"Not Your Average Damsel in Distress-1" by Esmeralda Eli

Not Your Average Damsel in Distress

By: Esmeralda Eli

 Dedicated to my friend, Stormy Eaton!  

Chapter One

Greetings at Winchester

            That night was a happy night, a night I would never forget. Everyone had come to my castle for a good time, a ball to be more specific.

            People were arriving from everywhere, all over England. They all wanted to see if the beauty of Princess Eleanor Gwendolen Lynet of Winchester-me-was true. Or they simply wanted another glimpse of me, although, I could care less.

            While everyone was awaiting my arrival, I was watching from up stairs and looking as people came in to have a good time. They didn’t see me watching them over my position on the balcony above them. I was in a casual stance, slouched. My arms balanced on the railing, hands hanging over the edge.

            The hall was decorated ravishingly with gold and red decorations hanging from the walls. The tapestries embroidered to every last detail of a dragon, hero, or what have you. Striving for that every bit of perfection, but oh, do we know that perfection is ever illusive.

            I sighed; I hated all these boring gatherings. I would rather be out fighting dragons or something. Anything would be better than this party, or whatever they wished to call it. You see, I’m not very noble ladylike at all. I would much rather be a knight on a quest. There to protect and serve the people with lost hope.

            “Well, this should be interesting, let’s see how much time I can waste before they realize I’m not there. Camilla will be entertaining enough, she’ll like the attention,” I said to myself and smiled evilly.

            Camilla is my stunning older sister. She has a way of spinning the dullest of stories into ones you’ll never forget. She likes attention and is entertaining enough to get it, but not that entertaining.

            As I looked upon my guests to see any familiar faces and seeing practically none, I looked on to see the way people acted without me around (especially men).

            I looked over to where my mother and father were. They were engulfed in a conversation between a man and a woman I had not seen before. Although, judging by appearance, it seems as though my parents had spoken with them prior to this evening. As I was thinking exactly as to whom they could be something caught the corner of my eye.

            I turned my head slightly to see a rather tall, muscular man, drinking his ale as if it was his last day of life. He had dark brown hair cut short with a few strands hanging in his face. Admittedly, he was rather plain. Not ugly, nor particularly pleasing to the eye. On the contrary, I suppose I’m picky….

            I continued to focus my gaze on him as if waiting for him to do something…anything, but he just continued to chug down his ale. Growing bored, I looked around to the long rectangular table, where all the food and refreshments were placed on. Crowds of people surrounded the table nibbling here and there, drinking from the prized gold cups and chalices while eating off our finest plates.

            Turning my head slightly to the right, towards the center of the room, I spotted a man, a knight to be more accurate. He stood out among the crowd with his unique handsome features. Among the sea of brown hair was his short light red hair tinted blonde that contrasted with his pale blue eyes. His pale skin featured high cheek bones and a strong chin. He was talking amongst his group of friends, which consisted of three other males. They were standing close enough to where I was positioned for me to listen to them if I concentrated hard enough. I wanted to see what kind of man he was. I hoped he wasn’t dim. I hated dim men.

            “So, Gary, do you think it’s true what they say that Princess Eleanor, et cetera, is as beautiful as the lovely Princess Camilla Italia?” a friend of the man asked the guy I was attracted to. I blushed, it’s hard to listen to a conversation about yourself, I was glad no one was around to see my pink tinted flesh.

            “I dunno, but I think I’d like to find out,” Gary stated. It appeared he was a colorful fellow….

            “Well, if not, it was enough to come here and see all the pretty ladies of all the lands,” Another man said, oh great, these guys were so typical.

            “Is that all you think about, Leigh?” asked the man who spoke to Gary first. This man had light blonde with pale blue eyes. He had a small stature compared to Gary. His height only reached to Gary’s ears and his frame was thin and narrow.

            “Oh, come on, and you don’t, Thomas,” Leigh replied with a broad smile on his face. He was the dark one of the group. He had short brown hair with a few strands brushing his brow which lead your eyes to his sparking green eyes that were filled with life.

