by Danube Adele
“I’ve spent time over the last year building these. No one has found them yet, and they only go partway. You’re going to have to do some rappelling. I’ve tied off some of these vines. They’re actually just as strong, if not better, than the ropes we have back home. You can trust them.”
I wasn’t surprised no one had found the stairs. Who was going to stand on the edge of the cliff and look for a way down? The way down took some time. There were stairs carved out that went a quarter of the way down, but then the rock face was there, so we went down the first vine. It took us to another set of carved out stairs in the dirt before more rock pushed its way out and we went down the next vine. All in all, it took us twenty minutes to safely negotiate, but then we were at the bottom. He headed inland, away from the stream, where there were groupings of rocks all around us, all carved into interesting shapes by time and the elements. Before long, we were in a cave, and it was clearly where he’d been living for a while.
“Don’t have chairs. Have a seat on the floor.”
“Thanks.” I got comfortable where he pointed and watched what he was doing.
There was a bowl already on the fire and Sandburg poured some water into the bowl from a container he’d likely stolen from the palace. A quick hit of some flint-like material on dry kindling, and a fire was going just like that.
“How did you end up here?”
He shook his head. “I went on out to Joshua Tree without Kevin. He was on call and couldn’t run out of town, but I went anyway. Had a good first day. I noticed these guys hanging around the camp area, but didn’t pay much attention to them. It was crowded and I’d camped out a ways in the desert, so it was easy for three of them to get me.”
“Who was it?”
“The bastard, Draxton and his two buddies. They pretty much beat the shit out of me. It didn’t help that I’d had a few beers.”
“Were you freaked when you got here?”
“Yeah. Had trouble believing at first. Hit every one of Kubler-Ross stages of grief, you know. Denial, anger, bargaining depression, acceptance, yadda, yadda, yadda. I refused to help any of them for some time, but then they stopped giving me food. I tried to escape a few times. Was caught and beat on. They’ve got this guy, though, with the long silver hair. He managed to drop a truckload of medical supplies.”
“I saw that. The king’s got a nasty toe that needs to come off. I was going through everything to see what was available.”
“He agreed to it?”
I nodded. “But not at first.”
“Are you actually going to go back and do it?”
“Yeah.”
“The guy is an evil bitch, Bradford. What are you thinking? Why don’t you stay down here?”
“Look, I’m being offered a way back home. I came down here to let you know so you can come home, too.”
He was already shaking his head. “I don’t know. There’s so much to learn here. And anytime I need anything, I just go up to the palace and steal it in the night. No one seems to notice or care.”
“But maybe you could figure out how to come and go, have the best of both worlds.”
As I said it, it gave me pause. Wouldn’t that be the answer to everything? If I could spend time doing my work on Earth, seeing my family, maybe a few days of the week, then I could spend the rest of my time here, with Tabron. Wouldn’t that be wonderful? If he actually, well, wanted to be with me. That was the problem. It was making my heart hurt.
“I actually like it here. I never was a joiner.”
“All right then. If you’re sure.”
“Say ‘hi’ to Kevin for me.”
The climb up was much more exhausting than the way down. It was also more frightening. I wasn’t used to doing such rigorous climbs, so Sandburg tied me to him, letting me take breaks as needed. The way up was over an hour, and I was ready to collapse in the cool of the shade for a long nap when I finally flopped to the ground.
“It’s not a bad place, Bradford. You should consider staying here.”
“With you?”
“Yeah, why not? The land is plentiful, there’s a whole world to explore and it could be a good time.”
How was I to put this gently? I didn’t want to be Jane to his Tarzan? He didn’t do it for me? “There’s someone else.”
He didn’t seem surprised. He nodded. “Tabron? The guy who came for you the other day? He’s a good guy. I can say that. He always tried to be respectful. Quiet, but... Maybe things will work out. Stranger things have happened, I’m sure.”
I’d already spent more time than I’d anticipated climbing down to the river. Hours had gone by. I wasn’t sure how many, but I could tell by the way the sun was slanting that it was already after the noon hour. I wanted to get clean, make sure the materials were all lined up and meet with Cynthia to see if she would assist me on this surgery.
“I better go.” I stood quickly.
“Take care of yourself, Bradford. Let me know if you need anything.”
“For sure.”
I walked back through the forest, my arms and legs feeling like jelly. The meadow, when I broke through the briars, was a welcome relief. It meant I was nearly back. I kept slogging along, my head down, and I finally got back to the edge of town. Just in time to meet up with my worst nightmare.
Chapter Seventeen
“Where’ve you been, little bird?” Draxton pushed off the tree he’d been leaning against and began a slow approach.
Dread spread through my body. Fight or flee? Would I get far in my present condition? No. I had to fight. Okay. What could I do to a big man? The logical sequence of conversation flew through my mind in the space of a second as I stared at the smug look spread across his face.
“You’re not supposed to be here anymore. Remember? Tabron kicked your ass and sent you packing. I must say, I enjoyed watching that.”
The smug look turned to anger. “I don’t see him here now.”
