by Justus Roux
“Once…but when she is my female I won’t allow any other male to touch her.”
“Agreed.”
Anne fought hard to break Rodan’s hold on her, but he dragged her to one of the huts.
“Be quick Rodan. Alistair will no doubt be here soon.” Ivor headed off to find Anne some new coverings.
Rodan threw Anne onto the bed once they entered the hut. He quickly removed his loincloth. “Listen carefully female…if you willingly give your body to me I won’t hurt you. But if you force me to take you against your will I will show no mercy.”
Anne lay on the bed and opened her legs. She was startled when he flipped her over and entered her from behind. She closed her eyes and pictured Alistair…yes Alistair was the one taking her now. Rodan was true to his word and didn’t hurt her. He left her lying there as he exited the hut. She could hear the footsteps of a warrior as he stood guard in front of the hut she was in.
Ivor headed over to the hut where Anne was being kept. He managed to find a new covering for her.
“Wait brother,” Rodan said, grabbing Ivor’s arm.
“Leave her as she is until after I have killed Alistair. Let that miserable half-breed see what we have done to his female.”
“Alright…I guess.” Ivor set the covering next to the hut.
“Warriors of the Larmat clan!” Rodan bellowed. “Ready yourself. Alistair will be here soon and no doubt that scum Demos will send warriors after him. I will kill that half-breed Alistair and we will kill any Dascon warrior who steps foot in this village.”
Anne heard several warriors roar out their battle cries. There had to be at least twenty or more Larmat warriors out there. “Alistair…” Anne looked around for any way she could get out of this damn hut, but there was only one way in or out. There were no windows or anything in this small hut. How was she going to get pass the large warrior who guarded the entrance? If she could escape Alistair won’t have to fight to save her. She got up and put on the tattered covering. She searched every inch of the hut, there was no escape.
She sat down on the dirt floor. “Damn it Alistair…please don’t come here alone.” She felt dirty after being used by Ivor and Rodan. She was so powerless to stop them and now she is powerless to help Alistair. Rage and despair boiled up in her. She couldn’t let Alistair die, there had to be something she could do…she pulled her legs up to her chest and hugged them tightly. She couldn’t stop what happened to her parents and now…Alistair. She started to quietly sing to herself.
Ivor leaned up against the door of the hut when he heard her beautiful voice. He couldn’t understand what she was singing, but her voice was heavenly just like the elder females. The sooner Alistair died the quicker he could claim this female as his. He laid his head on the door and just listened to her sing.
ccc
Alistair saw the village of Exioda coming over the horizon. He knew Ivor would have an ambush waiting from him, but he had to get Anne away from them. He couldn’t even think about what those Larmat warriors had probably done to her, he couldn’t allow himself. The rage would blind him. He had to stay focused—if he died she would be left to suffer an unimaginable fate. He drew his bow. He held onto the conja firmly with his legs and applying gentle pressure he directed the animal to descend. He pulled the bowstring back and took aim. Any Larmat warrior who lived in this village was a target.
Ivor ducked out of the way when the warrior who stood beside him fell to the ground with an arrow sticking out of his chest.
“Rodan, Alistair has come!” Ivor cried out. He drew his sword and took cover. Alistair would have to land sometime.
“Alistair!” Anne hurried to the door. She tried to open it but it was locked. “Damn it!” she cried, pounding the door.
Rodan stood in the middle of the village and drew his bow. He carefully aimed. “Ivor bring the female out now.”
Ivor hurried over to the hut Anne was in and quickly opened the door. He grabbed Anne firmly by the arm and pulled her out.
Alistair saw Rodan though he believed it was Ivor he was targeting. He had the advantage being on the conja. He pulled his bowstring back further…he had to wait for the precise moment. He released the bow too early when he saw Ivor holding onto Anne. He was confused by the sight of Rodan and Ivor, they looked identical to one another. His eyes locked on Anne and the tattered covering she was wearing. Anger surged through him. He heard the conja let out an awful shrill noise, then it fell from the sky. Alistair and the conja hit the ground with a thud.
