Refuge from the Wars

[Asa]

Closed for jabels

Arianna
*She carefully tried to hide from any and all places that she could be seen by anyone. She had lived in this forest for months now after her escape. SHe did not realize he was there as she neared the waters edge to take a swim. Slipping from her tattered gown she slipped into the water and moved slowly around in the water. Her raven hair billowing behind her and her china blue eyes reflecting the sun on the water. She carefully moved for a little bit before hearing someone call out much to her terror.

"Who is there? Friend or foe?"

"Show yourself!"

She could not stifle the terrified yelp at the voice though she tried to stifle it. Blinking she moved a little more in the water scared to death but dared not speak due to her past existance. Looking to him she did her best to stay covered by the water with only her head and shoulders above water. She saw him but hoped he did not see her till he spoke again

"Who are you? What are you doing?"

She tried to back away fear flooding her eyes scared to speak but finally trying to speak knowing unfortunately it would give away where she was but there was little she could do about that to remain silent would only bring more pain once she was found she was sure of that.

I... I am Arianna *Her soft voice trembled as she spoke* Who... Who are you?

He would note the genuine terror in her voice

 

[jabels]

Ajax

He drops his shield and his spear at the waters edge collapsing beside it. He slowly leans down cupping his hands and taking slow sips of water, looking behind him to see if he is being followed.

He looks back at the water seeing ripples not made by is drinking. He calls out,

"Who is there? Friend or for?"

as he reaches for his sword, his spear still on the bank.

He stops and listens, ignoring the steady beat of his own heart in his ear drums and hears a plainly female yelp.

"Who Are you and what are you doing?" He calls out slowly wading into the stream, sword drawn and ready. He hears her reply from in front of him and slowly wades closer.

"Ariana, I am Ajax, I won;t hurt you if you will come to the shore." He slowly backs away lowering his sword.

 

[Asa]

Slowly she moved grabbing her dress and stepping from the water hidden she moved from the over cropping of trees biting her lip watching him. Her long dark hair soaked sealed to her slender form, graceful feet bare and a tattered gown of a slave of Rome. She stood shaking from a mixture of fear and chill from leaving the water. hints of scars could be seen on her shoulders wrists and ankles as she watched him unsure of what to do. wanting to run but could not find even the courage to do that.

Who... who are your people?

She tried to speak terrified that he was a slave hunter or in some ways worse a Roman soldier trying to make a name for himself and his family.

 

[jabels]

He looked her up and down. Noting the slave garb and the scars.

"I am a spartan, I fled the army here so I could make it back to Sparta and perhaps raise another army to rid our lands of Rome and her legions. I won;t harm you Ariana, I wouldn;t harm a fellow slave."

I grab your arm pulling you behind a tree holding a hand over your mouth as a group of soldiers approach the waters edge. We are out of site and they ca;t detect us as I keep you quiet.

 

[Asa]

Instinct said to struggle and scream at being grabbed like that. Her eyes wide in terror from being grabbed then seeing the soldiers and seeing the lesser banner carried by soldiers as showing they are of her former masters personal guards on loan to the Emperor.

She tried to back further away from them only to find her back and side pressed against Ajax. Feeling the strong muscled body near hers scared her a little as well but she found more comfort with him there against her than being found by the soldiers. She hoped that Ajax would not seek to turn her in for reward or safe passage.

Her eyes closed tight as she tried in vain to wish it all away an to be safe again.

 

[jabels]

He felt her against him and closed his eyes, missing the feel of a woman. He softly shook his head to get rid of the image of them in a naked embrace and the idea of handing her in flashes through his head briefly but he ignores it, knowing that he would be killed whether he turned her in or not. He watches the soldiers and curses the gods as they find his shield and spear. They fan and he draws his sword.

"Stay here and stay quiet." He says as he slowly melts into the shadows around them.

He dispatches all of the soldiers save one at the waters edge, standing over his shield and spear. He steps into the moonlight.

"I will be taking those now if you don't mind." He says, using the material of a dead soldiers banner to wipe the blood from his blade.

 

[Asa]

She nods and balled up watching the soldier near the waters edge. She knew him her mind too flooded with fear to take her eyes off of him. Her left hand clawed at her right wrist absently as she remained still like a deer staring at a hunter.

Then she heard Ajax voice and roused from her fear a little watching what was unfolding before her she bit her lip fearing for the Spartans life but unable to move yet to do anything to help him.

 

[jabels]

He doesn;t bother being quiet this time as he charges at him. Their blades clang together as he attacks. The soldier is quick and a good swordsman and they circle each other, trading attacks. One connects and he grunts in pain, a scarlet line appearing on his arm. He roars and attacks relentlessly, hacking through the soldiers blocks quickly and cutting into him again and again until only a bloody pile remains. He wades into the water washing the blood from his body. He comes back to shore and collects his equipment. He adds to it the clothing and food from the soldiers he just butchered.

