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Jari had also seen a freer side of Aurelius that night. The side that wanted and craved another man like air. The Prince who didn’t just want someone on his side, but someone to staywithhim through everything. Even if they never did that again, Jari would go to the ends of the realm to see him free and whole.
He tried to sleep as little as possible. Somehow, Mercury plodded on with enough oats, water, and the rest he got while Jari snored on the ground.
Still, there was no sign of the cart beyond the constant ruts. He imagined the wheels flattening the grass as the cart jiggled along, and Aurelius trapped inside. He probably thought he’d been abandoned and given up as lost again. Too many people, including Jari, had injured, scarred, and dug furrows into his mind that ran deeper than the never-ending ruts along the ground.
Who knew what had been done to him already? Jari tried not to think about that, but his chest squeezed every time some horrid thought slithered through. If he somehow caught up, he’d gut every single man in that group.
***
The abandoned campsite he found enraged him. The ruts seemed a little deeper in one spot which meant the cart had been given time to settle. The grass was crushed in some spots as if more than one had walked around, and a pile of ash said a fire had been there.
Considering some flattened grass, he figured the men had finally taken the chance to sleep for a bit. He was guessing when he thought there had to be four or five. Maybe even six.
They’d slept and probably didn’t have a single fucking care about their cargo as long as it didn't escape. Aurelius was a thing to them like a load of supplies. A tool. Something to use.
Jari kept going. When he finally saw something in the distance, his heart pounded, and his hopes were smashed when he drew closer.
It was just a sturdy, low cart that was clearly empty. The driver was following the route Aurelius had been taken on, not that he would know anything. Jari caught up and guidedMercury alongside it. The middle-aged man with a set of horns eyed him suspiciously.
“I ain’t got nothing to rob, so clear off. Do I look fucking rich to you?”
“I’m not looking to rob you, but it’s a bit odd you’re out here and not on the main road.”
“I’m definitely not looking to rob you either. I always come this way to go home, and I’ve never had any trouble yet. It cuts time off the trip, and clearly, I'm not the only one to leave the road and take this way. You can go now.” He flapped a hand at Jari.
If the area was safe, a lone man might get comfortable and keep taking the same route. Jari eyed the cart which was empty except for a stout ramp. Whatever he carried must have been heavy to load and unload. The horses were sturdy beasts who didn’t look thrilled about the journey that they’d likely made several times.
“Stop the cart so I can get my horse in,” ordered Jari. “We’ll both ride in the back.”
The man stared at him with one arched eyebrow. “You expect me to lug you and yourhorsealong like-like a load of stone or something? Are you out of your bloody mind?”
“I’ll give you a couple of dins.”
“I don’t need your dins!”
“Pretend we’re stone.”
“No! Ride your horse, stay the fuck away from me, and I’ll stay over here.”
“They can handle the weight, and I need to get somewhere-”
“Piss off.” The guy flicked the reins like he thought he could make a speedy getaway. “Yah!”
Jari pulled Mercury closer and kept up. “As long as I’m with you, you’ll be protected.”
“Elira’s kept me protected because not a single thing has ever happened to me.”
“Lucky you.” Jari gripped his sword hilt. “Maybe she sent me today, and you’re about to spit in the face of a gift from her. I need to be somewhere yesterday, so maybe we’re a present to each other from the Goddess.”
It was hard to tell if the words or Jari grasping his sword hilt did the trick. The man finally stopped although he complained and eyed him suspiciously the whole time. Jari hauled out the ramp, set it up, and climbed in so he could lead Mercury. The horse looked at him like he had string for brains.
“Come on. You need a break.”
Mercury finally clomped up. Once Jari had the ramp in, he aimed a hard glare at the driver.
“Get moving, and keep following those ruts. Where they go, I need to go.”
The man grumbled and probably swore a blue streak under his breath. The horses plodded forth once more. Mercury could have a rest, Jari could too, and they’d still be moving forward. It was better than nothing.