Alistair forced himself to his feet. He reached back and grabbed his sword. Luckily the conja took the brunt of the fall.
“Let my female go!” Alistair thundered.
“You will have to kill both of us first, half-breed,” Ronar said, dropping his bow and reaching back for his sword.
“Alistair go, please leave there are too many of them!” Anne shouted out as she fought to free herself from Ivor’s grasp.
“He won’t go female, so save your words. Dascon males are weak when it comes to their females. Why do you risk your life for this pretty one, half-breed? I am sure Niro will find you another female. I would have let my enemy have her, she can be replaced.”
“She is my life, I swore to protect and love her. You wouldn’t know the honor or joy this brings a male, one female to love and protect forever—one female who gives me her love. What good does having many females do if none of them gives you her heart? A moment of pleasure pales to a lifetime of love.”
“Shut up!” Rodan rushed at Alistair.
Anne could only watch as Alistair and Rodan fought. She had to do something, anything.
“Watch female, watch my brother slay that half-breed.”
“Don’t you dare call Alistair a half-breed.” Anne kicked and bit at Ivor until he released her. She rushed over to where Rodan dropped his bow. She tried her best to pull the bowstring back, but she just didn’t have the strength to do it. She saw Ivor slowly walking over to her with a smile on his face. She dropped the bow but held the arrow firmly in her hand.
“You are amusing me so much female.” Ivor lifted his hand to the approaching warriors. “Save your strength warriors. You will need it when those Dascon warriors arrive.”
“What if Demos comes with them?” one of the younger warriors said.
“Don’t worry I will kill him.” Ivor moved closer to Anne. “You are making me miss watching the fight between Rodan and Alistair. You run from me again and I will let all these warriors fuck you.”
Anne looked over to Alistair. Please defeat Rodan, oh God let Alistair win. She prayed silently. She gripped the arrow tighter in her hand. She could feel the heat from Ivor’s body as he stood right behind her. What was she going to do? She had to do something…anything.
Alistair fought with everything he had. He had to win and he had to do it quickly. There were at least twenty other Larmat warriors to fight. He knew in his mind there was no way he could fight them all. He would have to buy some time for Demos’ warriors to show up. He glanced over quickly and saw Anne standing there in front of Ivor. She was safe for now. Ivor was too interested in the battle, but if Alistair won…he had to make Rodan get closer to Ivor.
”You filthy half-breed what made you think you were worthy to rule my people? What makes Niro think my people want to join with his clan? No…I won’t let Niro destroy my clan and I sure the hell won’t stand for a half-breed leading my people.”
Alistair felt his sword vibrate. Rodan’s rage was unstoppable. He wasn’t expecting for Rodan to punch him and it sent him crashing to the ground.
“Alistair!!” Anne yelled. She moved with speed she didn’t think she possessed. She just missed being grabbed by Ivor. She had to do something. Rodan lifted his sword up to strike Alistair as Alistair laid dazed for a moment on the ground.
Alistair looked up and watched Rodan grimace. Alistair struck like a cobra embedding his sword in Rodan’s gut. Rodan fell to the ground and Alistair quickly go
t up to his feet. He saw the arrow in Rodan’s back and Anne standing there.
“Alistair…”
He grabbed her quickly and placed her behind him.
“I want you to run into the forest,” Alistair said as he rushed at Ivor.
“Kill her, kill that fucking bitch!!” Ivor yelled. His brother was dead…because of her.
“Anne!” Alistair pushed Ivor back and ran back to Anne. He blocked the sword of one of the warrior’s but another sliced Alistair across the arm. “Run Anne, please run.”
She quickly started to run to the forest but was stopped by Ivor. “You will watch Alistair die, then I will kill you slowly,” he growled. He turned her around and pulled her hair forcing her to look toward Alistair.
Alistair was trying so hard to fight off the four warriors who were attacking him.