"Ariana you can come out now." He says looking down at the large pile of equipment he has now.

 

[Asa]

She slowly walked over still staring at the other soldier and still absently clawing at her wrist. Staring down at him she was lost for what felt like forever in a memory of the abuse she survived at his hands before her master took favor on her and the real pain and torture of her life began.

Finally speaking she whispered as if scared he would arise and hurt her again...

He... He is masters captain of guards...

Finally tearing her eyes from him she looked to Ajax biting hard at her lip. A small sliver of blood appearing upon her wrist as she doesn't even realize what she was doing.

 

[jabels]

"Ariana what happened to your wrist?"

He looks at her wrist. He leads her over ot the pile of goods, away from the bodies.

"Ariana what do you need? Can I make up a pack before we leave? Do you know how to use a sword or knife?"

 

[Asa]

Snapping from the trance like state she looked to Ajax then to her wrist and shook her head but seeing the blood also on her fingernails on her other hand she moved to wash her hands and wrist in the water.

I know nothing of weapons... he hurt any who tried to use weapons. We should eat... or something after we get away from him.

She moved close to Ajax still a little worried the dead body before them would arise and harm them. Her rational mind knew better but her fear of this man was anything but rational.

 

[jabels]

He tears one of the soldiers clothes into strips and binds her wound and then his own. He makes a pack and sets all the food on it and several of the swords. He hands Ariana a dagger.

"Keep this." He says.

He throws the back over his back tying it into place and picks up his shield and spear.

"Follow me Ariana." He says slowly creeping through the woods. He keeps a fast pace and glances behind him to make sure they are not being followed and that she has not run off. He finds a cave and enters. He seraches the cave and after he finds nothing he lays his shield and spear near the mouth and the pack beside them.

"Stay here Ariana." he says as he collects wood and comes back, building a fire.

 

[Asa]

She quickly followed him her eyes darting around quickly and falling back to him till they arrive at the cave. She was scared of carrying the dagger son once they were in the cave she placed it beside her and remained curled up there in the cave waiting for him.

Once he was back and the fire made she moved to lie down beside the fire the dagger still close to her. This would be the first deep sleep she had been able to have in months but for some reason she felt she could trust Ajax as she allowed herself to basically pass out.

 

[jabels]

He leans against the wall, sitting just inside of the cave.

"Ariana go to sleep I will keep watch." He turns his eyes to the darkness and watches and waits, he hears her lay down and soon hears her steady breathing of deep sleep.

He glances back into the cave to check on you. He makes sure his spear and shield are readily available and starts to doze. He falls into the light sleep of a warrior, images of Ariana in his head as he sleeps.

 

[Asa]

She awoke close to dawn in the throws of a nightmare. Struggling, flailing , crying and clawing at her wrists and neck. Finally sitting bolt upright she looked around balling up shaking like a leaf. Her eyes landing on Ajax she bit her lip watching him. Divided part of her wanting to run even from him part of her wanting to seek comfort from him.

 

[Elvenoff1]

Ajax’s heart pounded deep within his chest as he heard the sounds of thrashing and crying coming from inside the cave, his thoughts immediately fell upon the slave beauty Ariana. With a warriors speed and agility the spear and sword was hefty upward at the ready position, he remained crouched ready to spring forward. His gaze searched the area looking for the intruder, but what his gaze fell upon was Ariana, she was perspiring and trembling, her gaze was locked upon him. Her face showed fear and the desire to flee, but her eyes, and the fact that she remained where she was told another story.

He quickly surveyed the area to ensure that all was clear and that no one was inside the cave he made his way over to her slowly. His gaze making contact with hers. “Ariana, its okay, you had a bad dream, your safe.” he wanted to reach out and touch her but with the fear still on her face he remained close but not touching her.

 

[Asa]

Seeing masters general... remembering... he...

Tears fell as she balled up for a moment then reaching a hand to him her trembling form needing in some way to draw from his strength as her eyes never left his. She had no reason to fear him and right now needed stability and warmth.

They will not find us... will they?

 

[Elvenoff1]

Anger, wanting of revenge raged through Ajax as the trembling hand rose to grasp his, releasing the spear he allowed her small hand to slid into his. His hand was thick and muscular, calloused and weathered by the elements all true signs of a veteran warrior. Soft, and silky was the feelings that came to his mind first, then the gaze that was locked upon hers brought the sorrow and the fright that was raging within her. He had to quell that fear for her so that she may rest and feel safe.

Her question brought his attention to the situation. “Ariana, don’t threat, It will be okay, I will be here by your side to keep you safe from any harm.” He gently pulled on her arm indicating that he wished to hold her if she needed. He knew he didn’t really answer her question but he could not lie to her and tell her that they would not..

 

[Asa]

She edged warily closer to him balling up near him she tried to wipe away her tears as she leaned against him tensing at first being so close to a male but relaxing fairly quickly holding no real reason to fear this man yet. Her eyes closed once more and almost feel back to sleep feeling warm and safe but then she heard something outside and tensed again quickly but remembering him having her become silent before and going silent quickly looking to him.

