Chapter 5:

  The sun peeked out over the tops of the distant mountains, showering the land with golden rays that made the dew on each blade of grass sparkle like fallen diamonds. The morning air was crisp and the cold cut through Sonya’s tightly wrapped cloak as she helped pack up the campsite. They tended to travel light, so they didn’t have a whole lot. A few thick blankets for sleeping and tent-making, flint and steel, rope, various tools, a single cooking pot, and several other odds and ends. All of which they packed on their horses.

  Colt stood at the edge of what had been their camp for the night, staring off towards the Great Road. A route that ran from the Holy City of Vandara in the South to the mountains in the North that straddled the border of the neighboring nation of Baldorum and wound through most of Corvallia’s cities and towns along the way.

  Sonya loaded the last of their supplies onto her horse then walked over to join Colt. He had a smoke in between two massive fingers and was drawing from it liberally. Sonya didn’t indulge in tobacco, but she loved the smell, so she stood close by to catch a whiff.

  “Everything’s ready to go, boss.”

  Colt simply nodded, still holding his gaze to the road. He took another long pull from the rolled leaf and a large head of ash was torn off the end by a small breeze. Sonya watched as it hit the ground and rolled across the dirt. She turned and grabbed his pouch of tobacco from his belt and rolled him another. She had been doing it for him for years, so she had it done and perfectly wrapped in seconds.

  She was about to hand it to him but stuck it in her mouth instead. She motioned for him to pass her the nearly spent butt of his smoke. He gave her a questioning glance with a raised eyebrow but after little hesitation, he handed it over. Sonya lit her new cigarette with the red-hot glowing tip of the old one, starting it with a few sharp pulls, as she had seen Colt do so many times before. Colt waited and watched, a hint of amusement growing on his face.

  “What do I do now?” Sonya asked him.

  Colt didn’t reply with words. He took back the remainder of his own roll and drew in a mouthful of smoke. He flicked the dead cigarette off into the grass and inhaled what he had collected in his mouth deep down into his lungs, then let it out again in a thin, ghostly plume. Sonya mimicked most of it perfectly but when she attempted to inhale, she was thrown into a fit of violent coughing. She felt as if her lungs had collapsed and been lit on fire.

  Sonya held out the roll to Colt, still trying to catch her breath. He took it with the barest of smiles. If he had been in the mood, he would have laughed, but he was rarely in the mood anymore. It would be a long time before he was again.

  “How do you stand that?” Sonya coughed through the whole question.

  “It’s like that piss they call ale at that drink house in Keln to the West,” he said through the smoke of another exhale.

  “How so?”

  “You get used to it.”

  Sonya nodded her understanding and was about to turn to her horse when she saw figures moving along the Great Road in the distance. A line of them, moving in the direction they had come from last night. Her first experience with tobacco made her lightheaded and her limbs tingled, but she was certain she saw what she saw. Sonya took a step towards the road and focused.

  “Your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you,” Colt assured her as if reading her mind.

  “Who are they? Soldiers?”

  “Most of them.” He pointed his fingers holding the smoke at the faraway line of marching troops. “See that dozen-or-so in front on horseback?”

  Sonya had to squint, but she could make them out. “Yeah, but barely. What of them?”

  Colt suddenly looked irritated. “Open your damn eyes, woman,” he grumbled. “Look again.”

  She did, straining her eyes and trying to find some important detail. She found it and gasped. Their armor had a radiant shine and covered most of their bodies. They wore full plate mail.

  “They’re Holy Knights!” She sounded nearly terrified and had good reason to be. The Holy Knights of Corvallia were highly trained soldiers sworn to the Holy Family. Each knight was handpicked from amongst the most skilled soldiers in the Corvallian army.

  “That they are. This isn’t good.”

  “You’re telling me! We could maybe take down four or five of those bastards…but a dozen?” Sonya exclaimed, now feeling drawn towards the smoke in Colt’s hand.

