One Hundred Tears In The Sunset

Chapter Sixteen

"For the world has been hidden behind a veil...

...I have never truly seen around me until the night I stepped from that gate"

*

The darkness of the night drifted passed him in a patchy blur. His eyelids were heavy with wanted sleep, but he wouldn't close them. Not until he knew they were safe. Which would probably be never. Brooke shook his head and gazed around the camp outside. Everyone was still asleep, he could see a half naked women draped over the body of a large man laying beside the ashes of the fire. Brooke turned his gaze when he saw the man was completely naked and still half hard. He would have to leave this camp as soon as possible. He didn't like how that Bale looked at Teyha. She was too innocent to stay in a place like this. Brooke shifted his aching leg and rolled up the sleeve of his shirt. Thick red blood had turned gooey around the paining wound. He gritted his teeth and pressed the puffy skin gently. A sharp lace of pain crippled him. How have I ignored this all night? But he already knew the answer. It was because of them, because they came first now, no matter what. Brooke turned his gaze on the two sleeping bodies behind him. Teyha was curled into a tight ball, her face seemed less grey than before and Clarence was snoring softly, a drip of dribble leaked from his lip. Another wave of pain pulsed in his arm making him suck in a tight breath. It would have to be now, before they woke up. Brooke gently pulled of his shirt careful not to touch the bullet wound. He eyed the wooden tweezers and shuddered. This would not be fun.

A soft heavy breathing was what woke her up. That, and the soft gaze of the sun that had started to lighten up the world. Her whole body was aching from sleeping on the hard floor, and the chill of the morning air was kissing her face with it's fresh embrace,

"Shite." A soft gasp echoed in the tent as she opened her grey eyes. Brooke was leaning over his arm holding a pair of wooden tweezers in a shaking hand. His whole body was shivering. Deep red blood drenched his bare skin. Teyha froze when she saw it.

Blood seeping on a cold castle floor.

Pure red against ice white.

A knife slashing against a pale neck.

A scream which haunted her dreams.

Brooke swore again breaking into her visions. She watched in silence as he picked up a clear bottle of vodka, stared at it, snarled loudly and dumped the drink back on the floor,

"You said it wasn't bad." Teyha finally managed to speak and sat up slowly careful not to sway her dizzy head too much. Brooke jumped slightly and stared at her. In the shadows of the tent his eyes looked dark and wide, his skin snow white,

"I didn't know you were awake." He muttered and turned his attention back to the bleeding arm.

A small hand clutching the hem of her dress, begging for help.

Red staining her hands.

“Teyha?” Brooke interrupted her again,

"Won't the drink take some of the pain away?" She asked ignoring the horrors of her past. It will do me no good to give him more problems. The princess moved up next to his sweating body, flushing deeply when she realised he was topless. His tanned smooth skin was full of hidden muscles, small black bruises littering the expanse of his back. Brooke turned his dark gaze to her when he saw she was looking,

“Don‘t stare at me like that Princess. It will bring me to death.“ He grunted. Teyha blinked in confusion but turned her flushed face away quickly and stared at the tent wall, "In answer to your question. Yes the vodka would help the pain, a little."

"Then why..."

"Because. I have to keep a clear head. Who would look after you if the guards came? If someone tried to hurt you? What would happen if I was unable to protect you?" The Princess didn't have to answer. It was obvious. She would go back and her life would truly end,

"Sorry." She muttered softly,

"You don't have to say sorry. Well, now that you're awake, will you be alright helping me or shall I wake Clarence?" Teyha closed her eyes for a moment,

"I can help. What must I do?" She whispered softly and brought her eyes back to Brooke. An emotion Teyha couldn't read passed over his face and he nodded,

"Wrap this fabric around my upper arm as tight as you can." She bit her lip and tried not to stare at the drying blood which stained his skin,

"Good girl." Brooke said softly when she had secured a firm knot. He held up the tweezers with a sick grin, "Now for the fun bit, here tip some of the vodka over the skin as I pull out the bullet." He handed her the bottle with a shaking hand,

"Will it not hurt? Surly there must be different way?" Teyha whispered,

"Well it will hardly be a picnic but, it can't get infected Teyha and it's for sure not staying in there." He muttered and without a slight ounce of hesitation dived the tweezers into the bleeding skin. The Princess stared in horror as Brooke's face twisted in pain, "The vodka Teyha." He grunted. She bit her lip and tipped the clear liquid quickly over the tweezers with a shaking hand. The drink splashed down on the floor, mixing with the puddle of blood that had already pooled on the tent floor. Brooke's whole body was trembling, his hands shaking in pain. Teyha reached out without a thought and grabbed them, steadying him. Her snow white skin so bright against his stained red flesh,

"Maybe you should..."

