"What was that?", I asked.
"A trip down memory lane! And sometimes some gossips that took place right under your nose!", She said excitedly.
"Why are you so happy then?", I asked surprised.
"Why shouldn't I be?", She said looking at me with a surprised expression.
"What are your memories like? Were you always amidst this crisis?", She asked.
"Yes! I grew up in it! Where have you been?", I said.
"Wow…… my life has been wonderful!", She said smiling and laying back.
I looked at her couldn't help but wonder. How can one be this way amidst this crisis.
I decided to give it another go. I laid back and closed my eyes.
The place remained dark, but I could hear voices.
"He should be sent out of the fort!", I heard a voice.
"How could you do that?!", Xender said aloud.
"Can't you see what he has done?! Look at your father Xender!", The voice added.
"What about him? You know you are alive because of this boy laying on the bed!", She said.
"I am also in this state because of him!", The voice replied.
"Take him out!", The voice said authoritatively.
"I won't let you!", Xender said aloud.
"You stubborn child, you can't stop me this time!", The voice said.
"Davis! Strap her up!", The commander commanded.
"Davis don't you dare!", Xender said.
"Davis, what are you waiting for?! Gosh! The rest of you tie her up!", He added.
It seems like the other speaker was the commander.
"Uhg!"
"Bang!"
"Ahhhh!"
I heard men scream and cry.
"You are all useless!", The commander said.
"Davis, I am so going to punish you for this act of disobedience!", The commander added.
"Bang!"
The door was slammed shut.
"Are you okay?", I heard another voice ask.
"You are lucky you didn't attack, you wouldn't have been as lucky as these guys!", Xender said seemingly to Davis.
"Why are you protecting him this much?!", Davis asked.
"Isn't it obvious?!", She said.
"You love him!?", He added.
"……Are your brains faulty?! Derick saved the entire fort and how is his kindness repaid?!! An attempt to throw him out if the fort!", She said.
"It will remain an attempt as long as I, Xender, is still alive!", She added.
Just then the door was pushed open.
"Strap her up!", The commander commanded.
"Make sure you go all at once!", He added.
"Ugh!"
A man screamed.
"Got you!", Another yelled.
"Now take him away!", He added.
"Commander you can't do this!", Xender screamed.
"I can do what ever I want!", The commander replied..
"You are such a fool! Can't you see that he's innocent?!", Xender said seemingly struggling.
I struggled to open my eyes and help but couldn't.
I tried screaming out her name, I could feel myself trying to open my mouth but couldn't speak.
"Please!", Xender begged.
"Ignore her!", The commander yelled.
"You are such an idiot! You are so stupid! I hate you so much!", Xender yelled, growled and spat seemingly still struggling.
"Commander!", Another voice spoke.
"What?!", The commander roared.
"With all due respect sir, isn't this useless?!", The voice spoke.
"Uhh?!", The commander exclaimed.
"What would you gain from sending this peasant out?!", The voice asked.
There was a moment of brief silence, followed by the commander's angry rebuke.
"Are you out of your mind?!", The commander yelled.
"Please sir hear me out…", the voice replied.
"This young lady here is seemingly willing to do anything for him to stay. Besides, it's without a doubt that she's one of the strongest sub commanders especially now that ping is dead; and more importantly she's your daughter. What would people say about her leaving because of a decision you made to throw the saviour of most of them away. Why don't you use her current state to your advantage?!", the voice went on.
The room became awfully quiet.
"I am willing! Just let him stay and get his due treatment!", Xender cried.
"If he leaves, I too will! But if he stays, I'll do whatever you want!", Xender further cried.
"Where do we take him sir?!", Some other voice spoke
"Stop!", The commander said authoritatively.
"Xender my dear, I won't lie to you. I have mixed feelings about this. You are willing to give up everything for this new kid. How fascinating!", He said and sighed.
"However, I agree to your terms, in hopes that you would one day see the light.", He said.
"From now on, you will stop this rudeness of yours towards me! You will call me father and will obey my every instruction, and will never defile my authority!", The commander said with a stern expression.
"I will do all this if and only if they don't comprise Derick's safety!", Xender spoke back.
The commander paused and continued: "I will no longer send him out for his past sins. I will let them go, but any future sins, he will pay for it duely!", The commander said.
"Are you willing to agree to my terms?!", He said seriously.
There was a moment of silence.
The commander broke it once again: "with your words of approval, his treatment will continue immediately. Fully funded with anything he needs!"
"I…… I agree……", Xender replied in tears.
"You heard her boys, put him down!", The commander said sounding happy.
"Get more nurses, let him receive the best care. Nurses in charge of his treatment should attend to no other patient but him; not even if the other case is an emergency!", The commander commanded.
"Unhand my daughter!", The commander added.
"Happy?", He asked.
"I just a question young lady?", The commander spoke.
"Yes commander!", Xender replied.
"What's that?", The commander asked.
"Yes dad!", Xender said with some melancholy.
"Alright, let's leave!", He said and the sound of footsteps of the gaurds he brought was heard as they left.
"D…… dad! I have one more request……", She said.
"What's that?", The commander asked.
"I don't want you to set foot in this room again! As long as Derick is still on the bed!", Xender said.
"……Hmmm… if that pleases you my princess…", he said.
"Davis please leave!", She added.
"You heard her!", The commander said authoritatively.
As soon as they left, she broke down and began to cry.
"…Th……", she was about to speak when I opened my eyes in shock.
"Wait!", I yelled out.
"Wait for what?!", Kira asked.
"Xender!", I said.
"You've been yelling her name for a while now, I had to drag you out!", She said.
"I have to see her! I have to apologize!", I said and stood up.
……
On getting to the main chambers, I saw her sitted under a tree next to Davis.
To be continued……
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