Survive As The Brute's Wife

"It would be better if you ride with me," Arioch said. "We got information that there is a bounty set on my head, again, because I "kidnapped" the Brute's wife."

His tone held obvious mockery of Maximus.  Alexandra could see the contempt Arioch has for Maximus.

She shook her head as she didn't like the idea of riding with Arioch. And she didn't like the mocking tone of Arioch.

She wondered if it would be possible for Maximus to learn that she is with Arioch already. And she didn't think that Maximus would have announced to the public that his wife was kidnapped from right under his nose, but Arioch won't say it if there isn't truth to it.

She didn't care either way. 

She knew one thing. Taking her to Mount Begida is dangerous for Arioch and his men than for her. She didn't think that Maximus would hurt her. He lies to her and it hurts her, but she didn't think that he would hurt her.

But he would hurt Arioch!

She didn't want either of them to get hurt. She didn't know why. She should be hating on one and taking sides, but she couldn't do that. 

"Then that means I must ride alone. People will be looking for a woman of my stature getting held against her will and it wouldn't arouse suspicion if I ride alone. You will have fake identities, right?" She asked as she remembered Arioch entering the Zemfir Castle with some papers. "Make it seem like I am a boy."

She observed Arioch and he didn't look very good as he contemplated. There were a bunch of men around him who seemed to agree with her but they said nothing and waited on Arioch.

It reminded her of Maximus. His men would wait on him and for his decision but she never saw fear on their faces when engaging with him. There would be an air of familiarity in their conversations although he is a titled Emperor of the realm.

And Maximus would sit on the ground if he is tired and wouldn't care for a chair especially a well-ornate one. He treated the knights as his peers and respected them as they respected him. 

But Arioch...

The more she looked at Arioch's eyes, the more he resembled Luke. And it worried her.

[But he is Tubby! What made Tubby change?]

As the wind blew on her face, Alexandra rode on a horse. Inside her cloak, she hid her long hair and held the reigns of the horse as it strutted along the terrain of the wilderness; she felt free. 

She hasn't felt this free in forever. 

She thought her meek body wouldn't handle riding. But she didn't feel week. 

Arioch rode closer to her. His heart palpitated seeing the smile on her face. He remembered feeling this way around her all the time. 

He could never say if it was jealousy or fear. But he knew she won't be loyal to him alone and would drift away like the wind that flows freely as it wishes. 

And there was this guy around her all the time trying to poison her mind against him. She failed to disavow him and that's when he knew not to trust her.

And did she not?

He gave her a choice and she chose him as he predicted. She wasn't willing to give him up. He still remembered the smile on that guy's face when she chose him. 

And the power she holds... He hated that and it made him feel little in front of her.

A man bowing in front of a woman was unheard of. It still is. How can he be expected to bow in front of her just because she gave life to a marble sword?

He proposed a plan to retire off the sword carrying Rose Knight and take her as his wife. But she wanted to be his boss. She wanted to be revered. She said she would back off from the limelight to live a quiet life, but after all the ruckus caused, he knew she couldn't be trusted anymore. 

So he made sure that she would stay away from the limelight. But everything ended not so well with her...

He truly regretted her death. 

Arioch's eyes relaxed and got lowered as he remembered that day. But then the sadness didn't live long on his face as his eyebrows twitched and he grinded his teeth in anger. 

<But she didn't just die, did she?>

"Wait!" he stopped her.

At the distance, there was a check post before entering a village they were planning on making a pit stop to replenish their water and food. 

Alexandra noticed the checkpoint and she stopped the horse. She recognised the uniform of the soldiers. It seems like Maximus is searching for her. She didn't know how Maximus got the news that she is with Arioch. 

She went with Arioch of her own volition and she didn't want Maximus to think that she was kidnapped. But she didn't want Maximus to think that she left with him either. 

She felt a tingle in her heart and her eyes ended up at the watchtower at the distance. She couldn't see any distinct figures but she saw a dark figure lurking in the shadows.

[Max?]

Her heart skipped a beat and she ended up staring. 

"There is another way. Turn back," Arioch said blocking her view of the tower. 

"Yes," Alexandra turned. 

Arioch turned at the watchtower and gave a doubtful glance. But there was no movement from the tower and he turned and left. 

Alexandra slowed down and she tried to look back. But the hood of the cloak obscured her view and she removed the hood and turned and looked to her back, at the tower. 

[Max? Are you there?]

She thought it in her heart and hoped he could hear her. She wasn't even sure that Maximus was here. As the hot wind caressed her face, and ruffled her hair chaotically, she found herself in a dilemma between her heart and mind. 

Her mind asked her to follow Arioch, but her heart wanted her to ride to Maximus.

"Alexandra, quickly!" Arioch hurried her. "And cover your head!"

Alexandra pulled up the hood and followed Arioch into the thick jungle to the South. 

Maximus fisted his hands as he could see the retreating bunch of people. And the one with the golden hair - he knew it is her; his wife. 

« Is she leaving with him?»

"Is that Arioch and his ilk? Should we follow them?" Julius could see the change in Maximus' expression and asked. 

Their journey here has been filled with troubles. The horses they mounted all left them except for Maximus' horse. They had to walk to this village. Maximus who would burst out to lightning for silly reasons have been keeping his cool. 

They tried to get horses here, but every horse runs away from them. Maximus ran to the watch tower suddenly and he followed him. He didn't expect to see Maximus this sad. 

"No, leave them be..." he said with his eyes looking forlorn.

A long sigh escaped his mouth and in Julius' heart, there formed a bitterness. 

That woman has no right to make Maximus sad.

"Find an inn to rest," Maximus said. "We'll rest here for tonight and return in the morning."

Julius bowed before he retreated. He thought it would be better if Maximus gets over that woman. She is not good for him. 

She pretended to be innocent and she made an act of getting abused. But all of it was an act to get everyone to dance to her tunes. Such manipulating woman cannot be part of Lethusia ever.

Not to mention the said "powers" of her! 

Maximus turned to his left to have a look at the island far away. No matter how closer he gets there, it still seems far away. The dragon perching on the tree is now showing its back to him as if it didn't want to converse with him. 

«You are guarding my bones along with her sword...»

He smiled wryly. And yet he is not allowed to get inside that island?

«It's comedic if you think I would back off!»

He smirked. That dragon shook its derriere and its tail swirled up the sky forming a storm up in the sky.

«Do what you can to stop me! I won't be stopped!»

In the night, Julius came out of the tavern to get some fresh air after drinking a lot of ale. Everyone was enjoying their own pints and he wanted to take a breather after he drank his share. 

At the distance, in the darkness, he heard a neigh of a horse and he squinted his eyes to have a look. 

Ah... Maximus...

Julius let out a sigh of frustration. What could he do when an Emperor loses his senses for a woman?

-----

In the forest, under the thick shade of trees that covered the little moonshine, Alexandra watched as Arioch made the fire. 

In the fire that started easily, she rehashed Arioch's words about needing her help to get the help of some elves.

[When will be bring up the elves?]