  “And that’s not to mention the other two-dozen infantryman trailing behind them.” Colt pointed out.

  He took another drag of his smoke and, sensing Sonya’s anxiety, offered it to her. She eyeballed it for a second then snatched it from his grasp. She turned it over repeatedly in her fingers before taking a drag of her own. She only coughed once.

  “What do you suppose they’re doing all the way out here?”

  Colt seemed angry with her this time. “You’re not fucking stupid,” he growled at her. “Think for yourself instead of asking the questions of an idiot.” He tried to grab his smoke back, but she pulled it from his reach.

  “You’re not getting this back now.” There was no sarcasm. “Roll your own, asshole.” She took another puff without a single cough.

  Colt sighed but moved on. He pointed to the line of troops again. “Can you see what they have with them?”

  Sonya squinted through the curls rising from her smoke. She could barely make out two wagons. One was a skeletal shell of sorts. “It’s a cage…” She sounded like someone who had just reached some dark realization. “They’re looking for us.”

  Colt only nodded. He had already rolled himself another smoke and extended a hand to request a light. Sonya obliged.

  They silently observed the large group as they trudged down the Great Road, the sun reflecting off their armor in all directions. Their passage kicked up clouds of dust from the mighty dirt road. Sonya could imagine the rattling and clanking their plate and chain mail must be making but they were much too far off to hear a single sound.

  “If they stay on course…” Colt started, but let his words die. He remained as stoic as ever.

  “They’ll continue North past Keln, cross the bridge of Oshra, and enter Lela,” Sonya finished.

  “Yes, but something tells me they won’t.” He raised a hand to point at the soldiers again. “Those ground troops aren’t prepared for a march that long. They’d all have horses otherwise.” He took a long drag and exhaled through his nose. “Their destination is nearby. I’d bet on it.”

  Sonya’s eyes grew wide with realization. The Knights of Corvallia were going to take the Eastern Road. She knew it. “They’re going to Yalum…” She almost whispered it.

  “That they are.”

  “But…you left the hairpin there. The only thing connecting anyone to that carriage we robbed.” She was getting worked up, starting to panic. Colt just nodded without taking his eyes from the road. “The Holy Knights are devils. If they find that pin, Colt…”

  “It’s likely everyone in Yalum will die.” He said it like the matter wasn’t of concern. “But we’ll live. That’s more important right now.”

  Sonya shifted her gaze to him, completely forgetting the world around her for the moment. The sheer disgust she showed was ugly. “What did you just say?” She couldn’t believe what she had just heard.

  “Be mindful of our goal,” Colt reminded her.

  “Our goal?” She was growing furious. “Our goal is to kill soldiers, to kill knights, and to remove the assholes running this country from power! To end the corruption, to stop the killings, to help the people!” She began to shove the giant man, but to little effect. “I didn’t come all this way to watch as my actions doomed a village of innocent people! I won’t let what happened to Daro, happen to Yalum.” She threw her smoke at him, and it bounced off his shoulder and fell to the ground.

  Colt caught one of her shoves and looked down at her, almost sad. “No one in war is innocent, Sonya.”

  She stared up at him with a swarming hatred in her eyes. His eyes stared back but they were just empty, scarred, and worn orbs. They had seen too much. Sonya ripped her hands free of his grip and stormed towards her horse. “Fuck you,” she called back, poison in her voice.

  “Where are you going?” Colt asked, his voice rising slightly.

  “To do what I can,” she growled at him. “Whether you’re coming or not.”

  “I suggest you give this some thought.” He tried to remain calm. She was being stupid and reckless, and it was making his blood boil.

  Sonya mounted her horse and grabbed the reins. She offered him one last glance across the remains of their campground, then she kicked her horse into a gallop. Colt just stood there and watched her ride off.

  “Stupid fucking girl,” he said under his breath. “But you’re my stupid fucking girl.” He straddled his horse and rode off after her. Possibly to his death.

