I gently finger his shirt buttons and open my eyes to his. There is nowhereis there?

His face softens and I feel the comfort of his presence begin to work its miracles. There is he whispers tenderly. I drop my gaze to my hands as I continue to play with the laces at his throat. He leans his face closer and I am forced to feel his skin on mine again as it causes tingles inside. It is far away he tells it to me like it is a story and I remember the old Dutch folktales moeder used to tell me on a cold night before the stove fire. I remember the chills that had run through me at daunting stories, and yet the warmth of their ending. Nadeje is not telling me a scary story, yet the same sensations take place inside. If you let meI could transport us therebut it will take he breathes a moment as he pauses. I look up into his face so close to mine and see the flushed expression. It would be inclose to my homewhere no one bothers about religion and there is hope for again he trails off. Imy Lyra, I swallow at his name for me and he closes his eyes. It would be easier to get thereif he pauses again. Forgive me please, but it would be less precarious if we were married.

I feel the heat pour into my face and know I must look flustered, but behind my shock I calculate what he is saying. Though it is marvelous, I see the logic behind it. Transportation would be of ease and the thought of someone mistaking me for a lone girlit could be dangerous to the extreme. Most importantly, we would be tied by the church; no questions could be raised about the sin or virtue of it.

I have stopped my play with the closing of his collar, and now I feel the water around me once again, very still, like Nadeje. He is looking at me now, his face sickly pale with concern and for once lack of calm. I know my answer to him means the world, as it does to me. I gently fondle his throat as I think a moment. I avoid his gaze and look straight ahead to his adams apple which is glowing from the torch light above us.

I dowant to marry you I say it as I realize it is true. I see the muscle in his neck tense. Ididbefore I pause and glance up. I just didntexpect itso soon.

He is watching me frantically, as though unsure of what to make of it and wanting desperately to do something to react. I try to look firm for him, though I would rather hide against him and let him take me close.

I have already too many formal names I feel the need to be firm slip from my face as I feel sincerity fill my expression and a smile I cannot hide quivers onto my mouth. I only hope to include yours.

The whisper is like a hush between us. His face begins to shift emotions, and slowly it blossoms with longing. The longing becomes deprivation, and unconsciously, I feel the same.

It happens before I can recall moving, and suddenly we are on top of each other. We wildly jam together, and his lips rush to mine without control or hesitation. He kisses me irrationally, hungrily and messily, and I return it. I breathe gaspingly through the nose as we move, and push up into his mouth with mine, my hands absently wrapping around his neck. I lean forward into it, and slowly, the boat leaves the back of my head. His hands travel down to my waist where one of his arms lock around me, and the other hand moves up to my head where he supports me desperately.

Everything around us stills and is forgotten. All I hear, feel, see, want, and taste is Nadeje, and him me. My heart pounds so hard I am sure he can feel it through my clothes, and even as I resent my volatility, I use it to take advantage of letting go. I recklessly push up and into him and without any intention my hands rub up his neck and tangle in his hair. I feel my stomach churning and my body urgently seems to need to be closer. He brings me back with him as I accidentally begin to drive us off the boat and his hands grip me harder as I press for more.

Then, there is the sound of rippling water and a splash.

I gasp our lips apart. The world surrounds us again and my eyes open. Nadejes eyes are open and cast out into the darkness to my right; the side heading toward the shore. He automatically pulls me closer and my face is tucked into his throat. I turn my head a little to be able to see also, and there is a tiny miss of a beat in my chest. In the darkness of the shadows of the boat, a figure of a young man stands still watching. The water ripples a bit as he moves his hand, and through the faint light, I make out the form of Zenith. I feel my head begin to thud in crushed states of overwhelm. He is alone, but still he found me, and by what I can see his body is tense.

