The Thornwood tavern was a gruesome scene. Streams of spilt blood ran across the floor and pooled in the cracks between the stones. Amana rested on her knees beside Brynn, as the armed men spread out into the dining hall. Some of them were garbed in padded gambesons, while others wore hardened leather that had been layered into simple pieces of armor. Their faces were obscured by simplistic cloth masks that reminded Amana of something a fieldworker might wear to protect himself from dust inhalation. The outlaws were armed with crude swords and axes; one even carried a sickle for farming as a makeshift weapon. None spoke, save for the one; the man who seemed to be the leader. These are the bandits that the tavern keeper spoke of.

The leader's brown hair was greasy and unkempt, his nose crooked and a scar crossed his mouth and ran down to his chin. His eyes were blue, and a thick mustache covered his upper lip. He strode forward confidently and without concern. He came to a stop near the body of the knife wielding man that Brynn had just killed. "Poor Tomas, dumb bastard," he muttered without a hint of remorse. His eyes followed the trail of blood to Brynn. "He was supposed to wait until we arrived, but I see he got a bit excited." The man brought his piercing gaze to Amana and grinned. "He must have lost his wits when he laid eyes upon you, girl."

Amana quivered as though a terrible chill had overtaken her. She forced herself to look away from the bandit leader and back at Brynn. He skin had turned pale and his breathing had shallowed. "Brynn," she whispered. "Hold on. You must get up, and we can leave. Please, I need you to stand up."

Brynn opened his mouth but let out a pained cough instead of words. When he finally found the strength to speak, his voice was raspy. "Remember, Amana..." His words came out weakly and he struggled to focus on her. "Remember... What I gave you."

"What? I don't understand. Brynn, I-, I-" Amana stuttered as she reached out and put her hands on his face.

Brynn gave a sad smile and reached his bloody hand toward Amana. Before he could touch her cheek, his strength gave out and his hand fell to his side. His eyes closed and his body slumped over slowly.

"No! Brynn!" Amana screamed as she tried to no avail to catch him. He fell out of the chair and onto the cold floor and all she could do was cradle his head and sob. "Get up, get up," she cried, oblivious to the world around her.

Amana let out a horrible wail and her body shook uncontrollably. He's gone, and now I'm alone again. Her head still ached and crying only seemed to the worsen the pain.

"Shut your fucking mouth, I'm sick of that shrieking." A hand roughly grabbed her hair and yanked, sending Amana hard onto her back. It was incredibly painful, and she covered her head with her hands for protection. Above her stood the bandit leader, a look of apathy on his face. "He's dead, bitch. You're mine now." He reached down again and lifted her up firmly. She swung her hands at him, but he knocked them away with ease and angrily wrapped his hands around her throat. "Do what I say, and you'll live. Fight back, and I'll snap your pretty little neck." Amana could feel him choking the life from her as she dangled helplessly in his grip. He smiled and loosened his hold, satisfied with his dominate display. Amana coughed and gasped for air as the bandit leader tossed her over his shoulder and made his way to the tavern door. "Burn it," he ordered to the other bandits. "Search that dead fucker for coin, and then set the whole place alight."

The scene outside was frantic; Amana could see little from her position, but she could hear yelling and screaming. She could see villagers in the distance scrambling away from the outlaws. A ringing bell echoed through the commotion, though it accomplished little. The bandit leader tossed her down into the dirt, and she curled into a ball as she heard approaching footsteps.

"What the fuck is this, Traegar?" Asked an unfamiliar voice angrily.

Traegar, the man who had taken her, spat back, "My prize. The other boys can take the golden-haired cunt, but this one is mine. Tevry will not mind."

Amana peeked her head up. Visions of the girl she had met earlier in the market flashed in her mind. Golden hair? No, it can't be... Marion.

The other bandit looked down at Amana. "You're too greedy, Traegar. Tevry will be wroth."

"I suppose we'll find out, eh? Now bound her wrists, Mikal, and let's be gone." Traegar commanded as he tossed the other man a rope.

Mikal crouched down beside Amana and after a moment's hesitation bound her hands. She did not resist; her focus was drawn to the tavern. As the outlaws left the building, a thick smoke poured out of the doorway behind them. Soon flames danced across the wood and engulfed the entire tavern. Brynn... The wood creaked and groaned as the tavern smoldered. Mikal brought her to her feet and guided her out of the village with the rest of the bandits. Before long all that Amana could see of Thornwood was a pillar of smoke far behind her.

