The Last Line (chapter 2 prt 2 )

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“No. stay clear of her. If you get an inch closer, I will rid you of the thing you seem to use more then your head. I swear on my mothers soul. Besides, even if I do trust you, I am not so sure I would put so much stock in your mothers soul.”

But you don’ even know the wench. She is slum just like you an’ me. Wouldn’t do no harm. I jus wanna have some fun.”

“No. and I am not slum. If you so much as Breathe in her direction again, I will let your little friends back there finish what they started. Understand?”

“yes, I spose’ I do”

Every word of this conversation brought me closer to consciousness. I slowly opened my eyes. The two men who were talking sat on opposite sides of a small camp. The “slum” was looking right at me. eww. the other man who had protected me was cleaning and skinning a freshly caught fish.

“Aye, she is awake.”

At this protector came to kneel beside me. I would have moved away, but I found that I was too sore. “what happened? Where am I? and who are you?”

I could see a smile in the mans eyes at the flow of questions. “Well, I am Castor and that sad thing down wind from us is called Eros. I am a soldier who was under your fathers command. When you arrived at the camp, I was charged with your protection in case anything happened. So, I was to stay by you at all times. I found you unconscious. And now you find yourself here, about three days into the wilderness along side the profis river.”

“three days?”

“yes. You have been asleep for that long. I was starting to think you had gone from me.”

“What happened to my father?”

I’m not sure. sorry. I don’t think he made it” surprisingly, I found that I felt no emotions. They would come later. I guess this is what they call shock.

“what now?” castor gazed at me with a curious look in his eyes.

“ there isn’t much we can do. We keep moving until we get to the border and into the Byron states. We will be safe there. I have friends who will keep us there. Right now we just need to stick together. There isn’t a lot of supplies here. I had to sneak into the ration tent. I wasn’t able to get much. There is a small storage station about a day and a half from where we are now. We should be fine. don’t worry. I will take care of you.”

“That is not what I am afraid for. What about this dominion, our homes? The citizens?”

“the power we have been fighting does not usually bother with hurting peasants of a conquered enemy nation. As for the more powerful citizens, well they have already moved to neutral lands where they are safe and can take care of themselves because they have the wealth to buy their own safety. As for this dominion, it is not completely gone yet. There is word that our allies may be willing to risk holding on to what’s left of our home. You should worry for yourself. You have been through a lot these past few weeks. Get to safety first, then you can worry about others. No one will blame you for wanting to keep your fathers name alive. It would have been his last wish. It is also your duty to him. And I do believe that it is my last order to keep you from harm. You should know that I do not disobey orders. Understand?”

Everything that castor said brought tears to my eyes. I felt a determination well up in me I never knew was there. I know what I have to do now.

“Of course. I understand.”