We have to go, we have to leave." I murmured, while rapidly gathering random things from the ground. Rafe stood in the middle of it, frozen. I nervously looked up every so often to see if there was anyone watching us. They had been right here when they delivered the message, they could still be here, or they could come back. They had found us, and we had to leave, now. I wanted to roll up the blankets, but it would cost too much time. I also left the bowl and a kit with emergency supplies I took with me on the very beginning of the mission.
"Come on, get on Faolan. I ordered Rafe as I loosened the horse's rope. I lifted him up and climbed up myself. One last time I looked at everything we left behind, and then we left, deeper into the forest.
After about an hour of galloping through the thick woods, I slowed down. Faolan was used to hours of walking, not galloping as we did right now. I would have felt better if we continued for a bit, but we had to stop and rest. Rafe hadn't said a word the whole time and looked overwhelmed by everything that had happened. It was l
Early in the afternoon and we still hadn't eaten anything.
"We will rest here. We'll eat something and then we will continue on foot. If my calculations are correct, we are about 3 and a half hours walking from Veles." *Where I was going to leave you behind* I thought. now I didn't know what to do anymore.
Rafe nodded and sat down on the moist forest ground. I sat next to him and it was silent for a while.
"You'll have to take me." Rafe suddenly said.
"What?"
"I don't know for who you're doing this or where we are going, but you'll have to take me."
"Why?" I asked, still confused.
"If you don't, whoever they are, they will kill you. If I go with you, maybe they won't."
I was moved by these words. This little boy wanted to give up his freedom, maybe even his life, to save me. I even felt a little tear in the corner of my eye, but I blinked it away.
"You can't come with me. I won't let you come with me." I said. "It is too dangerous."
"But they will kill you!" He said while shaking his head.
*You're right about one thing.* I thought, but I didn't say anything.
We found a bush loaded with nonpoisonous berries, and after we ate as much as we could, we continued walking. I was used to it. I had done long hikes many times during my training. Rafe, however, was not. He got tired very quickly, so I put him on Faolan's back, and after a while, he fell asleep.
We arrived in the village after four hours of walking nonstop. I knew the village well, and I knew where to find a tavern. I woke Rafe up when we were right outside the building and after I brought the horse to the stables, we entered.
The tavern was packed with people. Mostly men, but some women as well. Everywhere were people talking, laughing and drinking.
"Hey Mak, want a beer?"
It was the barman, Lucien. He was an old family friend, and I knew him well. I looked at him and shook my head. "You know I don't drink alcohol."
"I thought you might have come to your senses by now," Het said smiling. "Who's the young lad?" He asked, looking at Rafe.
"A friend," I said shortly. "Can we have some water? We haven't had clean water for the entire day."
"Of course. Take a seat, I'll get you some." He replied.
Rafe and I sat down on the nearest table and it was very hot, so I took off my cape and placed it right next to me. Rafe looked like he had so many questions, but he still didn't ask me anything. This intrigued me. Was he just not interested or was he wise enough to know that knowing the answer wouldn't make a difference?
It didn't take long before Lucien came back with two beer mugs filled with cold, clean water. He placed them on the table, and just when he wanted to walk away, I said, "can I talk to you for a sec?" He nodded. I told Rafe to stay right where he was and followed the bartender to the cold beer cellar, where no one could hear us.
"Luce," I started a little hesitant. "I have to ask you something, but it might be too much."
"Too much? I would do anything for you."
I took a deep breath while thinking about how to say what I wanted to ask.
"The boy, his name is Rafe," I said. He was one of the children on my mission. During the mission, I got a message with in it a new order, which is why I snuck out of camp. He followed me, I had no choice but to take him with me."
Lucien looked at me, not understanding where I was going with this.
"The last part of the mission, however, is too dangerous for him. He's just a kid and besides, I need to do it alone. I need you to take care of him. Find a way to get him to Laster."
The man seemed to understand, and he nodded. "I can do that for you." He said. "I know someone who is going to Laster tomorrow. I can get him a bed for tonight too. Can I ask what your mission is about?"
"Sorry, but I can't say. You'll just have to trust me that it's important, is that okay?"
I saw that he was worried about me, but he said yes anyway.
I followed Lucien back to the main area of the tavern. I looked around, searching for my table, and it didn't take long before I found Rafe. I walked towards him, but I froze in the middle of my pace. Rafe had one hand on my cape. On the table lay a black ribbon. In his other hand, he had the letter. *Oh no* ai thought. I came closer. "Rafe, I can explain," I said slowly.
His eyes were fixed on the letter. He looked frightened. "Makatza..." He said. I sat down on the opposite side of the table and took his free hand in mine. "Rafe, you have to understand, it is the only way." I tried to explain. But he shook his head and kept staring at the text. Tears were rolling down his cheeks.
"Please, it is the only way, I have to do this it is my duty to the..."
Rafe interrupted me. "Makatza, this is a suicide mission!"
I couldn't help but smile a small, sad smile. "That is not the meaning of that word," I said shakily. "But in theory..."
I paused for a moment.
"Yes"