The two men in black sat on the far side. The one with the cloak sat silent and still, the hood still shielding his face. The other had an amused expression though his dark eyes were alert, waiting, measuring. She had the feeling he missed very little. Whatever had happened while she'd slept, it didn't seem to be good.
"I lost it all..." Rayben whispered.
"Damn right you did," Con shouted. "You've ruined us."
"And you still owe them." Knot nodded at the two men. "You can't even fulfill your last bet."
Dani bit her lip. It would appear for the first time her father had failed in his plans. Instead of stealing from the newcomers, he himself had been fleeced. She couldn't prevent a small smile which she quickly hid behind her hand.
"Indeed?" The blond with the shiny boots spoke. "You cannot pay the two thousand credits owed?"
Her eyes widened. Two thousand credits was a princely sum, one she'd never seen in her life. How could her uncle have done this? What would have possessed him to make such a wager?
"Surely we can come to some arrangement-" Con began.
The man shook his blond head. "'Tis the credits or your life." He shrugged but Dani didn't miss the glitter in his eyes. Her heart sped as she leaned forward.
"I have one possession worth what you ask." Con licked his lips. "If you'll allow me to retrieve it."
The blond glanced at the hooded man who gave a slow nod. A trickle of unease ran down her back as Con lumbered to his feet. What could he have that was worth such a sum? Dani was familiar with every possession packed in the spindly wagon and knew there was nothing of such value.
"Where are you, girl?" he hissed.
Dani released her grip on the ragged blanket and started to scoot out from underneath the wagon.
"What-"
A strong fleshy hand wrapped around her ankle and yanked her from her secluded hideout. She grunted as her shift slid up and the rocks and coarse grass dug into the skin of her buttocks and thighs. She grabbed the hem and tugged it down as Con hauled her to her feet.
"I need you."
"For what?"
"Hush." He turned and dragged her toward the fire.
Eyes down, she stumbled in his bruising grip, her heart in her throat.
"My slave." Con shoved her onto her knees directly across from the men in black. "She's worth far more than the debt at stake and she's mine to do with what I will."
Dani's head came up. Did her father just offer her to cover his debts? While her flesh and blood had been nothing but a burden to her, she'd never dreamed he'd sell her to the highest bidder as he had Nova. Her sister had been beautiful while she was...just Dani. No man would want her.
Through the flickering flames, the blond stared at her, a revolted expression on his face. Whether it was she or the recent turn in events that repulsed him she didn't know, but she shook Con's proprietary hand off her shoulder and straightened her spine. Damned if she would cower beneath the gaze of the strangers.
"Hey now," Knot objected. "She's a fresh piece and I want first dibs on her."
Dani cringed as his stubby fingers landed on her arm, squeezing her flesh. The stench of cheap ale and rancid tobacco assailed her. She'd die before she would submit to any man, but Knot? Not while there was life left in her body.
"Doesn't appear she's thrilled with that idea," the blond man drawled.
Con reached over and removed Knot's hand. "She's payment for my debt. Unless you can produce two thousand credits, keep your hands to yourself."
"One roll for the whole wager," the blond said to Knot.
Knot looked at her and licked his lips. "One roll, for everything?"
The blond nodded and his partner remained silent.
"Even the girl?" Dar asked.
"She's part of the prize, is she not?" The blond shrugged.
"Aye-"
"Nay," Dani cried out.
"Hush."
Con swiped at her but she moved too slowly. His knuckles caught her lip and she tasted blood. She fell sideways and tried to scramble away on her hands and knees. Someone grabbed the chain around her ankle and yanked, sending her face down on the ground. Raucous laughter erupted as her tormentor hauled on the chain, pulling her back toward the fire.
Her nails dug into the cold earth as she tried to prevent her return. Her shift caught on the grass, and before she could stop it, her backside was exposed to the cold night air.
"Now there's a sight," Dar roared.
"Aye, and I think I'll take a taste now." Knot's voice sounded over her head. The flat of a hand smacked against her backside, then gave her a squeeze, eliciting a shriek from her.
Humiliated, Dani struggled to get away as tears stung her eyes.
"Leave her." The quiet command brought the other men to a standstill.
