Chapter Seven

Three days later a very battered ship arrived at port in Trianix. Her crew had been decimated by a gurtash. The "miracle ship" people called it, because boats seldom survive an attack from such creatures.

I was weary to the bone. The pain of Antianne's death was still too real, too recent, and not even the birth of my twins had cheered me up. Once I had thought reaching this harbor would be the answer to my problems , that it would offer safety and freedom, but it was not so.

The moment I set foot on land I felt terribly frightened. Miahatep was powerful enough to reach even here with his influence . Plus, any one of this men would not hesitate to capture me and sell me into slavery again. Nearly half the population on the island was involved in the slave trade.

So, I hid my appearance as best I could and headed for Hamud's house. Not that I trusted him not to sell me, but he was the only one I knew on the island. Just in case I had a little insurance ( the pearl dress Miahatep had bought for me), surely it might be worth my freedom. I had carried it all the way from Keosh.

At first everything was fine. He took me in and allowed me to rest in his home. Soon my body was healed , if my soul was still aching. But gradually the old longing returned, I wanted to go home , to walk on Jureal's golden streets amongst my people.

Dismayed I noticed Hamud was becoming more possessive of me with each passing day. Whenever I mentioned going back home he would elude the subject or try to dissuade me with some paltry excuse. It became clear he was not going to help me.

Acting as inconspicuous as possible I set about looking for a ship that would take me home. However the cost for a voyage home was high. I was forced to give my beautiful gown to a rich merchant in exchange for safe passage on one of his merchant vessels.

The ship was set to sail early the next morning so I busied myself by packing what few belongings I could take with me. Namely, my fan and some clothes for the twins.

Little did I know the tragedy that was about to unfold.

Late that night , after taking my bath, I sat on my bed breast feeding my infants ( yes, we can do that as well) when Hamud burst into my room. He was in a frenzy. Apparently he had found out about my departure. I wondered how, no one in his household knew of my plans.

Immediately I stood from my bed , lowering my baby girl into her crib. I had seen enough angry men to know he might be dangerous. With furious steps he advanced towards me, until he caught me in a fierce embrace.

He screamed at me , forbidding me to leave the island. I told him I was no longer his slave and that I would go where ever I pleased. Then he said he would not allow me to leave him.

Before I could even reply he kissed me. The kiss was so sudden it took me unawares.

Breaking out of my paralysis I fought against him with all my might. Finally I was able to slip my arms between us and with a forceful heave I pried myself away from him.

Everything was clear now. Before, I had been just too valuable for him to touch; the sweet little virgin boy who was worth a fortune. He had been to greedy to claim me them, instead he had sold me ,even though he desired me for himself. But, now I had returned and I was no longer a virgin ; my master too far away to ever know he had me.

The bastard! I felt violated. All the silent anger I had kept bottled up within me came to the fore . I had suffered to many humiliations, been hurt to many times by men like him. Never again!

He paid for all the others.

I gave him a choice. He had helped me when I needed it most. I offered him his life for my freedom . He turned it down.

Laughing in my face, he told me that it was high time he tasted the pleasures of my body , since everyone else seemed to have done so. His cruel words brought out such anger in me, that it surprised even me.

With a mere flick of my wrist my fan flew across the room to my outstretched hand. That alone should have forewarned him . He knew my skills with the fan. But, he was blinded by lust. I could see the way his eyes roamed over the portion of my thighs he could glimpse through the robe opening. He was virtually devouring me with his eyes. Hamud was like an animal in heat , heedless of anything but the need of his loins.

My poor Hamud El Qurad , all those years dealing with beautiful youths should have quenched his desires. He was so overcome by passion he failed to notice the silent plea in my eyes. Instead he continued his approach.

Once more I begged him to retreat, but he would have none of it. He dove for me intending to tackle me to the floor. With all the grace of a dancer I sidestepped him, hitting him on the small of his back with my closed fan. He floundered, nearly crashing against the wall.

His fury redoubled, he lunged against me yet again. This time he did manage to punch me squarely in the jaw. My body spun around from the force of the blow. I crashed at the wall beside the bed. Gazing up I could see him charging for another attack. Quickly I scrambled over the bed , then jumped over the foot of the bed, to stand behind him.

He paused for a moment obviously wondering what he should do next. Then my boy began to whimper , he had not eaten yet and was very hungry. What I saw in Hamud's eyes frightened me to my very soul. I literally saw the moment when the idea entered his mind. A wicked smile spread on his lips as he turned towards my babies.

That was it , no one was going to harm my children. Letting out a feral cry that would have made any animal cringe, I pounced on him. Hearing my scream, he turned to look at me and froze. An instant's hesitation cost him his life.

With one swift, delicate strike I nearly decapitated him. Blood spilled out of the gaping wound at an alarming rate . He strode forward trying to reach me and then collapsed at my feet. I gazed down at his dying form and found myself mesmerized by the blood dripping from my blade. Some of it was spattered on my face and my clothes as well.

I waited until I knew he was dead , then I took my babies and headed for the ship.

However , on my way out of the room my foot caught on a small package laying by the door.

Hamud must have been carrying it when he came in, but I had not noticed. I picked it up and peeked inside . It was the dress, the one I had exchanged for the trip.

I ran out of that house , bitter tears trailing behind me, and not stopping until I was deep within the ship, cowering on the floor with my children and finally heading home.

Original story by Angela M. Meléndez

E-mail [email protected]

1998