Hi! I'm updating a bit early because I'm really busy for the next week. See me at the bottom for an author's note but right now here's the next chapter. :D Enjoy!

*** Chapter 4 ***

The next day they managed to get everyone up and about before dawn and the few hours of rest had been just what Bella and most of the villagers had needed. They felt refreshed and alert which was good as they had much more ground to cover.

As Edward powered ahead, his eyes always scanning their surroundings, she couldn't help but be jealous of how awake he looked even though he hadn't got an ounce of sleep; she envied his seemingly never ending supply of energy.

They started their hurried walk after everyone had found something to nibble on and Edward made sure that Bella remained by his side. His black cloak flowing off her dainty shoulders to ward off the chill of the early morning.

"Did you rest well?" He asked Bella quietly so as not to disturb the necessary silence. He knew they needed to remain alert for any and all sounds but it had been a few hours since he had heard her lilting voice.

Edward had found that he had come to crave it over their short time together; the connection sometimes allowing them to speak without words and a simple glance enough. Nonetheless, he still loved to hear her.

"Yes…I would ask you the same thing but you never woke me for my turn to watch." She responded, shooting him a meaningful look as her lips lifted slightly in amusement. "I do believe you are human but it seems like you need no sleep at all."

"You're very observant love…I don't need much rest. It was something I taught myself when I first fled my home and it has stuck with me ever since but you on the other hand, were almost dead on your feet."

His kindness and perceptiveness to her needs were still a shock to Bella after having been alone for so long. All she could do was smile warmly up at him after brushing her lips softly over his lightly whiskered cheek. She gripped his hand firmer and was pleased when he returned the grip and entwined their fingers together.

"Thank you Edward."

"You are most welcome…like I said I will do anything for you."

After that they returned to their earlier silence but now they were both content, just being close to each other made them happy and neither one of them could remember what it felt like to be alone anymore.

As Bella glanced over her shoulder she felt her heart break as she took in the faces of the only people left from Creolle. She noticed that a few of the girls who had talked behind her back were there and that they mostly stuck to themselves but the glow they once held had dimmed and Bella could only imagine why.

She wondered which screams had been theirs and it made her sick to think about how she couldn't help them sooner. Her gaze quickly spun back to Edward when she felt his thumb gently sooth over the back of her hand in comfort.

"You did all that you could and your bravery spared their lives." It was uncanny how he could almost read her mind but she realised that she would eventually get used to it.

"There are some things that are far worse than death and I am sad that I could not prevent it…I also want to turn around and hunt every single last one of those savages down, those that thought they could lay a hand on the women of Creolle."

Edward wondered how she'd spoken without taking a breath, her anger absolute and almost frightening. He hadn't had a chance to see this side of her – only glimpsing a small peak of it when he'd seen her attack the two Barbarians. Edward couldn't help but think she was beautiful and strong in her fury, it was the wrong time to notice such a thing but it couldn't be helped.

"Bella, you are only one person." His voice strong and determined, he wasn't sure if she really would do such a thing but if she did it would result in her demise over a past that sadly couldn't be changed. "Your plan of attack was clever but unfortunately could not be rushed and if you had then it would've only resulted in your death and everyone else's eventually."

The wisdom and truth of his words resonated through Bella and she finally felt herself begin to let the red that clouded her mind slowly fade away. "Of course…you're right Edward."

"I hope to hear those words from your lips every day of forever." He jested, and she let out a stunned chuckle and lightly punched his arm.

"In your wildest dreams…I hope you have a vivid memory for that is the only time you shall hear it." They both quietly chuckled and after checking back once more they continued to walk picking up their pace slightly as the day got darker.

***B***

The dark haired woman was flustered and her words panicked as she held a young boy's hand as well as the little girl's in the other.

"I don't know what the meaning of this is but it can't be anything good." She told the boy, his black hair flopping into his eyes as the woman hurried them along through the tall grass, her normally tall, slight figure folded into a crouch.

"Mama what is wrong?"

"Nothing my darling…I just have a game for you both to play."

