Future World

We walked on towards our goal and I was walking alongside Daniel and Samson. “Who do you think they sent from the New Land?” Samson said casually.

“I don’t know”, I said absentmindedly.

“Probably one of the Winters they’re like gods there”, Daniel said shaking his head.

“Sir”, Ariana said running over.

“What is it Ariana?” I asked looking over at her.

“The scout says he saw a campout”, she said out of breath, “a very large campout”.

“We best move then”, I said signaling our eleven scouts to go off to the side and meet up with us later.

“What can the scouts do?” Sam said, “They don’t even know how to fight and you have the map”.

“It’s a back up plan”, I told them all, “I think I heard something”.

“You heard right”, a man said walking up to us and guards surrounded us.

“Run”, I told the men but we were already boxed in and there was no chance of getting away.

“Grab them”, the leader said and they took us back to camp.

“What are we going to do?” Daniel whispered.

“I don’t know yet”, I said anxiously.

“Now what to do?” one of the men said as we entered the campsite.

“We should get this over with”, another said.

"What should we do with him?" one of the men said and I looked at the soldiers with contempt.

"Hang him perhaps", one of them said and I kept a blank expression but some of my men were struggling now thinking of what would happen to them if I died.

"Maybe just your typical torture", another suggested.

"I want to show them my hammer", another one laughed then there was footsteps and they all fell dead silence.

"What is wrong?" a velvety smooth voice said, "did all of you suddenly lose the urge to crack jokes and plan punishments".

"Lady Winters", one of them said quietly.

"Captain Titan I realize your fancy name was you on top of the world but I was just wondering what distracted you", she continued.

"We weren't distracted", one of them said nervously.

"Really then how is it that I wasn't the first to be informed of our visitors", she asked politely.

"They're Outlanders my lady traitors and we thought you were out scouting so we were going to punish them for their treachery”, another one told her.

“Tell me what our law at home is”, she said continuing walking around behind me. I wonder which one of the Winters girls this is because whoever it is, is definitely dangerous.

“The Outlanders are not to be trusted”, they all said.

“I really don’t like when you twist my father’s words and I doubt he would either”, she said and I tensed up because her voice was closer, “the law hereby and forever is that those on the outside will be treated as exactly that we of the Winter will decide their fate”.

“You can not control our fate”, I said soberly.

“That’s it”, the guard holding me said then put a knife to my throat.

“Darius don’t go over my head again or you won’t have one”, she said with a sigh.

“My lady he dishonors you he must be punished”, he insisted.

“Oh he will by nature itself not a simple being on this Earth”, she said and I felt gravel hit the back of my shoe.

“I’m not here to play games with you Winters”, I said annoyed.

“I know you’re after the Halo”, she said walking around me, “tell me how many of your men got away from my men”.

“We can tell you that my lady”, one of her guards assured her.

“No you can’t only this young man can he won’t hold his tongue so he may as well tell me”, she said and I tried to look up but I only saw her shoes.

“Twenty three”, I lied.

“Let’s see about that I’d say around eleven”, she said and I was surprised because that’s exactly how many.

“More than enough to take the Halo”, I said seriously.

“Indeed”, she said walking past me.

“Lady Winters your father would have them all taken out we can find his friends easy enough”, the first man that had spoken said importantly.

“Could you tell me Raymore, where did you receive your training?” she asked then laughed quietly, “oh that’s right you never received training you just have friends in high places”.

“Lady Winters you’re way out of line”, one of the guys said.

“Quiet assistant you and Raymore have as little decision making ability as my pinky toe”, she snapped and I almost smiled she was obviously the boss and I thought about the Winters family.

There was the oldest son, Patrine he was the head of the family other than the father and from what I knew a total butt kisser. The second son, Herrington who was a major ladies man and a major player all around. The oldest sister, Lilias was always surrounded by books and she was apparently really smart. The second oldest sister, Valentine was a major slut she had quite the reputation. The third oldest girl was probably the one to watch out for, Skye Winters she was head of the guards back at their home and famous for her quick tongue. The youngest daughter was Alicia and she was supposed to be really cute and sweet. The youngest son was a baby by the name of Haven and they were already grooming him to take his older sister’s place as head of the guard.

