Seth held Gloria until they could no longer hear the horses. As soon as the horses were out of earshot, Seth became acutely aware of how close he was to Gloria. He felt his face grow warm. He’d never been this close to a woman before. What was he supposed to do? He had no clue!
Gloria cleared her throat and Seth quickly let go. “Sorry!” He said.
Gloria spun around and looked Seth in the eye. “I thought you were a locksmith!”
Seth stammered for a moment. “I am.” Seth answered when he regained his voice. “I was also a wizard’s apprentice. That’s where I learned my magic.”
“Is that why you’re being hunted?”
Seth chuckled and shook his head. “No, it’s not. What I can say is that if it weren’t for my master, Naboth, I wouldn’t be alive right now.” Seth sighed. “I miss him…he was like a second father to me.”
Seth looked up at the graying sky. He grimaced and looked back at Gloria. “We should get moving, especially if it’s going to snow.”
Gloria shivered. “I think I’ll put on another layer.” She pulled a dress out of her bag and tried to pull it over her head. Gloria grunted. “These dresses were not made for layering.”
“Need any help?”
“No, I’ve got it.” She grunted again. “Ha!” She said. “There we go!” Gloria pulled a rough brown dress overtop her blue dress. It felt silly to Seth to think it, but he found himself missing the blue dress.
Seth slung his bag over his shoulder and handed Gloria hers. “Ready?”
Gloria slung her bag over her shoulder and tied Seth’s blanket around her neck. “Now I am.”
Seth peeked over the grass. He couldn’t see anyone coming from the west. For now, at least. He reminded himself. Turning to the east, Seth could see two faint specks on the horizon. He wondered how long it’d be before they decided that they had followed the wrong path and they needed to turn around.
Gloria stepped up beside him. “What are you thinking?”
“The road’s not safe,” Seth muttered, mostly to himself. Then he blinked and looked back to Gloria, “Sorry, I’m not used to having another person with me. The road isn’t safe. Those assassins could turn around at any moment and anyone could come along the road from Northhorn. Best path is to travel through the grass.”
“I can make a path for us,” Gloria said stretching out her hand and focusing.
Seth watched the wilted grass sluggishly move aside, but a clear path formed before them. Seth glanced at Gloria; she was out of breath. she sighed and wiped her hands on her dress.
“You okay?” Seth asked.
Gloria smiled, “yep. Just requires a bit more effort.” Gloria stepped onto the path. “Come on now, before the snow comes.”
Seth shifted his bag and followed her. “So,” Seth began as he moved up beside Gloria. “Are you going to tell me any more about yourself?”
Another patch of grass moved aside, and Gloria gave a little chuckle. “Nope.”
“But I told you I was a wizard’s apprentice!”
Gloria looked over her shoulder. “My exact wording was ‘when you tell me your past, I will tell you mine.’ You didn’t tell me that you were a wizard’s apprentice, that assassin did. You merely confirmed it.”
Seth halted. “What?” He cried. “That’s not fair!”
Gloria giggled. She looked over her shoulder at Seth and gave a little shrug. “That was the deal and you agreed to it.” She turned back and stepped forward, the grass continuing to part before her.
Seth stared after Gloria. You sneaky little… He let the thought drift off. Despite feeling cheated, Seth couldn’t help but smile a little. The mystery intrigued him. His face fell though. But how much of my own should I share? I can’t let my guard down. He glanced up at her beautiful long red curls. Seth felt his face growing red and looked away. I really can’t let my guard down.
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It was early afternoon when the snow came. It was a flurry or two at first, but then a steady flow of flakes drifted down from the dark grey sky. Gloria shivered violently and pulled the blanket closer around her. The extra dress and blanket did little to keep her warm.
Gloria reached her hand out again and focused on the grass. The snow and quickly freezing ground made it hard to sense the roots. Please move aside for me.
The grass groaned. It was so cold.
Please grass. Gloria pleaded. We must remain hidden. Please move aside, just one more time. Gloria reached out again and tried to coax the grass.
She wobbled and panted. Gloria’s heart pounded. It was so cold, and she was running out of energy. Gloria steadied herself and took a deep breath. She summoned up the dregs of her energy and poured it into the spell.
The grass woke slightly and tried to move, but the hardened ground trapped the roots down. The grass tugged and tried to break free, but the ground was too firm. The grass snapped back, and the spell dissipated. Then Gloria collapsed.
