Chapter 12

Emma didn’t like that Bennet was there, not all. She crossed her arms and leaned against the cave wall. She looked into the fire, trying to ignore his presence.

            “Emir, you know Caleb is furious at you…right?” Benett asked.

            “I know.” He said, “In fact, he probably wants me dead.” Benett nodded.

“Why did you even help her?”

            “Why do people insist on asking me that question?” he asked, annoyed.

            “Well, it just doesn’t make any sense…” Benett answered.

            “Why?”

            “It’s just not you…” he said, “You’ve never gone against Caleb. What changed?”

            “It doesn’t really matter.” he said, not about to tell him the truth.

            “Fine.” He said, “Be that way.”

            “Don’t get your feelings hurt Benett.” He said, standing up.

            “We were supposed to be friends Emir.”

            “We still can be.”

            “I guess…” he said, looking into the fire and then over at Emma, hating her for causing such trouble among the Rogues.

            Emma met his gaze. “What?” she snapped at him.

            “Nothing,” he said coldly, “Nothing at all.”

            “I’m going to go hunt, do you think you two can try not to kill each other.”

            “I’ll go with you.” Benett said.

            “No, stay here and make sure Emma stays safe.” He said, “We don’t know where Caleb is, and she sucks at fighting.”

            “I do not suck.” She said, annoyed.

            “Fine, she’s terrible at it.” He said, grabbing his bow and quiver.

            “I’ll keep her safe from Caleb.” He promised.

            “Good.” Emir said, taking off into the woods.

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            Caleb looked out across the landscape; he could have easily ambushed everyone, and killed Emir and Emma when he went to ‘capture’ Benett. However, he knew that Emir would take some of his men down before he died. He needed all the men he had and couldn’t risk that.

            Emir and Emma would die in the end. Knowing Emir, he’d try to rescue Benett. He also knew that he wouldn’t bring the girl with him. He smirked, closing his eyes. Things were going too easy, not that he was complaining. He crossed his arms, leaning against a tree.

            “Sir.” One of his men said to him. “We’ve tracked Benett down, when should we act?”

            “Give it another day. He needs to be able to gain their trust.” Caleb said, turning to look at the man. “When you do go to grab him, go when they’re sleeping. I’ve given orders to him. He’ll be taking guard duty. You’ll go in and grab him, making enough noise as you’re leaving to wake Emir.”

            “Yes sir.”

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            Back at camp Emma was still ignoring Benett. He looked across the flames at her. She looked up at him, raising an eyebrow.

            “What?”

            “Nothing…I’m just trying to figure out why he saved you…that’s all.”

            “Maybe it’s because he’s not that bad of a person.”

            “Are you saying I am?”

            “Well, let me see, yes, actually, I do.”

            “Do you make judgment calls often?” he asked.

            “What?”

            “You don’t even know me and yet you’ve labeled me as a bad person.” She didn’t know what to say to that. He made a good point. Who was she to judge him? Besides, he hadn’t really done anything to her.

            “I’m sorry.” She said to him. That took him by surprise; he looked at her, a puzzled look on his face. “You’re right, I don’t know you…and I’m sorry for saying you’re a bad person. I don’t know your story, or why you chose to join the Rogues.”

            “Well...I…thanks.” He said, offering her a small smile.

            “You’re welcome.” She said, looking back into the fire. Emir had chosen that moment to walk into the cave.

            “You’re both still alive!”

            “Of course we are.” Emma snapped. “I see you didn’t find anything.”

            “No…everything is hiding from the rain.” He said, putting the bow down. He said down, “We should get some sleep. I’ll take first watch.” He said.

            Emma nodded, lying down on the hard cave floor. Benett looked at him and nodded as well.

            “I can take second watch.” Benett said, lying down. Emir just nodded, staring outside the cave, listening for anything that would indicate an attacker. The night seemed to be calm, other than the falling rain, and for that Emir was grateful.

            After a few hours passed he woke Benett up to take his shift. Benett sat up and stretched. Emir lay down and fell asleep almost instantly. Benett looked out the cave and saw a torch in the distance. He got up and walked towards it. He saw Caleb in the distance.

            “Sir.” Benett said, greeting him.

            “Benett, I just wanted to make sure you were still alive.”

            “I am sir.”

            “I can see that…” he replied sardonically.

            “They seem to trust me sir.” He reported, feeling proud of himself.

            “Good work Benett. Tomorrow I’ll send someone after you. When Emir comes after you, which he will, I’ll go after the girl.”

            “Yes sir.” Benett replied. “I should get back now.”

            “You do that…we’ll see you soon.” Caleb said, vanishing into the trees. Benett walked back to the cave and sat back down by the fire. 

Reviews

[NoelHC]

OK, Caleb's motives that I wondered about previously now make sense, he couldn't afford to lose any men.
Good one KMC!

Noel

[S. Barber]

New chapter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!