  The thought made him grin.

. . .

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  When Thomas approached the door of the general store this time, he did so with complete confidence. Up the porch steps he went and through the door. Mr. Westler was manning the counter and threw Thomas a smile when he saw him stroll in.

  “Thomas! Good to see you, lad!” He stepped around the counter and gave Thomas a hug.

  “Afternoon, Don.” Thomas had a smile on that stretched from ear to ear. Every day since Aimee’s birthday, he had worn such a smile. He heard a commotion above him as someone knocked something over, scurried about, and then ran across the room upstairs. “I take it your daughter is on her way down?” Thomas chuckled.

  “Yes, yes! I’m coming!” Aimee called as she ran down the flight of stairs. When she reached the landing at the bottom she leaped through the air into Thomas’s arms. He caught her with ease, both laughing, twirling, and kissing.

  Mr. Westler cleared his throat and they both stopped and released one another, remembering he was there. He smiled a gentle smile though. “It’s so nice to finally see you two together.” He stepped forward and gave them both a hug. “Honestly, I was thinking I’d pass and reach Ovaro’s Sacred Land before you two made anything of this,” He laughed.

  “Actually, we would like to thank you, father, for all the pushing and teasing you’ve done. It’s honestly helped a great deal.”

  Don was a little surprised. “Well, well. Aren’t I a lucky man? It often takes years for children to appreciate the efforts of their parents. Your mother would be very proud.”

  Aimee only smiled at the last bit, still uncomfortable at her mother’s mention. Thomas grabbed her hand and squeezed it lovingly.

  “We really can’t thank you enough, Don. What you’ve helped give us is too precious.” Thomas’s words just about brought a tear to Mr. Westler’s eyes.

  Don placed his hands squarely on the man’s shoulder and looked at him through his old, worn glasses. “Thomas, you are a wonderful man. I wouldn’t want my sweet daughter in the arms of anyone else.” He gently squeezed. “Do me a favor, lad.”

  “Yes, sir. Anything.” Thomas promised.

  Don pointed a finger at his daughter as he spoke. “You marry this woman.” A glint shone in his stare. “And give me grandchildren before I die an old, lonely man.”

  At this, Aimee covered her face in her hands and blushed with embarrassment. “Father!”

  Aimee’s father had expected Thomas’s usual bashfulness. So did Aimee, but to the surprise of them both though, Thomas stood up tall and determined.

  “I will, Don. You have my word.” Although he thought it too rushed to engage just yet, Thomas knew it to be the proper thing, seeing as how there already might be a birth on the way. Their morning pleasure might have seen to that, but only time would tell.

  “Good, lad, good,” Don said happily as he slapped one of Thomas’s shoulders. He gave him a full, tight hug. “Welcome to the family, my boy. Honestly, it certainly took long enough.”

  “It’s an honor, sir.” By now Aimee was attempting to drag Thomas out of the shop, pulling on his sleeve to coax him to leave with her. It worked. He began to move and said goodbye to Don as he stumbled through the door.

  “What was that back there?” Aimee asked, flushed.

  “What do you mean?” He dropped her a wink.

  “Don’t you play games with me, Mr.” She tried to sound serious, but she couldn’t pull it off with him.

  Thomas ignored her completely. “Do you know how stunning you look today?” He pulled her into his arms.

  She did, actually. She wore a light pink dress that was tight around the waist. Her hair was done in that long, elaborate braid she fancied, and that Thomas loved so much. Aimee’s goal today was to be Thomas’s center of attention. She knew she didn’t have to even try, but she wanted to put in the effort. The fact Thomas had attempted to change the subject was something she’d let slide, for now. She wanted to revisit this matter later. It interested her far too much.

  Aimee Pruel. She let the new name roll about in her mind, the nice ring of it forcing a grin to come through. While she was somewhat afraid to rush into marriage, she had known Thomas most of her life and had been in love with the man for half that. Once she thought about it that way, it wasn’t all that scary.

