10 The Secret and the Commitmen

John looks at his daughter with loving eyes and replies, "Elizabeth you're a smart girl but you have much to learn..." John looks at Ziade who is looking at him and says, "... and so does he..."

"Elizabeth come sit down I have something to tell you before it's too late." They are all seated on the furniture and John looks at both of them and declares, "What I'm about to tell you.. must not! Come out of any of your mouths. Do you understand me?" John seriously announces with a firm voice.

"What I'm about to say is what no children should bear but Ziade I trust no one in this kingdom and I don't know if I should trust you... but I trust my daughters judgment of her friends she makes, I'm sorry."

They both now know the seriousness of the situation and reply in a firm voice also, "Yes."

"Good..." John looks at Ziade who sits to his diagonal left then to his daughter who sits on the opposite couch to his diagonal right. "Elizabeth I'm sure you've noticed the red eyes of yours... they are the product of a demon and a half beast- half human... your mother was a daughter of such. She had the red eyes and was very beautiful... she was your mother and my wife..." John stops leaving Elizabeth there listening to the origin of her mother. "She was poisoned and managed to give birth to you by sacrificing herself... I couldn't do anything..." John now has tears down his face. "This might be a peaceful continent... but in the continent, Tishiyona that lies across the seas, has different customs and different society rules... demons do not allow their kin to mate with any other beings if this rule is broken they are to be killed..." John pauses leaving Elizabeth about to cry... but continues, "Elizabeth your mother survived by her parents hiding but were found when they tried to cross to Edunrevron and were killed they managed to send her here safely and she thought she was safe..."

"Elizabeth she was poisoned... and so am I..."

"Noooo! Father! I don't want you to do die! Please don't leave me!" Elizabeth runs to her father and hugs him while crying...

"I'm sorry Lizzy... but I will only survive another week... I can not be with you anymore... I don't know who poisoned your mother and me but I suspect it was this kingdoms underground organisations... or... the demon race followed her here and poisoned us both...I don't understand..." John says to his daughter while hugging her against his chest.

They are both crying... hugging each other... Ziade stays silent because it is not his place to but in.

After the father and the daughter let out their emotions onto each other they both are calm and sit next to each.

"Elizabeth, do you wish to be put into another family through adoption or live with your friend Ziade?" John asks his daughter.

".. Father... I don't know." Elizabeth Nomso replies.

"You must choose Elizabeth."

"Ziade..." Elizabeth can't look at his eyes and hugs her father because she doesn't want him to leave.

"Dad... where am I going to live and how am I supposed to survive.. if your not with me father.. Dad I don't want you to go... please.. please..." Elizabeth cries while hugging her father John again.

"Don't worry Elizabeth, I worked hard and before I die... I'll give my savings to you... you'll have 20 gold... I promise you... you will live a life of happiness... Ziade lives by himself and you can live with him... if you want a bigger house you can build a new one or buy another..." John consoles his daughter... "I'm sorry I cannot leave you anything.. this farm and house is not owned by me.. it is the kingdoms... this 20 gold is my work throughout all the years..." John gets 20 gold from his pocket and places the gold in her hand.

"Father!" Elizabeth throws the pouch of coins on the couch. "I don't care about that! I just want you!!" Elizabeth cries more and John just waits while hugging her.

"I wish you a life full of happiness and joy and I do not want you to be blinded by revenge for the demon race because of their actions, not all demons follow the traditions and customs. Lizzy you may resent them but do not become a bag of hate and depression. Do you understand me?" John says firmly.

"Ye.. ye.. Yes Dad..." Elizabeth is choking up.

"My second wish is that do you want you want to do and be free. And if you need power to be free, then become powerful and my third wish... is that...you live." John cracks a big grin and laughs.

"Dad... stop... it..." Elizabeth.

"You too Ziade. Promise me she will." John says while smiling.

'Well this just went haywire, now I have to look after a little girl. "I promise John Nomso, that I will."

"Now you Elizabeth, promise me."

"Dad..."

"Elizabeth."

"I.. I promise... Father" Leaving Elizabeth crying and nearly crushing John with her tiny hugs.

Ziade smiles too.

'I'm looking forward to my life ahead, not the baby sitting though.' Ziade thinks...

Ziade stands up, "Elizabeth... John... I will let you spend the week with each other alone... I hope you the best of time with each other's company." Ziade walks towards the door but just before leaving...

"Say Thankyou Lizzy." John whispers into her ear.

"THANKYOU ZIADE!" Elizabeth yells towards him and is standing up straight looking at him but trying to act serious resulting in her looking funny.

Ziade turns around and smiles at her... then starts laughing, "hahahahahahaha!"

Elizabeth has a confused face but hugs her dad more.

Ziade stops laughing but has a massive smile on his face, "Elizabeth you just looked really funny..just like my daughter..." Ziade thinks back when he was there.

Elizabeth continues hugging her father leaving John smiling.

"Ziade this'll be the last time I see you, I hope you treat my daughter well."

"I promise." Ziade says seriously.

John just nods and Ziade makes his way out and lifts his right hand up to the side, Masamune flys that fast by John and lands in Ziade's hand and he sticks it to his waist.

John laughs and says, "Cheecky little brat... haha."

When Ziade is out of their sight, Elizabeth asks her father,"How powerful really his Ziade?"

"Lizzy I don't know, maybe he's really good with a sword? You'll have to see." John replies.

John and Elizabeth are both talking about there times they spent together.

'A little girl to look after now, what a hassle.'

Ziade decides to have a bath and go to bed... Ziade commands Masamune to guard him and goes to bed after cleaning himself and brushing his teeth. Ziade falls asleep... the floating lamp bouncing around his room...