Chapter Five: Flash back battles
" I have to work in the morning. If I didn't, I would invite you in." Cinnamon explianed. As she stood outside her cabin door. It was night, well as clear night actaully. The owls sung and the crikets chirpped. There were fire flies levitating around the area.
Zaha shrugged," I understand. I must speak with your master anyway. Face his wrath as it were."
Cinnamon smiled and took off her hat," Thank you for everything. Today was great." She said. And turned. However, Zaha touched her hand.
"Cinnamon. There is something I want to give you." He started and handed her one of her throwing dagger, which she used to harm the beast that could have killed Zaha. Cinnamon looked at him with a lifted eye brow. Before she could speak, Zaha gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. Leaving her preplexed and staring at the disappearing form of the great Haz Knight.
Cinnamon glanced down at the dagger for a second, then her eyes widened. She looked back ahead. She closed her eyes for a moment. Before entering her cabin. Setting her hat down upon her little table. Cinnamon let Olive run up on the table top. Where he nibbled on a few crumbs left over from a piece of bread.
All the while. Zaha walked into the home of Master John Lei. It was quiet. And dark. He silently made his way into his room. The door closed behind him. Zaha, without turning knew." I would assume you are not here for a simple brandy, John." He mused.
Lei, nodded and approached," Why do you not wish to wed my daughter?" He asked calmly.
Zaha poured himself a brandy and sat down upon his bed before reluctantly answering," She is not my type."
" I see. But then you lead her on. Jessica reveiled to me that you tried to take her to your bed." Lei began.
Zaha glanced up at him. His expression had shown no shock." She lies, I do not wish to bring offense to you. Your kindness towards my men and myself is great, however I can not make it up this way. Not by marrying your daughter." He explained.
Lei smiled and sat beside Zaha. After helping himself to a brandy." Listen Haz Knight. No one here pretends to know, what is going on between you and that servant girl, Cinnamon. You left with her this afternoon. I warrant you just showed up."
"It was just an afternoon of talking. Nothing else came bewteen Ms. Tea and myself." Zaha said on his behalf.
Lei shook his head," And they way you look at her. My daughter Brenda told me, that you helped the girl after her punishment."
"I was being kind to her. As she is a kind young girl." He said." Please understand, I am only here to hide my men for the remainder of the summer. And then we'll fight again in the fall. I am not here to marry. Though Jessica is no doubt beautiful, she is too quick to judge a man for a husband. "
" Millefullie tells me that you do love this farm hand." He mused.
"Again I am not. I am a Haz Knight, as one I can't feel love. We are not meant to love, nor marry. Only Onion, who is human can, he is in love already. But he is the only one." Zaha looked away from Lei and stood." I pray I've not brought offense beyond repaire to you."
" Surprisingly, no. You have not. Because of you and your Haz Knight's valiant attempt last night to protect the farm and my family." John said." Will you spend time more with Jessica?" he asked.
Zaha stared preplexed at him for a moment. Then took a slight bow," Very well. Only will I take her hand as a friend. Nothing more." He said.
Lei nodded," Very well, I shall now take my leave then. Good night to you. Captain." He left without another word.
Zaha disrobed himself and lay down on his bed. And thought of Cinnamon. Another flashback went through his mind. He had not always gotten along with Cinnamon. There was a time, where she insulted him and they argued...
flashback...
"I mean it, Zaha. Cinnamon may be the one for you. Think about, you were the one to catch her, you were the first one she saw. You took it upon your own to carry her in your arms. And let her wear your treasured cloak. However perhaps now that it has been around her body, it may be even more treasured."Millefullie mused.
Zaha paused and looked at Millefullie." How dare you say such things.Do you not respect your commander?" He hissed.
"Forgive me Zaha. You seem to be already fond of..." He paused, as they finally reached the dinning hall." Forgive us, our delay." Said Millefullie, he took at seat right by Onion, who sat by Cinnamon.
