I should mention this first. I'm sure all you readers would have figured this out but I just likestay on the safe side-> Things written in Italics are a characters thoughts.
Chapter One: How did I get here?
As she opened her eyes blurry images came into focus. Mardela, what the hell have you gotten yourself into this time? She thought to herself as she started to notice her surroundings. The first thing that hit her was that she couldn't move her hands at all. She looked down to discover a thick rope tied around her wrists, quite accurately tied as well. I guess I might need to give these brutes a little more credit; they can tie an effective knot.
It was dark outside and she was propped up against some sort of cart. Her head whipped around at the sound of voices coming around the cart. Seconds later she saw that the owners of those voices were two roman soldiers. One was a stout man with a badly trimmed graying beard. When he spotted her he began to smirk, "Looks like sleeping beauty finally decided to wake up. Hope you enjoyed your sleep because you aren't going to be getting any more for some time wench." The two soldiers burst out laughing.
Mardela's attention was now drawn to the stout man's companion. He was slightly more appealing, a youth, but he was scrawny and had an unattractive angular face that was not too pleasing to look at. That is the one to go after. She thought to herself after quickly assessing the man's youth and therefore susceptibility to her charms.
As she was thinking of what to do next the younger solder winked at her saying, "No she won't be getting any sleep for the next few days." Yep, he is defiantly my way out of this situation. She put on a fake smile as the two soldiers returned to their campfire that was located a few yards away. Hours passed and nothing happened, the woman looked up at the stars trying to remember how she had gotten to this point.
About three days ago Mardela sneaked off the ship that she had stowed away on and began to head north on the main road. But not before she had stolen a horse from a nearby landowner. This was not a difficult task for her. As always she used her feminine wiles to seduce the owner and when he was still asleep in the wee hours of the morning she sneaked out of bed and saddled the desired horse. Mardela's traveling companion was her trusty dog Sasha. Sasha was a strong and fast dog that had proved her loyalty to her owner with years of companionship. Despite the fact that much of Mardela's troubles started with Sasha she loved the canine as if it were her own child. Mardela had succeeded in stealing a brown mare from the unlucky man still fast asleep in his bed and before the sun rose she was off down the road with Sasha close behind.
The first day of travel was wonderful to both Mardela and Sasha. After being cooped up in that ship of weeks it felt good to be out in the open air, even if the weather seemed to be in permanent overcast. The road that they traveled was one of dirt that winded over mounds of rich grass. To her right Mardela observed a thick mass of trees, a forest to which she didn't know the name. She found herself frequently glancing over towards the mass of trees, feeling as though someone was watching her. Every so often Sasha would run towards the trees in order to chase some small animal that had emerged from the wood but Sasha would return the instant that she heard the sharp whistle from her owner.
As dusk approached Mardela made her way towards the woods to find a place to camp, a place that wouldn't be seen from the main road so as to avoid any trouble that might pass by. Mardela soon found a spot about five minutes walk into the woods. The area provided a small clearing in which she could set up a tent; the clearing was surrounded by a dense wall of trees.
After tying up the horse Mardela set out to find some dinner for her and Sasha. She armed herself with the bow that she kept hidden in her large tote bag. The bow was made of a strong light colored wood and was carved with intricate designs. Mardela had made the bow herself years ago and it still surprised her that it was still in her possession.
She grabbed some arrows and left the rest of her belongings by the newly created encampment. As she started to leave Sasha followed on instinct. Mardela turned to the dog, "Sasha you need to stay here and keep watch on the camp, I don't want anyone stealing that horse that I had to work so very hard to attain." Mardela smiled at the thought and patting Sasha on the head walked silently further into the wood.
She had walked about ten minutes when she came to a halt. Her arrow was already in the bow and she was in a slightly crouched position, ready to move at any moment. Mardela closed her eyes and listened intently for any sound of movement. After listening for a while she suddenly heard a twig snap about ten yards to her right. Her eyes snapped open and she silently brought her bow into position. She saw a rabbit and aimed at it with her sight, she pulled back smoothly and let the arrow fly. Seeing her kill she said to no one in particular, "I guess we won't be starving tonight".
Twenty minutes later Mardela returned to the camp with two plump rabbits in hand. In no time at all they were both skinned and roasting on the fire. She and Sasha both had a delicious rabbit dinner that night and soon Mardela was fast asleep under the tent with Sasha snoring quietly at her feet.
Mardela woke before sunrise, as she always did, and prepared for the day's travel. After packing everything up she led the horse out of the woods and back onto the road. The next few hours went by without event and the sun had rose filling the sky with color. Suddenly Mardela heard a noise. She looked behind her to see four horses with riders heading towards her. As they neared she noticed that one of the men looked a lot like the owner of the fine horse that she was sitting upon. "Shit, this does not look good." She said as she kicked her horse into a gallop. She whistled and Sasha was fast on her heals running away from the approaching trouble. After the pursuit lasted for about half an hour Mardela discovered that she was not gaining any distance between her and her four pursuers and she could tell that her horse was beginning to tire. "I guess now is as good a time as ever to make a stand." She thought as she brought the horse to a halt. She turned around and pulled her bow from her bag, loading and firing an arrow she shot and hit one of the men in the shoulder region, causing him to fall from his horse. "One down, three to go." She thought as the other men steadily approached her. She fired another arrow, just missing the head of one of the riders, she was about to load another but they were too close at this point. She reached into her bag again and withdrew her sword, it was lighter and shorter than most and it too was engraved with the beautiful designs that graced her bow. She prepared herself as the first rider approached, he too had his sword ready and came up on her right side with a powerful blow, she blocked it easily but at that moment the horse reared, throwing her to the ground. "She obviously was not trained for combat", Mardela mused to herself before getting to her feet and readying her weapon for another attack.