The little girl smiled and a bounce entered her hurried steps. She loved games. Especially those her mama taught her.

"Which one? Which one?" She giggled loudly, the wide smile slightly fading when her mama quickly hushed her and they came to a stop.

"It's a new game but in order to win you have to be quiet as mice and as fast as a fox. Do you understand?" The two children nodded eagerly, one excited to play and the other aware of the danger in the air. The dark haired woman lovingly brushed a gentle hand over each of their cheeks.

"You need to stay together at all times and keep running. When it is time I will find you but you mustn't stop until I do." She explained in a whisper. The little girl listened very carefully but loud shouts were distracting her as they got closer.

"Mama? What is that sou-"

"Not now my darling, you need to run. Now. Both of you run." She rushed out, her voice rising in fear as the top of a helmet bobbed over the long grass. "I love you." She whispered brokenly and watched through her tears as the little boy and girl disappeared hand in hand. Rough hands grabbed her in the next second and she held in her pained scream in case her child heard and ran back for her.

"Jakey please slow down…I can't run as fast as you, my legs are not long enough." The little girl panted out and her long curls flew in several directions from their uneven pace. "Jakey?"

"We mustn't slow Bells…you're mama said so." The young boy was older than the little girl and deep down he knew they were being chased by danger. It was his responsibility to get them to safety.

They could hear heavy boots crunching the grass behind them and the young boy dragged the little girl even faster but it was no use. They were not going to reach the safety of the forest. A faint scream echoed through the open space and the little girl stumbled as she tried to look back.

"Mama?"

"Bells…don't…look…back." The boy panted desperately as the boots got closer.

"But mama-" they were suddenly halted when they ran into strong legs, the fall onto their backsides painful as they landed on the rocky dirt. The young boy recovered first and pulled the little girl to her feet, dodging the grasping hands, and running adjacent to the ever-nearing trees.

"I need you to run towards the trees…can you do that for me?"

"But mama said to stay together. Where is she? Who are they?" She asked so many questions but the young boy had no time to answer. The soldiers closing in on them.

"I know she did but I need you to listen to me. Run!" shoving her in the right direction to emphasis his plea. She ran as fast as her little legs could take her and ignored the sounds that came from behind her.

She ignored the sound of a pained shout.

She ignored the yells of frustrated and angry men.

She ignored the chirps of the panicked birds as she made it into the dark forest.

What the little girl could not ignore was the rock that caught her toe or the steep hill in front of her, the bottom of the ravine not visible.

She tumbled over and over again, her pretty dress from her mama tearing and ripping as it snagged on branches and tree trunks. Her little body bruising all over as she fell on rocks and fallen twigs, her momentum gaining as the hill grew steeper and the angry voices fading away completely.

She fell forever it seemed until finally she burst forth from the foliage and landed in a heap of material and cuts, her tiny head landing sharply against a small rock. SMACK!

Bella snapped awake, heaving in air and Edward desperately tried to calm her. She'd startled him with her abrupt awakening and he could tell it wasn't a pleasant dream.

"It's okay Bella…I've got you." He cooed as he held her head against his chest, her breathing slowing until it matched the beat of his heart. "It's alright. It was just a dream."

"I know…it just seemed so real. The same nightmares haunt me every time I close my eyes and I don't know why."

"There might not be an answer," Edward spoke softly, his fingers stroking gently over her hair. "Dreams are mysterious things. The gods probably find it amusing to watch us try and interpret them." Bella grinned at the image his words evoked and curled up tighter against him; enjoying the feeling of having someone to hold her after waking from another of those dreams.

"I thought they were meant to be a gift from the gods so that we were not swallowed by darkness while we slept. Instead seeing glimpses of todays, tomorrows and yesterdays."

"That might also be true and I hope that is what they are…but Bella, please know that nothing can harm you in them and I will protect your waking hours."

"Thank you Edward. I know…I just find myself weary of not knowing who the people are in my dreams."

"What can I do to help?" he asked against the skin of her forehead, placing a tender kiss to the same spot.

"I do not think you can do anything, as you said it was simply a dream."

