Under the Shadow of the Eagle

Part Eleven

—Sleep, champion — the words came from two voices at the same time.

One voice was calm, friendly, gentle and protective. The other was passionate, violent, harsh and defiant.

—Yes... —he didn't know if his voice formed the word " mistress" or "owner".

—Sleep, and dream... — "of freedom" he heard the first voice say, in unison with the second one that said "that you impress me".

—... Dream of freedom, mistress —the slave replied, moving only slightly.

The apprentice couldn't contain her impression. Lying on the ground, over pelts and barely covered by a wool tent, she could not believe that the man in front of her, looking at her through narrowed eyes and with hair over his face, had just, with the strength of a warrior and the softness of a husband, placed a hand on her cheek.

Slowly, staring at him, the woman brought her own hand over that of the slave. She needed to feel that he was there, that he had just really done that... and so she proved.

As she caressed his fingers, she saw his eyes close. The breathing of both of them relaxed, until it was like one, slow, calm. She knew he was sleeping, with his hand still on her face. With the same softness that the slave had moved, the apprentice brought her own hand, the free one she had, to the face of the man. She did so slowly and calmly, making sure not to wake him up. And she succeeded.

She felt his breath on her fingers, and little by little, she began to close her eyes as well.

As soon as he felt sleep taking hold of him, a shriek split the clouds like a bolt of lightning. A war cry followed, that was followed by roaring and howling.

—It returned —the vengeance was already outside her tent, with her weapons ready and the horned beast at her side.

—Earlier than expected —the druid walked forward, slowly, her forehead held high and her left hand resting on the huge crow. Her eyes reflected the color of gold, as if the eagle had looked back at her.

—It has no chance —the apprentice came out with the slave very close by, walking together, holding hands while, with the free one, she held her pole like a staff and he held his axe. The wolf growled, baring his fangs at the sky, waiting for them outside their tent.

—If we could beat it before... —began the lost one between her great crow and the vengeance, slowly raising her bardiche—... we are more than a flock.

—Let this be for all the birds... and all the beasts... that the eagle murdered —the slave said, and then only the roars of six warriors and four beasts were heard as one.

The scream couldn't manage to sound louder. The swooping was as fast as last time, but now there was no coliseum of golden feathers. There were no chains or shackles either... but there was another screech. And then another, and another.

The golden voice pierced deeper and deeper into the ears of those who heard it, until such noise became nightmares.

—Can she be a gladiator? —although she gripped hard on her falcate and shield, vengeance felt the strength abandoning her.

—A woman? Of course, we also have baboons around here —the indistinguishable voices of owners laughed, and instead of feeling her weapons, she felt the steel on her wrists and ankles.

—Send her this way —the lost one heard, like an echo.

—Remember that she's for sharing —one more echo.

—I paid more than you lot —and more echoes, more and more, until she no longer knew where she was.

—You'll die! —the voices of countless enemy generals overwhelmed the warrior.