A strong gust of wind filled the room as the door opened one more time, the room fell silent. She raised her eyes. A dark figure loomed in the doorway. Without doubt this was the One. He was not tall but His presence demanded respect. His build sturdy but not muscle bound. Under the shadow of His hat, His eyes seem to glow. The tiny hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. A chill ran through her. His voice echoed through the tavern, "maid!" She ran and bowed before Him, her eyes immediately lowered. "Have my men been cared for properly, little one?" Her voice trembled as she struggled for an answer, "yes, Sir. To the best of my ability, Sir." She felt the coldness of His eyes move over her as though to look into her very soul. She felt the brim of His hat against her hands fighting the urge to look at Him. She obediently took the hat, slowly raised her eyes, her voice remained soft, "may this one help you with your cloak, Sir?" His shoulders were broad, His shirt fitting well against His firm chest. Her eyes followed His hand to the ties of His cloak watching His fingers slip the knot and with one smooth movement the cloak left His shoulders and was in her hands. For a moment she looked into the cold steel blue of His eyes. She once more fought her body's reactions swallowing hard as her fingers tightened on the cloak. Her mouth would not speak, her body would not respond to her mind's urgings. His eyes reached into her innermost being and held her transfixed. His hard jaw covered in a thick beard, neatly trimmed. Her heart pounded in her chest as it rose and fell in in deep breaths. She jerked slightly as His voice resounded in her ears, "you may go, little one." She turned to put His things away. His hand grabbed her arm. Her body tingled as He leaned and softly whispered in her ear, "bring Me brandy." She could only nod and slipped from His grasp.
She quickly returned with His brandy, bowing gracefully as she presented Him with the flawless glass placed in the middle of the best tray she could find within the tavern. His eyes met hers, her face flushed. She could almost swear she saw them warm a bit. The glass looked so small in His hand. "Is there anything else she may do for You, Sir?" Before she could take a breath she found herself in His lap. "Yes, you shall sit with Me." His voice quite firm and unquestionable. The room seemed to fade into a blur of bodies and faraway voices. She would not even remember what was said. Her eyes studying Him, memorizing everything about Him. Her heart aching as each detail became etched upon it. Suddenly she felt Him shift. She straighted with a start. His face turned to hers, softly He kissed her cheek, "fetch my cloak and hat, my dear." She nodded quietly and slipped off. He was standing by the door when she returned. With a bit of surprised she noticed the tavern was empty of all but the barkeep. Blushing, she offered the items up to Him. His hand softly stroked her cheek, "what wonderful company you are, pretty one, your Master must be very pleased with you." She felt her face flush a deeper shade. Her eyes lowered, "she has no Master, Sir." One finger tugged gently at her chin, her eyes raised seeing His head tilted and His brows arched, "now, little one, this cannot be true. one such as you, without a Lord to care for you?" Her eyes widened feeling a wash of dread fall over her, "truthfully, Sir. she would not lie to You." His eyes pierced through her, "and the barkeep, lass?" Her heart began to ache once again, tears began to form in her eyes. His hand reached up and brushed away a tear as it fell. She watched as He raised the damp finger to His lips, "so you belong to the barkeep?" Her eyes lowered as her head bowed low, slowly shaking, "no, Sir... she did not lie, she belongs to no One, the barkeep allows her to stay as long as she....." Her voice faultered. His grip upon her hand tightened painfully. She looked up, His face glowing a dark red, His eyes blazing. She felt herself cower, wishing she could shrink away but He held her firm. His voice hard and cold once more, "get your things, girl..... NOW." Her breath staggered, her voice shaking, "she has nothing, Sir." She felt his grip grow stronger, her shoulders pulled in from the pain in her hand, her teeth clinching tightly. He released His grip throwing His cloak around her, sweeping her into His arms and out the door. Fear flooded through her soul, uncertainty filling her with dread. Her body thrown upon His horse jarring her to the bone. In a breath He was behind her, His arms tightly around her. His power encompassed her. "Now, little one, now you have a Master."
Without word, T/they rode through the night. The chill in the air seeming to flow pass Him. Not once did He shiver. She would glance up to Him, but He only stared at the road before them. Her mind reeled in the events of the night. Her soul cried out for this One not knowing Who He was or from where He came. She was now His, but what would that bring her? Her thoughts battled in her mind not noticing her surroundings. Suddenly He stopped. His cheek touched gently to hers, His voice strangely soft as He nodded towards the rising sun, "beautiful, isn't it?" His tenderness startled her, but she had to admit, it was a wonderous sunrise. As suddenly as He had stopped He urged the horse to continue its journey. Not another word was spoken until they came upon a small cottage deep within the forest. He dropped from the horse and held His hands out for her. She fell into them. Standing there looking into His eyes, His arms wrapped around her. He twirled her to face the cottage, His arms holding her tightly. Never had she felt such a rush of warmth. "This...." His voice strong and proud, "this is your home.... and I.... I am Master Hunter." Once again she felt herself swept up into His arms. His boot banging hard against the door, she shivered in the feeling that door had felt that boot before. He stood her firmly in the middle of the room, looking deep into her eyes. "and you.... My pretty little one.... you will serve only One." He tilted His head and looked questioningly at her, "and do you know Who that One shall be?" Her eyes lowered, not from shame or fear but out of respect. Her voice sure and strong, yet soft and gentle, "yes, Sir, she serves only One... You, Master Hunter." His hand landed firmly upon her backside. Her eyes opened wide looking up to find a smile, "very good, little one, now get to it, your Master is hungry." She returned His smile, reaching up to kiss His cheek, then skittering off to prepare for her Master (oh how she loved the sound of that)..... to prepare for her Master His breakfast. |
