Tales Of Darkness And Light
Chapter 14's

Rue opened her green eyes and found both her hands and feet tied to a rope. Surprised, he immediately saw his surroundings full of panic.

"You're conscious, you idiot?" ask someone from behind Rue.

Without looking, Rue knew who the owner of the voice was. Looking back, he called her panicked. "Dara!!"

Lara who was behind Rue was also in the same condition as him, namely; hand and kakinyanterikat rope. The difference was, there was no panic on her beautiful face.

"Where are we? What's going on?" asked Rue again the more panicked to see Lara's condition that was no different from her.

"We were caught by robbers" answered Lara. His voice remained calm, as if what he said meant nothing."—and most likely we are now heading towards the robber's lair."

Rue and Lara were in a speeding horse carriage. The moonlight that entered through the window of the horse carriage made the two of them able to look around well. The horse-drawn carriage was not so big and was full of various items such as groceries, cloth, antiques and jewelry.

"Where are Fedrick and Esthel?"

"They didn't get caught. They both managed to escape."

"That's it," Rue breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at Lara's explanation. "Thank God..."

Lara looked at Rue with a strange look. At a time like this the golden-haired gadia could still smile. A small smile filled Lara's face. This girl in front of him was really stupid and knew nothing, she had absolutely no idea what they were dealing with right now. Sighing, Lara could only think at least she was still beside Rue. If Rue was only alone here, what would happen, Lara herself did not dare to imagine it either.

The speeding horse carriage suddenly stopped, Rue and Lara who were inside were immediately speechless and wary. The horse carriage door opened and a man smiled as he looked at the two of them. The man opened the rope that tied Rue and Lara's legs without saying a word. Roughly he then pulled the two of them down from the horse carriage.

The headquarters of the robbers are in a forest. A small hut with a fairly wide parchment stood surrounded by large and tall trees. A bonfire burning inside the compound allows the robbers to see Rue and Lara clearly.

The robbers smiled, they were very happy to catch two beautiful girls who were standing in front of them. Once their chairman was satisfied playing with these two beautiful girls, they would happily play again with them.

Despite not knowing what would happen, Rue could feel the bad intentions of the robbers. Walking closer to Lara, she was looking up at the black-haired girl's sleeves with her hands tied.

Unlike Rue, Lara knew clearly what the robbers' gazes meant. But even so, he remained calm. Fear and panic will not help them. Concentrating, Lara looked around and thought of a way to escape these robbers.

The robbers who pulled Rue and Lara down from the horse carriage instantly escorted them into the small hut. When passing the robbers who were inside the compound, Rue's face grew pale and tightly gripped Lara's sleeve. Lara's face remained expressionless. However, his eyes began to panic, because he did not find a way to escape.

As he walked into the hut, Rue and Lara saw a man about thirty years old standing in front of them. The body of the man was quite large with a face full of scars. The man's clothes were very dirty and messy. The man grinned as he looked at the two of them, especially at Rue.

"Chairman, once you're satisfied, don't forget about us." Laughter The robber who escorted Rue and Lara.

The man called the leader laughed. He violently pulled Rue's hand and forced her into the room. The terrified Rue tried to let go of her hand, while Lara could do nothing at all. He just stood there looking at what was happening, his brain kept thinking about what to do now.

In the room the chief robber threw Rue over the bed violently and locked the door.

Rue's body trembled violently in fear. The chief robber laughed at the reaction of the golden-haired girl while taking off her clothes. Upon seeing the chief robber walking over to him, Rue got up from the bed and tried to escape. However, the chief robber again caught his hand.

Rue kept trying to fight the chief of the robbers. He kicked, punched and clawed, however, his efforts were futile, he was simply impossible to win against the chief robber. Laughing loudly, the chief robber pushed him onto the bed.

"Apple!!" rue shouted in fear, tears streaming down from his green eyes.

......................

Apples sit resting their bodies on oak trees in the garden. His mind floated back to what had just happened in the meeting room in the Radiata mayor's mansion.