✸✸✸

The sun had set by the time Amana arrived in the bandit's camp. She counted six men awaiting them, and when added to the eight in Traegar's group brought their total number to fourteen. Amana was near exhaustion, and the last mile had brought her close to fainting. The only thing that had stopped her collapse was the fear of what Traegar would do to her if she upset him. With her long walk finished, she slumped to her knees.

The camp was hidden away in thick woods, far from the road. Amana believed the camp to be south of Thornwood, but she was unsure. A fire blazed in the center of camp surrounded by logs that the weary bandits sunk down onto. With their faces uncovered, the appearances of the outlaws struck Amana as those of worn and weary peasants who had turned to crime to survive. They were dirty and broken men who seemed to take little pleasure in what they had done. Except for Traegar, that is. He will gladly make me suffer. As she looked over the camp, she noticed a familiar figure. Marion, the teenage girl from Thornwood, had been abducted just as Amana had. The girl sat sobbing on the ground near the stump of a tree. Amana crawled forward in her direction, but a man's boot stepped down onto her back and drove her into the dirt.

"Where do you think you're going?" Traegar demanded as he stood above her. "Is that other whore your friend?" Amana gave no reply and gritted her teeth. Do not invite his temper.

"What have you done?" One of the awaiting bandits questioned as he sat warming his hands by the fire. His hair was short and thin, with hints of grey. He was older than the other outlaws, his beardless face wrinkled.

Traegar grinned. "I have taken this girl for myself. The other one isn't to my liking."

The older bandit shook his head with displeasure. "Your liking matters not to me, Traegar. We were not taking the girl for our enjoyment, but so that we might ransom her back."

"Then why do my actions upset you? Ransom the girl you took back, and I'll keep this one for my pet," Traegar offered with satisfaction.

"You're a fool, Traegar," The old bandit declared, his eyes never leaving the fire in front of him. "Thornwood will want both girls returned, and you risk angering them with your selfish desires."

"Fuck them, Tevry. We would easily cut down those peasants if they took up arms against us," Traegar claimed boldly. Tevry? He must be the real leader here, the way they spoke of him before.

"Then who will we ransom to? If we butcher whole villages, we will draw unwanted attention to ourselves. Have you forgotten whose lands these are?" Tevry asked with visible frustration.

Traegar spit and rested a hand on the hilt of the sword at his hip. "Let them come. I will kill the Knight of Belrose myself if he crosses my path. I swear it."

"Enough, Traegar. I tire of your posturing," Tevry said with a wave of his hand. "Where is Whispering Tom? I told you to bring him back with you."

Traegar chuckled and bent over to scoop up Amana. "This whore's man put a dagger in his throat," he told as he lifted her up by the waist. "If she likes killers, she'll love me." Traegar pulled her close until she could feel his breath on her face, before whispering to her, "What say you and I get to know each other a bit more?"

"For the gods' sakes, Traegar, she's hurt and frightened half to death," Mikal complained as he stepped into the conversation. With his hood removed Amana could tell that he was young, around eighteen or nineteen. "Leave her be for the time."

"Don't tell me my business, boy," Traegar warned. "I tire of spending my nights with your sorry lot. I need the company of a woman."

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'Tevry, will you allow this?" Mikal asked with distaste in his voice as he looked to the older man.

Tevry finally looked away from the fire, his emotionless eyes observing Amana. "Traegar," he started. The sadistic bandit met his gaze and raised his chin. "Let the girl rest for a while and bring her some water to wash herself. Be gentle with her tonight, so that I might ransom her in a few days' time. That is what I will allow."

Amana's eyes went wide with horror, and Traegar gave a celebratory howl. "Of course, Tevry. I'll make sure she enjoys our time together as much as I will."

Traegar gleefully escorted Amana over to the tree stump where Marion rested and bid her to sit. He unbound her hands but promised to do terrible things to her if she attempted anything. She nodded distantly; all thought having fled her mind. She stared off into the darkness, dreading the coming hours of the night. Even after Traegar returned with a bowl of water and a small washcloth, she sat unresponsive with her arms pulled tightly around herself. Amana felt a gentle tap on her shoulder but ignored it. A moment later and she felt it again.