            “Oiy” I said aloud while I watched Thomas’s face become read as Gary snickered at the comment.

            “Speaking of which, where is Lady Eleanor, et cetera?” Gary solicited after he stopped laughing.

            “Maybe she isn’t into this whole thing,” A young woman’s deep voice spoke from behind the men. They turned around and I could see the lady who spoke. She looked about my age and was very pretty.

            The men went back into there “gentlemen cover” as I called it.

            “Hello milady, may I ask your name?” Thomas asked he expected to have her hand extended so he could kiss it, but she didn’t. They bowed to her and she curtsied in return.  

            “I’m Lady Lunet Joan of Camelot, where you are Knights of the Round Table,” she replied with an annoyed tone. She had fiery red hair in a braid, gray eyes that were bored stiff and very pale skin showered with a few freckles on her nose and cheeks. She was a tall woman; only a few inches shorter than Thomas and carried herself with an air of confidence.

            “Ah, that’s right Lady Lunet, I’m Sir Thomas, this is Sir Leigh, and this is Sir Gaheris, but we call him Gary for short,” Thomas responded.

            “I already knew who you were,” Lunet told them shortly. I chuckled at her tone, they were in for it.

            “Well, maybe this won’t be so boring after all,” I spoke aloud. I  watched on happily as the guys were going to get it.

            “Oh, so you know who we are,” Leigh said nervously his eyes darting around the room at the crowds of people that surrounded them. It appeared as though he was looking for an escape route.

            “Well, it’s not like you’re famous,” She retorted sarcastically.

            “Right…” Gary answered uncomfortably.

            “Ella.” I turned around to see that Camilla had been the one that called my name.

            “Yes…” I replied.

            “Are you coming down, or not?” Camilla asked sternly, but before I had time to answer she dragged me to the stairs, literally dragged me at that.  “Everyone is expecting you and wondering where you are.”

            “Maybe I’m trying to be fashionably late,” I retorted, of course I wasn’t serious. Camilla scowled at that comment, while I smiled oh, so innocently.

            “Go!” Camilla ordered. That annoyed me, now it was my turn to scowl.

            “Don’t treat me like some child. You’re not my mother,” I replied coldly.

            “Well, you’re acting like one and I’m simply helping mother,” Camilla stated.

            “Maybe I just don’t like these “gatherings” like you, or the fact that everyone stares at you and won’t stop no matter how rude it is,” I answered, that wasn’t nearly half the reasons why I hated these “gatherings”. Camilla pointed down the stairs and the look on her face didn’t look too good.

            “You look constipated,” I pointed out to my sister and I quickly ran down the stairs until near the bottom and put on my “snobby rich bitch face” and walked down the rest others steps elegantly.

            The stairs ended in the center of the room. They were made of wood, but covered by an elegant red carpet- which matched the rest of the room- but the carpet was also decorated with yellow swirls that created a design.

            It seemed like time had stopped and everyone looked my way. This is exactly what I hated the most! I just waved and smiled like I was oblivious to everything. I decided I would find that girl and see if the guys survived.

            With my goal in mind, I pushed my way through the crowds of people. I made my face as snobby and uninviting to conversation as I possibly could. I didn’t have an ounce of interest in what these people would most likely talk to me about. It would be all superficial. 

            I continued to dart in between bodies in the crowd, trying my best not to touch anyone. It would only draw more attention to me. I directed myself towards the right side of the room, which was near the balcony I was standing on. I knew that was about the general area Lady Lunet and the three men were located. 

            I had finally found them and to my dismay I saw that they were still alive, barely. They turned my way, as if sensing my presence. The guys suddenly went from their “gentlemen cover” to “love sick puppy face”. Now this really made me vexed.

            Screw the “snobby rich bitch face”, I thought to myself.

