IT'S TIME
BELLA
I stood in the herb garden in the forest.
Always my place of peace, my sanctuary for so many years.
This would be the last time.
Carmen was searching the gardens in Clanholding and had sent me ahead to check our garden. I had been careful not to volunteer but I had hoped she would do exactly this. I had some precious moments in my space.
And some time to deal with my secret garden. I couldn't risk it being found. I had to destroy it.
I made my way through it, looking around me. For 7 years, this had been my security. My path to freedom. I knelt by one of the plants, touching the mauve flowers, inhaling their scent, closing my eyes for a second, before I took a deep breath.
I began to uproot the smaller bushes, careful not to scratch my hands and arms, throwing them into a far corner, shedding a few tears as I did so. It hurt to be doing this but it was necessary and I didn't have much time. I worked swiftly, moving around the pathways I'd so lovingly created so many years ago, working my way inward to the centre.
"Bella? Bella, where are you?"
I froze.
Carmen. Coming closer.
Damn, damn, DAMN.
There was no way I could emerge from the secret garden without her seeing me. I couldn't say quiet and wait for her to leave either, she'd scent me anytime now.
I thought quickly.
"Here! Carmen, here!" As I spoke, I disabled the entrance mechanism that had allowed only me to enter and looked around the garden swiftly. Nothing indicating I had anything to do with this place.
I was just in time. Carmen entered seconds later.
"Bella, what—" She stopped. And stared.
"This is it, isn't it? The aronel garden." I said, injecting a note of hushed wonder in my voice.
I watched as she took a few steps in, her eyes surveying the plants everywhere, reaching her fingers out to touch the mauve flowers. I'd managed to destroy the outer garden but there was still the central arrangement and the pathways, not to mention the uprooted plants I'd piled at the end.
I noticed then that my hands were dirty. Discreetly I wiped them clean on my inner robes, shaking the dirt gently off onto the ground.
Carmen turned to face me.
"How did you find this?"
"Pure accident." I said as naturally as I could. "I finished surveying our garden and decided to take a look around the nearby area, in case I'd missed something. I was looking for bushes and noticed the earth outside this area seemed a little disturbed. When I knelt to look, I glimpsed inside. And then forced my way in."
That sound plausible. I was pleased with how normal I sounded. No overplay, no hint of nervousness.
"Unbelievable." She said in wonder, looking around again. "It's been here under our noses, right next to our garden."
"Cleverly hidden, though. You wouldn't see it." I said, shaking my head.
"No." She walked slowly, looking down at the path, while I followed behind her, eyes scanning. "Look at the path , Bella. This isn't some random clearing where aronel grows. Someone created a garden specifically, made these paths with packed earth."
"Yes, I noticed." I concurred immediately, cursing how observant she was. I had to hope I'd done enough.
She walked in silence, eyes taking in everything, and when we were back at the entrance she looked at me.
"I'll notify Leader Ephraim. Well spotted, Bella." I shrugged.
"Accident, Carmen. Honestly, I wouldn't have seen it at all if it hadn't been for that." I pointed to a spot just outside the garden where I'd disturbed the earth.
"Whatever it is, they'll be grateful to you at Volterra." Carmen exited the garden with me and beckoned one of the Guard who had accompanied her. "I want you to watch this garden but discreetly. Hide over there, out of sight. There's a slim chance the creator will be back." The Guard nodded before melting into the bushes opposite us.
"You think they'll come back?" I asked pretending curiousity. No, they wouldn't.
"It's unlikely, but you never know." Carmen set the pace for us as we headed back through the forest towards Clanholding. I turned to glance back at my little garden for the last time and then followed her.
OOOOOOOOOO
"I've told them." Leader Ephraim shut the door to the stillroom where we'd been waiting.
"And?" Carmen asked, leaning back against the table.
"They're coming." Involuntarily I flinched and then quickly tried to keep a neutral expression on my face.
"Healer Kate?" Carmen looked enquiringly at him. He shook his head slowly.
"Not just her. Healer Charis. Some of the senior Guard. Clan Leader and Edward."
With every name, my stomach lurched.
"That garden means Edward's mate is here. In Forks." Leader Ephraim looked at each of us quietly. "It's the best lead they've had in a year."
"Did you tell them about the state of the garden?" Carmen asked.
"The state of the garden?" I interjected, looking from her to Ephraim. He nodded.
"Carmen noticed that there were plants uprooted piled in one corner of the garden, lots of upturned soil. She believes it was in the process of being destroyed and after having seen it, I have to agree. So does Volterra." Ephraim looked at Carmen. My hands were cold on my arms and I walked to the burner to begin brewing some tea before I could give myself away.
"What did they say?" Carmen continued speaking with Ephraim while I busied myself, still listening intently.
"Healers Kate and Charis asked a lot of questions about the garden, about what it looks like and where it's located. I'm glad you took me there, there were so many details they wanted. I offered to let them talk to you but for some reason they said they'd do that when they arrived." Ephraim said. "Healer Charis was most interested in how you found the place, Bella, in what tipped you off."
For a second my hand stilled over the teapot. And then I continued what I was doing as nonchalantly as I could.
