Aela Page 22

  Then Croan’s heart stopped a beat when he suddenly heard a deep gruff voice close by.

  ‘What is all this noise about?’

  The soldier saw Croan sitting on his haunches, bending over a figure lying still on the ground before him.

  ‘What have you got there you evil old man? Who are you trying to kill?’

  Coan turned and faced the soldier and immediately started whining, holding his hands in supplication in front of his face.

  ‘He tried to kill me and I felled him with one blow. See I tied him up and I was going to take him as a prisoner to Brude.’

  The soldier walked over to have a closer look at Rom and Croan. ‘Why this man is Rom, a very special prisoner and won’t Brude be pleased to see him.’ Then looking straight at Croan ‘I don’t believe a word you are saying, you wizened up old apple. You are lying through your blackened teeth. Rom is injured and you came upon him by chance. You old rogue, just for nothing I could drive my lance through your miserable body, you old goat!’

  ‘Don’t do that. I was going to take Rom to Brude, but I did not have the strength to drag him that far,’ whined Croan.

  ‘Well aren’t you lucky that I have a couple of friends who will help me!’

  The soldier cupped his hand to his mouth and let out an almighty shout. ‘Lao and Ruper, come here, we have a prize. We will get a very rich reward from Brude. He will pay a lot of money for this prisoner. We shall have a heap of gold.’

  Lao and Ruper came rushing through the bushes. ‘Where is the gold, Rano and what are you shouting about?’ exclaimed Lao.

  Both Lao and Ruper looked very disappointed when they saw Rom lying unconscious on the ground, with Croan bending in a prone position in front of Rano.

  Seeing that his companions were unimpressed he pointed to Rom, ‘This is our gold, you fools! Come closer and see for yourselves.’

  The two walked nearer and peered down at the unconscious figure lying still on the ground. At the same time Rano removed the cloth over Rom’s mouth, revealing his face clearly.

  ‘Well I never. If it isn’t the famous warrior Rom, who recently slew Thune in combat,’ exclaimed Lao.

  Ruper looked straight at Rano, ‘What a lucky find! We certainly hit pay dirt! Who is this bag of bones?’ pointing his sword straight at Croan.

  ‘My name is Croan and I was the one who first found Rom. He is my prize for Brude,’ stammered Croan.

  ‘Well, no longer. We claim him as ours, and you had better disappear pronto or you will not see another sunrise,’ shouted Rano.

  Croan didn’t hesitate, he got up quickly and shuffled off into the trees muttering to himself. Somehow he would seek revenge on those three soldiers sometime in the future.

  ‘I will go back using the route I came by and tell Brude what has happened to Rom when he returns to the Temple this evening after his victory battle with Juno and his men.’

  With this thought in mind he started to walk briskly along the route he had taken before.

  The battle continued to rage on throughout the day with neither side gaining the upper hand in the conflict. There was much slaughter of men and horses, but still no victory in sight. Both Brude and Juno tried to force the issue with different strategies but to no avail, and the fighting relentlessly forged on.

  Time and time again Brude ordered his archers standing on the ramparts to release their arrows onto Juno’s men exposed below, killing many an enemy warrior, but more soldiers took their place each time. Also at a safe distance out of range, Juno’s archers counter attacked by sending a sheath of arrows upwards with deadly accuracy, killing many of their counterparts standing on the ramparts of the fortified wall.

  By night fall, there was no absolute victory for either side. So a halt was called between the two protagonists and fighting ceased. This enabled both sides to collect their wounded and take away the dead to be mourned and ritually cremated as soon as it was practicable. It was a bitter night for both Brude and Juno, who each hungered for a clear cut victory.

  Juno decided to set up a temporary camp just over the brow of the hill out of sight of Brude’s fortifications, rather than go all the way back to base camp. This decision caused considerable extra work on everyone’s part which did not make anyone very happy. The uninjured soldiers just wanted to have something to eat, check their weapons and lie down to rest, ready for the battle the next day.

