"Come on, I didn't risk everything to see you die on me here," I said after she fell for the umpteenth time.

"You should have taken the beast's offer," she retorted. "I'm only slowing you down."

She was a stubborn one. It felt like she had made up her mind to die. If I didn't know better, I'd say she hated me for saving her life back there. We were walking beside a worn out path that no one seemed to take anymore. Old traces of cart wheels began to fade away due to years of neglect.

The forest around us was quiet, save for the occasional cawing of birds, or rustling of leaves above our heads as one squirrel or another hurried toward their holes. There was no sign of life around us, save for the animals that scrounged for food in preparation for a long, cold winter.

The transition between the Blond and Red Moons was the worst. Winters were usually long and very cold. Summers came early, and the heat was almost unbearable. Crops barely had time to grow to a sufficient degree, and countries always suffered from food shortage and famine. The animals knew that, and they worked tirelessly, scrounging for food and building safe habitats in which they could hibernate.

Raiya was panting beside me. I tried to carry her once, but my attempt was met with abhorrent insults and murderous stares. I was beginning to think the witch wanted me to leave her behind to die.

No f.u.c.king way! I was as stubborn as she was, maybe even more. I didn't risk my life to leave her behind. Besides, she had some explaining to do. I was just waiting for the appropriate moment to give voice to the nagging questions that kept popping up in my head. After she fell one more time, I had decided to knock her out and carry her without her consent.

Just as I was about to knock her out though, I heard the neighing of horses behind me, and the methodic rumble of wooden wheels against the uneven road. I pulled Raiya behind a tree and we observed the upcoming carriage.

As it approached, I realized it was a one horse drawn cart. In fact, the animal pulling it wasn't even a horse. It was a beaten up mule, complaining against the multiple lashes its driver was subjecting it to.

"Stay here," I whispered to Raiya. "I'll see if the old man can give us a ride to Merinsk, or at least get us close to the city."

She weakly nodded, panting heavily as she did. If things went on as they were, Raiya wouldn't make it to Elsa's estate alive. I left her by the tree, well hidden from sight, then made my presence known to the cart driver. I had also left my sword near the witch. I didn't want to scare the old man needlessly.

He saw me standing in the middle of the road and ordered his mule to slow down.

"Hi there traveler," I said, forcing a smile.

The old man reached for something hidden below his feet and drew a crossbow. He aimed it at me, one eye tightly shut, his tongue drawn out in concentration. He licked is cracked lips then spoke.

"Get the f.u.c.k out of my road!" he ordered.

I raised my arms in sign of submission. "I don't mean you any harm," I said. "I'm not even armed. I left my weapon with my injured friend. We only need a ride east of here."

"Ye've got yer legs," the old man said. "How about yeh use 'em?"

"My friend's lost a lot of blood," I said. "She can't move, let alone walk. Come on old man, we don't want any trouble. We'll be quiet all along the road."

The old man kept his crossbow aimed at me while his eyes darted left and right. He was making sure I wasn't trying to ambush him.

"Listen," I went on. "I'm not trying to rob you or anything. All I want is a ride east. You don't even need to take us to the city."

"That's what a f.u.c.king robber would say!" the old man barked. "Get over here, slowly. Keep those hands where I can see 'em!"

The old man was already getting on my nerves. I didn't have time to waste on such frivolities. Grandfather would soon reach Bodrick's house to inspect it. He'd probably be able to track us down from there and kill us. I approached the old man, making sure my time s.h.i.+eld was up at all times.

If he refused to give us a ride, I'd simply take him out. I wasn't a robber, but I was ready to become one in case he refused to let us share the cart with him.

"That's it yeh rascal," the old man said as I got past the mule and closer to him.

He got down to his feet and approached me. His face was all wrinkles. He had a long, unkempt while beard that hid most of his neck. His eyes were a clear aquamarine that pierced through me as though I had already caused him offense. Right before I could disarm him, I heard a little girl's voice from the cart.

"Papa Nocs," the girl said. "Are we there already?"

"Get back to sleep little 'un," the old man barked at her.

He looked back for a fraction of a second toward the girl in the cart. That was enough for me to s.n.a.t.c.h the crossbow from him and throw it aside. The old man turned toward me, but I had already gotten ahold of his left arm and twisted it behind his back.

"I'm not looking for trouble here old man," I said. "I only need a ride out of these cursed woods. Let us in, and we won't give you any trouble."

