Tired of Waiting

Chapter 4

They were all around me. I jumped off of Chestnut and drew my sword, giving silent thanks that I had learned how to fight and block. They formed a semicircle around me swords tipped toward me.

"Hey pretty lady," said the one closest to me, getting close enough that I could swipe at his legs. I took the swipe and he barely evaded it.

"Wrong choice, princess," he said scowling. They all stepped in closer, tightening the circle. Great, I could immobilize almost all of them at once. I swiped my sword at their legs and two of them fell to the ground clutching their shins. The other three actually growled at me. How sweet. I lifted my sword and they all started attacking. They were really good actually, and they outnumbered me. The first one took a swipe at me and sliced my bicep near my shoulder. As I raised my hand to touch the wound they kicked the backs of my knees, sending me flailing to the ground losing my sword out of reach. The two wounded ones had regained their composure and joined the other one.

"What are we gonna do with 'er, boss?" one of the guys who I'd sliced asked the first one.

"Well, she caused us a whole lot of trouble..," the first one, the boss, said, smiling, "I don't know mates, what do you think? Death? Torture? Any other ideas?"

They all looked at one another and I knew they all silently agreed on the second. Aw, shoot. Well, at least I was free for a few hours. They roughly pushed me on my stomach and pulled my hands behind my back and tied them with a coarse rope. I heard him unsheathe a knife and I closed my eyes preparing for the stinging pain of a cut. I prayed they would make my death quick. I waited for a few minutes and I heard a couple thuds and the sound of metal hitting metal. The battle only lasted a few minutes. I tried to twist around to look at my knight in shining armor. I got nowhere in my efforts. I finally gave up and lay there helpless.

A moment later the person walked to me and asked, "Who are you and what are you doing so far from town?"

I was getting impatient with him and I replied, "My name is untie me, and my purpose of being here is you won't get answers until I'm free." True, I wasn't giving the best of manners, but the rope was cutting my flesh and my wound on my shoulder wasn't helping my mood any.

"Feisty one, aren't you?" He asked leaning over my head. It was at that moment he noticed my bleeding shoulder because he exclaimed, "You're bleeding! Why didn't you tell me?"

"Well for one, you're a complete stranger, and two, you never asked, so I never knew to tell you." Dang, I was a real pain. He obviously didn't notice or didn't care because he cut my ropes. I sat up and rolled my shoulders and cringed when my wound reminded me it was still there. The man noticed my pain and began examining my wound. I winced as he squeezed and prodded it.

"What the heck are you doing?! It feels like the millions of lemon coated needles are being pushed into my arm!" I yelled. He apologized and said, "Sorry. I had to squeeze out any dirt or germs and clean it." He looked genuinely sorry so I forgave him.

He took out a strip of cloth and began to bind my wound. He tied it and stood up. He held out his hand to help me and I took it.

"So now that I've given you what you want, who are you?" he asked.

"My name's Cindy," I replied, "And you are?"

His charming smile faded and he solemnly said, "It doesn't matter."

"Well, 'Doesn't Matter' where are you heading?"

He looked toward the horizon with pure determination, and said, "Anywhere but here."

"We have so much in common," I said, "Well, I should get going. I've got quite a bit of land to travel and it's getting later into the day, so I'd best be on my way."

He looked back towards me and said, "Well, if we're both going the same place, you wouldn't mind some company?"

I looked back at him and snidely said, "Thank you but I don't need a body guard." I turned away and started walking toward Chestnut. It wasn't long before he replied, "Sure seemed like you needed me a minute ago." Dang it, he had a good point. I sighed and reluctantly said, "Well, only if you have a horse." I turned around and he ran over to some nearby trees and retrieved a black mare. We saddled up and rode into the kingdom of Tennysen.

~~~~~~~~~~

We rode all day, and I had begun to take a liking to him. Night fell and we rode to some barren desert. We made a fire and cooked some of the meat that we had brought. We each had our own provisions, thankfully, so we didn't have to share. After we had eaten, I went and got some extra twigs for the fire. I got back and he was lying down, sleeping? I didn't know, nor did I care, and I placed the twigs in the fire. I lied down and closed my eyes. I was just about to drift off to sleep, when I heard him say something. I peeked open one eye and mumbled, "Hmm?" He replied, "Kristopher."

"Wait what?"

"Kristopher. That's my name."

Hmm. I like that. Kristopher.

I rolled over and fell asleep with Kristopher on my mind