One More Deathly Day

Chapter One : Death

No one was going to come I realized that as I lie there in the streets bleeding out. The hard cobblestone beneath my hair which was smeared with my blood. My beautiful mare

was no where to be seen.

The men had come on so quickly. It was terrifying to recall the memories. The empty road sat there longingly. Thieves. They had stolen what was precious to me and left. Now my battered and broken body waited to see if the Lord him self would take his time to pick up the mess thugs had left behind.

A sob tore up my throat and threw my teeth. It hurt to move. Every breath was torture as it hurtled through my crushed ribs. Once in a while, a tear traced a path down my face to land onto the ground. My own hands and feet were numb. Every little twitch was true agony.

I was a peasant. And now I was dying. My lifes blood, seeping through the cloth of my dress. Shivering as a breeze swept by. I wished I could just leave the world and be over with it.

Of course I did not have to wait long, for he did not like his victims to suffer. He arrived on his large black stallion.It was not fear I felt as I looked upon his savage beauty. For this man was ravage. His Black hair, cropped close to his brow. My fingers yearned to bury themselves into the black nest of hair. My eyes went to his. The coldness in them made my heart burn. "M-my Lord... My Lord Death.." My voice was weak to my own ears. "Why must you take my life. Let me live. I am only at the beginning of my life," For which those words were true. I had only recently reached the age of 18.

With quick and proper grace he dismounted the large stallion and bowed stiffly. "Why must the great hart be killed when he lives to strive?" His eyes were bleak with a hint of curiousity.

"The hart is a great beast but one must decide whether to ponder his beauty or feast on his flesh," My voice was merely an echo of sound. I wasnt even sure he had heard.

The Lord arched his brow. "Are these beasts nothing to you? Do they not mean something akin to wonder to draw your gaze to them? Do they not have the right to live. To watch

their young grow like you mere humans?" He scoffed at his words before dismounting with such savage grace, only one like him could have.

"We must eat too," I was so cold. My skin was tinted blue in the cold darkness of the night. He leaned down and I flinched as his fingers touched the top of my hand. Suddenly everything was clearer. My eyes closed as he shared memories of the beasts our people had killed for many years.

A brown animal, so much larger then our horses with large tusks protruding from its mouth at the corners. Its trunk was resting around a smaller one of its kind. The next picture flashed before me. Spears hurtled into the animals side as it tried to protect its young. I cried out softly as I seen the mother begin to fall.

Another scene then. Wolves, a pack playing with their young. Growling and nipping, some suckling their mothers teats. They looked peaceful. Happy. As the picture changed I cried for the pack that had been stumbled up. Wolves protecting their den had been killed and skinned. Even the small pups were thrown about, their tiny bodies broken in the

gruesome aftermath.

"Stop.." I sobbed. "Please no more... These were terrible killings.. They did not deserve to die. But I dont either. I have done no wrong doings in my life," He watched me closely and pondered about..something.

You interest me you small, but beautiful human. Your will to live is unlike anything I have ever seen before. But, If I felt this way towards all living things then the world would be

over run. Come with me to my kingdom. Please, I could give you anything in your richest desires, whatever your heart longs for."

I shook my head weakly. "I..I`m not refusing.. Just..please give me time to think," I watched his eyes narrow as the words slipped effortlessly through my teeth bearing through the pain.

"One day Regeane. I give you one day," His voice was harsh as he grasped my arm. I gasped as a spreading warmth numbed my body. The sudden relief made me cry out as he pulled me up with him.

"Get up," Lord Death snapped at me. Fumbling with the stirrup, I must have been a little to slow for he grasped my waist and hefted me up into the saddle easier than what he should have been able to.

Quickly mounting the horse behind me, he dug his heels into the beast`s sides and took off at a sharp canter.

For the animal to be so large it was just as graceful as its master. Carefully picking its way clear of any obstacles and heading only on the sturdiest trails at an even place. We made it to my village in a time that no normal man nor animal could have ever competed with.

"Off with you now, I will see you tomorrow before sunset. Don`t be late." He gave me one last glance before spurring his horse into a frenzied gallop that brought him quickly out of sight.

I wasn`t sure exactly how long it took to stumble close enough for someone to see me but shouts rang out. One of the men who had... abused my body took one glance at the healed wounds and ran.

Mothers husband Brent sprinted toward me with a look of pure hatred on his face. "Where have you been you little whore?!" He screamed and I flinched back. "I was attacked by

men of the village. Did Fawn come back?"

"I haven`t seen that half witted horse since you left with her yesterday evening! That beast is better off in hell just like you!" My throat tightened. Brent had always hated me, for I was everything he and his children were not. My horse was of rich bloodlines and did not deal well with men especially Brent. I had learned to read when I was younger and had studied many things. Brent had tried many times to ride Fawn, but she would never accept a rider except myself. He had attempted to learn how to read but did not have the patience.

"Father please, I just want to get home," I didn`t have time to move away from his abuse even if I had wanted. His hand slammed against my cheek. The noise echoing about us.

"If I ever see you hit that girl again I will have you hung in the Gallows! Do you understand me you faggot!" The Lord himself from our village stalked towards us. Brent stagged

back. "But...But she, she was out selling her body to men like the little slut she is!" He cried out and shuffled backwards.

"No my Lord. I only was out going to pick up some fruit for mothers` pies. On my way back I was attacked and robbed of my possesions. Even Fawn is gone now and I cannot think of where she`d of went," Tears coated my face as I looked up at him.

"You have no reason to fear for that stubborn headed mare of yours. She`ll be back not for food and shelter, but because that animal loves you," His smile was genuine. "I`ll take you back to your mother`s cottage, come dear."

And so we walked toward the place I had called home for all of my 18 years.

(Should I continue this book? Please comment)