It's that time again! Update Wednesday!
Today's chapter is dedicated to:
Little Country Dragon:
Yay! Another new reviewer!
Yes, yes, I know, y'all want Jack back, but he doesn't fit back into the story yet, so…yeah. No! Anything but the eyes. Must…resist…the…eyes…. make them stop!
Nautical assignment:Um… sail maker! That's what a ship needs, but what a ship is… is freedom.
Sarah-K-O-M: My most faithful reviewer! A great big thanks to you! (HUG) And see where politeness gets you?
The knights of Nee demand a sacrifice!
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She was tired no exhausted. And yet she couldn't sleep. Fear kept her awake. Every nocturnal sound and movement was another reason to stay awake and alert. Giving up on sleep Katrina sat up, pulling her knees to her chest and wrapping her arms around them resting her chin on her knees and staring straight forward, her mind restlessly working.
What will I do? No where to go. Too dark to go anywhere right now anyway…
You could be in the Caribbean. A voice reasoned.
But then I would have to live the lie that I was well born, and I'm not. I refuse to live a lie.
You could have a soft bed in a warm house.
And live a lie.
Have many pretty dresses, more friends like Briony…
"Stop it, stop it, I must be going crazy, arguing with myself." Exasperated, she ran her hand though her hair. Resolutely she set her mind back to the problem at hand; what to do. She was so tired, if she just rested her eyes a moment…
Next thing she knew she was startled by a distant crash. The sun was just breaking over the horizon. The crashing was coming closer.
"I know yer out 'ere poppet!" an all too familiar voice called.
No! Katrina's mind screamed. She moved stealthily to a better hiding place behind some close growing trees, the narrow spaces between them allowing for glimpses of the forest beyond them.
"Ye caused quite a bit o' trouble. Ye an' tha' lil whore Fleur." He was saying conversationally. "Ye can hear me, canna ye? Couldn't believe me eyes last ni'. 'Ere halfway 'round th' world be our lil Trina. Who whoulda guessed?" He sounded closer. "Ye need not worry, I'll not be takin' ye back to Madame, no, I be wantin' ye all for meself."
Katrina could see him prowling about not eight feet from where she hid. She fought to control her breathing, her heart was beating so loud and wildly she was sure he could hear it. He looked directly at the tree she was hiding behind. Involuntarily Katrina backed up a step, nearly blundering over a dead branch.
"'Ello poppet." His grin was victorious.
Katrina scrambled to her feet as he rounded the trees. "Ye do as yer told and I might just be nice to ye." He said advancing towards her.
Suddenly Katrina thrust the branch towards his stomach, hearing a satisfying whoosh of air, she swung it towards his head. He roared in pain and rage. But Katrina was already off running, she could hear him thundering behind her.
Katrina ran until she thought her lungs would burst. She abruptly changed course and dashed behind a large tree just to her left, her intuition kicking in.
Riley charged right past, only to stop still a few yards from Katrina's hiding place.
"You are trespassing, young sir." Katrina heard a new voice say.
Curious, Katrina peeked around the edge of the trunk. Riley was standing, hands up, at the unfriendly end of a rifle which was held by a well dressed middle aged man sitting on a fine horse.
"Beg pardon, govn'r." Riley's voice shook. "Didna mean no 'arm."
"What are you doing here?" the man's demanded. Cocking back the hammer.
"Jus' lookin' for me lil sister, govn'r." Riley was now visibly shaking.
"I do not appreciate or tolerate liars." The man glowered. "I suggest you leave, now." His tone of voice allowed no room for augment.
Carefully, so that his movements would not be misinterpreted, Riley turned around and started walking away, moving a little faster with each step.
The man watched his figure move away, the rifle following every movement until the it was out of sight, and the noise of running had faded away.
The man sighed, uncocked his gun, sliding it back into its holster attached to his saddle.
"You can come out now, miss." He commented, his voice void of all menacing hostility. "He's gone now. He won't be coming back, that cad was a coward."
There were a few moments where nothing happened.
"Come, now child. I won't hurt you, on my word as a gentleman."
Slowly, Katrina stepped forward, her head slightly bent.
"Well, now, it seems you need a place to stay."
"Yes, sir." Katrina glanced up somewhat suspiciously.
"Tell me, do you know how to cook or clean?"
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Hmm, not satisfied with that last line…
Important notification! Next week will be void of an update, mid terms you see, and I must study like a mad woman.
Oh, and by the way, I was thinking of changing the title… any suggestions? Or should I just keep it as it is?
Reviews are as good as Italian ice!