Chapter 16

A Chapter by KMC

Caleb had lost Emma almost as soon as she gotten into the woods. He heard her calling for Emir though, and followed the direction of her voice, but it was to no avail. After hours of searching he snarled and went back to the camp, where Benett was still tied up.

“Sir, can I be released yet?” he asked, looking at Caleb, who gave him an icy glare.

“No…in fact, I think I have something different in mind for you…” he said, a hint of a smirk on his face. He walked into one of the tents and gave orders to one of his men. The man nodded and walked out of the tent and over to Benett.

“What…what’s going on?”

“New orders and a new plan.” The man replied. “I’ll try not to enjoy this too much.” He said, as he punched Benett in the face. Back in his tent Caleb sat down and started tending to the small wound on his arm as he listened to Benett’s screams. He was sending Benett back after them, but, if he went unharmed, they’d be suspicious. If, however, he were half-dead…well, they might think he had lied about Benett still working for him.

When Caleb had finished dressing his wound, he got up and walked outside of his tent over to Benett. He looked down at him in disgust. “I think that’s enough. In the morning we’ll discard him in the woods…” he said.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Emir didn’t stop running until they were deep in the woods. He let go of her hand and sat down, leaning against a tree. Emma sat down, trying to catch her breath.

“Do you think we’ll be safe now?” she asked, panting.

“No. We’re in more danger now than we were before.” He said. “You escaped…again…and this time you possibly injured Caleb. If you thought he was bad before…”

“I get the picture…” she said as she closed her eyes. “Do you know how far we are from the city now?”

“We should still be able to get there around sunset tomorrow or the day after…that is, if we don’t run into more trouble. Now, you should sleep.”

“So should you.” She said, opening her eyes and looking at him.

“Someone has to keep guard.” He said to her. She didn’t argue and leaned against a tree, closing her eyes once more. Soon she fell asleep. He sighed, watching her for a moment before scanning the woods.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

When the sun arose the following morning Caleb walked out of his tent and kicked Benett, who let out a moan of pain and looked up at him.

“I’m going to give you one warning. If you fail me or betray me, I will end your miserable life.” Caleb said. “Take him out, leave him near the edge of the forest towards the east, that’s the direction they probably went.” He ordered. Two men grabbed Benett and dragged him out of camp.

“You two,” He said, pointing to two others, “Go back to their campsite, and keep watch in case they return. The rest of you prepare to leave.”

His men quickly tore camp down and packed, preparing themselves. Caleb closed his eyes, thinking about what he was going to do now. There was no way he could beat Emma and Emir to the city walls, not with his small army. Even if he could, their presence would only alert the Pasivian military to their existence. The only option he had, was to go off alone, ahead of his men, and take care of them once and for all.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Time to wake up.” Emir said, gently shaking Emma.

“I’m up.” She said, yawning. She stretched and stood up, taking a quick look around. “Damn…” she said, “it wasn’t a dream after all.”

“I’m afraid not.” He said. “Thankfully I still have my bow and sword…”

“Should we get the rest of our stuff from camp?”

“Caleb probably sent men to watch the site.”

“Oh…” she said with a sigh. “Well, we’re going to have to find supplies somewhere. That and I need a new dagger or weapon.”

“There might be a band of other banished citizens nearby, but I wouldn’t get your hopes up.”

“I learned rather recently not to get my hopes up.” She said to him. “I’ve learned a lot of rather unpleasant things recently…”

“I know.” He said, “And honestly, I think you’ve done a good job at handling everything that’s been thrown your way. It’s not easy adjusting to something you’re not used to. I should know.”

“Thanks.” She said, looking over at him. She was a bit surprised by him saying that, but she tried not to show it.

“No problem.” He said. “We need to get going.” She nodded and let him lead the way. She really wanted to know more about his past, but was hesitant to ask. Hell, if she was honest with herself, she wanted to know about Caleb’s past too. She found wondered about the events that transpired to lead him down the path he had chosen. What was it that happened that made him hate Pasiva so much?

prev chapter