The Blade's Protection

How does one make a civil request of their kidnapper?
Especially if her request--no, need, really--was an entirely mortal, human one, and she was fairly certain her kidnapper wasn't entirely mortal nor human?
Lilane took a breath. Cast her eyes downward. "I...um..." She took comfort in smoothing the soft fabric of her gown. Her wedding dress. She was supposed to be getting married right now. "I, uh, need to..."
She paused to gauge his understanding. He didn't even blink. "You know..."
"No," he said shortly without looking at her. "I don't." Usually one would sound rather chagrined when admitting their ignorance, but his tone seemed to place the fault on her.
She flinched. "Well, you know...humans have needs...basic needs, really..." She faltered again, her cheeks warm, and could only repeat lamely, "You know?"
He let the silence spread out like his dark cloak. "You want to mate with me."
"No!" she shrieked, jaw dropping. She leapt back to put distance between them, and at that, he finally turned his gaze to her. Flinty blue eyes like ice chips watched to make sure she didn't stray too far.
"No," Lil stuttered. "Never, I--"
His expression never wavered. "Then say what you mean or be silent." He went back to oiling his leather sword sheath.
Lil felt a sudden fury rising in her. She got the distinct impression that he was toying with her. "Right," she said with the facade of civility, "because your people always mean what they say." His hand paused, but she forged onward. "In fact, the fault must be entirely mine for failing to understand your ignorance. Your kind likely don't even make requests--am I right? They give orders. So let me put this in a way you can understand. I'm going to step into the woods there, and you're going to turn your back, and you're not going to turn around until I say it's all right." She folded her arms across her chest, awaiting his response.
He stood, and she suddenly felt like a rabbit in a wolf's sight. He slipped his sheath back into place and she swallowed her fear.
"You're not going into the woods," he said calmly. Her lips parted to protest, but he went on. "Don't step off the path. Walk to that end," he gestured back the way they'd come from, "but not around the bend. You have until I'm done repacking." And with that, he turned to collect his gear and re-saddle the horse. She stood a moment gaping, then quickly turned and hurried down the trail.
"Stay on the path," he warned.
She went almost to the bend, then turned to see if he was watching. At least somewhat reassured, she attended her business with the same speed that she did back home when her brother threatened to overturn the outhouse if she didn't hurry. Then she straightened her skirts and glanced back to her kidnapper. He was still packing up. This might be her only chance...
Another solid intake of breath as she gathered up her gown, then she bolted into the woods. She didn't know the way, but these were Faerie woods anyway, and all she knew was that she had to get away from her abductor. He would be on her soon, so she headed toward bracken too thick to bring a horse through, and prayed it didn't ruin her dress. Every root seemed determined to trip her, but she kept moving. Knocking twisted sticks out of her way, she leapt under a low-hanging branch. There were strange, glowing flowers that hit her in the face as she did so, but still she went on. The whole forest seemed hazy, surreal, and she was just squeezing between two trees with she heard a shrill bestial cry above her. And then a cavernous mouth with wicked fangs hung open before her, so close its fetid breath was on her face. Lil screamed, pulled back between the two trees and saw the creature follow around on massive, leathery wings. It seemed to be all gaping jaws and spiked claws, and was like nothing she'd ever seen before. Heart hammering in her ears, she tried to flee, but the thing had friends. They cut her off, swooping at her and forcing her to roll to the ground to avoid their jagged attack. Hitting the forest floor knocked the last of the breath from her lungs, and all she could do then was curl onto her knees, hugging herself and waiting for the sharp kiss of their claws.
But instead she heard the slap of sword against flesh. Lifting her head just a little, she saw a flash of golden hair and the silver of a blade moving against the shrieking abominations. Her kidnapper. She squeezed her eyes shut. Well, it could be worse. She could be dinner for some beasts she didn't even have a name for.
The battle was over quickly, and he jerked her roughly to her feet. He still had his gore-slick sword in hand, and a curved dagger peeked out of his boot top. The bodies of her unfortunate attackers lay around them. One beast was in three different pieces. Lilane swallowed bile as he spun her around, looking her over. She was remarkably free from major injury, she noted. Facing once more, he stared down at her coldly.
"That is why we stay on the path."
Then he shoved her ahead, back toward the safety of the trail. She took in a breath and released it slowly. He'd made short work of those toothy monsters. Concealing a shudder, she distracted herself by inventorying the damage to her dress. Small things, mostly. Tears that could be mended with a great deal of love and patience--the same way the dress had been sewn.
He'd let go of her arm, and his step was silent, but she could still feel her abductor seething behind her. "You'd have done the same," she murmured softly.
He yanked her back to a halt, her spine against his chest. Then he coolly wiped his bloodied blade across her skirt.
She made a noise like a wounded animal, but he pushed her onward.
Lilane had never hated anyone as much as she did in that moment.
Helpless, she put one foot in front of the other because she didn't know what else to do. And even if the woods blurred before her, she refused to let him see her cry.


The Queen's Blade (Lil's kidnapper) `jademacalla
Sword `FantasyStock
Dagger ~freaksmg-stock
Boot ~loustock
Hair *Shoofly-Stock
Lilane =Jaymasee
Background *Goblin-stock
Root ~MercGribern
Tree Face *pricecw-stock
Monster Parts ~ImStuck *unholy-stock*Tasastock ~resurrection-stock
Brushes ~Ruzaila =Falln-Stock


As always, my words and my muses are my own.