2chpt1

Part Two

Chapter one

A Gallant Dream

I ran through the woods hearing their taunts and jeers, knowing they were getting closer. I felt frightened but I also felt the need to laugh like a mad woman. Maybe it was the adrenaline. I called upon the image of the wolf I had met only a few days earlier…

It’s been two days now and I’m still in the woods. Am I lost? I think I’m circling. I’ve never been lost before. Is there something in these woods that I need to see? Maybe…

I always knew where home was or at least what directions to go to get home…home…a place I no longer knew. I have no home now. No home, no love, no brother, warm fires, hot food. Two days in the woods months away from…home.

I walked past a rather large tree keeping my eyes on the ground so not to fall when I heard a loud growl ahead of me.

“Damn.” I whispered to myself looking up but not seeing anything. Another growl came, a single growl but it surrounded me. I kept looking around but still not seeing anything. I didn’t dare move.

I spotted movement right in front of me just moments before a beautiful gray wolf jumped from behind a large boulder. It assumed a position that was non-offensive, and stately and stared at me. I slowly, cautiously went to my knees and lowered my eyes as a show of vulnerability and respect. I looked up at the wolf again. I noticed, though I was a few feet away, that there was a mark on the chest of the wolf almost in the shape of a circle, like a full moon.

The wolf moved its head slightly as if to nod then ran off. I sat there for a while taking in the effects of this meeting and the quickness of it’s appearance and disappearance. I was mystified by it…

The taunts were getting so much closer, but some how the wolf gave me the strength to keep running, to go faster. I saw a light up ahead of me, which suggested a clearing. I ran for it. A rather large branch smacked my arm ripping it open. I kept running glancing only to see if it was bleeding badly but it wasn’t. I stumbled on a clearing as I predicted and I yelped when the bright light hit my eyes. I almost dropped my bag as I kept running but I caught it before it hit the ground. I was getting closer to the next line of trees when someone grabbed my wrist and turned me to face them. I gave a small squeak that went unheard by my captor.

I turned to see my captor and was ready to struggle but my wrist was dropped. I was looking at a man a young man who I knew didn’t mean me any harm. There was movement from the tree line I had just ran out of. The man must have seen the change in my eyes because he turned abruptly drawing a weapon. For lack of a better name in my mind I named him gallant. Then men ran toward us but only one man rushed Gallant. As the two men fought I scanned the woods and clearing looking for…anything.

I think Gallant told me to run but I was to busy looking for a way out…we had been surrounded. I noticed that there were men coming from all sides to watch, to help. I ducked behind a tree still looking around. I suddenly realized that Gallant had came out of nowhere…he just appeared. My attention fell back to the two men…one was unconscious, not Gallant. He sheathed a knife and nodded to me I started to come out when I felt them coming nearer.

“Look out!” I warned almost blankly. He turned back around though there was nothing too close there was more coming. A few moments past and there was a leader approaching us. I scanned the forest for people and energy and felt none at my back. I bolted but no one seemed to notice…bonus for me. About twenty feet in I climbed up a tree in one liquid motion. I’d never been able to climb a tree that easy…I just grabbed a branch and swung my feet up. I knew I’d never be able to do that again. Maybe in this situation, but not just for the heck of it. I climbed further up the tree to look for the Gallant again, I spotted him still fighting. I shook my head and jumped back down, situated my bag and started running again.

I didn’t get more than ten feet into the next clearing before I was grabbed again. This time I decided not to stop but it only ended up with the two of us on the ground. What is it with being captured and chased today? I sighed and looked up at my new captor. This time it was a colored man who stared dark eyes into mine. Another one who meant no harm. It must be my lucky day. I relaxed.

He stood up leaving me to catch my breath on the ground, then extended a hand to me. I took it and he helped me up.

“I’m Joshua.” His voice was deep and a bit harsh. Obviously a working type.

“Orianna.” I replied. He looked at me for a moment as if he could read me and he seemed happy with what he saw because he smiled.

“Pretty name Orianna. Noble?” I kept silent not wanting to answer. I just wanted to be something other than “the baron’s daughter”. “Well Orianna, will you have a drink with me?”

“Thank you but no.” I really wanted a drink but I didn’t want to impose.

“Well then will you keep me company? It gets quiet around here sometimes.” He smiled again which made me nod in agreement. He led me to the cabin to our right and into the main part of it. He sat me in a rather comfortable chair…but then any chair was comfortable.

“Thank you for being so kind.” I said trying to sound genuine but it was hard with the fatigue. “It gets lonely on the road sometimes.”

“Why are you on the road?” I looked away as asked and poured us both drinks.

“A minor disagreement with myself and my parents.”

“Ah…” He nodded slightly. “I know someone who would understand.” I cringed. Somehow the memory of Nicolaus played in my mind. Losing Nicolaus sent me off the deep end. I loved him. Somehow I always thought he wasn’t dead. I never saw him dead I ran away to fast.

A door opened in the main room interrupting my thoughts. Gallant walked through the open door with a saddle on his shoulder.

“You!” He yelled. The reaction hit a nerve that made me glare.

“Oh great.” I mumbled.

“You two have met.” Joshua stated not very surprised. Gallant turned his back and spoke over his shoulder.

“Oh great yes, that’s a fine way to treat the man who saved you.”

I scoffed. “I had it under control.” He turned back to me. My heart jumped a bit finally getting a clear shot of Gallant’s face. His features were soft almost feminine but somehow masculine. He had hard hazel eyes and hair, a strong build and tan skin. He was quite handsome.

“Yeah,” He scoffed. “If you consider a deer being chased by a pack of wolves perfectly under control.”

“Gallant…” I said quietly to myself, thinking how undeserving he was of such a name. I stood up. “I should go.”

Joshua stood. “Out of the story. It’s to dark outside.”

“I’ve been traveling for months night and day. It wouldn’t be the first time.” The man laughed.

“And we know where that leads you.”

“Manning.” Joshua warned. “Be kind Orianna’s had a long journey.”

Manning paused. Something passed over his face but it was gone as quickly as it came. He nodded to me.

“Yeah you stay here, little duck. Don’t worry, I’m going! Sleep tight you two.” With that he left. I stood there staring at the door.

“Will you stay?” Joshua asked. I looked at his blank face then nodded. He smiled then led me to a room, which he entered alone then came back out with blankets. He headed to another door and led me in he started to make the bed but I put a hand on his shoulder.

“Please you’ve done so much for me. I’ll not have you doing my work.” I smiled at him kindly which made him smile back. He nodded slightly then walked out saying goodnight before going to his room. I sat on the corner of the bed and stared wide eyed.

“I’m not going to cry. I’m not going to cry. I’m not going to cry.” Tears rolled down my face as I stood up and finished putting the blankets down then lied down and thought.

“What am I doing?”

Without even thinking about it I started crying more. I hoped that Joshua wouldn’t hear me but I knew he could. I ended up crying myself to sleep.

Chapter Two-- Strange Obsessions

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