  A swift peck on the lips pulled Aimee from her thoughts. She readjusted her unfocused eyes and brought her full attention to her lover’s handsome face. She grabbed his head and kissed him deeply.

  “I love you, Thomas Pruel.” The words came so naturally, as if she was born to say them.

  Thomas wrapped his arms around her and gently pulled her against himself. “I love you, too, Aimee Westler.”

  Hearing her last name almost made her a little sad. She suppressed the feeling though and smiled anyway. Hopefully, it won’t be too long until it’s official, she thought. Not that she didn’t like her last name, she loved it. She just loved this man infinitely more and couldn’t wait to have his name. Breaking her own daydream, Aimee grabbed Thomas’s arm and broke out into a run, dragging him along.

  “Whoa! Slow down, Aimee. Where are we going?” He asked as he stumbled after.

  “I want to go sit under that tree again.”

  “Alright then, let me help.” He scooped her up in his arms and, once again, Aimee gasped as he did so.

  Aimee hugged him tight and buried her face in his chest as he carried her through town. She grew relaxed, listening to his heartbeat, smelling his smells, feeling each muscle against her body as they worked, and his every breath across the top of her head. She could fall asleep so easily like this, and she soon did. Her breathing grew soft and steady as she drifted.

  By the time she opened her eyes again, they were already underneath the mighty tree on the hill. A gentle breeze played with a few loose strands of Aimee’s hair, tickling her face. She was curled up in Thomas’s lap, his back once again resting against the tree’s trunk.

  “You passed out for a short time,” he said sweetly.

  “Yes, I noticed. I’m sorry.” She was a little embarrassed and tried to avoid his gaze. He laughed and kissed the top of her head.

  “No, no. It’s alright. Seeing you so at ease was something special. I enjoyed every minute of it.”

  Aimee grabbed his hand, locked her fingers in his, and kissed his knuckles. “I want every day to be like this. Forever. No deviations. This is my ideal life and I refuse to have it any other way.” It was said with such totality. “I’ll move mountains to make it happen.”

  “Well, that settles it,” he said, urging her to her feet. “Stand up.”

  Aimee was confused. What are you up to? She asked inwardly. Her confusion melted away and a jolt of adrenaline shot through her as Thomas knelt before her, taking her hand. Aimee’s pounding heart became so violent she could feel it in her chest. Tears started to well up in her eyes and she had to wipe them away with a palm to see, but they kept coming.

  “Aimee Marie Westler,” Thomas started. He paused a moment to take in her beauty. To Thomas, he knelt before an angel, and while he spoke with confidence, he couldn’t help but feel choked up. “Will you do me the honor of marrying me?”

  At that moment, her tears came streaming forth and rolled down the sides of her face. Aimee covered her mouth and let out a few happy sobs. She looked down at Thomas, her hand trembling in his, and nodded. Then she fell to her knees and collapsed into his waiting arms. There she cried as she pressed her face into the side of his neck. They stayed there a while, rocking gently from side to side until Thomas pushed her away and looked into her wet eyes. They were red and puffy, and her lower lip couldn’t help but quiver.

  “I’m sorry, I don’t have a ring for you yet. In time, I promise.”

  Aimee laughed through her tears. “Thomas, you’re always such a silly man. You’ve already gotten me something more precious than any ring.” She reached into a small pocket sewn into the waist of her dress and produced the gold and silver hairpin. “I didn’t have time to put it on before you arrived.” She placed it in his open hand. “Will you put it on me?”

  Thomas smiled. “Gladly, dear.” The sound of the pet name almost made Aimee cry all over again. He clipped the pin in her hair. It shone brilliantly, casting off marvelous beams of light from its fine polish. It almost made the woman glow more than she already did. Thomas was awestruck.