"Red wine Master Torte?" One of the servants asked the moment Zaha sat down.
"Please. And bring me a bottle of wild cherry wine, and a single glass. Thank you." Zaha requested.
"If it pleases master Torte." The servant departed.
" Feeling a little eager to drink yourself into oblivain tonight, Zaha," mused Chiffon.
"You know with all do respect Captian, you may want to wait until later to get exessively enebrated." Recammened Big Mama.
"I do not plan on getting drunk. Tomarrow is a battle, and I simply wish to satisfy myself with drink. Simple as that." Zaha explained," Wine is not enough to enebrate my body, not one bottle alone least ways."
Cinnamon's eyes widened with panic," Battle? We are going into...battle?" She asked.
" Fear not, Cinnamon. For Captain Torte will watch out for you." Said Big Mama. " The blade I have for you is enchanted and will do well in battle. Your fighting skills will come as instinct I can promise you this."
Cinnamon nodded and picked up her fork. About ready to take a bite of her food when Zaha cut in with a warning," Need I remind lady Cinnamon that she can not eat. Or drink."
"What?" Asked Cinnamon.
" Yes, seeing as how you lack the complete female anatomy, your body can not digest provisions."
"It is alright, Zaha. Cinnamon can, it all dissolves upon reaching the end of her stomach. There for there will be nothing for her to release." Explained Big Mama.
Cinnamon smiled and took the opportunity to eat. She took a sip of her wine. And then Millefullie asked her a very bold question. A question, that made Zaha reach for his sword," Might I ask you something? When you were alone with Zaha Torte, early, did her try to or tell you anything?"
Cinnamon, as of did not understand where he was coming from stared confused at him then looked at Zaha's angry expression." No, he only told me his name and said that I...would be safe and happy here." She said softly. Then looked back at Zaha, his anger seemed to have subsidded.
" Zaha, please inform Cinnamon of her duties." Requested Big Mama.
"As you wish," He paused and turned to Cinnamon," You will be fighting for and protecting she who is closest to God.Big Mama she is. Whenever she is threatened you are to be there to protect her. Even if your life will be at risk."
By the tone of Zaha's voice as he spoke of Big Mama, she could tell he was not fond of the Holy Mother." And what may I ask, have you done to serve the Holy Mother, Captain?" Cinnamon asked.
Zaha took a quick sip of red wine and answered." I have done more for her then you could imagine. I have bleed for her more then anyone else..."He paused and glanced around at his Haz Knights."...I must apologize if I seem rude to you, but..."
Cinnamon cut him off," No need to ask for forgiveness, after all you, being the strongest,makes you a dumb brute. " Zaha looked at her upon hearing this and glared," A man who thinks of only himself and no other."
"You will hold your tongue or I will remove it for you." Zaha growled between his teeth." Just because you are an unsexed creature, new and naive, still doesn't mean that you can talk down to me, woman."
Un sexed? What a scoundral! " If you had one emotion hidden underneath all that black...body of yours, then you would understand. I am not here for pleasure. Not for your's at least. If you even have a male organ." She said curtly.
Big Mama paused in eating and glanced up at Zaha, who stood and Cinnamon did the same to meet his dark gaze. Before Zaha drew his sword, changed his mind," If you would all excuse me. I need to ready myself for the journey tomorrow."
Cinnamon watched as he left and she slowly sat back down," I am sorry that you heard me say those..."
"That is quite alright, Cinnamon." Said Big Mama.
"Yes, you may be right. Captain Zaha may be a dumb Brute." Chuckled Onion.
"Indeed. However do not expect him to come to your rescue when it is required." Added Chiffon.
Cinnamon nodded," I understand. I will not be in need of his help anyway." She said, and continued to eat. ' That man...ooohhh he makes me so...ughh just the thought of him makes me want to...but why am I thinking about him?' Cinnamon asked in her mind.
End Flashback...
