Layla and Serenity had arrived. His mother was greeting them. Layla was clearly nervous, shifting her weight from foot to foot with her head bowed. In contrast, Serenity had her chin tilted up, her arms were crossed, and her feet were apart and solid on the ground. Killian smiled. Even facing a day of hard labor the girl remained proud and confident, and he found himself admiring her.
Striding swiftly from the window and through the chambers, he followed the hallway and trotted down the wide staircase, reaching the bottom just as Marian was leading the two young women into the great hall. Once a grand entrance, it was now the most ruinous area of the castle. Half the walls were missing, and though the barbarians had removed most of the debris, there was still evidence of crumbling masonry.
"Greetings," he said as he marched forward, his eyes purposely focused on Layla. "Marian will be taking you into the kitchen. Hermione is the cook, and you'd best listen to her. She has a mean wooden stirring spoon, and she won't hesitate to land it on your backside if you misbehave."
"Marian just told me," Layla said fearfully. "I'll do everything she says."
"Aren't I going with her?" Serenity asked.
Killian suppressed a smile. He had hoped keeping his attention focused on Layla would elicit the query, and he was pleased his idea had worked. Shifting his gaze to her, marveling at her dark lashes framing her mesmerizing blue eyes, he folded his arms and sent her a stern stare.
"I have another job for you. Follow me."
He was about to turn when he saw her flicker of panic. He'd surprised her, the girl was unnerved, and he suddenly had the feeling of having the upper hand.
"Not until you tell me where I'm going."
Her response had been tentative, he'd heard it in her voice, but once again the village girl had shown her mettle. Brave but foolish. Or was she being foolish? It was a fair question. She'd been told she'd be working in the kitchen with her friend. Considering her last dose of discipline she had every reason to be worried.
"You'll find out when we get there," he replied, "now do as you're told."
"That's not what you promised us yesterday," she argued. "The agreement was that I would work in the kitchen with Layla."
"The agreement was that you would be punished."
"No, the agreement was that I would be punished by working in the kitchen," she repeated. "Maybe I shouldn't be questioning you. Maybe I should just accept whatever it is you've decided, but it doesn't seem right. Barbarians are supposed to be men of their word."
"And we are men of our word."
Bastian's voice boomed through the great hall, and Serenity's eyes darted across to the fearsome leader as he descended the stairs.
"Serenity, once again you are showing lack of good judgement," he scolded. "Follow Killian and do as he says. You are testing my patience, young woman, and that is not a good idea."
"But I—"
"Make me repeat myself and I will spank you right here," Killian warned, and with a purposeful jerk of his head, he strode away as if expecting her to follow.
Swallowing hard, Serenity shot Layla a reassuring glance then hurried after him. He was turning around a corner, and breaking into a run she finally caught up to him as he entered a door at the end of the hall.
"Will you please tell me where you're taking me?"
He came to an abrupt halt, causing her to trip, but his large hand caught her arm just as she was about to tumble to the ground. His grip was strong, but gentle, as if he knew he would hurt her wrist if he wasn't careful. As she righted herself and looked up at him, she was surprised to see his eyes were warm and brown, his features were smooth, and he looked remarkably handsome.
"Please, sit," he said, gesturing to a table and chairs as they walked in.
As he closed the door behind them, she took in her surroundings. Besides the table and chairs the large room was sparsely furnished, but had a huge fireplace, and large windows that overlooked the grounds.
"Where are we?"
"This is where my father meets with those who need privacy."
As she sat on one of the rough-hewn chairs, she watched him meander to a seat opposite her. His manner had completely changed.
"Does that happen often?"
"Quite often. Being the leader means keeping the peace within the tribe, not just with the village. Soon we will be having our celebration with the Alamans from over the hill. When they arrive he will have many meetings in here."
"Last time you had that tribe here we were scared. There was a lot of screaming and yelling, and we heard all the way down in the village."
"That won't happen again. Father has laid down a new rule. The younger men and women are to have only one glass of fermented berry juice. Last year they drank too much of it and became unruly. The celebration is not an excuse to do that."
"What's it for?"
"It's a chance for relatives and friends to see each other before winter sets in and the mountain becomes impassable, and a get-together for those seeking life partners, but tell me, Serenity, why are you here?"
"Why am I here? To be punished of course. Why else would I be here?"
"Haven't I already punished you?"
"Yes, and it's unfair that I should get a double dose, and maybe saying that will get me in even more trouble, but it's true."
"Serenity, when you arrived at Layla's home yesterday, it was immediately obvious you hadn't told anyone what happened. We had no choice but to suggest you join Layla and be punished."
"Oh. I see, and you couldn't say anything in front of her downstairs."
"Not without giving away your secret, and you very nearly got your bottom spanked again. Why must you be so difficult?"
"I don't know what to say. You're right, and thank you, Killian. I would have been so upset and embarrassed if you'd told father what you'd done to me."
"Our silence at Sampson's house should have been enough for you to know you could trust me."
"Uh, I suppose that's true."
