Lost on Jord by Allan Joyal

Author:Allan Joyal [Joyal, Allan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-01-22T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10 – Shared Camping

The caravan guards did not reappear as we passed the caravan and began descending the hill. I was now walking at the back of the group, watching the road for signs of pursuit. I was so intent on the road that I failed to notice Elizabeth approaching until she was standing next to me.

"Worried about something?" she asked needlessly when I jumped upon noticing her.

"Wouldn't you be?" I asked. "We knew after the first village that women were not treated all that well in this world, but I didn't think we'd run into anything quite that blatant."

Elizabeth shrugged. "We survived unharmed."

"Thanks to Steve and his axe."

"No! Thanks to all the planning you've done," Elizabeth said. "You think about what to do. You see the opportunities and don't let them go by. And most important, you are always willing to jump in front to protect us. Steve might have got the kill, but it was your driving the first guard back that inspired that one to charge into range."

I shrugged and returned to scanning the road. At the front of the group, Hencktor now walked next to Steve as they strode down the center of the road. The ruts continued to make careful placement of our steps important, but in silent agreement we were trying to walk closer together.

"Why didn't you call me to talk to the merchant?" Elizabeth asked quietly. "I'm a professional negotiator. Wouldn't that have helped?"

"Probably," I admitted. "But the merchant didn't appear to need convincing, and I wanted to avoid an argument with him if I could. You tend to come on a bit strong, and that isn't always the best approach here."

"And you realized that having a pretty face near you wouldn't hurt," Elizabeth said with a smirk.

I nodded quietly. "Think you can watch the backtrail and alert everyone if those guards decide to follow? I want to check on everyone."

"Go!" Elizabeth said, stepping behind me and pushing me forward. "Your ladies want a chance to admire and flirt!"

I staggered forward. Elizabeth's laughter followed as I bumped into Lisa. The girl turned, an angry expression appearing on her face, only to grab me and kiss me on the lips.

She released the kiss quickly and dropped her right hand into my left before dragging me forward. She hauled me in front of Dusty and Martha. "Look what followed me home! Can I keep him?" she caroled.

"No!" Heather called out. "He's not housebroken."

"What? I'm perfectly housebroken," I replied.

"Of course you are," Dusty purred. "You probably broke it yourself."

I sputtered in surprise as Dusty and Martha both gave me kisses on the cheek. The girls were smiling, but I noticed a haunted expression hiding in their eyes. It was clear that the situation bothered them.

"Are we ever going to be safe?" Martha asked. "Since we first arrived we've been attacked by some cat, and had four times where you held that spear and looked ready to fight."

"Hopefully, the trouble won't return for a while," I said.

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