A trying day would be an understatement. Within the past twenty- four hours, shipwrecked, nearly killed by booby traps in the jungle, and then taken hostage.

We were lined up, interrogated by the Maroon Queen. And it was more than obvious that she did not believe a word I told her. All these revelations should have been the only thing my mind was occupied with.

They weren't. My mind kept going back to the first and second time I saw her. The first, just briefly. She was standing away from the Queen, and what her station was, a mystery. But she caught my eye as we were ushered unceremoniously away. It appeared she was studying me.

The second we were locked in their makeshift prison. Merely a huge outdoor cage. I was looking out across the the village, desperately trying to figure out a way to get us out of this rapidly escalating mess.

And there she was. Regal could be best used to describe her bearing. She didnt exactly walk, either. It was almost a saunter. A delcious sway to her shapely hips that had my mind thinking things it most definitely should not given the current situation. But, regardless of that, I am still a man. And she, most definitely a woman. And one who knew what her mere presence, her aura could do to a man.

She walked through the throngs of people, and they parted at her approach. She appeared to greet each and every person she passed. And then it happened. She looked up at the cage, and appeared to shyly smile at me. My heart stuttered in my chest. Whoever she was, whatever was happening, these subtle interactions called to me.

"What about the other one? Down there?" I asked. The answer? She was the daughter of the Maroon Queen. Now, if only I could get her to speak to me. If only I would not be struck mute if and when she was near me. I had a distinct feeling that this, whatever it was, was mutual. She was as intrigued by me as I was of her. I am certain, though, for different reasons. For me, she was all woman. That intrigue, that mystery that a woman who is beautiful, yet has no idea that her beauty can bring a man to his knees, possesses.

All I could think seeing this strange creature on several occasions was, who is he? And why does he call to me so, even though I do not know him? At first I thought it was the story. How did he come to be here? Why was he with these men, when he seemed so unlike them? And what happened to his leg? I always loved a good story, and his seemed more exciting then most.

Then, he looked at me. Two things I saw in those expressive, beautiful blue eyes. He was clever, smart as a whip. And, he was measuring up everything and person he saw. Make that three things. When his gaze swept over me, it appeared he studied me for more than a mere moment in interest. Not as a hostage looks at his captor, but as a man looks at a woman. And God help me if I did not want to observe that look up close and personal.

I had the distinct impression that he was the type of man you wanted on your side. From the little I had heard of him when he did speak, he was loyal to his men as their quartermaster. And from the talk my men had heard, his men were loyal to him. He did not appear afraid or cowed by my mother, as most men are. No, he seemed his own man. And one capable of greatness, should he ever be allowed. This is the type of man I wanted for my own purposes. Should I take a husband, he should be ready and capable of ruling. This seemed the case with this one.

It did not escape notice that he was easy on the eye as well. Dark of hair and light of eye. Quite a striking combination. And, regardless of the fact he was missing a leg below the knee, he was quite fit. A detail that I could not help but notice.

The only thing remaining was to get him somewhere I could speak to him without too much interruption. Certainly, that couldn't be too hard, could it?