The air held a chilling temperature. The kind that seeped into the bones. The woman drew her cloak around her slender shoulders. Her breath came out in small puffs of white. The forest loomed ahead of her. The other slaves begged her not to venture into merkwood. Tales of evil monsters and moody Eleven Kings where enough to scare any sensible person. But Aysel wasn't sensible. She was desperate. She couldn't be a slave any more. The Master of Lake Town was cruel and disgusting. Nudging her pony forward she entered the forest. Hal whinnied nervously. The air in the forest was heavy and stale. Like it had not been moved by life in years. It clung to her lungs, coating them with heaviness.
"Just stick to the path and you'll be fine Aysel." She muttered to reassure herself. No birds sang or woodland creatures scuttered in the forest. It its self felt like it was holding it's breath waiting for something. Aysel rested her hand on the hilt of her sword. Mentally she cursed herself for not bringing a bow, but then she remembered she almost was caught stealing this sword. She sighed and urged her pony onward. The heavy clumping of her pony's hooves echoed through the trees, stirring the air. She could feel eyes on her. The unwavering feeling effected her pony as well. He whinnied and shook its head. She could feel it's hurried heart beat in her core. She knew there was danger. She urged the pony into a canter. The path was clear enough to see several yards ahead."On wards Hal!" She said to her pony. Hal, as if understanding started into a gallop. She heard the creaking of the trees above her and around her as if something heavy was in them. Hal's heartbeat ran wild now. Aysel's speed up to match his pace. Panic grasped at her consciousness, clawing for control. She shoved it back down. She had to keep a clear head! Aysel risked a look above her. She wished she hadn't it. Four giant spiders where chasing her. Hal reared up as one dropped down in front of them. Aysel fell from her saddle hard. Black spots threatened her vision.
"No!" Aysel said through gritted teeth. She forced herself up to her feet. Hal had bolted."Lousy pony." She grumbled drawing her sword. She twirled it in her hand.'Come on ya' monsters!" She yelled, charging the spider that had scared her pony off. She could hear the hissy guttery language of the spiders and briefly she wondered what they were saying about something along the lines of "Stupid human" or even more probable "stupid juicy human." The spider jumped back from her singing sword. She cursed and attacked again, missing again. These spiders are quicker than she thought. She looked around her, She was surrounded and cornered. "What a lousy way to die Aysel..." She muttered, jabbing at the spiders before they swarmed her and darkness closed in on her.
Sticky strings clung to her skin and clothing's, keeping her prisoner. She felt stiff and cold. She could hear the scuttering of the monsters around her. Their hissing language irritated her ears. I've got to get out of here. I can't die. No! I mustn't." She clawed at the webbing quietly. The hissing of the spiders grew more intense. Arguing. Probably about who gets to eat her. Her hand broke free from its confines and she proceed to rip away the rest of the webbing with out the spiders noticing. She had dropped her sword, but thankfully she still had her hunting knife. It was long enough to kill if she had too.
Sneaking down the tree she thought she heard more branches creaking. She looked around, expecting to see spiders, instead she saw nothing. She continued along her way, careful to avoid the webs. By the time she reached the ground the spiders had realized she had escaped and where running down the tree, screeching in their foul language. She turned and sprinted away."Can't die today!"She breathed out to herself as she hopped over a log. The spiders where gaining on her. Damn it run Aysel. Move your ass. She cursed at herself. they were so close behind her She could almost feel their acidic breath on her neck. Something whizzed past her head and a spider fell, catching her cloak underneath its heavy body. She fell with the spider, half trapped. "DAMN IT!" She cursed, yanking on her cloak. The other spiders dropped like flies around her. There were more than just four. More like ten. They piled up around her with arrows sticking out of them. She looked around for their masters and as she did they floated out of the woods. Tall pale with long hair, some with rich brown hair, some with pale, golden or white hair. Elves. She paused in her struggling to stare for a moment as they closed in around her. They spoke in a soothing language that almost calmed her. Almost. her suspicions flared, cautioning her to be on guard. She flipped her knife in her hand and cut her self free. She stood. She wasn't as tall as the shortest elf, only reaching her shoulder. Their fair faces grimaced, sneered, and even seemed some what amused with her predicament. Aysel did not find any of this funny, but rather than be rude she bowed and expressed her gratitude towards them in common tongue. A taller lilting elf clad in fine armor barked out what seemed to be a command, ignoring her thankings. Two male archers grabbed her arms.
"Hey! Lemme go!"She struggled against them. Their grip was like steel. She pulled and yanked, only succession in hurting herself as they hauled her along. She spat vicious, obscene insults at them as they took her prisoner. The commander seemed amused by her sharp tongue. The tall female elf who stood by his side seem bothered by her language. Or it seemed that way at lest. She shifted back and forth on her feet. Aysel pressed her supple lips together and resigned to the elves. It was obvious she was not getting away from them.
