They took a secret route to arrive separately from the rest of the battalion the Prince leading to, but they were ambush while taking a short cut route.

Carlisle hits by two bullets while defending the Prince from escaping and he gets some cut from a sword. When he lost consciousness, Albert and Marivella saved him and was brought somewhere that completely separates them from the rest.

"Miss, that looks very tasty!" Albert praises her, his voice is full of excitement and cannot wait to have a taste to what she is cooking.

"You are not only a great nurse but also a cook!" He added.

"Don't be so exaggerated, Albert. I just knew a few dishes to make."

"But we will never learn these few dishes you said if you never teach us!"

"Okay, I'll accept your compliments then," she smiled.

Many women of this tribe are gathered around her also curious about what she is cooking. She has been teaching them anything she knows and sharing the knowledge she has.

She turned her head to the man whose eyes never left her. Carlisle is talking with the Chief of this tribe but she could feel his hot gazes and she wanted him to stop doing it. However, she also grateful that his wounds are healing fast and he can use his left arm now.

After lunch, she just sitting with the other wives when tea was served. She takes a sip and surprises how sweet it is.

"What is this? It was too sweet!" She asks. "Where did you get this?"

"Everywhere. . . you can find them anywhere, Miss."

"Oh, really?"

"There," an older woman pointed the trees around them.

"What? Those trees? Really?" She said unbelievably to the taste she is having now. Her eyes search for Carlisle. She found him helping the younger boys to make a wooden sword.

"What is it?"

"Look at this," Marivella showed the branch of the tree. "Try this."

Carlisle sip from the wooden cup she offered him, he was surprised by the taste.

"It's sweet?"

"Yes, from this tree. I mean, from the trees on this country."

Their eyes meet and talk. They believe that what's on their mind is the same.

"Albert, can you bring us to the forest?"

"Sure, Master!"

Carlisle and Marivella followed the native people who are very familiar with this mountain.

Carlisle studied the tree branches, leaves, and roots. His eyes travel farther up to this mountain and the neighboring. They were now standing near a cliff.

"This mountain is gold," he quoted.

"Huh?" Albert doesn't understand his words.

Marivella giggles then clear her throat.

"Please, have mercy with this poor man, Miss, and Master," he scratches his head.

Marivella laughs. "Albert, what Major Carlisle mean about is that these trees are money."

"Huh? Why?" He even more confused by her statement.

"I think, the British army. . . no, the British Empire is after to these land because of these trees. They probably found out about what it could produce," Carlisle a.s.serted.

"If the British army owns this country, they can hold the world in their hands," Marivella added.

"Wait, I still don't understand please, Master, Miss. . ."

"Okay, these trees can replace the honey for sweetening and can use in other things," Carlisle explained.

Albert translated to other men who don't understand French.

"These trees, we could extract them and made them as a syrup."

"Oh! Now I get it! I thought, we have to dig this mountain to look for gold! Am start having worry we have to cut these trees to find those gold!"

Carlisle shook his head, holding not to burst out laughing. Marivella giggles and was very amused by him.

"On the other hand, everyone here is in danger," Carlisle told the tribe people.

This, Albert translated and anger began rising on their hearts.

They look at each other and talk in their language while they're asking Albert about Carlisle's words.

"They said, more brothers of ours in the Western mountain was drag-out from their homes and forced to work."

Carlisle keeps silent and think. He has to do something to protect the native people here and this land, all these innocent people.

"Albert, can we send someone to go back to the Main Colony? Maybe the Prince was taken back there, I will write a letter for the Prince and to my brother."

"We need soldiers to protect this part of the country and call for help," he added.

"Yes. I know someone could expect littleFrench. But can go to my brother and give your letters, Master Williams. Then my brother will deliver it to the Prince and your brother, Major Klein."

Carlisle nodded and look at the other men. "And while waiting for their response, we have to do something very important, and it needs huge labor," He warns them.

"I want to talk to the chieftain."

That night, Carlisle explained to the tribe of what awaits them if they will do nothing. He demonstrates what could use to the trees in this country and why a British army is invading the land.

He then conducts his plan of building a fence all around the tribe's resident area for protecting them in case the British will attack them. He suggested many strategic plans and the tribe listens very carefully through Alberts translation.

The night grows old and the men continued their meetings.

Marivella left the gathering Hut and went to fold the newly wash sheets and clothes. She placed them on the table and began folding them with all her attention, only focusing on the clothes.

"You did impress by me back there, isn't it?"

She gasped and turned around to face the man who suddenly talks behind her. "Can't you knock? Are you planning to kill me in shock?"

She was surprised to see how close Carlisle was standing behind her.

"What? Why would I do that? This is my hut, do I need to knock on my own house?" He asked her.

Her eyes grew wider seeing the playful smiles on his lips. Marivella turned back around and bit her lower lip.

That was embarra.s.sing! Her heart now acting funny and worried that Carlisle could hear how loud her heartbeats.

She has to get out of here quick. But before she could think back straight, Carlisle leans and place his two palms on the table that made her trapped inside his arms. His body doesn't touch her but she could feel the heat coming from him.

Her grasp tightening to the s.h.i.+rt she is holding and she presses it into her chest like she was trying to cover her heartbeats.

"Marivella. . ."

She could feel the hair on her nape all rose from his s.e.xy voice now whispering behind her ear. Her heart is gone crazy even more.

"That s.h.i.+rt you are hugging, I believe it is mine."

Her mouth opens dropped from realization. Her face is flus.h.i.+ng too red from embarra.s.sment. He is seducing her!

Out of impulse from her embarra.s.sment, she makes a sudden move and shoves the s.h.i.+rts on Carlisle's chest.

"Here! Your s.h.i.+rt!"

She heard Carlisle's s.e.xy laughs and she was in a daze from his flirtatious acts.

She runs towards the door and opens it forcefully when she realized it is actually raining heavily. Is that how her heart beating so loud for her not hearing the clattering of the rain outside? Now she is hesitant to go outside with this rain.

Marivella felt Carlisle's arm grabbing her by the waist and close the door. She ended up pinning behind this door and Carlisle's mouth above hers.

Surprise by what happens, she found herself responding to his kisses.

Carlisle holds the back of her head to deepen the kiss. She sighed. She gives up from restraining herself and distancing from him.

She put her arms around his back and grab his s.h.i.+rt.

"I love you. . ."

He whispered after parting their lips to mutter these words. Carlisle carried her and place on top of the table. . . she didn't protest when he began undressing her and showered her bare body with his burning kisses and make their body as one.

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