Mysterious Rescue

Margaret let her gaze wander over the woolly bodies pouring over the stony waste ground. The sun burnt down from a steel-blue cloudless sky, stretching as far as the eyes could see.  Crickets were chirping.  A bird trilled the same song over and over from a shrub. These were the only sounds except the sheep bleating here and there while they were grazing the meager dry grass or picking small leaves from the shrubs.
Margaret, leaning on her shepherd's crook and taking in the peaceful scene around her, fretted over why the Governor Olybrius had sent for her.
What on earth could such a rich and powerful man want from a poor shepherdess like her? She had returned to this question ever since she had received the governor's summons to appear before him on the morning three days hence, which by this time meant the next day.  Most likely Olybrius wanted to ask her advice about keeping and raising sheep. Margaret was a good shepherdess. Her flock flourished: the wool of her sheep was very fine and white, their milk rich. From this Margaret had gained a certain reputation. Despite the long drought, her sheep were well fed; she always knew exactly where to guide them. 
The summons had to be about sheep, Margaret thought, after all, nearly all her life was about sheep.
When the bird rose from the shrub with one shriek of alarm,  Margaret winced.  Full of foreboding she looked after the bird flying off.
Margaret dressed in her best, carefully brushed her long dark-brown hair, running in a soft wave to her shoulders and down almost to her hips.  Her skin, darkened from her work in plain air, marked her as lowborn, but this did not bother Margaret. She had never been vain, though she could have been. Her deep, dark eyes, her softly arching brows, even features and full lips made her an unrivalled beauty.  Her body was well formed, slim, but feminine, which her light dress of linen did nothing to hide.
She walked down the street with firm steps. People greeted her. Many knew her from buying her wool, sheep-milk, cheese or even lambs. Soon enough she arrived at the great portal leading into the vast garden surrounding the magnificent building, where the Governor resided. Never before Margret had been in this garden.  Now she discovered its delightful peach and fig trees, flowers in every colour, the lively fountain  - a small paradise, the likes of which she had never seen before.
She came to the entrance door and knocked. Immediately the door was opened, and a servant let Margaret enter. There she stood in the cool hall, feeling a bit lost. But before she came to think about it, the servant led her on, up a broad staircase made of marble, through a long corridor, then to announce her to the Governor Olybrius.
Her heart beat faster when she stepped into the chamber opulently furnished with exquisite rugs and paintings. From behind his mighty desk Olybrius looked at her with a winning smile.  Margaret went closer, remained standing at his desk, a bit unsure of herself. She felt Olybrius' glance fixed upon her.  Then the Governor got up and bowed slightly to her inviting her to sit in an armchair in front of the desk.
Margaret sat down waiting for Olybrius to reveal why he had wanted to see her.
But the Governor took his time Still he gazed at her almost black eyes and was delighted to notice how she blushed under his gaze. It made her even more beguiling. He noticed the shimmer of light cast magically by a sunbeam into her hair, saw her delicate hands folded in her lap.
Finally, he began to speak: „Welcome, dear Margret," he greeted the young woman with his penetrating tenor voice, "I am so happy you accepted my invitation."
Margaret nodded cautiously. Meanwhile, she understood, Olybrius had not called for her to talk about sheep.  The Governor confirmed this when he continued: "I wish to make a declaration to you and an offer."
Margaret listened carefully – with a growing sense of alarm.
„First of all, I want to assure you of the great affection I have for you. Your beauty enthralls me; your modesty won my heart; your grace aroused my longing."
Margaret blanched, but the Governor continued: " I will not rest until you have become my wife. I will put the world at your feet, dress you in the most precious robes. The finest food will be served to you at my table. I will deck you out with rare jewels." 
Olybrius fell silent looking at Margret in a mixture of joyful anticipation and lust.  Margaret swallowed hard. Of course, many girls in her place would have accepted the Governor's proposal at once.  He was a powerful, wealthy man. And Margaret believed him: he would lavish choice treasures on his lady and indulge her every whim. She would live in this mansion almost like a queen, strolling through the green oasis outside whenever she liked, and never again dirty her hands by working. Also,  Olybrius was not an ugly man. Though ten years her senior, he had kept himself well by regularly exercising.  He was tall, well built, his full brown hair framed a strong masculine face.
But Margaret had seen the expression in his eyes, marring the perfect image of the man. Also, she had lost her heart to another man long ago, and as she was only capable of love from the depth of her soul, it was impossible for her to accept the Governor's proposal.
„Esteemed Governor Olybrius," she began softly, "your admission is an honour without measure. It is a great distinction for an insignificant girl like me to be even noticed by a powerful man like you. Your offer cannot be refused, and yet I have to do so. I am promised to another man, and I am unable to break this promise. I regret to cause you this disappointment."
Olybrius had listened to her in complete stillness. But his face had turned to stone. In a pressed voice, he asked:" Is this your last word in this matter?"
Margaret nodded and averted her eyes in embarrassment.
So she did not see the fury flickering in the dark eyes of the Governor, nor the hectic spots in his pale face.
„I will teach you to accept my offer!" he spit furiously filling her with terror untold.
Before she was able to say anything, Olybrius gestured to his servants and at once three of his guards rushed in, seized Margaret and dragged her off.
Margaret did not know what was happening while they lugged her along the corridor, down the stairs. First she expected to be just thrown out of the house roughly. But the guards marched past the portal, through a small wooden door, down a steep staircase into darkness.

Saga Greenwood

If you want to read this story till the end you had to do it in the book “Encountering with Dragons”
Starlight Dragon Press