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In the meantime she would have to keep an eye on what food was available, for her pets as well as for herself.

Aura remembered the old cook who had served as both friend and mentor, and silently blessed her patience, as she recollected the hours she had spent with her.  The woman had taught her about herbs and spices, the culinary, as well as the medicinal qualities in each one, and how to use them to their best advantage.  As luck had it, she had been an attentive and apt student, believing that no knowledge should be overlooked, in case it could be used to save a life at a later date.  The cook had encouraged her in her hopes and dreams of becoming a doctor.  She had also taught her how to cook.  Cooking would be an immediate and important factor in her life, she needed to cook to eat.

As Aura had not met anybody on her explorations, she jogged on her return to the cave, lost in her thoughts, as she sought to make up for the time she had spent looking over the village.  She had wanted to get back to the cave before dark, and the sun was descending already.  She stopped when she heard the whinny of horses, and the sound of male laughter near her pond.

People!  Should she make herself known?  No, perhaps that was not such a good idea under the circumstances.  What a joke, she had no way of knowing what her circumstances were.  What if they were not friendly?  She had to admit that she was very vulnerable to attacks of any type, for she had no knowledge of any form of self-defense.

With a stealth she had leaned by sneaking about the house trying to avoid her mother and step sisters, she made her way up a nearby tree, where she could watch and listen, to the men below.  This was a way she could learn more about the new environment about her, and the people who inhabited it.

The men were dressed in heavy leather, cloth, and a type of medieval chain mail, the latter covering their upper torsos.  Aura remembered seeing pictures of such artifacts in history books and museums of ancient times, and wondered about people wearing such items now.  Could this be a movie set?  No.  She dismissed that particular thought.  She had traveled too far for that scenario to be the case.  Movies did not encompass six hours of walking in one direction.  So who were these men?  Where was she?  She glanced over to the massive horses, which had carried the men, and felt that just perhaps, she had been wise to hide.  These men, whoever they were, looked like warriors.  Taking a moment she noticed their weapons, which were visible not only by their sides, but attached to their horses, and they were as primitive as their costumes.

She edged closer, to hear what they were saying to each other, wondering as she did whether she would even begin to be able to understand what they were saying.  To her surprise she found she could, although it took a lot of concentration to do so, for they spoke a crude, guttural form of English.

"They raid again along the Eastern shores, where they do not meet any serious resistance."

"They are not supposed to though, are they?

The first man laughed at that, and, refusing to incriminate himself further, changed the subject, for this was not a time for trust or confidences, this was a time of war.

"I hear you have a new lady love."

"Yes, but not for long, I tire of her already.  She clings and is beginning to speak of words of love."  The man gave a snort and sneered.  "As if I could ever love one such as her.  She is no more than a peasant.  Perhaps, being a friend, you would consider taking her off of my hands."

"It will not be necessary.  If things keep going the way they are, you will be in a war soon, and she will turn to someone else more willing to bend to her will, and to bed her."  The man chuckled, then added.  "Besides, you know I have little or no use for mistresses."

"Well, it is not because you do not have an appetite for women.  Your reputation, when it