[Ridge]
We've only been off for long enough to pass the creek surrounding the village of Rancid when we're stopped in our tracks. Caroley and Caleigh are leaning against two trees on either side of the path. This better not be trouble, I have no desire to fight with Raforn's friends in front of him again. He has so much respect for these women, and I respect him. As a friend, not a doctor.
Otherwise my crutch would be in my hand and not tied to my bag. We all slow our pace as we approach the two women. Caleigh straightens up and rushes over to us on her short legs. Her plump face folds into a sweet smile. She's probably one of the most beautiful ladies I've ever seen.
Caroley is less motivated to come see us. If Caleigh didn't appear so innocently fretful, I'd have thought they were waiting to ambush us. Finally Caroley pushes off the tree and follows her colleague over our way. I tense up my injured leg and stand as confidently as I can.
"We couldn't let you leave without saying goodbye," Caleigh admits, patting Raforn on the head and then smiling at the rest of us, "And we'd never send a guest of Rancid on their way without a farewell gift." She jabs Caroley in the side with her elbow, making the taller girl groan and tuck into herself. After catching her breath she stretches back out and pulls the sachal off of her shoulder, holding it out to me reluctantly.
I take it and open the bone clasp, "Food. Thank you, we really appreciate it." I hold up the bag in gratitude before throwing the strap over my head.
"Of course, anything for our new friends." Caleigh says apologetically.
Caroley sighs, relenting to her friend's kind and forgiving attitude, "Stay safe out there," She ruffles Raforn's short hair too, "And, when you get back... the town of Rancid will stand behind you."
Kadeeth gasps, "Is this because of our fight?" He asks, eyes sparkling dramatically, "I made you change your mind?" Caroley raises an eyebrow at his sparkles and Caleigh scoots away from him a bit.
"No? What fight, I don't recall us fightin'?" Kadeeth looks at me with blame in his narrowed eyes, "But, I do realize that if you've made a deal with Mr. Morin, then he has clearly acknowledged your earlier statement about the, um, war." She coughs, embarrassed at her previous denial, "So we owe you one. Not only did we turn you away when you asked for help, we- I, got upset after you warned us of the danger sweepin' the land. I'll repay my behavior by convincing the other folks. This town is full of fighters anyway."
She grins, her original inviting nature returning. I didn't expect such a change of heart, at least not so soon. Part of it may be her personality, and sense of responsibility, but I think a big part of it is also that the Viscount has a lot more influence over her than she realizes. She called me mad at first, but as soon as Kedcoe recognized the issue, it was immediately validated for her.
"Good luck out there, and make sure you come back to us in one piece!" Caleigh laughs with honey in her voice. We all exchange goodbye before we're officially on our way, crossing the creek and heading into the vast forest territory of the west.
~*~
"OH, sAy a THief was a MOthER of land full O' mOUtaiNSSSS~" Tellur starts strumming his guitar from the back of our trekking line, making all of us in front of him jump. I don't think any of us realized he took the guitar from the cabin with him. His voice his low and sounds like a hum, it's nice so no one tells him to shut up.
I was enjoying the silent journey, but his barreling voice meshes well with the sounds of nature. Besides the occasional VERY off pitch lines that make us all collectively wince. At some point we should see if he can shatter glass with his voice breaks.
"ThIEf UP all night, tiRed dRinks 'om the fOUntain~" He continues. I don't recognize the song, not that I'd join in anyway. Kadeeth is still making fun of me for the evening we spent on the steps outside the cabin, when we all sat together with Tellur strumming the guitar and leading us through the Empire's most popular songs. Let's just say I have no right to judge when someone messes up singing, sorry Tellur.
"BUT THE FOLK OF THE mOUNTs wanting their land back," Kadeeth breaks out the next line, almost making me drop my side of the wagon. I glance around, Raforn is holding back his smile, while Tellur is grinning ear to ear.
He keeps playing the guitar, the cords leading the lyrics along, then he bellows, "POISON thee REd STREAMS OF WAter!"
The wagon wheel stops on a stone, lurching Kadeeth and I forward with our motion. My bad foot gives out and I end up kneeling on one knee. Instead of helping me up, Kadeeth smirks and holds out his right hand daintily. Raforn covers his mouth to conceal his abrupt laughter. He's fucking wheezing. I smack Kadeeth's hand away, refusing to play along with the proposal.
Tellur sings louder to stop himself from laughing too, "LEAVE THIEVING MOTHER LANDDD to a dARk brUtal SLAUGHTER..." He finishes off the melody on the Duke's stolen instrument and then lets his amusement overtake him. He joins the other two men in poking fun at my accidental proposal for the rest of the day's hike.
~*~
We take turns switching off who pulls the wagon, working in pairs to move it along the rough forest path. The sun is well past our heads and into the afternoon when we stop for dinner. Instead of digging into our preservatives, we ration the fresh food that the girls gifted us on our way out of town.
As we pack up the remains of the meal the subtle thump of hooves and the turn of old wheels echoes down the path. Kadeeth and I hear it first, sharing a cautious glance. It's probably another traveler, but during an invasion you can never be too careful. When Tellur finally hears it as well he starts dragging our wagon off the road, pushing it behind a cluster of trees.
Kadeeth grabs our oblivious Doc by the collar and pulls him behind the foliage with us. A wooden cart that's been transformed into a carriage rounds the bend. It's pulled by one chocolate brown horse and riding on the front top-seat is a beautiful young man around my age. Well, at least it's not Nymour or Dwecia.