Eagle People by W.R. Benton Read Free Book Online

blue, she had long blond hair, and she'd entered training to be a warrior. Her father always said she should have been born a boy. She was near the fourth year of warrior training and had progressed to the point she was to be taken on the next raid.  She'd fought until knocked unconscious and awoke in chains.
    Theodosia looked younger than her years, lacked any real warrior training, and was spoiled by her parents. Her red hair was cut short, her lips full, and her eyes green. Until taken captive, she'd never missed a meal or been mistreated. Sitting on the dirt floor of the shaman's lodge, Theodosia was in shock at the brutality she'd seen during the attack and her suffering since captured.
    Ninian looked at both young women and was attracted to Ada. He found her blond hair and blue eyes stimulating. The other woman reminded him of a child, and he had no interest in children. He'd trade her for something or sell her if he could. Or, he might train her to cook for him.
    Hours later, moving to Ada's side, he squatted, lifted her dirty chin, and asked, “Are you hungry?”
    “Yes.” His face was almost touching hers, and his breath was foul.
    “If I feed you, you must do something for me.”
    Sickened by the very thought of him touching her, she replied, “What of my friend?  Will you feed her as well?”
    “My dear, do you understand what I want from you? Have you ever lain with a man before?”
    “Yes, once. Feed us both and I will do as you wish.”
    “Yes, I'm sure you will, won't you? Hunger forces everyone to comply eventually. Let me roast some meat and prepare some bread, then we will get to know each other better.”
    Near Ada was a small stick, maybe six inches long and as big around as her little finger. As Ninian prepared the meal she knew if she attacked the old man, she had to be ruthless and cold-blooded. But, a warrior of the Eagle People did not need a weapon to kill, because all things could become a weapon. First, I must disable him and then kill, she thought as she caught the shaman smiling at her. She returned the smile.
    Like all hungry people, both young woman ate slowly, enjoying not only the taste of the food, but the texture and juices as well. Ada was unsure of the time, really not caring, because death was preferred to slavery. However, she thought it was close to darkness and if she could escape, maybe she could steal horses for them. She expected little, if any, help from Theodosia and suspected she'd be more of a liability than asset, but if possible, she owed it to her People to take her along to safety.
    When the meal was complete, the old man moved toward her and undressed her, taking his time to enjoy her beautiful body. The stick was behind her back and so was her hand. As he leaned forward to kiss her, she brought her hand up and struck him hard in the left eye. Then, pulling the crude weapon from his injured eye, she struck hard once more to his throat. As his scream started, she struck his nose hard, with the palm of her hand, and felt something break. His scream died instantly as cartilage from his nose entered his brain. His body fell to the ground and shook as his body started to shut down. She removed a small skinning knife from the man's belt and cut his throat.
    Pulling the keys from from his pocket, she unchained both of them and then said, “We must try to steal horses and leave. Can you do this?”
    Theodosia sat unmoving, her eyes open wide in terror.
    Shaking her hard, Ada said, “We must hurry, because someone may have heard his short scream. If they find us here and him dead, they will torture us to death.”
    The young girl was still frozen in place.
    “Come and do it now, or I will leave you behind.” She saw a butcher knife, bow and arrows, which she took, but no other weapons. Ada then picked up two wool blankets, a full water bladder, and flint and steel she saw by the fire pit. She glanced at Theodosia, slowly shook her head, and left the lodge. It was full