Annatrice of Cayborne Read Online Free PDF Page A

lifted up and dragged, the force of her attacker far too great to repel. It was dark and a curious sensation took hold of her body accompanied by a potent and acrid smell. Her limbs numbed and her head spun as her consciousness ebbed away.
    When Annatrice fought back and her conscious actions once again under her control it was still dark but she was moving. The bulk of her attacker was still far too great for her to move freely but she could at least get a rough idea of her surroundings. The feeling of cold and wet seemed to dictate to her that she had left the keep, a sudden gust of wind confirmed that she was being taken outside. There was someone in front, a tall shadowy figure. Straining her neck and rolling her eyes up as far as she could make them go, she caught a glimpse of the man that carried her roughly. The features were pronounced, the skin hard and the face hairy. It was a face that she could never forget...Jeaynus.
    Flitting in and out of consciousness, the next sensation that tore her away from an oblivious sleep was the fast winds and the rocking motion of being on horseback. The sound of pummelling horse's hooves upon soft ground told its own story. Another horse ran alongside, Heynagan's bulky midriff and wild red hair were distinctive even at a distance, it was clear that her father's murderers were keen to finish what they had started.
    Annatrice called out, a large holler manifested itself as a pathetic squeal as the effects of the drugs had not yet worn off. It was enough of a whimper to focus the attention of her assailant and he called out to his accomplice to halt their animals. Annatrice did not wait for Jeaynus to pull her from the horse and she slid off the rounded rump of the creature and flopped to the wet grass below. They had travelled far enough from Fontayne to be in an open expanse of darkness, the moons light being dulled by the heavy cloud. The soldiers dismounted quickly and stood over Annatrice as she pulled herself to her feet. The rain was driving and she pulled her hair away from her face.
    “Leave me alone!” She screamed as loudly as she could although she was barely audible above a crackle of thunder and the splattering rain upon the soldier's shoulders.
    “Stop, don't fear us!” Heynagan replied. His benevolent tone belied the rough treatment.
    “Yes, we're...rescuing you!” Jeaynus called out as he wiped his face of water as it soaked his beard.
    Annatrice caught a glimmer of light in Jeaynus' eye and swallowed hard. Her heart was pounding and her senses heightened.
    “No. That's not true. You're going to kill me!” She cried hysterically as the realisation set in.
    “No, come with us and you'll be safe!” Jeaynus reiterated his apparent benevolence. Annatrice looked over to Heynagan who remained silent and pensive. It was clear to Annatrice not only what the soldier's intentions were but also how they planned to carry out their despicable actions. It was a vision in Annatrice's mind so vivid that it could only be true.
    “No, I can see your thoughts! You must kill me before Tragian discovers what you did to me. You are going to take me to the Phryjia shrine and then cut my throat.”
    Jeaynus looked at Heynagan who returned his dismayed expression. Annatrice turned her attention to Heynagan who looked decidedly uncomfortable.
    “But you ... you don't want to kill me. You were hoping I'd escape. I...I can escape if you want me to? Please...let me go?”
    Annatrice's remarkable statement was not a fanciful plea with any substance. Heynagan shook his head in astonishment as the Cayborne girl plucked the thoughts from his head and put more doubt in to his mind and addled his already guilt riddled thoughts. Jeaynus looked over to Heynagan with a grimace.
    “No. We can't allow it. You know what will happen if she talks. By Gods he might find out anyway.”
    Heynagan waved his hands in agitation.
    “You intend to slice this maid's throat like a sheep for mutton? Do you