"Would you like to tell me about it?"

"Yes, but not now…mayhap once we reach Isola and we can have time to rest." Bella answered. Edward knew she was stalling and figured it was something she didn't want to speak of just yet and so he let her distract him. "Will you tell me about the stars you adore so much?"

"Of course love…lie back." His voice was mesmerising and beautiful in his excitement and Bella was captivated by every detail and story he shared. Her dreams, when she fell asleep once more, were finally peaceful.

***B***

One day later they had finally crossed the Romenian border and Edward confirmed that Isola was on the other side of the Aetius Mountains. They had made good time and Bella could feel the safety of the bustling city sending out a sirens call, the promise of proper rest and food was beyond pleasing.

She had set out to save what was left of her village and with Edward's help had accomplished just that. All they had to do now was make it within sighting distance of the walls and they would be safe.

Bella didn't know why she had a twisting, gnawing feeling stirring in her gut after hearing the good news and she hoped it was only from hunger or tiredness. As they grew closer to the mountain's looming form it seemed to get worse. Edward must have felt her agitation as he worriedly glanced down at her, his strong arm circling her shoulder and bringing her into the comfort of his body.

"We're almost there…everything will be alright." His words were meant to comfort her and in the time she had known him it always had but this time she felt her body reject the statement and she knew danger was ahead. Behind her she could feel the unease of her people and she knew they could sense the danger in the air as well; something just wasn't right.

They were all unnaturally quiet as they started on the mountain pass, higher and higher they climbed and stiller and quieter everyone became. The setting sun which had been a warmth playing over their skin was shielded by sheer cliff faces and they were shrouded in a hazy light. The blue glow eerie and foreboding as it whispered around their legs in the form of mist.

The gloom didn't last for long as they reached the highest point of the pass, sighing and relaxing in relief as the orange-pink sky came into view along with the highest parts of Isola.

That was their mistake; they'd let their guards down too soon.

Before she could speak or move, Edward was in action, his sword at the ready as the loud sounds of boots and jeers enveloped the small space. The Barbarians had somehow caught up to them and they'd walked right into an ambush.

Bella spared a quick glance at the women and children to find some of the older boys defending themselves pretty well with short swords they'd stolen from the Barbarian's camp. They would be okay but it was up to Edward and her as they were the ones who currently had the most knowledge of combat.

She unclipped the cloak and slid out her daggers, swinging them in her hands to loosen her wrists and jumped into the tangle of large, sweaty and angry men. Edward had already dispatched two of the seven men and the young boys had managed one so she set her sights on one of the faster moving men of the remaining four.

Her small frame and fast movements were a major advantage over her opponent given that there wasn't much room for big movements and running; two out of three sides were cliff faces and the other a large open expanse that dropped off to a rocky valley below.

She sliced away in quick movements and every open wound slowed him down more, his yellowing teeth bared in pain and fury as she finally drove the blade home between his ribs. With no time to waste she moved onto the next man – taking note of Edward's position as he fought – and was able to easily wear her newest opponent down and finish him off.

Wiping sweat and a bit of blood off her face she turned and her world stopped.

Edward had landed a deadly blow to his adversary and made the simple mistake of taking a minute to look for her; he never saw the man stumble and then teeter over the cliff edge. The man's meaty hand darting out in the last second to catch on a bit of Edward's tunic.

In a split second they both disappeared and all was silent.

She could hear muffled sounds from behind her and figured it was the young boys checking if anyone was hurt; only a few ladies had seen the same sight as Bella and they stood just as frozen, her elderly friend, Marie, one of them.

What she couldn't understand was where that unnatural scream was coming from. The piercing tone finally made it through the ringing of her ears and the sting of her salty tears against her face brought her back and she realized it was hers.

She felt gentle hands trying to drag her away from the spot – her bloodied daggers slipping from her numb fingers. She never wanted to leave this spot so she screamed and thrashed, their touch was the wrong one. It wasn't Edward's and after her desperate calls remained unanswered she realized it never would be again.

