A Scene from the next story, Terrible Savior

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Shephard stared out at the lake as the sinking sun's last golden rays played upon the ripples. His fingers entwined in the long grass, gripping the fine strands within his fist. The memory of the conversation he had had with Rider still echoed in his brain.

"You can't promise her anything. You'll have to leave her, for months, maybe for years at a time. You knew this when you signed up. Stop making her fall in love with you. You'll only break her heart."

"Why do you say that, Shep? I have to wonder. Are you really concerned for Hero's feelings? Or is it because you want her for yourself?"

The accusion had come as a shock. No one had ever stood up to him like that. No one ever needed to say such words before. Ever since Elizabeth had died, he'd never looked at another woman with anything more than a passing glance. Was it just anger that had made Rider lash out the accusion, or had he really seen something Shephard had not?

No, it couldn't be possible. Shephard knew the rules. He also knew his cold, unfeeling heart. There was no possible way he'd ever fall for Hero. She was too young and innocent and so unlike him.

A shadow fell upon him. He had heard her coming. She sat down close beside him, her fingers sinking in to the long grass like his was. He looked over at her with a question in his eyes.

"I just wanted to tell you that I'm sorry about before. I was wrong. I had no right to always accuse you of matters I knew nothing about. You were my father's friend. Therefore I trust you," she said.

Now why couldn't Rider be like that? "I'm glad you finally came to your senses," he said softly.

Her wandering fingers touched his, then jumped back. Her face registered in shock as she stared at their hands. "I...I just wanted to say thank you for your protection over me. I appreciate it."

She leaned over and gently kissed his cheek. The look he saw in her eyes was deeply unsettling. When he didn't return it, she got up and walked away, a smile playing on her lips.

If he got scared, he'd admit that what she just did scared the hell out of him. Moreso, the tingling of his cheek, the warmth of his glowing skin, frightened him more. He stared at where she had walked away and tried to shut the door of his heart and wondered when it had ever opened. Ever since Elizabeth died, his heart had been cold, unfeeling, closed up. He hadn't noticed that the condition had changed.

A loud scream pierced the air. Immediately on his feet, he started running back to camp. "Where's Hero?" he shouted, not seeing her face among the crowd.

"She went to see you," Rider said with a sense of dread.

"She went back a few minutes ago, you didn't see her?"

When all of his men shook their heads, he started running in to the forest until he stopped dead in his tracks.

On the ground was the wreth of flowers that had been in her hair. A few feet away was a strip of material from her sleeve.

"Where is she?" Rider asked, panicked.

In disbelief, he whispered, "...She's been taken."

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