[Amanaduial the archer]

Fionel must have slept during that fitful night, for the next thing she knew was the sound of the door being pulled open. She half opened her eyes, expecting to be hit by the daylight, before realising it was still dark. She had only had a few hours sleep then. The slave forced herself to get up before the guards reached her, but they pulled her up anyway. Fionel cried out in surprise as a dirty black cloth was produced and tied around her eyes, completely blocking any light there may have been. As soon as it was tied behind her head and secured, one guard took a more secure hold on her right arm, pulling her ahead. She was unsure of her footing, but the man, or woman more likely, from the gentleness, was careful, not speaking, but making sure she didnt loose her footing. She was led, blind to everything, out of the cell.

"Why are you doing this?" She murmered to her guide. Another guard heard and struck her head, almost making her loose her balance, caught completely unaware as she was.

"Don't talk slave, or we'll gag you as well." His voice was harsh, but Fionel could hear how tired he was. So he wasnt one of the Hunters then, for they would all be as eager as hounds before a hunt.

Fionel tried to keep track of where she was as she was led along. Up one, two, three, four steps....down a stone corridor...right...left...right again...

It was impossible. Fionel didn't know the buildings in Nurn well anyway, and guessed they were leading her a more complicated way anyway and was soon she was utterly lost. So that was what the blindfold was for- she now had no idea of where she was, and, depending on where the slaves were allowed to set off for the Hunt, would probably have lost her bearings completely.

Eventually she felt the night air on her face, but also a little warmth, although no light penetrated the opaque blindfold. The sun must be coming up then, or would be soon. For that was when the quarry would set off; at sunrise, with no horses or weapons and only a little food. And six hours later, the Hunters would follow, on horseback... The thought and the hopelessness of what she was up against made Fionel shiver. How had she ever thought she would be able to get away? It was impossible...

The sound of voices made Fionel's head turn instinctively, although of course it was no use. As she identified the excited voices, she started to turn pale; easterlings. It seemed half of Nurn had turned up, even at this early hour, to see them off. She felt another prescence near her, right beside her left arm, but couldnt identify who it was before the voice spoke.

"Hey, watch it!"

She flicked through her memory for the vaguely familiar voice, before coming up with the owner of the voice: the nanny, the girl who looked after those easterling children, although she couldnt quite remember her name, only the child's voice, calling after her. What was it- High? Hay?Something like that. So the other slaves were here as well.

She felt grass underneath her thin soled shoes, and a bundle was pushed into her hands, which she almost dropped. Her food supply, it had to be by the feel of it. But it felt so little... Ekatrans voice now made her sit up, suddenly feeling vulnerable, blind as she was. His voice was muffled, and she couldnt quite hear what he was saying. She was breathing faster now, panicking, realising how hopeless this was, and she felt like she would faint, felt like when they set her off to run, she couldnt be able to stay upright, let alone run....

Then the blindfold was whipped off.

[ April 26, 2003: Message edited by: Amanaduial the archer ]