            “Hello, I’m Princess Eleanor Gwendolen Lynet, but please, call me Ella,” I said to Lunet and Lunet only.

            “Ok then, Ella, may I decapitate them for you!? The blonde dies first!!” Lunet cried and pointed at Thomas. Thomas screeched and ran behind Gary. I stared blankly as the short blonde hid behind the tall, broad shouldered man.

            “SAVE ME, GARY!!!!!!” he cried pathetically.

“So much for brave knights of the round table,” I commented and pointed towards them, “I hate to see what they look like on the battle field, if they don’t run away screaming!”

            “Why do I die first?” Thomas cried from his position behind Gary.

            At this time, a few bystanders had turned around to look at the scene we were making. It isn’t quite normal to see people showing such a display of emotion at a dignified party.

            “Because you’re prettier than me!!” Lunet cried out in frustration.

            “WHAT?!?!” Thomas cried while I pretended to cough. Lunet shot me a look. Her gray eyes squinted in suspicion.

            “What are you coughing about?” she asked sharply.

            “What a woman can’t cough in piece anymore?!” I cried in my defense.

            “Do you take me for an idiot? I knew you weren’t coughing because you have cold,” She said.

            “You are an idiot and I am coughing because I have a cold,” I lied, my face remaining neutral.

            “Wait, you’re saying I’m prettier than you?” Thomas was still in utter bewilderment.

            Gary answered, “Yeah, I see it.”

Lunet fell over on her derriere, smacking the hard wooden floor. DONK!!      

“I can’t be prettier than you, Lunet.” Thomas stated.

            “Are you saying I’m beautiful?” Lunet gasped hopefully.

            “Ahhh……….Yeah…..” Thomas answered unsure if it would be the best answer.

            “THANK YOU SO MUCH, HUG!!!!” Lunet shouted while people looked at her like she was a nutcase, which, she was.

            By this time, more guests in my household had turned to look at the interesting conversation I had involved myself in. Their eyebrows raised in either interest, appall, or more commonly fascination at the behavior in which we were acting in.

            “Wait…….N……” Too late he was smothered. “I can get used to this.”  He sighed contentedly.

            “Lunet……….”Leigh started calling her name softly.

            “NOOOO!” Lunet stopped him from continuing, while still clutching Thomas, who was in a stupor, by the look on his face a good one.

            “Boys will be boys,” I began, “but, what you need to worry about is when they become men.”

            “True, true.” Lunet said and we laughed while the guys were baffled as to what I said.

            “Oh, milady, forgive us for being so rude, but I’m Sir Gaheris , but you can call me Gary,” he winked at me, “This is Sir Thomas, that is Sir Leigh, and, of course, the colorful Lady Lunet Joan of Camelot, well one of them anyways….”

            “It’s nice to meet you all, I think.” I replied. “You know who I am, so do a lot of people, it’s scary actually.”

            “There you are, Lunet! I told you to wait for me!” a woman cried coming from behind the crazy girl.

This new woman had black hair that was down and came to the middle of her back. She had dark icy blue eyes that were now lit by a cold blue fire from within.

            “Damn, just when we were having fun,” Lunet snapped her fingers in mock disappointment.

            “Lunet-”, she had begun, but then, having noticed me, greeted instead, “Oh, hello, Princess Eleanor Gwendolen Lynet.”

            “See, what did I tell you about strangers knowing me?” I remarked to Lunet and the three guys before turning to my new acquaintance, “Hello, just call me Ella, please.”

            “I’m Lady Roana Urie of Camelot,” She introduced herself with a broad smile adorning her visage.

            “Hey, Ella, What’s up with the REALLY long name?” Leigh asked.

            “I guess my mom couldn’t decide out of the three names of which to name me, therefore, she concluded to name me all of them,” I retorted, while receiving laughter in response.

            “Umm….Lunet, I think you’re going to kill Thomas,” Roana pointed out taking in the “display of affection” between Lunet and Thomas.

