Note : This story was written in order to help fans whom can't find the story in their language. If you like the story, please buy the book.
Grace sat down with a worry look on her face...even Willy, next to her, looks worried.
“Where did Miriam went?”, Douglas and Card whispered to each other.
“Grace is so worried.”
“Looking at her (Grace) we also can’t calm down, all we can do is just do our job at the farm and come back....however.........”
The doors opened and Card came in.
“Grace!” said Card. “Let me get Miriam’s fate”
“What is that? Doesn’t look like regular playing cards”, Grace approached Card.
“I stole them from a French prophet...NO....I meant I received them from him. These are called Tarot Cards”, Card shuffled the cards, “It can tell the present, past and future, ........“Result........Look........Good card showed up”
Grace picked up the card and looked at Card, "This is a good card.........?”
“That card represents good fortune and success” ,said Card. “Which means Miriam will come back safely. So you don’t have to worry.”
“Really? Ah.” Said Grace feeling better.“You are so nice and gentle", said Joel
“Eh?”, Card is confused.
“You made her feel better just by looking at the way you did that sloppy card telling” said Douglas
“Card, do you like Grace?” said Joel
Card, flustered and red in the face, said “ Joel..............”
“ Don’t need to be embarrassed, in truth, I am the same” said Joel. "Even though we are 10 years apart, it is the first time I encountered such a gentle and beautiful woman. Admiring her is a normal process.” (“I am a guy but I have feminine qualities”)*They are whispering so that Grace can’t hear them*
“If it is about that, I am the same” said Douglas
“Staying at this farm, half the reason is because of her. Truthfully speaking.....”
(“Miriam also loves Grace very much. “)
(“I like Grace the most !” said Miriam”)
(“That child, never before had she left without tell me where she went, and now she just disappeared! It is because of that I am so worried.” said Grace)
(“I do not know why she left like that, but .......come back soon! Miriam. Otherwise, Grace would be very worried.”....thought Douglas)
“Now that I thought about it, that child and I haven’t spent 2 years together yet......”, Grace wondered
“Grace?”
“Such a strong child. I feel like I am being pulled to her. No matter what. That child movements are so fast and quick. I do not feel that she is a 7 or 8 years old girl. She has a lot of adult qualities............adult qualities........” said Grace, “That child............That child never once had come to me for comfort”
(“Mama......” Douglas remembers Miriam calling Grace that )
“On the other hand, that child, if she open up wide her little hands...it seems as if she is trying desperately to protect me.”, said Grace again.Hoof sounds..............
“Horse sounds? Miriam?” said Douglas
“No! That is..........” said Grace
Douglas opened the door and looked out (“Isn’t that.............”)
“Douglas!” said the guy on the horse.
Douglas took a double take backwards in surprise. (“THAT STRANGE PRIEST!”)
“It looks like, he should be your follower”
Flounder talking with his mouth full. He and Silver King and Harnbag are sitting at a table eating.They are talking about Mr. Boer how he should be a followers of Harnbag’s. But Harnbag told them how 2 years ago he help hidden him and that Mr. Boer is going to be doing a big robbery heist soon and it is Silver King’s job to kill off all the experience guards.
*Meanwhile, Miriam is listening to all this under the table.*
Flounder drops his fork and Silver King picked it up. Silver King saw Miriam under the table, smiled at her, but didn’t say anything to the two guys. At this moment, Miriam stomach grumble, and Silver King helped Miriam escape by making a racket.
(“The person that Grace saw looked a lot like her old crush. But he supposed to be a hired killer. But when he looked at me...his expression is so tender.” thought Miriam)
Back at the farm......The priest is evaluating Joel with 85 points, Card with 88 points and Douglas with 100 points. (* ugh! >_< ~~ shiver ~~) The priest asked Joel to bring Card to the doctor in the village. The priest then picks Card up and brought him to the cart without getting out of breath. He then told Douglas that he has some information about Miriam and that he should come help search for her with him. That is if Douglas REALLY cares about Miriam.
Meanwhile, Miriam was at the bad guys’ barn and over heard that the priest split the boys up so that Grace would be home alone. (“That priest is a BAD person!!”)
At the farm, Harnbag’s men went to capture Grace and Willy (since he won’t let go! ) and Grace also found out that this was all planned by the priest. At another place, Douglas got frustrated because the priest wasn’t answering his questions about Miriam’s whereabouts. But found that this was all a trap. The priest points the gun to Douglas and told him that now Harnbag will get Grace, Flounder will get the 2 boys and he get Douglas. He also told Douglas who he really was.................Mr. Boer!
