lozcollie - I'm glad you like my story. Sorry the update took so long.
TwistofShadows - Thank you for another great review, they really inspire me to keep going. (hint. .hint. .to others. .lol) Hope you like this chapter!
A/N - I hope everyone is enjoying this so far. Sorry this chapter took so long, it's been kind of a crazy week. For those of you waiting for our dear knights to make their appearance, hold on just a bit longer. They will be coming soon. . I promise. Please R & R! Enjoy!
Chapter Three : Freedom
Brenna cradled her injured arm against her body and poked at the fire with her good one. It crackled and spat loudly, sending a shower of sparks skyward, which were instantly whisked to the west by the icy cold wind winding its way through the encampment. She shivered and tried to tug her cloak more tightly about her body as she shuffled closer still towards the fire. The hard ground upon which she huddled was itself growing colder by the minute, as it became damp with evening dew. She stared deep into the flames as they danced and flickered in the growing wind. Wind which carried with it smells of food from around the camp. Her stomach twisted painfully at the odor of roasting meat and stew. It had been well over a day since she had last eaten and she was starving.
Early that morning as Atoll had been moving out with his troops, he had left strict orders that neither Brenna nor the stallion were to be given any food until his return. She could still see the sneer on his face as he had leaned towards her, grabbed her by the hair and pulled her bruised face close to his." You are so fond of it. Then you and the beast shall share the same fate."
Brenna's thoughts were interrupted as thunder rumbled ominously in the distance, causing her to look up from the flames. To the west the sky was afire with color as the sun sank on the horizon, but to the east. . . to the east dark thunderclouds loomed. Bright flashes of lightning could been seen, streaking across the plains. Moving her gaze from the sky to the camp, she realized that most of the Saxons were so either so drunk, or so involved in their games of dice, that they had not yet even noticed the quickly approaching storm. Peering through the quickly fading light, she gazed across to the stallion's pen.
The Saxons had constructed a much stronger one, with a thick pole driven deep into the ground in the center of it, which the horse was tethered to. He shook his head, tossing his long mane and lashing his tail about in fury. Even from across the camp she could make out many cuts and welts on his sweat soaked silver hide. 'From Atoll's whip.' she thought angrily. ' Such a beautiful creature. . . no one. . . should be treated so cruelly.' Brenna blinked away the tears that threatened to fall and, making a sudden decision, struggled to her feet.
" I cannot feed him, but there is no reason I cannot offer him some comfort and companionship. He could use a friend as much as I." she whispered to the breeze.
Steeling herself against the waves of pain that every step produced, she slowly made her way towards the pen. She had made it almost half way across the camp, when she was brought to a quick halt as a strong hand grabbed her injured arm and wrenched her around. Letting loose an involuntary scream of agony, she fell to her knees, only to be jerked back up again and dragged into the darkness behind the row of tents, which surrounded the encampment.
"And just where do ye think yer goin wench?"
Half unconscious, Brenna was vaguely aware of the forest to one side of her and the camp to the other, as her attacker dragged her further away from the light of the campfires. Peering bleary eyed into his face she caught a glimpse of him as a flash of lightning lit the sky. Andsaca. The name brought her mind suddenly back into focus and a recklessness filled her body as she glared daggers of silver green fire at him.
"I am going to see the stallion, now get out of my way you filthy cur!"
Andsaca's eyes widened in shock at her bold words, then narrowed as he raised his arm and backhanded her across the face. Stars danced in her head and pain exploded in her already battered face, as his hand came into harsh contact with her swollen eye. She fell to the ground, fighting against the darkness which threatened to consume her.
"Who do ye think ye are? No wench talks to Andsaca that way. Atoll's or not I'm goin ta give ye what ye deserve. Ye stupid Sarmatian whore!"
