Paths to destiny.

Chapter 12. Act of pretense and deceit.

When he was finally brought to the dwelling of general Byron by the two soldiers followed by Riggs and was presented before Byron, the two soldiers instantly left him with Riggs as Byron came out from his inner chamber.

Then Kevin and Gross also came into the court and then their real identity was known to him. And he now understood what was going on.

"You….!" He was very shocked to identify who they were.

Then Byron was now visible but Gabriel failed to pay him the deserved respect. He was only thinking of a way to escape them at this point but it was never going to be possible. He was in their base and soldiers were all over the place.

"My lord," the three of them greeted Byron as he came forth.

While Byron, who they were greeting, bowed before Gabriel. "Welcome lord Gabriel, son of lord Ronald, grandson of King Rodgers and ruler of over the whole of Tadeas.

That greeting was surely strange to Gabriel. He did not understand what was going on there and could not say anything. All his mind went to was that the act was only an act of pretense and deceit. He said to himself in his heart that this strange honor and salutation would not fool him.

Byron had waited for Gabriel to ask him back on his feet but Gabriel did not, so he maintained the bowing posture for some time and still there was no command that he should rise up so he slowly got back on his feet.

"I don't know how you did it but you have really proven to me that you are experts." Byron was referring to Kevin and his partners. He was really glad they brought Gabriel to him before the other generals got to him.

Then Riggs saw the need to apologize to Gabriel, "I'm sorry lord Gabriel. I had to do what I did. Please forgive me." He was kneeling before Gabriel. And things began to get more strange to Byron. He wondered what Riggs must have done of which he needed forgiveness from Gabriel.

Kevin and Gross, who were also aware of what Riggs had done in order to bring him there, also joined in begging Gabriel for mercy on Riggs' behalf.

Gabriel sure did not know what to do, say or think at this moment. The people who seemed to have been chasing him unto death were now begging for mercy after they got him in their custody and could do whatever they wanted with him.

"Why not you go ahead with killing me and stop all these stupid acts of yours. I know you want me dead like you did to my father. So go ahead. Kill me. I'm not running anymore."

"No my lord, we do not want you dead and we are not acting…." Byron tried to explain himself.

"If you won't kill me, then let me go and stop pursuing me. Now, if you don't mind, I should be on my way out of here." Gabriel turned out towards the direction to leave them to themselves.

"Please my lord, don't leave. Your life is at stake. You need our help. We are your safety, Gabriel." Byron said to him as he was moving to the exit.

"I have been surviving and I will continue to survive. So I don't need your protection. I can take care of myself."

"Lord Gabriel, don't leave. Your enemies are out there."

"I already know. But I am not safe in the midst of my enemies either." Gabriel left them with no further words.

"What did you do?" Byron asked Riggs.

"Should we go after him?" Kevin asked Byron and he nodded his head then Kevin and Gross followed Gabriel while Riggs explained how they managed to bring Gabriel there.

After Gabriel had left the place of Byron, he did not cease to think about what happened before him. Also while he went, he also looked around to ensure no one was following him again.

At some distance, he noticed that he was still being followed, so he stopped because he did not think they were after his life again after what had played out earlier.

"Why won't you stop following me…?!"

"I'm afraid we can't. It won't be long before the others know that you are alive and start coming after you. Allow us to help you." Kevin said.

"I repeat myself, I don't need your help. Just stop following me." Gabriel continued his journey.

Kevin and Gross stood still for some time as he walked away from but later continued to follow his trail.

"Gabriel, we can't leave you wandering around without an escort."

"Do you know what?" Gabriel asked them and they looked at themselves and shook their heads. "I command you to stop following me."

"I'm afraid, we can't obey that command."

"That settles it all. You are not after my good." Gabriel concluded as he ran off and they followed him.

He had taken to his heels because he knew that he would surely lose them as always. And now that he knew a few secret places around the city, it would be far easier than ever.

As he thought, so it happened, he quickly outran them to one of his newly found hiding places.

*****

Kevin and Gross were back again at the place of Byron where they had just left. They were panting heavily due the race. It was true, Gabriel was extremely fast whenever he was being chased after.

Riggs has just finished narrating to Byron how they got Gabriel to the base when Kevin and Gross entered breathing heartlessly.

They instantly knew from the way they were panting that Gabriel had engaged them in race again and they had lost him. It was something very obvious to them concerning Gabriel. You can never catch him if you intend to run after him so there should be no use running after him when he runs away because you won't catch him.

"That was fast!" Byron remarked. It had not been completed three hours after they left to follow him and they were already back, not knowing where he put his head.

Gross said to Riggs, "I'm afraid, we might be putting that act of yours into use again."

Now Byron was aware of what Gross was talking about and it was not something good so he objected and reproved them. "No! That is not an option. Since he knows that we are not after his life but his safety. We should not run after him again whenever he runs. One way or another, we will still meet him again and after several times, he shall come to know that we are not his enemy."

"But that might take forever and our enemies might find him."

"Good thing, they are not yet aware that he is alive. So we should be easy on him and keep his information within this circle. Just ensure that we know where he is at every given time so as to ensure our enemies don't lay their hands on him because that will be his end."

*****

But, as it is being said, everything has ears and words fly as fast and far as you can imagine or think. News about Gabriel reached the city of Ceevah.