Conquered, Part II
...Then one looked at her sand said, “Let’s have us another ’bout.”
But the man on her horse said, “No, I’m claiming that one now.
In lieu of my share of the gold when all of them are sold,
I’m keeping this one for myself.” His words struck hard and cold.
None of the men would challenge him, at least none did at first,
then one said, “She’s the choicest plum, our pockets you will hurt.”
The man rose with nary a word, drawing out his long blade,
the challenger drew his own sword, and for his foe he made.
Before her flashed two swift sword-strokes, then a dark spume of red,
the challenger gasped in his throes, shuddered hard and was dead.
Silence then fell upon them all, their leader chose to stay,
“With Uthrum dead, and Geren out, we now split things nine ways.”
They all stayed clear of Geren, her new master now, it seemed,
she shivered at belonging to a man so cruel and mean.
At least none of the other men sought he for fun that night,
and not once did Geren touch her as morning came to light.
They broke off and rode to his keep, high atop a round hill,
a rough place out on the frontier, with rocky slopes and rills.
His peasants pastured his cattle throughout the tough moorland,
but only in small patches did she see the tall wheat stand.
He brought he straight into his hall, the place a small surprise,
colors shown by the firelight, tapestries met her eyes,
covered up the cold, gray stone with woven scenes of life,
stained glass windows waited nearby to greet the warming light.
He led her upwards several floors, past chambers and great hall,
art adorning every space, he was no savage at all.
She wondered if that made things worse, given he had forced her,
but feared for her life if she spoke, and didn’t say a word.
They came upon a bedchamber of unusual size,
he said, “This is where I sleep, and where at night you will lie.
Until I take a noble wife, you, girl, will warm my bed.”
Then he left, apparently thinking no more need to be said.
She stood shocked for a moment, half-expecting something more,
to be put to work in the house, or laden down with chores;
but Gener left the girl alone until the dark night came,
when she sat cringing on the bed, expecting renewed pain,
and he did come and lay with her, slaking his desires,
but did not hit, or bite, or pinch, only sex transpired;
then she realized that he had been the last man from the nights,
she guessed that was some small relief, her sufferings more light...
CONTINUES IN PART III.
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