by Janet Durbin
Joseph rose to his feet, and with a determined stride, walked into the main area of the store. The twins set their plates down and followed. Drizzle, who watched with interest as the scene unfolded, padded after the trio. The fair-haired man stood in the middle of the room with his hands on his hips, surveying the contents of the store, his weariness forgotten.
"We'll need all the foodstuff and extra supplies we can carry. Weapons are in order too. You both have your swords. I need mine."
He went to the counter and reached behind it. A long object wrapped in cloth appeared. They watched as Joseph pulled a beautiful double-edged sword free from its worn scabbard. The handle was shaped like the upper body a boar.
"Long ago, my ancestors bragged about our ability to stand against any adversary, just like the wild boar. Swords were made to show off our pride. Over time, we grew placid and weak.” Joseph paused for a second; a look of sadness swept across his face. He shook it off. “This one belonged to my father."
He slid the weapon into its holder and placed it on his back with the handle in easy reach. “Go through the stuff here and pack up whatever we can use. I'll go to the bar and fill some pouches with ale. I don't know about you two; right now, I want something other than water to drink.” Joseph picked up several watertight pouches and went out the door before any objections were raised.
Drizzle followed close behind. He stopped, and said, “I'll make sure he's okay,” and disappeared through the exit.
"Now I know Joseph's made a new friend.” Shyanne shook her head, wondering what it was about the fair-haired man that drew the feline so.
"Sounds like somebody else I know."
"You!” She punched Drayco on the arm. Her stern look turned into a grin at the hurt, pathetic look that appeared on his face. He grinned back.
The twins went through the entire store and put everything they felt they needed into packs. It took a while to go through it all. The store wasn't huge, but it had a lot of stuff crammed into every nook and cranny. Night covered everything with its darkness and three packs were ready when Joseph and Drizzle finally returned with the filled pouches.
"I was about to come looking for you to make sure you hadn't gotten into any trouble,” Drayco said as he walked over.
"Thanks, Drayco. I needed to spend some time by myself.” Joseph's words were thick with exhaustion.
"I understand. I would feel the same way if I were in your shoes.” The dark twin slapped Joseph on the shoulder, then turned him toward the bags that rested against a wall. “I put some clothes and things in a pack for you. That way, when we're ready to go, we won't have so much to do."
Shyanne was cooking dinner and listened in on the conversation between the two men. She was glad Joseph was coming with them. She felt he would make a great addition to their little troupe. Her logical excuse for wanting him along was that one could never have too many good swords available. Drizzle flopped down on the floor next to her. She bent over and scratched him behind his ear.
"Silly old cat. You really like him, don't you?” Drizzle arched his neck into her hand and emitted a never-ending rumble from deep in his throat.
"He sure is a great cat.” Joseph came over and gave Drizzle a rub on the head between the ears. Their hands brushed against each other in the process. Shyanne felt a rush of energy surge through her body. She pulled her hand back, stood up, and turned away from the man still petting the cat. She did not want him to see how his touch had affected her.
"Dinner will be ready soon. I better not let anything burn."
Joseph stood and looked over her shoulder at the pans on the stove. “I bet you're a fine cook. My mother would have been proud."
He grew quiet after he realized what he had said and walked to the stool near the cot. He sat down with a weary sigh. Drayco watched the brief encounter while he finalized everything.
"Joseph, Shyanne, I think we should leave in the morning.” He looked at the fair-haired man and continued, “You seem stronger than you were earlier. I know it's only been a day since we found you, but I think you'll be able to handle the journey as long as we take it slow and easy. You can ride on Bravaro. I'll walk alongside."
"Nonsense.” Shyanne turned and wagged a finger at her brother. “That bay's a big horse. He can easily carry the two of you. He carried that burly fat man, didn't he?"
Drayco snickered. “Once again, little sis, you are right. I just didn't want to tire him."
"We'll be at a walking pace. He'll be fine."
