[Child of the 7th Age]

Once or twice, Cami tried to wriggle out of Ted's iron grip, hoping to pry herself loose and scamper off to the safety of Bag-end. Sadly, however, the lad was quite a bit taller and heavier than she was so it was difficult for her to fight back with any chance of success. No matter how much she pushed and pulled, or kicked out with her feet, she couldn't manage to get free. All the while, Ted stared at her malevolently, throwing out taunts and jibes to make her feel even worse.

One time, Cami managed to get a good square kick into Ted's behind. Then he made her stop a minute, and untie the sash that she wore about her waist. He wrenched it out of her hands and used it to bind her feet together, almost like a pair of fetters, then continued dragging her forward in the direction of the Inn.

By the time the pair had reached the Dragon, which stood some ten minutes away in Bywater, Cami was a frightful sight. Her hair stood up on end, flying off in every direction, her eyes were brimming over with tears, and there were small bruises on her right arm in the exact spot where Ted had latched onto her.

The miller's son triumphantly mounted the steps of the Inn and yanked the door open, holding Cami securely by the collar. Waving the small purse in the air, he called out in a loud voice so everyone could hear, "Innkeeper, shirriff, I've caught me a thief! It's that nasty girl Camelia who hangs around Bag-end. She and her gang refused to pay for their sacks of flour, and she's been trying to pummel me into the ground ever since I nabbed her."

[ February 05, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]