"I've got it." He gasped and dug out a small metal bullet. A whoosh of blood followed making Teyha cringe. She passed him some more fabric and he wrapped it around his arm quickly. Brooke leaned over and closed his eyes breathing deeply. His black hair fell down in his front of his face so she couldn't see his expression anymore,

"We leave this afternoon." Brooke muttered,

"But you need to rest."

"The guards will be searching for us. We've already stopped for too long." He spoke softly,

"You need to get well, I won't..."

"Hello?" A voice broke into her words. Sims's ginger head appeared in the tent door way. Teyha jumped in surprise and blinked up at him,

"Didn't scare you did I?" He laughed and then turned his gaze on Brooke, "That arm will need stitches or it will just keep bleeding."

"I know." Brooke muttered pulling his stained shirt back on. He winced as the fabric tugged his flesh,

"Come on then. I'll help you." The man disappeared and Brooke sighed,

"Looks like I don't have a choice." He muttered and turned his blue gaze on the Princess, "Stay in the tent."

"Why can I not go out?" Teyha frowned. Brooke seemed to struggle to find his words,

"Because. It's dangerous and you're still ill."

"I'll be careful, it won't...."

"Please Teyha. Just stay here." Brooke shook his head and slowly stood up, "When I get back we leave."

*****

Teyha watched Brooke leave the tent and sighed softly. Why couldn't he just let us stay for awhile longer? Surly they were safe for a while at least? She peered out the tent and watched Brooke walking down to the far side of the camp. Around him people were waking up, yawning and rubbing their eyes. She ran a hand through her hair trying to untangle the knots that had formed in her sleep. She needed a change of clothes. Her dress was ripped and muddy. If mother saw me now. What would she say! Teyha managed to smile. She would say that I was having the type of adventure that only happens in novels!

"You want some breakfast?" A pair of tree green eyes stared down at her. She blinked up at Bale who was standing in the doorway with a large smile on his face. Her stomach growled loudly and he laughed softly. It was a gentle musical sound in the frosty air, "I'll take that as a yes." He held out a large hand and with a long hesitation she took it.

*****

"This won't be a picnic lad, I won't lie." Sims said softly as he threaded a fine bone needle,

"Just do what you have to." Brooke gritted his teeth and waited,

"Are you sure you won't have a bit of the vodka? I can assure you I have my own men here who can protect your Princess."

"I'm sure." He grunted and pushed the bottle away from him. Why the hell did the vodka keep coming back and tempting him?

"You'll need to rest after. you can't just run off, the stitches will break else."

"I never planned to run off." Brooke lied, "I am still waiting to hear what your want with me."

"Ah to be honest it's not what I want with you. I will explain all in good time lad but for now..." The bone needle pierced down onto his skin. Brooke was lucky, he passed out in the first minute of the pain.

*****

"So you like horses then?" Bale sat next to her on the wooden stump. Teyha nodded and chewed the brown seed bread. It was drier than what she was used too but it filled her empty stomach. They were at the side of the camp beside a row of oak trees. She could see Clarence stepping from their tent with a cute frown etched on his face. The boy stretched up slowly and wandered over to the roaring fire. He couldn't see her from where he sat,

"I use to have many horses once." Teyha said softly once she had swallowed her food. Bale raised an eyebrow at that,

"You must have been rich then!" He laughed. A wave a dizziness erupted from no where before she could answer. The princess clutched her stomach as a stabbing pain echoed over her body. She had felt OK this morning and figured her body was killing the infection,

