The Protector (Closed for The Journeyman)

[Mairu]

The Protector (Closed)

Sasha was 18 and so terrified. She had no clue where she was or what happened. All she knew was that she wasn't at home. and it was totally dark wherever she was and her hands were tied. She was huddled in a ball and tried not to whimper. All she could think of was for help.

 

[The_Journeyman]

AJ had been tracking the slave masters for days. He had watched as they invaded 6 villages in 48 hours, taking every woman and girl with them. It tore at him, but he had to wait until they returned to their hideout in the valley. They were exposed to attack. The surrounding bush allowed AJ to get right next to the border fence.

Darkness fell. He took out the sentry guard with one swift arrow. Climbing the fence, he noticed the slaves were in pens. Their captors had retired for the night. Looking into the eyes of the women and girls, he saw pure fear. He signalled for them to be quiet. One by one, he picked the locks. The women and girls silently filed out in the wilderness. They would have to fend for themselves now, but at least they were free.

AJ was about to leave, when he noticed one had not left. Going into the pen, he studied her. No more than 18, her petite frame seemed to be bound. Taking out a knife, he cut the ropes. Offering her a hand, he whispered,

"Let's go."

 

[Mairu]

Sasha was now trying to figure out how to get out of the ropes now that she could see a little and she was getting very aggrivated and about to just give up when she heard someone picking the locks and she froze. Who and what the hell was this person doing? She then heard the person go to hers and pick her lock but she couldn't get up with how her hands were tied and then the guy came back cutting the rope. Then the person spoke and she knew it was male. She tentatively took the hand that wad offered and let him lead her out. She had so many questions, but for now she just wanted to get away from this place.

 

[The_Journeyman]

Safely on the other side of the fence and back in the bush. AJ turned his attention to the girl.

"You better start walking. Once they figure out that you are missing, they will come looking."

The girl looked terrified. She wouldn't last a day out here on her own. But he couldn't have some charity case slowing him down. But the kind human inside him won over.

"Look, you can stay with me, but you gotta keep up."

With that, they started to move.

 

[Mairu]

Sasha she just kept walking with him, watching this strange man. She was very terrified but she could keep up, she looked down at her toned legs and then watched him again keeping up quiet easily. She had gone on long trips since she had no family and had gotten quite the endurance and stamina. Whoever had taken her had found her in a village she had been staying at and had captured her, but why? She was rather thankful to this man though, because she didn't know where she was or where to go, all of this was so new and she was still frightened and her mind had yet to restart as all this had been very traumatizing. She looked this guy over seeing that he was very skilled and strong and her mind finally began to restart, figuring out things slowly. She sighed because she knew it would take a bit to get over this and back to her normal mindset. At least she was making progress she said in her mind.

Then she decided to finally speak. "Who are you?" She uttered those simple words now walking beside him, looking at him, finally noticing as she looked down that he wasn't barefoot. "Also why wear shoes? It isn't freezing or burning hot." She then trailed her gaze back up him, noticing just how strong and well built this guy was. Where she relied on agility, lightness and flexibility, she could see her relied on strength. She then studied his face.

 

[The_Journeyman]

Hearing her speak for the first time, he answered her,

"I'm known as The Protector. I wear shoes because the terrain changes in this region almost constantly, you need to protect your feet when you are the move regularly."

Deeper in the bush and with the sun beginning to rise, AJ started to make camp for some breakfast.

He dug out some bowls, and poured two day old porridge into them. He heated some milk to add, making it more tolerable. He gave one bowl to the girl. He studied her as she ate. She was a pretty thing, but very dishevelled and dirty.

"What's your name, girl?", he asked in a deep voice.

 

[Mairu]

Sasha watched the guy as he talked noticing he didn't smile much. "Oh." That was all she uttered as her mind continued to place things and get back to its normal pace. She realized as they went about that she was very dirty and would likely need to wash up whenever she could.

After a bit the guy stopped and made came and she looked seeing the sun had started rising. She sat down at that point and watched him as he fixed the food. He then gave her a bowl and she took it quickly. "Thank you. She then began to eat too hungry to care how it tasted or anything. She ate at a controlled pace though so she would feel full. She looked up as he spoke then. "Sasha. I'm curious. Why did you help all those girls and me?" Sasha just couldn't understand it. Unless he's some sort of police, but if he was wouldn't he be with a team? She thought this as she continued to eat her mind now back to its normal pace.

 

[The_Journeyman]

AJ did not like sharing his story. In fact, nobody had asked to hear it.

"I used to be part of that group, before the kidnappings started. I never agreed with him. I challenged the leadership on it, and was swiftly asked to leave. Now I devote my time to stall their progress at any point. My act tonight will do little to halt them. They have numerous camps in the area. But anything I can do to make this dark world a little better, I will do."

 

[Mairu]

Sasha listened to him as he spoke and took in what he said. "I see. Well thank you for your help. I'm curious if you know where any cities or villages are? If so could you point me in the right direction? I've been on a trip and after a few days of getting over this I think i'll head back to my home in the city, its a really big home too." Sasha then stood up smiling just a little. She didn't like going on her own, but she had gotten used to it. The last of her family died 5 years ago and she had gotten all the money. She had saved most of it for if she ever got like this and need to buy some new stuff that she carried with her. Like her cellphone.

 

[The_Journeyman]

He listened to her speak, soft yet firm.

"There's not a city for 20 miles. I am heading to Valeyrk, you should find refuge there. We should travel together for safety."

It was more for her safety. If she was recaptured, she would brutally assaulted by the kidnappers. AJ was beginning to find himself being protective of the girl, a trait he was not known for.

 

[Mairu]

Sasha listened and then nodded. "Alright, let's go then. I want to get washed up as soon as possible." Sasha watched him and decided she would follow him and when they got to the place maybe she could finally shower, if they had one of course. So after he got everything cleaned up they started off and she kept up but made sure she wasn't ahead of him cause she didn't know where this place was.