Taking advantage of her freedom, Dani scrambled as far as the chain would allow. She drew her knees up and pulled down the shift to cover as much of her body as possible. Her buttocks ached where Knot had hit her and her pride stung even more.
Across the fire, the hooded one stood in the shadows. No doubt he was the one who'd spoken.
"Finish the game," he spoke to his companion. "Then let's be on our way. We have far to journey before daylight breaks."
Rayben reached for the leather cup and the scattered dice. After collecting them, he shook the cup before he spilled the dice into the packed dirt.
Against her will, Dani scrambled to her knees, eyes straining to see the marks on the squares of carved bone.
Seven.
She shot a look at her father's stoic face where he stood over his brother's shoulder. She knew he didn't care one whit what happened to her, but he'd care the moment he had to prepare his own meals. By then it would be too late.
Rayben gathered the dice with a shaky hand before he passed them to Knot. Dar snatched the cup away from Knot, then quickly shook and tossed them onto the ground.
Fifteen.
Knot gave a delighted chuckle, then blew her a kiss as he rubbed his crotch. Her stomach rolled and she averted her gaze.
The blond man leaned forward, the firelight streaking his shiny hair with gold. With an easy grace he scooped the dice into the cup and shook it. He glanced over his shoulder at his silent companion before he tossed the dice with a flourish.
Dani rose to her feet, leaning forward to peer over the fire and behold her fate.
Seventeen.
They'd won. Stunned, she looked at the blond man then the hooded figure. A shiver ran down her back at the thought of being at the mercy of these two.
"I want the girl." Dar rose from the ground and adjusted his belt over his substantial belly. "How much for her?"
The blond looked at her then at his silent friend and, though not a word was spoken, some sort of silent communication passed between the men. The blond nodded. "Girl, what's your name?" he asked.
She clutched her ragged dress to her chest, desperate to retain even the slightest shred of dignity. "Dani. My name is Dani."
"Well, Dani, what would you like to do? Stay here with these men?" He waved his hand to indicate her family and the recent additions. "Or travel south a piece with us?"
She glanced at her stoic father. If she remained with him he would no doubt sell her again, possibly even to Knot and Dar who'd use her as a whore. Of that there was no doubt in her mind.
She looked at the blond and his silent friend. She didn't know what they offered for the future. Would they kill her and leave her body by the road? Would they sell her again? Whatever the outcome, the choice was hers. For the first time in her life, Dani felt the heady anticipation of the unknown.
Mustering her courage, she nodded. "I'll go with you. I should like to travel south."
The hooded one turned away toward his horse as if her answer were of no concern. The blond rose from his seat on the ground and stretched his long body. "Prepare yourself as we'll leave shortly." He too turned to attend his horse.
Dani scrambled for
the wagon, eager to grab her meager possessions and escape. The chain hampered her gait but she managed to grab her tattered mat, blanket and the small wooden box that contained all she owned in the world.
"Remove the chain from her leg," the hooded one spoke.
Con crossed his arms over his chest, a smirk on his face. "I no longer have the key."
The hooded one glanced at his companion before he slid off his horse. His fur-lined cape flared as he stalked toward Dani. She tightened her grip around the box as fear ignited in her belly.
I will show no fear...I will show no fear...
As he stalked past Knot, his elbow shot out and he knocked the drunken sot onto his backside with barely a movement. He withdrew a long gleaming sword.
Would he kill her rather than take her along?
I will show no fear...I will show no fear...
Dani squared her shoulders. She'd be damned before she'd show fear to this creature. Kill her or not, she'd not quiver before him.
He paused ever so slightly and she had the feeling he was assessing her. For a moment they stood facing each other, each measuring the other's worth. He shoved the hood from his face and she was struck by the sheer magnetism he possessed. Hooded eyes regarded her from beneath his dark brows. Carved masculine cheekbones and a sharp nose gave him an intelligent look, but his mouth gave him away. Thin lipped, the bottom slightly fuller than the top, they twitched as if he were trying hard not to smile.
Dani felt that he must have approved of her as he didn't remove her head from her shoulders. With a swift downward stroke he severed the chain that bound her to the wagon and her miserable life. He returned to his horse, not waiting for her to follow.