Brenna forced her eyes open just in time to see him lunge for her. A scream of terror wrenched itself from her throat as she closed them again. She fumbled desperately in the pocket of her cloak for the dagger, determined to defend herself this time, or die trying. When he failed to make contact however, her eyes flew open once again. Crawling to her knees Brenna saw her enemy sprawled flat on his back a foot or two away. Confused and unable to see far in the shadows away from the campfires, she dragged herself closer to his body. Another bolt of lightning lit the sky, illuminating the scene before her. There he lay, eyes staring unseeingly at the night sky, an arrow protruding from the center of his forehead. With a gasp of horror Brenna stumbled backwards then sank to the ground for a moment, stunned, before the realization of what was happening hit her like a splash of cold water.
Her mysterious saviors had arrived.
All throughout the long day, she had forced her mind away from thoughts of rescue. Afraid that she would drive herself mad with anticipation, only to have her hopes shattered when they did not appear. But now her heart flared with a wild anticipation. This night. . .this night she would be free!
Snatching up the dagger from where it had fallen, Brenna quickly cut loose the ropes at her ankles. Pushing her pain to a far corner of her mind, her great Sarmatian will arose once again and swelled within her. Climbing to her feet she stealthily crept back towards the camp. Thunder shook the ground and lightning came in almost continual flashes, lighting the scene of chaos in the encampment. The Saxons, caught unawares, stumbled around under a hail of flaming arrows. Tents and men alike caught fire, adding to the confusion as the soldiers scrabbled for their weapons. The sky chose that moment to open the flood gates. Rain began to pelt the ground, quickly extinguishing the fires, but adding a whole new set of problems. The ground fast became slick with mud and, with the fires out, the only source of light became the lightning. In the confusion the Saxons began to fight each other. Blinded by mud and rain, they lashed out with sword and axe at any who came near.
Watching from behind a tent, Brenna was unsure of what to do. As far as she could see, other than the arrows, her rescuers had still not shown themselves. 'Where are they?' She thought to herself. 'Why do they not appear?' Her thoughts were interrupted by a scream of rage from across the camp. 'The stallion!' Swiftly turning, she started to head in the direction of his pen, when she ran into a solid wall. Losing her balance, she nearly fell, but was steadied by a firm but gentle set of hands. Bringing the dagger up to defend herself she blinked, trying to clear the water from her eyes. A tall shape loomed before her, and in flashes she was able to make out a man with dark hair, reaching out his hand towards her. Without warning he drew a dagger from his belt,
"Get down!"
Unthinking Brenna dropped to the ground as the man threw the dagger. A sharp cry of pain was heard, followed by the thud of a body crumpling to the ground. Looking round to where she had stood but a moment before, there sprawled a Saxon with an enormous battle axe near his lifeless hand. Wide eyed she turned back towards her rescuer as he crouched down beside her.
"Who are you?" She questioned, pushing sopping wet curls out of her face.
"My name is Maelgwyn. I am a friend, you must trust me." The man glanced up towards the encampment, then fixed his gaze back upon her. "Come we must leave quickly, before the Saxons realize it is an invisible army they fight."
"An invisible army? But where are the others? Surely you do not come alone?"
"There are no others."
Brenna stared into his gentle grey eyes for a moment. Something deep in her soul told her she could indeed trust this brave stranger and she made her decision. Climbing to her feet, she took the proffered hand and smiling at him, nodded.
"I am Brenna."
He smiled back at her, his hand in hers calloused and rough. " Are you able to ride?"
"Yes, I. . ." With a gasp of remembrance her eyes flew towards the stallions pen, where he thrashed against his tether. "The stallion! I cannot leave without him!"
"There is no time we must leave now!"
"No! Atoll will kill him!" Gesturing towards her bruised face she continued." This is because of him, I'll not have it be for naught."
She wrenched her hand from his grasp and stooped to pick up her dagger. "Go, save the other slaves. I'll free the stallion and meet you in the forest by his pen."
With a sigh, Maelgwyn put a hand on her arm. "The others are already dead."
Brenna's head snapped up at his words, her eyes filled with sadness and shock. "They were good people, they will be dearly missed." Blinking back tears, she pulled her arm free, her gaze pleading. "But we can still save the horse. . please Maelgwyn!