The rider that had attacked her circled and came back for another try. Mardela readied her sword and looked for a weakness that she could use to her advantage. It was then that she saw the rider's loose hold on his reins and unstable stance in his saddle. Mardela stood her ground and as the man swung at her she ducked and then jumped at the man, knocking him clear off his steed. It took the man a while to realize what had happened and Mardela used his confusion to her advantage, running up to him and pushing her sword hard into his stomach. The man toppled over, dead.
Mardela looked and saw that the horse owner and one more rider were the only ones left. It was clear that the horse owner was not a fighter, and she could see the apparent fear in his eyes as she stalked closer to them, sword drawn, blood still clinging to the blade from her last kill. Both men were intimidated at the look of death that Mardela gave them as she steadily approached them on foot. The owner turned his horse to leave, but not sooner did he do he noticed a caravan accompanied by a group of Roman soldiers approaching. Mardela heard the horse owner yell to the caravan and it was then that she too saw a group of six Roman soldiers ride towards her. She knew that there were too many of them, even with her level of skill.
Mardela dropped her sword and looked around for Sasha. Spotting the dog crouching under one of the horses, she quickly motioned for her to go to the woods and hide. Sasha instantly understood her owner's command and ran towards the wood. Why are these things always happening to me? Mardela thought to herself as she watched the approaching Romans. Maybe because you bring it on yourself? A part of her replied. Mardela rolled her eyes and put her hands above her head, she knew this looked bad but she just had to wait for the right moment that is if they don't just kill her on the spot.
What must have been the leader of the soldiers spoke first, "Get on the ground miss!" He ordered.
"Why aren't you just a feisty fellow?" She replied smirking at the soldier's Captain. This was not at all what the man expected to hear and it took him a moment to regain his composure.
"Just do it Miss and no one will get hurt." He commanded. Still smiling, Mardela lowered herself to the floor as three soldiers dismounted and headed towards her, swords at the ready.
"So I see you all want to have a go." She said as the soldiers got nearer to her. One of the soldiers was right by her feet, Mardela swung her foot under the man, causing him to fall to the ground. She quickly scrambled to her knees and kicked another man in the gut, sending him to the floor as well. The two men soon recovered and now there were four men at her. In the mess she punched one in the nose and elbowed another, it was then that she felt the sensation of cold metal pressed against her neck.
She heard the voice of the Captain over her shoulder, "You are only making this harder Miss." He spoke into her ear. Then everything went black.
One of the soldiers had punched Mardela in the head and her body fell limp to the floor. The horse owner approached the Captain and spoke, "This woman stole that there horse from me and I demand that she be punished."
The Captain looked at Mardela and said, "You now have your horse back, we will take her into our custody and deliver her to the courts to be tried when we return from our assignment." The horse owner began to protest but he saw the stern look in the Captain's eyes and, being a coward, thought it better to take his horse and flee. The Captain then ordered one of the men to tie the prisoner's hands and she was slung over a horse as they continued on their journey.
And that brings us back to the present. When she awoke and met the two soldiers Mardela assumed that someone had knocked her out. She didn't really know how much time had passed but it felt like forever. Mardela noticed that all the soldiers were asleep, all except the young one that she had her sights set on. He was on watch. Mardela decided that it was time to make her move or else she didn't know where she would end up. "Psssttt!" She tried to get his attention, this worked and he soon made his way over to her.
Mardela put on her best seduction act saying, "What's your name soldier?" The man looked nervous and excited. It was obvious that he did not have much experience with women.
"Matthew" the boy replied.
"Well Matty my wrists are really starting to hurt and I'll make it worth your while if you loosen these ties just a little bit" Mardela pleaded with a pout of her lower lip. She could already tell that the soldier was falling for her act as he carefully walked toward her.
"Alright Miss, but you must promise to behave behave." He said bending down to loosen the knots. As he loosened the knots Mardela pulled her body up and smashed her lips onto his. Meanwhile she was trying to pull her hands free from the newly loosened rope, but it was still to tight. The boy soon had his hands wrapped around Mardela's body. This kid could use a few lessons, but I just don't have the time for that right now. Mardela thought as she broke from the kiss.
"You know, things would be a lot more interesting if I could use my hands. A lot more interesting indeed." Mardela looked up at the soldier through her eyelashes with a lustful stare. The boy immediately got the point and grabbed a dagger to cut the bonds on her hands. Almost free. No sooner had the blade touched the rope the boy was being dragged away, and he was replaced with a fist being smashed into Mardela's head, again, then more blackness.
And thus begins the story! I am still working on the character development of Mardela but you will all somewhat understand her soon. Please R&R!