The Braedsen Village Chronicles IX

Okay, so.... I know that you guys have waited a really long time for this episode. So without further ado.................

The Braedsen Village Chronicles IX

Some Loose Ends are Tied, and Others..... Cut

The fight lasted too long for the women, but was actually not very long. Two hours at most, but it felt like days to Sr. Christian and Genna. Not long after the last bandit was tied and taken into a tent with all the other prisoners, the cute guy who had fallen on Genna came over to them and asked them if they were alright, and what their story was.
Genna blushed the entire time while Sr. Christian related their story to him. Genna fervently hoped that he hadn't noticed, but she would have been glad to know that he DID. In fact, he had been hard pressed to keep his gaze focused on Sr. Christian rather than stare at the beautiful young maiden with the rosy cheeks, and pleasant manner.
When Sr. Christian was finished, he said, "Thank you. The Captain will be glad to receive this information. I must go tell him immediately. Excuse me."
"Wait!" Sr. Christian was a little irritated, "I told you all about us. The least you can do is tell us what YOUR name is." She crossed her arms.
The soldier blushed. He had been so intent on keeping his thoughts OFF the young lady that he had entirely forgotten proper etiquette was naturally expected in the company of ladies.
"My name is First Lieutenant Kildare." He blushed and went on, "But there is no need for formalities. You may call me Sean if you like." He regained his composure and took Genna's hand kissed it and gave her a little wink before turning to go to the Captain's tent. On the way he was interrupted at least ten times by people who required his attention.

~

"Did you ask them if they heard the bandits say anything regarding where they came from?"
"Well, no sir, I was busy with.."
"Take me to them."

Brother Sean led the way to where he had left Sr. Christian and Genna.
"These are the women, sir." Brother Sean, gestured toward them.
"Yes. Thank you, I can see that, Lieutenant. You may resume your duties."
Brother Sean made a quick sort of bowing salute, turned and went his way.
"So. Ladies, as you have heard, I am the Captain, but you may call me Brother Duard. I have a few questions that I would like to ask you, if you don't mind."
Sr. Christian seemed about ready to say that she did mind, but Br. Duard looked up sharply at her tone, and Sr. Christian merely mumbled something about her memory being poor.
"We need to know as much about these men as possible. While you were captive did you manage to hear anything? Perhaps... They may have, at one point, had you in one of the tents while they were discussing strategies, or business? I hate to bring this up, but many of the... "bandits" like to have the comfort of a woman while they." Sr. Christian cut in, absolutely livid, "You certainly don't have a very gentle way of putting things, Captain." She practically spat the words.
"As it so happens, we were lucky enough to escape that particular misfortune, though we'd like to thank you for your concern!"
Genna had sunk to the ground her hand over her face. She was as embarrassed about Sr. Christians irritation as she was over Br. Duard's assumption. However, Brother Duard didn't know that, and was instantly contrite. He had never meant to cause the lady to cry.
"My sincerest apologies, my lady...s. I was speaking to you on the assumption that you had been their captives for many days, I didn't realize! But you see, I spoke the truth. That IS how these men operate. I must say, I don't think we've ever rescued any women from them who hadn't...."
There was a moment of uncomfortable silence.
"So how long WERE you here?"
Genna straightened and answered, it didn't look like Sr. Christian was going to. She seemed as angry at the reminder of how lucky they were as she had been at his assumption that they had not been so lucky.
"We have been here for nearly four days."
Br. Duard just stared at her with a blank face. They didn't know it, but he was mentally thanking the powers that were that these two women had escaped the horrors that would inevitably have been their fate had they not been rescued. He was also amazed that they had been let alone for so long. He was about to speak again when Keitha came jogging up to them with a bandage around her head and upper arm.
"Keitha! You've been hurt!" Genna ran to her sister and began to fuss over the bandages.
"Leave me alone, Genna. I'm fine. The Brethren doctor already took care of them. Besides, they are really nothing more than scratches. Now the one on my LEG..." She stopped when she saw Brother Duard who flushed at the thought of her leg.
"Hello. Who are you, sir?"
Genna introduced Br. Duard to Keitha, and told her that he had been asking them what they knew about the bandit's.
"Oh. I see. Well, I overheard them talking of two places. I can't say for certain what the import of those places were, but they seemed to mention Spretoria with reverence, and spoke of Silfrene with a sort of contempt."
Br. Duard's face lit up with this news. He thanked the women and grabbed the nearest Brother and told him to escort the ladies home, wherever that might be, and to meet the rest of the men back at the fortress, Smenita.
Genna blushed when she say that the soldier was Lieutenant Sean Kildare.

~

A shriek pierced the air.....

Rosetta tried to pick herself of the ground and keep on running, but she stumbled again. When she looked down at her leg, she saw that it was covered in blood. She closed her eyes, knowing that she had broken the bone. She stumbled again as she tried to get up, and heard a cruel chuckle behind her.
"Justice, and goodness will always prevail over wickedness, and sin, my dear."
Rosetta closed her eyes preparing to jump up and run, no matter how much it hurt, but she was caught in one of her dreamlike visions, and was paralyzed while she watched the vision before her eyes.

~

Danno shouted at Kevino, and the others to watch the camp while he went to investigate the shout.
"If I don't come back in an hour pack up and leave as fast as you can. Don't come get me. I don't want any of you getting killed by anyone or anything because I was to clumsy to keep from being heard by them."
With that, Danno ran silently in the direction from which he had heard the scream. He had gone about a half a mile when he heard voices. He slowed his step and moved more cautiously. He came to the edge of a small clearing of trees in time to see a dark figure aiming a throwing knife at a young women. Her face was white with fear, but.... her features were almost frozen, and her eyes wide. As if she were frightened, but caught looking at a scene that was not in this time and place. Danno knew that look.... Knew that face..... Rosetta. He shouted at the man.
"STOP! What do you think you're doing! Leave that woman alone!"
He had thought that his shout would have caused the man to turn and fight him. Instead, the man rushed toward Rosetta. Dan ran to intercept the man, but lost his balance when he felt something crash to the ground near him. His fall cost him dearly.
In what seemed to be slow motion, Danno watched, trying desperately to get there in time, while the man stabbed Rosetta repeatedly in the chest. He then ran off laughing hysterically, and shouting, "I've done it! The %!#($ is DEAD! HAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHHAA....."
Danno felt tears on his cheeks as he ran up to Rosetta. He lifted her gently off the ground into an upright position. She was alive, but wouldn't be for long.
"This can't be...." She said, confused.
"In my vision... I saw...." Her body went limp as she died.
Danno placed her softly on the ground. "Rosetta..."
He stood, his entire body shaking. He clenched his fists so hard that his nails bit into his flesh, drawing blood.
"A CURSE ON THE POWERS ABOVE!!! IT CAN'T END THIS WAY! HER STORY IS BADLY WRITTEN!"
He collapsed to the ground weeping.
Then he smelled roses, and heard the tinkling of bells..... and a deep sigh.

Well...... I hope that you are content with that because it may be a while before I have time to write another episode.
Love to you!