With no surprise the elves moved with speed and grace. She found herself staring at them occasionally. And occasionally she meet the eyes of one of the elves. She couldn't help but blush every time she was caught staring. It felt like forever before they slowed. She was tiring. Her legs burned and she felt light-headed. The burning sensation traveled up her legs and into her abdomen. Or maybe the burning came from her abdomen and went down to her legs. She couldn't decide which. her vision was also failing. It blurred around the edges and the occasional black spot infected her sight. She stumbled into one of her guards who looked down at her. He cried out and they halted their progress. his sweet voice brought her back from her fog for just a moment. His arms supported her weight. Another pair of hands felt over her body. She tried to raise protest but her voice wouldn't work. her tongue felt heavy and odd in her mouth. Warm hands tugged at her plan white shirt, pushing it up to look at her stomach. Conformation came from the warm hands. She didn't know what they were saying and she couldn't stand anymore. The spots multiplied, consuming her vision. She floated in the darkness of her subconscious. She also dreamt. She dreamt about warm meadows where she laid in the sun without a care in the world, and about mountain caves filled with spiders, large and small that crept over her skin, biting her, injecting their poison. Dreams about moon light boat rides on a never ending lake, its pure light cleansing her. Dreams about elven people in a great hall singing sweet songs.
The songs followed her out of her sleep, soothing her. She felt warm. Soft material graced her skin. She slowly opened her eyes to gaze at a carved ceiling depicting elven musicians and dancers. It was an exquisite piece of art. What else to expect from the elves? Elves. She shot up from the bed which she laid. A Sharp pain emulated from her midsection. She groaned and fell back on the bed, holding her self.
"You need to lay still." A feminine voice commanded and then muttered in elvish. Her pain was relieved with her mutterings and she laid back. The elf offered her water which she accepted greedily gulping down the cool sweet liquid. "Thank you..." Aysel said, handing the cup back. The elf said nothing, but turned and walked out of the room. Aysel then noticed the guards standing at the door. Hmm. No escaping for her. But she didn't think she could make it far with the injury in her gut. She then paused to wonder how she had received such a thing. spiders. They must have bitten her, poisoning her like in her dreams."Damn wretched creature spiders. I bet you they ate my pony too. Arse's" She grumbled to herself and stared up at the ceiling again, memorizing it.
Boredom soon set in and she sighed heavily every few minutes, her thoughts where no long enough to keep her busy. She looked around the room. There was a basin with bowl, a desk and chair. Books lined the bookshelves. She wondered if there was anything interesting in them. Perhaps some pictures? Aysel glanced at her guards and then crawled out of bed. The rustling of the blankets caught the attention of a guard. He looked in at her She met his gaze, holding it as she stood the in elven gown. It was the first time she had noticed what she was wearing. it was a beautiful green gown with golden flowers sewn at the helms. It hugged her curvy figure. Without even looking in the mirror she knew she looked good in it with her long wavy red hair around her pale face. Her light green eyes challenging the guard to tell her to get back in bed, which he did not. She turned towards the books and pulled a random on out. She set it on the desk and sat down with minimal discomfort as she could manage with wasn't a lot. The book was bound in leather and the yellow pages smelled old. It was of course written in some form of elvish. She flipped through the pages, pausing to study the sketches and drawings. They were all beautiful. She determined that it was a book about flowers. She recognized few of them. They were all beautiful. Her fingers traces one particular flower. Its delicate petals laying over them self's to form a large circular bloom.
"In your tongue they are called rose." A male voice said behind her. She jumped, and then doubled over, holding her waist which made no difference."And I do recall that the healer told you to stay in bed," His hands fell on her shoulders, coaxing her up from the chair and back to the bed. Aysel looked at him. It was the guard. His rich brown hair reminded her of warm summer dirt. His eyes were just as warm of brown as his hair. He had a thin, kind face.
"The healer told me to lay still, not to stay in bed." Aysel muttered, inching away from him. He looked amused with her reply,"Why did you bring me here instead of just leaving me to die in the forest?"
The elven guard thought for a moment."The King ordered the nest of spiders to be destroyed. You were there, far from any trail. The Prince thought it would be better if you were brought to be question." The commander of course. He was referring to the commander. She pursed her lips." And if we hadn't you would have died from the spiders' poison. If we had-"
"That's enough Gaildren! Back to your post." The guard scurried back to his post outside her door, The prince stood at the foot of her bed, staring down his nose at her."It seems your well enough to have conversation. What were you doing in the forest?" The tall blue-eyed blonde elf-prince command an answer. She sat with pursed lips for a long moment, sizing him up before answering.
