~No Name~ by Winter Nyala (e book reader android txt) 📕

Without slowing down, I charged at the man holding Celinda and tackled him to the ground, Celinda slid to a halt about 10 feet away, unharmed from the fall. I got up and kicked the other man, who was just standing there in shock, in the face. He went flying for 5 feet and then hit a boat that was on the beach.

I smirked at them both and went to Celinda. “Hey, Celinda. Come on girl, wake up.” I pulled her head to my chest and picked her up, heading inland more I found some grass and gently set her body down. “Come on girl, wake up for me.” I set my hand on her cheek... it was so smooth and her face so gentle. I smiled down at her and chuckled, “I know you can hear me. Come on, wake up.”

Celinda slowly opened her eyes and immediately went wide. She was staring at something behind me and I reeled my head around the find two more creatures scouting the forest by the beach, one smelt the air and looked straight at me. I flinched when it bowed to me and then they both left. I was stunned, confused and waiting for something else to happen, to pull me from the nightmare we called our home.

Celinda got up and chuckled at me. “They like, respond to you.” Looking at the wagon in the distance she frowned. “Is that how you killed it? Did you use that... power?” She finally asked me, taking her stares from the wagon to my eyes.

“Yes.” I replied, without hesitation. “And I'll do it again to save those I care so dearly about.” I flushed and then got up, turning toward the man that had tried to follow me.

He was hunched over the bodies of his men. I didn't kill them, but if they were to survive they would need treatment quickly. The man looked up and shook his head. It seemed as if he was talking to one of them. I took a step forward and stopped when he got up and looked straight at me. Waving me over I hesitated before giving Celinda the nod to stay close.

Helping her up, we slowly made our way back to the beach where the bodies of two perverted men lay helpless in the sand. The sound of the water seemed calming and my nerves were settling just a little as the gentleness washed over me. I kept my body anchored in between Celinda and the man. I don't think she noticed when we I shifted my body as the man came closer. He did.

“I am terribly sorry about my men. Having monsters destroy one’s home and kill thy families. It can damage the soul and well, men have certain needs. Even woman, if you don't mind me pointing out.” He bowed to me as he spoke, giving his word that his men would not try that again.

I wouldn't be surprised not to see that happen again, because the beating I gave them, not because of their so-called leader telling them so. “Swear on it. And if it happens again, with me or my traveling partner, the men responsible will have only a few more seconds to live and then I will come to you.” With that I turned to Celinda and smiled. “Nothing will hurt you. I will protect those I care for.”

She blushed and the man smiled. “Shall we go someplace warm? Night is upon us now.” He led the way to the cave beyond the surface of the shore. The tide hid the entrance but there was a small bridge that came out of the sand and water, that lead us in deeper in the cave. Four to five other men ran out and helped the other two inside as we made our way.

I was carrying Celinda as we entered and the man, who I came to know as Claude, showed us to a room. It was small, one bed rolled up in the corner, big as it was, I doubt Celinda would like to sleep with me. I set her down outside the room, as I entered. I sighed and started to unroll the mattress. It was stiff, but probably better than the wagon floor.

I was laying a blanket down when Celinda spoke. “We should leave. In the morning I mean.” She walked up behind me and let her hand come close to my shoulder, but stopped before she would touch me. She let her hand drop, “Just in case the creatures followed and the cave gets overrun by them.” I helped her out of her jacket and onto the bed, making sure she was comfortable, I turned around and headed for the door. “Are you not going to sleep?” Celinda's voice was gentle now, her words caring, worried. I smiled and turned back around, letting my smile carry to her. She smiled back and silently laughed. “Be safe and wake me up when you come in, OK?”

I nodded to her and headed out of the room and to the mess hall area. I was hungry and Claude said that if I wanted, I could eat there. I stopped in the entrance of the hall when I caught eyes with the two men from outside. I was tempted to turn around and go back to the room, yet I needed to eat, if we were to leave in the morning. And if we did leave, I would make sure it would be pretty early.

I decided to ignore them and headed straight for the Claude. He sat near the end wall, farthest away from the entrance. Probably to let his 'pawns' get killed first if something happened. I laughed a little as I sat across from him, “Night has fallen quite quickly, if you ask me.” He laughed and I smiled wearily at him. “After some much needed rest, we will leave you. I promise good food is available here?”

