Free Gold Raven by Mercedes Keyes

coolly.
    “ How can you say that? They love me; they are also, my family! They will worry-…”
    “ Look! Mothers…Fathers…they lose their children all the time! It happens! It’s done! You must get over it! Fact is, they are not your blood! I am your blood! You are with me now, to stay!”
    “ For now you should get some rest, we have spoken enough for tonight.”
    He stood from the table looking down at her. By the expression on her face, he could see she was soft. She was ignorant of the harsh realities of life. He would change that look. She would learn and he would teach her. She would never be a victim, caught defenseless and unprepared. “Is there anything you need? Do you thirst? Are you hungry?” He softened a bit, showing concern for her welfare.
    “ Yes… I thirst.” She admitted.

Without a word, he turned and left the dwelling. Hope sat stunned. She was not used to anyone like him. Anna, Alfredo and Cornelius were much different; they were laughter, dance, smiles, joy and music. They were, all that she knew. The memories of her parents consisted of similar happy times but this man, her brother, was different.
    She looked around her, at the flickering candles; coming to her feet, she walked to the door where he had made his exit. She leaned there looking towards the roaring fire in the center of the encampment. Wondering where he’d gone. A moment later, he appeared walking back from the group. He spotted her standing in the doorway as he made his way back to her, carrying a trencher, with a bottle under each arm.
    Reaching her, he nodded for her to re-enter before him. “Food.” He sat the trencher down. “Wine.” He sat that bottle down. “Water.” He then looked at her. “Do you need to relieve yourself?” He asked her straight forward. Hope sucked in stunned by his blunt question but she did need to and nodded.
    “ I will show you where to go. Grab that oil lamp from the corner, I'll light it. Now come along, there are things I need to tell you before I leave you.” He turned from her expecting her to fall in behind him. At the door he glanced back. “Let’s go! I don’t have all night.” He hurried her, turning away again; Hope complied, blushing as she did. “Within this camp, you are never to relieve yourself unescorted at this time of night. Not ever! Understand?” He ordered, taking long determined strides. Hope had to rush to catch up to him. “I said - do you understand?” He pressed again, not even looking at her.
    “ Why…no…I do not understand.” She returned honestly.
    Without pause, he continued. “This camp is filled with many men, most of them of little honor. You are young and beautiful. I need them. I cannot spare them by killing them off because of you, but I will! So know this and believe me that I will! In order to avoid me having to kill someone concerning you, you will stay where I place you.”
    “ You will talk only with my wife and children and you will stay within that group. There are whores in this camp, I do not want to catch you amid them…Understand?” Hope followed reeling from his manner and hardness. “I asked you a question.” He demanded.
    “ What do I know of whores?” She asked suddenly concerned about staying with this man…her brother.
    “ You will know soon enough but what you must know tonight is this.” He stopped walking and turned before her, she almost collided into him, his stop so sudden.

“ You are Pr incess Ceś alena’s daughter; I will kill any man, or woman for that matter, to protect you. You are my blood, and God has delivered you to me. You will do as I say, without question. You will learn as I teach you and you will – carry yourself, as my mother’s daughter.” Again, she saw the threat of tears in his eyes. She remained silent. Once more, his eyes came back to her, “You-…” He started, but then, stopped, fighting rising emotions.
    “ Go. In there to take care of your needs; I will wait here for