"I can see this trip will be full of entertainment.” Joseph turned to Drizzle. “Do you have anything to add to this conversation?"
"I've learned to stay out of any argument she gets into. I can never win—nor can anyone she argues with."
"Drizzle!” Shyanne's mouth hung open in disbelief.
Joseph and Drayco laughed. They quieted down when she focused her attention on them.
"If you two don't stop, there will be no dinner for you! And as for you—you bullheaded cat—I will hear no more about arguments!"
The smell of something burning hit her nose; she spun around toward the stove. “Now look at what you guys have done. You caused part of the meat to burn!” She jerked the pan off the stove and flipped the contents onto a plate as quickly as possible. The men couldn't help themselves; they burst out laughing again.
"Just for that, you two get the burnt ones.” She shook the wooden spatula at them to emphasize her point.
Drayco walked over to his sister, put his arms around her waist, and said, “I love you, little sis.” He snuggled his chin into her neck and hugged her tight.
"That won't help you any, mister."
The dark man started to tickle her sides. Shyanne squealed and tried to get away, but he had a firm hold on her. Joseph stayed out of the way. He was too tired to participate. He leaned back against a wall and watched the antics of the twins with a faint smile. By the time Drayco let go, Shyanne's face was beet red and she had tears running down her cheeks from laughing so much.
"All right! All right! I give!” She pushed away from her brother once he opened his arms and returned her attention to the stove. “Let's eat before this slaved over food gets cold."
Drizzle got up before the first bite passed into their mouths. “I'm going to check out the area and make sure we don't have company. I'll return by morning.” He padded through the door.
The three devoured the meal of warm bread, partially burnt meat, and corn on the cob. This time Joseph ate all the food covering his plate. Afterward, they cleaned up and put away the dishes. Drayco made sure the horses were doing all right before settling down for the night with the others.
"I don't know about you guys,” Shyanne said with a yawn, extending her arms outward in a stretch. “But I'm exhausted."
"We all are. It's been a busy day so let's get some sleep.” Drayco yawned loudly. “We have a long ride ahead of us tomorrow.” Joseph's only response was a yawn.
Soon, the only sound throughout the room was snoring.
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Chapter Nine
The twins woke the next morning to sunshine glaring in their eyes through a window located in the back of the room. Drayco stretched his limbs as far as they would go before relaxing. Shyanne was covered from head to toe by her blanket. Only her messy braid showed she existed. The cot where Joseph slept had the covers pulled up also. No sound came from it.
Drayco sat up. “Wake up, sleepy heads, time to rise and shine!"
Shyanne peered out from under her blanket. “I'm up, I'm up. Don't shout anymore.” She flipped it back over her head.
"Joseph, how are you doing over there?” No reply. “Joseph?"
"Joseph? Are you okay?” Shyanne, now fully awake, rolled onto her feet and went over to the cot. She pulled the covers off in one fluid motion. Pillows lay underneath, arranged in such a way as to make it look like someone was still in the bed. It was the oldest trick in the book, and they'd fallen for
it.
"He's not here."
Drayco was beside the cot in seconds. “That fool!"
"What? What's he done?"
He wasn't listening. A quick glance around the room showed him one of the packs was gone. He bolted through the building toward the back door, toward the temporary stables. Only one horse was inside. Bravaro was gone.
"Drayco! Get back here, there's a note!"
The dark man returned quickly. His sister stood holding a piece of paper. He watched as a wave of emotions flashed across her face. “What does it say?"
She read it aloud:
"Drayco, Shyanne, I'm sorry for leaving the way I did. I know you both will be mad at me, but I couldn't let those things get away with what they did to my people, my town, and my family. Drizzle returned while I was getting ready and decided to travel with me. By the time you find this note, you will know that the bay horse is gone. I promise to look after them both and keep them safe. I hope one day you will be able to forgive me. Thanks for saving me and being my friends. Joseph."
