INTERMEZZO THREE

If a forest is quiet, there is something wrong.

Of course, it will never be silent. There will always be a creature creeping from tree to tree. There will always be an ominous hum from the natural world. Never is there a time when the rippling river is nowhere to be heard.

Despite all this, some can sense a silence. It succumbs to the senses, more powerful than any wind. It rebounds off the walls of the mind. It sees, it hears, it feels. The silence is not one of sound...but of an ability deep within, that only some can detect.

She was right to be suspicious. But she was wrong to ignore the eagle sense inside her.

The woman walked along the valley's edge, dodging the bushes dotted around. She wore a rough white blouse, man's breeches and worn boots. A bulk under her belt and long hair that fell over her face said she was hiding something. She had nothing to fear, or at least...so she thought. Her strides were determined, but they seemed weak for a woman of her supposed strength. This did not stop her. She had to reach the village before sunrise.

Indeed, sunrise was nearly upon her. Rays of light threw their arms to the forest, begging to be seen. The woman ignored them. She ignored everything. Even when a bird's wings were beating faster than her heart, she blocked out her own senses. It was in her nature to block it out.

As she ambled past a tree, a gloved hand reached out behind. Before she could react, the leather flashed before her eyes and gripped her by the cheekbone. She tried to yelp, but her mouth was clamped shut. Her attacker swung her round. The woman's heart raced as she writhed. The red sleeve and glove was all she could see.

"Now!"

More footsteps echoed from behind the tree; more hands snatched at her blouse like piranas. In her struggles for breath, sight and movement, the woman reached to the bulk below her shirt...and pulled out her knife. Blindly, she lashed out at any flesh that came close. She felt the blade sink deep into a muscle which was not hers. Men's voices yelped and shouted; the woman shook herself free. When her terrified eyes were open, they grew ferocious. She eyed her four attackers in a split second. One wailed, clutching a bleeding shoulder. Others stood flexing their fingers. They were ready to strike. So was she: the woman knew all of these men. She loathed them with all her racing heart. She knew not how they found her, but she was wise enough to step back.

While she recovered from her shock, the youngest cloaked man tore forth, fist raised. She deflected it, pushing his hand back. The man tried again, this time striking her hard across the cheek. The woman cried out in pain. But while blood dripped from her skin, she still bared her teeth like a wolf. The young man's hand whipped towards the hilt of his sword...

"No, Thomas! We want her alive!"

This confused her, but the girl had no time to think. She kicked at his stomach, and again at his chest. But before she could deliver the final blow, another two men sprung forth. They each gripped one arm and hurled her up against the tree. The Mohawk yelped, her head bleeding on the bark. Adrenaline raced through her veins like icicles. She couldn't hold them all off, surely?

No time to think. Another hand tried to hold her head still. She shook herself free once more, only to be thrashed against the bark again. Her head was becoming dizzy. Her lungs were closing over. Why was nobody hearing this? The village was not far! Why would nobody come and help? She would have to make some noise.

"Get off me!" she screamed violently. She was almost blinded as hands came on top of her; suffocating her...the moans of the man in pain were not far off. The shouts of her attackers were muskets in her ear. She continued her barbaric battle cry. She blinked the tears from her eyes; ignored her blurring vision; her throbbing wounds...

"Benjamin! The cloth!" one of them barked.

Suddenly a piece of material was thrust on her nose. Through the blood and panic she could smell its fumes choking her. She tried to cough the strong scent away. She couldn't. As it travelled down her throat, her head became dizzier. The trees above were spinning. Half a dozen hands began to blur. The colours of their coats merged into one, indistinguishable shade. Her muscles began to turn numb. Her mind screamed in protest; to stay awake. But she could feel herself falling against the bark. Her eyelids drooped...and everything turned to blackout.

The forest had never seen an ambush so sudden. But as the men limped away, hoisting the woman over a horse...all evidence seemed to disappear. The birds and the creatures returned. The river's distant whisper was heard again. The sun stretched to its full height...and shone on a small pool of crimson on the ground. Already, the evidence was drying. There was nothing to suggest any such thing had happened.

Never trust a tense forest. Who knows what might have happened there.

And that marks the end of part 1, folks! I know it was short, and not so sweet...are you ready for part 2? Hope so! Hope you enjoyed not only this chapter, but all of part 1! Thanks for being such an amazing and encouraging audience!