            “NO! Don’t leave me!” Thomas shouted.

One woman, who was close behind him, turned around and stared at the boy in annoyance before continuing her conversation.

            “I think we’re making a scene now,” Lunet replied having noticed the onlookers they had drawn. She gave the woman who had just turned around a gray glare of death, which unfortunately, would have had more of a reaction if it hadn’t been at the back of her head.

            “You just realized this,” I told them sweeping my arm around at all the bystanders to accentuate my point.

            “Ok…so we’ve been, but maybe some other time, blondie.” She said while Thomas sniffed. Lunet reluctantly separated from him.

            “So, now you have pet names,” Gary mused.

            “Uuhhh… HICA!” Lunet was speechless and could only make noises to fill in the space in which she should have been speaking in.

            “No no no no no no no no no, well…..” Thomas reconsidered, but Lunet gave him ‘the look’. “Ok, guess not, but I can always dream.”

            “WHAT?!” Lunet bellowed, which received the reaction of a few people deciding to take their discussions elsewhere. Hmm…maybe Lunet should come to all these gatherings that we have…she certainly can clear a room.

            “Ahhh, did I say that out loud?” Thomas blushed.

            “Yes, you did, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the whole room heard you,” I answered.  

            “I need a drink! Come with me, Gary! NOW!” he yelled. He dragged Gary across the room, which seemed unfathomable seeing as he is so damn skinny.

 Leigh, not wanting to be left with us women, followed his friends.  It appeared they were headed for the refreshment table as they pushed their way across the room. I looked up at the wall the table was up against to see the banner of Winchester. It was red with four castles in each corner including one in the middle. Surrounding the castle in the middle were two golden lions on each side. I gazed at it proudly for a moment before focusing my gaze back upon Lunet.

 Lunet was so busy turning different shades of red that she didn’t even notice that the three gentlemen had left. She was looking at the wooden floor as if memorizing all the grains and swirls in the wood. One hand was to her cheek as if trying in a futile attempt to get rid of the heated redness.

            “You look like a tomato; a very ripe tomato that’s about to burst!” I informed her, but Lunet didn’t seem to hear me. She was too far off in her own world. “How old are y’all anyways?”

            Roana answered because Lunet didn’t notice, of course. “We’re fifteen, and you?”

            “Yeah, I am too,” I smiled.

            “Did I miss something?” Lunet asked having snapped backed into reality.

            “We were just talking about how to get you committed,” I answered.

            “What!? NOOO!” Are you serious?” Lunet bellowed.

            “Yes, we are serious,” I replied.

            “NOO! I like life!!! I’m sane!!!” She screamed at the top of her lungs. The rest of people, who had been surrounding us, were whispering in hushed tones before scurrying off, and every once in awhile they would glance in her direction.  

            “Sure, honey, keep telling that to yourself if it makes you feel better,” Roana answered calmly.

            “I am….. I really am,” She said while twitching with a distant tone.

            “We were just kidding, Lunet,” I gave in while she sighed.

            “Oh, good, because I still have to…oh, oops!” Lunet muttered looking away, the red hue returning to her cheeks once again.

            “I’m sure I know what you were talking about,” I commented and I really did.

            “How could you!? Do you? You can’t.” Lunet questioned staring back at me bewildered.

            “Oh, I think I do,” I continued torturing her.

            “Dang it, you do,” Lunet sighed in defeat. I turned around to see that Gary was coming over while supporting a wiped out Thomas with Leigh walking behind them; of course, he wasn’t helping out. 

            “Oh, Ella, my dear sister,” I turned around. It was Camilla, this wasn’t good at all, “Hello, everyone, well, Ella, I have someone here who wants to see you and well… here he is. This is Sir Bertram of the Round Table in Camelot.”