“I see. You thought you’d have more success fighting a woman? Can’t handle someone your own size, so you’ll pick on someone smaller? They have a word for that, you know? Coward. I can spell that for you.”
“So full of talk. You need to learn your place here, prisoner.”
“Sorry, chump. I’m nothing to you.” If I started walking away, there was a good chance he would make a grab at me. If he grabbed one arm, I could front spin the palm of my hand up into his nasal cavity and break it. He could grab me and pin both of my arms, and I could shove my hips back to dislodge myself, then spin around and play kickball with his testicles.
“What were you doing out here?”
“Finding the dumping ground for the murders you’ve committed.”
He gave me a broad smile. “I do enjoy my work.”
“We’ll see what the king thinks of all this?”
“Who do you think ordered their deaths?”
He was probably right. “Then we’ll see how the people feel about it. I’m sure they’ll be interested in knowing that their loved ones are being left to the animals, their flesh rotting and covered with flies. Won’t that make a pretty picture?”
I started for the pathway that led into town. He grabbed my arm, and I turned back so suddenly, I could see the surprise in his eyes just before I knocked an open-palm hit straight to his nose and did a spinning high kick that knocked him along the side of the head. Unfortunately it didn’t knock him out, but it did bleed a lot. His shout of pain was satisfying, and I got into my fighting stance, already looking to see what damage I could do.
“I’m going to enjoy this.” Draxton smiled, wiping blood off the side of mouth.
“You missed some,” I taunted. I mustered all the pent up fear and anger, wanting to face him with energy the likes of which he would never have seen before. This was m
y Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, MMA moment all mixed into one. This guy was going down.
“I’m going to hurt you,” he snarled.
“Bring it on, asshole.”
He was likely going to throw punches at my face, left to right because he was right handed. Kicks were probably best because I had more strength in my lower body than in my upper body. Whatever the case, I needed to work him until he was dead or he’d keep coming back.
We circled each other once. My heart pounded, my mind was alert, and I did my best to remain focused, just watching for him to telegraph his next move.
“Think you can play with the big boys?” He was relaxed, obviously thinking this was going to be a cakewalk.
I smirked. “You’d have to show me one first.”
“Always with a smart answer.”
“One of the perks of being smart. Let me know if my words are too big for you. I can always stop and explain.”
“This is going to hurt real bad.”
“Let’s see it.”
Then he rushed me with a roar, a roundhouse haymaker coming at my face.
Duck right. Pop back fast. Front kick to the balls! Hard and fast.
Draxton stoop to grab his crotch, and with my full weight behind the swing, I twisted, ramming my palm into his already bloody nose and felt the cracking bones under my hand. Shit that hurt!
“Bitch!” he shouted, holding his nose again.
My smile was pure enjoyment. “I’m just misunderstood.”
Quick and dirty. Pop in, pop out. Don’t get caught.
He circled me again, blood streaming unchecked from his nose, but this time I took the offensive. I lifted my hands like I was going to punch, then stomped his knee joint and went for a front kick to knock him to the ground. He caught my leg midkick with an evil look, which almost had me overbalancing. I was hopping on one leg, and he thought he had me.
“Now what, bitch?”
“I’ll just have to show you.”
Pushing off the support he unknowingly gave me, I jumped up and twisted to throw a kick at his face. This one unbalanced him. He let go, and as soon as I felt both feet touch the ground, I ran at him, slamming his body with both feet, catching him in the solar plexus and knocking him to the ground. Then I was on him. I pummeled his face with my hammer fist, over and over again before scrambling to my feet and backing away.
I couldn’t let him have any recovery time or he’d get up even more pissed off. He was going to kill me, or I was going to have to kill him. Fuck! I’d never killed anyone before. Being put in this position by this asshole was freaking me out.
“You piece of shit!” I screeched, launching another battery of kicks and stomps that he was barely conscious for. “Who do you think you are beating up on women? Fucking animal! Don’t deserve to live with humans!” I walked to the other side of his body, my breathing hard and choppy.
I didn’t even hear them come up. The pounding of my heart had been like jet engines, roaring in my ears.
“Isn’t this amusing?” Morten was standing with Syra. I jumped to the far side of Draxton’s prone form, his breathing rattling between his lips. Morten stepped closer to the body and peered down at his face. “You’ve been brought low, haven’t you? Not so high and mighty now?” He swirled a finger in Draxton’s blood, wiping it with distaste on Draxton’s shirt. It was like he was peeing on him or something, trying to show dominance, after the work was done.
“He could still kick your ass.” My breath was shaky.
Morten’s look was cold. “I don’t need to be a brute. That’s what he was hired for.”
“Yeah, you can just sit back and be creepy to your heart’s content. Why have any skills at all, other than spreading darkness and evil everywhere you go.” Adrenaline and exertion had me wrung out, but here were two more. Damn it! When could I get a break? Now what? What was the best strategy? Scream for help? Would anyone hear me? Were we close enough? I was too tired to run. If I kept them talking, maybe I’d be able to catch my breath. “Tell me, did you grow up thinking to yourself that you wanted to be hated, distrusted and mocked?”
