Battle Horse

Chapter Nineteen

"Put him away for me." Alda snapped once he returned. Ena came back to the stables once Horace had left. Alda came back soon after. She glared at him.

"Would it kill you to say please?" She hissed quietly. She was sure he hadn't heard her, but unfortunately she was wrong.

"What did you say?" He asked in an intimidating manner. She gave him a fake smile.

"Please? The correct response is 'Please, put him away for me.'" She said louder, this time for him to hear. His expression turned cold and he reached out, snatching her wrist in a flash. He was fast from the two years of training under Sir Rodney.

"What did you say again?" He asked, his voice filled with anger. She smirked.

"You heard me clear enough." In an instant, searing pain was sent through her arm as he twisted it back behind her back, so her backside was pressed tightly against his chest. His mouth was at her ear, so close she could feel his lips against her skin.

"That's no way to talk to a warrior, Princess." He hissed. Ena gasped at the pain, her eyes going wide. The skin round her scar stretched, causing the pain to be even worse. "Oh, I heard about you're little accident with baby." He chuckled referring to Horace. Tracing her scar with his fingers, none too gently either. His filthy nail dug slightly into her skin, causing her to wriggle, trying to escape his hold. He wrapped his free arm around her chest, his hand wandering slightly. "I know how much he loves you. I wonder how mad he'd be if something bad were to happen to you?" She could hear the smirk in his voice. His hand suddenly grabbed at one of her breasts and gave her a squeeze, causing her to scream in alarm. How was no one else in the stable this time of day?

Alda spun her around, so her chest was pressed firmly against his.

"No screaming, love. We wouldn't want anyone to hear." He teased. He crashed his lips against hers, keeping a hand on the back of her neck so she couldn't pull back. She tried to scream through the kiss, if that's what it was called. But he didn't give her the opportunity to scream. Tears ran down her cheeks as she tried to escape. Just when she had lost all hope, realizing Alda would probably force her to give herself to him, a loud crash startled him. He pulled away from her, still holding her tightly as he glanced around the stables. A loud, piercing neigh erupted from where Dancer was tied, only he was no longer tied. The crash was the sound of him breaking his reins. He charged over to where Alda held Ena. Alda pushed Ena back, drawing his dagger from his belt, holding it out to defend himself from the horse. Dancer reared up and slashed his front hooves out at Alda. Alda avoided certain death by dodging the hooves, giving him enough time to plunge the knife deep into the horses shoulder.

Ena let out a scream at the same time Dancer did. He screamed in pain and stumbled to the ground, laying down in the straw at Alda's boots. Running feet sounded around the corner as three fourths of the whole horseschool came out of the school, accompanied by Ulf.

"What's going on here?!?" He roared. Alda caught sight of them and dashed away, knocking over several carts of manure as he ran out of the doors and towards the Battle school.

Ena stood from where Alda had cast her aside and rushed to Dancers side, examining the wound. She looked up at Ulf, tears in her eyes and her lips quivering.

"Fix him! You must!" She demanded, sobbing. Kerry and Jaryn ran to her, taking her arms and dragging her away from Dancer. "No! Fix him!" She cried, trying to free herself from their hold.

"Enough! Ena! I will have the physician come look at him, but I can make no promises." He said. He turned around to the rest of the school of boys, watching the scene in horror. "Everyone back to class!" As they all shuffled out, Ulf turned to Malvin, Jaryn, and Kerry, who held Ena. Malvin knelt beside Dancer, gingerly touching him around the wound.

"It's bad, Sir. I'm not sure the physician can do anything for him." Dancer let out a low moan.

"No! Please, you must try. He saved me, Ulf." She cried. Ulf rose an eyebrow.

"Saved you? From the boy?" He asked. Ena nodded shamefully.

"Yes." She sobbed. "He...He forced me...I couldn't stop him. It was awful!" She collapsed on the ground, sobbing forcefully. Ulf dropped to the ground, gathering her up into his arms, holding her gently to his chest.

"Leave us, boys." He told the three boys.

"But sir..." Malvin tried to argue. Ulf turned his furious gaze on him.

"I said leave!" He snapped. The three nodded and rushed out of the stables, shutting the doors behind them. Once they were gone, Ulf carefully rocked Ena in his arms to calm her down. Once her sobs were nothing but sniveling cries, he finally let her go.

"Ena, please tell me that boy didn't..." She was already shaking her head.

"He was going too. Dancer saved me." She sniffed. Ulf's expression was contorted between relief and pain.

"I'm sorry you had to go through that, Ena. I will make sure Rodney expels the boy immediately. He should be flogged for that behaviour." He said bitterly. His expression softened and he gathered her back up into his arms. "I know you say he didn't do anything, but I'm taking you to the infirmary to make sure you're alright. I will ask them to look into Dancer while we're there." He said. She nodded, curling up in his arms and snuggling up to his chest.

"Thank you, Sir." She whispered.

***

This chapter was even harder to write then the last one! I didn't plan any of this, it just kind of happened as I was writing. It will lead up to something I do have planned though. Poor Ena! Please comment and Vote!

~Avis