The Traveler

A band of misfit’s whoop and holler their way out from the woods and as each goes to stand in front of the fallen tree, their leader steps forward. “This way is closed to strangers. But I am in a good mood, so, how about you give us the kid and I promise to give you safe passage. What do say, do we have a deal?”

“What you have, is one last chance to say you’re sorry.”

“Here that boys, he is giving us orders. How about we show him who is boss.”

Advancing upon him in showing no mercy, under Council law he is obligated and as each man turns to dust, he keeps in mind that it was their decision as the ground swallows up each pile. Next to him, the girl Lilly is beyond terrified and seeing her frantically looking around for a way out, he says to her. “Sorry you had to see that, yeah, well, how about we get back to looking for your mule.”

Breathless, Lilly exclaims, “What was that, just a walk through the park?”

He really doesn’t know when he confesses, “I don’t know what a walk through the park, means.”

Frantic is her way of pointing out the obvious all the while exclaiming, “It means, where did those men go?” He wills himself to be patient and on the verge of failing, he says to Lilly. “We should move on.”

Scared, and breathing hard, she shakes her head, no.  Stuck in that corner with things to do, he starts walking away. “Wait,” he hears. Turning to her, sees that she is catching up to where he stands until she stops short. Arms folded, she says to him, “That was too much all at once. How about next time you warn me so I can look away.” Steady are her eyes to his as he says to her, “Ok.”

The trail around the massive entanglement of root is well used, and once the two are back on the road, he pauses in offering Lilly some water who accepts the deerskin pouch. After having her fill, Lilly spits out, “People say you are the Traveler, but after what I saw, I think you are more than that. Here,” handing him the bladder, he takes notice of its weight as he slings the strap up and over his head. A glance up leads to a long stare ahead and with her standing somewhat close to him, Lilly’s breathing has finally slowed, so he tells her, “I need to find water for once we are under the sun, thirst has a way of showing up unannounced.”

“Do you always talk like that?”

“Most of the time.” That said, he slips off his gear and with the unit stationary on the ground, he goes about retrieving a wrist rocket and a few spheres. Once on his person, he says to Lilly, “I won’t be long.”

“So,” she says. “Just hang out. Okay, a little raw, but whatever.”