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Part 14

"Come now, come now. Drink this...sit up, come on." A man's voice pulled, and sat me up straight. My eyes stung aswell as every other part of my body. My head felt like a large volvano ready to errupt. A cool glass touched my lips, and a sweet-honey tasting liquid washed over my tongue. I felt dizzy, and fell down back onto whatever had supported my sleep.

The liquid fell on my chest, the warmness actually feeling good. "Oh damnit! Hang on..don't move." The man got up from beside me, and soon I felt a soft cloth wiping the liquid away. My eyes shot open, and I pulled back a bit. The man had a long black shag and bright, kind brown eyes. He looked only a few years older than I.

"W-who..are you?" I managed to mumble out.

"My name is Andrew Harth...and you, miss, need to settle back down." He put his hands on one of my shoulders, and easily pushed me back against a large brown pillow. I looked up at him confused and unsure - until I noticed my lack of clothing. I nearly screamed and balled up, my knees to my chest.

He let out a laugh. "There there, miss. Don't lose your nerve. I..don't really, er...fancy your kind, uhm so to say..." His cheeks flushed a slight pink, and I just stared. I had never met a man who fancied other men. He went on, "The clothes you were wearing were smothered in the blood of theives..I had to remove them..the stench was terrible!"

I laughed a bit, then released my knees and sat nude, infront of him. I checked his breetches for any sight of a buldge, and was relieved to find none. He indeed, did not fancy breasts and such. "What is this place?" I asked after awhile, looking around his little cot.

The walls were made of upright trees, put together with hardened mud. A tiny stove rested against a small wooden table at the end of the room. I discovered the thing I had been resting on was infact a small bed with a stringy quilt.

"It's a home, I suppose. Lost all I had in a fire, down yonder. Family died...left me alone...I made this here place, to stay away from other villagers..." His gaze wandered off. I didn't ask anymore questions, but instead told him of my travels.

Andrew listened intently, and only took his focus away once to get us some more herbal tea. It felt good going down my throat, warming my insides. It had been awhile since I had any proper food, and my stomach showed this. It grumbled embarrasingly and I tried to conceal it by wrapping my arms around, but it never worked.

Andrew looked at me worriedly. He had already taken a fathering role towards me. "My dear, when was the last time you ate?"

I tried to think. I hadn't eaten since the last time I saw my kingdom. Was it so long that I had been taken away? Two or three days at the most. "I'm not quite sure, Andrew. Perhaps a few days?" I looked down at my stomach. "I am a bit hungry, though." I added.

He smiled and got up to the end of the room. He came back carrying little biscuits. "Here now, eat some. They're best served with some tufts of curry, but I haven't gotten me any in awhile."

I took them and greedily swallowed down four.

"Who were those men?" I asked cautiously, picking up a twig to tap on oncoming trees. Andrew and I were walking along the forest pathway, in the early morning of an apparent Tuesday. "And what would they want with me?"

Andrew slung an arm around my shoulder. "My dear, nothing you want to know about, that's for darn sure..." His arm tightened. "Damn hoolaguns, thinking they can have any pretty little thing their dirty fingers desire...it makes me sick."

"It's alright, Andrew!" I assured him, slipping away a little from under his grasp. "I'm quite alright. But I fear I must be going...heading back, I mean...but.."

"Where in God's name would you go, darlin'?" He let out a mocking chuckle. "I don't think that wagon is going back your way...and from what you've told me, your castle there dearie, is not quite the home anymore, mm?"

I put my head down and threw the twig away. It landed in a bush. "I-I'll go wherever I want to! I'll be just fine on my own..." Quickly I turned to him and gripped his hand. "I thank you for your kindness and compassion, but now I'm going to part. Thank you, again..." I could feel his worried stutters and wuick movements, so I began to quicken my pace. He was large and bulky, with clumsy feet. He could not catch me even if he tried.

Soon I came to a clearing, with a large field that went on for miles. I decided I would rest there for the night.

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Part 15

"She's where!" Alexander's voice boomed across the dining hall. He was seated along the long wooden table, the breakfast warm and still boiling hot. The King and Queen looked at him, and his Father gave him a dissapproving look, but went back to his hardboiled eggs. Alexander stood up and faced Isabel. "What do you mean, sold?"

Isabel put the bowl of biscuits down. "Sir, I don't know where they took her!" She nearly began to cry. "All I know is she is gone, and she's not-coming-back!" Turning on her heel, she ran out of the room.

Alexander looked across the table, where his mother was glowering up at him. He set his napkin down, and pulled his tunic tighter around his shoulders. "Mother, m'Lord, m'Lady, excuse me."

The sun was straight in my eyes but kept my skin warm. Thankfully it hadn't rained, which would have ruined my sleep. I had gotten plently of rest which prepared me for the journey ahead. I realized then that no one knew where I was, nor how to get to me. How could they?

My mind began to spin. 'Do they know where I am? Am I lost? I have no food...or water...or shelter...I should have stayed with Andrew...where am I?' I gripped my head and pulled my knees up to my chest. I was alone...

