The Dark Witch And Her Knights

4

Three days. It had been three long stinking restless days since I was abducted. My captor had dragged me through his marvelous and miraculous secret home only to lock me in a cell. Two walls were stone, one of which I was now chained to by a single ankle. He had made sure the manicule was secure before he cut my ropes and quickly backed away. The other two walls were barred, one held the only door in or out and the latter was to keep me from throwing myself into the ocean. The sight was chilling and unreal.

Each day he would bring me two meals. Not once have I seen his face. Not once has he spoken to me. I would feed poor Stella who ferociously stayed by my side. The rest I threw out the ocean bars letting the waves wash away the food. Stella wined every time I did it. She could probably tell my strength was diminishing. I refused to eat until I was free.

The cell was cold and damp at night. When the waves grew too high they would crash through the cell bars, splashing me awake. Stella found comfort away from the sea outside the splash area since she could fit through the cell bars.

Day four came like hail amid summer.

"You lied," a low rough voice said.

It was unfamiliar to me.

Struggling I pulled myself to my elbows seeking the stranger. My head was heavy as well as my sight. Weakly I fell back on the hard stone floor of my cell. A fever was running rampant through my body. Death was coming for me. The faint meows of a worried cat and the crashing of the waves would be the last things I heard.

The cell door scraped open. A warm hand trailed around my ankle and the shackle was unlocked. Someone had taken me into their arms and was carrying me somewhere. I tried to fight back but I was too weak to do anything. I relaxed into the stranger's embrace just thankful to be leaving that place.

My eyes snapped open with renewed strength when my body was eased into an ice bath. Feebly I flailed resisting the irritating feeling of the cold. When my whole body was submerged I eased into the water letting it chill my fever. Again my eyes shut and time was lost to me. The figure was back lifting me from the tub. I was made to sit and a drying cloth was wrapped around me.

"Can you change your clothes?" asked a strange voice.

I struggled to open my eyes. My sight was blurred but I could just make out the outline of a large man lurking over me. My body swayed and his hands were back on me. I meagerly tried pushing him away. He forced me to my feet removing my towel and slowly began untying the back of my underdress. My head fell into his chest. The breath from my lungs came in and out, quick and sharp.

"Stop. Please," I begged but it sounded nothing like that.

The knots were undone. His hands came to the top of my shoulders, pushing away the flimsy material. The cloth hit the stone floor with a splatter. Leaning against his solid frame the front of me was hidden. The feel of silk came over me, covering my entire form. My wet hair draped over the back. I couldn't be certain but I do not believe he was able to see my nakedness. The robe reached down to my ankles and wrist like it was tapered to my exact measurements.

Off my wobbly legs, I was lifted back into his arms. The meek woman that I was easily rested against him.

"Thank you," I whisper. Why the hell was I thanking him? I should curse him since this was his fault for locking me in that place, to begin with.

No reply came.

He didn't carry me far from the tub it was only a couple of steps till he was lying me out on a bed. I think he left. His figure was gone and I could no longer sense him nearby. A deep breath of relief left my lungs. Mere minutes passed as I struggled to gain the strength to get up from the bed and utterly failed. Giving up and settling in, I drifted off needing the rest.