Zaha turned over in the bed. Finding it hard to sleep. Because he thought of her. Cinnamon Tea. And then what he would do with Jessica. He was in love with Cinnamon. No one else. And he wanted only her. And then he sat up. And wondered, half naked as before, over to his desk. And sat down, staring at Cinnamon's helmet. Carefully. ' You could have adapted.' he thought to himself. ' Cinnamon, you did not have to risk yourself. Not this way.'
" Too late this evening." Millefullie's voice made Zaha turn around. Millefullie leaned against the doorway." I thought you would be asleep by now."
Zaha shook his head." I can not. Cinnamon is all I can think of right now." He said softly. Standing he wrapped his cloak around himself." What are you doing here, Millefullie?"
Millefullie shut the door behind him," Whilst you were away this afternoon. I spoke to Cinnamon's friend, Guesta. He said that Cinnamon once spoke of you, highly. As if she had known you. And then one day she knew nothing of you, nothing of us. "
" I do not expect her to. Millefullie she and I are meant to be." Zaha started.
"I know. Big Mama told me, and I respect you for that. You are to loose it all when your son is conceved. For at least four years of happieness. To have a wife, two daughters..."
"...to know that they will be lost to me...I can not bear it. But I am in love with Cinnamon. Perhaps I can stop it. Her death." Zaha mused.
Millefullie shook his head," It will not help you to pretend, Zaha. What is meant to happen, will."
"I know. But there has to be some other way, Millefullie."Again, Millefullie only shook his head.
Zaha glared up at Millefullie for a moment. Then stood and moved to the window. He closed his eyes. Holding the collar of his cloak tightier. Keeping his body covered.
"It's not fair!" Zaha abruptly heard, though his bedroom wall. It was Jessica. Whinning to Eliza, who slowly combed her mistress's hair.
"Well, what do you expect, a Haz Knight comes and being the whore Cinnamon is throws herself at him." Eliza said.
" But he was suppose to marry me!" Jessica snapped.
Eliza nodded and placed down the brush," Perhaps you did not come onto him enough as Cinnamon did, I heard that the silly girl has already brought him pleasure. And he has paid her."
"Like some common camp follower." Jessica spat. " I am far more prettier than that pig smelling girl!"
"Yes. I know. " Eliza said." If you would like I could keep my eye on them." She offered.
"No." Jessica hissed. And stood from her vanity table.Making her way to her bed." I'll just make sure Cinnamon doesn't go near him."
Eliza placed down the bowl of water she carried," What will you do?"
" Send her alone in the dark Mage's woods. "
" You...are willing to harm Cinnamon?" Eliza asked with concern." But...she..."
"What? Are you thinking of going for the captain as well?"
"..n...no...I just...nothing...I shall see to it ma'lady that your milk is warmed for you." She said, with a slight bow taking her leave.
Zaha rolled his eyes," Millefullie. Do me a favor...please..."
As if Millefullie knew exactly what Zaha was going to ask of him. He nodded," I shall spend time with her, hopefully she will fancy me." He said.
"Thank you, Millefullie." Zaha said and bid his dear comrade good night. As Zaha lay staring up at his ceiling again. He had a light smile on his face. He thought of Cinnamon when she was wet. Wenting swimming in the water earlier that day. And how the water dripped off her fair cheeks. Her lips, so red and her smile kind. And. then, he felt his manhood rise. He sighed and sat up slightly. He reached his hand down and slowly stroked it. Wishing it was Cinnamon's hand. But he thought of her. When he had seen her in the corn feild. Her beautiful singing voice.All of it. All of her...
Flashback...
Zaha lay half naked on his large bed, staring up at the ceiling. His mind traveling in all directions. And then SHE, came into his mind."Damn it!" he cursed sitting up in his bed. Just the thought of that Cinnamon and her out of turn driving mouth, drove him crazy. For a moment he was calm, as he rested his chin upon his right knee, the one that was not outstreched. And sighed.