"Traveling north from lake town." Her answer was short. If She said anymore than short and to the point answers she might say something to offend the prince. She just hoped she hadn't already.
"For what purpose and why were you so far from the trails?"
"For my own purpose and as for my askewness you can blame those spiders for it. I was on the trail when they attacked me, causing my horse to buck and bolt. I ran, but they cornered me and I passed out. When i woke I was cocooned in their sticky web. I managed to break free and climb down. I suppose you know the rest." She said curtly, crossing her arms over her chest. She stared defiantly into his eyes.
He mulled this over for a moment before barking at the guards. "My father wants to see you." He said and turned on his heel. Her guards came in, Gaildren help her out of her bed genitally. His warm hands on her elbow. She stood tall and walked with out assistant. If She was to see the king. She was going to be dignified about it. Know one knew who she was. The guards walked next to her. The Prince was already out of sight. She walked a bit slower than she would have normally. The king can wait. She told herself. I'll take me own damn time.
The great elven halls were magnificent to behold. Delicately carved and thought out. To live in such a place, it must have been wonderful. Calmness settled over her. It was a pleasant, warm.
"M'lady, if you wouldn't mind me saying this, but the king is not a patient elf." Gaildren said almost nervously.
"He will be patient. I am content to walk at this speed. It is less painful going slow. I am mortal after all." She smirked. Mortal yes, but never mere. The spiders had caught her off guard. She would not let that happen with the elves. She would be proud and dignified in their presence.
Aysel took her time with her escort who were bored with her slow place. They eventually reached the Kings throne room. He sat there, tall and proud. His long white hair and light blue eyes gazing at her. His crown was made of dark wood with red berries. A woodland king indeed. She thought. His clothing was fitted and grey. On his hands he wore glittering rings with pale stones faceted and silver. On his hip sat an elvish sword. He was a magnificent man, well Elf. Attractive, extremely so.
He guards lead her to stand in front of his throne."I'd bow, Your Majesty, but I'm afraid I'd hurt myself even more." She stood tall, gazing up at him. He gazed down at her with an almost bored expression.
"Very well,"He said with a wave of his hand." Tell me young one, what where you doing so deep in the forest?" his voice was deep and rich. She struggled not to melt.
"As I told your son, I was traveling north from Lake Town. I rode along the trail with my pony when the spiders attacked us when we were just barely in the forest. They where behind us so I could not turn around. They chased us further into the forest before attacking. One dropped in front of my pony and startled him. He bucked and then bolted leaving me on the forest floor. I ran for a little bit before they cornered me and attacked me. When I woke I was wrapped in their web. I clawed my way out and slipped down the tree. By the time I reached the ground they had notice I had escaped and came down after me. Your soldiers lead by your son killed them and saved my life." She explained fully for him. She wanted to leave already. His gaze was unnerving. She felt like he was inside her mind, though she refused to break his gaze.
"And Why were you traveling through my woods?" He asked
"It is the quickest way sir. Lake Town is dying. Its depressing. I had to leave it behind for something better." She told the king the truth, but maybe not the whole truth.
"Very well. You are to stay here for the time being, until I say otherwise." He wave his hand to say your dismissed. She stood gaping at him.
"While I am thankful for your hospitality, I'd like to leave as soon as possible. Please your Highness." She had to get away as fast as possible. She couldn't risk The Master sending word to the Elven King she had run away.
"You will stay here until I say otherwise." He said firmly."Guards take her back to her room and keep her there."
Her guards came to her and took her elbows, pulling her away from the king. She wretched herself free."Excuse me! I am talking to you. Do not dismiss me!" He looked down at her surprised. She guessed not everyone talked to him like that. Especially a mortal woman.
"I am grateful for your kindness, But I will not be held prisoner. I have done nothing to wrong you. I'm sure it would just be better if you let me leave." She stood almost at the steps of his throne.
He was quiet for a moment before standing up and walking down the stares gracefully. Aysel backed away from the steps. He came to stand in front of her, She only reach his chest. He grabbed her face and leaned down." I know who you are slave. The Master has already sent word to me. You must have been very precious to him. Though I do not see why with your sharp tongue and unruly manner. You will stay here until I decided what t with you slave! Do not try to escape. You will not." The King shoved her back. She stumbled into her guards who gripped her arms and dragged her glared back at the king who stood with his hands clasped behind his back.
From one master to another. The life of a slave. She thought to herself sadly. she had tasted freedom and she had lost it.
What an irritating woman. He thought as she left. What an irritating and almost attractive woman. Almost. He turned as she left "From one master to another. The life of slave." Master am I? He almost smiled at that. Almost. Maybe Master he will be. At lest he wouldn't be, as she thought, disgusting. Perhaps cruel at times, but never disgusting. Maybe she can be taught manners.