Discovery (Revisioned)

Chapter 14

After about ten minutes of walking, Joseph starts to untie my ropes. He doesn’t take them off all the way, but just enough for me to be able to move my wrists. Neither, Justin or my Dad seem to notice.

We stop a few times for the troops to relieve themselves and to get some drinks. At the last stop, it was decided that only Zarius' carriage could be on the road. The rest of us were split up on either side and in the woods. Dad and Justin are on the left, leaving me and Joseph on the right.

The sun is out but the clouds cover most of the sky, making it hard for me to see. I can hear the men in front of us curse as they run into things that are unseen. If they didn't happen to be the "bad guys", I probably would be laughing. Soldiers scared of the boogeyman?

Joseph, on the other hand, has no problem laughing at them. He’s so busy laughing at them that he misses a tree branch swing his way. When it smacks him, it sends us both flying.

Joseph lands with a loud thud and a groan. I land on top of Joseph causing sharp pain in my wrists and my back. It takes us a few minutes to get up and untangle ourselves. He unties the ropes very gently and reties them behind my back.

"I am so sorry. That should not have happened.” He apologizes. “I will pay better attention from now on.” Pausing, he glances over my shoulder. “I also regret what I have to do next."

Without another word, he picks me up and hauls me over his shoulders like a sack of potatoes. He runs through the woods, dodging tree limbs and debris on the ground, until we catch up. Some of the men notice our loud approach and turn with their swords drawn.

"Wait! It’s just me." Joseph yells.

"You were not trying to run off now were you, Witch?" the closest one to us says with fire in his tone.

"No, I got smacked with a tree branch and we fell." Joseph replies with the same tone.

The five men, that are standing ready to fight, burst into laughter. One of them says,

"I told you that Joseph was too weak." While another one says,

"Do you need help watching the prisoner, Joseph?" He glances at Joseph’s furious face. “Unless..”

Before I know what’s happening, two of them grab me. As soon as the first one grabs me, Joseph launches himself at him. But it doesn’t take long before a third one grabbed me.

“What’s wrong, Joseph? You don’t like to share?” The first one taunts.

Joseph pulls his sword and challenges the first guard who, in turn, accepts his challenge. The next few minutes are nothing but the sounds of metal against metal. The guards' grip on me is causing my body to scream out in pain and I’m shaking with fear.

Were they going to kill him and then have their way with me before killing me? Do they know that he is the spy? Where is my Dad? Are they trying to kill him too? Was the ambush on us? Desperation sets in and I try to get away. The guards are not going to let me go that easy. One of them pulls my hair back towards him and with a low growl he grunts,

"Don't plan on running, Witch, or you will be next. The boys are just having some fun.” He shoves me towards the fight, using my hair. “When they are finished, we will be going. Zarius won't like it if I have to kill you and then think what will happen to your Dad."

The second guy shoves me forward until my knees collapse and I fall to the ground. I’m sobbing uncontrollably because I know what’s coming next.

My current self watches in horror as the scene unfolds. I’m unable to wake up from this nightmare or to skip this memory. I watch in horror as the two men grab ahold of me, one puts his hand around my mouth while the other drags me by my hair. They take me a nearby grassy area, away from view of the fight.

“He won’t share but he’s a little preoccupied at the moment. Now, you’ll see how witches should be treated.” The one who shoved me says.

I can smell his rank breath when he breathes in my face. The other guard holds me still with one hand, while covering my mouth. “Be quiet. We don’t want to draw his attention.” He whispers to the man currently removing my clothes.

I try to squirm out of his grasp but that seems to excite him more. I quit moving. I want to kill him. I want to take a sword and cut off his family jewels.

What is with all these men thinking that I am just a toy to be played with, and satisfy their needs with? Don’t they have wives, or daughter? Would they want them treated this way? When he’s finished, he fixes his clothes. I just lay there and cry.

Joseph has won the fight, leaving the other guy bleeding on the ground. Just about the time the second guard is about to take his turn, Joseph reaches over and punches him in the nose.

"Leave the prisoner alone. If we don't catch up to Zarius, he will have us all killed. If you grab her again, I will tell him how you tried to assist her in escaping." Joseph yells.

"We did not try to help her escape. You were the one that fell behind. We were just trying to have our fun. Put your sword away, Joseph." The guard said as he picks me up by my hair.

"I think that I will carry it just like this, Matthew."

"Alright, catch!" Matthew says as he tosses me towards Joseph.

I fall into his arms like a heavy boulder causing him to lose his balance. The other four walk off at a brisk pace to catch up with the rest of the men. Joseph walks over to the fallen guard and kicks him in the head, taking his anger out on the unsuspecting man.

He loses consciousness and falls limp. When Joseph sees me standing and shaking with fear, he rushes over to give me a hug. But I do not want his hug, I don’t want anyone’s touch, so I push him away. He releases me as he places his hands on my shoulders.

"I will not harm you. I wish that I could get your trust, but I understand why you feel this way.” There’s sadness and regret in his eyes, and I believe him, but I still don’t want him to touch me. “We need to go to before Zarius notices that we are missing. I don't think that I can stop a second attack like that by myself. I need to carry you again.” He hesitates, looking at my shaking form. “I’m sorry if it hurts."

I don’t want a repeat so I shake my head no, turn my head, and sprint towards the guards. I hear him sigh and sheath his sword. I know when he catches up because I hear his sword slap against his thigh. I trip over a rock and lose my balance but, before I hit the ground, he grabs my arm.

I look over at him and give him a slight smile. He returns it with an encouraging smile. Then we set off again. It doesn’t take us long to catch up. Joseph looks around him and then leans towards me to whisper,

'It will not be long now. We should be getting closer. Pay attention to me. When the time comes we will hide you in the woods."

I nod and search the other side for my Dad. I get Joseph's attention and tilt my head in the direction of my Dad.

"I will get your Dad as soon as I am able."