Bloodletter: The Lady Killer **ON HIATUS**

Chapter 12

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Chapter 12

Once again, Resta was knocked unconscious, though this time with more care. Someone had covered her mouth with a rag that had a bizarre odor.

When she woke, her head felt as though there were a bat fluttering around between her ears. Her head was pounding and it felt like she was jumping up and down. The world around her was spinning.

No, no spinning, moving. And it was her that was moving, not the globe. The bouncing sensation was a horse. That she was on.

A cursory glance revealed that the milky white horse was leading her through a forest. The sun had fallen several hours prior; the full moon gave the trees a luminescent glow. The moon, the trees, were all a luxury to her, all things she hadn't seen in far too long. She could feel tears pricking at the edge of her vision, but she quickly suppressed them. In the distance, a wolf's cry could be easily heard. The air here smelled fresh, something she'd only ever dreamed of smelling these past months. Daggers of moonlight danced across the forest floor, crafted by the moon's rays shining through the trees. But Resta couldn't enjoy the beauty of it.

Besides the scenery, all around her were the king's men, riding aloft horses of midnight black. Dressed in the royal red and silver, bearing the black stallion that was the king's crest across their sharp military uniforms. They moved in unison, a river of silver and red. And Resta was trapped in the roaring waters.

If Resta were to escape, it would fail miserably. Not just because of the ridiculous amount of guards, but also because she was firmly secured to her horse. Someone had tied her down to it.

Logic told Resta that it was to keep her aloft while she slept. But she was filled with rage none the less. She'd already agreed to their terms, at least show some measure of respect!

A second rope led to the horse of the guard who resided next to her. She immediately recognized him as the brunette who'd been one to guard her these past months.

The man - whose name she didn't know, nor had she ever spoken to - met her stare and raised his eyebrows, as if assuming she had a question for him. Resta looked away immediately, hating him already. Even if he hadn't been one of the people to beat her these past months.

On her other side rode the blonde guard who'd tormented her with words and in front was the brute who'd beaten her senseless more times than she cared to count.

They rode fast and hard, which did nothing for wounds. Resta could feel the infected cut on her thigh, aching with every step. She feared the wound on her abdomen would reopen completely.

Resta smelled something foul, and realized it was herself. She stank. The clothes she currently wore were the ones she'd been wearing in the cell. A shudder ran through her body; she could practically feel the filth contaminating her. Staining her.

What Resta longed for more than anything was a bath and clean clothes. Now that would be a luxury. But she doubted she'd be receiving either any time soon. When riding, one has to make do.

The moon dipped lower and Resta's strength was waning like the moon. Not that she had much to begin with.

-

After an eternity of riding, the procession leading Resta eventually slowed to a stop. The party of soldiers - and Resta - stopped in a clearing that was bathed in a pool of moonlight. There was a small brook wrapping around half of the large patch of grass. An excellent place to stop for the night.

All around her, riders dismounted their steads, eventually leaving Resta the only one still mounting a horse. Awkwardly, she cleared her throat, hoping someone would take notice.

Sadly, the only person who noticed was the blonde guard, who snickered. He walked over to her and knelt next to the horse. Gingerly, he pulled at the rope on the horse's underbelly and removed the rope bonding her. Her range of movement was instantly doubled, which was a relief. However, his next words were not, "I've done that for you. You can do the rest." He knew she could not, yet he left quickly after saying that, but not before giving her a devilish grin.

Slowly, very slowly, Resta maneuvered one leg over the other, which was no easy task in it of itself. Then she lowered herself to the ground. It was amazing yet terrifying all at once.

Her first time standing, and on grass!

The feeling was short lived though, her legs were like dough not cooked long enough - that is to say heavy and wobbly. They were immensely sore from the long ride. With a start she collapsed to the ground with a loud thud, landing on her hands and knees.

It was obvious that she wouldn't be able to stand again, so Resta needed a plan. She could crawl to the fire that was already steadily burning and make camp there, but that wasn't really an option was it? With so many hostile people watching her, it would be prudent not to make a fool of herself after having met them only hours prior. They'd already seen her fall.

No, she would stay where she was. Even if it was away from the fire pit and mere inches from the deadly hooves of a horse.

Resta curled into a tight ball, feigning sleep. It would not truly come though, for she was starved.

Around her, she could hear the movement of guards. Very slightly, she opened her eyes to see that several guards - no, soldiers - had settled a few paces away and had begun their own fire. Before anyone could notice she was awake, she snapped her lids shut tightly. The scent of sizzling meat brought her no ease as she fought towards sleep.

Resta was still struggling against her hunger when a soldier she'd never met before came over to her, with a platter of meat and mug of water came towards her. He smiled at her with kind eyes. "Here Lady, I thought you might be hungry." Lady?

The man handed her the food, which she thanked him for, and hurried away quickly, to where he sat with his friends. They were all laughing and shoving him.

Resta turned her attention towards the food, which now taunted her with its deliciousness. She drank the entire cup of water in one gulp, savoring its cleanness. The meat, which she now noticed to be venison was tender. It likely came from a fawn, still fed by its parents.

Her attempts to eat the venison were in vain, as it came up almost as quick as it went down. Quickly, she turned from view and let it come. Her stomach must've shrunk.

That night, Resta went to sleep hungry.

"If you could ship Resta with any character who would it be? It doesn't even have to be in this book, it could be Harry Potter for all I care!" -MidnightxMaiden (not my idea, it was hers)