Dowager's pride

Tito: Chp 8

Tito's Pov :

Ariella and I had always been the best of friends. We were more like siblings. I lost my father when I was eight and I never got to meet my mother. My father died on his farm, they said he was attacked by some wild animal. I didn't know if I had any distant relatives and so I lived on my own for ten years, struggling to survive.

I met Ariella two years after my father had died. It was a cold and dark evening. All the villagers had retired for the night and I was starving. I had no food or money or any adult I could run to. My colour contributed to my being alone, although I heard rumors that my mother had me for another man and not my dad. That she was very beautiful. I on the other hand was tagged a "gypsy". I had gone out to find if there was any berry I could pick in the Everglen forest of the moor. I had wondered in too deep and got lost and as I tried to find my way back I was taken by some rouges. Outlaws.

"why, isn't this a good catch?" said one big rouge with brown teeth. "ya think he's goin' cost much ehh", said another who was thin. "look mate....",another pointed at me, "he don't talk, he'll be bad for business and he got no bones". Then the big roughened one held me by the collar and said with a sinister voice,"well we'll make 'em talk... That's for sure".

They took me to their camp and tied my feet. They drank beer and laughed at some weird jokes. "hey gypsy....", called the big rouge, "you want meat?" I was hungry so I nodded. "here.....", he said and threw it. It fell into the mud. "fetch". I rushed over it and ate it even as it was dirty and the men began to laugh. "that's where you belong","in the dirt",said another. "like a dog",then they all burst into laughter. I didn't understand any of that, as long as I ate something, I was ok. Later it was dark and empty again. They left me outside in the cold and retired to bed. I was sobbing while trying to let myself loose when my eyes caught a glimpse of a brown hair among the bushes. "help me",I whispered enough for the person to hear. A young brown haired girl about my height rose from the shrubs. "you sure look like mess",she said. I looked tearful,, "please help me miss". She sighed and slapped her palm on her forehead and came over to cut loose the ropes. Then she helped me up. "I'm Ariella", I looked at her outstretched hand and took it. "Tito, that's my name". "well come one Tito, we have to go",and that was how she rescued me.

I got scared when I saw her being surrounded by the guards, I knew it wouldn't be good for both of us if I were caught and so I layed low and followed them instead to the castle.
I had seen them take her into the dungeon and it worried me how I was going to get to see her but I had to try no matter what. She had risked her life to save mine and I was going to do the same, no matter the cost.

As soon as I had seen the guards that accompanied the Duchess, I followed them inside. The Duchess felt my presence and turned. Her eyebrow shot up as if she was examining me and with a tone that had an air of absolute authority, she asked, "what do you want?". I lifted up my head and replied with a coy smile, "why, to serve you mi lady". She didn't seem convinced. "I already have enough soldiers at my neck and call, why would I need you". And I replied, "I am best at what I do my lady, try me O'duchess of Lavigne". The last part I said with a very low bow. She sighed and said, "well,perhaps, we shall make good use of you..... You may rise". And that was how I got into the palace.