"Are you unwell?" Marion asked softly. "Do you remember me? We spoke earlier today, beside the traveling merchant." Amana turned her head and looked at the girl but did not speak. Marion's cheeks were streaked with tears and her eyes red, but she wore a braver face than earlier. When Amana did not reply, she gave a puzzled expression, and reached down for the washcloth. "You've been hurt, and your head is cut. Here, let me help you." She wrung out the cloth and gently pressed it against Amana's forehead.

Amana flinched slightly as the cold cloth touched her tender skin. "Ow," she let slip.

Marion smiled as she wiped away the dry and crusty blood. "It's not too bad, I promise. Just a little cut and a slightly larger bruise." She dropped the bloody washcloth back into the bowl. "They took you as well, didn't they?" Amana's lip trembled slightly, and she looked down at her feet. Marion took Amana's hand into her own and held it tightly. "It's going to be okay. I heard one of them say the word ransom, which means they'll take us back to Thornwood for payment."

"No," Amana said. "He's going to... To hurt me." She stared vacuously at Traegar as he sat around the fire by the other bandits, drinking and laughing. Most of the bandit gang had gone to sleep by now, but four of them remained awake and in high spirits. The ones left awake took pleasure in sharing tales of the women they had known or the men they had killed.

Marion followed her gaze a let out a shaky breath. "He'll probably be too drunk by then. Just-, just don't think of it," Marion brought her hand to Amana's face and guided her stare away from Traegar. "Think of better things now, like your husband. It won't be long now until you see him again."

Brynn. "He's dead," Amana replied, her voice cracking as she spoke. She could see his sad smile when she closed her eyes. "They killed him."

Marion leaned forward and put her arms around Amana. "Oh, no. I'm so sorry."

Amana wanted to cry again, but there were no more tears left. Brynn, I can't do it. I'm not strong enough to make it on my own. In the tavern, you should have let the blade stab me. We could have escaped. But now you've died and left me. She could hear his voice as it spoke faintly. "Remember... What I gave you." Those were his words, but I do not understand them. What did he-. Her thoughts came to a halt. Her mouth opened slightly as she realized what it was he spoke of.

Amana peeled away Marion's arms and looked at her intently. "I understand now."

Marion titled her head in confusion. "What do you mean? I don't follow."

"It's okay, Marion." Amana said with reassurance. "We'll be okay. I know what to do." After a long pause, Amana spoke again. "I never told you my name, did I? My name is Amana, and I am princess."

"A princess?" Marion was bewildered.

Amana took a deep breath and gathered her resolve. "Yes, a princess. And I'm not going to let that evil man hurt either of us."

✸✸✸

He came in the dead of night. There was no moon or stars above, only dark clouds.

Amana was not asleep; she could not sleep. She laid there waiting, knowing what terrible things would soon arrive. His footfalls were erratic, and she assumed he had had too much to drink. He reached down and shook her, not realizing she was awake. "Come on, let's take a walk," Traegar said excitedly. He was bare-chested, with only his boots and trousers on. As he led Amana away, she looked back and saw Marion watching with her hands covering her mouth.

They walked a hundred paces into the woods until Traegar was satisfied. "Stop," he ordered. Amana abided and froze stiffly. He chuckled and stepped forward, placing his arms around her. He groped at her breasts and ran his lips across the skin of her neck.

"Be gentle," she said softly.

"The fuck did you say?" Traegar demanded, slurring his words. He grabbed her chin with his hand.

Amana met his gaze and spoke slowly. "Be gentle, and I will be willing." She blinked her eyes and curled the corners of her lips until they were nearly a smile. He leaned forward and kissed her wildly. Play along, Amana. Just a little bit more. She let him press his lips onto her, and patiently waited as he writhed his tongue around in her mouth. She let out a soft moan and tilted her head back. "Take off your trousers," she panted.

Traegar pushed her backwards a step and began unlacing his trousers. While he did so, Amana dropped down to a knee in front of him. Almost there. I must move faster than I ever have. She slowly ran her right hand down the length of her skirt and brought it to a stop near her boot. He lowered his trousers down to his knees and brought his cock out in front of her face. He reached down to grab her hair but hesitated when he saw her frightened face. "In the trees, it's moving," Amana said in a voice of fear. She peered behind him into the dark trees that surrounded them.

'What?" Traegar asked.

Amana's face contorted in horror. "A scourge beast," she gasped.

