The Most Priceless Treasure(Chapter Three)

"Raina" I said in greeting.

"Watch where you're going you-you-you! Wretched girl!"

"Oh my, I see you've learnt a new word. More classy than idiot, I must say" smirking at her, I replied.

"Oh you really think you're better than us, just because you can read."

I won't lie her accusation irked me a little. For I've never thought myself better than anyone.

And why was this girl always so angry and spiteful? Right from when we were just children, she either bullied me or turned everything into a competition.

Her accusation made me go silent, but she wasn't done yet.

"It's not our fault you didn't have a mother to teach you the proper place of a woman. I really do feel pity for her." She said looking to one of her friends. Was that Ruth or Rosetta? They were not identical twins but I could hardly tell them apart because of how blended into Raina's personality they were.

Translation; they always agreed with her. And as if on queue they both nodded in unison "ummmhmmm".

And she went on with more confidence now, "Really what properly raised young woman would reject a charming, manly man like Gabriel." Just then she had a dreamy look in her eyes.

And I, I'm sure I had fire in my eyes. Which had ignited when she had dared to make an insinuation that involved my mother. I was going to pull her hair out!

"Raina you nasty hag, don't you have somewhere to go, someone else to plague with your unpleasantness?"

That voice belonged to Mildred, my dearest friend and if I was frank the only female my age who was my friend. And an overall good human being, so good she may have saved Raina's scalp from loosing hair today.

Because my anger had fled the moment I heard her voice. I was smiling now.

Raina and her friends harrumphed in unison and left. No one picked a fight with Mildred, no matter how big they were. She was a little beast.

"My hero" I smiled at her giving her on of my cheekiest grins.

"Hmph you're welcome" she replied in mock annoyance.

Which made us both laugh.

"What would you do without me, I'm your guardian angel". "True I'd be  lost without you, but you're more like a guardian demon."

"Hey... I have very little patience for morons."

"You go out of your way to torment people Mildred."

"People that deserve it, and it amuses me". She said with an evil smirk on her face.

"Is that so? Mrs Fisher would like it very much if you stopped tormenting her son."

"You mean her man child? He called my pigtails adorable!" A thoughtful annoyed look crossing her face.

"Now, now, you can't go around putting worms in the pockets of any boy that likes you."

"Ha! Likes me indeed" she scoffs loudly.

"And I think you like him too" "no I don't!" "She replied a little too quickly

"In fact, I think, you think, he is cute."

"Oh yes he was especially cute when he screamed like a little girl when he found the worms in his pockets." She retorted with a sour expression on her face.

I decided I had teased her enough for one day, so I changed the subject.

She walked me almost half way home. We talked about her family, her lousy brothers and the male species generally.

When I got home it was almost dusk and the meat in my basket was beginning to smell funny.

"Hello papa, I am so sorry I took so long", I apologized almost automatically as I entered the house.

He was in his arm chair, where I knew he'd be. His glasses perched on his nose with a book in his hands.

"Hello my dear, John told tell you one of his outlandish stories again?"

More of a statement of fact than a question.

"Even the most outlandish stories have some truths in them papa."

"Well true... So what was this one about?" I tell him the shortest version of the story I could come up with.

"That story certainly has some truths in it" said my father.

"What do think the priceless treasure was papa?"

"It could have been anything, that's the problem with fairy tales. A magic wand, or any other magical artifact. But when I think about it could be a very powerful emotion; such as love.

"Love?" I asked in confusion.

"Yes dear, love is the greatest gift of all, a very priceless treasure. Take it from and old man that has lost and gained a lot in his life time."

It really didn't make sense to me at the time.

"But it really could be anything dear, after all I'm just a rambling old man with very little imagination."

He laughed then as if laughing at himself. But his laugher was infectious, so I laughed with him.

Thank the gods, the meat I had gotten hadn't gone bad, completely.

I was able to make stewed beef which we ate with the bread and some vegetables for dinner.

"So, tell me how was your day papa." I asked my father while we ate.

"I checked on the garden, finally put things in other in the shed. And oh, I got a letter from the city. My old business partners have a proposition for me.

They want my advise on certain business matters. They've offered to pay, a contract of some sort. If it all goes well I think I'll have a very stable income and we'll have more comforts."

"Dear papa I'm very content with what we have. The farm produce we buy and deliver to the city makes enough for us. I don't want you to over work yourself."

"It won't be extra work, oh no! On the contrary I'll have a chance to use my mind that has not seen much use recently."

"But this means you will have to go to the city often. It's a long journey papa, it will surely tire you."

"Don't worry my dear, I might be old but I still have some strength left in me."

"I suppose they would want to see you soon, when will you leave?"

"In a day, so I can get ready for the journey. And make it in good time, Bolt is a very strong stallion but like me he has a lot of years on him I don't want to over exert him with a hard ridding pace."

"That soon papa?!"

"They expect me in the city 4days from tomorrow. So I can set a good pace and make it good time. Since the journey to the city is about a day and a half ride."

"Very well papa."

What my father told me at dinner the day before, made me realize something very important.

As much as I'd love to go on grand adventures like Orion.

I could not imagine a world without him.

I didn't want him over exerting himself on my account. I was content, what we have is enough. I only wish I could help him more.

"I have packed everything you need for your journey. Do promise to be careful I don't know what I would do if I lost you"

"My dear, I am only going away for at least a week. I am not going to war, trust me I'll be fine dear. I promise"

"You too must take of your self while I'm away. You know where my gun is and how to use it. I pray you don't need it but I trust you enough to take of yourself that's why I dear leave you alone."

My father had taught me how to use a gun when we settled in the village. He was referring to the revolver strapped underneath his study table.

"I'll will be fine too papa." I assured him.

"I know you are a very self sufficient girl Isabel. But it is not a bad thing for a man other than your father to take care of you."

What was he talking about? "What do you mean papa?"

"I mean you should not be quick to reject any man who wants your hand, think about it carefully."

"Are you talking about Gabriel? His  ego is too big for his own good that one".

"And what was wrong with Adam, the Bernard's first son?"

"I don't think I will ever be able to return his affections, that would be really unfair to him papa. But I think he's moved on."

"Love my dear grows, it isn't measurable at first. Give it a chance dear"

And with that he got onto the coach we said our good byes and he went on his way.

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