The Lion's Kiss

IX

"Achashverosh, are you planning to make that woman yours?" asked one of the warriors.

The five warriors had brought Vlad and I to join the other prisoners. What use to be a snow, was now a sheet of red. Bodies laid where they were beheaded or cut down. The only things remaining were burning hunts and crying children. The men in our village had admitted defeat and surrendered to these giant men. Five men had taken the pride of village in one night. I was freed only to be chained once more.

"She cannot walk," he told the warrior. "I shall carry her."

The warrior just laughed and walked away. We made way out of what use to be our village, Vlad and the children following behind. Have these warriors have no mercy? I rode upon a horse with him, turning my body away from him. To ride with the murderer of my people wanted me to kill myself. There was no rest that night. I watched as the dozen children walk in snow, begging for a break. Our god, Quetzalcoatl, was no where in sight.

"Please..." I whispered. "Help us, Quetzalcoatl."

The warrior heard me, "The god of the wind cannot help you, now. He will not be awake till spring."

"He will save us! And, then you men will suffer--"

He forced me to face him, grabbing my chin, "Don't talk to me like that, woman. You should be grateful that we even spared your life."

I couldn't turn away, his eyes locked in me in place. And, when he released me, I knew I shouldn't say no more. 

"Achashverosh!" one of the warriors called out. "Wolves are coming!"

The man whipped his head around to the back of the group, "There's too many! Grab what you can, we're making a run for it!"

The four warriors gathered the stolen foods and goods, leaving Vlad and the children behind.

"Leave them, they'll slow down the wolves!" shouted the warriors. 

The children didn't even realize what was happening. The cold had numbed them and hope was dead in their eyes. Who wouldn't be dead inside after all that has happened?

"No!" I shouted. "They're only children!"

None paid heed to me. They quickly got onto their horses and made a dash towards us. I thrashed at the warrior I was sitting with. I need to save them. 

"Achashverosh," I pleaded. "Save them."

He looked down at me, then turned his head back, "It's already too late."

The sound of the galloping horses did not drown out the cries of the children. Why? Why? Why am I so helpless? By sunrise, we had reached a different land. I had fell asleep, after I gave up fighting against him.

"Let us rest here, men," he called out to the others. 

They soon began to make camp, eating the food that we had worked so hard to gather. They were laughing and enjoying themselves, as though nothing had happen. I felt disgusted with them. These men aren't warriors, they're nothing but wild animals. I was tied to one of the horse's saddle, while I waited for my fate as a slave. 

"Don't think too badly of us," the warrior I was riding with said.

He sat down beside me. The difference in our size was truly amazing. 

"You called out my name back there," he said. "How did you know my name?"

"Same as you, I just picked it up after what they were calling you," I said with no emotion. 

"Vika, right?"

I tensed up, "Please, don't say my name."

He said nothing for awhile, "The road back to our home is a long one. I will release your hands, if you behave and listen to my commands."

"Anything!" I said jumping up. My arms longed to be free. Then, I realized how desperate I sounded. "I mean, yes."

He laughed, tossing his head back. He no longer had the presence of a lion, a mere boy sat before me. He was built strong, with muscles peaking around his body. Large shoulders and strong legs. Sandy colored hair and golden eye's of a lion. 

He released my bonds and I swear, my arms sang. After being tied, for so long, there was joy in a time like this.

He reached out his hand towards me, "I am Achashverosh."

I paused before my hand met his, "Vika."