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Einri glanced down at my attire, his brow quirked up as he took in the state of my skirts. I fought a blush but failed.
“Lady Arrow and I were just coming back, Sir. Friar Tuck said she might want to stretch her legs, and to let her as long as she doesn't get out of my sight.” The guard was now looking noticeably guilty.
“Is that so? I’ll be having a word with Tuck. Thank you, Stout. I will take it from here.”
As my erstwhile guard left, he threw me an apologetic face. I ignored it, not knowing how else to handle it. How does one respond to their guard when they send such looks one’s way?
“Stretching your legs?” He queried; tone carefully blank.
“That’s what he said.” I don’t know why I was covering for him, but even though it went against my goals, I respected Stout. He was good at his job, and he wasn’t an arse. Einri, on the other hand… I didn’t trust him.
He nodded, wisely holding his tongue. “Come, it’s time for supper. You’ll be eating with us.”
“Please.”
He stopped in the middle of turning away. “Excuse me?”
“You forgot to say ‘please’. “
His jaw ticked, and I barely restrained a grin. I know I shouldn’t poke him, but damn it was fun. I’m not entirely sure if it was out of sheer boredom, or an inherent need for some semblance of control, but I think I found my new favorite pastime.
“If you want to eat, follow me,” he growled. “Unless you’d like me to call Stout back and you can remain in your cave?”
I grumbled and motioned for him to lead the way, causing his jaw muscle to jump some more. I worked hard to keep the smug smile from my face.
We traveled along the same pathways Tuck had led me down earlier. I gazed upon the moss-covered trees, drinking in their beauty. I could never tire of breathing in the clean, crisp air and noticed there was a bite in the air. I rubbed my arms and took a deep breath, the cooking fires tickled my nose, my stomach taking the opportunity to let out a loud grumble.
“Einri! Methinks our lady has swallowed a beast! Can you hear its growl?” Tuck joked, as he met us at that inopportune moment. My cheeks flamed.
Einri barely spared me a glance as he led me into the middle of his men as they crowded around a large black pot above a fire. “Make yourself useful, Tuck. Get Arrow a bowl of food.”
With a laugh, Tuck turned around to do just that, cutting to the front of the line to do so, amidst the grumble of the men being served by a sweet older woman. I watched for a minute as Tuck laid on the charm, earning him both a bowl and a kiss on the cheek.
My eyes strayed away from the tableau Tuck presented, to the brooding man beside me, arms still crossed. His hair was now slicked back, and my traitorous mind reminded me of his shirtless back as it glistened with sweat and strained to lift the log singlehandedly. I shook my head to get the mental image out.Get a grip, Arrow.
“Your meal, m’lady.” Tuck returned and presented my bowl with a flourish. “I slaved for hours over that pot to make it for you.” He nodded to the food with a grin.
Einri snorted. “Your life is so difficult.” He deadpanned.
Grabbing the offered bowl, I stared at this new side of the bane of my existence, but Tuck just laughed.
I found myself cracking a smile at the joy emanating from Tuck, and then was struck by a sharp pain in my heart as I thought about Will. Was he around a warm fire with a bowl of food and friendly company? Or was he freezing or starving? Was he even alive?
My stomach soured, and I couldn’t eat any more of the food, instead staring at it as my thoughts tortured me. I reminded myself that these men weren’t my friends, nor was I here by choice. I had to escape soon. There was no other alternative. Will’s life depended on it.
I put down my half-eaten bowl and looked around the fire, taking note of those of Greenwood who were on guard duty, and where they were stationed. I noticed earlier there were four rotations of six hours each, and I planned how best to take advantage of that knowledge.
“I can feel you plotting. It won’t work.” Einri said amidst bites of stew.
I glared at him. “I don’t plot. I plan.” I argued.
“Call it what you like. I won't allow you to put my people in danger.”
“You can’t control everything.” I warned him. “You’ll eventually slip up, and then I’ll be right there, ready to pounce.”
He paused his slurping to look at me, but his response was halted at a disturbance at the edges of the gathering. Men and women slowly began parting as a man came rushing up, covered in mud from hard travel. Einri stood up to meet him, and I followed unobtrusively, Tuck at my side.
“Sire! Bruralians.” He panted. “They are a day’s ride away.”
