The next day, we started walking to the next little town in Stlespa. I had to walk with my hands tied behind my back and the ropes had to be held by one of the Farninian’s, at all times.
I guess that one advantage to being captive is that when you fall and your hands are bound, someone will have to pick you up and if you get tired and the commander really doesn’t want to stop you either get whipped or carried. Okay, I admit, that isn’t an advantage. There is nothing good about being captive.
Another down fall about being captive is that you never get the necessities that you need; for instance, when you need a drink they won’t give you one and when you are hungry they tell you that you will have to wait till we stop, but you still don’t get the amount that you need.
As the day dragged on and the sun got higher and hotter, the Farninian “army” got slower and weaker from this new devilry.
“It appears that you and your men aren’t meant for this glorious day. Maybe you should turn around now and leave!” I said with a glare to Elijah.
“We will leave when your country is in flames and ash. We will leave when you and your people have learned what it is like to be enslaved as we are. We will leave when we have had our revenge.” He said calmly.
“You obviously can’t handle our climate, what makes you think that you can handle our people? We were born here and we can stand the heat and the sun, we will out live you here!”
“You have to much confidence in your people, that will be your undoing. Now, Vilana, I will ask you again, how did you turn back time.”
“How many times must I tell you, I had nothing to do with this. I don’t know what happened. And even if I did, I wouldn’t tell you.”
The next thing I knew was being slapped across the face and feeling a huge pain going through my left cheek. The pain went through my face and up to my eye. It felt as if my eye was going to explode like a bomb used to mine.
“Now, Stlespan, maybe you will show a little more respect.” Elijah said with a grin.
“Oh, I doubt it. If anything you just made me keep my mouth shut longer.” I said quietly as he left.
He stopped for a moment, looked over his shoulder then kept going.
The day slowly dragged on. What was an hour felt like a century. Unfortunately for me, the Farninian’s didn’t feel like stopping to rest at any time. I was born out in the country, but ever since I joined the army, my traveling across country days have become short and few. Needless to say I wasn’t used to this kind of physical exertion.
Before night fell, I could see a site that I hoped would take longer, the next village. It was a cute little town on the top of a hill for conveniences sake. It didn’t have a city wall and would be an easy target. I saw women and children walking out of the town towards the forest to the left. It appeared that they were going on a camping trip or something along those lines. I wanted to run to them and tell them to run for their lives, but I didn’t have the strength or the speed, I would have been killed before I made it halfway there. Lucky enough, we were seen, or so I think. I heard screams from women and yelling from men to children.
I saw Elijah coming towards me with a grin on his face. He was obviously pleased with what him and his men had done and were about to do.
“Would you like to come along?” He asked cheerfully.
“If I did go, I would stand and fight with the brave men who stand to protect their families. I would die beside them and I would be at peace. I am guessing that you don’t want that, so even if I did want to go, you wouldn’t take me anyway. So, why don’t we all stop pretending that we care what each other thinks and wants and be done with it.
“Watch your back, Elijah, for at some point you won’t have your farmer friends behind you. Instead I will be behind you ready to take the revenge on you with the same hate and anger that you took my city. I will not be merciful and kill you quick, seeing as to the fact that you didn’t give my people that courtesy. I will make you suffer and wish you never left Farnin. Beware, Elijah. This is the only warning I will give you.” I said with a light in my eyes, knowing that what I spoke was my own dreams instead of fact.
I watched him slowly come to face me and then I knew no more.
* * *


I watched the world spin and the days became years. I saw a child standing in front of me and as this spinning world went on, I saw it grow up and become a hero. I couldn’t see its face and I couldn’t tell whether it was male or female. It was strong and brave. I saw it master many challenges and become the fabled hero of our time. Then all was black.
After a time, I’m not sure how long, a light came in the distance. It was a very bright light and in it was something I wasn’t expecting, Hope. I saw my peoples Hope in this light and it came in the form of a man. He was asleep but he was strong and perfect. He had auburn hair and was nicely built. For some reason he seemed familiar and yet, not.
“Vilana…” A sweet voice in the distance started to say.
Everything stopped, the light faded and the man disappeared. My dream, my vision of Hope was shattered as quickly as it showed up. I screamed with all that I was. I yelled for this dream, this man…Hope.
When I finally stopped crying for this man, I responded to the voice I heard.
“Who are you?” I asked.
“I am one that you will come to know well later. I need you to listen to me, Vilana. You don’t know this but you are of the bloodline of kings. Back in the day that Stlespa and Farnin used to be allies, your family ruled Farnin. Your family was cast out when the people believed that they were conspiring against them. Your family has always been a peace loving family and has always wanted to live in peace with the nations around. You have never known your family line for your mother and father were taken from this world to live with the gods before you were old enough to know of your history. However, your step family knew of our heritage and your name. They let you keep your name, knowing that you would never hear it as long as you stayed in Stlespa. Listen to me, Vilana, you alone can unite the two nations that were once friends. Only you can bring the peace that both Stlespa and Farnin want. Vilana, be very cautious however, for if this information was to get into the wrong hands your life would cease and your family line would diminish into the history scripts only. You are of the bloodline of many great warriors, even the women of your family were fighters. You will know when to reveal this information to all when the time comes, until then bury it deep inside your heart where no one can get it. This can be used for your safety as well as your undoing. So you remember everything that took place here, I will leave you with a small token. On your right hand you will find a special make that looks like a dragon. It is the symbol of your family name and honor. Never forget what you have learned now and don’t tell anybody.”
Then the voice was gone. I never saw who spoke to me and I never heard his name. It was a strong and enchanting male voice however. It was deep and stern but full of life and love. He seemed ancient and wise in the way he spoke to me.
* * *