Chapter Eighteen

  The first day’s ride through the initial countryside was fairly uneventful. There was minimal traffic, and we nodded to the passengers of the passing carriages and carts. We rode until sundown without stopping, planning on riding through the night since we got off to a late start. We were deep into the forest now, and with the setting sun, Arlo was getting jittery again.

  “Cut it out.” I barked, nudging his bouncing leg with my boot. “You’re going to attract bad shit with the way you’re carrying on.”

  “You really think so?” Arlo asked anxiously.

  I rolled my eyes. “No, you know I don’t believe in any of that horse-shit. Get it together.”

  “You’re probably right.” He exhaled and attempted to shake the tension from shoulders. “Hey, what’s going on up there?”

  My gaze followed his finger farther up the road, where a tall man in uniform was inspecting the contents of another traveler's cart. I furrowed my brow and squinted to see what the fuss was. Inside, I was grinning ear to ear. Though I’d never admit it out loud, I was glad to see Finnegan in the flesh. I’d missed the ornery ass, believe it or not. He waved the people in front of us forward, and then stepped into the road with his hand up to stop us.

  Arlo cursed under his breath, and I nudged him again. “Calm down.” I told him firmly as I pulled back on the reins. The horses tossed their heads and stamped, annoyed at being halted. “Greetings!” I called down to Finn. “Is there trouble, guardsman?”

  “No trouble, just a routine carrier stop. We’ve been having trouble with escaped slaves as of late. Order of the King is to check all carts headed for the Western border.” Finn gave one of Arlo’s horses a pat on the back as he passed to get to the cart. “What have we got today, gentleman?”

  “Wine and herbs,” Arlo quickly replied, “Transporting to the border cities.” His voice was solid, but his posture was rigid as he stared at Finn. He remained tense as he hopped down and circled the other side of the cart. I got down as well and kept the horses steady as both men reached the open back of the wooden cart.

  “Right, just pull the tarp off so we can have a look, then.” Finn motioned for Arlo to follow his order. I heard the rustling of the tarps being pulled, followed by the thumps of Finn stepping up into the cart. He began rummaging around, taking lids off of crates, mumbling to himself about the contents.

  “Is all that really necessary?” Arlo asked anxiously, shifting his weight from one foot to another. Finn was getting closer to the real inventory we were moving. “I think you’ve seen enough to prove the point, yeah?”

  Finn shook his head and continued digging. “Sorry, mate, I have to check all the boxes and barrels for stowaways. Got to do the job proper, yeah?” Arlo only grunted in return. I could hear him grinding his teeth as Finn cracked the barrel that was nestled directly behind our seats. He gave a couple subtle sniffs, closed up the lid, and straightened his posture.

  I watched from the front with the horses as Finn stepped off the cart and brushed off his trousers. “What’s your name, lad?” He asked in the most non-threatening tone.

  “Arlo Watcher.” Arlo answered truthfully, but slowly. Finnegan smiled as he snapped a pair of manacles around Arlo’s wrist with professional speed before he could even process it to fight back. “Mister Watcher, you and your friend are hereby under arrest by order of the King for transit of illegal substances. Your belongings will be confiscated and you’ll be held by the Royal Guard in Euloth until sentencing by King Gorralt. Any questions?”

  “There’s two of us, and one of you. What’s stopping us from killing you and moving on?” Arlo questioned.

  Finn smirked at Arlo while he chained my wrists without a struggle. “Now then, in the cart with you both.” He gave me a hefty push towards the cart, causing me to stumble. I sneered in his direction, but said nothing while I climbed back into the cart.

  “We’re really just going along with this? You’ve heard what they do to prisoners in Euloth. Not to mention, when he gets wind of this, we’re good as dead all the same.” Arlo hung his head, seemingly accepting our fate.

  “I’ll figure something out before then.” I assured him. “We’ll get out of here and be back on the road by morning.” I inspected the cuffs on my wrists and tugged, testing them. “It’s a simple lock. I could probably get it open if I had my picks…” I muttered, looking around the cart. “Get up and help me look for them.”

  The slender metal rods were tucked away in my pocket, unbeknownst to Arlo. I feigned quietly looking through the boxes around us until we came to a halt. “Damn.” He muttered when Finn jumped out of the front. “Got a plan yet, Barrett?”

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  “I’m working on it.” I hissed back.

  Finn appeared from around the side of the cart and planted his grip on my arm. “Alright, out you come.” I let him lead me out and took in our surroundings as Arlo was pulled from the cart behind me.

  Perfect setup. I praised Finn and Sahara in my mind. It was close enough that it wouldn’t put us too far behind schedule, but far enough away that nobody would hear or suspect us of foul play. The pine forest was completely dark at this point, save from the ring of light being cast from the fire.

  Arlo was causing a fuss as Finn led him away to a secluded area nearby. It wasn’t directly in the camp, but it was still within eyesight of everyone. “Where are you taking me?” He demanded. “What are you doing with my brother?”

