Escaping the confines of the village now that moon has risen. I slowly made my way down the unused path to the waterfall. I closed my eyes momentarily, inhaling the rich earthy scent of the dense forest surrounding me. I have always enjoyed this time alone to myself after a long day of scrubbing dishes and doing the laundry in Dunham Castle.
Being a scullery maid was not a very rewarding life, but I had no choice. Two years ago, I ran away from my village and a perverted step- father, after my mother had died. She had tried to protect me against his unwanted advances, but to no avail, he would just beat her down. One night I heard them speaking in hushed tones.
"Do not ever touch her Horace, she was given into my care by the King. One day when he returns to claim his daughter and he finds out you have touched her, he will kill you" her mother told her step-father. Well the woman I always thought to be my mother anyway.
"How do I know you are not lying, wench? Granted, she has an ethereal beauty to her, but nonetheless she dwells in the village here with us. Which makes her peasant stock; a lowly serf. Why would some king give her to you?" he asked loftily.
"Her real mother has been overheard to have wanted to kill her, and it was reported to the King. Until his wife dies, Morganna would not have been safe there. King Rulfmarggar approached me one day, and bade me to guard his wee daughter until his return. He has branded his little girl's left rear cheek with his mark, a miniature Tritan brand from his signet ring. Thus I have taken Morganna as my own, she does not know. Nor do I wish her to know until it is time. " Margaret told her husband.
A month after she had this discussion with her husband, Margaret was found dead near the river, strangled.
I knew I could not stay in that village any longer, so I fled to a coastal village. Three years later, here I am. Remembering how some villagers had found me unconscious near an oak tree on the outskirts of their village. When I became strong again, being fed and clothed, I was informed that there was an opening in the Castle as scullery maid. I took the employment as a way to keep my mind busy from the tragedy that struck my life.
The next day, a sheep farmer pulled into the village, selling some trinkets. I noticed something in particular in his cart. A pair of twin pair of black bladed daggers with the initials HW on it: Horace Willimeigher. Approaching the farmer, I asked him nonchalantly "Wow what magnificent daggers, did you make them?"
"Nay dearie, some poor fool was found murdered in my corn field, he was strangled. So, seeing as he wouldn't be needing these fine daggers here, I um, relieved him of them. " Frowning slightly, I didn't hear the rest of his words, as my mind worked over the ramifications of what happened. First Margaret strangled, now Horace.
Continuing my walk along the hidden path to the waterfall, I turned left around the black boulder, then right around the ancient oak tree. Pulling the leafy curtains aside, my eyes fell upon the beauty of the hidden waterfall, surrounded by hidden coves. Stepping forward, the giant leaves fell back into place behind me.
Looking around, hearing only the wilderness around me, and the cloak of the forest keeping my modesty a secret, I sat upon a giant boulder near the edge of the warm water, I slid off one well-used silk stocking, then the other. Placing them down beside my tattered slippers, I gently slid my little feet into the water. I had found this secret place two weeks ago, during one of my solitary walks. Ever since then, I would slip my stockings and slippers off, and soak them after long days of drudgery. But today, I needed more. My whole body was on fire, my muscles ached terribly. Standing up slowly, I slowly lowered my gown off my arms, then down my body, to feel it pool gently at my feet. Remaining in my shift, my keen light green eyes quickly scanned the area for anyone watching. Seeing no one, only a hare and chipmunk, I walked across the boulders, and came near the waterfall.
Delicious drops of cool fresh water fell upon my near-naked body, my skin tingling with the sensations. Oh how I love this! I feel so alive! Holding onto the one of the long stones surrounding the waterfall, I allowed my head to fall back, dark raven black hair pooling down my back in ripples. My body arched like a sleek feline, causing my full breasts to strain against the thin material of my shift. Little pink nipple tightening like perfect diamonds as the cool water splashed on them generously. Not caring that the sun had gone down, I continued to bathe myself upon the waterfall, each splash of water soaking my curvaceous body, down my back. over my round behind. My shift now plastered to my petite body, leaving no more room for modesty.
Hearing the water suddenly moving behind me, a tiny prickle of fear arose within me. Standing behind me, a mature male black bear, his paws waving in the air. growling. Suddenly, his great paw swiped at my shift, tearing a hole in the material near my tender behind. Stopping in his tracks, the bear looked at my behind as the glow of the Tritan birthmark blinded him momentarily then struck fear into him. Just as suddenly as the huge bear appeared, he took off in fright, never to return. By now, I was quite use to the fact that animals do not approach me once they had seen this birthmark of mine. They leave in fear, no matter what size they were. I never did understand why they are so frightened of it. Shrugging my shoulders, I leaned my head down momentarily to allow the water to soak my back and behind, the scratch from the bear healing instantly.
Hearing another sound behind me, I stiffened for a moment then chuckled.
"Back for more, big boy?" I chided the bear, not turning around to look at him, but the sound kept coming nearer and nearer.
Frowning, I began to turn around, when suddenly I was hoisted off my feet from behind. Gripped in strong, black fur covered arms, I heared a growl near my ear.
