Day 20

Josephine Jujitsu was up before the birds. She got food and made them eat it on the road to find Chris.

“It’s snowing and there is no light!” Rosaleighm complained.

Joe ignored her as the troop moved through the night. The horses clip clopped down the cobble streets of the serine town. The lanterns were all burnt out giving no more light to the traveling party. The stars above were blocked out by the clouds that offered only more snow. The journey ahead looked bleak, no sure direction, only rumors of a man fitting Chris’s description.

It was a chance, and for Rosaleighm that was not a good reason to get out of bed before first light.

But for Joe a chance was a light, a path to walk on, and if it turned out to be a dead end then it was one path she would know didn’t lead to Chris. She was willing to march the whole world until she found him. She had settled within herself that answers were not needed. Only equality in death.

Joe’s troop walked out onto the dusty road leading away from the pretty town. Hills of white snow lined the country side, the bits of green that showed through looked frozen and unwell. The wind outside the town was unstopped. It blew right through them and settled in their bones, making itself a cold home. But Joe marched on.

The day was ending when they reached the next town. A small dust path led to a well for water. There were about ten houses all together.

“Where can we buy food and sleep for the night?” Joe asked.

Rosaleighm asked and they seemed scared when they told her there was no place for them nor any food.

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“Why?” Joe asked.

“Our barns have been raided and our inn was burnt to the ground.”

“Let us sleep in a barn and we will buy food from you.” Joe said.

“We have nothing to spare.” They told her.

“Who raided your barns?” Joe asked.

The description of the leader match that of Chris.

Joe’s men were hungry and they wanted food. Even if it meant taking it by force. But Joe would not allow it. She insisted that no one was to take anything that was not freely sold to them. This was an unpopular decision.

They let Joe and her men sleep in a barn. Joe chewed on the barely stalks that were left on the floor.

Rosaleighm went to find out where the next town was. She liked sleeping in a bed and eating nice food.

“The next town is only two hours walk on horses. Let’s go there.” Rosaleighm insisted.

So, Joe agreed and they all packed up and walked to the next town. As they approached smoke rose up from the town. They could hear voices and screaming.

They slowly walked into town, hands on their weapons. But their timing was bad.

An arrow flew past Joe’s face. She looked at the burning houses and the women and children screaming at the windows. Men ran in the streets and were cut down by others. Joe looked at the chaos with no interest of getting involved until she saw a blond woman at the window. She was trying to climb out of the burning building. Her long hair and build reminder Joe of Natrica.

“Protect the women and children.” Joe ordered.

“What?” Rosaleighm exclaimed.

“You heard me. Save them all. Once they are safe, we will hunt the people who did this.” Joe said.

“An army marches on its stomach.” Rosaleighm moaned.

Joe, put Rosaleighm on the ground.

“Do as I have said.” her stern tone was not to be argued with.

Then she ran into the square and into the first house. She kicked down the door letting the people out. She pulled the barricade away from another door so the people could get out. She threw a rope up to the window for the blond to get down safely.

Joe saw Chris. Chris saw Joe.

Chris kicked his horse and rode away. Joe wanted to run after him but saving the people is what Natrica would have asked her to do. So, she saved as many people as she could.

Chris’ men rode after him.

The town burnt and men carried water trying to save as much as possible.

Once the fires were out an old man with a walking stick came over.

“We have little, but you can have whatever you want. Thank you for saving us.” He extended his gratitude.

“We need food and water and somewhere to sleep.” Joe replied.

The people brought out food, fresh fruit, bread, and cooked meals.

They kept thanking them over and over.

“Did you know that if we helped them, they would give us food?” Rosaleighm asked Joe.

“No, I didn’t, I know that Natrica would want to help them and so I helped them.” Joe answered.

“I think I learnt something.” Rosaleighm said, “I have to be kind first.”

Joe smiled “It looks that way.”