  Finn connected the chained cuffs around Arlo’s wrists to a chain that had been wrapped around a young but sturdy tree. “Can’t really have you lot put next to each other to scheme, can we?” He laughed. “I’m not daft.”

  When he came back for me, we went out of Arlo’s vision to the other side of the three tents that were set up near the fire. As soon as I was in the clear, Finn handed me a change of clothes, my own clothes, that he’d been holding onto for me.

  “I’ll be back to check on you in a minute, the farthest tent is yours.” He clapped my shoulder and ducked back through the trees to reemerge near the campfire, where a pot of something was boiling.

  I quickly stripped, swapped my appearance from Barrett to Wren, and redressed in my own clothes. I tossed the used clothes into a heap just inside the nearest tent, then entered the clearing to join Finn at the fire. I raised my arms in a long stretch as I neared him, releasing a grunt. “Man, it feels great to be back.”

  Finn grinned, watching me from where he stooped in front of the fire. He scooped some water from the pot with a tin mug, stirred some strange looking dust into it, and then stood to offer it to me. “It’s good to have you back!” He exclaimed, loud enough for Arlo to hear that he was no longer alone, and handed me the cup of weird dust-water. It had now turned into a thickened, brown liquid, like mud water in a cup.

  What in the gods’ names? I thought to myself as I stared at the warm substance. I must’ve shown my confusion because Finn laughed. “She made it herself, it’s bloody genius. Go on, try it.” We had agreed beforehand not to tip off Arlo about Sahara until the time was right. I eyed the cup suspiciously. Maintaining eye contact with Finn, I brought the cup to my lips and drank slowly.

  I quickly pulled the cup away to look at it with disbelief. My gaze went back and forth between my cup and Finn. “What is this?” I licked the residue from my lips and stared at him, wide-eyed. “This is amazing! It’s like it’s been brought straight from Celestia.” I went in for another sip and hummed my pleasure.

  A giggle resounded behind me, and I straightened. “I’m glad you like it.” I turned to see Sahara, wearing a dark hooded robe, approaching the fire. She gestured for us to sit on the surrounding logs, and we both obliged. We caught up for a short while, recounting some of the events that happened during the time we’d been separated. One such event was her going back to the alchemist, and creating this drink powder, Liquid Gold, she’d called it. An ironic name as it looked like a cup of clay water, but that could be worked on.

  The whole time, Sahara kept her voice down and her back to Arlo, as she was in his direct line of sight while we sat around the campfire.. I glanced towards where he sat against the tree, scowling at us and straining to see past the fire and tents. He’s looking for his brother. I noticed, and quickly shut down my emotions before the guilt crept under my skin.

  “Ready?” I asked Sahara, setting my cup down in the grass.

  She nodded, and we all stood. “As I’ll ever be, I suppose.” She seemed tense, hesitant. It cracked my internal walls seeing her hesitate to go through with what she was paying me to do to her former friend. I softened my gaze and closed the gap between us, and put my hands on her shoulders.

  “You can back out, Sahara. You don’t have to do this.” I offered, but she shook her head and held her head high, even when tears pricked at the edges of her eyes.

  “No, I do have to. I trusted him, and people I loved suffered because of his selfishness. That is an unforgivable sin. Avernus will accept him with pleasure.”

  I sighed and unsheathed my knife from its spot on my waist. “Very well then. Let’s get on with it.”

  Sahara pulled the hood of her cloak away and let her hair fall over her shoulders. Head still held high, she marched over to where her former comrade still sat chained to the tree nearby. I followed close behind. He looked up and his eyes widened.

  “Ray? What are you doing here? Have you seen Barrett? He’s here too, but-” Sahara held up a hand to cut him off.

  “I’m not here to save you, Arlo. You betrayed my trust and allowed your brother to ruin the sanctuary I created in Ravenwood. This is your consequence. And my goodbye.” She remained emotionless as he stood awkwardly with his hands pulled behind his back as he stepped towards her.

  “Ray, please, you misunderstand,” He started, until Sahara motioned for me and I came forward, brandishing my dagger. His pleas turned to desperate begging as he backed away from me. “No, Sahara, please don’t do this. I’m so sorry, please!” His back hit the tree and his chains rattled. Sahara’s tears finally spilled over and she squeezed her eyes shut and turned her head away. I took that as my cue, and the dagger flew from my fingertips.

  “BARRETT!” He shouted, just before his voice was cut off with a gargled breath. My knife embedded into his throat, slicing his vocal chords and digging into his spine. He crumpled to the ground and struggled to breathe for a few moments before becoming still. I bent down to retrieve my knife, and wiped the blade of it clean on Arlo’s shirt. When I stood, Sahara was gone. I looked up to the sky, barely visible through the trees, and mumbled, “Goddess forgive me."