Posted by tessa on February 15, 1999 at 22:28:35:
I push my way through the trees with the moonlight as my only guide. As I come through the forest of the other side of the clearing my eyes once again behold the lake before me. Earlier this evening it had glistened with gold upon it, tonight it shimmered with silver as the moonlight gently danced across it's surface. I set my bag down next to a rock near the shore and began to disrobe laying my clothes neatly over the rock. As I entered the water I shiver slightly at its coolness. I wash the sweat and grime from my body and my hair and becoming accustomed to the waters temperature I begin to swim and splash feeling like a frivolous young lass again. I indulge in the peace and solitude this lake offers me. Growing a bit weary from my late night bath and swim I withdraw from the water. Drying myself with my cape I begin to dress. Sitting upon the rock combing my hair, I first hear the rustling of leaves as footsteps fall upon them and then the loud and angry voice of Tacitus shouting, "M'Lady....M'Lady Tessa!!"
Realizing that Tacitus must have awoken to find me gone from camp I stood and swallowed hard before responding, "I'm over here". Exiting the forest he rushed toward me. I took a step backwards as if he were to pounce on me. Stopping short of where I stood in the moonlight I could see his face contorted with lines of anger. Before I could even utter a word he began to speak in a tone that was loud and furious, "How dare you leave camp without my knowledge. I awake to find you gone and have to come looking for you like some insolent child!!" I reciprocate, "how dare you speak to me in that tone?" With that he reached out for my arm and began to hustle me back toward the camp. No matter how fast I walked he seemed to be right upon my heels. Upon reaching the fire of our camp he began to pace. "Do you have any idea what sort of danger could have fallen upon you leaving camp like that?" he spoke in a harsh tone that ignited my indignation. Standing with my hands upon my hips I responded, "Danger...danger that is all you ever think about. What did you think I would be attacked by a wandering bush?" He stops pacing momentarily and gazes at me, "I swore to M'Lord that I would protect you, how am I to do that if you won't even stay in one place??" I now begin to pace back and forth stopping I stare at him, "And you think I am but a child? I will have you know I have been on many a journey without once needing a barbaric escort such as yourself!!"
He is silent for a moment then begins to speak, his tone is calmer but there is still crossness in his voice, "that may have been true at one time, but you are now a Castle Lady and there are those who would harm you for that reason alone. M'Lord knows that and so do I, why else do you think he choose me as your escort?" I take a deep breath and with a sharp tongue I reply, "M'Lord...M'Lord...you throw his name around as if he's hiding behind a tree. What would M'Lord think of your protection when you didn't even realize I had walked out of camp!!"
In an instant before I could even realize what was happening he reached out, grabbing me by the arm and sitting down on his log he threw me across his knee. I began to struggle with all of my strength, kicking my legs and trying to twist out of his grasp. My attempts were futile as he held me tightly and pushing me forward slightly locked my kicking legs under his. I felt his hand slide my dress upwards revealing my bare bottom. My hands dug at the earth as I screamed, "how dare you do this to me....let me up this instant you barbaric creature!!" "The need has arisen" is all he spoke before his hand began to smack my naked flesh. The slaps were hard and prevailed down furiously. I bit my lip as the sting and the searing heat escalated on my backside, vowing not to give him the satisfaction of crying out. He spoke not a word of scolding but still his hand rose and fell. I could not keep silent any longer as I began to sob and plead with him to stop, "Please I'm sorry......I will not disobey you again....please stop...please" My words seemed to fall on deaf ears as he continued. All the struggle had gone out of my soul as I laid now limp and sobbing across his knee. As quickly as he had started he had stopped, and gently laid his hand on my now reddened and throbbing bottom. He released me from his grasp and I fell gently to my knees in front of him. My hands flung back immediately to try and rub some of the sting away. In a voice that was gentle and soft he finally began to speak, "you will not disobey me again. It is not only M'Lord who cares about your well being tessa, is that so hard for you to understand?" Regaining my composure I looked up and my eyes met his. Those blue eyes that once seemed so icy now appeared soft and disheartened by what just occurred. Swallowing back more tears I spoke, "It is not hard to understand. I will not disobey you again, you have my word." Nodding he gently lifts me to my feet and simply states, "Now try and get some sleep. Tomorrow you will arrive at the wall."
I gingerly walk over to my blanket and lie down on my side, quickly rolling onto my stomach. My last thought before I drift off to sleep is, "how am I ever going to sit in a saddle and ride tomorrow?"
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