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But I’m not so sure. If we’re as far south as I think we are...
Shit.Grabbing her hand, we dive back into the trees.
What is it?
Gusak’s men. They’ll be coming this way, right along this road, any time now.
Is Gusak the guy you work for?Rimi asks.
Worked for, I correct her. Now I’d be lucky if I didn’t get tossed into the ring with one of his best prize fighters and beaten to death in front of an audience. But looking down at Rimi’s pretty black hair and soft, small face, it was a very worthwhile trade. I wouldn’t change anything.He’s going to be looking for us.
Then something occurs to me. Gusak’s riders will be expecting to see us far on ahead, in the direction we went with the wagon after abandoning Kugara and Drozeg. They’ll be running at full speed, trying to catch up—not looking along the path this close to Kalishagg.
After handling the hunters, I have faith we can outsmart Gusak, too.
I know exactly how to get to safety, and perhaps, even get Rimi back home: right underneath the boss’s nose.
* * *
Rimi
We have to walk for how long?I ask, dragging my tired feet another long step.
It will probably take us three or four days on foot.
I groan and sag against a tree. I’m exhausted, hungry, and tired. Sleeping on the hard stone was not the restorative night’s rest one would hope for. Once again I’m longing for my big, soft bed back home.
I try to imagine Lo’zar in that bed with me, but the ideas don’t fit together. He would never belong in my prim and proper mansion.
I don’t need to think about that right now. His plan is to go right back into the lion’s den—return to the city where his “clan” is located, and sneak me onto a ship out.They won’t be looking for us there,he’d said.All his spare hands will be out riding through the jungle.
I have to admit that it’s a good plan, but also a dangerous one.
Finally, I ask a question that’s been burning in my mind since I was kidnapped.Lo’zar, I say.Where were you taking me? Before you let me go?
His jaw clenches, like he doesn’t want to answer.You were sold, he finally says.I was delivering you to the buyer.
The buyer?A shiver slides down my arms.For what?
Who knows.He shakes his head vehemently.But whoever bought a little human didn’t have good intentions.
I imagine what those intentions might be, and my stomach turns like I’ve drunk sour milk. Surely I would have been used in some terrible way. My monumental appreciation for Lo’zar washes over me, and all I want is to pay him back for everything he’s sacrificed.
Thank you, I say finally.I don’t know if I’ve told you that yet. But what you did for me—
Shh. He nudges me with his elbow.You don’t have to thank me. You didn’t ask to be kidnapped and brought here. I did what I knew I had to do, and I’d do it again.
Tears threaten at the back of my eyes. My troll is good. Very good.
Eventually I have to stop to lean on a tree and take a breather, then I slide down so I’m sitting on the ground.I just need some rest, I say. The sun has practically gone down already.
Lo’zar takes a look around us like he’s just realizing how dark it is.We can stop for the night.He pulls out his gun and looks off into the woods.I have two rounds left. I’ll try to find us some dinner.He looks down at me.Do you know how to make a fire?
I’m so useless. I can’t hunt or make fires or anything. I’ve spent my life in a nice house with all of my needs attended to by maids and cooks.
I shake my head.Sorry. But if you tell me what to get, I’ll get it.
He explains to me about dry moss and dead branches and I start looking while he wanders off into the woods. We put a big stick straight up in the ground so we know where to return to.