Zenith, I whisper, and to my horror, as though he hears it and takes it as confirmation, the water ripples in big rings away from him as he draws his sword. I feel my heart pound. I turn back to Nadejes throat and hide here, not wanting to see anymore. Nadeje draws me up as I burrow again, and I bury my face against his ear. No violence, I sob in a breath. Pleaseno violence I feel my eyes blur with tears and it only worsens as my head pounds harder. Nadeje does not respond, but I feel his pulse steadily thudding under my hands. It is calmer than when he was kissing me. This is comfort. He turns his head against mine and I feel him readying me to be let go of. I let him resentfully.

Stay where I leave you, he orders gently. I pull back from his face and stare at him with teary eyes. When he does not pull me back, I come close again and huddle into him. He carefully grips his hands on my waist, and draws me off.

When we are half apart, there is a thrashing sound and suddenly Nadejes fingers brush me close again, then his hands grip me and thrust me hard. I am thrown back at least a few feet in the water, and swirls of the impact cause me to nearly go under. When I stable myself again, I have to steady myself with the current as find I am deeper. I look up for Nadeje, but he is gone. I frantically search the area for his body but he has vanished. My eyes catch on a flash in the water. I go on my toes to see it better; it is not Nadeje. I try to figure it out in the shadows and then I stop. It is Zeniths sword. I look up to where Zenith had been standing and find him unmoved. I feel my heart batter. Nadeje had pushed me out of the way of Zeniths throw, leaving himself I race forward before I know what I am doing. I splash and fight carelessly through the water in desperation to get to the sword. I am almost there, when I see Zenith start to move forward. That is not what stops me. What does, is a dark form rising from the water between us and out a distance from the boat; Nadeje. He silently splashes out and pushes his hair out of his face.

My heart jars in my chest and I feel paralyzed. What do I do? I try to think of something braveor smartbut I cannot process anything but that Nadeje is here, standing, okay, and most importantly with me. I remember the sword and look back to it, only a few steps away.

Zenith has stopped, but seeing me look again, he starts forward slowly. Lyra it is warning.

I step towards it.

He steps once hastily through the water. Lyra, no I reach and my fingers brush the metal.

Suddenly, he rips forward. Before he can go half the distance, the dark form jumps him. The two figures splash back and land hard in the water, which thankfully cushions their fall. I stand frozen and unable to move as I watch them fight and roll over in the waves, each of them faceless and undeterminable in the dark. I let out a cry as one of them flops over the other, but the other ones arms strap around his neck and pull him under. I sob for it to stop and hurry forward but stop as I realize my incapability to help. There is a swing of an arm and a cruel crack and I feel my heart stop in my chest. Then, one claws at the other and somehow they twist over. One of them grabs the others head and as I stand here helpless, I hear a loud thump.

I scream and cover my mouth with my hands, dropping the sword. One holds the other against the boat, and knowing Nadeje would never be so cruel to hurt Zenith in that wayI watch as he cups his chin and thrusts his face upthen he unsheathes something from his belt.

I scream. No! I sob.

The figure against the ship jerks. There is a moment of blurred actions and I make out his legs going around the other, pushing him back and into the waves. I choke as I try to find where they went. They burst out still fairly ahead, and I can tell they are blindly fighting now; the silt and water in their eyes burning as they try to see in the darkness.

I shake violently as I watch them turn over in the water, splashing up foam and drowning each other with each attempt to get the better advantage. Then, one does. There is a loud thrash and I see a figure force the other to roll towards the boat. The one forcing then swiftly rises and drags the other over to the ship and bangs him back against the wood. The one holding the one pinned up holds a knife in his hand, and as he stables himself in a better position, the other limply remains unmoving. I whimper and move forward a step, but stop as I realize they had swapped places.

The one trapped against the boat is differently toned than before, and the shape of his body is thinner and shorter; Zenith, and the other, Nadeje. I breathe out and I try to not faint. I step forward once, and find I am close enough to see that Nadeje is soaked all over, and that somehow he managed to lose his collar laces and a few buttons in his shirt. I feel my head pounding but push the pain aside as I see Zeniths hands clasped to Nadejes throat. I am not so frightened though, for they are lose and hanging.

