Richard walked towards Jewish Roven,his face serious and with curiousity expression.
" You said you'll be her master , why...?" He asked with a serious tone.
The village chief intervened.
" He...he...
Well ,he is someone who will help Cossie be what she was made to be ." The chief said .
Richard looked at him ,his expression a mix of confusion and concern .
" What do you mean, chief?
Who is this man?", he asked ,.his voice firm and controlled .
Jewish Roven who had been quiet until now ,took a step forward.
His eyes locked onto Richard ,and for a moment,they just stared at each other .
The air thick with tension .
" I am someone who can help your daughter master her gift ," Jewish said , his voice low and mysterious.
" Gifts that could be her greatest strength or her most devastating weakness ."
Antony Michigan nodded ,his eyes darting between Richard and Jewish .
" We've discussed this, Richard .
This man is the only one who can help your daughter ...
Trust me, I've seen it." , he said.
Richard looked uncertain,his gaze flicking to his daughter and then back to Jewish Roven.
". What gifts are you talking about?" , he asked ,his voice laced with concern .
Jewish Roven smiled, but it was a small, enigmatic smile .
" All will be revealed in time.", he said.
" But for now, let's just say that your daughter is special ,and she needs my guidance to unlock her true potential."
" I can't give my daughter to anyone else in this world..." Richard said, his voice firm .
But before they could go so long with the conversation,violent noise echoed outside the courtroom .
A huge mass of villagers holding swords and logs ,all shouting .
" We need that little village curse out of our village ."
The villagers' shouts grew louder ,and the atmosphere in the courtroom turned chaotic.
The village chief , Antony Michigan stepped forward,his face pale with worry.
Richard Michigan stood tall, his eyes blazing with anger and protectiveness.
" You'll have to go through me before you touch my daughter .", he declared , his voice firm and resolute .
Roven however remained calm, his eyes fixed on the villagers with the mix of curiosity and calculation .
" It seems the villagers have...strong feeling about your daughter , Mr Michigan .", he said ,his voice low and even.
The doors to the courtroom burst open, and Hagan stepped forward, his sword raised.
" We're not leaving until we get what we came for." , he shouted.
Antony Michigan tried to intervene , but Hagan stopped him right away.
Richard stood his ground ,his eyes flashing with determination.
" I won't let you take my daughter .", he repeated .
Jewish Roven raised an eyebrow , a hint of smile playing on his lips.
" Mr Michigan , I think it's time for you to hand me the girl...
She does not belong here.", he said, his voice dripping with confidence .
His words made a change in Cossie's expression,she is more confused about his words.
But somehow ,Jewish's words still made some sense to her, lightning out why she has always been segregated in the village.
The villagers' desire to throw her out of the village .
" Are you really my parents...?", she asked, her eyes locked on her father and her expression more serious.
Richard's expression changed ,a mix of sadness and guilt crossing his face .
He took a step forward,his eyes locked on his daughter.
" I...I can explain,sweetie .", he said ,his voice softening .
But Cossie's eyes didn't waver ,her gaze piercing.
" No, father, I want to know the truth.", she said ,her voice firm.
" Why do the villagers want me gone.", she added .
Jewish's eyes seemed to gleam with interest, his gaze flicking between Cossie and Richard .
Richard hesitated,glancing at his father ,Antony Michigan and then back at his daughter .
" It's ...it's complicated ,okay." , he said, his voice strained.
" You're ...you're special ,and we were trying to protect you."
Cossie's eyes narrowed , his expression skeptical.
" Protect me from what?", she asked,her voice demanding.
Roven stepped forward,his eyes locked on her.
" I think it's time someone to tell you about your past ,my girl.
Isn't it ,Mr Michigan?", he said ,his voice dripping with anticipation.
Richard's expression changed to speechless ,his eyes escaping the question .
He deeply exhaled as someone who had free himself from a burden,his eyes locking on his daughter.
" One day, me and my friend were out for hunting ,we came across a village which was invaded by demons....
And that is when I found you, you was lying in between your dead parents...
Me and your mom swore to bring you up as our own....
We named you after our child ,whom we lost in the battle between the humans and demons...." , he said, his eyes welled with tears .
We never met to hide this from you ...
We just wanted to protect you.", he added.
Cossie's eyes widened ,her expression a mix of shock,confusion ,and sadness.
She looked at her father ,then to Jewish Roven ,and back to her father again.
" Demons...?" ,she repeated ,her voice barely above a whisper .
" What do you mean ?"
Antony Michigan took a step forward,his face solemn .
" It's true child ...
Your dad is telling the truth,you was brought to Mavanga by him when you was just one day old.
The entire village was against his wish of keeping you in this village and I was also among them...
I accepted you to be in this village because I saw the hope and happiness that had been lost in my son's eyes the day he stood infront of this court to let you stay....", he said, his voice barely audible and emotional .
Cossie's gaze snapped up to Jewish .
" What do you want from me?" ,she asked ,her voice firm .
Jewish smiled to her .
" I want to help you control your powers ,child.
I want to teach you how to harness your strength and fulfill your destiny.", he said.
Her eyes narrowed ,her mind racing with questions and doubts.
But a part of her felt a spark of hope .
Maybe,just maybe ,this mysterious man could help her understand herself and her place in the world...