A/N: I am so sorry about how late this is. The internet hasn't worked for 4 days! I hope you guys enjoy this chapter!
"So this is where you live?" Rose asked, slightly disgusted with how dusty it was.
"What's wrong with it?" Rhydian asked, shrugging.
"Well, for one, it's incredibly dusty," Rose said, coughing in emphasis.
"Well we aren't exactly here all the time," he answered back.
Alice smirked at the pair. This entire time from Wraithmarsh to Oakfield, the two of them were bickering.
Rose rolled her eyes, "I'm going to get some cleaning products from the stores."
"Oh? And with what exactly?" Rhydian questioned.
"The money I was suppose to use to buy food for Reaver," Rose said innocently.
Alice and Rhydian both looked at her.
"Hmm, not bad," Rhydian mumbled.
Alice tried to hold back a laugh. Rhydian had actually complimented her. Rose shook her head with a smile before leaving the dusty little cabin, Rhydian's eyes following her. As soon as the door was closed Alice chuckled.
"What?" Rhydian asked, sending Alice a questioning look.
"Rose and Rhydian sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G," Alice sung teasingly, sitting lazily on the worn-out couch.
"Alice," Rhydian warned, a smirk growing on his lips, playfulness in his dark brown eyes.
Alice looked at the thirty year old man innocently, "Yes Rhydian?"
"What are you playing at?" He put his hands on his hips.
"I have no idea what you mean."
Alice yawned, entering the main room of the cottage, rubbing her tired eyes as she wondered where Rose had gotten to. She froze, her eyes finishing adjusting to the light, and now widened at the cleanliness of the cottage. The smell of bacon suddenly filled her nose.
"Morning," a cheery voice said, making Alice jump, her eyes fixing on Rose.
"Oh, morning Rose," Alice said, clearing her throat. "How long have you been awake?"
"Long enough to clean everything up, with the exception of the bedrooms of course. And I made breakfast."
"Can someone explain to me why I smell bacon?" Rhydian voiced wearily, walking out of his own room.
"Rose made breakfast," Alice said, grinning at Rose's wide-eyed expression when Rhydian came out shirtless. His little to no haired chest was completed with rock hard abs.
Rose cleared her throat, "Uh, breakfast is in the kitchen."
Rhydian and Rose locked eyes, and Alice couldn't help but smirk. She headed towards the kitchen, humming a playful tune loud enough for the pair to hear.
"I'll ask you again Coleman," Reaver said firmly to a timid looking Fredric. The poor chef shook with fright. "Where is Miss Davies?
"I-I don't know Master Reaver. The last I saw her she was off to do errands," Fredric answered, clearly terrified. Trying to look anywhere but Reaver's now darker eyes.
"Find her," Reaver ordered, his voice laced with malice and anger, wanting nothing more than to have her head at the business end of his beloved gun.
…A month later…
Rhydian and Alice headed back to their cabin in Oakfield, after killing some nobleman and discussing new business plans with a mercenary named Saker. The 20 year old had recently became a mercenary leader, Rhydian didn't know how. Saker was cocky, and showed no leadership skills. Then again, most mercenaries were like that. At least the last leader who Saker took over for have some sort of leadership skills, and was a rather decent man.
"Lighten up," Alice said, nudging her shoulder against Rhydian.
Rhydian sighed, "He's impulsive."
"He's learning," Alice corrected, looking up at him with an assuring look. An ear-splitting scream was suddenly heard, causing the two Mercenaries to jump. Another was heard, and this time they pinpointed it's location…their cabin.
"Rose!" The pair yelled, racing towards their cabin. Alice jumped over a fallen log, Rhydian dodged branches, neither worrying about the scratches they'd get. Their hearts pounded against their chests, sweat dripping from their foreheads. Sure enough, they saw black smoke rising, and the closer they got, allowed them to see bits of flames that was engulfing their home. They could hear men speaking in the distance, and Rose begging them to let her go. Alice and Rhydian skidded to a halt, at the sight of Rose on her knees, two men holding her arms so she wouldn't run off, their home burning in the background.
"Saker," Rhydian hissed, eyeing the man who was talking to another mercenary. Saker looked at the two, emotionless.
"What are you doing?" Alice asked, full of anger.
"What we were paid to do," was all Saker answered with.
"She's with us Saker," Rhydian said firmly.
"Well, this lovely lady," Saker said, stroking Rose's tear-stained cheek. "Has got a rather hefty price on her head."
"Who's paying you?" Rhydian asked.
"Some bloke named Reaver."
Alice clenched her fists. Like hell was she going to let Reaver get Rose.
"Now I suggest you two stand down. I wouldn't want to have to kill you too," Saker said with fake sincerity.
Alice scoffed, "I don't think you're in the position to bargain. You take Rose and you're dead."
Saker chuckled, "I really would hate to kill you." Rhydian and Alice felt a hard hit at the back of their heads, before both fell into unconsciousness. "Sleep tight." Saker said.
Rose muffled a scream when one of the men tied a piece of fabric around her mouth. Before they took her away, leaving the two unconscious mercenaries in front of their burning cabin.
"Alice," Rhydian said, trying to shake to still unconscious girl awake. "Alice!"
Alice groaned, opening her eyes with a weary squint, looking up at a concerned Rhydian.
"Why is it dark?" she croaked, Rhydian helping her to sit up.
"It's night time."
Alice's eyes widened, "Rose!" She tried to get up, but Rhydian pushed her back down.
"Alice calm down!" he said firmly.
"Reaver could have Rose by now!"
"I know but I have to make sure you don't have a concussion."
"I'm fine," she said exasperatedly. "How are we going to get Rose?"
He sighed, "I don't know. It'll take too long to get to Bloodstone."
"We can't give up on her," Alice said softly, on the verge of tears.
"And you won't," A sudden calm voice said, causing Rhydian and Alice to jump up and go on the defensive. "I'm not here to fight. Rather to help you both."
"Who are you?" Rhydian asked the hooded woman.
"My name is Theresa. And I've known you since before you were born, Alice."
Alice gasped, "H-how?"
"Now's not the time for questions. I will help you save Rose, but there is something I must tell Alice first." Before Rhydian's eyes, the two women disappeared, leaving him wide-eyed.
Alice gasped, looking at her now misted surroundings. She was in a forest, the sun just peeking over the horizon, waiting to come out. Small, light purple flowers covered the ground. Tall green tree's towered over her, making her feel small. A light mist blanketed the forest, sending off a cold feeling in the warmth of the sun.
"Where are we?" Alice asked, her voice quivering.
"Where it all began," was all Theresa answered with.
"What is that suppose to mean?" Alice frowned at Theresa's cryptic sentences.
"All in due time Alice. Now speak your mind."
Alice nodded in thought, then looked back Theresa.
"How do I save Rose?"
"Luckily for you, it isn't Rose's time yet. It's not Reaver's either. Save Rose and go."
Everything became distorted, before darkness consumed her.