At Harnbag’s house ...........
“Grace, you came”, said Harnbag with opened arms, “Oh, you are crying”
Silver King was looking down at the scene from the balcony.
“You don’t need to be scare! I am a gentleman! I won’t use force!”, said Harnbag.
*Miriam...hidden underneath a sofa......*
(“Calls himself a gentleman! Abducting her isn’t called force?”)
(“However, since Grace is here now, that meant those three fell for the priest’s trick”)
(“Hmm..what should I do now?”)
(“That sound.....”)
“What is that?” said Harnbag.
“The pig bite me, so I took it with me. Can use it for tonight's dinner. The meat should be good.” said one of the capturer.
“Stupid! Don’t bring that thing into the house”, Harnbag shouted.
Willy got loosed from being tied up in the ropes. So they started to chase after him. Miriam jump onto the person who wanted to capture Willy with a gun in hand. Miriam told Grace that there are too many people right now to save her...but she will come back...don’t she worry. The she fired the gun at the chandelier. The chandelier fell down.....but Miriam didn’t think it was her firing that did it......While Miriam and Willy was making a lot of chaos.....Harnbag brought Grace to a room to try to sweet talk her....but Silver King came and knock him unconscious.
“Come...while that imp is making so much commotion you can come and hide in my room”, said Silver King
When Harnbag woke up he thought Grace ran away and that it was Miriam who had hit him. So he told all his gang to go and find Grace. But not Silver King because he will look down at him.In Silver King’ room............
“Daytime there are too many people around. Have to wait till night fall”
“OK”
“Living at your house” said Silver King
“Eh?”, Grace wondered.
“That little imp........named Miriam.........what a fascinating little girl”
(“She suddenly came into my room to request for help. And left without waiting for my answer”)
“That child, she was missing from this morning. Couldn’t believe that she is here. Ah! I hope she won’t have any problem now”, Grace is very worried about Miriam.
Silver King put his hand under her chin and lift it up. “Your color isn’t good”
“Yesterday I was over tired and couldn’t sleep.”
“Go and sit down on that chair”
“.............. You are a member of Harnbag’s team”
“That’s right”
“Why would you help Miriam and I? You are betraying them with your actions, if you get found out you will get into trouble. Won’t it be a problem?” said Grace looking at Silver King tenderly. She all of a sudden grabbed his hands and said, “Sorry, I......wish to use all my efforts to safely leave this place.”
“I will use all my power to leave this place!” Said Grace
“...................................” Silver King is surprised at the sudden turn in Grace’s behavior
“Because both you and Miriam took a lot of risk to help me. I will not be capture! I will show you I will leave here safely!”
Grace then confronted Silver King that he looked a lot like her old childhood crush whom she used to like a lot 14 years ago. It is because of her that he got his scar. Silver King then told her that he never forgotten her either...and he was indeed her childhood sweetheart, Heuy Castea.
In jail, Card and Joel was behind bars. The sheriff told them that it isn’t good to be “honest”, one has to know how to look after oneself. Card and Joel was trying to figure out why they are in jail and realized it is all the priest’s doing.
Meanwhile, Douglas was tied up in a little cabin with Mr. Boer. He was trying to feed Douglas and wanted Douglas to join his team of outlaws. He thinks killing is a joy. Mr Boer’s right hand man,Jed, came in to call him away. He told them that Miriam helped Grace escaped. Then....
“See you, Douglas! I will come back. Be a good boy!” said Mr. Boer while he *kissed* Douglas on the cheek.
Douglas screech back with goose bump all over thinking (“Don’t ever come back and don’t touch me!.......This is all Miriam’s fault. All because you disappeared. Those guys are so dangerous. Ah, why am I so stupid? Why do I worry about her? The first time we met she already treated us like dummies. Oh, Miriam...haven’t you felt it? Don’t let yourself be alone anymore.”)
Nightfalls......Grace and Miriam on a horse going to a deserted barn so that Grace can hide there. Miriam will go back to the farm to get supplies for her since she knows that Harnbag men will be there waiting to capture Grace again.
(“I wanted you to stay ...however I still got unfinished business! If that is done, then we can talk.”) said Heuy to Grace
“He didn’t tell me anything. His job must be dangerous” said Grace
“No problem! No Problem, Grace!” said Miriam. (“He is not a bad person...definitely.”)