Camilla shoved him towards me. He was scary! Not only that, but he was also the same man I had noticed before. From this close he was about 5 of me!! Unlike before he was drooling. PIG! He kept staring at me with a glint in his eyes I didn’t want to name. I have the sudden urge to hurl; I loathed Camilla for doing this to me. This was clearly payback for earlier. One of these days, I’ll make her pay, but by the expression on her face it looked like she was sorry to do this to me, but it still had a hint of smugness.

            “It’s…….nice to meet you, Princess… Eleanor…….”he stumbled over my name, clearly he wasn’t very smart. No, that’s putting it lightly seeing as the expression on his face was clueless as if he had to think of how to greet someone. He was dim, dimmer than dirt. I forced a smile, but I could tell that it was a sour smile.

            “It’s nice to meet you, too, I think,” The sour look on my face continued to take over the sweetness; I figured seeing that the others behind me were laughing at my unfortunate bad luck.

            “Well, I best be going,” Camilla said and without and word dashed off and vanished in the crowd. That Wench! I’ll get her back! You can tell that I love my sister very much, can’t you? I secretly do, but don’t tell her that.

            “Hey, you guys want to go outside? It’s too crowded in here,” I asked them, anything to get away from this poor excuse for a knight. I turned around they were all nodding their heads vigorously; they should be bowing before me. “Follow me,” and then whispered. “Let’s ditch the oaf,” They all nodded and looked like they were about to burst from wanting to laugh.

            We quickly passed Bertram who was still in his daze. Honestly, some people can be so rude, as if that isn’t the understatement of the year. I quickly weaved in and out of people, which must have been a pain to follow me, but that was their problem. I really wanted to get away from Bertram; something told me his mind was FAR scarier than his face which is saying something.  

            “Hey Ella…Bertram is following us and believe me, I should know,” I turned around and stopped, wait a second Gary was next to me before and now…….

            I burst out laughing, it was a hilarious sight, Gary’s belt was being tugged on and he had to drag Bertram with him as he kept going. Everyone was looking on in horror, while the rest of the gang was doubled over with laughter. I looked among the crowd of onlookers and saw that Camilla was trying to suppress laughter. I looked back at the seen that was being displayed and an idea hit me. It was cruel, but it had to be done for Gary’s sake, and since when did I care?

            “Come on guys, I have an idea,” I told them. They collected themselves and Gary got up because he had fallen from the dead weight known as Bertram.  Judging by the look on Gary’s face he was about ready to slaughter him. As soon as we approached the pavilion, which was all the way across the room from where we were socializing before, everyone seemed to have forgotten the little scene and continued with their little pointless boring conversations.

            I walked onto the pavilion the cold air snipping at my bare shoulders and everything felt funny, like something was going to happen. I furrowed my brow, it wasn’t a good feeling. I turned around the others were walking out and Lunet and Roana shivered in the cold night air.

            It was a relief to be out of that room. Mostly surrounded by rich snobs, who only cared about how they look and if they were drinking the finest wine, or wearing the latest fashion, even if they had to make there servants bend over backwards.

            I looked down; we were only 2 feet in the air (24 inches). It wasn’t a long fall down; you could land on your feet and be perfectly fine. I smirked; this is where my plan was going to take place.

            Gary finally came out and was huffing and puffing, poor sod.

            “So…..what’s the deal……Ella?” he asked me. This is where it would be difficult: getting Bertram to let go of Gary.

            “Get the oaf off of you and then I’ll explain,” I replied.  

            “With pleasure,” He smirked, and smacked Bertram into the gray stone wall, therefore, Bertram had to let go of him. That sight could have brought tears to my eyes. He sighed with relief. Bertram was totally K.O. (knocked out).

            “What’s the plan, Ella?” Lunet asked me curiosity, happiness, and mischief burning in her eyes. She was smiling so happily, I couldn’t help, but smile back.

            The smile became evil now, “Well, other than the fact that I wanted to get the hell out of that room, I figured this fall isn’t too far. What’s the best way to get rid of an annoying sister? Throw her over a ledge, so I figured Bertram would fall into that category. Who knows? Maybe it will knock some sense into him, maybe even a sentence?” I finished describing my little plan.

