A/N: sheesh, finally done with this chapter. Sorry it took long, but I was having boyfriend problems, o and a little vacation at the beach- in October!! Whoever heard of that?! O but I gotta tell u all about it!!! It was sooo much fun. It was really for my neighbor's sis's soccer (football for u non-Americans) tourney, but the other little un's siblings rock! Ok, listen to this.. there are three girls and about four guys standing on the beach , we were picking teams for playing a lil beach soccer game-we decided to have boys v girls (girls kicked boys ass by the way- go us!) and this extremely funny kids goes "Raise your hand if you're a girl."(of course I raised my hand, it was irresistible) I just couldn't believe he would say that, I think it's pretty obvious I'm not a guy haha. Well, that was only a little taste of it! If only u all were there you'd all be pissin ur pants from laughing so hard. ("u don't shuffle cards, ur just mixing them!" –haha Kaitlin!!!) hahaha
Ok, sorry, I've babbled enough herrr's chapter number... um.. number... 6..? haha hang on, lemme check...err, nope its chapter 7, my bad! ( I put all the pretty thank you's at the bottom this time because I've been talking too much now)
Chapter 7- Ouch! Whoa!
(pretty dang nice title is I say so myself. Hahaha jk)
"This is just NOT my day!" I complained. Too much was happening; it felt as if my head was going to burst.
Defiantly I walked up to the savages ravaging through my packs. I was still angry over what I learned from that stupid fairy to care that those 5 or so people were highly capable of killing me. You don't mess with a woman when she is mad- just get out of my way.
"Excuuuuuse me?" I stood with my hands on my hips before the 5 burly, muscular men. They looked up from their spots and stared at me. The 3 over by my packs had juice and crumbs all over their face, hair and clothing- obviously they ate all my food and drink. Then there were 2 torturing my poor Laleada. One was snapping a whip at her hooves, making her dance, while the other held tight to the mare's bridle so she couldn't run away. When the 5 turned toward me and began to drool, my big bravado faltered and I felt slightly less angered, but definantly more frightened.
"Yes, pretty missy?" the one closet to me slurred and I shuddered at the unmasked lust in his eyes, talk about rapist! Spit clung to his mouth and his long, dirty, black beard had crumbs on it looking like they were the endless stars in a night sky. Only the night sky belonged to a giant disgusting thief.
"Why don't you come sit on papa's lap, sweet cheeks?" a second man- no- monster, started getting closer to me. They were starting to circle around me, too, I noticed. Laleada- now forgotten and freed- ran away and I was stuck all by myself.
Ok that's all I have for you guys
Hahaha JUSTKIDDING!
"Come on, baby, you know you wanna be with Big Toledo tonight," a third told me, wiggling his eyebrows. No thank you, Toledo.
I tried backing up, they were behind me. My only escape was up, and flying into the sky isn't exactly an option. I thanked the heavens not a single one had pulled a puppy dog face on me or I'd be history. They were tightening the circle; I felt my skin prickle with sweat as my eyes darted from one to another. It felt like I was trapped in a closet full of foul smelling mothballs! Yuck, these men really smelled bad!
The atrocious smell seemed to kick me out of my nervous, paralyzed state long enough to realize a VERY important object. A very important object I just happened to have tied about my waist and was dim witty enough to have forgotten all about it. The sword the king gave me before leaving! I gave myself a mental head smack.
They were closing in on me, almost a yard away. Quickly I tore the sword from the scabbard. I placed a look of determination and challenge on my face, ready for them. To this day I believe it would've worked wonderfully... if only I hadn't sent my scabbard sailing over the men's heads from the force of taking out my sword lickity split.
Their reaction was uproarious laughter. Tears of mirth streaming down their faces, I thought it was probably the closet thing they had to a bath in years. Normally, I would be on the ground rolling with laughter by this point, but given the current circumstances, I didn't find it too funny. Not too funny at all.
"Hey, little wench- what? You and your little stick goin' ta try and hurt us?" the first one spoke, eyeing my sword and smiling.
"'Tis alright, Florien, I like 'um when they're feisty like my taco salads!" Toledo stated. The rest looked as confused as I felt, taco salad? Toledo wasn't the sharpest arrow in the quiver.
"Taco salad?" I asked raising one eyebrow as Toledo tried to grab my shirt. I jumped back just in time.
"Aye, taco salad," he mumbled and held out the whip he had used to hit Laleada. Now I was scared, whips aren't too fun. Not too fun at all!
"Oy, Toledo, I don't want my taco with melt marks on her!" the one called Florien said. Toledo sighed but obeyed, I silently thanked Florien. "But, I do like 'um bloody, use your sword." No more thanks for HIM!
