Miranda stepped out of the darkness like a ghost. She wore a dark blue cloak which concealed most of her form. Dark pants and a jacket covered her body and a cloth covered everything under her eyes. Complete with the crossbow in her hands, she looked like an assassin. Diake knew her voice and those sparkling eyes too well though.
“Miranda?” he asked confused, lowering his sword.
“What the hell are you doing out here?” asked Mekov.
“Saving your lives,” she said as she pulled down her hood and let her long black hair shake free. “You honestly thought Sheen wouldn’t send men after you?”
“After I spared his life?” asked Sakien. “Dishonorable prat.”
“I thought he’d be dead by now,” said Dezzlin honestly surprised.
“It was only a broken leg,” said Miranda.
“Yeah,” agreed Diake. They all looked at Dezzlin who was looking away with a dark smile. “Oh hell, what did you do?”
“I may have,” Dezzlin coughed a little, “put the blanket horror venom in his leg wound.”
“Dezzlin!” shouted Diake.
“The poison masters up north would love this guy,” said Mekov to Sakien. Sakien nodded impressed.
“Well it doesn’t matter anyway,” said Miranda. “None of you would’ve ever seen him again and nobody will mourn him. He may have been a good trader, but he was a despicable wretch.”
“Agreed,” said Sakien. He reclaimed his axe and went back to checking a body. Mekov was already doing the same, rummaging through a man’s pockets.
“You certainly don’t waste a moment, do you?” asked Miranda.
“Why would we?” asked Mekov. “Thanks to you we already know who they are and what their mission was. All that’s left is to rummage through their pockets. Since you’re not exactly looking down on us, what’s your story?”
“You let an assassin take you home Diake,” laughed Sakien. “Classy.”
“I am not,” said Miranda.
“No you’re not,” said Dezzlin. “You’re a merchant’s daughter. The youngest daughter of Sotel, aren’t you?”
“Yes,” said Miranda bitterly. “How did you know?”
“One of the girls last night mentioned it when you were following Diake around,” said Dezzlin.
“Not like he can remember which one it was,” laughed Mekov. “And why did you sound upset about your father?”
“My father didn’t exactly leave me in the best circumstances,” said Miranda.
“How?” asked Dezzlin confused. “If I remember right, your two sisters were married off and your father died. You were left in charge of his estate and company. Most girls would die for such a chance.”
“Use your brain,” snapped Miranda. “If I was really a wealthy, reputable girl, why would I be unmarried with no suitors?”
“You’re a bitch?” asked Mekov. Sakien laughed so hard he dropped the crossbow he’d taken. Miranda stormed over and kicked Mekov in the side.
“You deserved that one,” said Dezzlin. Mekov nodded and kept smiling. He felt it was worth it too.
“Forget the past for a minute,” said Diake. “What brought you out here in the first place? Why did you just kill these men and save us?”
Miranda glared at Mekov. “Don’t even say it.” Mekov grinned, but said nothing. “I saved your lives because I’m coming with you, and you all make poor company if you’re dead.” Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at Miranda.
“What did you just say?” asked Dezzlin.
“I said I’m coming with you,” said Miranda. “I’ve been looking for a chance to get out of town and Diake met everything I was hoping for.”
Sakien shook his axe suddenly over his head and Mekov grinned. Everyone else looked at them confused. Sakien sighed and went back to looking for valuables. “Screw it, I’m done trying to explain our culture.”
“I’m flattered,” said Diake.
“You’ll do,” said Miranda. “I’m not asking you to marry me. Now when you’re done looting, I’ll meet you by the fire. I need to get my horses.”
“Horses?” asked Dezzlin. “As in plural?”
“Unless you want to carry my bags,” said Miranda. “You should get the bandit’s horses too. They’ll fetch you a nice price in Agnoth.”
“Oh yeah,” said Dezzlin eagerly as he suddenly realized these men must’ve had horses. “Where would those be?”
Miranda pointed into the darkness and headed off in a different direction. Dezzlin started to walk off when Mekov jabbed him in the side. It wasn’t harder than a playful tap, but it reminded Dezzlin he was injured.
“Maybe I should fix this first,” he winced.
“Good idea,” said Mekov. “I’ll get the horses.”
“But you hate horses,” said Dezzlin as he headed back to the fire.
“I hate riding horses, but if we can sell them for a profit then I love them.” Dezzlin shook his head as he made it back to the fire. He pulled his shirt off gingerly and admired his wound. Any closer and the bolt would’ve been in his side. As it was it would just leave a long scar and needed a hefty bandage.
Meanwhile Diake followed after Miranda. He wanted to make sure there was nothing else out there in the darkness as well as get some answers. Why was Miranda really here? Had she really come out all this way for him? His ego said yes, but his brain said no. What kind of wealthy girl rides into the darkness and kills men to help strange men she hardly knew? There was more to her story. He started to open his mouth when she turned and put a finger on his lips.
“I’ll tell you my full story at the fire. I don’t want to repeat myself.”