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Seth saw Gloria crumple to her knees. “Gloria!” Seth crunched over the deepening snow and knelt beside her.
Gloria looked up at Seth. “I’m sorry,” she said, “I tried, but the grass won’t move…” Gloria’s teeth chattered. Her face was pale from exhaustion, but her cheeks were red from the biting cold.
She looked down at the snow. “Please don’t be upset,” Gloria mumbled. “I’m sorry, I tried…I’m sorry…” Gloria’s apologies trailed off as she leaned on Seth. “I’m so tired…”
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
Seth was getting worried. He grabbed Gloria’s shoulder and shook her gently. “Hey! Stay with me! Can you walk?” He asked.
Gloria blearily looked up at Seth. “Can we take a quick break? I’m so tired.”
I need to do something! Seth thought. At this rate Gloria will freeze to death. He looked around him: he had no wood, no shelter, and nothing warmer than his own shirts. Shirts! An idea sprang to Seth’s mind. He opened his bag and whipped out a few shirts.
“Gloria put these on.” Seth handed her the shirts.
Gloria tried to take one, but she fumbled it. The shirt dropped in the snow. She tried to pick it up but couldn’t. “Seth, I can’t.” Gloria’s voice quivered.
Seth scooped up the shirt. “It’s alright, I’ll help.” Seth helped her put it on and helped slide on the second shirt. Seth took the third shirt and put it over her head, poking her face through the neck hole. “That should keep your head a little warm.” He said.
Gloria stopped shivering and was now wobbling severely on her knees. Seth looked around him again, trying to figure out what to do. Gloria needed shelter. The grass is a terrible place, he thought. There’s no wind breakage and I have no idea how far the next town is…
Then the soothing demonic voice crept into Seth’s mind. I told you that things were much different from last time, didn’t I?
Seth tried to ignore her and continued to scan around him. There! He spied a black square on the horizon. A building! Probably a farmer. Seth thought.
Are you sure you want to take that chance? The icy woman said, putting her chin in her hands. Perhaps your would-be assassins offered them gold for any knowledge of you they happen across. You could be playing right into their trap.
Seth sat on his haunches and took Gloria’s hands. “Hey, are you still with me?” Gloria slowly looked up; her eyes were glassy. I need to hurry and get her warm.
Is this girl really worth risking your life over? The woman asked. She’s so close to freezing anyway. Leave her; She will only slow you down. You never wanted her to come with you anyway.
Seth mentally whirled on the ice woman. Shut up! I may not be the bravest man, but I as sure as hell am not going to leave her to die in the snow!
Seth took Gloria’s hands, wrapped them around his neck and lifted her on to his back. “Can you hold on to me, Gloria?” Gloria groaned. Her grip was weak, but she tried to hold on. Good! She’s still with me. Seth thought.
He looked at the grass, then the road. Either way would leave a trail now. Seth gritted his teeth and started to push through the grass. Stalks bent and snapped. Looking back, you could see where someone had blazed a path. But it’s still safer than the road. Seth thought and continued on his way.
The wind picked up and blew snow in Seth’s face. He felt Gloria curl slightly. Her breathing was shallow and ragged.
Seth looked out on the horizon. The building was getting closer. From here he could see it that was a farmhouse and a barn. The grass was going to slow him down. Seth glanced at the road. Was it worth the risk to speed up his journey?
“Seth…” Gloria mumbled.
“What is it?” Seth glanced back.
Gloria mumbled something unintelligible, and her head dropped onto Seth’s shoulder. That decided it for him. Seth turned from the grass and raced to the road. Damn the risks. He thought. If it would get Gloria to safety faster, then that’s what mattered. Hang on, Gloria. Seth thought storming through the snow. I’m going to get you there.
Despite the snow, the road was significantly faster than plowing through the grass. Seth panted under Gloria’s increasing weight. He paused for a moment to catch his breath, that’s when he heard it. Hooves galloping through the snow.
Seth looked up and saw two riders racing down the road. The assassins! Seth’s heart stopped for a moment. He had no time to hide!
The ice woman whispered in his ear. This is your last chance. Leave her and you’ll be able to escape. We both know that running comes naturally to you.
Seth’s eyes drifted to the grass and the mountains. It would be easier. He thought. No one else to worry about, just him. Temptation gnawed at him. Then he shook his head. No! What was he thinking?