"I should have known something was up when he gave in so easily,” Drayco said through clenched teeth.
"When I get hold of that cat, I'm going to skin him alive."
"I'm going outside to see if I can track which direction they went. You get everything ready. Will Jack let me get on him?"
"I'll make him. We need speed if we're going to catch up with Joseph and that foolish cat."
Drayco returned to the temporary stables and focused his attention on the ground. He walked around, looking for any fresh tracks leading away from the enclosure. He found them quickly. Bravaro had a distinctive print. His left front hoof had a slice cut out of it in the shape of a V. It wasn't deep enough to hurt the animal, but it left a mark easy to follow.
The tracks led in the same direction as the faded prints left by the killing party. The big cat's paw print was clearly visible in the soft dirt. They went in the same direction as the horse.
He must have gotten up some time in the night. Damn him, Drayco thought as he looked off into the distance. I hope he doesn't get himself or anyone else killed because of his stupidity.
He hurried back when he didn't see anything on the horizon. Shyanne was out in the stables. The task of getting the remaining horse ready was finished, the supplies attached to the saddle. Her sword was strapped to her back; she handed him his when he returned.
"Do you know which way they went?"
"The tracks are several hours old and went northwest. He must have gotten up shortly after we went to sleep.” He buckled the sword around his waist.
"We'll find them. I know we will."
"Let's get moving. Little sis, get up on Jack and keep him steady for me. Maybe with you on his back, he won't try anything."
Shyanne got into the saddle and gripped the reins firmly with both hands. She braced her feet in the stirrups. Drayco came up to the left side. The horse snorted. He sidestepped away, but she pulled on the reins while talking to him. He calmed down. Drayco grabbed the back of the saddle and swung himself up behind his sister.
Jack froze, straight legged, his ears swinging back and forth. It was apparent that he didn't know what to do. If he tried to throw the man off, he would hurt the one who cared for him.
"Easy there, Jack, he won't hurt you. You're a big, strong horse. You'll be okay,” Shyanne cooed as she rubbed the muscular neck under the flowing mane. Jack relaxed with the sound of her voice and the gentle touch of her fingers.
"Great job, Shyanne."
Glancing over her shoulder, she asked, “Which direction do we need to go again?"
"Northwest."
Shyanne pulled the horse around to where her brother pointed and gave him a gentle nudge. He sprang forward, forcing her to ease him into a slower pace.
Drayco pointed out Bravaro's distinctive track as they went. “See that print with the V in it? That's his. Keep that in sight and we'll eventually find our AWOL members."
After riding for an hour, Shyanne pulled something out of a small pouch that hung off the saddle horn. She handed it to Drayco. “Breakfast is served.” Drayco took the jerky and bit a small piece off.
"Why do you suppose he did what he did?” Shyanne pondered.
"Revenge would be my guess. I would have done the same thing under the same circumstances. That's why I'm kicking myself for not seeing it."
"Joseph seemed so enthusiastic about wanting to go with us. I'd never have thought he would go for revenge instead.” She paused. “I wonder what Drizzle was thinking when he decided not to alert us of Joseph's leaving."
"We can ask him when we catch up,” Drayco said.
His thoughts wandered during the silence that followed. When I get my hands on you, I'll show you what I think of your slinking away in the middle of the night. He sank his teeth into the jerky and ripped a large chunk off. Shyanne heard the maneuver and ignored it. She understood.
The twins continued in the same direction as the ones who had vanished in the middle of the night. The trail, for the most part, was easy to keep in sight.
"It doesn't make any sense. He makes no move to cover his tracks,” Drayco said. “He knows that when we catch up to him, I'll remove him from my horse, forcefully if I have to, and we'll finish our original quest."
"Maybe he wants us to find him. Maybe he thinks we'll help him instead of turning off on another path. Or, maybe he's in too big of a hurry to care whether the tracks are seen or not."