“Let me go,” she said, struggling. She couldn’t stand this. Alistair’s skin being sliced, they were toying with him, making him suffer.
Two of the warriors fell to the ground with arrows in their chest. The other two charged at the Dascon warriors who entered the village. Ivor grimaced and pulled the arrow from his arm. He looked up and saw Nina on the conja.
“I will not let a female defeat me.” He pushed Anne to the ground and placed his sword at her neck. “Get down here you bitch or she dies.”
Nina landed her conja and pulled her sword from its sheath. Ivor laughed and raised his blade to embed it in Anne’s neck. Anne closed her eyes and awaited death then quickly looked up when she heard a slicing sound, she saw blood pouring from Ivor’s mouth.
“I believe Niro will bring peace to Malka,” Mace said as he pushed Ivor to the ground. He fell to the ground, his leg unable to support his weight anymore. He threw his sword down and awaited Demos’ punishment. A sadness swept over him as he watched Anne hurry over to Alistair’s still body.
“You did this,” Demos growled as he lifted his sword to behead Mace.
“No Demos.” Nina grabbed Demos’ arm. “He saved Anne.”
“I accept my fate. Do with me what you will,” Mace said.
“I will deal with you later.” Demos couldn’t kill Mace not with that look in Nina’s eyes. He couldn’t worry about it now. He rushed over to Alistair.
Anne tore the tattered remnants of her covering. She had to stop the bleeding. She quickly used all of her covering to stem Alistair’s bleeding. She didn’t care that she was naked in front of all these people. All that matter was Alistair.
Demos quickly tore the cloth opening to one of the smaller huts down and went to Anne. He covered her with the cloth. He looked down at Alistair’s pale face. “We must get him back to the main village. Tomar is still there.”
“You can’t move him in this condition,” Anne said. She felt Alistair’s hand reach up and gently grab her hair.
“You are alright.” He weakly smiled.
“And you will be too.” She smiled back. She grabbed his hand and cradled it to her face.
“I will protect your female while you heal,” Demos said.
“Demos…take Anne back to Earth…very important…”
“I will do as you ask.”
“You are coming with me, Alistair.” Anne kissed his hand.
“You have given me a moment of peace…thank you Anne.”
“Don’t you dare die on me. You promised to protect me and I am keeping you to that promise. Alistair…I love you.”
Alistair passed out.
“Anne we have to get him to Tomar. It’s his only chance,” Nina said.
Anne got up and allowed Demos to carry Alistair to a conja. Demos climbed on behind Alistair. “I will hurry. Nina bring Anne back to the village.”
“We better find you some clothes first.”
“Thank you for coming to help Alistair.”
“Demos was suppose to stay at the village, but his warriors wouldn’t leave without him. Demos appointed a young warrior commander while we were gone. I am so glad we got here in time to save you. I only wish we could have…”
“Alistair will be alright!” Anne barked. “Don’t act like he is going to die.”
“I am sorry, Anne.”
Anne walked over to the hut that used to hold her prisoner. She grabbed a covering that lay beside it. She quickly put it on.
“Let’s go,” Nina said.
“Wait.” Anne hurried over and picked up Alistair’s sword. “Alistair can’t lose this.”
“The blacksmith would have made him another one just like it.”
“No, Alistair has to have this sword. It was his father’s sword.”
“Alistair never mentioned that before.”
“I don’t think he knows yet. Let’s go.”
Nina climbed onto her conja and helped Anne get on behind her. They took off and headed for the village.
When they arrived at the village Demos greeted them. “I was beginning to get worried. It is almost nightfall and the wild conjas…”
“I am okay. Susie isn’t as fast as your conja.”
“Where is Alistair?” Anne rushed over to them.
“Tomar is wrapping him in the healing bandages.”
“Take me to him.”
“Let Tomar heal Alistair.”
“I have to…be with him.” Anne started to cry.
“Shh,” Demos said as Nina wrapped her arms around Anne. “Niro was far worse when I found him outside this village.”
Anne looked up at Demos.