Gary patted me on the back, “Remind me never to get on your bad side, ok?” I chuckled.

            “Now, all we have to do is heave this big tub of lard over the ledge,” Roana stated, we laughed, that was another way to describe Bertram, not that he was fat, he was just frighteningly tall and broad.

            I loathed him so much; I walked over to him and started jumping on him. I know it’s not a very civilized thing, but hey, I’m not a very civilized girl. Besides I don’t think he felt anything, for now…:-D Then, Lunet stomped over; she kicked Bertram, smirked out of satisfaction, and walked off. Apparently she didn’t like Bertram, either.

            Gary, Leigh, Thomas, and I lifted Bertram from of the ground where he lay. As expected, he weighed a ton, but the four of us could manage. Roana and Lunet wanted on the edge of the pavilion where they would help heave him over. Once we reached the edge, Lunet and Roana were in position to help.

            “On the count of three, 1, 2….. 3!!” I shouted into the night air. We heaved him over the railing and he fell to the ground with a big thud. I wondered if he was still breathing, even though I didn’t like; I still didn’t want to be the cause of his demise.

            “So, what do we do now?” Roana asked.

            “I dunno, I believe the party will be over soon,” I replied.

            “Oh, but I had so much fun, and I didn’t think I would. Do you think that we would be able to stay longer?” Lunet asked.

            “Maybe; I would like that.” I said in deep thought.

            “Hey, people are starting to leave,” Leigh pointed out as he took a peak inside from the doorway. I, too, looked inside and saw that there were a lot less people in the room and getting smaller by the minute.

            “Hold on, maybe I can ask if you guys can stay longer?” I suggested.

            “Yeah, but how much longer do you think?” Lunet asked eagerly.

            “Maybe, you can stay over night, it gets so boring here.” I replied.

            Lunet jumped for joy and everyone had a load of smiles on there faces. “I’ll take that as a good idea,” I finished after almost being toppled over by Lunet’s crushing hug.

            “Lunet, you’re going to kill her, and then we won’t be able to stay in Winchester,” Gary pointed out amused.

            “Oh, heehee” was all Lunet said, you would think she would be worried about being a bumpkin…

            “I’ll go ask my parents,” I walked away and they followed me back inside, where it was nice and warm compared to the cool night atmosphere on the pavilion. I felt much better inside.

            “There you are, Eleanor,” I winced at the use of my full name, I preferred Ella, “You’re mother and I wondered if you ran off again,” Father greeted me.

            “No, I was just outside on the pavilion. Speaking of which, I think you may want to check there, I believe someone had too much to drink and fell off the balcony,” I was talking about Bertram, but I didn’t think it would be wise to tell them that his accident wasn’t an accident, but actually me.

            “That’s interesting…” Mother replied her brow furrowed.

            “I was wondering, I’ve meet some people and I’ve become friends with….Mom, don’t give me that look, it’s possible, and well I was wondering do you think they can stay over?” I asked them hopefully.

            “Well, of course, I have to meet them!! These are pretty much the first friends you have that don’t serve you!!!” Mother smiled with glee.

            “Thanks…I guess.” I replied afraid of Mom who was overly happy.  

            “Is that them? Come over, dears!” Mother called, even Dad was giving her weird looks. I looked back at them and saw that they were trying to suppress laughter, well let’s just wait until I meet their parents. I squinted my eyes at them and gave them my death glare. They stopped snickering abruptly.

            “My goodness, boys, too! My Ella is growing up!!” Mother cried. Camilla came over and joined us, giggling. You can always count on mothers to embarrass you. “Ella, introduce us to them.”

            I made quick introductions of my newly found friends to my parents and sister. My friends bowed and curtsied gracefully showing respect to the sovereigns of Winchester.

            “It is an honor to meet all of you,” Father greeted them.

            “Well, we’ll see you later, but we have business to attend to with Camilla,” Mother informed me.