Diake sighed as those beautiful eyes told him to be silent. He followed after her with a stupid smile on his face.
“I’m sorry for all the questions. We’re just confused as to why you’re here.”
“What? You didn’t miss me?” She shook her hips at him and Diake grinned.
“I didn’t say that.”
Miranda chuckled to herself as they reached her horses. Men were so easy to manipulate at times. Just give them a little shake and suddenly they forgot what they were doing. She loved it.
“You have three horses?” asked Diake surprised.
Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.
“Yes, I should’ve brought my fourth, but I was in a hurry.” She took their reins and pulled them forward. They came but resisted and pulled to the side. “What is the matter with you?” complained Miranda. Diake knew. He went past the horses and pulled his sword back out. “What is it?”
Diake realized Miranda was used to dealing and fighting people, but she was completely foreign to monsters. She didn’t have the slightest idea what the wilds could bring. Diake focused on a piece of darkness that seemed to be moving. He sighed when he saw half a dozen small forms creeping back and forth.
“We’ve got scavs!” he shouted back.
“How many?” called Sakien.
“Maybe six, probably a few more.”
“Dezzlin! Bring me some rope!” shouted Sakien.
Diake watched the scavs move across the sand. They knew he was looking at them and they didn’t advance quickly. They were hungry, but not hungry enough to face down a blade.
Miranda pulled her horses to the fire and away from Diake. Mekov had returned with five horses and handed three of them off to Dezzlin. Dezzlin passed the rope to the northerners who were tying loops around the bandit’s legs.
“What are you doing?” asked Miranda.
“Scavs don’t want a fight. They want food,” said Sakien as he secured the first few ropes to a horse. “Give them a few fresh corpses and they’ll leave us alone all night. Take them away, Mekov.” Mekov led the horse towards Diake and three corpses were dragged with it.
“You all really think fast on your feet, don’t you?” said Miranda as she walked next to Dezzlin.
“You have to in this line of work,” said Dezzlin. Miranda looked at his messy side and saw the bandage hanging loosely.
“You’re a poor medic.”
“I was interrupted!” shouted an irritated Dezzlin.
“Let me fix that up for you once we put the horses away.”
Diake waited patiently where he was for Mekov. Mekov led the horse as far forward as it would go and then released the corpses. He headed back into camp and Sakien came forward with the last two.
“Think they’ll take it?” asked Diake.
“Of course,” said Sakien. “Especially with this guy.” Sakien put his foot on a bandit and there was a soft moan. Diake looked at the man concerned.
“I thought they were all dead.”
“Your girlfriend hit this one in the spine. He’ll be dead soon, but he’s still breathing for now.” Sakien looked at the scavs and waved. “Come and get it!”
Sakien heard a gasp as Diake drove his sword through the living bandit’s heart. The man twitched for a moment and then relaxed.
“What was that for?” asked Sakien.
“I’d feel wrong having a man killed that way.” Sakien sighed and they headed back to the camp. “You don’t approve?”
“I can agree with giving a man a quick death over being eaten, but he was an assassin. Where I come from if we catch an assassin alive, we tie him up and throw his ass in the water.” Diake shuddered.
“Drowning would be a horrible way to die.”
“In our waters, you’d be lucky to drown first. Our waters are infested with things with big teeth.” Sakien started to whistle as they headed back to the fire. Diake began to understand why people called northerners barbarians now. Their standards were merciless and extremely brutal.
They had to expand their camp and tack in more posts to tie the horses up. Originally, they’d had themselves and four horses. Now there were five of them and a dozen horses.
“We’re going to make a fortune at the market,” said Mekov proudly.
“And we’re going to have a shitty ride,” said Dezzlin. “Those bandits came with supplies, but they didn’t plan for as long of a trip as we did. We’re going to be running short on water before we hit the city, even on rations.”
“What about the Jobe Oasis?” asked Miranda. “We could get more water there.” Dezzlin shook his head.
“The oasis is away from the road. We’d be better off, but we’d lose two days of travel. We need to catch that caravan.”
“The one that has your friend?” asked Miranda. They all nodded. “I see. Then what do you propose?”
“Rationing water, slowing our speed a little. We’ll lose some time, but not as much as if we had to go to the oasis.”
“Am I the only one thinking we should just kill a few horses?” asked Sakien.
“No,” said Mekov quickly.
“No, but I think we’ll be better off keeping them,” said Diake. “Have you considered how you’re going to get Kira back? I mean besides killing everyone.”
“I can be…diplomatic,” said Sakien slowly.
“Yeah we can hope the slave trader has good morals when we meet him,” said Diake.
“Utin? Trust me, he doesn’t,” said Miranda.
“Now the good thing about merchants,” said Diake, “is they’re always willing to make a trade if they’re going to make a profit. Trade him say, a few horses and he’d probably let Kira go.” Sakien looked at Miranda.
“You’re the merchant girl. Would you take that trade?”