Traegar turned to look over his shoulder, his eyes quickly searching the woods. Now! All my strength! Amana tightened her grip around the dagger strapped to her boot. The dagger Brynn had given her the day before. She pulled the blade up and free of its sheath and rose hard to her feet with a burst of speed. She let her momentum carry her arm upwards, higher and higher until it was fully extended. Traegar realized something was happening but lacked the speed to prevent it.

Amana punched the blade into his throat as hard as she could. She had hoped to strike a second time, but Traegar's body tensed and the muscles in his neck tightened around the dagger, causing it to slip from her hand. He recoiled violently and brought his hands up and around the oozing wound as blood sprayed into the night air. Amana watched in shock as he stumbled backwards and lost his footing on a small rock. Traegar collapsed onto his back with his trousers still caught around his knees, a horrible shriek emitting from his lips.

"Fucking cunt!" He howled, his eyes never leaving Amana.

He's too loud. He wasn't supposed to be so loud! Amana looked back toward the bandit camp, her plan to return and rescue Marion now in ruin. I am sorry, Marion. I will come back for you. Traegar raved and spit blood as he rolled around in the grass. Amana ran as fast as she could. It was all too familiar for her. Dark woods and terrible monsters. Perhaps I am cursed to be chased forever. The woods around her on this night were easier to move through than the ones on her first night in Trilea. Her mind was on edge, and she kept her view moving. Watch for traps. Determination drove her feet forward for as long as they could go.

Eventually, her lungs felt as though they were burning, and she could run no further. She pressed her back against a tree and sank down low to catch her breath. Stillness settled around her, and the only sound she could hear was her own breathing. Amana had intended to stop for only a moment, but she realized that in the darkness she had no idea where she was going. She decided that it would be more sensible to move slowly, to prevent the risk of accidently running back into the bandits. Just as she was about stand up, she heard movement.

She peeked around the corner of the tree and saw the outline of a man. He was leaned over and moving slowly. He seemed to be watching the ground in front of him, and Amana came to the horrifying conclusion that he was following her footsteps. The figure neared the tree she was hidden behind, and Amana's heartbeat as though it were an animal trying to escape a cage. Without her dagger, she had no weapon and no way to defend herself. a rock! Anything! She searched the ground beside her for something she could use as a weapon and spotted and a sharp-edged rock. She held her breath and slowly reached out, the sound of the approaching man right behind her.

Amana took hold of the rock, but as she turned the figure grabbed her and pushed her back against the tree. She swung the rock, but he knocked it aside with ease. She opened her mouth to scream, but the man covered it with his hand. "Shh," he whispered as he placed a finger to his lips. She recognized his face; he was one of the bandits. Mikal. He looked around rapidly and once he was satisfied they were alone he spoke again in a hushed voice. "Listen to me. Your footsteps are too easy to follow. If I can find you, then the others can." He leaned back and pointed to his right. "This way is south. Tevry will expect you to go north back to Thornwood, and he'll be looking that way for you. There is a town a few miles south, Baelcroft. It's safe, it has walls and guards. If you keep a good pace, you'll arrive around noon." Mikal released Amana and stepped back with his hands raised to show he meant no harm.

"Why?" That was the only word Amana could muster.

Mikal chewed on his lower lip for a moment. "Because I know what Traegar will do if we catch you. I want no part of that."

"I thought I killed him..." She mumbled in disbelief.

"You may have, but he isn't dead yet. And he's angrier than I've ever seen," Mikal warned.

Amana's hands shook at the thought of Traegar finding her. "But what of Marion? Will he hurt her?"

Mikal shook his head. "No, Tevry is smart enough to know not to let him near another girl. We'll ransom her as soon as we can, before there's more trouble."

Amana swallowed down her apprehension and took a step away from Mikal. She dared not turn her back on him and moved slowly in the direction he had pointed.

Mikal ran a nervous hand through his hair as he watched on. "Remember, keep going in that direction. And step lightly, so that your footsteps are harder to see." With that final advice, he turned and disappeared into the woods.

Amana walked on cautiously, her heart was still beating far too much and her mind a torrent of fractured thoughts. She tried to focus on simply breathing, and slowly a wary calmness returned to her. She was alone again, but at the least she was alive and unharmed. Brynn, thank you. You've saved me again, even though you're gone. You made me realize that I was stronger than I thought. I have to keep going, even without you.