She could not think or say the truth that her heart knew and that her eyes had seen as she rushed to the edge, looking below for any sign of Edward. The scattered body parts of the Barbarian whom he'd been fighting was proof that no one would survive that fall and all she could see without falling off herself.

Somewhere in the depths of her soul she was silently thankful that she could not see Edward's broken body. Her imagination was another matter and the gruesome bloody face below was replaced with her Kindred's and she screamed even louder.

***B***

Bella figured that she had passed out at some stage because when she cracked open her stinging eyes she found herself in a small candle-lit room which would have elicited some sort of reaction if she wasn't so dazed.

She felt nothing but the raw pain in her throat from her previous screaming and crying.

She felt nothing but the sand that gritted against the backs of her eyes as she mindlessly blinked.

And she felt nothing but the utter despair and torment consuming the rest of her heart and soul as Edward's fleeting but significant hold on it dimmed.

She was lost.

She was nobody.

Bella didn't have the energy to fight for anything anymore let alone live so when she saw a small figure walk into the room she didn't even blink. She would welcome Hades with open arms because he was the only one who could reunite her with Edward now.

Her interest was not piked when she saw a slight, almost child-like woman sit on the small stool next to the bed where she rested. She didn't even make eye contact for that meant she had to move and to move meant mindless pain ripping through her heart.

"I know you can hear me Bella." She couldn't even bring herself to be surprised that this woman knew her name or that her delicate fingers were stroking her messy hair. "All I need you to do is listen and then I will leave you be."

When she didn't get a response from Bella she continued, "I need you to do something for me…I know the pain you are in because I have already seen it but I have also seen what you do next. If that happens then I will lose three precious things and I cannot let that happen." Bella wanted to scream at this vague woman who was talking in riddles but she didn't even twitch.

"Tomorrow morning at first light I know you plan to leave and I know what you will do and I ask you to not do it…or at least wait a few hours if you find you must still go. I need you to trust me but I cannot tell you why because it will have dire consequences. Do you understand?" Bella again did not reply but the woman could feel her attention was finally fully focused on her and she was pleased to hear Bella's raspy voice.

"I cannot promise you that…I wish to be gone."

"I know you do Bella, but if you go through with your plan and you jump it will send the future of a lot of people into a deadly spiral and I cannot let that happen." The woman's words made Bella angry, she was just one more person trying to part her from Edward and she was ready to scream at the innocent woman before her.

"I will leave now…but I need you to promise to trust me. My name is Alice and I know you know who I am and what I can do." Before Bella could react Alice was gone as if by some sort of magic; the electricity of her presence still lingered and it gave Bella the energy to sit up. Her legs hung uselessly off the side of the bed and her eyes stared blankly at the wall across from her.

She didn't know what Alice was talking about when she said that several lives hung on her simple decision to join Edward in death. She remembered however, that Alice's visions had been correct as they had led Edward to her.

She wanted so badly to return to Edward's side that it was all that consumed her, it sang from her very veins as if his own spilt lifeblood was humming a herald only she could hear.

She was lost.

She was nobody.

She was angry.

She wanted to find the animal who had dared assume that he could separate Edward from her side but then she remembered that there was barely anything left of him to hurt. By now wild scavengers had most likely feasted upon him and she rushed over to a chamber pot – her stomach heaving – when she thought of Edward's body enduring the same treatment.

She wailed for so long after that and realised that she would even settle for hunting down the person who had brought her to this room and away from Edward. She wanted to at least give him a proper burial before she joined him. She knew, however, that she wouldn't have the stomach to go back for what remained after nightfall.

***B***

"You look lovely as ever my beautiful Katelyn. The vision of you is almost as good as the visions you see, I must admit." The king purred into the woman's ear, her slight recoil going unnoticed as he went back to his afternoon meal.

Katelyn had learnt to school her features but sometimes it took too much effort to seem blank and unaffected. She'd been there too many years already. She missed home. She missed her husband.

She loathed the late king, Caius, and she hated his spawn, Jaymes, even more. They had been her tormentors for the nineteen years she had been held captive and all because of the curse she had been given at birth. Her sight had once been a secret treasure that she used only for herself and her husband but it had been exposed, captured and then exploited by the royal family of Grecia.