  Also, it required that food, bedding, tents and other equipment would have to be transported from base camp to the new location. It meant as well that the wounded had to be taken back in wagons to the main camp and looked after by the medical team. But no one dared to complain openly to Juno or to his officers and just mumbled and muttered amongst themselves, as they laboured on.

  Rano, Lao and Ruper very quickly and efficiently made a stretcher out of nearby branches and rolled Rom onto it and covered him up with his own cloak for warmth, as now the sun was beginning to sink behind the horizon.

  The three decided to take a longer route, so as not to be caught by Juno’s men, who were still fighting sporadically hand to hand combat, with their enemy. Finally they reached the main gates where the fighting had ceased and there was a deadly silence, with the smell of death lingering in the air.

  Not wanting to stop, the trio methodically stepped over the dead and dying, whilst carrying the inert injured body of Rom on the makeshift stretcher and proceeded through the big gates without being challenged by anybody.

  They took regular rests as they trudged down the main way towards the palace. Finally they reached the front steps of the palace and were quickly challenged by the guards. Rano explained he wanted to see Brude immediately and showed them Rom’s face, which was recognised by one of the guards as the famous warrior who had defeated Arnor and Juno had spared Rom his life.

  ‘He looks as though he is almost dead by the paleness of his face. What happened to him? Did someone run a sword through him?’

  ‘I have no time to explain what occurred. We need to take him to Brude immediately. His wound needs to be treated quickly,’ exclaimed Rano impatiently.

  ‘All right. All right, I shall take you to Brude now. Follow me!’

  With these words, the guard began to walk rapidly down a long passage way, dimly lit by torches which were placed along the walls. The guard announced their arrival to Brude who ordered them into the inner chamber and they immediately knelt before Brude placing the stretcher bearing Rom carefully on the floor in front of the group, for all to see.

  There was a heavy pause as Brude looked down at the unconscious figure of Rom lying before him.

  ‘Well, well! My luck has changed again. How in blazes did you find him?’ exclaimed Brude, glaring at the three kneeling before him. ‘Tell me the truth instantly or your heads will roll on this floor now.’

  In one split second all thoughts of spinning an imaginative story of valour and victory was erased from their thoughts as the three looked into Brude’s cold grey eyes of hate. Rano quickly spoke first, the words tumbling out incoherently in his haste to tell Brude the truth.

  ‘Oh, almighty sire, we found him unconscious in the woods lying wounded on the ground. Recognising him immediately, we thought the best thing was to bring him to you,’ bowing his head and the other two quickly followed Rano’s example doing likewise.

  ‘Just as well you did. Guards, take Rom to my private quarters and summon my physician to tend to his wounds, I don’t want him dying on me. You men go to the mess hall and have something to eat and one of my officers will arrange sleeping quarters for you. In the meantime I will talk to Rom when he gains consciousness and then I will call you all back for a further talks.’

  ‘What about our reward?’ blurted out Rano testily. With lightening speed Brude leapt forwards and with both hands, grabbed Rano around his shoulders and glared into his face. ‘You and your shady friends will do what I order you to do and no questions asked. When I am ready I will determine what kind of reward, if any, that you
get and when it is given to you.’ shouted Brude.

  ‘Do you understand me or do I have to shove my words down your throat. You miserable heap of lard!’

  Rano threw his head back, his eyes staring wide with fear. ‘Yes, yes, your majesty. We will go immediately to the mess and wait until you summons us.’

  Brude released his hands and Rano slipped out of this grip and he hurriedly ran out of the room with Lao and Ruper following closely behind him.

  ‘That was a close call,’ exclaimed Ruper, ‘I would never think to say no to Brude. Your life would be over before you could take another breath. Let us go and find the mess hall and have something to eat and drink, I am starving.’

  The three continued to walk quickly down the passageway, hell bent on filling their empty bellies.

  Brude was not pleased with himself. In fact he was absolutely livid with rage that he was not savouring the victory he deserved. His face was red and sweaty, and his nostrils were flared, with spit foaming from his mouth. Someone had to pay for this setback he was experiencing.