Grace and Miriam looked at each other and exclaimed....”Hey...those three people.....”
“Wonder what happened to them? Douglas, Card and Joel?”
Card and Joel saw Flounder through the jail window. They agitate him to break out of jail. They were chased into a brothel house. Card and Joel escape by dressing up as women. (*_*)
On the other side, Jed was examining Douglas to see what Mr. Boer sees in him except a pretty face and telling Douglas that he would not understand Mr. Boer’s “preference”. All of a sudden Douglas looked amazed because “two” girls were about to hit Jed on the head from behind.
“Doug, it is so great to have found you!”, said Card
“Huh?”
“We followed that guy here! Thought you were probably capture here.”, said Joel.
“Ah..Ah....Thanks for the help!”, said Douglas embarrassed.
“Come! Let’s escape fast!”, Card pulled Douglas' hand
“Ah...sorry....but......”, Douglas is confused
“Oh...the horses are already ready!”, said Joe
“No! I......”, Douglas pulled his hand back, “I can’t just escape like this...I have to rescue my 2 friends...it isn’t easy that.........Sorry...but....I don’t know you girls! Did we met before?”
“............” Said the two “girls”
Jed shouts “They escaped!”
Mr. Boer told them to get them dead or alive because Douglas knows his real identity. Meanwhile, at another place, far from town, Card and Joel was telling Douglas what they overheard about the 600K gold robbery heist. And Douglas told them about the priest being Mr. Boer. They are planning what to do now. Should they go back to the farm...and what happened to Miriam and Grace.
“Miriam would fight with her life to take care of Grace. That is how she presents her love. Even though she is just a little kid...she knows how to protect others.” Said Douglas.
“Huh” said the other two.
Miriam left Grace at the deserted barn telling her at the same time how to be careful. Miriam finally feel herself tired out because she haven’t rested since wee morning till nightfall.
(“Gosh! If only those 3 protected Grace......”)
(“Next time I see them, I have to tell them what I think......”)
(“How could one be so easily fooled?”)
(“Douglas, Card, Joel.....where are they? Are they safe?”)
“Grace already mentioned long ago! That child doesn’t know how to go to other for comfort!”, said Douglas.
Before Miriam met Grace, she was traveling with her father. Ah, she so much love her father. Trying desperately to take care of him. As if it is supposed to be that way. Always so....
“When I was little...An old man was very nice to me....eventhough in my heart I was happy about it....”, Douglas murmured, (“But I still wasn’t friendly to him. I only know how to do that. Because that is the only way I can survive. “). “There are times that I regret this. If only I was nice to him then. If I had accepted the old man....back then I would have been very happy!"....(“Miriam”)....“When I heard Grace’s words....I was thinking then.....that imp when she grows up would she be a loner? Somehow ..... She is a lot like me ........” Said Douglas.
Back at the farm, Miriam saw couple of guys tied up. It is Douglas, Card and Joel!
“Miriam..... “
“Everyone........” (“They are alright!”)
“Ah....you snatch Grace from Harnbag?”
“Ugh? How come you guys know about that?”
“Douglas heard the news....that is great!”
“Grace is hidden in the nearby deserted barn. I only came to get food”
“Then let us help you?”
“No....you guys aren’t trust worthy! Everyone of you .......” Exclaimed Miriam, "LAST TIME..WHAT IS THE DEAL HERE?”, Miriam shouted, scaring Card and Joel!, "You guys left Grace all alone. Grace almost was in danger!”
“Couldn’t you not all of an sudden say those things?” Said Douglas
“That right. We also suffered!” Said Joel.
“I know that priest was fake. It isn’t as if you were force and carried out? Grace told me the whole story!”
They were making accusations back and forth...until........
“Don’t need it! I don’t need you guys to worry about me at all!” Declared Miriam
Douglas, Card and Joel were stunned.
“I got help from Silver King, Grace’s old sweetheart, when he knew we were in danger! He said he will think of a way .... He is a reliable person!”, said Miriam
“Oh, REALLY? You already have the person you needed now? So from now on you go and follow him instead.” Douglas said angrily.
“Since we are useless anyway.” An angry Card said
“We aren’t responsible!” Mutter an angry Joel.
Miriam got angry and bust out “ I don’t need you! I got Silver King”It is dawn. Flounder brought his men to go capture them. Meanwhile, the 3 boys angrily left Miriam by herself.
(“They left........”)
(“Hey...I was just speaking a few frustrating words.....”)