I stood, shaking with nerves, in the middle of a 2 yard big circle with my sword held in front of me surrounded my ugly, smelly killers. A few times I would spin around to face the men who were behind me, fearing a back attack. But that last comment, Oooh that last comment! That one had given my nerves a jump and increased my anger. He likes it bloody, eh? Well, not when it's his bloody to be spilt! Deciding to leave Florien for later, I charged at Toledo, desperately wanting that whip gone! Toledo may have been fast to whip out his... whip, but wasn't as fast at getting his sword. The other four stared at me with surprise as Toledo and his taco salad whip fell to the ground. I took their distraction at my amazing swordsman skills and tried a swing at the next head, one that had been eating my food. Lucky for him, unlucky for me, the man was quick enough with his sword. Our swords clanged together and I saw some sparks fly. Looking around I also noticed the remaining 3 walking around us in circles growling. They seemed like a pack of wild wolves during a battle between two of the pack. What ARE these people?!
"Stupid, raging, lousy, dirty, smelly, idiotic, animal barbarians..." I breathed as my fight continued.
I would love to say I was kicking some major butt, but then I'd be telling a lie. I didn't think it was going too bad, I'll admit this- the man was definantly better than me! By sheer luck I was managing to stay alive. What the hell had I been thinking? After about 5 minutes I could tell the 3 circling us were getting bored. Hungry looks on their faces were directed at me. I prayed and prayed for some heavenly assistance but only got taunts from my opponents in answer.
With a twist and thrust I was able to bring down my second opponent. Quickly, Florien replaced his fallen comrade.
"That was my cousin, wench!" he screamed and shoved me. Being as weakened as I was from the previous fight, I fell to the ground. "Hahaha! The little missy thought she was tough, only to find out she bit more than she could chew!" He taunted and the remaining two laughing heartily with him as he pointed his sword at my throat. He stood above me with my stomach between his feet. The other two loomed over me as well.
I squirmed, trying not to catch any of the droll from their mouths on my face. "Get, off, of, me," I said in a threatening voice hoping to coax some kind of terror in them.
"I would not be so demanding if I were in your position," Florien sneered and moved the sword closer to my throat. My eyes caught the sight of a lone rider coming down the road from Tominice.
Like a flash of lightening, a plan crashed into my brain. I chuckled my sheer genius.
"What are YOU laughing at?" the man to Florien's right asked, I smiled bigger.
"Wipe the hideous grin off your face!" the man on Florien's left commanded.
"I've been told my smile is beautiful," I retorted and swung my leg up to hit Florien in his "family jewels." He immediately dropped his sword and fell to the ground in pain. I got up, dusted my shoulders off and then turned to face the other two. The two shared a look and tackled me to the ground before I had gotten the chance to run away.
From beneath my second human sandwich position of the day, I looked up and saw the lone rider before us with an oddly amused look on his face.
He chuckled from atop his brown and white spotted horse, "Sorry, didn't know I was interrupting something." He jokingly apologized and gave me a wink. Although I hated the wink, the man on horseback reminded me of someone who I met believe. Just my luck, I couldn't remember. Then again, my regular thinking was slightly altered by two VERY heavily killers on top of me.
"A little help, please!" I screamed at the man. Florien was up now and headed in my direction quickly. Oh, shit!
The mystery man noticed Florien getting ready to attack me. "Oh, right, sorry, lass." He said like it never occurred to him that I was incapable to save myself since I was currently pinned beneath the two apes.
Before my would-be rescuer was able to climb off of his horse, Florien had marched over to the three of us on the ground and crashed the butt of his sword against my head.
"Oy, why'd you go and do that?" I heard the mystery man yell before I blacked out.
I woke up with a splitting headache and wondered why. Then I remembered the thieves, the fight, and the mystery man being too lazy to save me faster. I groaned and tried sitting up, which I did with trouble. I noticed I wasn't on the ground by the tree anymore, but on a blanket over a pile of pine needles. At least this smells good, I thought. Looking around I noticed I was at a camp surrounded by trees- another similar bed was placed next to mine, and a pretty nice fire burned under a night sky. Gingerly, I touched the bandage that was on my head and winced- stupid me. I had lost every thing- Laleada, my food, and now I have a bump the size of an ox rump on my head. Not to mention I was sitting on I-don't-know-who's blanket being cared for by-who-knows-what!
"Good, you're awake! I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if you had died because I was too slow to react when I clearly saw that you needed help," my mystery man said as he stepped into the clearing with a bundle of sticks in his arms. Now that I could properly see him, I noticed he had short blonde hair which was unusual in Kendal- the short part. His eyes were the kind that were always laughing. Those eyes are what reminded me of someone.
"Yes," I agreed, eyeing him suspiciously, "You were a little delayed on the rescuing part, why was that?"
"Well, I was shocked to see the fiancé of that Franz creature laying beneath two very unfriendly looking men and another with murder written in his eyes coming at you," he stopped to laugh a bit, "My turn for a question, what were you doing out there and without a horse?"
"I don't have to answer any questions for you," I told him.
"I saved your life."
"I don't know that for sure. Maybe you are in a league with those scoundrels. Anyway, if you had helped, I wouldn't have this bandage over my head."
"No, I'm not in their group and I already explained your next question. And I bandaged your head, so it is like saving your life. And who do you think finished off the other three bandits?" He remarked, throwing some sticks into the fire.
"I don't even know who you are!" I shrieked, getting a tad hysterical.
