Page 90 of The Seeker

The man who had so graciously invited me to his home in Bru stood leaning against the large oak tree I’d slept against.

And the bag with my knife, my only weapon, lay open at his feet.

“You ran off so fast yesterday, there wasn’t time for us to be properly acquainted.” The smirk on his face was laced with pure malice as he took a step forward.

I bit my lip, looking left and right for anything—desperate for any option that would help me out of here unharmed.

“Hey now, I don’t want to hurt you, I only want to have a nice little chat in the comfort of my home.”

I couldn’t stop the scoff that fell from my lips. Even if I couldn’t read his emotions, I wasn’t stupid enough to believe that.

Not finding any other solution, or any way for me to mount the horse, her saddle sitting on the ground by my feet, I dropped the reins and ran.

It certainly wasn’t the best plan I’d ever had, and while it went well for a few moments, the element of surprise on my side as my feet pounded the ground and my arms pumped at my side, my elation was short-lived as I was tackled to the ground from behind.

I didn’t stop fighting though, swinging my fists and kicking the man on my back. It was difficult, however, to land any blow that would hurt without being able to see him.

His arm latched itself around my waist, his fist grabbing my braid as he pulled me into a standing position. “Now, that wasn’t very polite, was it? To run off while a man was talking to you?”

I continued to struggle, ensuring every step for him was a challenge, in hopes he would be tired—too tired to hurt me—by the time we arrived wherever he was attempting to drag me.

Despite everything I tried, he still managed to make progress with our motions, his grip too strong. He dragged me back toward where I’d camped, then through it, Nala’s dark eyes watching as we emerged from the shelter of the trees into the open.

He adjusted his grip on me, moving his arm higher, and I saw my chance, jabbing my elbow into the soft flesh of his stomach.

He grunted, his arm on my torso loosening, but his grip on my hair was firm enough that he held me in place through my feeble escape attempt.

“You’re a feisty thing. I like it,” he hissed in my ear as I fought not to vomit.

Although his arm was locked around my midsection, my arms now pressed to my side to prevent me from elbowing him again, there was no way for him to restrain his legs, making it easy for me to stomp on his feet, one after the other.

He snarled in disdain, but still, his hold didn’t loosen enough for me to run. Instead, he seemed unperturbed as he kicked my legs forward one at a time, forcing me to walk onward.

Despite our slow pace, with my struggling every step, trying to hurt him as much as possible, we made progress, a cabin coming into sight.

That’s when I realized my mistake. I hadn’t made it as far from Bru as I thought, sleeping only a short walk from his home. I swallowed my groan.

We approached the building, the door swinging open. He forced me through, practically throwing me to the floor. By the time I stood, his large body was blocking the door, his arms pressed to both sides of the doorframe.

“I told you I only wanted to talk. I’m not going to hurt you. Now, if you’ll listen⁠—”

I tried to tune him out as I scoured the cabin for a way out, but his words continued to filter through my desperate search of his derisory dwelling.

“I know you’ve got magic, I can see it your eyes.”

I scoffed, eyeing the window to his right. While the cabin didn’t offer any other doors, I calculated if I could open the window and climb through before he could stop me. We were both panting heavily, but I knew he would tire of fighting me sooner or later.

“I want one of the books,” he demanded. “Don’t care which one, but I searched your bags and didn’t see one.” I eyed his stomach, wondering if I could use my head to ram him hard enough to knock him off balance. “You’re going to tell me where I can find one of those books. Then you’re going to help me read the magic.”

I scoffed. The irony that I was once again picked up against my will because of a stupid magic book and my ability to read was not lost on me. “I burned the last ones I saw. Not sure where any more are.”

He scowled. “Well, you better find me one.”

Ah, he wasn’t very smart. I motioned to the four walls of the cabin. “Can’t do that when I’m trapped in here.”

“You’re going to take me with you, and I’m not going to release you until I have a magic book.”

It was a marginally better idea for him, but it still didn’t protect him from being stabbed in his sleep. Regardless, it was better than being held here against my will, so I agreed. “Fine.” I was also certain I could ask Friar to toss him in a dungeon cell when we got to Malheim, but he didn’t need to know that.