Midna - Lorinna's Savior
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Dead. That's how she felt right now. Completely dead, void of life. No emotions seem to be going through her body at all, and she never moved either. She never moved by her mind, she moved by the bouncing of the cart, as it hobbled along the bumpy dirt roads. The room where she lay was dark, completely dark, as if the stars themselves had gone out. The only way of being sure that she still existed was when the horse man would grunt, or stop to allow an inspection of the cart.
She never felt when anyone tapped her to ask if she was alright, nor did she feel the tapping of the horseman when he present her with food. She was devoid of emotion now, what did she have to live for? Nothing.
Her life was a living Hell-- No, it was worse than Hell, she was sure of it. No one could be this cruel to people, unless they were spawned from the Devil himself. She knew nothing of what the other members of the cart looked like, and didn't want to know.
She herself looked terrible:
Her golden eyes that once sparkled in the sunlight, were now like rusted arrows. Her once beautiful golden hair was lanky, oily and if you didn't know her previously, she could have been mistaken as a brunette. Her once well-filled out body was now just skin and bones, and her pink lips were now cracked and dry.
She herself, once thought she was beautiful, but now she was just dirty. Not from how she looked on the outside, oh no. The dirtiness came from the emotional damage that came from the horseman. That came from the horseman when he took his 'prized' ones out back.
She now knew she was going to Hell when she died for sure. With the seed of that disgusting man always spilling into her every two nights, she was for sure going to be labeled as 'dirty scum under the Lord's shoes' for sure.
She wouldn't see her loved ones when she died, she would just be sentenced to yet another life in Hell.
Everyday was torture, being alive was torture. Death may seem like escape in the eyes of those who don't know, but in the eyes of these people, they all knew they were going to have to return to another form of Hell in death too.
Today, unlike all the days of this living Hell, was no different. They were all going to ride to a town, put up in front of hundreds of people, and get bid on eventually finding a 'master.'
She never knew where they were headed, but the places all looked the same: Stones, chains and hundreds of disgusting men. All the same, no different. Always looking at her with their pleading yet, deceitful eyes. Touching her, examining her. Choosing, paying, doing their business, and then returning her and asking for their money back because they weren't "satisfied."
The cart wobbled as they made there way through the forest, the sunlight causes small little rays to form inside the dark space. She stopped looking in the forest for her saviors, once she heard a war was going on in Nottingham. She knew he had much more important things to do than look for her...
She was always thinking how she could have gotten herself into such a situation, and she replayed the memory over and over again in her head... Trying to figure out where she went wrong to possibly be here.
She had fought valiantly with her gang, making every move precise so everyone could get out safely. She tried her hardest, yet she failed. She failed her gang by not trying hard enough. She got ambushed from the back, knocked out and when she woke up, she was here, in this cart, being tended by the horseman. I can't believe I actually thought he was going to help me... What a stupid son of a bitch I was...
"M-Miss?" Stuttered a woman from the corner, knocking her out of her thinking. She just continued to lay on the hard floor. "Miss?" The same voice asked, and this time, she rolled unto her back and started focusing on a ray of light on the ceiling. "Miss please, you must answer me this--" The woman whispered, and she finally got up and looked at the one speaking to her. She squinted her eyes and saw that the woman was slightly older than her. She had curly black hair, that was now matted with leaves. Her skin had a light tan to it, and was covered in grime. The only thing that stood out to her, was the woman's eyes. They were a deep shade of blue, and a little light of hope still flickered deep in her orbs.
She nodded, to tell her that she was listening, and the woman smiled to reveal her teeth, which glittered in the darkness. "My name is Zoe, and, I've happened to notice how long you've been here. Do you know how long I have been here?" The question struck her as an odd one. People really never started conversations inside the wagon, and when someone did speak, it was of how they each got treated. Now, here come's this woman named Zoe ready to tell how she's been there.
She nodded 'no', her dirty blond hair swishing from side to side. "Dear, I've been traveling with this sick man for almost eight years now." Zoe smiled when she saw the woman's eye in front of her go wide. "I know, pity isn't it? No man has ever bought me, but like you, have used me." She nodded, and then looked back up at the ray of light. "If you don't mind me asking, what is your name?" Zoe's question sent a shock through her body and she flinched slightly. She never told anyone her name, not even the men who used her. "Come now," Zoe whispered, putting a hand on the woman's hand, only to have it pushed away. Zoe pulled her hand back to her, and smiled lightly. "You must have a name. I told you mine, it would only make sense if you told me yours."
Of course, why hadn't she seen this coming before? No matter what you do in this cart, (Or outside it) when someone does something to or for you, you'll always have to give them something in return. It's just how the 'system' worked. She bit her lip, and looked back up at Zoe, her eyes suddenly alight with interest and fascination. "Lorinna. That is my name." The strength in her voice seemed to surprise her. Even though it was a whisper, she couldn't remember the last time she had spoken at all. Talking felt like some rare commodity to her: The feel of her tongue upon her lips, the words escaping her mouth.
Lorinna could see Zoe smile once more. "What a lovely name. Coincidentally, there is a girl with the same name who works with the infamous Robin Hood. Isn't that something?" Lorinna was glad for the darkness, if not, Zoe would have seen the paling of her face, the chills popping up all over her body and the remorse in her eyes return. "Yeah, coincidence." Lorinna muttered, and shuffled back down to where she was lying once more, hoping to blank out the entire memory of ever meeting Zoe.
