Zindlora Keyris

7th chapter

I heard strange footsteps and noises in my dream, I realized that these sounds were not in my dream. I started spinning and groping. The bed was empty, after a few blinks I could open my eyes properly. Seth wasn't there.
- I didn't want to wake you up so early, I'm just packing things for the trip.
- You could have say, I'd be happy to help.
I got up from the bed and walked towards him. He glanced at me and started looking for something. Suddenly he took out a sword.
- I hope you don't have to use it, but it gives you security.
I took the sword and attached its holder to the belt on my waist. It was quite a light weapon compared to being a two-handed sword. We got ready, the sun was up, which I only noticed when I stepped out the door. I looked down at the square and there were quite a few creatures standing there, each of them are soldiers. I also spotted Taiki talking to Srovixa. We reached them with Seth and one of the creatures in his team turned to us.
- Seth, we are ready to go.
- Okay, thank you. We'll be leaving soon.
Seth led me to the two lonely huge goat kinda creatures.
- What are they?
- They take us to the north, their fur helps keep us warm and with the help of their six muscular legs they can also climb steep rocks and mountain sides. They are Frokes.
- They're cute. - while saying this, I caressed mine's head
Everyone was ready, every soldier said goodbye to their family and loved ones. It's horrible to think that this might be the last time they see each other. At least they had a chance to say goodbye. These times, during battles, we can't really see if they ever get back.
- We are going on the main path. Our way is the shield above others! - Seth said louder so that everyone could hear, he said even louder on the last sentence.
- Our way is the shield above others! - all his soldiers shouted after him at the same time.
With that, Seth started the march. We got out of the forest, following the path we reached the top of the ravine. Looking back, I saw that the forest was in an incredibly large. The field was huge and so open with smaller hills. Seth picked up the pace, we were already moving at a galloping pace. In the evening we camped at the foot of a mountain.
Seth and one of the soldiers went to look around, making sure we are safe for the night. I was sitting by the campfire, my mind wandering on what will we have on the road ahead of us. Two not very attractive creatures sat down by the fire.
- Good evening flyer. I don't know how Seth managed to get a winged beauty on his team, but he was very lucky. Too bad you're a woman, you can't fight. But you can be good for something else. - they think I'm just a member of the team, I don't want to think about what he means by that, what he just said.
I just sat in silence and put a faint forced smile on my face. One of them got up and sat next to me. The situation started to become suspicious, so I stood up instead.
- I'm getting tired, I'm going to bed.
- Nooo honey, don't go yet. The night is still young.
I can't believe that people like this always find me.
- That's right dear, stay longer. - said the other
- I'm sorry, I want to rest.
Hearing this sentence, one of them jumped up and walked towards me, grabbed my right wrist and lifted it up.
- You're not going anywhere if I say so. If you want to be part of the team, you have to do this for us. You're the only woman here. We have women too, but they are not here now. Just you...alone. - I can't believe that this is happening now. Where did Taiki go?
Suddenly one of them came behind me and closed my mouth, I started flapping my wings, but nothing, I wasn't strong enough to get free. The third one, which had only been looking until now, came to me and leaned close to my ear.
- It will be easier if you don't resist.
They dragged me to one of the tents. I still fight against them but they are too strong. The one who whispered in my ear before stood in front of me again and looked at me with a disgusting smile. He placed one hand on my thigh. A chill ran down my spine, I closed my eyes tightly. I remembered the last few days, I couldn't believe that this would happen to me after this. I mustered all my will power, then opened my eyes with a stern look. He still had that disgusting grin on his face.