“What are you going to do with us?” I demanded.

“Let go of our guests”, she said calmly.

“What?” all the guards said then they let go of us.

“Lead the leader into my tent for negotiations”, she said then someone started pushing me into the tent. I wondered if this was Valentine because I didn’t believe in sleeping with the enemy but it might be funny to turn her down. When we were inside the tent I took in my surroundings it was very spacious and clean in here. “Do you drink?” she asked and I looked over at her. She had long red hair a roan red shade and deep brown eyes. She wasn’t bad looking in fact she was beautiful in her own way. She was wearing skin tight black pants and a tight olive green long sleeved top. “Doesn’t your tongue work anymore?” she asked sitting down in one of the chairs.

“I only drink with my people”, I said remaining standing.

“Honorable”, she said politely, “please sit down”.

“I think I want to stay standing”, I said but I saw a spark in her eye so I sat down, “so what are you going to do with us Lady Winters send us back to daddy?”

“Daddy can wait”, she said pouring two glasses of wine.

“I told you I wasn’t thirsty for our people’s drink”, I said eyes narrowed.

“I listened”, she said putting it in front of me. I looked down at the white wine sitting there. It was probably poisoned or something so I didn’t touch it.

“Do you have a name?” I asked playing with the glass and watched her sip her glass.

“Everyone has a name”, she said eating a grape, “I already know yours”.

“Oh yeah what would it be?” I asked.

“Neyo Roberts”, she said casually, “I knew the moment I saw you”.

“Very interesting now what is your name?” I questioned.

“Names are very important to you aren’t they”, she said watching me put the glass to my lips, “drink please”.

“Very well”, I said taking a sip of it carefully and it was actually really good.

“Well done”, she said and I looked over at her. I realized right then that drinking the wine was some kind of test and I seemed to have past it. She stood up and started walking around. “You don’t know how often men spill or throw the glass”, she said thoughtfully, “they’re right though that drink contains honey bee venom designed by our scientists to weed out the weak”.

“What is my reward?” I asked coolly.

“You passed the first test”, she said sitting back down.

“What is the second and third?” I asked crossing my arms.

“I just have one more question”, she said finishing off her drink.

“What is it?” I asked interested despite myself.

“What do you say to a little healthy competition?” she asked putting her hands down on the table.

“What kind of competition?” I asked uncertainly.

“A competition for the Halo like the ancient who originally created it see I think a little competition is good for the soul and makes things interesting”, she said.

“Why should I trust you you’re one of them”, I said suspiciously.

“Look I’ll make you a deal”, she said seriously.

“What kind of deal?” I asked nervously.

“If you find the Halo first it’s yours and we won’t take it from you”, she said calmly, “but if we find it first stay out of my way”.

“How do I know I have your word?” I asked unsure.

“You’ll just have trust your instincts”, she said opening up the door, “you may leave now with your men”.

“May our paths never cross”, I said walking past her.

“It’s Skye by the way”, she said as I past.

“Goodbye Silk Dagger”, I said looking back at her.

“May this contest meet a swift ending soon enough”, she said then went back into the tent.

“Watch yourself”, one of her men said.

“Let’s go”, I said meeting up with Daniel.

“Did you say Silk Dagger?” he said as we all started walking.

“I should have known but why would they send their best soldier?” I asked puzzled.

“I thought they’d send Patrine or maybe Valentine I’d want to keep someone that deadly around did you see that scar on her leg”, he said and I thought back to the big scratch on her leg.

“I wonder how she got it”, I asked looking back at their camp.

“Probably one of those assassins we set after her family back then”, he suggested.

“She’s dangerous that’s for sure”, I said nervously.

“Definitely competition for us then again that makes things more interesting”, Tyrone said joining the conversation.

“Too bad it wasn’t her sister, Valentine I hear she’s gorgeous”, Nexus said thoughtfully.

“We need to concentrate on winning”, I said.

“I have to admit without the scars she could be a beauty”, he sighed.

“She’s the competition we need to keep an eye on her”, I told them all.

“Won’t it just be easiest to eliminate them”, Joe said sourly.

“Not yet I want to win this fair and square”, I said perplexed.

“What do you think of her Neyo?” Daniel asked.

“Smart”, I said honestly.