  ‘Bring Aela to me immediately!’ Juno bellowed to the guards. In double quick time Aela was kneeling before him, with two guards towering menacingly over her. Aela was utterly terrified and hunched her body in preparation for a sword to be thrust through her body.

  ‘Leave me with her now all you scum!’ ordered Juno.

  Everyone in the room with lightening speed melted away. Juno continued to stand over Aela, as she trembled from head to foot in abject fear. Juno was salaciously enjoying the terrifying affect he had over her. He lunged his hand down and grabbed a clump of her hair and forced her to look straight up at him as she breathed short gulps of air into her lungs, as her breasts heaved up and down in unison. This automatic movement of Aela’s bosoms transfixed Juno for a second or so, as his sexual passions began to stir and he experienced a tightening sensation across his groin. He now had an uncontrollable urge to take her then and there and thrust himself inside her body repeatedly.

  Aela sensed his change of mood towards her, so she raised her breasts still higher and higher, all the time watching what effect she was having on Juno’s sexual urges towards her. Aela instantly realised she was gaining the upper hand in the situation and smiled alluringly at him, opening her large sapphire blue eyes very wide, showing her pearly white teeth and pink moist tongue at the same time.

  Juno was completely intoxicated with desire so let go of Aela’s long blond hair, and bent down still further with both hands, scooping her up into his strong muscled arms, pushing his taut torso against her soft, sweet smelling body and placing her forcefully on the floor. He started to tear at her upper clothes exposing her full ripe breasts, then began to move his hands roughly down her torso feeling the soft curves of her body beneath her gown.

  ‘I now know why Brude wanted to have you for himself, but I am outmanoeuvring him, the silly old fool. He can have you after I have slaked my desires with you first.’

  Juno laughed uncontrollably, his whole body resonating with peels of laughter. Just, at that instant Tua came striding in and took in the scene, she instantly realised what was going on.

  ‘What in hell do you think you are doing Juno? By ravishing Aela you will spoil the plans we have agreed upon to defeat Brude for ever. You fool of a man! If you rape her now, she will not be worth using as bait to lure Brude to his death.’

  Tua stated her case very calmly as she walked towards Juno and Aela. Juno stood transfixed and slowly turned towards Tua. There was a moment of silence as they stared into each other’s eyes, whilst Aela remained still on the floor, gasping with unbelievable relief at the sudden change of events.

  Brude continued to glare in Tua’s direction as he slowly stood up, clenching and unclenching his fists and grunting through his teeth, muttering incoherently then beating his chest with both hands simultaneously. Gradually his breathing became less strenuous and more even in tempo. Without casting a glance at Aela still prone on the floor he strode out of the room.

  ‘Well, that’s that,’ stated Tua in a matter-of-fact voice. ‘Get up Aela, You have had a lucky escape. You should be grateful towards me, not that I expect any thanks from you. It would be so much easier for you if you tell us where the Sacred Sword is hidden. But I know you will eventually do that, especially now we do have Rom as a prisoner. If either of you do not let us know the secret location of the Sacred Sword, I will make sure you both die a slow death,’ sighed Tua.

  She called the guards in. ‘Men, take this woman away at once and guard her well. There are other ways to make you talk. Other very unpleasant things can happen to you, Aela,’ Tua said softly and at the same time with a menacing undertone in her voice.

  Aela was hustled out of the room and Tua was left standing, shaking her head slowly from side to side.

  The physician, Imman stood over Rom who was lying with closed eyes on his back on an ornately carved bed. He was tending to Rom’s shoulder wound when Brude walked quickly into the room.

  ‘Well, how is Rom? He is not going to die, is he? He’d better get well quickly or you will have a lot to answer to me.’

  Imman looked up from his work and quietly replied, ‘I am doing my best to treat him. Two good things in his favour are that he is youthful and he is extremely physically fit. The gods will be on his side.’

  ‘How soon will he wake up? I need to talk to him as quickly as possible. It is extremely urgent that he can speak,’ muttered Brude.