" What is wrong with me." Zaha asked himself.
At the same moment, Cinnamon tossed and turned in her bed. And finally sat up." Ohh...that knight makes me so...
"...angry..." Zaha finished his own statment," She is nothing more then..."
"...a piss bucket of a pig that spent weeks rotting..." Cinnamon carried on.
"...in dog shit...her and that blonde hair and..."
"...his purple...girly eyes..." Cinnamon walked around back and forth in her room.
"...her and that weak vocabulary and..."
" ...his rude tongue...makes me just want to..."
"...stick my own nuts in a bear trap...and I would rather tear out my own brain..."
"Then think of that Knight anymore." Both said in unison. In seperate rooms of course. Zaha poured himself a brandy and stood there by his liqiour cabnet for a second."...I know...so I will not have to think of her any more..."
"...sneak out of my room...go into his...and..."
"...knock her little teeth in..."
Cinnamon smirked and dressed in a long light blue silk night gown, covered over by a long silk white robe. Her long hair hung brushed passed her shoulders.
While Zaha threw on his long black cloak, and he made his way to Cinnamon's room. She opened her door and surprise, Zaha stood there. His expressed turned from annoyance to shock." What do you want!" Cinnamon asked curtly.
Zaha shook off the beauty he saw before him and returned her comment." I was just coming to inform you that I always get the tub in the morning." He growled.
" And I care why?"
"I thought I would tell you so you don't face my wrath,"
"Ha! What wrath? You couldn't show any one your wrath if your life depended on it...Zaha." She spat. " Now go away so I can get some sleep." She said snootly. And shut the door," That man!" She hissed.
Zaha clutched his hands tightly and slammed his bedroom door," That damned woman!" He growled. Throwing off his cloak." Thinks she's a Queen or something. Damn it!" He threw himself back into his bed.
"You know, Millefullie." Started Big Mama, as she and Millefullie knew what was going on.
"What Holy Mother?"
" They act as if they hate eachother, but you can tell that...:"
"...they truly want one another." Millefullie continued. Big Mama looked at him and nodded in agreement.
" Tomorrow will make them see eye to eye." Big Mama said, with a calm smile.
By early morning, Cinnamon seemed already used to her new life. As she just yawned and walked into the bathing room without thinking. She opened her drowzy eyes and saw Zaha, wet, with only a towel wrapped around his waist. He was angry." What the hell are you doing!"
"Huh?" She opened her eyes all the way and saw his wet body with scars from battle in various parts of his body. his fine toned chest.
" Get out!" He demanded.
"What?" Finally Cinnamon got her mind back," No! This is my bathroom too, Zaha! You let me in the tub! That is if you already haven't used up all the hot water!"
Zaha threw back his wet black hair and saw her hair, all messed up, some of it stuck up, and her make up from last night had smeared, he chuckled.
"What is so funny?"
"You know your make up does wonders for your pretty little face." Zaha said with a surpressed laugh.
"Well...your...hair makes you look like a girl! You probubly are." She said, sticking her tongue out at him.
" Don't make me prove it to you, that I am a man." He hissed. Cinnamon laughed and mocked him, by making faces and repeating his statement. Zaha growled," Very well." And he dropped his towel. Exposing his manhood. Cinnamon's eyes widened in shock. Zaha qiuckly wrapped his towel back around his waist. He noticed Cinnamon had dropped her soap, shampoo, and Venus leg shaver . And Cinnamon realized this too. And quickly picked up her things.
" You are an arrogant man." Cinnamon said curtly.
Zaha rolled his eyes and headed towards the door." Good to know. I'll keep it in mind. Tub is yours." All he had said, and he left her alone...
Zaha thought of those couple times as he sat comfortable in the bath tub the very next morning. He had a slight smile on his face.And then he heard a knock at the bathroon door. He felt Her presence. And he smiled.