“You should be kinder, Ceci.”
“Only my friends call me that.”
He stepped toward me. “What about whore? You’ve been Tabron’s and who else’s? I know you didn’t sleep in your room last night.”
“So you did come to my rooms last night? Why? To see if I’d had a change of heart, or so you could force yourself on me yet again?” I gave a barking laugh. “If I was a whore, I still wouldn’t want you, and I’d still tell you to go fuck yourself.”
“She doesn’t get the idea.” Morten looked at Syra, who was watching me with his mad-dog face.
There was definitely something going on here. They were feeling bold, facing off here so close to the village. “What don’t I get? See if you can enlighten me.”
“I’m in charge of your destiny from here on out, little dove.”
“Is that right?” I shook my head. “I think the king would have something to say about that.”
“He would.” Morten took another step toward me, stepping over Draxton’s body, and I stepped farther away, edging toward the town. His face flushed red with wrath as he spoke of his father. “He was always forcing his way on us, making everyone do his dirty work for him.”
“So what makes you think this time will be any different?” I took another step away from the two, thinking I’d been able to rest long enough that a good sprint might save me. If I could just get into town, I could create enough of a ruckus that they would have trouble explaining themselves.
“C’mon, Ceci. You already know.”
That was strange. What was he up to? “Know what? What am I supposed to know?”
“The king. He’s dead. I am now the king.”
It took me a moment to let the information sink in. “How is he dead? And why would I know?”
“Cecilia, you killed him. With poison.”
“You’re such a liar!” The full ramifications of what this could mean, if the king was actually dead, were horrifying. Morten was going to be in charge, Tabron was gone, and I was about to become damaged.
“Take her.” Morten told Syra.
That’s when I ran for it, screaming at the top of my lungs. I hauled ass, able to make it to the main street before I was tackled from behind. My body hit the cobblestones hard, my face smashing against the rock. Pain threaded sharply through my body, my lip and cheek split on the hard surface, momentarily paralyzing me. I was gasping for air.
“What’s happening here?” A number of the villagers came running out of their stores. Good! I had hoped to get them out.
Spitting out blood, I shouted, “Morten killed his father and is blaming it on me! I wasn’t even in the palace all morning!”
“I know it. I saw you leave,” Raseen nodded fiercely. She turned to the villagers. “I saw her just after breakfast head out toward the forest. I was sweeping the front of my store.”
“Don’t involve yourself, Raseen. You have a child, do you not?”
“How many people are you going to do away with?” I turned to the group that slowly growing larger. “There’s a mass grave I found in the forest. Your loved ones are being thrown to the animals! Syra was there just this morning! I saw him there!”
“Take her!” Morten snarled.
“Go see for yourselves,” I shrieked.
Syra grabbed my hair, and I was yanked to my feet, feeling as though it were going to be pulled from my head. Two of Syra’s men flanked me, twisting my arms behind my back painfully. From the corner of my eye, I saw Draxton stumbling into view. At this point, I knew I wasn’t going to make it out of here. The men would want their revenge on me. The shaking came then. My whole body quivering with fear of what was to come. But I wa
sn’t done yet. If I was going down, I was going down swinging.
“Morten has told others that his father killed the old king in order to gain control of the throne! Your beloved king is gone because of Morten and his father. You should know that!”
A fist swung across my field of vision, driving into my face and blinding me. The pain came a fraction of a second later and nearly knocked me unconscious on impact. My head hung then, my eyes barely able to see the stone where blood pooled beneath me. A dull roar filled my ears, and I realized it was the villagers protesting.
Quickly, the men dragged me within the gates of the palace courtyard, shutting the villagers out. They continued to bang hard, and I heard them up until I was dragged to the same door I’d burst out of a week before. It was the outlying building. The dungeon. Was this the same place the young girls had been brought? Was this where they’d been killed? The heavy door closed behind us and the sound of the villagers was cut off abruptly. The darkness within was complete until someone lit the sconces. I was dragged down the stairs and thrown into a room. There was another stone floor, and the coolness of it felt good. I heard a metal door clang shut and realized I was being left alone for now.
That was a relief, because the effort to stay conscious had become too much for me.
I wasn’t sure how long I was out, but came to when I felt myself being moved. The acrid smell of old body odor told me it was one of the warriors, but I didn’t have the strength to struggle. My brain was fuzzy, my face throbbing and moisture continued to seep down my cheek. I figured it was blood. Draxton had taken a sucker punch that clocked me across my brow ridge. If he’d been full strength, if I hadn’t worked him over, he could have killed me.
An iron manacle was clamped on each wrist, spreading my arms wide. When the warrior stepped away, my knees hit the floor, but the chains connected to my arms attached to the wall behind me kept me from falling flat.
“Isn’t this a beautiful sight?” Morten was there. More light hit my lids as someone lit other sconces, and I squinted away from them, trying to let my eyes adjust. I tried to find where he was, get a sense of what was about to happen. He was sitting in a chair a short distance away, resting one elbow on a small table.