“Alistair is strong. Let Tomar’s healing bandages have time to work. You need to rest. I promise Alistair I would protect you while he healed.”
“But…”
“Alistair won’t hear you in the wrap and Demos is right you need to rest.”
Anne reluctantly followed Nina back to Alistair’s chamber. “Where is Alistair?”
“He is in Tomar’s chamber. Would you like me to stay with you tonight?”
“No, thank you. I am very tired.”
“Get your rest. Tomorrow I will take you to Alistair.”
Anne watched Nina leave the room. There was no way she was going to stay in here. She had to see Alistair. She was going to find Tomar’s chamber. She waited a few moments then opened the door. A very large Dascon warrior was standing guard.
“Demos has instructed that you not leave your chamber.”
“I am going to find Alistair. You can help me do this or I will wander around all by myself.”
“You can’t do that.”
“Try to stop me.” Anne started to walk away but the guard grabbed her.
“I will show you where Alistair is.”
“Thank you,” she said quietly.
The guard led her to Tomar’s chamber. He knocked on the door then stepped aside. “I will stand guard. If you wish to go back to your chamber I will escort you.”
“Anne, please come in. I somehow knew you wouldn’t listen to Demos.”
“Can I please see Alistair?”
“Of course, but he is wrapped in the healing bandages.” Tomar gently touched her shoulder. “Don’t worry Alistair will be alright. He only needs time to heal. Luckily your efforts saved him from losing too much blood.”
He led her to a small room. Anne saw a man wrapped completely in bandages reminding her of a mummy. She looked up at Tomar.
“That is Alistair. I will give you some privacy.”
She walked over and sat down next to him. “Alistair,” she whispered. She placed her hand gently on his bandaged chest. She closed her eyes and tried to remember the words of that Larmat lullaby, but she could only remember the melody. She began to softly hum the melody. She sang several songs to him everything she could think of that had a gentle rhythm, she sang and sang until she fell asleep beside him.
Chapter Twelve
Anne stayed by Alistair’s side for three days while he lay wrapped in the bandages. Every night she would sing to him, hoping he could hear her, then she would fall asleep sitting on a chair beside his bed.
The next morning Alistair broke free of the bandages. He could see the soft light began to fill the room as the suns slowly rose in the morning sky. He looked over his body and to his amazement all his wounds were healed. The Rundal were truly remarkable beings. He looked over to the side of the bed and saw Anne. She was sitting on a chair with her upper body lying on the side of the bed. He could still hear her beautiful voice in his head—still remember the songs she sang to him. Though his body was still weak he leaned over and gently caressed her soft dark hair.
“Alistair?” she said sleepily. She slowly sat up. “Alistair!” She jumped onto the bed and wrapped her arms around him. “You are okay, thank God you are okay.” She held him tightly to her.
“I heard your sweet songs.” He nuzzled his face against her hair.
She pulled away from their embrace. “I better go get Tomar and let him know you are awake.” She reached up her hands and caressed his face. He was a little pale, but other than that he looked good.
“There is no need to get Tomar.”
“Yes there is. Now stay in this bed.” Anne hurried over to the door. “Please escort me to where Tomar is,” she said to the guard.
Alistair smiled, he was glad she remembered to take the guard with her.
Within moments Anne came back with Tomar right behind her. Tomar gestured to the two female Rundals. Then he helped Alistair out of the bed.
“We will let them clean up your bed then you must lie back down,” Tomar said.
“I have to…”
“Do nothing,” Anne injected. “Don’t worry about the village Demos is taking care of things.”
“You must regain your strength,” Tomar added. Tomar helped Alistair to the bathing chamber. “I will leave the rest to you. Let me know if you need help,” he said to Anne.
Anne removed the covering from Alistair’s body then helped him into the bath. She climbed back out and gathered everything needed for a bath.
“Your covering is all wet, why don’t you remove it,” Alistair said.
Anne set the items down and removed her covering. She entered the warm water and started to soap up the washrag.