"I still think finding this Boss person looking for you is more important than any vengeful hunt."
"I agree,” Shyanne said. “But for the moment, finding our lost comrades is more important than worrying about some Boss person."
They rode for the better part of the day, following the distinctive hoof print. The sun moved smoothly across the sky toward the west. The deepening shadows spread a blanket over the area. When the twins passed through a large grouping of trees, Shyanne pulled the horse to a stop. A vast rocky terrain lay ahead. The tracks disappeared completely.
Drayco slid off the horse and walked around. “I don't see a thing,” he said in frustration. “You stay on Jack. I'll walk in their last known direction and see if I can locate the trail again."
He hiked forward until he looked over a small crest. Rocks of various sizes, shape, and color lay everywhere. Patches of long, wispy grass broke the sea of stone wherever they were able to extend their roots into cracks and crevices. Birds with their wings open wide floated on the air currents like a kite. Nothing on the horizon indicated that a man, horse, and cat were ahead.
"It'll be dark soon. We need to find shelter,” Shyanne said.
"We may not have an option. We may have to stay out in the open tonight. I don't see any place to hole up in."
"What about over there?” Shyanne stood up in the stirrups and pointed to her right. “I think there might be a trail leading in that direction."
"We can check it out."
She directed Jack toward the gap seen in the boulders; Drayco followed on foot. The group made their way carefully down the rocky incline to the bottom where they found a trail wide enough to allow the horse to move freely. A smaller path branched off toward an enclosed area big enough to hold them for the night. They entered just as the huge, orange ball ducked under the distant horizon.
The enclosure had tall, smooth walls that reached well above Drayco's head. There was only one way in or out. They set up camp by the glow of the rising moon. No fire was started tonight to reduce the likelihood of being spotted by anything or anyone passing through the area. Shyanne removed the saddle from Jack and gave him some grain and water.
"I'll have to hobble him tonight. I don't want him to wander off looking for greener pastures. Get it?” Shyanne smiled as she glanced at the walls of stone, then at her brother.
Drayco shook his head. “Only you could think of something that lousy at a time like this."
Shyanne shrugged her shoulders and tried to give he
r best innocent look; she failed. They both chuckled quietly.
"We'll have to stand watch tonight. Without having proper shelter, we are open for attack.” Drayco returned the conversation to the seriousness of the situation. “I'll take the first watch. In three hours, I'll wake you to take over."
They shared a meal of bread and dried meat. Afterwards, Shyanne removed her sword and laid it on the ground beside her. She pulled her blanket up over her shoulders to ward off the coolness of the night air. Supporting her head with her arm, she looked at her brother standing tall in the moonlight.
"Drayco, do you think we will find them tomorrow?"
"It depends on how much of a head start they had on us. I hope Joseph's weakened condition will make him need to rest often."
"Are we going to be able to find the tracks again?” A huge yawn escaped after the question.
"If we follow the same direction, I think so. He veered very little from the northwest path he was taking."
He realized Shyanne had fallen asleep when he heard the soft sound of snoring. Drayco looked down at her and smiled. He loved his sister more than anything else in this post virus world. Unfortunately, things were different. Time, and their lengthy separation, had seen to that. No matter how much she tried to hide it, the fear she felt for him shone in her eyes when he moved too close unexpectedly.
Drayco walked to the entrance of their camp and leaned his back against the cold stone. He crossed his arms in front of him and looked up at the night sky. Thick, billowy clouds were rolling in rapidly from a southeastern direction.
"I hope it doesn't rain until we figure out the right direction to go,” he muttered under his breath.
A chill ran up his back. He wasn't sure if the cold stone behind him or a premonition he had yet to understand caused it. Returning to the blanket, he plucked it from the ground and threw it over his shoulders. Without a fire, the night was cold. He started to pace back and forth to warm himself; his breath looked like little patches of fog with each exhale. Jack watched him from the other side of the campsite, eyes glistening in the moonlight.