Spaniard, Zenith spits it with a spray of sea water into Nadejes face.

Nadeje does not blink. That I am, it is calm, despite the last few minutes activities.

I watch both of them, my breaths trembling and occasionally stopping.

I will make her married life miserable, it is a breath, a threat as Zenith looks up with loathing into Nadejes eyes.

Nadejes eyes are piercing. Even from this distance, I feel him staring daggers into Zeniths.

Not before I make it wonderful, it is calm and firm, and it wins.

My heart, despite the moments conditions, flutters uncontrollably at his words. He tightens his grip on the knife whichs blade is pressed into Zeniths throat.

I feel my heart wavernoNadeje dont Nadeje, I whimper.

He does not hear.

You are not of right blood.

Nadeje presses the blade. Do you suggest I take yours then?

It is warning, and it makes Zenith clench his hands at Nadejes throat. Dare you.

Nadeje pokes the blade in. I am a Protestant.

Without further conversation, he drops the knife, and grabs his hair, knocking back his head and letting him drop into the water. I let out a cry and cover my face in my hands. Through my fingers, I glance Zenith limply sink into the water. The sight is sickening, and I turn away from it. The sea breeze is faint and I breathe it only once before I am seeing spots. I try to breathe again to prevent it from happening, but I am too weak and I crumple beneath the surface. I am alone only seconds, for there is a splash and I am drawn up and out of the water. His arms go around me.

Lyra he breathes it to me softly. It is alright, youre alrightmy Lyracome back.

I feel distant and my head is spinning, but as I waken against him, slowly my head clears. As it comes back to me, the sickness returns from Zeniths body sinking, and my hands involuntarily move up and cover my face. Nadeje feels it, and worriedly lets go and instead lets me lean against him for support and carefully cups my face, tilting it up with his hands. I drop mine as he does and let him look at me. I feel tears stinging my eyes and he seems to see them as well as the sickness in my expression.

L I drop my face down and he leans in, once again lifting it. I resent it and push at him, but he does not let me go. Youhurtkilledhim.

It is shaky, trembling, angry and close to tears. Though I do not want to marry Zenith, it does not mean that I wanted him hurtor killed. He didnt deserve itnot after I broke off the engagementnot after he had tried to save my purity not a month before now. I feel him force me up and I look into his face as I bite down hard, clenching my jaw.

LyraI I look away from him, separating his hands from my face. You didGod, Nadeje you didI cant I feel my tears almost fall. It is too much to take infar too much He takes me by the shoulders and draws me close, hovering his head right beside mine. No I pull back wishing him not to see my tears, but he towers his face right above mine and retains me. Lyra, I had to do what I had to do I stop, then push at his hips. His hands catch mine and trap them in his. I knocked him out coldhe isnt deadI wouldnt have done that.

I am stopped. My muscles and mind relax. My heart lightens its burden and he seems to see it. He is unconscious? it is scared and cracked.

Yesit will leave him a headache.

I let out a trembling exhale and look to his throat, a place where I regain myself. I feel my heart ease and I feel here again, not lost in a world of fear or grief, of sin. Iwas scared that if you had killed himItheycould He lifts me with a light nose brush to mine. I do not blame youit would have been wrongI agree fully.

I tuck my head under his chin a bit. Then he stops. I feel him bring my hands up between us and it separates our bodies. Lyra it is concerned and gentle, and as I look down through the faint light, I see my hands cupped in his. He stops where we are able to see them better. I feel my stomach churn as I notice they are wet, but not only with water. I stiffen. They are covered in blood. Lyra it is worried now. He wraps them in his, then stops and lays them out to see their wound. You are hurt On one hand there is blood stained across the fingers, and on the other across the palm is a sliced gash in a line, still wet. I dont remember hurting myself, but it is not imagined.

Nadeje has them tucked away against him and is urging me up. How? he asks breathlessly. His eyes are storming and worried. What happened to you?

