[1]

[The Westlands]

My eyes slowly opened. Vison blurred; my head was throbbing, and it took me a few moments to remember what happen. Before I could move, I heard a coughing followed by a direct command.

"Don't move. You've been out for two days the bitch daughter hit you with a swinging hammer before grandfather could get to her."

"What?"

"You're alive due to the God's will; so, don't waste it. This is all I can do is stay here to prevent anymore from happening again."

"Ok…"

"Doth sorry grandfather is such a failure!"

I could hear the sorrow in the old man voice and it tugged my heart as I knew he also despised me in the early day. It was only when he came to realize that I never asked for what happen nor did I ask. I always feared what would be the outcome if our relationship did change. After that day he tried to protect me the best he could even to the point of coming to blows with his own siblings, my grand aunts and uncles who encouraged my torture. "After I heal this time, I'll go I'm old enough to find my own destiny."

"No!" he said with true compassion and concern. "Don't let them run you off! Or if they do, don't voice that outload or I won't be able to know if your alive or dead."

"Point taken."

"Also, if you choose that, go to my study and go to the shelf. You will run your finger over the wall until you find the edge pull it out there should be my emergency money pouch inside there is 300 gold dragons, 2,000 Silver stags and more copper pennies than this old man really knows."

I felt tears well up in my eyes. I knew, and he knew, I had to leave whether I had the coins or not. And by him telling me it was like his way of saying he understood.

These thoughts vanished as I felt the old calluses of his hand pat my shoulder. With thoughtful comfort, he said; "The healer said it would most likely take you a week to awaken but you did it in two days. So, as soon as I tell you it's safe to move around, you'll make your choice, but please know I've been changing your bandages and they're still coated in blood (and other crap) so if you try to move before you're healed don't blame this old man breaking your legs."

I saw him smile before going back to his chair and sit down. (That was what I loved about him.) In truth I knew I could probably get up now but I knew the old man was scared for me. Needless to say, I was touched. So, with respect to him, I would just plan my escape when either he left to do something or went to asleep.

Over the next couple of days, I was well taken care of. A maid who was completely loyal to my grandfather (and was also a former swordswoman was left to look over me.) When the old man went to do business, I had little choice but to rest.

Of course, neither I or grandfather told anyone I was awake. So, throughout the day I was subjected to things; that with my mentality of a man from twenty-first century and the years that person lived I felt uncomfortable. For my own sanity, I kept pretending to be unconscious.

When she bathed me far longer than I though was appropriate, feeding me water, medicine and food mouth to mouth and held her lips over mine. This was all going on for far longer than was appropriate. And there were so many other things that made my face internally go red. I mean really; the woman was slightly older than my mother but was far more attractive. Even if I wanted to deny my emotions, it was hard not to be slightly happy. To deny it would be a lie. But in actuality, I also had a bad case of blue balls. I couldn't take advantage of it at least not yet.