A Diamond in the Rough
Hey everybody....ok, everything that was supposed to be italics is now in little stars *like this*
ok? B/c I don't know if the italics worked last chapter....the whole flash back thing was supposed
to be in italics. Oh, and also, I changed the name of my story b/c there was another story with
almost the same title, and it was there first, so I thought it was only fair that I change! Well,
enjoy!
Chapter Two- Pain (This is short but its pretty dark)
*Standing inside of Ariana's dressing room was her cousin, clad in only his loin cloth. "Goddess," Ariana breathed, unbelieving, as navy blue fire gagged her, although there weren't many people left in the fief that would heed her screaming. When she reached for her dagger, Mikeal's magic pinned her hands to the wall. Ariana's cousin advanced on her, a smile twisted his lips. He began to unlace her bodice-*
* * *
Ariana's horse, Shashi (Yamani for star) named for the crescent-shaped white mark that graced her face, danced impatiently and snorted, bringing Ariana back to reality. She clenched her fists. Silver fire flashed in her eyes, she didn't *want* to think about what he had done to her that night, over and over and over again, but she found she could think of nothing else. The ordeal was followed by a thorough beating, leaving her collapsed on the stone flag floor, to assure that her mouth kept shut. Not that his parents would care, but servants talked. This wasn't necessary. The servants greeted her bruises and cuts with adverted eyes.
The same thing happened night, after night, after night, with a covered mouth so his parents could sleep undisturbed while he mauled their niece, until Ariana finally broke his spell and stabbed Mikeal, leaving him collapsed on the floor for a change. When Carita learned of this, she wailed and banished Ariana from Celesta. Jaden, hoping to make up for his wife's wrong doings, gave Ariana a few coins, some food, and a map.
This wasn't all she took, of course. She was true to her father as she stole as much money and food as she could carry, the fief's seal ring (ok, in my story, only the ruler of the fief could hold the ring, due to some type of magic, and you can always tell the real one, an exact copy cannot be made.), her birth certificate, her mother's best dresses, kimonos, and jewels, and the best mount and tack in the stable. They wouldn't go unnoticed but when Carita *did* notice, Ariana would be long gone.
*And here I am*, Ariana thought grimly, *a lost 11 ½ year old girl, who's running out of food and money*. She sighed and fingered her pregnancy charm. Her bleeding had started a night when she was staying in an inn, and she bought the charm from a healer that was there too, just in case. *Well, I'm more than ½ way there, I might as well ride to Port Caynn*. Ariana kicked Shashi into a gallop. The horse whinnied, glad to be moving again.
*** OK, I know this is *really* short, but the next chapter is longer, I promise! *But* I'm holding chapter 3 hostage until I get some more reviews *laughs evilly*So, if you want more, you're gunna have to review, this is my first *real* fanfic, so I don't mind flames, but I would prefer suggestions and constructive criticism if, you don't mind. ***