"You'll ride with me, little one." The blond held out his hand and slid his foot from the stirrup so she might use it.
Dani eyed the massive horse with misgiving. She'd never ridden a horse before, but she'd bite off her tongue before she'd admit it. Before she could move, hands grasped her hips and lifted her high onto the horse. She clutched her belongings as she tried to find her seat.
"Grip with your knees and put your stuff in front of you." The cloaked one spoke in her ear, his big hands spanning her waist.
Hands trembling, Dani laid the mat and blanket across her lap and tucked the chest into her belly. Just as her hands latched onto the blond's waist, he wheeled the horse and they moved into the woods. She couldn't resist looking over her shoulder one last time.
Her father was staring into the darkness away from her. Rayben stood beside him, staring into the fire. Knot was rising from the ground, a murderous expression on his face as he glared at the hooded one who was mounting his horse. Dar picked up the jug of ale and hefted it in her direction as if to salute her on her way.
She turned away and fixed her gaze on the stars over the blond's right shoulder. Never again would she allow herself to look back when there was a new life before her.
* * *
Excerpt from "Paradox II"
BY ROSEMARY LAUREY AND J. C. WILDER
ISBN 1-55316-118-1
Copyright © 2003
ADRIANA
BY ROSEMARY LAUREY
DEDICATION
FOR CLAIRE MARGARET LAUREY
CHAPTER ONE
Distant hoof beats vibrated the earth under Adriana's feet. Hesitating only a few heartbeats, she clambered up the escarpment above the shrine and looked toward the distance, shielding her eyes from the low afternoon sun. A lone horseman cantered along the riverbank. Adriana watched until certain he wore the garb of an Astrian. Strange, he was not dressed as a soldier. No matter, an Astrian was an Astrian. Any would serve her purpose. This one looked very different, and he was alone. Recently they had started traveling in bands too large to ensnare. Two and three invaders she welcomed. They were easy to separate in the mist, to wander lost in the woods, while she ensnared her chosen victim. A single Astrian was easy prey, and a fine offering to Rache.
Adriana had consecrated herself to Rache, the Goddess of Revenge, twelve years earlier. As a child of ten, she'd witnessed, with young and innocent eyes, the coming of the Astrians. She'd been gathering kindling in the forest when she had heard the thunder of warhorses and started to run for home but, tripping, broke her ankle. She'd dragged herself forward, calling for help, but had frozen into silence at the first shouts and screams. Huddled behind a growth of wild sweetberry bushes, she'd watched the distant smoke rise from what had been her village. The cries had continued long after nightfall, and by dawn there had been silence. But by then, Adriana had known there was no one left to come to her aid.
* * *
She sobbed herself asleep in the gray of the morning. Hunger woke her by mid-afternoon. Dragging her painful leg behind her, she stripped the bushes of all the berries she could reach.
It was high summer, the bushes and brambles heavy with ripe or ripening fruit, but even if she could live on berries and crawl to the brook for water, how could she survive? Unable to walk, she'd be a ready victim for the first hungry bear or wolf.
Maybe now was the time to drag herself home and hope for help, but she knew in her heart that the silence meant there was no one left alive. In utter despair and pain, she lay on the soft leaf mold and cried until her face was streaked with mud, and bitter sobs racked her body. She was only partly conscious when someone touched her shoulder, but was instantly alert, her hands ready to claw and scratch.
"Don't be afraid," a soft voice said. "We will not harm you."
Adriana blinked and stared. Two tall women bent over her. They were dressed in light brown robes and hooded cloaks of mottled green and brown.
"Who are you?" She knew as soon as she spoke. They were wood witches, the creatures no one saw, but to whom her village left offerings of food and young animals at the sacred shrines. Were they going to take her?
She sat up and tried to scoot backward, dragging her throbbing leg.
"Wait, child!"
There was kindness in the voice, but also command. Adriana was too tired to resist. Even with two good legs these wood witches could outrun her--crippled she was helpless. But not hopeless. "What would you do with me, women of the woods?" she asked, raising her fingers in the sign of protection.