I feel a pulsing begin in my hand as soon as he is nurturing it and I try to ignore it. Idont know He gingerly turns them a little in his and I bite my tongue. You are bleeding quite a bit he glances past me. Was there someone who hurt you? it is protective and slightly angered.

I feel it pulse harder, and as though trying to tell me how it happened, the wound sears in pain as though being cut again on repeat. It is like a slip of sharp metal. The it brings him back to me. I must have cut it on the sword, I move my hands a little in his and it burns.

He seems to relax a bit, but still is protective. Do not move it he instructs me tenderly. It could get worse if the scab breaks I weaken at his words and he gently releases my hands and instead takes my waist and pulls me back in. Keep it warm with the other, and as soon as possible I will dress it.

I feel a little relieved with his soothing words. It is apparent he has taken care of many medical damages before. I am too shaken to respond to him, but he doesnt wait for it either.

You must have gripped it hard, he whispers. It is one of those spoken secrets to himself and me, but mainly to himself. We must go, it is spoken gently but surely.

I slowly remove my hands from his stomach and am momentarily distracted at the dark stain it leaves on his shirt. It is unsettling and distinct on the white fabric, and I almost want to request him to dip it in the water to lose some of the blood, but I know he is busier with getting us to the shore. He glances into my eyes as though looking for any secret resentment or further pain, but finding none, he backs a step back and turns away onto our path along the boat. I begin to follow, but accidentally drop my hand under the water and stop with a gasp at the pain which shoots through the cut. He turns and steps back as I move my fingers of the hand and the blood begins to rise again. Keep it out of the waterwashing it here isnt beneficial without minerals and salt to disinfectyou are more likely to contract infections here.

I cradle my hand in the other and keep it close to me. After a moment, he turns again and walks on. I follow. We pass the area where Zenith is and I look away from the sight of him floating in the water. Nadeje pauses a moment, then slowly steps toward him. As he reaches Zenith, he takes the limp figure and drags it to the boat. I feel my heart hammer as I fear what he plans to do, but it stops as he props him up against the ship and taking Zeniths knife from his belt, pins it through his shirt and into the wood boards of the ship. Nadeje looks away immediately and starts on again. I do not follow directly but watch Zenith a moment longer. I feel a twinge in my heart at his stillness and move forward with Nadeje.

We are at the tip of the boat when Nadeje stops. He looks out through the shadows and across the crowds. There is still a fair amount of people waiting and moving in the line. I look out to see if any of my vaders guards are searching through them, or if Sir Marren is running about, but all is as before. It dawns on me that Zenith probably didnt have time to call out an alarm. He went to search for me himself, I do not want to put reason as to why, but he must have spent ten minutes running here and there until he found Nadeje and I in the water. I feel my cheeks burn as I wonder how long he had been standing there before we took notice at the sound. I push away the thoughts and focus on Nadeje in front of me as he scans the perimeter.

I came around the other wayit was quieter he speaks to himself. He backs a step back and I accidentally bump into him. I dont mind it. I like to feel that he is still with me. Though it is deep he takes another moment to decide, then steps forward. I follow, but he stops as he reaches the view of the platform coming down the ship. He quickly backs away and sighs. Stay behind me, he orders gently. I watch him a moment and cant help but love his protection for me. I feel ashamed at my selfishness of the thought and look away to the water. He steps forward. I follow closely. He stealthily steps ahead and then with assurance hurries beneath the platform with me at his back. He turns and finding me still too far out from under, he draws me in. I curse myself as I flush at his closeness. He moves aside and looks up as the steps above us thud. Shadows fall through the cracks as they pass, and Nadeje watches a moment as though thinking. You cannot swim? he looks at me.

I shake my head faintly and he seems defeated.

I didnt expect differently, he looks away as though thinking again. He turns away from me and walks to the other side of the platform above us, careful not to splash. I do not follow, thinking it unnecessary. He looks out through the side and at the open space of water. He sighs. You wouldnt make it that way.