            “What business?” I asked. They never tell me anything.

            “You’ll see,” Camilla smiled mysteriously and they walked away. That was certainly interesting, but I wasn’t going to put so much concern in it. I had other things to think about.

            “So, where are we going to sleep?” Leigh asked with sparkles in his eyes.

            I looked back at him flatly. “Not with the girls. We’ll sleep in my room and you guys can sleep in ANOTHER room.”

            “Damn, it was worth a shot,” Leigh snapped his fingers in dismay.

            “Well, we still have time on our hands, what do you suppose we do?” Roana asked.

            “Do you guys have horses?” I asked with an idea in mind.

            “Yes…..” they all nodded.

            “Well, then let’s go for a ride!” I suggested. I loved riding.

            “Good Idea! I hardly ever get to ride back at home-especially in the evening!” Lunet exclaimed.

            I had quickly gone to tell my parents where I would be, I had learned my lesson the last time I didn’t. They nearly had a heart attack-at least 5 times in the same night! I went to go for a walk and I was gone for a couple of hours. What did they think I was kidnapped? Not likely. However, since then I always tell them where I’m going, because if I don’t, the outcome won’t be pretty. ¬_¬

            We were finally outside and I went to grab my horse, Kahn, out in the stables. I had to walk past the pavilion and saw that Bertram wasn’t there, which was a relief. I had to go in the back, while the others had their horses in the front. I took them outside the front entrance and headed my own way to the back of my manor, which took a little while. It was even more freezing now than it was before. I had a strange feeling, usually I’m fine by myself outside, but I have this strange feeling that I should just run back and drag one of them to come with me, but I was too proud to do that, so I just kept walking. I only quickened my pace.

            I approached the wooden stable; it was very large and fancy. There were tons of horses everywhere. I believe there are twenty horses to be exact.  All the other horses were fancy and looked good and groomed well. I could have any one of them, but I had Kahn. When I was 5, I was wondering in the forest. That’s when I meet Kahn. He was a stray, very emaciated, and still a calf. He had been abandoned or lost. So, I took him in and made him my pet. He actually had a personality and I loved him right when I meet him. We grew up together and we were like best friends, even though he was a horse and I a human, we understood each other.

            I walked into the stable and smiled when I saw Kahn. He neighed a hello to me.

            “Good to see you, too.” I replied. Yes, I’m talking to my horse.  He neighed in response. 

            That’s when I heard movements close by. It sounded like only one person. One LARGE person, at least Kahn was with me for comfort. I turned my head towards him and saw that worried look in his huge green eyes. It went straight through me. So, this wasn’t my imagination here. Horror began to fill my heart as Kahn started to freak out and when animals freak out, it’s for a good reason… usually.

I had the feeling that this wasn’t a small, or petty scared of the wind animal thing. I, myself, had the feeling, too. I had had it all night long.

That was when Kahn started jumping up and down and looking with wild eyes behind me. I could feel his fear radiating off of him. I turned around and to my horror; someone was coming towards me, someone big… someone large and strong….

I stood still. Fear all coming through me making me immobile. I just watched in horror, my voice wouldn’t work and that was a first. I just stared hard at the approaching figure. It was moving slyly as if it was a fox ready to pounce on its prey… and I was its prey. I just stood there in utter bewilderment.

When he grabbed me around the arms and waist did I suddenly come back to earth and find my voice. I moved my limbs rapidly in an attempt to get him to loose his grip, but it was too no avail. He lifted me, as if I weighed a feather, off the ground and slung me over his shoulder. I struggled, but he overpowered me by far, although, I was hard to handle. He placed his hand over my mouth so I wouldn’t scream, but Kahn was making more than enough noise for me, so maybe the others would hear him. Maybe I’m just saying that to make myself feel better… or maybe I’m going crazy.

I was too hard too handle and I almost came free, but he caught me before noise could come out of my mouth and then suddenly it all went black….