"Suppose?"
"It is true. Now I'm embarrassed."
"Just so you understand, the discipline you received is common here. A hard spanking, then pleasure without fulfillment, is often used to punish a disobedient woman."
"Do all the men here have many women like you do?"
"Until they are married. It is our way," he replied, then pausing, he added, "This is interesting."
"What is?"
"You're quite pleasant."
"Thanks, so are you, and you look nicer now too. Your face isn't all funny."
"Funny?"
"When you were angry you looked nasty."
"It's a gift from nature. The transformation helps us in battle, and speaking of anger, I don't understand why you became so vexed when I told you I would send for you. It was a compliment, in fact, it's seen here as an honor. You must explain this to me."
"Village men don't have a collection of women. It's not right."
"Village men see several women before they make their choice," Killian argued.
"What? That's not true!"
"Are you telling me that both men and women have not laid with anyone before they marry? That's ridiculous. You yourself have been with men."
"But men don't have several women they see at the same time."
"Oh, so one after another then," Killian said thoughtfully. "That's not so different."
"It most certainly is!"
"How?"
"Many ways, and I don't want to talk about this anymore."
"My, my, you are so fiery. Do you get that impatience from your father or mother?"
"I'm not impatient," she retorted, glaring at him across the table.
"Settle down!"
"Or what, you'll spank me?"
"Yes."
"You have no right!"
"I have every right. When you're with me, you'll behave."
"Yes, Master," she said sarcastically, but the moment the words left her lips she knew it had been a mistake. Hi
s face tightened, and his eyes narrowed.
"You are not to call me that. You no longer have the honor."
The strange fluttery thing suddenly happened in her stomach, and the displeasure crossing his face was making her extremely uncomfortable. She had hurt him, and she realized that was the last thing she wanted to do.
"I, uh, okay, if you feel that way, I won't," she managed, wishing her pride would take a long walk and never come back.
"The only way you will ever call me Master again is if you beg."
Her face was flaming hot, and so was the back of her throat.
"I don't beg."
"That's a lie. You begged me to let you have your orgasm."
"That's different, and I don't want to talk about it."
"You don't want to talk about a lot of things," he retorted, "but that won't work with me."
"You can't make me speak if I don't want to!"
She was the most provocative young woman he'd ever met, and rather than continue the annoying squabble, he rose from the table and wandered across the room to gaze out the window, hoping it would help settle his mind and spirit. As he stared across the fields, a flurry of movement in the nearby forest caught his eye, and he thought he saw animals running between the trees. It was unusual for the wildlife to wander down from the mountain during the day, and he decided to take advantage of it.
"You're going to be here for a while. I'll take you to my quarters. You can stay there until it's time to leave. Are you hungry? Thirsty? I can bring you something to eat or drink."
"No, but, uh, would it be possible to see more of the castle?"
His voice had been softer. If he could be nice again, so could she, and maybe, if they spent some time together, they could return to their pleasant conversation.
"Are you sure?"
"Quite sure," she said earnestly. "I wouldn't have asked if I wasn't."
"You are a confounding woman," he muttered, though with a grin, realizing he'd rather be with her than chasing animals through the trees. "We'll start with the weapons room. You can see the knives and spears your people have made for us. Your father is one of the better crafters. That's why your family is so well fed."
"I've wondered about that. Layla's father doesn't seem to get as much work as mine."
"We do our best to spread the jobs across the village, but some of us, like me, demand the best. Come, I'll take you there. You'll see the difference."
His face, as if following his voice, had also softened, and feeling encouraged she followed him down several hallways to a narrow staircase lit by sparsely spaced torches. It spiraled down before coming to rest at an equally narrow door that sported a torch on either side. He pushed it open, and as they walked inside he plucked one of the torches from its holder, and set those inside to flame. As the light filled the room, she discovered it was surprisingly large and filled with many weapons. Long spears were lined up against one wall, short daggers were grouped together on a table next to bows and arrows, there were swords of varying sizes, and a group of shelves set in a corner held leather straps, tools and compounds.
"This is amazing," she exclaimed, then picking up a long thin dagger, she ran her fingers across the blade, "and this looks like something my father would have made."
"You have a good eye. He did. That will slice through a man and come out the other side. It's a powerful weapon."
"You have enough here for an army. "
"We are an army, and when we fight, we fight to win. It's why the tribe has survived and flourished. My father will not lead us into battle unless we—what was that noise?"
Before she had a chance to respond she heard an almighty crash, then yelling, and a second later the air was filled with a gong clanging so loudly she was sure it would have vibrated through the entire castle. Killian raced towards the door, and not sure if he was going to dash out or bolt it locked, she ran after him, but a long-haired man as big and as fearsome as Bastian, his face streaked with red and black paint, suddenly burst into the room.
Screaming with abject fright she fled behind the open door, then watched in horror as the monstrous attacker lunged towards Killian. With a guttural growl the thunderous man knocked him backwards on to the table, and placing his mighty hands around Killian's throat, he began to squeeze.