I feel my heart falter at his sadness and the you in his sentence. I cant help but wonder if it implied to me or anyone who tried.

He turns and seeing me watching, heads back. When he reaches me, he reaches out and gently touches my hands. I meet his request and let go of the wounded one. He takes it and opens it slowly to check the bleeding. It has scabbed a little on the edges, but he seems displeased. He gently releases it into my other hand then quickly reaches up and begins untying his collar still caught about his throat. I watch him and feel flutters inside as he pulls it off over his head, then something above us catches my attention. A shadow had fallen over our heads and remains unmoving. I am called away as he takes my hands again and forget the shadow just as shortly as I had glimpsed it. He very tenderly begins to wrap it around my wounded one. I watch him work as he bandages it, and hardly feel the pain of the fabric as he presses it to make sure of its fitting. He tucks the remaining piece under a layer on the back of my hand and then holds it a moment longer. I do not look up at him or avoid him. I just let him hold it lovingly. Then, he releases it and steps back.

I am too shaken still to say thank you, but as he steps away again to look for an escape, I doubt he wants me to say it. He turns back to me and looks sure of something. Lyra, he requests me softly. I silently hurry forward and glance up as there is a thump above us. I make it to him and he lightly reaches out and takes my arm. I need you to do what I do exactlyif I duck under the water, you must too. You must trust me. I wish I didnt have to lead you at all like thisbut if I have to I need us to be careful, he looks me in the eyes for a promise. I swim, and you must swim.

As much as it unsettles me to think of water going over my head I trust him; though I do not trust the water. I nod and his grip relaxes. Then, he lets go.

He turns and after a look around us, he steps out. I follow quickly as he nears the shore. He stays low in the water and so I must do the same, ignoring the sting in my hand as it is submerged in my hurry to follow. He occasionally veers away from the shore and I am taken with him, but then he tries again to near it. I stay a few feet behind, and try to replicate his every move.

We are half way across the shore, when suddenly he ducks. I am about to, when I feel my heart falter. This is waterI could drown. I hesitate. I plunge. Immediately I forget how not to breathe and inhale. This is my flaw. I need air as I try to cough it out, but under water it doesnt work. It is dark and I cannot see. I shift on accident and I cant remember which way is up and which way is down. Then, Nadeje grabs me. I feel him pull me to him and I expect him to guide me to the surface, but instead, he holds me down. I grip his shoulder but he does not let me go. I need airI press against him but he forces me down to remain. I choke on more water and my eyes open to his chest as he pulls me close. I weaken and he grows rigid. Then, he lifts me and my head is out of the water. I gasp and cough and choke and he pulls me into his throat to block the sound of my near drowning. I sob out in apology but he seems unconcerned by my noises. He combs his hand into my hair and I sob again. I am crying.

When I have stopped chocking out the water, he gently draws me back and seems softened. You are fineI wont let you go down againI shouldve been more careful. I had to keep you down longer in case they were still looking. Im sorry.

I cant help but lean against him a moment to rest. He doesnt push me away, but doesnt just relax with me. He begins to walk backwards, looking out for danger. When we have gone a few steps, I lift away to move. I release him and he goes ahead so I can follow. I realize how close we are to the shore and feel a little hope flutter in my chest.

Soon it is too shallow to stay beneath the water, and he crawls up over the ledge of rock where the wall had stood. He turns and looks around, and seeing no one, reaches to me and helps me over. Once more he looks around, then stands from his kneel and I follow slowly. He steps in front of me to block me from view of the ship and crowds, and I hurriedly ring out my skirts from the water gushing down my legs. When I have given up a few seconds later, he slowly starts forward on our path.

Keep in exact step with me, he directs firmly.