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Lorinna didn't know when and where they stopped, all she knew was that her cycle was about to begin once again.
The horseman got off, and opened the door, letting the bright day fill the entire cart room. Lorinna flinched, and hissed quietly as the sunlight burned her eyes. "Well come on 'en! Lousy 'its of crap..." The man muttered, and took out his well known weapon: His steel coated whip. Lorinna heard the crack of it cutting through the air and she quickly opened her eyes, totally forgetting about her previous discomfort. All the others around her had hear it too, and were already climbing out of the cart; Standing by to receive their chains.
Lorinna hopped down, and stood there, head bowed down looking at her bruised feet. The horseman walked over and clamped on her bottom chains, and then moved on to the others. Eventually, they started walking and Lorinna could tell they were already in the heart of the city; The smells of cooking food, burning wood and the noises of hundreds of people talking filled her senses.
The horseman made his way through, and eventually ended up at his normal post for when the trading began.
Lorinna walked up the wooden stairs, and soon stood straight forcing herself to look upwards to find hundreds of people already waiting their arrival. Lorinna's eyes darted around the crowd, and she inwardly spat: Most of them, were once again men. She bit her tongue, and flinched when the horseman began to speak. 'Ello there everyone! My name 'ould 'appen to be Lance, and I 'ould like to present you all 'ith this fine batch!" He smiled broadly, and the crowd clapped. "Now, 'oo would like to 'ave a look at these lovely ladies?" He grinned, and a few men stepped forward as it begun.
Lorinna looked towards the sky, hoping to God (If he still listened) that no one would take her today. She heard the clicking of their boots on the wood, and she could hear the whimpers of the others as they 'examined' them, but she did not feel nothing: Not an examination, nor any stares. After the first batch of men left with their preferred women, the horseman began again, "Ah, great choices! Now, 'oo else would like to examine 'ese beautiful ladies?"
"I would if you wouldn't mind my good sir." There was a gasp from the whole crowd and Lorinna just wanted to die right then and there. Who else had to be waltzing towards them, was none other than Prince John himself. Lorinna closed her eyes, and prayed with all her might that he would not recognize her, or chose her. Either way: Having to deal with him choosing her or killing her would be torture enough.
We have to be in England... Otherwise this pompous ass wouldn't be here. Oh good Lord please don't let him choose me! Or, for that matter, recognize me! She silently prayed that either way would not happen, and she opened her eyes once more to see that her was looking at the girl right next to her. "Mm, no. Not this one," With that, he turned his attention to Lorinna.
She tensed up almost immediately, and he raised an eyebrow at her. He looked at her for a short amount of time, before waving his hand, and moved on to the next one. Lorinna released a breath, and regained her breathing once again as he moved on. Eventually, he had chosen one girl and left, paying the horseman and bidding him farewell.
The horseman smiled cheerfully, and then moved on once again. After about an hour or so, only Lorinna and Zoe remained from the lot of woman. The two stood their awkwardly, as the crowd below them still stood strong with hungry males. "So, 'oo will be the one to take these lovely ladies?" There was a long, awkward silence, before a voice popped up, "I'll take them."
Lorinna's eyes went wide, as she realized that that voice did not belong to a man. When the horseman too looked confused, he asked the speaker to walk up and show themselves. To his, and the two girl' astonishment, it really was a woman.
The woman had startling red-gold eyes, and her hair was as bright orange as the sunset. She was tall, and well composed. She wore a black dress that was decorated in elegant light blue markings. She had a beautiful crown like piece of jewelry on her forehead, and she wore no shoes. She walked up towards the man, and he almost lost his footing as he bowed before her. "Duchess Midna?" He asked, and the woman nodded 'yes'. He quickly moved out of the way as Midna made her way to Zoe and Lorinna.
Lorinna looked at the duchess with curiosity. She had heard of this woman before, but not much. She knew that she was a duchess from Spain, and was a very well known fighter throughout England and Europe. Lorinna wondered what she was doing here of all places, but her gaze shifted from curiosity to hope when she saw Midna pay the horseman for her and Zoe.
"Come, let us leave." She said softly, her voice accented and as smooth as silk. Lorinna liked this woman already, and it was not just for her voice; She had saved her and Zoe from another year in Hell. The Duchess had to be a savior from God himself.
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I really hope that you all liked this chapter. (I'm actually quite proud of it ^^) So, I just want to credit a few things: "Umbrella" is Rihanna's song, and the inspiration for this chapter. "Midna" is a creation from Nintendo, and can be found in the game, "The Legend Of Zelda: The Twilight Princess". (Her title in this as Duchess of Spain, I clearly made up.) But, you will be seeing a lot of Mida now through out this story, so get used to her ;) And for those of you who miss Robin and the gang, don't you worry they'll be coming back soon enough. Plus, for those who are a bit confused on how Lorinna go into this situation, don't worry, she'll be telling her story in the next chapter. Hoped you liked this chapter once again, and expect more from me very soon :)
Irine Lüttmann
Ross planted tousands yellow pansy under her windows.
Alice....before the fantasy realm.
