Read Out Of Time: The Crystal :: His Choice

Arden looked at his brother and he stared back,wondering 'who was this lady, dressed in filthy clothes,' and 'why is she so worried.' I wish I could put my answer into simple words but that would be undermining the actually graveness of the circumstance.

I took in a deep breath, knowing that this hits a sore spot in both of us. "Why did you leave Xo'cia, Arden." I asked, my chest feeling heavy - I didn't want him to feel forced to explain his life to me. I stared into his cold, icy blue eyes while he said," My mother... she...she died," He gulped before saying 'died', "My father thought we were worthless kids, we couldn't give him anything.He abandoned us,outside the gates. So we went to our uncle here in Ya'gia, but little did we know that he was deathly ill. He didn't last that long." His eyes were glassy as one tear rolled down his flustered cheeks. Hearing what he said pained me, like I was stabbed right in the heart. He's been through so much, but I, I was never there for him all these years, he's been alone - only his brother and him.

"How have you been eating?" I asked, he looked malnourished, his brother similar. He sighed. "I know you'd hate to hear this but... I steal all the food we eat. We have no money. They won't employ a 16 year old like me, so one lead to another and I had to start stealing." He explained. A small part of me was disappointed that he resorted to stealing but the majority of me had to agree with him - I guess he had to do what he needed to to survive. I nodded my head to fill the stillness in the cave.

The cave was dead silent, reasonable - he just talked about his life problems right into my face, maybe I should tell him mine. Too personal? Maybe. "Why did YOU leave Xo'cia Remi?" I spoke too soon, he just asked that question I wanted to avoid. It's okay Remi, it's just Arden. My voice was tight as I explained,"My mom she died, being the most powerful known witch to them, they had to...to...get rid of her." I fought back the tears as I continued," Then they took over our kingdom and I couldn't stop them, so I ran away." Arden raised his eyebrows,"An attack?" I nodded my head. He laid his hand on my shoulder as a comforting gesture. He asked why they would kill my mother. "They fear us, Arden. They're scared of us." I said.

They should be.

"Can I help, Remi?"Kind of him to ask but the plan I have in mind is dangerous. "I don't think you can." I answered

"Why" He asked.

"I want to go to Xo'cia."

"It's too dangerous."

"Exactly why you can't go but they're my people,Arden."

"I can't let you do that. What if you get captured?"

"I'm the crown princess. I need to go down with them."

"Then I'm going with you."

"Your brother, Arden. He needs you too Arden."

"Go." His brother said. " I can take care of myself."

"But-"

"You need to help her Arden, then maybe we can go back home."

He nodded at him.

"Let's go" He said.

"You don't have to go if you don't want to." I assured him.

"I know, but I want my brother to be happy, he misses home, Remi. Maybe I can give it back to him."

People may recognize me, if they do, it's end game for us."Arden!"I said, slightly louder than usual, "People can recognize me." He takes off the black hooded coat he was wearing and gave it to me. "We have to go to the castle maybe they can help us somehow." I suggested. "Doubt it." He said, "They haven't made contact with their sister kingdom in years. What do you think they'll say when you come barging in demanding for help?" He had a point.

"We have to try." I said.

You can force them to cooperate.

I won't. I'm not that kind of person.

What if you have to?

I will not. They will listen.

How? By sweet talking them to? That doesn't always work you know.

I wasn't born yesterday.

Neither was I, you're just going to have a nice long talk with them that with turn into an argument that you'll somehow win.

You just said that I'd win.

That's only how it worked in Xo'cia. You had power there Remi, here very little.

Then what do you want me to do?

Let me handle it.