Fan Fiction ❯ Dangerous Beauty ❯ Hunted ( Chapter 2 )

The man was again returning to his journey. His mind was back on the mystery girl in his home. Who was she? Why was she running? And why alone? The smell came in waves causing him to come out of his reveries. It was of smoldering buildings and death. He had reached the small village of the blacksmith. He was to find him and bring him to Kind Bilmarath before Sir Garot could reach him. By the look of things he was too late. Bodies lay scattered on the ground. l Houses lay in ruin all around him. It looked as if people had fled and the dead were those brave enough to stand their ground. He made his way through the village until he came to what would have been the blacksmith's home. He saw a man lying on the ground with a stake through his chest. The man was holding something in his hand. He moved toward the man and figured this must be the remains of Vistar, the blacksmith. In his hand was pinned a note with a knife. It read

I will hunt down and take what is mine!

SIr Garot of the Arots

This confused the man. What was he hunting down? Possibly game? Dogs? A village? What ma that mad man kill like this? Vistar must have owned something quite valuable. Now he would have to send a servant to the King for further instruction. For now he was tired and would return home. Later would be the time to figure out this enigma.

Back at the manor, the servants were preparing for their master's return. they decided to let the girl sleep. Deciding she needed someone to wait on her, they chose Matsey to stay by her side. Matsey was one of the younger servants. She came to the manor's door hungry and orphaned after Sir Garot had laid waste to her village years ago. He had taken her in and paid her well. So now she was to take care of an exotic beauty who was sleeping in front of her.

The man arrived at his home around mid day. His thoughts were once again on the beauty in his home. He would question her later. He saw his servants running around getting things ready. He looked around and realized Matsey wasn't with them. He grabbed the first person and questioned where she was.

“She's with the lady my lord.” came the girl's reply.

“Very well. Leave word no one is to disturb either of us. I need sleep”

Elise woke again to find a girl by her side. She sat up startled.

“Oh you are awake. I am so pleased. Shall I get you ready to bathe?”

Elise just nodded dumbly. She watched the servant girl busy herself. THis girl was probably about her age. Eighteen maybe twenty. She had brown eyes and long brown hair brought up to a pony tail on top of her head. The girl was cheerful and made Eilise feel happy and at ease. SHe got up and readied herself for the bath. when she was finished she began to question the girl.

“Where am I? Who are you?”

“Well mi lady I am Matsey servant girl to Count Makraim. And you are in the lands of Cagarath, Eastern border of King Bilmarath's kingdom.”

“Count Makraim, hum?”

“My lady? If I am not too forward, what is your name and where are you from?”

“I am Elise, daughter of Vistar, blacksmith of Kiegan. I ran from my father's house to escape a marriage and death.”

“Well my lady you are safe here at Count Makraim's manor”

Count Makraim woke and got dressed. He decided he'd have Matsey awake the sleeping girl and ready her for dinner. He walked down the hallway thinking about what to tell the king when the tinkling of laughter caught his ears. It was coming from the girl's room. He walked toward her door and found her talking with Matsey. He made a sound to show his presence. Elise looked up wide eyed into the most beautiful green eyes she had ever seen.

“Madam” he said inclining his head. “I trust this room is to your liking and you slept well.”

“Y-yes thank you my lord.” She blushed slightly and advirted her gaze.

He studied her features carefully. She had milky white skin, her face had a light blush on her cheeks. Her eyes mirrored that of a midnight blue sky and her hair framed her face like silk. She was beautiful.

“Um my lord?” she questioned squirming under his gaze. “Please tell me what you want with me and why I am here?”

Count Makraim was taken aback. “Why my lady, I saw you running last night and then you collapsed. I picked you up and brought you here hoping to find out why you were running and who you are”

She watched him for a few moments and decided she would tell part of her story. She still had no idea if she could trust him. “My name is Elise. I am from Kiegan. I was running from someone trying to capture me. I am afraid that is all I can tell you. Please forgive me.”

“I am Count Makraim. I was on a mission from King Bilmarath to go to Kiegan. I was on my way there when I found you. I have come from there” here he paused and looked to her and then made the decision to tell her her village's fate. “I found it was burnt to the ground and the man I came to save was dead. The blacksmith had a note in his hand.”

At this news she started. She paled considerably and began to move her lips into a silent scream. This bothered Count makraim and he decided to wait for her voice to return to her.

“Vistar, the man whom you speak of, is my , was my father.” she began to think and then voiced “Who had done this?”

“Sir Garot of the Arots.” came the reply “he put this not into your father's hands.”

She took the note and read

I will hunt down and take what is mine

Sir Garot of the Arots

She paled again. It is me he is hunting. Count Makraim's voice brought her out of her musings.

“Do you know what he is hunting?”

“I do not know what he speaks of” she lied.

“Hn, well I shall take you to King Bilmarath tomorrow. For tonight please accept my offer to stay”

“Please, may I just have a horse and be on my way?”

“My lady the castle is five days journey. It would be unwise.”

“Then I shall leave tomorrow. Unescorted. For I have already caused you too much trouble”

“You are of no trouble to me I assure you. I am to take you to the king anyways.”

She thought of this for a moment. She had an Aunt in Rumox, a three day's journey. She would flee the manor tonight to her protection and then leave for the shore lands for a ship out of the country.

“Very well, I accept your offer to stay” She replied. While her mind kept saying leave the kingdom of Argoth. And what of Sir Garot? She would not think of that now. She was now smelling food and she was starving.