Chapter 1
A pulp. That's all that could be thought in my mind. Fore, that is all I felt. A walking pulp. That night I had blacked out in my last set of 25 lashes. Then I had woken this morning to find blood all over my backside and bruises everywhere. However, worst of all my hair.
It'd been chopped off and was no longer the long length past my rear, but a handful of chunks that barely reached my shoulder blades. I was so depressed.
Later before the daily chores begun, I managed to slip through the estate and reach the gates. However before I was completely through the bars, a strong arm grabbed my neck. I stifled a scream and stabbed the guard in the shoulder. Le Piue would soon enough ensure that I be returned to him before long. The whole kingdom will be looking for me.
As the nippy day began growing colder, and colder I realized it was already almost night. I wrapped my cloak around my shoulders, as if it were a means of protection. Suddenly as the sun set I could hear voices.
Oh no! Were they on me so quickly already? Please lord let me live. I thought. The voices were growing closer. In the cold air I froze. The only thing in my body moving faster than my mind, was my heart as it beated a thousand times a second. I searched the darkness as my breath stilled in the chilly air creating misty pictures in the so still atmosphere.
The voices were still getting closer as my legs froze and I couldn't move. I was scared to death.
"THIS WAY! QUICKLY MEN!" A husky voice came. Oh no, I thought. They know I am here. When suddenly,
"Keep riding! They're gaining closer!" A more boyish voice came. Just then I could make out two men on horseback being chased from a distance by at least six men also on horseback.
"YOU THERE! MOVE!" The boy yelled. I was too frightened. If they weren't after me, those men were after them and I was most certain I'd rather die then be recaptured. I felt dizzy. So dizzy.
However I managed to watch as the boy handed his partner his reigns as he realized my terror. He slid off his horse and ran toward me as quickly as he could.
He grabbed my waist and pulled me in to a patch of vines as I forced my self to wrap my arms around him. Clutching his back as he covered my mouth with a free hand he watched as the men passed. Finally looking at my rescuers face I couldn't believe my luck, or weakness.
"GUSTAVE!" I gasped as I fainted.
"WHERE AM I?" I screamed as I woke. I looked around at the dieing fire and the heavy blanket, which covered me. The last thing I could remember was escaping early this morning and being rescued bye… bye GUSTAVE! Tears streaked my face. Where was he?
"Gu-Gustave? …Gustave…GUSTAVE!" I cried as the flames of the shadows danced and unfamiliar shapes jumped at me. Suddenly comfort returned as my sobs jumped from my throat and warm arms from behind me engulfed my body.
"It's ok. Shh, no worries. 'Tis all going to be ok." Gustave's kind words assured me. Droughting my face of my sudden tears I turned to look at him.
My god how much he'd changed in 5 years past. He'd grown more meat on his bones, cut his hair too. His eyes were a little bluer, and his skin was more colored, and clean. He was so handsome. However the look he was giving me was of pity. I had no idea how I looked, and was sure it was a horrid sight.
I silently looked down and touched my cheek. Remembering my bruises and cut lip. I must look horrid.
"Who did this to you?" Was all he said. He did not scold me, nor did he tell me I must leave. Simply, 'Who did this to you?' Did he not hate me?
"'Twas naught I did not deserve Sir." I answered still not meeting his eyes. "Then please, I beg you. What sort of misbehavior called upon such a gruesome punishment?" He calmly asked, tilting my chin up… to take a better look. "Living my Sir." I answered. I saw the pity in his eyes.
He was then about to reply when crunches of dead leaves came from behind camp. In fear I turned and looked with all my ability.
I felt like a helpless mouse that was being hunted for an owl's supper.
A pulp. That's all that could be thought in my mind. Fore, that is all I felt. A walking pulp. That night I had blacked out in my last set of 25 lashes. Then I had woken this morning to find blood all over my backside and bruises everywhere. However, worst of all my hair.
It'd been chopped off and was no longer the long length past my rear, but a handful of chunks that barely reached my shoulder blades. I was so depressed.
Later before the daily chores begun, I managed to slip through the estate and reach the gates. However before I was completely through the bars, a strong arm grabbed my neck. I stifled a scream and stabbed the guard in the shoulder. Le Piue would soon enough ensure that I be returned to him before long. The whole kingdom will be looking for me.
As the nippy day began growing colder, and colder I realized it was already almost night. I wrapped my cloak around my shoulders, as if it were a means of protection. Suddenly as the sun set I could hear voices.
Oh no! Were they on me so quickly already? Please lord let me live. I thought. The voices were growing closer. In the cold air I froze. The only thing in my body moving faster than my mind, was my heart as it beated a thousand times a second. I searched the darkness as my breath stilled in the chilly air creating misty pictures in the so still atmosphere.
The voices were still getting closer as my legs froze and I couldn't move. I was scared to death.
"THIS WAY! QUICKLY MEN!" A husky voice came. Oh no, I thought. They know I am here. When suddenly,
"Keep riding! They're gaining closer!" A more boyish voice came. Just then I could make out two men on horseback being chased from a distance by at least six men also on horseback.
"YOU THERE! MOVE!" The boy yelled. I was too frightened. If they weren't after me, those men were after them and I was most certain I'd rather die then be recaptured. I felt dizzy. So dizzy.
However I managed to watch as the boy handed his partner his reigns as he realized my terror. He slid off his horse and ran toward me as quickly as he could.
He grabbed my waist and pulled me in to a patch of vines as I forced my self to wrap my arms around him. Clutching his back as he covered my mouth with a free hand he watched as the men passed. Finally looking at my rescuers face I couldn't believe my luck, or weakness.
"GUSTAVE!" I gasped as I fainted.
"WHERE AM I?" I screamed as I woke. I looked around at the dieing fire and the heavy blanket, which covered me. The last thing I could remember was escaping early this morning and being rescued bye… bye GUSTAVE! Tears streaked my face. Where was he?
"Gu-Gustave? …Gustave…GUSTAVE!" I cried as the flames of the shadows danced and unfamiliar shapes jumped at me. Suddenly comfort returned as my sobs jumped from my throat and warm arms from behind me engulfed my body.
"It's ok. Shh, no worries. 'Tis all going to be ok." Gustave's kind words assured me. Droughting my face of my sudden tears I turned to look at him.
My god how much he'd changed in 5 years past. He'd grown more meat on his bones, cut his hair too. His eyes were a little bluer, and his skin was more colored, and clean. He was so handsome. However the look he was giving me was of pity. I had no idea how I looked, and was sure it was a horrid sight.
I silently looked down and touched my cheek. Remembering my bruises and cut lip. I must look horrid.
"Who did this to you?" Was all he said. He did not scold me, nor did he tell me I must leave. Simply, 'Who did this to you?' Did he not hate me?
"'Twas naught I did not deserve Sir." I answered still not meeting his eyes. "Then please, I beg you. What sort of misbehavior called upon such a gruesome punishment?" He calmly asked, tilting my chin up… to take a better look. "Living my Sir." I answered. I saw the pity in his eyes.
He was then about to reply when crunches of dead leaves came from behind camp. In fear I turned and looked with all my ability.
I felt like a helpless mouse that was being hunted for an owl's supper.