Seth gritted his teeth. “Get out of my head!” He growled.
The ice woman laughed. That’s not how this works my child, but you do need to make a choice and I should tell you that I do not offer my boon twice.
Gloria groaned and mumbled. “Seth…”
A spark of courage flickered within him. Seth shifted Gloria better on his back. “I’m not leaving her,” he said to the ice woman.
The ice woman’s eyes narrowed. You are stronger than I thought. Then she vanished.
Two riders approached Seth. The horses neighed as their riders reigned them in. Seth took a step back and tried not to look nervous. The man was heavily scarred and had a long black braided beard. He wore chain mail and had a long sword strapped onto his back. The woman was heavily tattooed, her hair was brown and cropped short. She wore flexible leather armor and had a short bow resting on her lap.
“Ho there, traveler!” The male assassin called.
Seth nodded. “Ho there,” he answered. Strategies and plans raced through his mind. There was no way he was going to be able to win a direct confrontation.
“Where are you headed?” The male assassin asked.
“Home,” Seth lied. “My friend needs shelter.” Seth gestured to the farmhouse.
The assassins shared a glance. “That’s an interesting accent you have there.” The female assassin said. “We’ve spoken to quite a few folks around here and no one has a voice quite like yours. It reminds me of home. Where are you from?”
“My parents moved here when I was a kid,” Seth maintained eye contact with the female assassin. “Now, please, my friend here needs shelter.” Seth took a step forward. Maybe if he showed confidence that he belonged here, they would let him pass.
“Interesting,” the female assassin said putting a hand to her chin. “Because Autumnport is a long way from here, wouldn’t you agree, Mr. Smith?”
Seth froze. Damn it! There’s no lying out of this.
The female assassin smirked. “Who’s your friend?” She asked.
Seth took a slow step back. “No one of consequence to Lord Ember. She’s not a threat to him. She doesn’t need to be involved.”
The male assassin drew his long sword. “It doesn’t matter to me; I’ll get paid either way.”
“Please!” Seth pleaded. “Let me get her to safety, then I will go with you. I’m trying to take her to that farmhouse right there.”
The assassins laughed. “And give you the chance to escape?” The female assassin said. “I don’t think so.” In a flash, she whipped out an arrow and notched it to her bow.
“Clypeus fidei!” Seth cried. A shimmering field surrounded Seth. The arrow bounced off and clattered to the ground.
Before another arrow could be notched, Seth dashed into the grass. An arrow whizzed by and landed in the ground nearby. Seth glanced back for a moment and focused on the chainmail the male assassin wore. “ardenti metallum.” He breathed. The armor glowed for a moment, then vanished. Seth cursed in his mind. Enchanted armor! That is not easy to come by.
The male assassin laughed. “You’re not the first person who’s tried to cook me in my own armor.”
Seth tried to run through the grass, but it was hard to keep Gloria on his back. Another arrow whistled past him. It was close. He had to think! What could he use? Ah! An illusion spell to confuse them! He’d have to drop his shield, but maybe this would buy him more time.
Seth dropped the shield and prepared his spell. “Speculum imaginem.” Seth panted as he tried to pull Gloria up on his back. A mirror image of himself and Gloria appeared beside him. The mirrored Seth ran in one direction, while he ran the other.
“Oh, look darling!” The female assassin called. “He’s trying to dupe us with a doppelganger. Would you like to go in and finish things up?”
“It would be my pleasure, sweetheart.” The male assassin answered. Seth heard the crunch of metal as the male assassin unmounted.
Seth heard an arrow whistle in one direction, then his connection to the mirror Seth shattered. Seth tried to push further into the grass but heard another arrow whistling towards him. It hit him in the leg.
Seth cried out and fell. Gloria tumbled off his back. Seth looked back and saw the male assassin not too far away. Seth reached for Gloria and tried to drag her away with him.
Seth’s mind raced with what to do next, when a familiar voice spoke in his mind. This has gone far enough! The ice woman said, stepping to the front of Seth’s mind. I’m taking charge now, my child.
No! He cried in his mind. You have no right to come in whenever you want! Seth tried to fight her back, but the pain from the arrow in his leg was too distracting for him to put up a fight.
Do not fear, I will handle this. The ice woman engulfed Seth and pushed him to the back of his own mind.