My Keeper

Chapter 2 - A 'Warm' Welcoming

Gabriel, the knight, who had seemingly saved me from the whore auction was a man of few words. He had picked me up without a word and placed me on his horse's saddle before swinging himself up behind me taking control of the reins.

We travelled through the woods for two days, the minute battalion and I, we rode all day and rested at night. Riding on a horse for hours on end doesn't sound as exhausting and painful as it is; my rear end feels numb and bruised, my inner thighs chafed. Trying to keep my posture straight and fighting the fatigue to stop myself from leaning on the monstrous mountain.

It was the second day, my refusal to go asleep the past two nights had caught up with me and I could feel my body gently swaying on the horse as my eyes started to close. The previous nights I hadn't slept once, I couldn't allow myself to around these men. Around dusk they would find clear hard packed ground to camp on for the night, setting up a fire with logs around it, tie the horses to the trees and create makeshift beds with the wool blankets on the horses.

Of course I was made to sleep on Gabriel's blanket with him despite my protest. He would corner me with his arms then fall asleep five minutes later as he snored in my ear. I just couldn't fall asleep no matter how tired I was; being pressed up to a strange man and surrounded by more strange men didn't allow me to feel secure enough to fall asleep.

I did try to escape his arms in the first night when everyone went to sleep and the watch guard for the night went into the woods to urinate but my weak attempts were fruitless against him, he was too strong even in his sleep.

I opened my eyes as multiple conversations stirred my consciousness, oh no I fell asleep. I quickly leant away from Knight Gabriel, nearly falling off the horse in my haste, I shivered as I rubbed my warm cheek that had been resting on his back.

I observed the village we had ridden into, it was a small one. Little thatched houses built by mud and straw were dotted all over the area. The smell of farm animals and unwashed people was heavy on the air. In a state of shock I stared around the village with wide eyes. They were all human.

Free humans.

The village slightly reminded me of my own, bringing a tear to my eyes. Men walked around in groups tending to the land and the houses, women could be seen hanging up garments on string and children running around chasing each other in the mud.

They all stopped what they were doing and stared at the little battalion I am now apart of. Fear was most prominent on their faces, some turned their eyes away to look at the ground. I suppose they were afraid to look the King's Warriors in the eyes.

Knight Gabriel stopped the parade with a hold of his right hand in the air. He jumped down off the horse and before I knew it I was on the ground next to him, the dirty beast grabbing my waist. I moved a foot away from him and he didn't protest.

"We require food and water, as servants of the King's land you will give us such pleasantries", called out Gabriel to the village.

A man, no taller than me, stepped away from the crowd and bowed to Gabriel. "Of course, sir. Please follow me, I will show you to our table. My name is Bert and I am the leader of this village."

Even though he gave off an air authority I could tell the small man was frightened of the warriors, his face had turned an awful pale colour. 

We followed the man through the village and left the horses to be attended to. Gabriel had a tight grip on my arm the whole time, dragging me behind him.

As all the werewolves were being seated and served mead and water from the women. I looked around the village, I wonder if I could escape whilst the men were distracted.

But then again where would I run to? I have no shoes on, I wear a thin raggedy sheet and I have no food or water.

You'll die, don't be idiotic Saffron, spit my subconsciousness. I know it was right.

But what would I face at the King's castle? A life of servitude to that pig of a dog and breeding little demons. I think not.

"Excuse me, miss?" A timid voice brought me out of my stupor. To my right a woman stood, plump and with kind brown eyes.

"Aye?", I ask.

"Knight Gabriel has asked that I give you clean clothes, Miss. Before you can eat at the table." I looked in the direction of the table to see Gabriel hunched over eating his broth like all the other men. Laughing like imbeciles.

I'd rather clean clothes than to sit with them dogs. "Okay, thank you...?"

"Ellis, miss."

"I am Saffron....I am nowhere near a miss, Ellis." I say kindly but firmly, I will not forget who I am and who I represent.

A slave to a dirty dog, nothing else.