to his chambers and she kissed him back, her lips were so soft and juicy, tasted of grape wine they had at the ball, the kiss became more passionate, they both plunged themselves inside the room, removing layers upon layers of fabric from each other while kissing and moaning. 

"Are you sure about this?" Asked Gretchen, 

"Yes," she replied.

He kissed every inch of her body and when his lips brushed her inner thighs, she gasped, and let out a loud moan, they made love that night, and when he woke up, she was gone. 

"Gretchen!" Yelled Alstin, 

He blinked twice and came back, staring at Alstin as they all stared back at him, he scratched his head and breathed out, 

"Hey, Valerie," greeted Gretchen, 

"Gretchen," she replied, then turned towards Brent, 

"Will be inside unpacking," she said and made for the left-wing.

Gretchen stood up and made for the door, on the way he turned, 

"Aubrey and Alstin, training starts now," he said and left.

"What was that all about?" Asked Aubrey, as she tagged along with Gamiel, who was also making his way to the door, 

"Well, it is complicated, Gretchen would be the best person to tell you about it," replied Gamiel, 

"Uuuuuuughhh," she grunts.

*                   *                      *                      *

"Thank you for coming Valerie," said Brent, 

"It is not much of a problem," replied Valerie, unpacking her things, 

"So the rumours are true, she is alive?" Asked Valerie, 

"Well, so it is," replied Brent, 

"I could feel her energy, the power inside of her, it's overwhelming," said Valerie, 

"Can you handle that?" Asked Brent, 

"Will try my best," replied Valerie, 

"He was the one that sent for you," said Brent, 

"Who?" Asked Valerie, 

"Gretchen, he trusts you," replied Brent, 

"Mmmh," she replied nodding, 

"Will leave you to finish up, thank you for coming," said Brent

"You are welcome," replied Valerie.

Valerie finished unpacking and set out to the training grounds not too far from the tower, and there they were all sweaty, wooden knives clashing against each other, Gamiel giving out orders while training with Alstin, while Gretchen trained with Aubrey, she smiled to herself more like Gretchen having a child, she mused.

"I think she should be channeling her energy, on controlling those powers circulating her," said Valerie as she got to where they were, 

They all stopped and looked at her, 

"We can take a break," said Gamiel, looking at Gretchen, 

"Yea, sure," Replied Gretchen.

Wiping the sweat off his brows, 

"I need to talk to you Aubrey," said Gretchen, 

"What's up?" Asked Aubrey, 

"It's been a while since you got here, and we have not had a proper conversation, and I'm sorry about that," said Gretchen, 

"Yea, it is fine," replied Aubrey, 

"So over there is Valerie, and she would be helping you out to control your power, and also learn spells," said Gretchen, 

"Okay, so when can I meet my parents?" Asked Aubrey, 

"I do not know, till when the universe decides, I guess, I wouldn't want to risk sending words out there," he replied, 

She was frowning now and looking down at her feet, 

"Okay, I will try to make contact as to where your parents might be, because, after the war, no one can track them, you know they are also wanted to," said Gretchen, 

"By the dark knight, I presume," said Aubrey, 

"Well, if that is what you call him, then yes, the dark knight," said Gretchen.

They walked hand in hand till they joined the other three down the hill close to the tower. It was late in the afternoon already, and she was really hungry and tired, 

"Could use good food and a nap right now," said Aubrey, 

"Same here," said Alstin, 

"Well, let's go prepare something to eat then," replied Gamiel, they made their way into the tower leaving just Valerie and Gretchen outside.