“My family never traded slaves, but I can guess the prices. Kira could fetch a good price, but a few healthy horses aren’t cheap. I think if he were persuaded that making the deal would spare him bloodshed, I’m betting Utin would take it.”
“How would we persuade them peacefully?” asked Dezzlin.
“You’re four hunters traveling with nine horses, and none of them are being treated as pack animals. You obviously killed someone out here for them. You’ll intimidate him just by arriving.”
“There we go,” said Diake. “I say we keep the horses and just redistribute everything we have among them. The lighter they are, the faster they’ll ride.”
“Speaking of going faster,” said Mekov, “I’ve been thinking. You two are obviously much faster riders than we are. Why don’t you two just ride ahead, catch the caravan, and have us catch up?”
“Now there’s a idea,” said Sakien. Diake nodded his head in agreement, but Dezzlin shook his head.
“I won’t do it. Not for a pile of gold and not even for Kira.”
“Why not?” asked Sakien.
“Remember that riktor? Or the sand devil we all hid from?” said Dezzlin worriedly. “Those things live out here too. There’s a reason people only travel in caravans and not in small groups. We’re running a risk with just the four of us.”
“Five,” corrected Miranda.
“We had five against the riktor,” said Dezzlin. “It almost ended in disaster. We came out on top without any significant injuries, but if we were unlucky we could’ve all been killed. No, we stay together.”
Sakien bit his lip, but he couldn’t argue with Dezzlin’s logic. The riktor was no pushover, and he didn’t even want to imagine what fighting that sand devil would’ve been like. Going as one would be much better.
“We’ll leave at dawn and get as much time in as we can.”
“Can the princess rise at dawn?” laughed Mekov.
“I’ve been in a merchant family all my life,” snarled Miranda. “I can travel at any time and sleep anywhere.”
“Which brings us back to why you’re here,” said Sakien. “Why is that again?”
“I told you,” said Miranda, “I’ve been looking to get out of town. Diake and you three were my best shot to move on.” She put her hands out to the fire and smiled. “I just didn’t expect you all to get evicted so fast. You kind of left without me.”
“You invited her?” Mekov asked Diake.
“No. She just followed.”
“This group loves strays,” laughed Mekov.
“Why couldn’t you get out of town?” asked Dezzlin. “You’re a merchant girl. You could go anywhere better than most.”
Miranda sighed and looked at Dezzlin. “You have a lot of knowledge of the region, but you haven’t been keeping up on the news, have you? Where are you from? Judging by your clothes, I’d say you’re from the capitol city Omagadesh itself. Considering your knowledge and wealth, you probably have something to do with one of the noble families?”
“Good guess,” admitted Dezzlin.
“In some kind of trouble too? Most of you high society people don’t become hunters.”
“I wanted to become a hunter,” said Dezzlin proudly. “Now what have I missed since I’ve been out?”
“My father may have been a great merchant, but apparently, not an honorable one. He was found to be cheating all the other merchants and even the king.”
“That can’t be good for your health,” said Mekov.
“No, hence why I don’t have a father anymore,” said Miranda. “My mother died years before, thank the gods, or otherwise this would’ve broken her heart. My sisters were already married off, and they broke all ties with dear old dad. Which left just me to inherit his small fortune and fame.” Miranda sat back from the fire as the heat became too much.
“So that’s my story. My dad was a thief, and I got to inherit the title. Nobody in the town trusted me and nobody will. No man will look at me, and no business will have me. I couldn’t even book passage to Agnoth to get on a ship. I’ve been stranded in a town which despises me.”
“Until you found a hunter who knew nothing about you,” said Diake.
“Yes,” said Miranda with a grin. “A big strong hunter who wouldn’t judge me. Just the kind of man I needed to whisk me away.”
“I can’t tell whether she likes you or is using you,” said Dezzlin.
“It’s all the same to a woman,” said Miranda playfully, “trust me dear.” They all laughed and relaxed around the fire.
“I say we keep her,” said Sakien. “She knows the merchant game better than any of us. Plus I doubt those bags on her horses are filled with just clothing.”
“Does everyone know you by sight?” asked Dezzlin.
“Not at all,” laughed Miranda. “They just knew I was stuck in that town. If we need to talk to other merchants, I’ll just use his name.” Miranda played her fingers on Diake’s shoulder. “Smart merchant with a powerful hunter for a husband. Oh, they’ll listen to me,” she purred.
“And I thought she was just scary with the crossbow,” whispered Mekov.
“I like her too,” said Sakien.
“Glad to hear I’m accepted,” said Miranda. “I’ll help you once we get to the port city. Who knows, maybe I’ll follow you around for a bit depending on my luck.”
“You’re definitely accepted,” said Diake as he put an arm around Miranda. She smiled slyly, thinking again how easy it was to get men to think without their brains. She’d rather shove his arm off, but she was in the wild with four hunters, two of them crazy barbarians. Miranda needed to stay useful in their eyes if she intended to reach her goals. And if that meant some oaf leaning on her a bit, that was fine by her.