CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 12 - story inside comment
posted by Cat @ 8:31 PM
Thursday, August 12, 2004
About Me
- Name: Cat
- Location: BULLARD, Texas, United States
C.R.Myers is a Texan—born and bred in the Lone Star State. A English/Drama teacher by profession, she received her M. A. from the University of Texas at Tyler. As a teacher and professional speaker, she designed and implemented her own creative course as well as writing college sketches, which were performed on a local television station. She decided to start writing seriously only within the last few years. Since then, she has written eleven novels. Black Ice/Shadowed Road was her first published novel. Since then, Through the Shadows, Red, Red Rose, Lady’s Game, Shattered Illusion, and Blonde Logic have been published as well as nine other stories sold to area newspapers and magazines. Through her writing, she has received cards and letters from fans from all over the US and fifteen different countries. The books have sold well and the reviews have been strong, leading to seven book signings and two out of state appearances. Two of the books have been chosen as books to be presented in Austin at the Texas Book Festival.
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Chapter 12
Anthony was the first officer to appear on the scene. He frowned at the sight of the unseated soldier who was now whipping the abandoned slave girl, his mind neatly surmising what must have taken place.
“Where is the other girl?” he asked, loudly enough to get the angry man’s attention. At the sound of his voice, the soldier immediately lost interest in the frightened girl. Showing disrespect to a Roman officer would result in severe punishment and maybe even death.
“She was only a slave, sir—of little importance. She will die soon enough with no means of protection.”
Anthony seethed at the man’s impertinence. “Where is she?” he repeated through clenched teeth.
The soldier’s eyes widened in fear. Of all the Roman officers, Anthony was considered to be the most humane. His temper, however, was not to be underestimated. For when angered, he was known to be as quick to punish as the general himself.
“She rode into the woods,” he answered, pointing to the open area between the trees.
Anthony looked toward the dense line of trees. “Mount up. I will follow her trail. You will take three men and fan out to search on either side to form a sweep of the area.”
“Yes, sir.”
Anthony looked the man in the eye. “I want her found and returned unharmed. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir. I understand.”
The woods were cool and dark, with enough intermittent sunshine to produce a dim twilight. Nicadea guided her mount through the closely growing trees with as much speed as she dared. Soon, the darkness would be unbroken, and she would have to find a safe place to stay the night. She shivered at the sound of an animal scurrying away in the underbrush. How long could she hope to survive on her own? She had heard stories of people being killed by wild animals who roamed the woods in packs. Maybe they were watching her already—waiting for her to stop and rest. She turned her head nervously, feeling the stares from a hundred eyes. The sense of beauty she had felt a few moments ago had vanished, and had been replaced by fear, coupled with a burning need to survive. Was this how her life would end? Was her life worth no more than food for some hungry beast? The thought of turning back twitched at the back of her mind. What would they do to her? She tried to envision her punishment and shuddered. Becoming a slave to that Roman brute would be the worst kind of existence. She rubbed the neck of her horse, feeling a little more confident. She had done what she’d had to do. She had done the right thing, and because of her bravery, Lugos would protect her.
The farther she traveled under the canopy of trees, the denser the undergrowth grew, blocking her way with heavy leaf-covered vines and mosses. Low-growing limbs and eager saplings tugged at her hair and clothing as she struggled to maintain her seating on the tired horse. She leaned down over the horse’s neck to reduce her vulnerability and became uncomfortably aware of the heat rising from the animal. The horse’s gamy odor combined with the complete stillness of the air unsettled her empty stomach. Pulling hard on the reins, she fought back waves of dizziness as the world around her began to fade. Wrapping the reins around her hands, she placed her cheek against the horse’s neck and rested, letting the animal’s rhythmic gait lull her into a light sleep.
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