The Hands of Fate

Chapter 15

It turned out that the men were bandits and only wanted money, which somehow relieved Farah.

They didn't seem to notice that Caspian was Prince, which made the maid even more grateful to the gods—for if the bandits knew, they would want much more than money. Farah did her best to still somewhat guard Caspian, so that he wasn't exactly easily noticeable to the two men.

Farah hoped it would remain that way, with the bandits taking their money and leaving them alone; but it wasn't that easy, it was never that easy.

As the two men were searching the maid and the Prince for jewels and valuables when they came upon the necklace her mother gave her. She always wore that necklace since the day she'd gotten it, never really thinking she could be put into danger due to it.

The two looked at each other when they found it, grinning with wicked smiles that made chills spiral down Farah's spine.

"And what do we have here?" One of the men grinned. Farah had established from the short time that they were there that his name was Theo, or Theodoric. The other's name was Hendrix, and both appeared to be as unkind and selfish as they come. Of course, Farah understood that they did it to make money for their families, and she also knew that she didn't know their stories. Therefore she found it impolite to judge the two. Still, that didn't give the men the right to harm others for their own selfish needs.

Theo gripped the diamond necklace around Farah's neck, moving his coarse fingers along the smooth jewel that he knew cost a fortune. Farah took the opportunity to look around. When she did, she saw Caspian, looking at the necklace as if it predicted his future. The Prince seemed shocked that she owned the pendant, and Farah couldn't blame him, she was a maid after all.

Her emerald eyes fixed on Theo as he looked up at her. "Where'd you get this?" He hissed, pulling his hand away. Farah raised an eyebrow, confused at why the bandit suddenly looked almost scared of the jewel. "Answer me!" Theo grabbed Farah's shoulder, making her eyes meet his. The maid blinked, unsure of what to say.

"I.... was given it... by my mother."

Theo squinted at her. "And your mother gave you this herself?"

"No, she's dead, it was passed onto me. Why?" Farah shot back, glaring at Theo, her confidence draining quickly. The man let go of her shoulder, turning around and facing Hendrix. The two seemed to have a silent conversation using only their eyes and hands for gestures. Theo then turned around, looking straight at Farah. The two paid no attention to Caspian, and the maid was relieved at that.

"Hendrix, watch the boy, I'm taking the girl." Theo growled after a moment of comprehending what to do, grabbing the maids shoulder and leading her deeper into the forest, away from the two. Far away, Farah could hear Caspian shouting at the man named Hendrix, but she paid no attention to that as she was grabbed by the shoulders and hauled away.

As Farah looked up at the bandit, she couldn't help but notice the fear in his eyes, along with the unknowing; but to what, she wondered. The two walked down a hill, winding past large trees that loomed over them ominously. The trees' shadows haunted Farah in the darkness of the early morning, forming shapes that she knew weren't true, but were hard not to believe. Suddenly, Theo turned around, beginning to question Farah once more.

"Now, I'm going to ask you this one more time," the bandit said in a low hiss, his cold black eyes squinted, almost as if he didn't want anyone else to hear. "Where did you get that necklace from?"

"I've told you already, my mother." Farah answered, blinking. What was his problem with the necklace? Why did he want to know so much about it?

"Tell me the truth!" Theo yelled, shaking her. Farah narrowed her eyes, glaring at the man. She mustered up all of her courage, shoving the man off of her with one simple movement. He looked fairly surprised as he hit the ground hard, staring up at the maid. Farah took a moment, realizing what she had done. On other occasions she would've apologized, but not now. She was on a roll. Confidence seemed to grow inside of her, allowing her to talk back to the bandit.