He stared down at her for a moment, taking in the desperate determination in her face. His gaze roamed over the ugly bruise, the eye half shut from swelling, to the gash on her forehead. 'What sort of beast could do this to another human being?' Closing his eyes in resignation, Maelgwyn nodded. " I will help you, but we must be swift." With another glance towards the camp, he pulled his bow from his shoulder and notched two arrows. "I will distract them, now go!"
No further urging needed, Brenna took off in the direction of the pen. Glancing over her shoulder she saw Maelgwyn let loose the arrows, reloading and firing rapidly as he moved towards the battle. She then turned her thoughts back to the horse, as she reached the crude gate and shoved it open. After a furtive gaze about to ensure none had seen her actions, she moved cautiously towards the stallion. His eyes rolled in his head and his forelegs lashed out. Losing his balance in the rivers of mud snaking through the pen, he slipped and nearly went down. Righting himself, he backed as far away as the tether would allow, trying to get away from the strange creature calmly approaching him, hand outstretched. Murmuring soothing words of encouragement, Brenna continued towards him.
"What did that hideous beast do to you, love?" Blinking back tears at the sight of the cuts and welts marring his beautiful hide, she stretched her hand to gently touch his muzzle. He snorted and tossed his head up, but she persisted and soon her soft words and touch reached him. Beginning to calm down, he allowed her to run her hand along his neck and across his back. Ignoring the screams and shouts of the battle raging to her rear, Brenna continued with a string of meaningless words as she stroked the stallion gently. Drawing the dagger from the folds of her cloak, she sliced through the ropes holding him, and led him
from the pen.
Looking toward the encampment once again, she saw Maelgwyn running through the mud in her direction. Sheathing his twin swords on his back as he ran, he let loose a shrill whistle. Out of the forest appeared a large black stallion, followed closely by a smaller brown packhorse.
"Come we must go now!" Swinging into the saddle, he offered his hand to her, intending to pull her up behind him. Hesitating, Brenna glanced from the stallion to Maelgwyn and back again. Shouts were heard from the direction of the camp as the few remaining Saxons regrouped and began to head towards them. "What are you waiting for!" He called in frustration.
The stallion stood, unsure precisely what to do with his newfound freedom. Taking a few steps away he threw his head in the air and looked first to the hills rolling off in the distance, then to the frail human still standing uncertainly at his side.
"Go!" She told him, with a wave of her arm. "You are free!"
With a snort and a toss of his head, he made his decision. Turning back towards the girl, he knelt to his knees before her. Brenna's eyes widened in surprise, but a glance at the swiftly approaching Saxons made up her mind for her. Grabbing a handful of mane in her good hand, she swung herself onto his back, gripping his flanks tightly with her legs as he lurched to his feet. Guiding the stallion with pressure from her knees, she moved him alongside Maelgwyn, who slung his bow onto his back, and gathered his horse's reins in one hand. With the other he motioned to Brenna.
"We must head northwest along the foothills and then cut into the mountains." Eyes worriedly taking in her pale face and assortment of injuries, some freshly reopened and bleeding, he questioned her. "Are you sure you can ride alone?"
Steeling herself with a deep breath, Brenna nodded, already turning the stallion in the direction he had indicated. With a glance over her shoulder, she gave him a bold grin. "Just try to keep up with us." Touching her heels to the stallion's flanks, she held on tightly as he leapt forward, in a full gallop within just a few steps.
Maelgwyn gave a short bark of astonished laughter before urging his own mount on after her. At his sharp whistle the packhorse followed and from the trees his hawk soared out after its master. Within moments the sounds of the encampment faded behind them and all that could be heard was the steady rhythm of hoof beats.
Brenna leaned low over the stallion's neck, as they raced across the plain, urging him on to greater speeds. Thrilling in the sensation of his powerful muscles moving beneath her, and the caress of the wind and rain in her hair, on her face. Cleansing her body and soul. Feeling something she had begun to think she would never again experience.
Freedom.