(“No problem! Even without them...I can still survive on my own.”) Miriam throwing the knapsack over her shoulder ...but it fell over to the floor since it was so heavy. (“No matter what...I need to bring this food..... Riding those left over horses to me is too big, need to find a little horse. Once I get on...shouldn’t be a problem.......”) Thought Miriam“We should go back!” Said Joel
“Even though we escape Flounder .... We have nothing right now......and about Grace...we shouldn’t just abandon her......” Joel said
“Hm. I think the same!” Said Card.
“Miriam's situation is the same...” Said Douglas
“At that moment we left so quickly...I felt a bit of regret!” Said Card
“Me too. Not at all like an adult” said Joel.
“We shouldn’t be angry at a 8 year old.....” Said Card
“That imp said she doesn’t NEED us anymore....” Said Douglas, “We were trying to help her.......but she had to said that.....”. Douglas then angrily exclaimed “True....Just 8 YEARS OLD and she has the nerve to say that. Doesn’t know her own limitation! This isn’t the first time.......”
Joel and Card look stunned at his out burst.
“She already told us not to be so sissy. Why still worry about her? Understand? We are only helping for nothing. We are only looked upon as being stupid!". After the outburst, Douglas became calm and them turn back to go and help Miriam.Mr. Boer’s men were searching the farm looking for them. Silver King told them he already searched the desert barn and no one was there. He found out that there were only a week left before their “big” job. One of the men spotted Douglas team. So they had to split up but will met again in the deserted barn.
At the deserted barn, Grace was trying to comfort Miriam. Miriam couldn’t sleep because she was thinking about the boys leaving. But then they saw Card and Joel came back. Miriam was very happy and apologized to them.
“Eh? “, Miriam looking around, “Where is Douglas? How come I don’t see him?”
“We had to separate to get away from Mr Boer’s men. He should be back soon”, said Card
Meanwhile, Douglas managed to escaped his chasers and was about to go back to the desert barn when a bullet came flying through the air and landed right at Douglas’ heart. The force pulled him backwards off his horse. His last thought were Miriam, Grace, Card and Joel.
“GOT HIM!” Exclaimed a happy Flounder.
Meanwhile an unknown Miriam smiles happily thinking he should be back soon.........
The sun is setting...........Douglas still didn’t came back.
Someone apparoached Douglas's body which was lying on the ground.
(“Brown hair and blue eyes is Card”)
(“Blond hair and brown eyes is Joel”)
(“Black hair an green eyes is Douglas”)
Silver King remembered the three boys Miriam has told him, he knelt down to pick up Douglas and carried him away.
“Miriam? Grace.....”
“She is sleeping!”, said Grace
Miriam opened her eyes when she hear the name DOUGLAS.
“Douglas?” Said Grace
Card shoke his head
“Still not back?” Said Joel
“I told Miriam that he should be back soon and go sleep a while..however.....I don’t have a good feeling about this” said Card.
(“Still not back”) thought Miriam
“Did he get captured?”
“If that is the case, it won’t matter......” Said Miriam behind the door of her room
“Card, don’t say anything that strange! Douglas is strong. Shouldn’t be anything happened to him...” Joel said.
Grace sighed saying that she is useless and can’t help them. Even need Miriam to help her.
But Card told her “You already did your best. As long as you are with us we feel your warmth and that is enough. Because we all like you. Especially that little one in her room.”
“We already had a fight with Miriam”
“She already scold us...it isn’t because we are mad at her manner “
“It is more that we extend our hands to help her and she refused.”
(“We were all sadden by this”)
“Especially Douglas....he seems to know Miriam really well.”
Miriam hear all this hidden behind her bedroom door.One of Flounder men overheard that since they let the two boys escaped in jail, Mr Boer was so mad that they will kill them. So Flounder thought that if he killed those 2 as well then he can get a reprieve.
Rain sounds.....Douglas woke up. He has a bandage wrapped around his chest.
“With this rain at least it will wash off the horse prints. isn't it, kid?”, said Silverking standing in front of a cave.
Douglas got up suddenly but found that he felt pain near his heart and shoulder.
“Hey...don’t get up so quickly. You was hit by a bullet and when you fell of f your horse you sprain your shoulder. It isn’t as if the wound is life threaten but.......”
“You saved me?”
“That’s right....I brought you here. But the real thing that save you is this.”, said Silver King and showed Douglas the pocket watch.
“You had it in your pocket. This pretty much took the bullet’s impact. You should thank it.”
