Through Belena's slow pace, they made only sluggish progress. The dutiful mare did everything she could, putting all her weight into the harness whenever they encountered an incline. The leather tightened around her chest, groaning under the strain. Just like Belena, who bravely suppressed her groans into a snort.
Ero usually complained about the mare's slow pace. Not very affectionately, he referred to her as a slow plow horse or an old cow. On this ride, the boy remained unusually silent. If he thought he could induce guilt or persuade Alina to turn back with oppressive silence, he was mistaken. Her choice was firm. If it bothered him, he could have stayed in the warm nest of his parents. Even without him, the journey was hard enough for Alina. She knew the danger of facing Morlo's band of robbers. How many before her had followed the lure of bounty into death? Traders never escaped without losing their goods. Simple travelers usually remained unharmed by them. They were not simple. They carried the reputation of having an angel watching over them, ready to lower its blade in protection. Then there was Ero. The youngest son of the executioner of Ylora. They both made a fine pair and a rewarding target. Nothing weighed with money, but with blood.
Ero gave her a brief signal before saying something. "Stop." Just a whisper with the gesture to be quiet. A deceptive calm enveloped them. Close by, a river flowed in its bed over stones. Teeming with fish, it invited them to rest. It even displaced the thought that they had crossed the safe border a while ago. Ahead of them, a hare crossed the path, while birds sang in bushes and trees.
In that moment, Alina forgot all worries and fears. Even Nerre's concerns. There existed only this place, the enticing coolness, and the sun on her warmed skin.
The boy in front of her dismounted slowly and cautiously from the saddle. He did not perceive things as carelessly as his companion. For him, every thicket concealed a possible enemy hiding spot. "Wait here," Ero instructed her in a whisper, handing the reins of his black horse to his friend. Shortly after, he sneaked off to explore the surrounding area.
The entire area encompassed a wide stretch that nobody could ever map. Just like the hideout of the robbers. They were on its edge. It was true! One had to be prepared for anything. The camp could be around the next corner, or in the middle. They could also continue on and never stumble upon it. It was more likely that the robbers would track them down. But Ero acted as if every blade of grass represented a potential threat.
Alina rolled her eyes and then stepped down from the carriage seat. Her scout could do as he pleased; she first thought of the animals. Who knew when they would come across fresh water again? "Wait here," she gave the same words to her mare as Ero had to her. In a similarly quiet but reassuring tone. From the back of the wagon, she took an old bucket. With it in her left hand and Falira's reins in the other, she stepped off the path into the forest. The trees were spaced far apart, and the ground showed only traces of some animals. One could see far.
After a short march, she noticed the sparkling water ahead. Where could any robbers lurk here? Like in the days of the Amazons, in the trees or underground? That was absurd! Ero could relax his worry. Alina let go of the reins, allowing the mare to trot into the water on her own. Falira was a good girl. She quenched her thirst and returned to Belena as usual. Since Beldor had given her to Ero, the mares knew each other and had formed a strong bond.
For Alina, there was therefore no problem in filling the bucket and returning. Even more so. While Belena drank, her mistress scratched her mane. "Be good," she spoke to the calm animal. "I'll be right back."
Alina walked through the forest to the spot on the shore where the black horse had walked down a few steps. Now the horse listened, attentive to every movement of the girl. How she took off her shoes and walked through the cool water with bare feet. At one spot, it was very shallow. The water flowed over her feet, tickling her toes, and then a touch from a fish before it disappeared into a deeper part.
As if in a dance, Alina spread her arms. The sound of the water took on a musical quality in her ears, accompanied by the sounds of birds, she hummed a soft melody. A leap into a turn, her arms moved automatically. Usually, she held her daggers in them, now they were safely stored in her carriage.
In her dance, Alina moved forward and now completely forgot the danger they were in. Oh, who called this danger? Just a moment ago, she saw the carriage between the trees, or was she mistaken? Alina swung her hips to the song she hummed. She couldn't be far from the path, after all, her Belena stood there calmly and obediently, probably Falira would soon join her. Another turn, a leap onto a rise where the water spilled over.
Her movements came to a halt, her voice silenced. Behind her, she saw Falira wading through the water.
What was the problem? She had hardly moved from the spot. Besides, life could be short enough at this time. So why hesitate before the next obstacle?
Alina turned around and was about to continue her dance when she spotted a couple sitting by the river not far from her. Startled, the girl jumped behind one of the trees.
Oh, nonsense, they wouldn't be robbers. Maybe a traveling couple. Curious, Alina peered around the corner and studied them more closely.
The woman's hair was a bright red, interspersed with tiny curls. The warm sunlight made it gleam fiery in some places, just like her freckles decorating her sun-kissed face. She kept her kind eyes closed. Like Alina before, she too enjoyed the warm day. Her features seemed maternal. She probably was or would be in the next few weeks. Two hands, not heavily laden with rings, rested on the bulge of her belly.
Without a doubt, the father of the child sat beside her. A rather tall man, perhaps even slightly younger than his partner, approaching his mid-forties. With his hand, he brushed a strand of her beautiful hair aside before planting his lips in a kiss on hers.
Alina sighed with delight. Whether this couple belonged to the robbers or not, she wouldn't tell Ero anything about it. It would be easy to overpower them. Under threat of harm to the woman and child, the man would surely obey whatever they said.
But no, even though she never fought fair, that would be too much! She wasn't mean or evil. Neither would Ero do that, but he couldn't find out about her little excursion. So, Alina stepped back carefully, so as not to disturb either of them. Another step.
In her back, she felt the impression of a body through her thin dress.