I do as he says, watching his strides and trying to be his shadow. He leads me towards the crowd where we most likely will be able to blend with all the people there, but as we near, I grow uneasy. I look up to the boat and notice the sailors on lookout for the first time. They wouldnt know though if we blended Nadeje leads me into the line and starts through, but as he does, I notice a Dutch soldiers face, coming closer to me. I rush in beside Nadeje to tell him, but as I do someone bumps my shoulder and I am forced back. I turn my head to make sure he is gone, when I notice a second officers uniformthen a third, and a fourth, and one more I stop in my tracks and Nadeje does too. He turns to me, but his eyes catch on something behind. I look past him to make sure they werent there too, and I realize are in perfect outlook of Sir Marren.

I feel cornered. Nadeje seems to realize the trap as I do. He grabs me by the wrist and hastily pulls me to the other side where we entered. It would have been a wise decision, had it not been for the wiser strategy of my vaders crew. As we break out of the crowd, we are just more vulnerable. Suddenly, all the different soldiers pour into our space. Nadeje pulls me away and toward the ship, but there is more coming from there than the last way. Behind and gradually encircling us is the crowd and before us is the water.

I feel my heart pound and I begin to tense again. Nadeje does not release my wrist, but also does not draw me closer. I feel lost as they race forward. Then, theyre on us.

I feel my heart waver and wish to run away, but then I realize it isnt me that theyre after now; its Nadeje. I step closer trying to block him, but before I can even finish the step, they grab him. I let out a scream as they grasp me too and pull me back and away, but their grips are such that struggling is futile. I fight forward as they pull him backwards and pin his arms to his side, holding him rigid. They force up his chin and there is a moment of confusion as I try to get away and I am jerked back. I stumble but anxiously restart my battle.

When I look again they are holding him still and there is a knife at his throat. I scream. No! Noleave him be! I sob out and yank forward.

One of my holders jerks me and I accidentally fall back against him so that he stumbles and the other soldiers grip is lessoned. I rip free and bolt forward. In seconds I cross the distance from my spot to Nadeje, and as soon as I am within two feet I throw myself full bodied against him.

My arms go around his neck and I clasp to him. My weight and speed causes him to stumble, and his holders are forced to move as he nearly falls back against them. I cling to him with everything I can and dont let go as he braces our fall. His arms lock around me in defense, and I clutch harder. I feel their footsteps thumping near over the ground, and without a hesitation Nadeje rolls, wrapping me close as I go beneath him. He curls around me and shields me with his body, but it is not enough.

They grasp hold of him and start to pry us apart. I sob out and breathe whimpering into him as I listen fearfully to his gusts of breath as well. There is a strong tug and our bodies are wrenched apart. I hastily catch to him, staying near and going up with his body as they pull him back, but hands push and press me down and I sob out as I slip on my hold. They grab my hands and wrench them off from their grip around his neck and I let out a scream as they pull him back and away from my reach. His legs grapple around me as he struggles to stay with me, but they are stronger and he slips there too. No! I gasp and sob fighting against their hands as they press me down. He brawls against their hold and it manages to interfere slightly with their formulation, but more than this is hopeless.

HOLD!

It meets all ears and everything stops as they follow the voice of my vaders command. They are his men and must to remain so, but I am not.

I dont hold.

I hurriedly thrash up and fling my arms around Nadejes neck, breaking away from their securement. I feel his face bury against me and he forcefully salvages his arms back around my waist. I pull him down and hold him tight, pulling hard on his neck and breathing in the river drift still in his drying hair. It is silent as I listen to his breaths past me, feeling his chest move against mine and the faint thump of his heartbeat. It is still calm, but mine is drumming.

There are the sounds of passing words and I half listen and half dont, only wanting to feel Nadeje against me if it was the last time. There were some shuffling feet and I feel the stillness between us tighten.

Get them apart, it is gentle but firm and the words unwanted.