(“Child! You kept this with you!”) Douglas remembering the old man giving him the watch. (“You need to take care of it” said the smiling old man)
(“Old man...the watch finally will not run anymore”) thought Douglas
“Is that from someone’s inheritance? Douglas”
“How do you know my name?”
“So you really are Douglas”
“Where did I see that face before......that scar on your face......yes it is from all those wanted posters!”
“Wanted posters eh? “
(“Blond hair! “ “We already have Silver King” ) Douglas remembering what Miriam had said. “Silver King! You are the person whom Miriam told us about”
“You already saw the imp?”
“Seen already” then Douglas turn his back away from Silver King.
“We even fought!”
“Fought?”
“You are one of the reasons.” Douglas told him angrily
An amazed look cross Silver King’ face
“That girl just have you on her lips...how great you are. We got angry so we three left. But when we decide to come back we were found by Mr. Boer’s men. Though we managed to escape but look how this turned out”
Silver King gently slapped Douglas on the face, “You don’t look bad...but still an immature imp. How come...are you jealous? Have you thought about how the other person felt?”
“Don’t just call someone an imp - Uncle”, said Douglas.
They looked at each other...
“I am only 29 years old”
“I am already 17”
“OK...I understand” Silver King slap Douglas on his shoulder
“Ouch!”, Douglas hold his shoulder.
“That little imp already told me about you guys and how great you guys are” said Silver King. “Right now, I can’t take care of those 2. I think you guys can represent me”
“You are Grace’s old sweetheart”
“That’s right. I already told her. In the beginning she was nervous. But then...she was so happy"
“She is a beautiful woman” said Douglas
“That true”
“Kind hearted. And innocent” said Douglas, “We all three are 10 years her junior...but we all like her”
“Then I can give you guys the position of protecting her for me ..though you are my competitors”
“Ok..since you said it that way.......My shirt? Where is my shirt?”
“It is wrapped on you”
“!”
“Couldn’t be helped. Because there weren’t any bandage to wrap your wound in. The blood already gotten to it anyway. Here! Your bag! Inside there are clothes”
“................You told Miriam you got a plan. What is it?”
“It is simple.... Make Harnbag disappeared.”
“You want to kill him?”
Silver King smiled.
“Your expression is soft”
“Really?”
(“The Silver King that I know is a cold hearted murderer. Even if he is Grace’s sweetheart...but he did saved Grace and Miriam......and me......”) Douglas wondered,“You.....why do you work for Harnbag, Silver King?”
“My working is not for Harnbag. But to chase after Mr. Boer”
“THAT STRANGE PRIEST?”
“STRANGE PRIEST?”
“That’s right. You know Mr. Boer’s real identity....”
“You are also going to go rob the 600K gold?”
“..............?”
“Are you saying ........you are also force to do this?”
“What does that mean?”
“No matter what...you have to understand that Mr. Boer is very careful. I am newly in the gang so I am not permitted to be shown in front of him”
“I don’t want to see him, but I have seen him a few times....I don’t want to know anything but I do know it all”
“Light brown hair, grey eyes. His height is just a little less than me. Very alert and cruel. Also very strong. Also tell you he is ......” Douglas point to himself.At Harnbag’s place...........
“Boss! Flounder wants to see you”
“Tell them I am not seeing anyone. Because of a woman I am so busy. No time to see him!”
“But they wanted to talk to you about the woman...........”
“WHAT?”
“So this is so....really....in the deserted barn? Most likely is hidden somewhere since that place is close to the farm.”
“I want to ask a favor. When we found them..can you go to Mr. Boer and help us beg for forgiveness ?” Said Flounder
“I know.”
“If the strongest of the three is dead, it shouldn’t be a problem. Find them...give Mr. Boer some apology shouldn’t affect anything! Great!” Said HarnbagIt is raining and Miriam and Willy are restlessly standing on the porch watching outside.....
(“If the rains stops, I’ll go rushing out !”)
(“Still isn’t back!”)
(“Still isn’t back!”)“I just know all this. Anything else after I don’t know....” Said Douglas
“However, why are you so interested in Boer’s business and his men? If you are only in for the money, you just need to listen to them would be enough.”
Silver King smiled.
Douglas looked at him thoughtfully....”Silver King....”
“That fellow, Boer, does he seems to have a lot of evil power?”
“True. You are correct! I forgot to mention that. But, how did you......”
“Boer’s persona is like this other person that I seen long ago in an army solider....”, Silver King murmured.