Outside the cave a deer had stepped on some leaves and twigs as it walked along then the near silent thwap of an arrow striking it dead.

 

[Elvenoff1]

At first he was tense with each movement trying to ensure that he made no movement that would force her to withdraw back into seclusion, it was almost like walking on pins and needles without getting pricked, but these tensions passed when she balled up against him for warmth. When her body eased and it appeared to him that she was on the verge of sleep a slight smile formed.

He allowed his arm to curl around her waist and slightly pull her to him bringing her closer to him brought them both the warmth that their bodies need to reach a relaxing state. His eyes became heavy and almost closed when she jolted to the sounds form outside. His movement was quick, and calculating as he grasped his weapons, his gaze catching hers. “Stay behind me.” he ordered her as he moved slightly toward the front of the cave.

A small chuckle came from his lips when the deer stepped out into the moonlight but that quickly changed as the thump of an arrow impacted with accuracy. The deer dropped where it stood indicating that a heart shot was made, a very difficult shot in the early stage of dawn. He shot a glance back toward Ariana, gesturing for her to fall back deeper into the cave with his sword hand.

Turning he moved to the side of the cave and waited for the hunter to come and claim his prize. He hoped that he was alone but that was a slim chance. He crouched and waited to pounce on his pray like the panther…

 

[Asa]

She quickly hurried back deeper in the cave only to find a stone landing with a thud in the darkness. Only half capable of stifling the yelp of pain she was sure they were found all due to her but she remained silent after that. Watching Ajax from behind a larger portion of the same rock that had tripped her up. She saw nothing but the voice she heard moving close to claim the fallen deer she knew well. Her eyes closed tight, she fought to remain stalk still but she trembled from the overwhelming fear.

The one who approached was not alone there were two guards walking with him commending the young nobleman on his excellent aim and how his prize will feed the men well through the day. The young man spoke very little but he did remind them that he was merely traveling with them in their hunt for the scattered Spartans to find "His" slave girl who would learn well about running and having the gall to prefer living in the wilds like an animal instead of in his fine home and if she so wished to live as an animal she could well be treated as one when he found her provided the animals had not ripped her to pieces. Laughing they picked up the deer and turned to go not seeing the cave nor the man hiding in its doorway.

 

[Elvenoff1]

Ajax watched, his fingers squeezing the rough wood of his spear with a grip that turned his knuckles white. He wanted so much as to leap out and slaughter the three men, but that was something he could have done if Ariana was not under his care now. The taste was bitter and he swore under his breath that this slaver would not see the harvest this year.

He watched as the men began to move away. The sound of Ariana in pain was a concern but since there was no sound of a struggle or further yelping from her he wanted to ensure that they were moving away before moving back to her. He continued to turn toward the cave opening, gazing about to ensure that they were not sneaking up on him as he moved further into the darkness.

He cursed under his breath as he stumbled a few times on the uneven, and pitch black surface. His only guide to find her was to call out to her. With a whisper he began to call her name out, using his spear as a probing weapon he made his way into the darkness.. “Ariana.” he continued to whisper.

 

[Asa]

There is a rock... there she heard the soft tink of the tip tapping the rock and her hand then reached to touch his arm. Once he was near her she whimpered curling tight against him then her arms reaching to circle his neck and shoulders hugging close to him. Her breathing and almost convulsive trembling a dead give away that she knew exactly who at least one of the men were. Her eyes closed tight she simply whimpered...

Will not go back... will not go back.

 

[Elvenoff1]

The soft fingers reached out from the darkness and grasped his forearm ensure that they would be found in this ill desired darkness. He wasn’t expecting the leaping grasp of the young slave. Her arms encircling his neck. His hands went to her hips as he held her weight with ease. “Your save Ariana.” he whispered to her. He couldn’t help but to feel her breast meshed against his chest. He hasn’t had a women this close in two years and the feel of her body began to start the burning. He could feel the heat traveling within his body at an alarming rate. “Ariana, I need to put you down” he managed to whisper to her. He didn’t want her to feel the swelling that was going on between his legs.

He changed the subject quickly.. “Are you hungry?” he knew he was and was pretty sure she was as well. There was a lot of evidence that this area supported many animals of varies types. He felt small in changing the subject to something so minor when their lives were at stake but food is the first step in survival. He just didn’t want her to think that he was going to turn into his desire and force himself upon her. He wanted her to feel safe and allow her to grow in her state of freedom.

 

[Asa]

Yes... we should find food if... if they are gone. She accepted that he chose to set her down and release her from his hands. She wondered and slightly feared why. All she knew of soldiers and royals was pain abuse and their will forced upon hers. She moved away from him a little hoping that helped whatever made him wish her down from him.

That was masters son. I... he... she curled up against the rock again falling silent fighting to block the memories that sought to flood her mind again.