"We want to attack the Ormund warriors who are outside the city walls of Radiata tomorrow morning." Calix said calmly.

"I refuse." Reject the short Apple. His tone did not change in the slightest, remaining flat and calm.

"If you help us, after this is all over, I'll give you a hundred million penna and if you want, I'll give you jaba—" Calix said in seriousness. However, not yet finished his remark, the Apple had cut him off. "I'm not interested in anything you're offering me."

Calix did not despair of Apple's rejection. He knew how strong the young man was, therefore, his help was urgently needed in their plans. "How about two hundred jut—"

But before finishing his sentence, once again, Apple cut him off. "Whatever you're offering me, I'm not interested."

The room was silent without sound. Rising up from his seat, Apple walked out of the room. The screams full of anger of Calix's subordinates over his disrespect that sounded completely indifferent.

Apple had no interest whatsoever in what Calix offered him. The only thing he wanted the most right now was to leave this city and meet Rue. In the absence of the girl beside him, he felt extremely uneasy. Ever since they separated, he felt the unease in his heart continue to grow.

"It turns out you're here." Calix's voice suddenly sounded. Standing not far from the Apple, he then walked over to it. "This park is so deserted, huh? given what just happened, maybe this is all right."

"I'm not interested" said Apple without looking at Calix. "I won't repeat it again."

"I'm not here to talk about that" Calix's smile heard Apple's words. Walking closer to the young man the smile on his face grew wider. "I'm here to thank you for saving me last night. I haven't thanked you yet. I owe you—thank you."

"You helped Rue once, so we're even. You don't owe me at all."

Calix kept smiling. He had no idea what Apple and Rue were related to. They don't seem to be brothers, but they're not lovers either. It's just, it seems obvious they both love each other. "Whatever you say. But, I still owe you."

Silently silent, Apple felt that whatever he said, Calix would still be firm that he owed him.

Calix casually sat down beside the Apple. He also went silent, his blue eyes staring up at the night sky. Clenching his hands tightly, he knew, tomorrow was an important day, and after all they should not lose.

"Hey," called out to Apple suddenly and made Calix immediately turn his head to look at him in surprise, as this was the first time the young man was willing to start the conversation first. "Something I want to ask you."

"Please ask." Calix's smile was wide. There was excitement felt, at least its existence was no longer transparent beside this very unique Apple.

"Why are you at war?"

Apple's question is a question Calix never expected. Confusion filled him. What did that question mean?—but, a moment later he replied without hesitation. "To protect those who are precious to me."

"You will cover your hands with blood to protect those who are precious to you? Have you ever thought, those you killed also have people they want to protect?"

Calix smiled at the question of Apple. He never expected the young man to ask such a question. "I am the future King of the kingdom of Arthorn. I love my kingdom, and moreover, I love the smiles of my people. If I could protect their smiles, I wouldn't hesitate to kill."

"Including asking me who has nothing to do with killing?" ask the sharp apple.

Calix sighed hearing Apple's question. Looking at him, with eyes full of certainty without a doubt he replied. "Yes. Humans are selfish creatures. In order to protect what matters to them, whatever they do, so will I."

Apple just silently heard Calix's answer.

Calix who was staring at Apple was actually very much expecting the young man's help. Apples are so powerful, he would be a great force for them in battle tomorrow if he was willing to help.

"I still won't kill." Said the Apple suddenly and got up from his seat.

"Huh?" calix exclaimed puzzled upon hearing the utterance of Apple.

"I'm not helping you. I just want to leave town soon. Once this matter is over we have absolutely nothing to do with it anymore." Add the Apples and walk away from Calix.

Calix's confusion turned to surprise upon hearing what Apple said. That word just now, Apple was willing to help them, right? A smile immediately filled his handsome face. "Thank you, I get it."

"One more thing" said Apple, who walked away without looking at Calix. "Tell them all, I'm blind."

Calix was very confused to hear the words of Apple. He knew clearly, the young man was not blind at all. Indeed, the color of his eyes is not a normal eye color. But, why did Apple hide her eyes so quickly?—she did not understand at all.

......................