He kissed my neck and groped my breast. I felt uncomfortable but what choice did I have?  The bed protested against our weight but he didn't care. His hands wormed their way between my thighs and I tried to wiggle out of his grip.

"What is the matter with you? You need a drink?" he asked as he laid on the bed, visibly exhausted from my unwillingness to cooperate.

"I need a little sir," I said fidgeting. 

He stood up from the bed and walked over to the end of the tent where a jar of rum was on the floor beside his sword and armor. He got a horn and poured a decent amount of rum into it. He turned around to look at me and I nodded, this earned me a smile flanked by yellow teeth. 

"Here," he said as he handed me the horn of rum. 

I gulped down the contents, ignoring the sweet-and-sour taste. He smiled when I handed the horn to him. He began to kiss my neck as he fumbled with his under garments. His mouth smelt of garlic and rum. I had to put up with the smell. He planted a kiss on my lips. My stomach churned and I had the urge to retch.

"Commander, a messenger has arrived from the king. You have been summoned," I heard Colbex say through the curtains of the tent. 

"Aye, what a way to spoil a good night," he said combing his fat fingers -decked with rings- through my hair, "I will be with you shortly."

He wiggled himself into his ceremonial attire and wore his boots. He touched his tongue with his left thumb and used it to slick his black receding hair back. He winked at me before walking out of the room. 

I heaved a sigh of relief as my head hit the soft feathery pillow and I wrapped myself with the velvety covers that smelt of mint and garlic. 

The sound of metal upon metal and laughing women filled the camp. These men were soldiers seeking to relieve themselves and I was at their service. 

"Ramona," I heard Arunnus call from behind the tent. I walked over to that side of the tent and paid attention, "the clock is ticking. He mustn't leave this camp."

"Si," I said with a hushed voice. I walked back to the bed and lay there thinking. 

A few moments later, Tarnus walked into the room. I hadn't expected him because he was not the commander.

"What are you doing here Ramona?" He asked, his eyes were filled with fury.

"I'm here to render service," I replied nonchalantly. 

"He is my father. You are forbidden from being his bed warmer." 

"He will pay me better than you. He needs young blood that can satisfy him…"

"You ungrateful wench. You once said you loved me," Tarnus said as he walked towards me on the bed, his eyes though angry were caressing my face and slightly open breasts.

"A prostitute will say anything to get by. We are instruments of pleasure."

"You are an instrument of pain. Word got to me of how you returned from Rome with my father. You are nothing but a measly worm. A slut and a low life."

His words stung but I ignored the pain, "A prostitute has no loyalty. I go where there is money and wine. Do not be a child. I belong to no man!"

"You belong to me. Only me," Tarnus said as his hands caressed my breasts, kissing my lips passionately and sliding his tongue into my mouth.

I wanted more of him but that was unwise. I pushed him off.

"So you don't really love me? All those nights in your city was for what then? You claimed to love me. You made me fall in love with you…"

I cared about him but my goal was to infiltrate their Army. I spread my bare thighs apart and his eyes filled with lust. He bent over and ravished my body with kisses. He unclad his clothes and thrusted into me. His mouth sucked on my nipples and he grasped my buttocks, crashing into me with all his might. I sunk my nails into his hair as he plowed my bare skin with his tongue.

"Tarnus!"

I was gobsmacked when Commander Brutusix walked in on us. Tarnus jumped up and covered his penis with his slender fingers. I hurriedly wore my silk gown over my head. 

"Ramona? How dare you? What is this?" Brutusix screeched.

"I love Ramona. I met her in Rome. Father please…" 

"A foolish son, that's what you are! A shame to me. Your mother will be turning in her grave," Brutusix turned to me and said, "Did you know he was my son?"

"I had no idea until he came in and tried to rape me…" I began to say but was cut off by Tarnus.

"She's lying father. I had no intention of doing that. She seduced me…" Tarnus cried.

"He wasn't listening to me so I did what any prostitute would, I gave him my services to save my life. He called me a low life and rained all types of insults on me…"

"How dare you Ramona?" Tarnus screamed.

"I am not Ramona. My name is Naessa. I'm Scottish."

Commander Brutusix was tired of our argument, "Tarnus, get out and await your summon in the morning. There will be consequences."

Tarnus put on his robe and walked out. I stared at Brutusix whose face was masked in an expressionless gaze.

"You refused me but your legs clasped onto his butt cheek. Sly fox."

"He came at me, my Lord!" I tried to sound reasonable.

Brutusix walked over to where I was standing and yanked my hair back. He slapped me and forcefully kissed me, leaving a hickey on my lips. His breath was still stinky. He pushed me on the bed and spread my legs apart. 

"Your body will obey me!"

"It always obeys the highest bidder."

Brutusix was angry but he was pushing up the wrong tree. I was tired of playing the victim so I pushed myself free from under his grip and kicked his groin. He rolled in pain and that gave me plenty time to grab my dagger from under the pillow, cover his mouth and stab his stomach. I stabbed him again and again until I felt him grow still. 

My hands were covered in blood but I didn't care, that was how his own hands were drenched in my mother's blood when he raped her and burned her and my family alive in our little house somewhere in Scotland. 

I tore an escape hole through the back of the tent and ran towards Tarnus' tent. He was inside when I stepped in. He was about to send me out when my knife slit his throat. 

I lit his room with fire from a torch and ran into a ditch somewhere in the camp. I hid away as the camp went ablaze.