“No, miss. You cannot have any food until you submit.”
She cocked her head. “Submit to what?”
“To him.” He gestured behind her. “Submit to him and your heart will be full as well as your belly.”
Dani turned to see a massive raven perched on a windowsill. Its intelligent black eyes regarded her for a moment, then its beak parted with a wild screech. She shivered, afraid yet curious at this new development. Why would the servant want her to submit to a bird?
As if the creature could read her thoughts, the raven flicked out its wings and beat them, creating small torrents of air that caressed her skin. As she watched, the tempo increased until the torrents pulled at her clothing and the earth trembled.
Startled, Dani jerked awake to realize that the earth was indeed trembling. Near the fire, Con and Rayben lurched to their feet as two men entered the clearing astride their towering horses. For a second, she thought the peacekeepers from the last village had caught up with them. But neither the men nor the horses bore the all too familiar bronze shield worn by the peacekeepers.
The black stallions were at least seventeen hands tall, towering well over her family. Rayben backed away from the first horse, his fists wrapped around the handle of his sword he held before him. The firelight illuminated the poorly maintained blade.
“Greetings, travelers.” The blond man nearest the fire slid off his horse. He was dressed from head to toe in black. His knee-boots were polished to a high sheen and his tightly fitted pants were tailored to muscular thighs. His broad chest and shoulders were clad in black leather. Every inch of him proclaimed wealth.
“May we share your fire for a spell?” His voice was cultured and carried none of the northland accent that she’d expected. With his lilting tones, he was definitely from the southland.
Con gave Rayben a nod. Of course they’d allow the newcomers to join them as they were both richly garbed. No doubt her family planned to get them drunk and take them for all they were worth. Con would get them drunk and Rayben would swap the dice for a loaded set that would play in their favor. It was an old ploy, one that had been performed many times before.
Dani settled back against the wheel as the second newcomer left his horse. He too was clad in black, but he wore a full cloak and hood. In the glow of the fire she caught only a brief glimpse of his strong jaw. He was several inches taller than the blond man but moved with the same loose-limbed grace.
She shivered and wondered if his cloak were warm. Maybe Con would give her the cloak after they’d stolen everything else the men had to offer. She caught sight of Con eyeing the cloak as the men introduced themselves. Then again, maybe not.
He had to be a very rich man to afford such a garment. Black wool lined with matching black fur. For a moment, Dani wished she could surround herself in the silky fur instead of her smelly scratchy blanket.
Her eyes closed and she fell into a light doze. Dreams of warm fur and mountains of food tormented her. As the night wore on, sounds from the group around the fire were woven into her dreams. From time to time, she opened her eyes, seeing them play dice as they imbibed. She watched as the cloaked one raised the bottle to his lips. He really had a nice mouth, well-shaped lips. He lowered the bottle and licked the remaining droplets of wine from them. She wondered what it would feel like to have a man lick wine from her skin.
A shout roused her from a deep sleep. She stirred, peering out at the sky through the spokes of the wheel. It was full dark, sunrise still hours away. The temperature had dropped and frost had formed on the grass. It was both beautiful and deadly.
“You imbecile!”
Dani looked over to see her father raging at Rayben.
“What were you thinking? You just lost everything,” he shouted. Dar and Knot sat together, shooting worried glances at the newcomers to Con and back again.
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 cau
ght 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 walked 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 passed 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. Shadowedeyes 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.
Chapter Two
“She smells.”
Haaken glanced at his brother before his gaze stole to the pathetic creature seated behind Ty on the horse. The slave huddled against his broad back, her dirty fingers clutching his waist. She’d pulled a ragged blanket to shelter her head and shoulders from the cold air. Beneath the hem of her tattered shift dirty legs stuck out, her feet bound in filthy rags.
“We’ll seek shelter ahead.” Haaken nudged his horse ahead of his younger brother, knowing it would irritate him to no end.
The path through the dark woods narrowed and Haaken rode easily, yet alert with his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. They were within a day of home, but one could never be too careful as these were dangerous times.
He frowned at the thought of the woman behind Ty. Why had he opted to take her with them? The last thing they needed was to add another problem to slow them down even further. It was bad enough the entire trip had b
een wasted and now they were late on top of it. They’d been due in Wryven two days ago and had no time to dawdle.
After another hour of hard riding, the road widened and he saw a familiar low squat building crouched on the very edge of the lane. Golden light spilled from a lone window, illuminating the way.
“We’ll rest here,” Haaken said. As he reigned in his horse, he heard his brother mutter something, but he ignored him. Normally they wouldn’t have stopped at all, preferring to push onward. But with the unexpected addition of the girl, they would be better served to take their rest.
He climbed from his mount in time to see her slide off the horse and fall to the ground. Her expression was half-hidden under lank dirty hair. Clutching her small box and ragged blanket, she glared at Ty.
Now that he was standing downwind of her, he agreed the woman was definitely dirty. He couldn’t tell for sure, but he’d bet that her hair was light, possibly blonde. Underfed, dirty and with a perpetual scowl on her face, they’d certainly acquired a winner this time.
He dropped the reins, knowing that Nefri was well trained and wouldn’t stray more than a few feet. The sky was lightening and the sun would breach the sky within minutes. They had to hurry.
“Bring her.” Ignoring Ty’s dismayed expression, Haaken grabbed the woman’s arm and hauled her upright. He could feel her shivering through his leather gloves. Once she was steady, he released her and strode to the door of the inn. Ty would have to see to the horses and the woman as he wouldn’t have time.
The door opened easily and the smell of overcooked meat and spilled ale assaulted him as he stepped into the overly warm interior. The taproom was large, taking up nearly the entire first floor of the building. At each end of the room was a large fireplace with long tables scattered between. Along the far wall was the bar and a gnome-like man was wiping down the battle-scarred top. Judging from the dingy gray color of the cloth, Haaken doubted he was doing more than stirring the grime from one spot to another.
Paradox I Page 8