Claude nodded and waved over a small woman, she didn't look to be a day over 20. She had a small apron on and a long dark brown skirt along with the matching long-sleeve shirt. I smiled and nodded at her as she approached us. “We need some good food over here for the lady and get some more Ale.” He laughed heartily and looked at me, “Ale?”

I shook my head and held up my hand, “Not me. I don't drink. Always thought I was too young. This... attack, has changed a lot of the world lately.” I turned to the men that hurt Celinda and saw them quickly look away, and then get up. When they turned down the same direction of where the room was where we were staying, I shifted in my seat. “If you don't mind, I wish to check on my partner as I wait for the food. Can you ask your waitress to bring more for Celinda as well?”

“Aye! Will do lass. And take your time, I know ye are tired. Don't worry, you both are protected here.” He laughed again, but this time there was some force into it. I raised an eyebrow as I left the hall and waited in the hallway, just outside of the entrance.

When I saw movement, I tensed and then relaxed as the waitress came out with some empty Ale glasses. She gasped when she saw me and then held her chest with her free hand, “You scared me, miss.”

“Do not worry, I won't hurt you.” I replied, smiling as to calm her just a little.

“I am not worried about me, miss. I am worried about you and your partner you are traveling with. I have set food already near your door, but you must leave tonight, if not then now.” Her voice was edgy and she stuttered as she told me.

I thought about it for a second and then broke out into a run toward our room. I saw the men, staggering toward the entrance and quickly, but quietly, I walked up to the entrance, a head of them and they stopped. Dead in their drunken tracks. I looked at them and then picked up the food by the entrance on the ground, and walked into the room, pulling the curtain and beads to block out the light from the hall and their peering eyes. Celinda sat up when she woke from the moving beads and saw my distorted look.

“Is everything OK?” She asked as she followed my path to the bags and then to her with the food.

“It’s fine, but--” I stopped and took a breath. “We leave tonight. Not in the morning. There are things that are making us change out plans.” I handed her the small plate of pulled chicken and sliced potato with a sauce that looked a little cheesy. I smiled as she poked the sauce with the forked I picked out of our bag. “Just eat it, I believe it’s really good.” I took a bite and smiled big, it was delicious. The cheese had a tang to it and-- I stopped.

“Wait.” I said, before she could get her first bite. “Don't eat it.” I took the plate from her and the fork, and got up. Setting it down by the wall I went to the bags and brought out a jerky from the shack and handed it to her. “I know it’s not much, but at least it’s not...” I paused and got closer. “The food had been poisoned. We leave within the hour. Please be ready to flee.” With that I got up and made my way to the doorway.

“Wait.” She yelled after me, yet I still kept going. “Where are you going? Fraia, please.” She pleaded with me, trying to understand what was going on.

I sighed and turned halfway to her, “Don't eat the food. Just eat the jerky and when I get back, we leave. I must talk to Claude.” I turned to her, a tear escaping my eye, rolling down my cheek until it dropped from the end of my chin. “If something, happens. Yell and run to the entrance of the cave. I won't lead Claude to knowing I know about the poison.”

She slumped down and took a bite of the jerky, the got up and went to the bags. “Be safe and be careful. I'll be here when you get back.” She threw the jacket on and began to fix the bags. “And for heaven’s sake, be quick.”

I turned and walked out the room, keeping the beads closed so Celinda could hear if anyone entered, and I walked down the hall to the Mess area. I passed the maid and glared at her, she gasped and shook her head, mumbling something to herself she put her hand to her mouth and fell to her knees, against the wall.

I entered the Hall and went straight to Claude. He was almost at the point of being drunk and so were his party around him. “Hey.” I told him as I sat down in the spot I left when I went to Celinda. “Anything happen while I was away?”

He looked at me, almost surprised and then smiled, “Yea. Your food hasn't arrived yet.” The men at the table burst out laughing and I smiled.

“Don't worry about it. We will eat in the morning. We only need rest.” I felt eyes on the back of my head and knew that they planned on poisoning us tonight. “So we talked it over and came to a decision.” I told him as I leaned over and rested my elbows on the table.

He looked confused. “A decision?” His voice curious and a little edgy with his tone.

“Oh... yea. Aha!” I laughed, playing my part to the Que, “We leave tomorrow night. Better to travel by night. Yet, it won’t be at dusk, no. We shall leave near midnight tomorrow. I will help with what I can while we are here and