  Just at that moment Rom opened his eyes and immediately recognised Brude. Rom tried to rise from the bed, but he instantly felt a shooting pain in his injured shoulder and fell back groaning.

  Brude thrust his head down close to Rom’s face, yelling loudly. ‘Where is the Sacred Sword hidden?’ shaking Rom vigorously with his hands on Rom’s shoulders.

  Rom instantly slipped into unconsciousness again and his body went limp.

  ‘If you keep roughly handling him you will kill him. The body has to have time to recover itself and allow the wound to heal in time,’ Imman calmly stated.

  Brude quickly dropped his grip on Rom’s shoulders, stepping back at the same time. ‘I suppose you are right, but you must tell me the instant I can talk to him, on pain of death, your death!’ hissed Brude.

  Then with quick long steps Brude walked out of the room. Imman then turned towards Rom and quietly dressed the shoulder wound with special herbal ointments and clean bandages. He finished his task very quickly and efficiently, and placed fur coverings over Rom to keep him warm. He left Rom lying there, with one small oil lamp burning on a table beside the bed.

  Aela could not believe how lucky she was to escape Juno’s clutches, as she lay on the floor of the tent that she had been hastily thrown into by the guards. Her mind was in panic mode, she shuddered to think what could have happened to her, if Tua hadn’t suddenly appeared.

  ‘I must escape now, as I won’t be so lucky second time around.’ She got onto her knees, bowed her head and placed her hand in a prayer position. ‘Thank you Athunor, goddess of mercy and love for protecting me from harm. I bask in your ever loving light. I beseech you to continue to envelop me with your tender concern for my safety and welfare, for evermore. Amen.’

  Aela remained in this kneeling position, in absorbed meditation for some time and then she slowly slumped onto the ground, falling into a deep, restful sleep. She dreamed that she was in Rom’s arms, with her head resting on his chest, sublimely happy, feeling totally safe from life’s problems.

  Time passed and all that was heard was her quiet breathing, with the occasional sound outside the tent and a dog barking in the distance, or a guard shifting his position from one leg to the other in an attempt to ensure he stayed awake at his post, as well as relieving the boredom of the job.

  Just before dawn Aela suddenly woke up in sheer panic, her heart pounding furiously inside her chest. She listened intently and heard the faint sound of footsteps moving relentlessly ever nearer and nearer to her. The
re was a whispered exchange of voices outside, then the tent flap was pulled aside, and in came two guards, closely followed by Tua dressed in a swirling multicoloured cloak.

  Tua ordered the guards to light a couple of lanterns. She leaned forward, instantly seeing Aela crouching like a trapped tigress on the floor, ready to leap to freedom.

  ‘Guards leave us immediately, but stand at the ready outside, in case this pathetic woman tries to escape from me. If so, kill her instantly without mercy,’ ordered Tua, relishing her power over Aela.

  Tua was totally angry and jealous that Juno lusted after Aela, She grudgingly admitted to herself that Aela was the more beautiful of the two women. But she was much wiser and experienced with life in understanding people’s thoughts and motives. So she comforted herself with this realisation, as she stared haughtily down at Aela, knowing full well she had the upper hand in this present situation.

  ‘I am going to let you escape into the woods now and I hope a wild bear or wolf finds you, kills and eats you instantly. I do not like the affect you have on Juno. I am the only person to tell him what to do and I want this power for myself alone and nobody is going to share it with me. Do I make myself clear to you!’

  Tua bent her head closer towards Aela’s crouching body, hissing between her teeth as she spoke. In the flickering torch light Aela could see the swirls of hatred and jealously darting across Tua’s eyes. Aela suddenly glimpsed the madness behind Tua’s rage and this terrified her more than anything else. She must stay outwardly calm, even though her thoughts were in turmoil and take a chance for freedom at the earliest opportunity.

  Tua strode across the floor, quietly lifted the tent flap, and stuck her head out, looked quickly left and right. ‘Guards, you are now relieved of duties, Go back to your tents and have a well earned rest.’