NANDA ISLAND (BOOK PREVIEW)

This is an extract from another one of my books: NANDA ISLAND. I really hope that you enjoy it! Ciao!

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There was a way, in it was a path, one to all sorts, like Pandora's box. When she had left her home, she had not anticipated that such catastrophe was awaiting her, patiently, waylaying. And now, it was upon her, descending, frightening her beyond words. The whip made its way to her, inclining towards her, plunging menancingly, its sound as it made through air almost traumatic. She tried to scream, but no sound left her speech orifice. She waited in apprehension, anticipating her doom. But, it never came.

Someone, A tall man, came afore her in split seconds -just before Eris, the goddess of chaos visited her- catching the whip in his muscular palm, intercepting the oppressing weapon. He gripped it and pulled it, so fiercely, bringing the whip and its holder off his animal and onto the ground. He drew the whip to himself, twirling it as if mastering control of it. He spun the whip masterfully, proficiently, whipping the second rider off his horse skillfully. The horse neighed fearfully, trampling on its fallen rider. The leader began to back away in fear. He tried to whirl his horse around, preparing to flee, desert his subordinates. Well, luck was nowhere on his side. The man with the whip lunged at the horse, grasping its hind legs. He pulled, causing the beast of burden to become unsteady. The horse rose on its hind legs in fright, causing its unsuspecting rider to lose balance, making it eath for the horse to throw its rider to the floor with adept ease. The leader of the robbers landed on the floor in a crumpled heap, a mass of curly brown hair, brown skin, bones and skins and lengths of clothes.

One of the robbers, the whipper had found his footing and swiftly charged at the man, her savior. The robber was almost on him when the man turned abruptly. He waved the whip in his direction, catching him unawares, his moves proficient. The robber cried out in pain as the whip ate into his skin, falling to his knees. The whip had hit his left leg.

'How dare you bother a person?!' The stranger, her saviour spoke. His voice was smooth and clear, even in tone, melodious even with a nice ring to its treble like baritone. Her eyes only then began to properly look at him. He was backing her, addressing the robbers. He was tall -about a head and a neck- taller than her, broad chested and generously sinewed. The light was fairly poor, manageable, but she could make out some things, like the fact that his hair was short, cut below his nucha. She had a feeling it'll be either strawberry blonde or brown and definitely wavy.

'Prince John?' The voice was a shaky whisper, not the kind she would have attributed to such a man, the leader of the robbers. So this selfish kleptomaniac could be shaken?

'Do I have a double?' The man, her savior retorted, vexed, rolling the whip skillfully, menacingly. She could tell that he was a hard man, the type that didn't show mercy to those who did not deserve it -like the kleptomaniacs afore her. 'Do I? Won't you answer me?' She shivered from the blood curdling coldness of his words.

'No, no Prince John.' It was then that she processed their address, as if a light bulb had gone on in her head.

'Prince?' She mouthed in shock. He was a prince? From where? One of the island kingdoms? Across the waters? She did not think that was the time to ponder such. Well, that explained a great many things. It explained the strong confidence that he exhumed, the authority oozing all over him, the power in his aura and the streaks of royalty in the way he carried himself. They fell to the ground, all three of the robbers,bowing to him, their faces almost touching the ground. Their bodies quivered before him with fear as he skimmed their faces, each of them. She, on the other hand could only stand and stare at him. She could not help but stare at the broadness of his back, the thickness of his masculine, properly sinewed and tempting body, and at the unfoldings. There was also the elegance of his gait, the sleekness of his locomotion, the smooth proficient movement of his arms as the whip landed on each of them, one after the other. The robbers yelled in absolute pain. 'Do tell me good men of Nanda, how does it feel to be whipped?' He questioned in a soft voice. 'Tell me!' He demanded jussively in a much louder voice. She watched him, as if spellbound, unable to believe that the rouge-like man afore her was the renowned Prince John of Nanda Island. She didn't even realize that she was holding her breath, watching him, agape.

'Painful!' The leader of the robbers answered, screaming as the whip tore onto his back, unforgivably.

'Really?' The prince asked in a mocking tone, slightly spinning the whip, menacingly, a Devilish smile on his face. The robbers quivered with fear. 'Painful?' He inquired. 'But you were going to do same to another. It should not give pain but joy. It is meant to feel absolutely good,' he said hitting them once more with the whip. 'Now, how shall I punish you for bothering another, for assault, for theft, for robbery? How?' He acted as if he were thinking.

'Have mercy The Prince!' They all chanted in pain and fear.

'Shall I? Really?' He asked them. They nodded their heads vigorously. 'Words, speak words!'

'Ah, yes, yes The Prince!' The leader of the robbers answered him with a pleading look. He sighed. The Prince walked up to him.

'So, you can equally plead?' None answered. The Prince raised his foot and rested it on the leader's unruly curls, pressing his visage into the dusty ground, ruthlessly. 'Kiss the sands you b*st*rd! I should whip each of you to your deaths! You deserve such!'

'No!' It was more a plea than an exclamation. The plea tore out of her mouth as the whip rose again. She was afraid they couldn't bear anymore. He turned to her.

'Wei?' He asked. She just stared at him because she could not comprehend what he had said. 'What?' He translated.

'Don't!' She pleaded on a shaky voice.

'I should not?'

