FEARLESS (#Wattys2016)

Chapter 10

Suddenly all of this seemed extremely scary.

I hoped that I was still dreaming, and that there was no way I had actually travelled through a magical invesible wall into some strange land.

It all seemed very exciting in books. But actually being kidnapped and then hauled around like an animal, travelling deep into a land I knew nothing about, was not my idea of fun.

Jeremy suddenly turned towards me to say something.

I realized that was my chance and I took it.

I kicked him on his shin, yanked the rope out of his hands and tried to make my escape, but Jeremy hardly felt it; he quickly caught the end of the rope that he had tied around my hands and pulled on it hard, which made me spin around and fall forward, onto my hands and knees.

"Sorry milady, orders are orders. I can't let you escape." He said.

Priscilla sneered at me lying in the mud, and held out her right hand, curling her fingers as if he was catching something in the air in front of him.

Suddenly I felt her hand grab my throat agian. I choked and gagged as she slowly cut off my air supply, clawing at her hand and trying to wrench myself free.

It was no use, she was somehow stronger then me. Her hand was pulling me to my feet, lifting me up by my throat. I was terrified and tried to scream, but only choking sobs escaped my parched lips. I was feeling dizzy as I gasped for air, the world swimming before my eyes, and I was sure I was about to die.

This was happening agian and this times Jeremy won't say nothing, because I tried to escape. I thought to my self.

Finally, after moments that felt like hours, she loosened her grip on my neck. I landed on my knees, and, with a flick of her hand, Priscilla pushed me backwards. I fell on my back and clutched at my neck, as I gasped for air.

She had tried to kill me. She was truly a monster, a real thug. What the hell had I got myself mixed up in?

"That was only a warning, you foolish human," said evil Priscilla. "The next time you try to escape, you will not be so lucky. The Lord may want you alive, but he never specified your condition. I am quite sure he will not mind if you are missing a few body parts."

I started trembling. This woman was serious, and she was really going to hurt me if I didn't comply.

I had no choice, as she started pulling on the rope; I had to get up or risk being dragged along behind her all the way. I tried to calm my galloping heart and concentrated on just putting one foot in front of the other.

After a while, I had already fallen countless times, and my hands and knees were bleeding.

Aching all over, I struggled to keep up. If I didn't or if I tried to get away, there was no telling what Priscilla or Jeremy might do to me. I have pull myself together.

I followed them down the hill and into the valley. I could see well enough because of the full moon, but the shrubs and bushes snagged and tore at my clothes as she led me along a muddy path that skirted the edge of the woods.

"The Lord will be eager to see you."She turned and grinned maliciously at me. I noticed through all the confusion in my mind that she had sharp teeth.

She yanked the rope and pulled me along again.

My feet were burning, and I was not sure how much more of this treatment I could take. I wished for a warm bed and some food, but was not sure if I would get either.

Then I saw towers and a buliding.

My stomach turned. If they keep out enemies, they certainly served as an alarm. Which meant the three figures patrolling each of the three towers, the six on the outer retaining wall, and the three at the wooden gates would now know they were approaching.

Men and women in light leather armor and bearing swords, daggers, and bows monitored our approach.

***

"Guards!" commanded Priscilla, without looking at me.

There was no Jeremy, he must have left me with this barbaric savage monster but it was not like he wasn't the monster himself. He was involved in kidnapping me.

"Take her to the dungeons. No one is to speak to this prisoner, or it will cost you your head. Is that understood?"

The guards nodded and scurried to catch hold of my arms, one on each side. There was no use struggling - even if I did get free, where could I go?

The guards took me down the grey stone corridors, and dark steps, which led to the dungeons.

They shoved and pushed me the whole way, even though I wasn't resisting. I wanted to cry, but I was not going to. I was not scared, I was fearless - I had to keep reminding my self.

The guards sneered and laughed as they thrust me down the stairs into the depths of the stone castle. It was damp and dark down in the dungeons, where the air reeked of rotting food and other horrible things that I didn't even want to know about.

I could hear moans and strange screeching noises coming from some of the other cells. I tried to ignore the sounds, as the guards unlocked another door, which led deeper underground.

As I walked past the iron-barred dungeon cells, a thin wrinkled hand shot out from between one of the bars, and grabbed me.

Shooting pain lanced through my arm, as the hand clutched at me, digging long dirty black fingernails into my skin.

A shriek of laughter made me look up. The weathered hand belonged to a gnarled white-haired woman. Her face was brown and wrinkled like old leather, and her eyes were completely white. Was she blind?

"How tragic! You're mother couldn't keep you hidden for long. He finally found you" she shrieked.

Hidden? from who? What was she talking about.

"Shut up, old woman," said a guard angrily. He leaned over and pried her fingers off me. I was stunned and shaken, as I was dragged to my doom.

The old woman didn't stop; she went on screaming, "She has come, she has come!"

Shrieks of cackling laughter followed me, as I was led deeper down into the pit, the lowest and most horrible part of the dungeons. Obviously the old woman was mad. She couldn't even see me, but still, I was shaking.

The guards looked at me suspiciously, as they shoved me roughly into a cold dark cell. The guards left, their booted feet thumping on the stone floor.

I heard the wooden dungeon door creak and slam shut. Even the cackling laughter of the old woman dissipated, then... silence and all I could think about was what the old women had said.

***

A/N

Hey guys,

What do you think will happen to Zarina now?

Why do you think Lord Derek wants to see her?

Thanks to @greekgeekbitak for the cover above.

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-Rahaz