She had long ago lost hope of ever seeing outside the stone walls of the castle despite the many visions that had flashed in her mind as of late. She saw herself reunited with her love but she shoved the delusional and feebly hopeful vision away before it shattered the last part of her.

Tomorrow Katelyn would have been in the world three and forty years, but she knew it would be like any other day as she sat on her plush deep blue cushion to the side of Jaymes' throne.

Her pale skin was rubbed red where the ankle chain was wrapped day and night to secure her to the wall, despite the fact she'd stopped trying to escape years before. Her ebony hair, under the layers of jewels and ribbons, was luminous from the light of the fiery wall sconce and her icy blue eyes were cold and dead.

They had made her like this. She remembered, vaguely, a time when she had been so happy but it was long before Caius had ruined her future.

"Tell me, my enchanting Seer, have you anything new for me?" Jaymes crooned as he tilted in his seat, his face as close as she could bare before she gagged. It was not that he wasn't handsome and charming, it was that his soul was as black as the marshes to the west and it oozed from his very pores leaving her feeling like she was covered in muck.

His eyes were solely focused on her as he chewed some of his sweet bread and she hated that they were such a similar shade to the forests that surrounded her home.

The shade was also nearly the same shade of a necklace she used to own, it had been special to her and the memory made her insides twist painfully. She quickly resumed her blank stare at the wall across the hall lest his effect on her be noticed.

"No my Liege. There is nothing new." Her voice was as blank as her stare and so very different than her melodic accent she had once spoken with. A gift she had also been given from birth from her hometown in Romena and also another thing that had slowly been ripped from her.

"Ah…so you have seen the same thing then?" she hated that he could so easily read her despite not showing any signs of emotions or clues. She was so tired of being the cause of so much death and despair to people she had never met; her heart was slowly joining Jaymes' as it turned black from how much life she'd taken away.

One of her sins went so far as involving a young boy of no older than nine short years; after her vision she never knew what became of the child and she wasn't sure she would be able to stomach the knowledge.

"Yes my Liege. Your death is still certain."

"Well then, that will just not do. Laurent!" Jaymes shouted, his voice ringing and bouncing off the stone floors and walls, as a tall, thin, dark skinned man glided in. He was a prisoner just like herself, but where she was reluctant to serve, he was enthusiastic. Not that he showed it. His dark eyes and face remained as stoic as hers even when he had beheaded a man twice his size, simply wiping his blade clean and returning to his chambers afterwards.

He had been captured from a now destroyed village across the marshlands and had become Jaymes' personal tracker, his skills were unparalleled having been almost born with the knowledge.

"My King." He said, his voice thick with an exotic accent as he bowed at the waist, his hairless head gleaming from the fire-lit torches. "You have need of me?"

"It seems that those warriors from the south have failed at their task. Go, take the rest that are here and find out what has happened and why my death is still imminent. Do not fail me." Jaymes said casually, munching on another mouthful of bread as Laurent bowed once more and hastily left.

Everyone in his service knew that there was nothing casual about his threat; he was not a man to be tested and lacked any form of patience or mercy so they would not see Laurent again until he returned with his victim.

Katelyn tried to block out the knowledge of the life Jaymes was about to snuff out and realised that if Laurent ever found her she'd stand no chance of survival. She'd had visions of her for so many years and it saddened her to think of helping to end such a young and bright life.

AN: Thank you for the reviews and comments I really, really appreciate them. I especially wanted to say thank you to Tarbecca for recommending my fic in the Fic Dive on 'A Different Forest' that was very kind and I'm very grateful.

I also wanted to answer Camilla10's question:

'Where are we? Imaginary past? Something more specific?'

The answer is that it's pretty much a fictional time in the distant past and the places mentioned are not meant to be actual places or villages. I didn't really feel like doing a historically accurate story so I strained my imagination to come up with some sort of made up names. Lol :D I hope that helps!

I hope you have another lovely week!

Bye lovelies! :D