The feeling of hands gripping onto my waist and pulling off my arms is cruel and tormenting and I tighten to remain close. Nadeje grimaces against my neck and crushes me to him as they grab at him too. They draw at his arms and twist back my fingers from his hair as they pull us apart. I sob out as he is taken from me and lifted away. I am trembling everywhere and feel exposed without him hiding me, but mostly I feel terrified for his exposure. I reach for him and the last contact between us is my fingertips brushing his white shirt. We are separated. I let out a small cry as they raise him to his feet and begin to drag me up as well. I choke on tears as my back scrapes the dirts gravel, but the pain is lessoned as they lift me up straight.

They half carry me to my feet and when I am there I am still trembling so that it makes it difficult to stand and easier for them to take control. They lock my arms behind my back and tie them there with their own grips. I do not fight now, feeling their ready for any tricks this time, and they hold no weapon to Nadeje. I feel my heart waver as they draw him back a few steps and I am persuaded to move, but I stand knowing my weakness against their greatness is pointless.

Get them in their rooms the words are half there and half not.

I pay no attention to the order until action is made. They start pulling him back. I feel my heart plummet. He resists against it but they force him back and begin driving him away from me. Now I do not assent it and feel stimulated.

I jerk forward. Leave him alone! they grasp me back but also I am guided after. I stop fighting a moment as we go in the same direction. I pull forward wanting to be with him but they once more resist it and I am stopped. I watch as we near the ship and a tingling starts in my throat as I try to think of what they will do to him herewhat they will do to me here.

In a minute of uncertain silence from me, we are moving up the platform. I fear it as Nadeje reaches the top and my heart races as I imagine them guiding him a different route through the ship, but I am relieved. Some of the men release him but stay within reaching distance, and one of the holders left draws his sword. I sob out and hurry towards them, but they stop me and I let them as I see them continue to move, only holding the weapon to his back, informing him of their power. I watch their every move as they walk on, and every step they make I feel the need to bolt forward to stop their ferocity against him, though I never have to.

I feel my stomach churn as I watch them stop at the trap door that leads down to the bed chambers, where my room is. We slow until one is down and the other forces Nadeje to comply and follow, still holding the sword down over his head as he climbs. I beg Nadeje silently not to fight, for once, to let them take him down. I try to send him a message promising that I will follow, but I feel the distance and know not why I even try.

They move me and I realize it is our turn. I let them do similar with me, and one goes down and I immediately follow as others wait for me to get down. When I drop to the bottom, the soldier catches me in his grasp and calls up to the other men. I hear one start to climb down and my holder begins to guide me to the left, down the dark passage, to my room. Soft candle lamps hanging from glass jars hooked up to the wooden boards of the walls light the way, but there is still hardly any light at all.

I see Nadeje up ahead and my heart falters as I see them unlock a door and without giving any warning push him through. I do not race after and make myself remain as they continue to guide me steadily in the rooms direction. As we walk, we pass the few doors with numbers carved into the wood. We near his, but the moment I think I will get to be with him again, they lead me off the hallway and towards another open chamber.

I immediately revolt and pull back, but two men had followed us and quickly catch me from behind, urging me on. I cry out and shake my head, turning and pushing against them, but they draw me through the doorway.

No! No, Nadeje! Stop! Let me gono! Let go! NO! I scream out as they force me in, and I desperately grasp at the door frame, but as I do, there is a searing pain and a rip in my palm, and I realize I used the wrong hand.

I scream. They do not understand and rip me back, but I dont let go, and this only stretches it more. I scream again as the bandage does nothing to help me and without meaning to I trip back and stumble. Before they can catch me I clatter to the floor.

Nadeje must have heard the commotion. I hear the sounds of metal banging to the floor and shouts as he becomes a part of it. I cannot stable myself as they begin to lift me and I feel my head thud to a point of agony. Everything is spinning and I feel that I have hit my head when I fell. I sob out once, but it is weak and a breath that lasts no more than a pant.

Lyra? It is one of the men lifting me.

I cannot respond as it all blurs together. I feel blood soak through the cloth as I clench my hand into a fist and darkness envelopes me. I go unconscious.