It only took a little while after that for people to start getting really suspious. There were so many rumors flying around the castle that Alex was purposely killed and it wasn't just something she caught.
Tala brushed every last one of them off. But when it happened, he totally lost it!
Amber has been convicted of using witchcraft to kill Alex. Tala nearly went nuts! Amber was Alex's best friend and she wouldn't have tried anything like that to hurt her. Tala knew that for a fact and nothing was going to change his mind. All this evidence came to him, since he was now Head Guard, but he gave the negative sign forever last one of them.
If he couldn't save Alex, the least he could do was save something that was dear to her.
Unfortunately, none of his efforts worked. All the evidence went towards the Council and of course they approved it. They were completely negative on anything that you couldn't do logically.
But ... even through all the stuff that Tala had on his shoulders, he still found time to take care of Travis.
Travis had inherited Tala's flaming red hair, but it was starting to grow out really shaggy compared to his. When the newborn had first opened his eyes, they were a deep brown, which was the one thing that Tala adored the most about his son. He has his mother's eyes.
But the one thing that Tala found the most interesting, was Travis's birthmark. It was in the shape of two wings with a small ring around the top. Like an angel. but it didn't have a body, it was just wings and a halo. It was found on his upper right shoulder.
.:VWV:.
Amber blinked. " But Tala, you can't do this! Something could happen to you! You could get hanged if somebody finds out!"
Tala wrapped Travis tightly in a blanket, maknig sure he was bundled up safely. " I can and I will."
Ray had his arms wrapped around Amber's shoulders, trying to calm her down. " You don't have to do this, Tala."
" Well I'm not going to risk it either!" Tala snapped and then turned to face the couple.
" Take Travis with you." He spoke calmly.
Amber's eyes went huge, so did Ray's. " But Tala- NO! I won't!" Amber protested. " Why woudl you just give him up? Just like that!"
" I'm NOT giving him up!" Tala snapped again. " He'd be safer with you two."
Amber's eyes started to water. " Tala ..."
He was silent as he just stared at his son. " Your right, Amber. If somebody finds out and I guarantee they will, I will be hanged." He looked up at her. " Then what will happen to Travis?" He shock his head. " I'd rather have Travis go with you then risk the chance of growing up parentless." He let out a sigh. " Even ... even if it's not me."
Ray was more shocked then anything. After all these years, he and Tala still didn't get along well and yet he was trusting him with his son. Him, one of Tala's worst enemy's! Ray was having a hard time processing this.
" I'm going to have Enrique go with you. He can protect you both if anything and or anyone tries to interfere with your escape." Tala practically whimpered.
" Why are you doing this, Tala?" Ray questioned.
A tear slipped over the red heads cheek. " Because if I want to keep my word to Alex. If I can't take good care of Travis, I know you two will."
Amber was already in tears and her body was trembling. So much for being head strong. " Why don't you just come with us! You won't have to leave Travis and you-"
" I already told you, Amber! If I leave, they won't have anybody to put the blame on and then they'll go looking for you!" Tala snapped again, even though he didn't really mean it.
A pause. " This is a huge sarcrafice. Are you honestly sure?" She questioned.
Tala nodded, then stared back down at Travis. His tiny face was in a deep slumber and he rested peacefully in Tala's arms. Planting a gentil kiss on his forhead, Tala rocked him in his arms for the last time.
Last time ...
.:VWV:.
Enrique blinked. " Are you crazy?" He knocked on Tala's head. " Have you lost some brain cells?"
Tala smacked away his hand. " No, I haven't gone crazy but I'm pretty sure I never had all that many brain cells."
Enrique just nodded. " Well if it means so much to you, Enrique, reporting for duty sir!" He saluted.
Tala rolled his eyes. " Anyways, your all clear on the plan then?"
" Unfortunatly." Amber mumbled and Ray simply nodded.
" Good then get going. If you leave now nobody will suspect it."
" But-" Ray looked around. " Tala it brod daylight!"
Tala nodded. " That's why your not the only ones going!"
.:VWV:.
Ray sighed. " How many more surprises are we going to have?"
" This is abuot it! besides, the only way it could have worked is if somebody of the higher level went with you to beyond the gate." Tala explained.
Max poked his head out of the carriage and waved at them. Amber went wide eyed.
" But- but Tala! Can't- He's-" Amber never made a full sentence.
