Powers of a Stranger (working title)

Ch. 2

Authors note: Please comment.

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I must have been riding for almost an hour when I heard the faint sound of a second set of hooves from behind me.

I turned around and saw him.

Good heavens, he was frightening. He looked mean and massive riding his horse with a fervor that would bring most men to their knees in fear. His movements were controlled and his eyes set on his destination. That destination... just happens to be me.

Out of blind stupidity, mostly fear, I kicked at the young mare too hard and it reared up throwing me off its back. Falling to the ground in a pitiful heap, I landed hard on my backside and hit my head on the cold hard ground. I felt warm liquid trickle from the back of my head. My pack of food that was flung off with me when I fell, now laid spread out everywhere.

It must have been a few minutes before I heard the soft crunch of his boots on the dirt as he got off his horse. He didn't say a word. He only stood there a moment looking at me. I couldn't stand him staring at me and started to sit up. He gently pushed me back down and started feeling around for any broken body parts. Then let me sit up. I felt the back of my head where it was sticky and saw that there was a significant amount of blood. Trying to stand on my own I took a step, swaying a bit. He caught me before I could fall again.

Then in one swift movement he picked me up and put me on his horse jumping up behind me. Once settled, he set me on his lap. I heard a loud tearing sound as he tore a piece of fabric and wrapped it around my head to stop the bleeding. I was expecting a rough assault as he tied it but to my surprise, he was gentle. Then there were his eyes, which showed only concern and fear for my injury, when in its place should have been anger...

With his hands cradling my face, he spoke softly,

"You know, you are lucky you aren't much worse than this. Its a wonder nothing else happened to you. I can't believe you stole a horse and on top of that... You are the worst rider I have ever seen... then you took off... You really are an idiot." I flinched away from his hold and took a deep calming breath.

"Yes well, thank you for your kind words and I will remember that for next time. But all I knew was that I wanted to leave. I really don't understand why I have to stay.  It's not like I am bound by some sort of contract." I felt him stiffen a bit and then tighten his hold on me. Then as quickly as I felt him stiffen, his eyes grew hard and with a wicked grin, he laughed.

"You do know what this means now don't you?"

"No, but I am sure I won't like it. So go ahead and tell me."

"We are going to be roommates. This is so I can keep a close watch from now on."

For an instant, I felt like the world was closing in and I couldn't breathe. When I tried to sit up straight, it was too quick, my head started to spin.  I would have fallen right off if he wasn't holding me in a death grip. Relaxing a bit, I let my head rest on his chest and didn't say anything.

"Then you don't oppose to this plan?"

I sighed...

"Well, what can I say? I don't have any freedom anyway. There's no difference than before except this time I will be in the Lions den." He chuckled.

"You are right about that." Grabbing the reins he put on the small mare, he tied it to his horse's saddle. We headed back towards the direction of his estate.

The ride back was silent and I began to drift off. The feel of his warmth and being nestled so close to him made me want to just sleep forever. Suddenly, roughly shaking me, he woke me.