PREVIEW: Isabell and the Dragon

Chapter 1 Captive

April 5, 829 AD northern Brittan, two days south of Hadrian's Wall

Isabell was tired, sore and frightened as she kept up her pace along the old roman road. She had been on the run since early evening the previous day. She needed to put as much distance between herself and her village as possible. Isabell knew her uncle would pursue her. Sleeping hidden in the wood middays at least she was warm as she had no blanket. The road was empty during the night but far from safe. This was day three and Isabell was hungry.

Deciding it was safe enough to stop for a meal Isabell strung her bow and began a hunt. Quickly locating a rabbit she fired one of her blunts from her bow and stunned the animal. Then holding the rabbit by its legs she grabbed the head and with a quick move bent the head backward. She heard the audible crack as the neck broke. Isabell put the rabbit down and waited for the twitching and convulsions to stop. Then taking the rabbit in both hands she quickly twisted the head off then holding its feet swung it around in an ark forcing the entrails out. Isabell was very proficient in her task. In short order she had a small fire started, the rabbit skinned and she began cooking her prize. She sat tailor style as she watched, proud of her skill with the bow and poaching. Her reverie stopped abruptly as she heard a voice behind her.

"Lookie hear this nice lad has made us lunch."

Isabell stood quickly and made a grab for her bow. But her opponent was faster sweeping her feet out from under her with his staff. Isabell fell hard. Two of the men seized her and tied her hands tightly in front of her. Then laughing a second man began to examine her quiver. The first three arrows were blunts, then finding the hidden pocket pulled out her broad head.

"The first three be legal lad, but this will be your end. The lord hangs poachers."

"I only took a rabbit, that's legal with Lord Edward," Isabell said defiantly.

"But you carry a broad head lad," Isabell remained silent, his words were true enough. "Tell you what lad, we don't want to see your neck stretched."

"No we have much better plans for you," the second man said, "don't we Ian."

"Yes we plan to send you across the sea, to Ireland. They pay well for healthy young lads."

Isabell closed her eyes tightly and said a prayer that her captors would not see and search her back pack hidden nearby. Her skirt, vest and blouse were in the pack, and she knew she would remain safer as a "lad". Her decision to run ended in disaster. But even this disaster was an improvement over her uncle's plan.

They waited while the rabbit cooked, then Ian removed it from the roasting stick and taking his knife cut the rabbit in four. Then hearing the approach of a few horses they stood holding their staffs in the ready. A man riding a grey pony, a Palfrey, and leading a magnificent black Descrier (war horse) and a second small pack mule, approached. He was dressed as a man-at-arms. He had a sword at his waist and a mail tunic. He nodded at the five of them and dismounted his pony. "If you good men are willing I will pay well to share your meal."

"Pay well man-at-arms, how?" Ian asked. "Where is your knight?"

"With hard cheese, bread and ale. I have some and that rabbit looks good, call me George. I'm traveling alone." As her turned to open the packs on the donkey two of the men rushed forward attacking with their staffs. George had suspected the treachery of the men and easily parried the staff with his short sword while he split the man's skull with a mace he pulled from pack. Then using mace and sword he began parrying the staffs wielded by the two men still facing him. Ian pulled a long thin bladed dagger from his belt and approached from behind.

Isabell made her move. Taking the fallen man's staff in her hands still bound at the wrist, she swung it in a wide ark toward Ian's head. At the same moment George's sword plunged into one man's chest while his mace crushed the other's head. George saw Isabell swing the staff at the same time Ian did. Ian ducked as the staff passed over him and struck George on the temple. Ian lunged at Isabell with his knife catching her baggy pants below the crotch cutting and tearing them in half. Isabell screamed in frustration and rage as she pelted Ian with numerous blows until he fled.

Isabell rushed to George's side as she whispered a prayer. George was breathing. Isabell sighed in relieve then noticed her ruined pants. She lay the staff on the ground next to her and removed her clogs. Then taking George's sword she sat tailor style on the ground and pulled the hilt toward her she used her bare feet to hold the blade edge up, She began running the thick rope binding her wrists over the blade edge. She worked the rope back and forth on the blade. She was surprised how slowly the blade cut and she continued to saw at the rope.

George slowly returned to his sensibilities and seeing Isabell sitting with his sword sawing away at the ropes binding her shouted, "Die villain," as he attempted to seize his sword. Startled by his shout Isabell grabbed her staff hitting George on the head. He lay still. Isabell continued to work the rope until it finally parted. Then she put on her skirt and then removed her ruined pants and dressed in her vest and blouse removed her hunting cap and let her hair down. Taking her belt knife she began to cut the pants into strips. She had a bear of a man she needed to bind. Reasoning with him could prove difficult if he planned to kill her, or see her hung.

A/N: This book is/was stolen by zinghay.mobi. Please support authors by not viewing or sharing unauthorized copies. You can read this story for free at wattpad, the only AUTHORIZED source.