'Yes,' She confirmed. He lifted his left brow questioningly. He withdrew the whip first, then his foot. He turned to stare at her, puzzled.

'Why?' He asked.

'Let them be, please,' She begged in her softest voice. He studied her with vivacious eyes, their inquisitiveness vivid. The young man was frail, although he was tall. He was of the type of men the Nandians described as Plaki Huena, the weak men. They were men who detested war and violence, Those who had attained muliebrity. They were the peace makers. 'The times are very hard due to the war. It's not their faults. Please spare them.' He dropped the whip. It fell to the ground without a sound. He dusted his hands and came to her.

'What is your name?' He asked,  staring back at her.

'Daniel,' was what she heard herself say. It was not the name that she had chosen for this journey. It had just slipped out. But, it was special. It was the name of her late brother.

'Daniel,' he repeated. 'Daniel,' he said again, rolling the name around his la bouche, as if tasting it, savoring whatever taste it had. She liked the way he said the name and wondered weather her real name would sound just as sexy in his mouth, on his tongue. 'I thank The Prince for saving my life,' she said with a slight masculine bow, one that she had practiced since forever. 'But, I pray that you may show them mercy and pardon them. I'm sure they did not mean to, driven to this by the war. Blame it solely on the war The Prince.'

'Compassionate man, They deserve but a good padding, but I shall pardon them for your sake.'

'Thank you. The Prince is wise,' she said with another bow. He nodded, liking the compliment.

'Thank him!' He commanded the robbers crunched on the ground, watching them.

'Thanks sire,' They greeted her in unison.

'Do not do such again,' she advised. The Prince turned to her.

'Where are you headed compassionate man?' He asked, coming closer to her.

'To...' She began then stopped as she saw him clearly.

The moon had risen high up in the sky and it was by its light that she made out the excellent features of his attractive face. His eyebrows was full, arched, and roughly macho. His eyes was a sharp light brown, like the color of black coffee diluted with milk and water. Coffee, milk and water? Yes, that was just the right tinge, a morassing  hue. His nose was long and pointed, slightly chic, aristocratic? His lips was uneven, fuller below, just the right size to make a very sweet kiss -and right now they were moving. '...there. Young man?' She snapped out of her feminine admiration, back to reality. 'Where?'

'I am going to Menai,' she said. She was not supposed to reveal such. But, his eyes had compelled her. For some strange reason, she felt as if she could trust this man, even with her life. She shooed the feeling to the deepest corner of the back of her mind.

'The springs of love?'

'Yes.'

'Travel with me then, you shall be safe that way.'

  'I'm highly honored The prince,' she said to him.

'It's no honour. 'Tis to ensure your safety to Menai,' He told her. She might have refused had she not been attacked and her refusal would have done a lot, saved her from the cunning catastrophe ahead.

'Very well, If you say so, Then I am obliged to do so. I accept your generosity.' He smiled and her heart stopped beating for a nanosecond that she barely noticed it at all. His smile was enchanting. She couldn't help but stare. What are you doing? Admiring Prince John Nanda? You must be a fool! You are on a quest, you can not and will not get distracted. Understood? She almost nodded to her inner voice. 'I thank The Prince for your altruist and chivalrous gesture,' She said with a bow. He nodded.

'Let me deal with these riff-raffs, alright?' She nodded. He turned to the robbers.

'Dissolve! Vanish! Today your heads have been saved. Next time, nothing will stop me from putting an Axe to it,' He threatened them. 'Scram!' He yelled his dismissal. They rose to their feet, completely disoriented for a while, muttering incessant thanks before finding their animals. They hurriedly mounted their horses and skedaddled away, ahead of them through the Nanda path, into the moonlit night. It was then she saw six men standing idly at the side. The robbers horses had masked their quiet presence. She knew who they were, could discern it easily. They were guards, the kind that had sworn to protect their masters with their lives. They stood like that, both facing the Nanda path, The prince afore her, backing her, staring until the sound of the horses hooves had died down. He turned to her with a small smile.

'I noticed that you have no horse. I'm afraid I did not come with an extra one,' he apologized as if he was truly at fault. 'You shall have to share mine fwem.' Sir.

'No The Prince,' she protested, 'I Couldn't.'

'Why?'

'It'll be burdensome. I do not want to bother you.'

'Do you want to travel with us, on foot, then?'

'Most probably. I did not bring a horse along.'

'That means?'

'It means that I was planning on footing the journey.' She giggled a little. He stared at her with does inquisitive eyes. She quickly composed herself, clearing her throat. The wind ruffled her baby hairs and her hand reached up to smoothen them. He smiled once again, noticing her gesture, following the movement of her hands, unknown to her. She noticed his gapped tooth then. It was pretty, cut to perfection like him. It spiced up his smile.

'I will not let you walk the distance Daniel,' He told her. 'You shall share my horse regardless of your thoughts.'

'But,' She began to protest.

'It is a royal command,' He said. 'You must obey or...'

'Die?' She interuppted.

'Probably.' She laughed and concentrated on her fingers, fisting and unfisting them. Then, he joined her, in laughter. So this tough entity could laugh? Sweet!

'Call,' She agreed.

'Let's go then,' he urged.

'Yes The Prince.'

'John,' he said. 'It's John. Just call me John.'

You can check this one out if you enjoyed reading the preview. Do not forget to leave me good comments. I still remain @OmaPhinaPhire. Bye...for now.