"Teyha?" Bale held her arm gently, "What is it?" She couldn't answer, could only close her eyes and wait for the pain to pass, "Come on. Come with me." He grabbed and half carried her off the tree stump. Teyha kept her eyes closed and let him lead her away, "Here bend down." Bale muttered. She bent into the large tent and slowly opened her eyes. A standing bed was in the corner and bags were stacked along the walls. He pressed her gently down the bed and sat down in silence waiting. Teyha bent over herself and let her racing pulse slow down. The stabbing pain in her stomach was slowly fading and she was able to raise her aching head,

"I am so sorry Bale." She whispered,

"Are you feeling better now?" He asked,

"Yes thank you. I think it was just a passing sickness." She said softly,

"That's good." He nodded, "So when are you leaving?"

"I think we're going today. When Brooke gets back."

"So how about we sort out the price for your horse now?" Bale asked and rested his hand on her arm. Teyha frowned,

"You're better off talking to Brooke about prices."

"I'm sure we can come to a better arrangement." His hand trailed down up her arm slowly until it rested on the bare skin of her shoulder,

"Bale I..."

"Shh," He said softly and let his finger run along her flushed cheek. Teyha went to pull away but he gripped her tightly, "Now then. Don't be like that." Bale smirked, "Do you not find me handsome?"

"Handsome?" Teyha spluttered in shock and struggled in his tight grip, "I never even thought about such stuff."

"Liar." He grinned and grabbed the back of her golden hair tightly pulling her lips to his. Teyha cried out but he was too strong and covered his hand over her mouth, "Get use to it Princess. It's all to come." Bale whispered in her ear. Pure and utter fear filled Teyha's body. The man laughed again, this time it sounded cold and cruel to the ear, "You didn't think Sims was helping you for nothing did you?" Teyha felt tears forming in her eyes. She pushed out with all her strength against his iron grip yet it made no difference. Bale pressed her down on the bed. One hand covering her mouth, the other clasped down on her wrists. His body leaned down on hers. His heat spreading into her. It was no good, there was nothing she could do,

"Oi. What the hell?" A loud voice rippled into the tent making Bale lift his head with a growl,

"Kid. Can't you see I'm busy here?" He snarled,

"Na ya not. Ya not touching 'er ya piece of scum." Clarence's face darted in front of Teyha for a moment and with a surprising amount of strength the boy pulled Bale from her,

"What are you doing?" Bale shouted, "Piss off kid."

"She's with me and ya not touching 'er." It was clear that even though Bale would have forced himself on Teyha he wouldn't hit a kid,

"Now, now. What's going on here?" A soft voice broke out into the tent. Teyha stared at Sims as he stepped into the tent looking at the Princess, "Oh Bale, really? I told you not to touch her. Do you know how much she's worth? A virgin and a princess!"

"They wouldn't be able to tell." Bale said glaring at Clarence,

"Even so. I don't want to risk it..." Sims shook his head, "I can't risk anything going wrong."

"Ok guy. Speak English coz I'm not understanding ya!" Clarence frowned and grabbed Teyha's hand. She was grateful for the small comfort,

"I think I would like to leave now." Teyha said softly. Her pulse was racing and she couldn't bring herself to look at Bale,

"You see Princess I can't allow that. I've already sorted everything out and I need you."

"You need me?" She stuttered,

"Oh Sims quit messing her about and just tell her. Congrats Princess you're going to become a fighter." Bale snorted and laughed,

"A fighter?" She said with a tight frown. Sims nodded and smiled sadly,

"You see Princess a few months back. I put a bet on a fight. I was pretty confident that she would win so I gambled my son."

"Your son?" She frowned,

"Yes I gambled him as a slave and she lost. The other camp has taken a fancy to him and now they won't let me try to win him back! But when you arrived yesterday I told them I have a princess to fight and now tonight I have a chance at getting him back because I have you."

"I don't understand..." She felt fear pouring into her once again,

"Let me explain, it is quite simple. Tonight you will fight for me. It's a long shot you'll win but if you do. You go free and I will get my son back! I don't have anything to lose."

"But, I can not fight! I've never fought before." Teyha whispered,

"Well best get learning Princess because if you lose, then you're life won't be worth living..."Sims grinned.