After I had gotten over myself, I stood up and looked around. The field was beautiful, tall stocks and reeds blowing slightly in the wind. I took a stock and peeled off a long strand, to use as a hair tie. My hair had fallen out during the attacks, and was now straggling down my back. As I was braiding it behind my ears, I caught a whiff of myself. It was quite unpleasant, and I was glad I was the only one for miles. I decided right then and there I had to find a water hole of some sort.

Slowly I made my way through the field, coming across a large forest. I was desperate to find a pond or waterhole, I stepped right in. It was good to get the sun off my back for a bit, anyway. Ducking brances left and right, I cut my skin many times from oncoming twigs that stuck out like knives. Finally I came into a clearing, and nearly fell over breathless at the sight.

"Goodness.." I breathed. A bit ahead I could see a beautiful waterful, with large stones and wet mossy rocks creeping it's way down the hill. Ivy was crawling up what seemed to be large pillars, rotting and breaking in some places. It looked like an abandonded castle of some sort. Very small, of course.

I felt my legs beginning to pick up their pace, and eventually my body followed. I couldn't control my hands as they quickly stripped my body of the ratty dress I still wore. I embraced the feeling of my own nakedness, and began to giggle in spite of myself. As I got to the edge of the waterpool, I splashed a bit over my toes. The water was cold, but refreshing. I slowly began to step in, the water reminding me of the few maids who had bathed me. They were so careful and soft with my skin, so delicate. 'If only I could feel that way again...' I sighed.

As I ran my fingers over my arms and thighs, I remembered Alexander. He had been so cross with me, but he was such a magnificent kisser. I had never been kissed properly until him. I lay back in the water and remembered his touch. Carefully I placed my hand over my chest and cupped my breast. I hadn't remembered them being so heavy. 'Perhaps I have grown?' I giggled to myself.

I closed my eyes and began to daydream, slowly letting the water wash over me.

Alexander rode powerstrode on his horse, gripping the straps tightly in his hands. His back was arched over as he rode, pushing the creature to it's maximum degree. He knew that he had to get to Kyla soon, before something terrible might happen. He knew after 2 days she could already be dead. He banished the thought, and drove harder.

Soon he came to the same field that Kyla had been in just a few nights ago. He of course, did not know of this, and passed by it quickly.

"Swift my friend, I am afraid it has come time for our departure..." Alexander whispered into his horse's mane of ravendark hair. He had come to the forest's edge, and did not dare take Swift through the tangled mess of weeds and vines. He undid the halter, and patted Swift's carved back, massaging his tired muscles. "Off you go Swift...off you go..." He gave a little swat to Swift's bum, which send the horse galloping off into a frenzy.

Alexander sighed as he looked at the task ahead of him. He drew his sword, and began to tear his way through the thick bush.

Twisting a small vine around the bottom of my braid, I tried to scan the area for something warm. I was sitting on a rock, my naked body dripping down it's hard and moist surface. The sun was nearly gone, and the nightfall was near to come.

"Oh!" I smiled, getting up to a little beige bush. It had twigs full of bright red berries, shining so deliciously at me. "Mmm..." I mumbled, as I began to plunk them into my mouth. I hoped they were not poisonus, foolishly I had not thought of that. I did not care anymore though, I was as good as dead anyway, alone and unknown.

My meal was interrupted by a sound in the distance. I grabbed my clothes and ran to hide behind a larger rock. Listening carefully, I made sure not to make a noise.

"Kyla...Lady KYLA!"

I blinked, and swallowed hard. Was I hallucinating? 'Perhaps those berries were drugged...' I thought to myself, still not making movement. The voice came closer, and I saw a figure not too far into the distance, proving I wasn't dreaming.

"Kyla! Oh Kyla where are you! Goddamnit!" Came a fusturating call. The figure slowly made it's way towards my rock, his body familiar now. Alexander.

I stayed where I was, suddenly urges of girlishness flooding into my veins. His boots were right beside me now. My hands crept along the mossy ground, and found the ankle of the swede. I gave a hard yank, and Alexander came crashing down - sword drawn now. I let out a scream and then a giggle.

"My lord! Why are thou frightened?" My giggles came back and I covered my mouth politely. "I did not scare you, did I?"

Alexander sat there, the sword still aimed at my heart. His eyes did not waver from mine. "Kyla...oh good Lord Kyla! Where? What? Oh god I'm so sorry...I'm so sorry...if I would have known, I wou-" He stopped as he noticed my apperance. He instantly turned away.

I was confused at first, until I realized why he was embarassed. I had still not put my clothes on, and was sitting infront of the Prince in the nude. "Oh goodness..oh Sir Alexander I apoligize..just...give me a moment...er..." I scrambelled to find my skirt and blouse, which were terribly torn and battered. I shoved my arms through the sleeves and stepped into the skirt quickly. "I..I was having a bath.." I explained, motioning towards the waterhole.

Alexander turned around again, and nodded, still not saying a word.

"I'm sorry." I apoligized once more, lowering my head.

"It is fine...I'm just..glad you're alright.." He bit his lip, a very different look for him. He leaned forward and kissed my forehead. "Very glad..." This made me feel a bit better. He took my hand, and pulled me close to his chest. "I'll never lose you again, Kyla. I promise."