Free WORRLGENHALL by Monica Luke Page B

word.”
    “ Such a mind,” the king praised, as he thought of Laad’s quick reasoning in battle and of his deed with Uded, “I must put to use. Upon my return, when I am on my throne come before me.”
    “ Yes, my king,” Laad said, humbled.
    “ I remember your favor,” he added before Laad could ask it again, “Enjoy your bride and speak of our victory to the quorum.”

Chapter 4
     
    N ona, although she wanted to shout gleefully to everyone she had wed, with Laad now away, she knew she still had to work in the meal house alongside Anla, and to keep from being taunted, held her tongue and kept her joy within.
    Already endlessly mocked for helping Seda, she held her tongue with each sneer, but when she began to speak of Laad, it became to much.
    “ The man that stood at the door,” Anla questioned Nona each day, “You were asking others about him, what did you find out?”
    “ Nothing of use,” her reply, but Anla was relentless in her questions each day asking a new one.
    “ He is so handsome to look upon,” she said constantly, “I wonder if he has a wife.”
    “ I am sure he does, “Nona said hoping that would end it, but still Anla questioned her.
    “ He is one of the high guilds and a messenger under the king’s command,” Anla reasoned, “I would wager he is without a wife.”
    “ I know he is wedded.”
    “ No one has spoken of him or made claim to him,” Anla again reasoned, “And strong and brave he is to strike Uded down. If he had a wife, she would make known he is hers.”
    “ Such questions you keep asking me now,” Nona said slightly amused for a moment that she constantly spoke of who now belong to her, “It causes one to believe you will seek him out.”
    “ More than once since I set eyes him, “Anla said quickly, again lustful thoughts coming to mind, “Has my mind danced with ways to please him inside me and of what I would do between his legs.”
    “ Such wickedness is in your head,” Nona said as she turned; then looked at her now angered that she lustfully wanted who was hers, “It is no wonder men take you; then brush you aside without a second glance at you.”
    “ When you know the feeling of a man deep inside you,” Anla smirked, before she began to walk away, “Then you will know why such wickedness comes to mind.”
    Nona watched Anla walk away, but that night she felt her words well. The nights long, such was her want f or Laad she could hardly sleep. Her time with him brief, she did know why such thoughts came to mind as she recalled their night together and of his deep moans and thrusts, as his strong arms held making her as helpless as a newly born fold and hopelessly in love.
    Her thoughts of Laad lasting long into the nights keeping her awake while he was away, once she fell asleep it was deep, and a time before him always able to hear when someone was at the door, she heard nothing as someone banged on it with determi ned purpose.
    “ Wait a time! Wait a time!” Anla yelled annoyed, as thunder pealed from a fierce storm that had spread across the land, and as she hurried to the door, the banging and the thunder got even louder.
    “ The time is early,” she said, as she cracked the door slightly half-asleep, “What reason is there to bang so hard?”
    “ I seek Nona!”
    Anla stared at the man, his clothing soaked from the rain, had she not looked a second time, she would not have remembered him, but just as before, once she stared into h is face she could not help but recall who owned such flawless features. His hair braided in one braid, she remembered the braid the men wore when in battle.
    “ Who do you seek?” she asked again, though she heard him clearly the first time.
    “ Nona!”
    “ The time is early; you should come back in the morning,” Anla said, again crushed that a hopeful husband was asking for the name of another, “At a fitting time.”
    “ Get her for me now,” he calmly demanded.
    “ What need do you have for