The woman nearest smiled, tossing back her hood to reveal dark brown hair that framed her pale face. "We would like to help you," she said. "What is your name, child?"
"Adriana," she replied, flinching as the witch's cool fingers stroked her swollen ankle.
"They did this to you?"
"I tripped when I was running."
"Away from them?"
"I was collecting kindling for my mother. When I heard the soldiers coming I ran home, but I fell."
"That fall saved your life, Adriana. I am Eadwyn, and this is my sister, Eadyyl. She is a healer and will set your ankle."
They carried Adriana deeper into the woods and gave her an infusion of andine bark. As the potion took effect, Eadyyl set her ankle, wrapping it with poultices and splinting it with branches and strapping from her pack.
"Rest, Adriana," she said. "We will take you to our sanctuary. In two cycles of the moon, your leg will be strong enough to walk on."
Two moon cycles was too long! "I want to go home!" Not deep into the woods with witches.
"It is not possible," Eadwyn said gently. "You cannot go home."
"But I want to!" Adriana shrieked in her anguish. "I want my mother! I want to see my brothers and sisters and my loft over the mill. I want to play with the puppies!" She broke into wild sobs, beating her head on the ground and wailing aloud her fear and misery.
Eadwyn held her close, rocking and soothing with gentle lullabies until Adriana had cried it all out. She stayed on Eadwyn's lap, leaning against her breast as she had as a small child on her mother's knee. "I want to go home," she sobbed, without the slightest hope that she would ever leave the woods.
"If you wish, we will take you home," Eadwyn said, "but, Adriana, there is no one there."
>
They carried her back through the woodland paths. From the rim of the trees, she saw smoke rising like gray plumes from the still-smoldering thatches. As they crossed the fields no dogs barked, and not a single cow lowed from the milch meadow. The gates to the pig sties hung open, the porkers being fattened for wintertide lay in pools of their own blood.
Adriana shuddered, but worse was to follow. In the village square, where they'd danced a few weeks back for May morning, grisly dancers hung from the maypole, their bodies slashed and mutilated. In the center of the square, where the high table had been set for her cousin Jaynew's wedding, there was a stack of bodies: men, children, dogs, goats and women all heaped together. As they crossed to the mill, she did not want to look, but horror compelled her. By the stable door, one of the puppies lay on the flagstones, his head crushed. Inside she found her brother, Bryn, his throat cut and flies covering his face and neck.
"Why?" she asked. Who could do this to others?
"They are Astrians," Eadwyn replied.
Adriana found her mother and father in the kitchen, their mutilated bodies thrown against the wall. Her two sisters and Cam, her baby brother, were speared to the walls of the pantry.
"Is there no one left alive?" Adriana asked.
They searched the village. Everybody who'd made up Adriana's life had been slaughtered. The stench of bodies ripening in the afternoon warmth filled air that had once smelled of baking bread, or the boiling of jam or the dipping of winter rushes in beeswax.
The life she'd known was utterly destroyed.
Adriana's eyes smarted with tears as she looked up at Eadwyn and Eadyyl. "Why would anyone do this?"
"They are Astrians."
"I hate Astrians." She spoke with the vehemence of a child who has nothing, not even hope.
"Come with us, Adriana," said Eadyyl. "We will heal your ankle and teach you our ways."
* * *
They had taught her well, and she'd been an eager pupil, learning to weave mists and shape spells. The Astrians forced the vanquished peasants to abandon the old groves and shrines in favor of stone-walled houses for their conquering Gods and priests. With Eadwyn and Eadyyl, Adriana dedicated herself to maintaining the deserted groves and shrines. They worked unmolested since the invaders eschewed the forest they feared, and when Adriana grew to womanhood, she chose as her patron Rache, the Goddess of Revenge. Dedicating herself to the service of the Goddess, she set up abode at Rache's sacred springs. Adriana lived alone, contented, gathering sweet buds in spring, berries in summer, and nuts when the leaves turned brown. She kept a flock of wild goats and a clutch of hens that had wandered from an abandoned farm. She lived in seclusion, avoiding the Astrians unless she wanted prey.
PARADOX III Page 19