"I wish I could say it was some sort of Herbalist super sense." Ephraim and Carmen chuckled behind me and I felt my shoulders relax a little.
"I think Kate may have told her about your amazing skill with herbs, Bella." Carmen commented. "As a formidable Herbalist herself, she probably thinks you scented something different."
"It will disappoint her to learn otherwise." I said, turning and smiling at her, my casualness belying the fear pooling in my stomach.
If Charis didn't know already, she soon would.
Frankly, I was astonished no one had put it together yet. But they were smart - they would. It was only a matter of time now. A mate who had herb knowledge enough to make a suppressant, who grew the herb in a garden in the forests of Forks mere metres from the main herb garden, who lived in Forks. Only one person answered that description. Couple that with the fact that I'd been the one to 'find' the garden and that I'd been in the garden alone before Carmen entered, that I'd been keeping Edward at bay consistently since we'd met, that I'd been reluctant to go to Volterra. Too many things pointed to me. They'd put it together soon.
There was no more time.
"..they'll get here by noon tomorrow," Ephraim was saying, "Healer Charis and a few others will arrive a little later as she can't travel with speed."
"We'll prepare Healers." Carmen said, glancing at me. I nodded.
"That will help, thank you both. I need to get to the Chief Guard's office." Ephraim straightened. "We're mobilising the full Guard tonight."
"I thought Clan Leader had his own personal Guard." Carmen frowned.
"Oh this isn't for security. Volterra issued the order. Forks is going into lockdown." Ephraim said smiling grimly. "They're taking no chances. Edward's mate won't be hidden for much longer."
OOOOOOOOOO
I had given up on sleep. I'd opened the doors that opened into the garden and sat leaning against the frame, sipping tea as I looked out at the garden and the forest in the distance. Every so often, the Guard on duty walked by on her patrol.
My last night. I was calmer than I thought I'd be. I felt ready. I'd said my farewells in my heart and in the days past. Nothing left undone, nothing left unsaid. Now, my head was only full of what had to be done next.
I should have left days ago, I thought. But I had wanted to wait for Karline's babe. Anyway, it was too late for that. There was no way I could leave tonight, not with the lockdown and the increased Guard patrols. Apparently Volterra thought the mate was aware the net was closing and might make a run for it. I smiled wryly. Not wrong there. No help for it but for me to wait till the next day around noon, when the Volterra contingent were arriving. I knew how these things worked - the Guard would not be so focused and I'd slip away in that bustle.
And then all I had to do is make it across the river at the border of Clan territory. Crossing the river would be enough to ensure they lost my scent when they looked for me. I was banking on a headstart of about half an hour. If I was lucky it would be more, but I wasn't going to rely on the long odds.
And once I was across the river?
A new life.
I had a good idea of where I was heading.
But first I had to get there.
OOOOOOOOOO
Clanholding was buzzing the next day in preparation. I worked with Carmen to prepare Healer's, as if I wasn't about to leave it permanently in a few short hours. If anything, that knowledge just made me work harder.
We'd been at it for a solid four hours when Carmen came into the room I was cleaning with a cup of tea.
"Here." She held the mug out to me along with a refreshing cloth. I took both, wiping my brow and neck. "You don't need to overdo it. I think we've done enough."
"Hey, we have a reputation to uphold." I said, sipping from the mug as I gestured my thanks.
"You've done more than enough to uphold our reputation, Bella." She said smiling at me and the affection in her voice made my throat close for a moment. Ah, Carmen. I owed her so very much. I would miss her so very much.
"Flattery will get you everywhere." I said, grinning at her, swallowing down my emotion. She laughed.
"Take a breather, Bella. We've done everything." She turned as we were interrupted by a Guard.
"Healer Carmen, they've arrived. From Volterra." Carmen nodded at him.
"I'm coming." She turned back to me. "You don't need to accompany me for the formal stuff. Rest and freshen up, we'll need you later."
"Alright, I am feeling a little bushed. I'm going to get some air. Call for me?" I said casually. She inclined her head and waved as she headed out the door. I watched her leave. Fare you well, my friend. I hope you can forgive me.
I set the mug down and stepped through the open doors into the garden. I headed straight towards the forest, walking slowly, as if deep in thought, as if I wasn't perfectly aware of where I was going. My senses were alert and there were no scents in the air. Not a Guard in the area, they were all probably busy with the arrival.
Once I was in tree cover and out of sight of Clanholding, I tied back my hair and began running, feeling the speed coursing through me. I slowed as I neared the edge of the forest, not far from the Clan border. I removed my travel pack from where I'd concealed it and fastened it around me.
The river was just beyond the forest, not 15 minutes away.
Finally, this was it.
Hello guys! Things are about to get more interesting, I'll also be writing POV's of different people to get more glimpse of the situation. I'll also post one or two more chapters today.
Finally Bella escaped, without anyone knowing.
Hope you enjoy the new chapter. I'm very grateful to my dearest friend Mary who helped me write the story. I really appreciate those who are bothering to read this little effort of mine. And I'm trying to do better.
Do VSC (Vote, Share, Comment) as you will! I shall read your feedback with gratitude and interest, whatever it may be.
I write for me - now for you.