Rina was shoveling the old soiled straw from the dragon's lot in the stables onto a giant, bulldozer-like wheelbarrow. All around her, huge two story dragons shuffled restlessly in their sleep. A few was pacing around the stable. Many timid females, such as Vivian, never dared to enter the dragon stable. Rina understood why. The dragons, even in their sleep, were objects of intimidation. These great beasts can crush a human with one step! Rina was accustomed to these great beasts. The older dragons have no interest in anyone unless their well-being was threatened. The younger ones are usually too busy wreaking havoc to pay any attention to who was cleaning their water bowls or changing their straw beds.
Rina finished shoveling soiled straw from the lot and was about to move on to the next when a voice rang out from behind her.
"Rina!" Rina whirled around. To her anguish and surprise, Vivian stood at the entrance of the stable, her hands akimbo. "RINA!" Vivian cried again. Several dragons beside her were beginning to stir. Rina sighed as Vivian marched smartly over to her. Rina was impressed. Vivian must have really wanted to talk to her to march through the stable without a care about the dragons. . . or she could be really mad at her. Rina suspected a little of both.
"RINA!" Vivian barked a third time.
"Lady Vivian," Rina whispered, "You don't have to wake all the dragons in this stable do you?"
"Rina" Vivian said, her tone surprisingly low, "How dare you tell me what to do! How dare you speak to me like an equal! HOW DARE YOU GO NEAR PRINCE PHILIP!" Vivian's voice rose steadily until she was yelling once more. She gasped for air before continuing. "He's mine! MINE! All mine!"
Rina stared flabbergasted at her for a moment. Aware that people around them was watching the exchange, she lowered her voice. "I never said he wasn't yours."
"Then stay away from him!" Vivian was either unaware or didn't care about the ever increasing number of people watching the conversation because she continued to yell at the top of her lungs.
"What did I do?" Rina's voice was surprisingly calm.
"Why did you walk with the prince to the gardens?"
"He didn't know the way."
"Don't you lie to me, you ugly wretch! You must have beguiled him! Stay away from him! Leave us alone!" Vivian hollered. The dragons from the nearby lots had gathered to watch the conversation.
"Alright."
"Alright! You will not speak to me in that tone! I am your superior. You say ' yes, Lady Vivian, I will stay away from your betrothal."
"You're engaged to Prince Philip?" Rina gasped in amazement.
"It's not official, but we're as good as betrothed. Have you seen us together? We're perfect for each other. He can't keep his eyes off of me" Vivian flaunted. "But of course you haven't," Vivian continued, in a slightly quieter tone, "Because YOUR'RE SUPPOSE TO STAY AWAY FROM HIM! One more misstep and you're out of here. AM I UNDERSTOOD?" Without waiting for an answer Vivian turned and marched out, leaving a very stunned Rina behind.
Rina was well aware of the fact that everyone, even the dragons, was watching her intently. She scuffed her shoes on the wooden floor, unsure of what to do. Then Connor approached her. "What was that all about?" he asked.
"I have no idea."
Later that day, Rina had finished her chores and had wander to a secluded place in the woods adjourning the manor. Suddenly, her keen ears picked up a rustle from behind her. She whirled around, to come face to face with a stranger dressed in black. The man was short, with sandy blond hair who looked to be in his early forties.
"What do you want!" She yelled.
"Rina. I need to talk to you." The stranger said in a calm voice. "Please keep you voice down."
"Why! So no one can here me scream for help." Rina did not bother lowering her voice.
"No! I'm not going to hurt you." The stranger cried.
Rina backed away as the man advanced. Suddenly, she turned and tried to break into a run. The stranger seized her forearm and held her in place.
"Let me go." She hissed.
"I will, but you'll have to promise not to run." The stranger replied. He slowly released his grip on her arm. As soon as he let her go, Rina dashed away, this time screaming at the top of her lungs.
The stranger dashed after her, grabbing her by her waist and clapping a hand around her mouth. "Stop. Stop. I'm not going to hurt you." He murmured.
Rina still struggled. Suddenly, she elbowed his nose. As he clutched his nose in pain, she hastened to the safety of the manor.
A few days after the incident in the forest, Rina was told that the lord and lady wanted a private audience with her. She was led to the lord's private library. Upon entering, she saw the lord, lady, Vivian and an unknown man. She noticed Vivian had a particularly malevolent smirk.
"Rina." The lord beckoned for her to stand before him. The facial expressions of his and his wife's were murderous. "Do you recognize this man?" He thundered.
Rina peered at the man's face. "You!" she said.
The man smirked at her. "This is the girl, my lord. The one that injured my nose and gave me these wounds." Rina noticed he had developed some bruises on his cheek and a long gash on his temple.
"You lie!" Rina accused the stranger. "My lord, I am not accountable for all of his injuries."
"Silence!" The lady ordered her. "Have you not cost us enough! Go on." She said to the stranger.
"You see, my lord and lady, I was talking a walk in the woods when I stumbled upon this servant. She jumped at me and tried to grab my purse. I gently pushed her off of me, not wanting to hurt a woman. But she punched wildly at me. I tried to avoid them, but alas I have wounds on my nose and cheek. I did not want to start a fight, my lord, so I tried to walk away. But the girl, she blocked my way, threatening me with a knife. I managed to escape, though not before receiving this slash."
Rina became angrier and angrier as she heard the stranger's tale. "You made that up!" She accused him. "My lord, he . . " She was silence by a glare.
The lady spoke. "Sir, I am very sorry for the attack. I assure you, this will not happen again. She will be punished for her actions." She slowly took out a bag of money, all the while glaring at Rina. "This is for your visit to the doctor, sir."
However, the man did not take the money. "Actually madam, I was wondering, wound you agree to sell her to me?"
"Whatever would you want with such a disobedient servant, sir?" The lady asked.
"You see. My boss. He likes spirited girls. I'm sure he'll be very happy to have her as his slave." The strangler gave Rina a side-long glance. "Very happy indeed." He added suggestively.
Vivian suddenly smirked in triumph. Turning to her parents she whispered. When they hesitated, she pouted.
Lady Vilene turned to the stranger. "Why don't we draw up a contract." She suggested.
The stranger returned early the next morning to find Rina chained and ready. He gave the lord a purse and quickly led Rina away through the woods. Rina struggled to walk in the chains. They limited her stride and clanged noisily as she walked. The stranger, aware of Rina discomfort, released her from her chains as soon as she stumbled out of sight of the manor.
When she was freed, Rina immediately sprinted away. The man swore and pulled out his sheathed sword. Knocking Rina on the back of her knees to trip her, he drew out a coil of rope and quickly tied Rina to a nearby tree trunk. Rina struggled against her bonds in vain.
"Rina, I know you're uncomfortable, but I can't do anything about it if you keep on trying to run away. The rope won't be so bad if you stop struggling." The stranger said, exasperated. "I'll release you once you've heard what I have to say."
Rina continued to thrash against her bonds. Realizing her struggle was in vain, she began to scream. The stranger groaned and immediate tied a gag around her mouth silencing her. "I'm sorry, Rina. But I have no other choice." The stranger apologized.
Just then, a rustle was heard in the leaves nearby.