In my dreams I watched her walk away. I didn't know her name, our meeting had been brief, but she'd taken a piece of my heart with her. Part of me wanted to go after her, but I knew that would lead to disaster. She was married, I was not fair to her, that made her fair game for other men. The sun was sinking and it was time for me to leave.
I'd never met her husband, I didn't know what he was like. I knew what he looked like. There was nothing but hate in his eyes as he strode toward me in the ship's hold. I knew the hate wasn't aimed at me, it was aimed at her. As he drew closer I could see the fury in his eyes, I knew I was going to get a good beating on return home.
I could see how he was looking for a flaw on which to vent his rage. He was bent on revenge. He was a tall, well built man, and I could feel his hatred directed at me, even from where I stood. He looked up over his shoulder, his eyes connecting with my soul searching eyes. I looked down at them and agreed with the look he was giving him. I knew one thing, I was going to win this fight, I was going to defend this woman.
"I asked you who she is, this whore you are travelling with? You can't even be truthful about her, you have no honor, and you'll pay tonight." The man snarled at me, his eyes full of hate. He glared, waiting for me to tell him a name, anything. There was nothing I could do I had no idea if she was married, I'd never asked her. I stared at him defiantly before telling him I had no idea who she was.
His eyes flared in fury, his hands shot forward and he grabbed me by the throat, choking me. I gasped for air and cried out for mercy. Then he believed me. I knew he would never spare me, and I knew what he planned on doing to me. I opened my mouth to scream for help, but I didn't have the strength. He lifted me, a crushing grip on my throat. He carried my limp body down the ship's ladders, and threw me into the hold. He slammed the door shut and I was trapped. I knew I was going to die.