Tears of Leyden Read Online Free Page A

a little in an attempt to maneuver myself from their hold on us, but they wrench Meyleia from me.
    “No!” I beg.
    They don’t listen and I am forced into another suppliant state of watching Meyleia fighting to free herself. The one who had spoken up for us steps into the cluster. Meyleia starts to sob and I try to pull from their hard hands but they grab me back easily, keeping me to the floor in a kneel. Being dizzy, it is hard to stable myself after they jerk me at this angle.
    “Stop,” he commands the officer directing his soldiers. The officer ignores him and I am forced back as my Meyleia sobs for me or Moeder. The soldier clenches his jaw. Then, his eyes meet mine. A glimpse of understanding crosses between us and I try to clear my vision as his face swirls with the rest. I push and sob out in protest and need, but the men pull Meyleia farther from me. I strain for her.
    “Let her go.” I fight for Meyleia and hardly even hear his words to the officer.
    “But Nadeje she’s…”
    “She’s innocent. The only mutilation done here was to her, not from…” A soldier drags his arm around my chest and holds me back. I nearly collapse and meet his gaze. His eyes search my own for something unreadable. “She doesn’t need to see this. Let her go.”
    The officer hesitates. I turn back to look after Meyleia.
    “I said let her go!”
    Suddenly, all hands on me turn gentle. I turn my head in the voice’s direction and see the soldier making his way to me. I repeatedly shake my head and feel that I’d rather die than let his skin make contact with my body, but they release me and I am taken by his gentle hands. I stare frightfully up into his face as he squats before me. He gently and unsurely touches my arms.
    I keep staring, imploring that he will read me.
    He understands. “Her family?” he turns his face to the officer. I follow his gaze.
    The officer frowns, another who holds Meyleia is already fuming. “They come with us, and she goes with you…the family is the warning…an example for the people and his highness, proof that we would do it. It is orders. If she is all that is left…then father’s sure to come running home. Giving and taking.”
    “It was giving and receiving if I can remember properly…and since General left me in power than I believe I am here to order you, not otherwise.”
    The man’s face grows even more disgusted. “Team work, Mr. Gilch.”
    “If she is so valuable…then the family must be too,” the one holding me, Mr. Gilch, says it firmly, but it is half a question, as though he is unsure.
    “We agree, but he values them as less…costly to be wasted.”
    My heart falters at the last part.
    “You are in management of the girl, and us the others. He made it very clear to us. Apparently your new placement is no help to your brain as we hoped it would be.”
    My savior swallows and grinds his teeth. “It isn’t right.”
    It comes out too soft and too rough for the others to hear, but I presume that he didn’t want it to be otherwise.
    “We need to get out,” it is another soldier who had stayed out of the argument.
    I understand what the auction is and my heart wilts. They were to use my family as an example of what they would do to the city if they didn’t surrender, they were to be the beginning of the blood shed we knew would come…and me… what was I to them? Bait? A prisoner? I am not leverage with my rank. I am just a commoner. Why could they want to hold me hostage?
    Mr. Gilch brings my attention to him with a gentle brush of my cheek. His hands gently crib my waist, and I slowly let him help me to my feet. His hands are patient on my waist, and do not leave me when I reach my feet.
    “We will converse on this later.” It is the officer, his eyes resting on Gilch.
    They start to lead my family away.
    My heart stops. I take the chance; I jerk forward. Presently, I am grabbed. I gasp out as they start to drive my family away and the soldier holds me