CHAPTER SIX
Standing behind the door, paralyzed with panic, Serenity watched as Killian struggled against the attacker's hold. The huge brute had him pinned down on the table, and though he was fighting back, Serenity could see Killian was losing the battle, then she suddenly realized she was holding her father's dagger. Raising it in the air she rushed forward, her eyes focused on the beast's back, and with all her strength she plunged it down.
Astonished by the ease with which it sliced through the man's body, she froze, her fingers locked around the knife's handle, but the monster let out an unholy howl shocking her from her stupor. She jumped back, but he abruptly spun around, and his flailing arm knocked her to the floor. His eyes bulging, his ugly brown teeth bared like a ferocious animal, the fatally wounded warrior staggered over her. Screaming for Killian, heart pounding, uttering sounds of terror, she scrambled backwards, but Killian was unable to reach the brute in time, and the grotesque man collapsed on top of her.
"Get him off me, get him off me," she wailed, horrified by the smelly beast and the blood gushing over her from his deadly wound.
Killian began heaving the dead body off her, dragging it to the door, but as she rose unsteadily to her feet she spied the tip of her father's long thin spear sticking out of the brute's torso. The grisly sight made her feel sick, but as she doubled over and grabbed her stomach she discovered she was covered in blood. A surge of dizziness overwhelmed her, and just as she felt her legs give way, Killian was holding her against his massive chest, comforting her with softly-spoken words of reassurance.
"So brave," he murmured, "you are so brave for such a little woman."
"I can't b-believe I d-did that."
"Serenity, I owe you my life."
"I feel all shaky."
"Of course you do. Don't worry, I'm going to take you somewhere safe."
"I, uh…"
"Look at me," he said firmly, placing his hand under her chin and tilting up her head. "Serenity, you must look at me."
Gulping in the air, feeling as if she was emerging from a strange fog, she lifted her gaze and stared up at him. His eyes were dark, but his features were soft, and she felt a wave of warm energy wash over her.
"We need to leave here."
"What, uh, what's happening? Who was that?"
"The compound is under attack."
"No, no, how can that be?"
"Talk is for later. For now we must move."
"My clothes, I'm covered in his blood," she whimpered, fighting back fresh tears as she stared down at her soaked and red-stained dress.
"Do you want to take it off? We're going to my quarters and I can give you something else there."
"I must. I can't stand it," she exclaimed, hurriedly pulling it over her head and dropping it on the floor, then desperately looking up at him, she added, "Killian, what about Layla and my family?"
"The villagers won't be touched," he said, keeping an arm around her shoulders and guiding her across the room. "The invaders will need them if they win the castle. The women here they will save for sport when the fight is over, but Hermione has secret storage cupboards in the kitchen. Layla is small. I'm sure Hermione will find a place to keep her safe."
"This is terrible, just terrible, what should we do."
"I know where to put you where you'll be out of danger, and I must join the fight," he declared, releasing her and moving the shelving away from the wall. "Go through there."
Serenity found herself staring at a large opening, though she could see only darkness, but as she stepped tentatively forward, Killian grabbed the closest torch, handed it to her, then slid the rack back into place.
"What is this?
" she asked, giving him back the torch and wrapping her arms around herself, though it was more for warmth than modesty.
"It's a hidden staircase. We must hurry, but watch your step."
"Why are we leaving? Won't your men come down for weapons?"
"Knives and swords and many arms are concealed around the castle. That room is our storage and now it's secure. I left the body in front of the door as a warning."
"What kind of warning?"
"He was probably sent to hunt for our weapons, and when he's discovered it will appear he was the victim of a trap. It will make them worry."
"Is there a trap?"
"There is now. I set it. There's a bar low on the wall. If you don't lift it up before you open the door you'll soon be meeting the angels."
As they continued to climb the steep narrow stairs, her thoughts returned to her family. In spite of Killian's comforting words she was deeply worried, and she knew her parents would be desperately afraid for her safety.
"Killian, I have to get back to the village."
"That's impossible, you'd never make it out," he said firmly. "Hush now, we're approaching my quarters. I don't think the invaders will have made it back here, but just in case we must be quiet."
Climbing the last few steps they reached a small landing, and after placing the torch into a holder, he led her across to a screen where she could peer into his room. Pressing her face against the cool wood, she was able to see the familiar furniture and the large carved bed.
"As I thought, they haven't made it here yet," Killian remarked. "Wait a moment. I'll bring you something to keep you warm."
Moving a few feet away he pushed the wall, and watching through the screen, Serenity saw what appeared to be a solid wooden panel swing away, and Killian emerge. Walking across to a barrel-topped chest he opened the lid and retrieved something, then grabbing one of the fur covers from the bed, he hurried back to her.
"This is my mother's," he said, handing her a long-sleeved tunic. "It will be too big but at least it will cover you, and here's a fur to wrap yourself in if you get cold. You must stay here. Do not come out until I return."
Her Barbarian Master Page 4