The old man's breathing became unsteady. He tried to wiggle out of my grasp but I tightened it, almost breaking his twisted arm. He winced then cursed inwardly.

"f.u.c.king mercenaries," he said. "Yer the plague of these lands. Yeh'll be the end of us all."

"Will you give us a ride?" I asked. "Or do I have to deprive a little girl of her grandpa?"

"Aight! Aight!" the old man complained. "Get yer f.u.c.kin' hands off me!"

"I don't need to remind of you what would happen if you try to f.u.c.k me over," I whispered to man's ear as I let go of him.

"Tina," the old man called out to the little girl. "Make room for a guest in the back." He turned to look at me while he ma.s.saged the arm I'd twisted. "Where's yer friend?"

"Here…" Raiya emerged from behind the tree. She was leaning against the trunk. Her eyes were almost shut, and she moved with great difficulty.

"Holy f.u.c.k!" the little girl screamed. "What happened to her?"

The old man gave me a grave look. "What're yeh asking of me young one? Yer obviously in deep trouble here."

"You'll hide her in the back," I said. "We'll cover her up with some sheets. Besides, there are no guards on the road."

"The h.e.l.l's you talking about?" Tina asked. "We can't leave her like that without help, right papa Nocs?"

"Shut yer trap Tina!" the old man barked. "Who are yeh running from?" he asked me then. The frown on his face only accentuated his heavily wrinkled face.

"n.o.body you should worry about," I said. "Are you helping us or not? My friend's about to pa.s.s out."

"Yer not giving me a choice here," the old man said. "Hop in. Make sure yeh cover her."

I helped Raiya onto the cart. Tina helped me put her between two sacks of potatoes. We covered her with a light gray sheet the girl was using to sit on, then I found my place near the conductor. He lashed out at the poor mule and the latter kicked itself into motion.

One hour later, we left the woods. The old man was heading to the city to visit some relatives. After the bombing in Handels Market, his son had lost his wife and youngest daughter. He was heading there to help the family through the tough times they were having.

"The little one's adopted," the old man said after we left the forest. "I found her wanderin' the streets of the capital one day, skinny little b.u.g.g.e.r. She tried to steal food from me. So I punished her for it."

"By adopting her?" I asked. "That's a funny way of dealing with thieves."

"She needs some educating is all," the old man said, whipping the poor mule into a gallop. "She'll do well in Merinsk mind you. My son'll be delighted to have her."

"I'm sure he will," I said. "How are things back in the capital?"

"Not good," the old man replied. "The underworld's eatin' us alive, while his majesty's watchin'. I wonder if the old rascal's got any power left in 'im."

"Why do you say that?" I asked.

"Yer obviously not from around here, are yeh?" He shot me a mocking glance then focused on the road ahead. "Stalwart's been manipulatin' things from the shadows. We all know it. Even the b.l.o.o.d.y king knows we knows."

"Why aren't people doing anything about it then?" I asked.

"Do what? Fight against a monster? We only wants a normal, peaceful life lad. We ain't the fighting sort. As long as Stalwart leaves our crops alone, we ain't moving a limb against him." He whipped the mule once more and the latter protested by kicking the cart. I understood why most carts had a guard right behind the horse's hind legs then. "Stop complainin' and get movin' yeh old f.u.c.k!" the old man screamed then lashed out at his animal.

"You should probably take it easy on him," I said. "He's running as fast as he can already."

"We haven't got all day," the man complained. "The city gates close earlier than usual now. With all the bombings and terror nowadays."

Little did he know, the reason behind all the terror was sitting beside him.

"Papa Nocs…" Tina's little head popped in between us. "I don't think she's breathing."

I turned to look at Raiya. She had gone paler, if that was even possible. Her chest had stopped moving.

"She's dying alright," the old man said. "Take this. Make sure yeh keep drivin' no matter what."

He handed me the reins then jumped back. "What are you doing?" I asked as I steered the mule toward the center, the less b.u.mpy side of the road.

"What's it look like I'm doing?" the old man said. "I'm trying ta save her life. Eye forward young one. There's still hope for yer friend."

"And what do you think you can do for her?" I asked.

"Relax mister," Tina intervened. "Papa's a great healer. He'll help your friend come back from the f.u.c.king dead."

"A bit of a mouth on this one old man," I retorted. "Are you sure you're fit for adoption?"

"Watch the d.a.m.n road already," Nocs barked at me. "Make sure yeh keep it steady. This la.s.s needs a h.e.l.luva lots of herbs. Tina, hand me my satchel."