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I lie on the floor, a snoring Otto on the bed and a shuffling Aiden across the room. The image of Lena being escorted by Sir Crane, his malicious eyes perusing over her, won’t leave me. Parker Aldren dragging her from her home, keeping her tied up and doing who knows what else.
“The girl. The girl. They needed passage, undetected through Fort Lowsan. We helped them get through.”
The man’s words play over and over in my mind, blurring the irrational with reality. I’m the only one that can protect her now. It’s just me. And I refuse to let another hope of Felshan lose their freedom and their life on my watch.
I roll over in my bedroll.Whack. My head hits the side of the wall. Sleep must have finally found me. I’m not used to sleeping on the floor, but figured Aiden and Otto deserved a bed last night. I’ve never taken the west road to the sea before, and I don’t know what awaits them.
Although, I suppose I’ve never taken the journey past Fort Lowsan up to Thenstra either. Maybe I’ll soon wish I had the memory of a good night’s sleep here.
“Is someone attacking,” I hear Otto mumble through his not quite awake, but not quite sleeping state.
“If they were, you’d be dead,” I reply, attempting to rub out the painful throb on the side of my head.
“Then let the killer approach and shut you two up so I can sleep,” Aiden interjects.
The sun hasn’t risen, but it’s not far off, apparent through the tiny bit of light streaming through the large windows. Once the birds begin their morning alarm, sleeping becomes futile.
“We should get going soon. I’ll bring back some breakfast,” a snore vibrates through the room, “while you two finish whatever exquisite dream is keeping you from acknowledging your captain.” They don’t budge. “Or maybe instead of breakfast I’ll just bring back the bucket of ice the cook keeps downstairs.” Otto at least grunts at that remark, and Aiden waves an arm in acknowledgement. I pull on my boots and pack up my makeshift bed, heading out the door to wake Ari.
I find her room, tracing my steps from yesterday and knock softly. “Ari,” I whisper through the door. “It’s me, Roan.”
She doesn’t answer, so I knock louder.“Ari, are you awake?” I bring my voice to a normal level this time, but still no response. I find the handle, checking if it’s locked. When it doesn’t budge, I put a little weight behind it. But it still doesn’t move. My stomach clenches as I take in a sharp breath. “Ari!” I yell against the door. Nothing.
I stand back from the door a little ways, ready to break it down if she doesn’t answer me in the next few seconds. I square my shoulder between the frame, readying my feet to leap toward it with all the strength I have.
“Shhhhh!” I hear from behind me. “You’re going to wake up the entire house with your bellowing.” I take a full, stable breath.
Ari walks down the hall, wet hair dripping down her neck and back, dampening her shirt before trailing on the floor behind her.
“You’re soaking wet,” I say sheepishly. The bruise on her jaw blooms bright even in the shadows of morning. I cringe, thinking of that man on top of her, hurting her before I could get there.
“No kidding. That’s what happens when you’re taking a bath and hear your name being shouted from the rooftops before dawn. Not really time to dry off properly.” She walks over to her door, unlocking it and stepping inside.
The way her clothes are sticking to her, she must have jumped straight out of the bath and threw them on while still literally soaking wet. Her face is glistening with water as she passes me. I feel stupid now for making such a ruckus, but I would do it again if necessary.
My companions are my responsibility. Their safety and well-being is under my hand. I watch Ari pass in front of me, her light brown hair darkened from the dregs of water still clinging to each strand. Her emerald eyes stare me down before she backs up and sits on her bed.
I stand in her doorway, brushing off imaginary dust from my shirt as I try to think of my next words. “I take it you are… alright?”
“Of course I’m alright. Unless you think someone was hiding in my bath water to murder me, and I am the spirit of a now dead Ari come to haunt you.”
“I wouldn’t rule it out. Being in your presence for more than five minutes might just be enough to give someone the motivation.” A deep glare from Ari stops me from moving further into her room. But I can’t help the hint of a smile that tugs at my mouth.
“I concede,” I say, holding up both hands in surrender. “You’re a lovely person.” Her glare turns into a quirked eyebrow. “I mean lovely as in I wouldn’t want to hide in your bath water to kill you. Maybe just to maim.” My heart quickens as she continues to look at me, and I realize we are talking about her bath water. What am I even saying?
I cough loudly and turn away, a deep red burning at my cheeks. I take a deep breath and mask my features before turning around. “We need to get going before the streets are crowded with their morning market. I will go find us some breakfast and meet you at the stable,” I say.
She pinches her lips together, looking me up and down before answering. “Yes Captain.” She mimics the Guard salute in mock veneration.
“I might change my earlier answer to less than five minutes in your presence,” I respond before turning to leave, her boot hitting the door as I shut it.
“Leaving without saying goodbye?” a voice asks from down the hall. Tess stands against the wall, a thin satin robe draped around her and tied in the front, her dark hair pulled to the side in a loose braid.
“We need to get on the road as soon as possible,” I reply, closing the last few steps between us as she stands in my path to the kitchen.
“I don’t suppose you’ll tell me where you’re going?”
“North.”