He looked up at my face and his smile disappeared. I felt fear and courage coursing through my whole body. With the hand that wasn't caught, I hit him with my elbow, he let me go and I freed my other hand and kicked the one in front of me, aiming for his balls. He collapsed in pain and screamed. The other two went behind me, I quickly turned around, then I gave them a giant wave with my wings, they fell on their backs and just moaned. One stood up, the other was still on the ground. He charged towards me and wanted to hit me with his right fist. Raising my left hand, I parried his attack, then punched him in the stomach. He collapsed too. I quickly grabbed a rope and dragged them to the tree near the campfire and tied them there. I wanted to know where they are and keep an eye on them. I changed my mind and went into our tent, because I didn't want to be in the same atmosphere with those. However, now we have a separate small room, it's true that only a bed and our personal things fit, but it's cute. I got hungry, I was curious among the packages and found something to bite. It wasn't much, but just enough for the evening. I sat back by the fire, hoping Seth would return before I went to bed. I can tell him how caring his soldiers are.
It didn't take long, maybe half an hour, and they got back. Taiki is still nowhere. Seth looked at me with a confused face.
- What happened here? Who is responsible for this? - he pointed to the bounded ones
- I was sitting here by the fire. These guyscame up. Imagine they wanted to be so caring that they wanted have take me to one of their beds, they thought I would join them. They wanted to rape me.
Seth got furious
- Gods! What the hells did you think? You can't touch her! No one can! Do you understand? - he woken up the whole camp
Many people came out, thinking it might be a problem. A couple came around the fire.
- Since so many of you have come here, let me tell you an important rule. No one! No one is allowed to hurt or touch Zindlora, and those who do, will regret. They will wear the sign. Did everyone understand?
He grabbed a metal rod from his tent, put it in the fire. He was looking around his men they lowered their heads of understanding. He grabbed the hot metal and burned those three on their neck.
I heard many quiet responses in which they understood the instruction. Seth's behavior is a so controlling. I didn't think he'd be so freaked out. What kind of sign is that? So what kind of team do you have? They cannot be trusted.
Seth signaled that everyone could leave, one of his guards released the three disgraced ones. He looked at me and feels sorry for me, it shows. Him and I entered our tent. I followed after a while. The tent was lit from the inside with two lanterns. When I entered I saw Seth pacing up and down inside. I sat on my bed and looked at him. He looked upset and troubled. At one point he stopped and turned to me.
- Listen, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have gone. You know, my team is the last to be sent if there's a problem. They are the best fighters, - still I beat them somehow - but this is no guarantee that they are also good spirited. However, the question is how you managed to wipe them off..
I thought a bit about what he said. One is, how could I really beat them like that and the other is, why are they the last team to be sent?
- Well, when one of them touched my thigh. Tryed to encouraged myself to attack, and I had no other choice. I believe so. And don't blame yourself, you can't always be there for me.
My last sentence surprised him, he approached me, knelt down and took my hands, one of my wrists was still red.
- Believe me, I want to be there by your side. I don't want them to hurt you.
He leaned closer, then closed his eyes and kissed my forehead. After that, he got up from there and went over to his bed. I don't often understand his sudden mood swings. He is often carried away by his emotions, but suddenly his gloomy form returns. It's interesting, but I like its unpredictability, although I hope it won't be dangerous. I changed my clothes and fell on my bed. I was lying on my back, but I couldn't fall asleep, I started tossing and turning. It's been pretty cool so far, but the wooden wall doesn't protect you here. I heard Seth's steps, he put out the lanterns. The tent was shrouded in gray gloom, but you could see some things in the light of the moon. Now it was time to lie alone in bed. Although I couldn't get used to it, it's different regardless. I was even further away from home. On the way, I felt the wind getting cooler, I'm not quite used to it. Now that I'm not next to the fire, it's really cool. I tried to cover myself with my wings, but it was useless. Nothing helped. I sighed heavily and turned over to my other side again.
- Come on Zindlora. I can hear you are suffering and cold. - Seth whispered
- How can you notice it? - I whispered back as I stood up from my bed
I went over to him and laid down next to him. We lay facing each other, I moved closer to warm myself again, my head touched his chest. I also became sleepy. I can't understand myself and how I feel.