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Bad, Bad Company
Dawn flutters and marches, the lone crucifix the sole focus for the black-winged birds and an army of ants, their appetites for fresh carrion unrelenting. The gender of the corpse mattered little to avian and insectival diners intent on merely satisfying their hunger cravings. Obvious tortures inflicted prior to the stillness of the feast also were of no consequence to the food chain participants. By mid-day, Nature would reveal glimpses of bleached white bones in the now desolate arena
Some 3 Weeks Earlier…
“She was found nearby with escort and a friend.”
Tsunacius, leader of the marauding patrol, fingered the gold seal and serpentine clasp taken from the young woman's bicep and the royal ring removed from her forefinger. Holding the jewelry he keenly eyed the toned blonde. An enemy actually taller than he, the short leather tunic she wore doing little to disguise its owner's curves.
He almost absently said to his sergeant, “And the others?”
“Ambushed and shot by our archers. This one ran and then mightily fought our men until we overcame and brought her here.”
“These,” he said holding up the bejeweled belongings, “show you to be a princess. What is your name?” She fought the ropes binding wrists behind her back. Greenish eyes regarded her captor and with a voice devoid of any courtesy said, “Cyyerha, princess of Mannurs”.
Invaders had uncourageously killed her younger cousin, two of her best guards and trespassed on her territory. “As I suspected. Your people will soon know of your late return and send out parties in search.”
To his subordinate Tsunacius said, “Make preparations to leave immediately. Take her with us. We can return later with greater forces…Oh, and make sure that our princess here,” a smile sneered his bearded face, “is comfortable for the journey back. Pack her well!”
Bare knees pressed up against the leather bodice. The wooden walls barely held room for her. Sunlight extinguished with the closing of the lid, pressing her head further down. A pounding heart made the loudest noise as Cyyerha jostled for any purchase within the crate atop the cart. The land journey began.
Heat from exertion and the boxy confinement quickly increased. Were it but for small cracks in the lid blackness would prevail. Scant air prevented suffocation. Teeth gnashed. Clearly in bad, bad company…
Scant light from the cracks in the lid dimmed as one evening arrived. The air inside somewhat cooled. A sleepless night was spent in futile attempts to find any give in the walls. The motion of the crate stopped. Cyyerha sensed that her captors and she were stopped at camp.
For the next several days the motion of waves rocked underneath. A cool salt air proved relief from the muggy stale air of before. The confines remained claustrophobic. A sense of direction no longer mattered.
The rocking motion got heavier and the air cooler. Fatigue enveloped. All became dark and still.
To be continued…
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