  Aimee flung herself at the man and they both fell over into the soft grass, rolling over one another. Aimee ended up on top after the tumble and looked down at her love, trying not to cry again. She couldn’t help it though, and fresh tears fell from her eyes. They both cried as they enjoyed the warmth and tingle of each other’s lips over and over again, holding one another so tightly it almost hurt. They didn’t want to stop. There wasn’t such a thing as enough when it came to this feeling.

  They settled soon enough, Aimee resting atop her fiancée, her face on his chest. Thomas stroked her back and took in the beautiful sight of golden rays of sunshine piercing the canopy of the tree, backed by a clear blue sky.

  “In case you were wondering,” Thomas said, “your father had no part in this. I had already planned on proposing today.”

  Aimee nodded against his chest. “I know. I had a feeling.”

  “I wonder what my mother will say.”

  “Probably ask for grandchildren, like my father,” Aimee said. They both laughed. Aimee pushed herself up on her palms and hovered over him, drowning in his blue eyes. She nibbled her lower lip a little.

  “Have you noticed there’s a lot of silent staring between us?” Thomas questioned.

  “I hope that’s not a problem.”

  “Not at all. I actually enjoy it,” he said with a little chuckle.

  Aimee kissed him on the nose and stood up. “Come on.”

  “Where are we going?” He asked, sitting up on his elbows.

  “To go tell your mother, of course.” As if it were obvious.

  “I wonder if you know just how nervous I am about that.”

  “Honestly, I’m not surprised.” Aimee gave him a smirk. “But it’s happening, sweetheart.” She offered a hand to help him up.

  “Yes, dear,” he sighed as he took her hand.

  They left the shade of the tree and walked hand in hand down the hill and back to the road just as a figure on horseback came into view.

  “I wonder who that could be in such a hurry,” Aimee said, watching as the horse kicked up great clouds of dust.

  The rider passed by, then turned in a wide arc back towards the couple. Aimee’s curiosity reached new heights. The person was cloaked with their hood drawn up, hiding their features. After coming up on the two, the rider pulled back on the reins and stopped the horse, the beast stamping uneasily about from hoof to hoof.

  Thomas instinctively stepped in front of Aimee, protecting her. “Can we help you?” He asked. “What business do you have with us?”

  “My business is with her, Thomas.” The stranger pointed at the woman. “Not with you.”

  Though Thomas held fast, maintaining his composure, he was still confused. Not only did the stranger know his name but it was the voice of a woman, something he hadn’t expected.

  Aimee bravely skirted around Thomas to face the woman atop the horse. “What do you want from me and how do you know my fiancée?” She stood proud and resolute.

  The riders’ eyes visibly widened within the darkness of her hood. She looked to the man, then back to the woman. Fiancée? The stranger thought. She pulled back her hood. Sonya looked down at the two from her horse. “I see now why you could only afford your name and your gratitude, Thomas.” She turned to Aimee. “Honest men are becoming scarce. You’re a lucky woman.” The compliment did little to wipe the confusion from Aimee’s face.

  “What is this about?” Asked Thomas.

  Sonya pointed to the hairpin shining brilliantly in the sunlight. “It’s about that. What luck I must have to come across it so quickly.” Her face grew hard, almost grim. “And it’s about your lives as well. We don’t have much time.” Her sassy nature was replaced by a seriousness she rarely showed.

  The couple looked to one another, exchanging a mixed look of bewilderment and anxiety. “What do you mean?” asked Aimee.

  Sonya only shook her head. “No time for a discussion.” She held out an open hand. “Give it to me, and I do mean now.”

  Thomas’s muscles tensed and he took a step forward. “You can’t have it.” His hands were clenched into fists.

  “I didn’t take you for an idiot.” Sonya drew her blade from the back of her waist and leveled the tip at Thomas’s face, the edge caught the sun and shone brightly. “Fool or not, you don’t have a choice.” She didn’t have time for humor or her usual quips. This moment demanded action.