A/N: I am severely disappointed in you readers. This story has gotten NO, yes that's right, ZILCH reviews since the last chapter! This is very serious. It means that nobody reads this fanfic any more. I am really going to discontinue it! you leave me no choice. The only reason I am updating in the first place is because I am a nice person and it is the holidays.
Ch. 6: Memories…Rory…
"Your little spell wont hurt me. They were young and stupid." Someone growled in a snotty way into my ear. I stood dead still.
He spun me around to face him, his arms rapped around my chest, pinning my arms to my sides. We were unbearably close. I struggled violently, but his iron grip was unbreakable.
Grinning at me in a perverted way, he brushed a stray lock of ginger hair from my face. I flinch away, from his touch.
My face impassive, I waited a few seconds then flung myself into an intricate move. I first kicked myself into a ball, with my knees against his chest. It was tight, but I managed to wedge my legs between us. Then I flexed my feet and pushed off from his body. This action sent me flying faster than I thought, away from my attacker. I landed hard on my left side, smashing into the hard rock that paved the streets of Roselin so hard that my eyes watered and my breath came in short gasps. Damn.
It had also propelled my attacker backwards with such a strong force against the brick wall that I thought his back must've broken.
I eased myself off the ground and stood tentatively. Barbs of white-hot pain laced up my leg.
"Damn." I muttered to myself out loud.
I turned slowly, leaning heavily on my right side, to face Snotty, who was just reviving.
Groggily he sat up, rubbed his eyes and moaned.
I glared at him and he recoiled, whimpering, against the wall. A low growl issued from my lips as I stalked towards him.
My whole being was charged with an alien red-hot power that ran through my body. I shivered as my mind connected with his. For a second, my conscience severed this unreal connection, but then the power overwhelmed me again.
I felt his pain, his agony from his injuries. Fear bloomed from an image of a reddish-brown haired girl, short and slender that loomed over. My mind dug deeper into a room packed with memories.
Images flew by: a small boy hiding behind a table as a drunken man struck a beautiful woman. I felt the child's fear, helplessness and protectiveness of his mother as the picture went by.
The pictures were so real, as they flashed behind my eyes. I began to control these images, sift through them until I found what I was looking for:
A tall wiry man stood huddled by the fire of the Mule Hair Tavern. The flickering light threw lengthening shadows across his face, lengthening high cheekbones and making him appear commanding and handsome. A young, beautiful waitress was throwing him seductive looks from behind the counter. He ignored them.
A harsh wind blew through the almost empty room. He looked up. In came a burly man, toting a bound and gagged woman in his arms. He set her down in front of the man like one would do to show off a handsome elk they had just shot. Despite her bonds, it was evident that she was very beautiful: pale skinned accented by rich brown hair tinted with red. She struggled with her bindings, thrashing around on the floor. Her hair shifted to reveal delicate pointed ears.
The man chuckled, looking down at the struggling girl. "Good, good." He purred, "Thief Coopa, you have done well."
"Thank you, my Lord." He looked up expectantly.
"Yes, yes, you will receive you payment in time." The Lord said with obvious impatience. "But first, some questions on our fine specimen.
"Have you taken the jewel?"
"Yes, my Lord." The thief said eagerly and produced a golden ring set with a golden stone.
"Ah." The Lord said with satisfaction and took the jeweled band from his palm. "Yes this is definitely part of the Eorcanstan Crystal.
"Where did you find her? My men have been searching this ground for nearly three years."
"She was ' iding away in Shanyria at the base of the Clovenbod Mountains." He explained. "My Lord- she is with child."
The Lord looked up sharply. "Yes? And who is the father?" Anger shown in his eyes. "I told you to find her and NOT to harm her! Coopa, you have your games, I know, but if-"
"No, no! I found 'er in an inn with another man. I swear, my Lord, on my life and beyond that I did not touch 'er."
"All right! And how are you sure of this child?" At this the woman stopped struggling, wide eyed.
"My Lord, she is almost through, you can see well enough." He flipped her on her back with one hand. It was apparent, now that she had stopped struggling. She had been curled in a ball, so the bulge of her stomach was hidden in her shift.
Her eyes narrowed threateningly as the thief reached for the hem of the garment. In a final effort, she kicked out at the man's head, striking it sharply. He fell backwards onto the floor.
In a blind rage he snarled, "You'll pay for tha' one, you will!" and lunged for her.
Smoothly, the Lord caught his wrist, restraining him. Immediately, his rage faded and he whispered, "I am sorry my Lord. Won't 'appen again. "
"Yes, well. Hold her down."
With one swift movement, he exposed her bulging stomach and placed a hand on it.
"Five months. Girl child." He relayed in a business-like tone. The thief recoiled at the magic, but gazed admirably at the Lord.
"Fine. You have done well." He produced three gold coins, picked up the struggling woman, and disappeared.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything that is mentioned in Ella Enchanted. I do own the Clovenbod Mountains and Shanyria and the Eorcanstan Crystal.
A/N: I feel very let down. I am passed the point of pleading. Faithful Readers, this fanfic is in your hands! (I am trying to be dramatic.) Happy Holidays.