He came over and gently pushed me back down onto the blanket. "You're getting hysterical."
Even though I knew it was the truth, I argued I wasn't. After only a second of arguing, I began to cry BIG weeping tears.
It's the stress, I told myself. "This is too much for a girl to get thrust upon her in a day!" I cried. I let the man hold me in an awkward hug and sobbed into his shirt.
"Actually, you've been asleep almost a day and a half, so you've had some time to sort things out," he informed me. Smart ass.
"A little sympathy would be nicer!" I yelled into his shoulder. He pulled back and looked at me. I was lost in his beautiful hazel gaze. What was I crying about again?
He gave another chuckle; I noticed this man did that a lot. "I think mud suites you better," he said, matter-of-factly. I sniffed then gasped. My surprise must have been obvious because he laughed again. He stood up in front of me and spread his arms out at his sides. "A little different appearance without the mud, eh?"
I'll admit it, I stared. He was just that good looking. "Yes, a bit." I managed between tiny renegade sobs.
Suddenly he looked very serious, "Well, fair Bella, I think it's time you knew my name. I'm called Reeve. And may I ask what has been bothering you enough to bring you to tears?"
"Oh, just those bandits and... and..." I stammered trying to think of a lie, I didn't think it was a good idea to tell everyone I met about the Mug of Non-lies. I was interrupted by a rustling in the bushes. I vowed to worship whatever made that sound.
Reeve brought out his sword and stood alert. "Relax," I told him, "it's probably just some animal." I looked to where the sound came from and saw Franz step out. So I was right, but there was no way in hell that could get me to worship this leave rustler. Quickly I jumped up and grabbed my sword from its spot nest to me. Now THIS turned out to be a bad idea. I collapsed onto my pine needle bed immediately from Reeve, Franz, and the entire forest spinning. "Ouch," I said weakly.
"Oh, it's you," Reeve spit out poisonously turning his attention back to Franz after seeing if I was fine.
"My sweet rose! My Bella! I am sorry my incredibly good looks have caused you to swoon!" cried Franz rushing over to my make-shift bed. Reeve stood there opened mouth and stared. I laid there opened mouth and staring. Why is Franz here? Why is he acting like my love?
"My dear fiancé," I forgot we hadn't discussed that yet... "What evils have befallen you so that you must wear this bloody bandage upon your brow?" he asked, sitting next to my head.
"Go away, Franz," I muttered.
"Why, my love, would you want me away from you?!" he asked with a cry of hurt.
I sighed, "Go home."
"Not without you, my love, my life, my betrothed!" he announced and gave me a kiss. I broke away from it and looked over at Reeve- he looked angry and rolled his eyes. He being the one who had the yelling match with Franz the other day in the city, I knew he didn't like Franz too much and his patience was running out.
"Why don't you listen to the lass and leave?" Reeve asked in an angered, impatience voice. Well, it wasn't really a request, but Franz was to slow to get that.
"Because she belongs to me! We are to marry!" He told the other man.
"No, I'm not going to marry you," I told Franz coldly. He turned toward me with an enraged expression.
"Oh yes you are!" he yelled. Thankfully he never asked me to marry him or I would've been stuck because of this damned curse of mine. Franz grabbed my wrist and tried to pull me off of my bed, but I was too weak to stand.
"Look at what you're doing! She's too weak to travel yet!" Reeve yelled back at Franz pointing out the obvious and gesturing at me. Why do I feel like I'm not getting a word in edge-wise here? "How about this, Franzyou go back to the castle right now. Then, tomorrow, when Bella is better suited for travel, I'll take her to you. How do you like that?" Reeve suggested, I could've kissed him right there. Well, I would like to kiss him anytime. I'll use a better phrase to show my gratitude next time.
Franz scratched his head. "Hmm... sounds fine." He replied with a shrug of his shoulders. "Make sure she gets back to the castle. We are supposed to marry."
"Now leave," I told him, waving my hand, indicating him to go and ignoring his last remark. Franz quickly glanced around the clear we were in before mounting his horse and trotting off.
As soon as he was out of hearing distance, Reeve turned toward me like a wildcat. "Spill it," he commanded. "Everything."
Seeing as I could use his help, I spilled everything.
A/N: hmm... that was pretty long. I bet most of it was me rambling on up at the beginning about my super cool vacation. How do you like? Hehe, please review and tell me, I know you know you wanna! Hahaha
Dancingdawn- Cool name, haha. Thanks a bunch for reviewing! Thanks a whole lot on the curse thing, I'm glad to know it's not stupid! I'm flattered, really, look I'm blushing!! Hope you liked this chapter.
Miss Piratess- I'm glad I made you squeal, do NOT take that in a nasty, perverted way! Hahaha. Thanks for the feedback about the curse, I appreciate it! I really want to figure out that C2 thing... haha, its hard!!! Thanks for your review!!
Metaphorical- And, Watson, I'm back! Haha this defiantly took longer then I expected, I mean, you updated like 10 times before I got this chapter up. I'm glad you like my story!! I'm gonna have to check out your twelve brothers and I story. Can't wait!
Thanks to everyone!!!!
