
Each man drew their blade across the exposed skin of their forearm, slowly separating the once fused flesh. Kea’na could hear the meat tear apart as the daggers skidded over. Blood began to pool over each open wound. As one, each man wiped their arms across their chest, soiling the crests they once defended.
“As you can see these men are quite loyal to my cause. You and Mylor should be so wise.”
Kea’na turned back to the men and then toward Demorus. His evil smile disgusted her more than the bloody presentation. She raised her hand and slapped Demorus, successfully removing his grin.
“It seems you could be taught some instruction of allegiance yourself. I wonder which of these men, if not all, would be willing to take such a task upon themselves. I am sure it would be quite time consuming and all the more rewarding.” Demorus turned to the men outside the coach, “She is yours, I have no need for her.”
Everyone within earshot formed a smile and dismounted his horse to take part in Demorus’s proposition. Kea’na could think of no escape, her only defense was the lancet she concealed within her garments. Demorus opened the door of the carriage and left Kea’na alone to the will of the mob. A riot broke out among the scullions kindle by the argument of who would be the first to set upon Kea’na. The largest of the crowd violently made his way through the quarreling and began to enter the coach. Kea’na saw him approach and drew her dagger. Just as she was about to pierce her assailant a member of the mob galloped into the clearing shouting.
“King’s men approach!”
Demorus’s attention was diverted from the orders he was issuing to his men.
“How many of them and how soon?”
“Two my lord, one of them be ___. They will be upon us shortly, an hour perhaps.”
“Very well. You! Disregard the trollop and take your places as before. We will wait here for these men, dispose of them and be on our way.” He looked directly at Kea’na, “There will be women more worthy soon enough. I hear the tournament has drawn a good number of some of the most agreeing women. The rest of you prepare yourselves, we may very well bathe ourselves by blood this eve.”
Kea’na took in what had transpired. What is happening? What was Demorus capable of? Does he actually intend to overcome Mylor? How could this be happening? What more....
“Impressed? I thought you a woman more keen to an engaging face than to one that holds authority. I am sure your disgust for me will subside once you realize the far reaches of what I control.”
“What I hold for you is beyond disgust. I knew you were vile Demorus, yet I did not imagine to what extent. Your devious mind lacks a bit of reality. I doubt anything will come of this venture, except maybe for your head or should I say the loss of it. Mylor --”
“Hold your tongue!!”
Outraged at her remarks, Demorus ordered Kea’na to be bound and placed back inside her carriage.
“As you can see these men are quite loyal to my cause. You and Mylor should be so wise.”
Kea’na turned back to the men and then toward Demorus. His evil smile disgusted her more than the bloody presentation. She raised her hand and slapped Demorus, successfully removing his grin.
“It seems you could be taught some instruction of allegiance yourself. I wonder which of these men, if not all, would be willing to take such a task upon themselves. I am sure it would be quite time consuming and all the more rewarding.” Demorus turned to the men outside the coach, “She is yours, I have no need for her.”
Everyone within earshot formed a smile and dismounted his horse to take part in Demorus’s proposition. Kea’na could think of no escape, her only defense was the lancet she concealed within her garments. Demorus opened the door of the carriage and left Kea’na alone to the will of the mob. A riot broke out among the scullions kindle by the argument of who would be the first to set upon Kea’na. The largest of the crowd violently made his way through the quarreling and began to enter the coach. Kea’na saw him approach and drew her dagger. Just as she was about to pierce her assailant a member of the mob galloped into the clearing shouting.
“King’s men approach!”
Demorus’s attention was diverted from the orders he was issuing to his men.
“How many of them and how soon?”
“Two my lord, one of them be ___. They will be upon us shortly, an hour perhaps.”
“Very well. You! Disregard the trollop and take your places as before. We will wait here for these men, dispose of them and be on our way.” He looked directly at Kea’na, “There will be women more worthy soon enough. I hear the tournament has drawn a good number of some of the most agreeing women. The rest of you prepare yourselves, we may very well bathe ourselves by blood this eve.”
Kea’na took in what had transpired. What is happening? What was Demorus capable of? Does he actually intend to overcome Mylor? How could this be happening? What more....
“Impressed? I thought you a woman more keen to an engaging face than to one that holds authority. I am sure your disgust for me will subside once you realize the far reaches of what I control.”
“What I hold for you is beyond disgust. I knew you were vile Demorus, yet I did not imagine to what extent. Your devious mind lacks a bit of reality. I doubt anything will come of this venture, except maybe for your head or should I say the loss of it. Mylor --”
“Hold your tongue!!”
Outraged at her remarks, Demorus ordered Kea’na to be bound and placed back inside her carriage.