" He doesn't believe you did anythnig either, Amber. that's why he's helping you guys leave!"
Amber calmed down. " You don't?"
Max smiled brightly at her. " Of course not! You my dear don't have a single bad bone in you! Nothing but fluffy stuff!"
Ray smiled and nuzzled her. " Yep!"
Amber felt a blush creep onto her cheeks. Tala just stood there with Travis still in his arms. As much as he didn't want to, he had to let him go.
When Tala finally got up the courage to hand him to Amber, he gave them a warning. " Take could care of them or I'll have to haunt you in my afterlife!"
Amber's eyes went watery as she took Travis gentilly. Still sleeping. " Tala, you talk liek your already on your death sentence."
" I am." Tala nodded, his face holding no emotion.
Amber started crying instantly. Tala's eyes softened. He gave her a side hug. " You'll be fine. I know you will. I'll make sure of it!"
Max nodded. " Best get moving along if you don't want anybody to notice your absence."
Ray let out a sigh. " Too late for me. Oliver is probably already out for my head."
Letting out a harty laugh, Max motioned the two inside. Tala and Ray exchanged awkward handshakes and hugs. When they were done, Amber gave Tala one last hug and a chance to say good-bye to Travis.
Tala stared down at him. He gave him a small smile and traced a finegr over his cheek. Travis wiggled in hsi sleep, then his eyes poped open. Tala's smile grew as Travis giggled.
" When you grow up to be nice and strong, you will be happy. You'll win the fight. The fight for independance." Tala whispered softly and kissed his cheek.
Amber couldn't help but grin as Travis nodded, yawned, gurggled then fell back asleep.
" We'll make sure of it!" She replied happily.
Tala smiled again and thanked her. " Take good care of yourselves?" He questioned.
" Always."
" Come on, Amber! We have to get going!" Ray spoke as he stepped out of the carriage.
Amber nodded, gave Tala one last glance then walked over to Ray and got it. Ray nodded at Tala and gave him a wave before closing the door behind him.
It seemed to take forever for the carriage to finally get out of eye view, but it was worth the wait. Tala just stood there, looking like a lost puppy, waving when Amber appeared in the back window, making Travis wave at him.
Tala smiled and waved back, then turned and left when he could no longer see his future. His boy. His treasure.
.:VWV:.
The trip took until dark before they finally were well out of the Kingdom and in another. They travilled into the forest, as deep as they could go.
" This place should do." Ray spoke as they started to slow down.
Amber was too busy wiggiling her finger around, keeping Travis entertained and quiet. Enrique was sitting across from them along with Max.
When the carriage stopped, everybody piled out and stood in silence.
" This is a perfect spot." Amber spoke after a while. She held up Travis. " Isn't it? It's away from people and anything that could hurt you."
Ray was watching her and Enrique took the chance to really look over the area, making sure there wasn't somebody trying to sneak up on them.
.:VWV:.
When dawn broke through the sky and everything was silent, something happened.
Amber had a vision.
A group stood around a tall wooden platform. Villagers, the Council, everybody was there. But unfortunatly, it wasn't for a good reason.
Up on the very top of the stand, stood Tala, his hands tied behidn his back and a rope laid silently around his neck. He had his eyes closed and he looked calm. Everything looked ok except the tears that fell dead from his eyes.
Silence fell threw the crowd as somebdoy spoke. Though his lips moved, the words never came to Amber. Within seconds, her vision was back and foucused on Tala.
His lips were moving, but this time, Amber caught every word.
I have no regrets.' He spoke in a whisper.
That's when floor below dropped and down he fell.
As Amber snapped out of it in tears, she could have sworn she heard a cry from teh distant moutains. But then again, it was probably just another illusion.
The End
.:VWV:.
Author's Note: And there you have it! The ending of Where is the love! I really hope you guys liked it! Not just this chapter, but the story in general!
I am gonig to make a sequel, I even have ideas for it! I really hope guys enjoyed my writing style and the way I formed everything!
I'd like to thank everybody that reads my story and doesn't review and I'd also like to thank the people who do review! I hope you will all be with me when I start the sequel!
R&R for me and thank you SOOO much for reading my story! I LOVE YOU GUYS!
God, I'm going to miss writing this story ... oh well, that's what sequels are for, right? By the way, the sequel is called 'Fight For Independance'!
