Chapter twenty-four: Lost and Found
I didn’t get much sleep that night– if any. I was in a half-awake state when the sun had begun to peak over the distant mountains.
I yawned, and sat up stretching– looking around the dimly lit room. Soft snores drifted from the second floor as I pushed off the ground.
A small part of me wanted to leave a note for Pama, but I knew it would be too dangerous to do. I doubted anyone was going to find my trail– still, I couldn’t risk it.
I left the house, closing the door quietly behind me.
As I walked toward Willy’s shack, the cold morning air brushed across my skin leaving goosebumps.
“Willy,” I called, rapping against the door. “Wake up, it’s time to leave.”
After a few minutes with no response– I raised my hand to knock again. Before I could– the door swung open and a sober, less disheveled, Willy appeared.
“Are you always so noisy in the morning?” He asked, walking out and closing the door behind him.
“Only when it’s important.”
“Damned kids always so loud.” He grumbled, walking past me.
I followed after him, pulling out three of the silver coins. A few people from the village were already waking up to start their day. A few of them looked at us, but didn’t stare too long.
“So where am I taking you?” Willy asked, walking into the stable.
“Lyons Field.” I walked toward the wagon, waiting impatiently.
Lyons Field was far enough away from the capital and a bit safer of a location. It wasn’t nearly as big as the city, but it was large enough to hide in. I could stay there long enough to sleep a few days at least without worry.
I guess staying up all night to consider my route was a good idea.
“That’s pretty far from here.” He grumbled, leading two horses out. “If I knew the location beforehand, I would have told you eight silver.”
“We already agreed on six.”
“I know, alright.” Willy hitched up the horses and let out a long sigh. “Shoulda asked first. That’s on me. Damn drinking is gonna be the death of me.”
After a few minutes he told me to climb on as he hopped into the box seat. I hopped in and moments later we began to move.
“So why are ya trying to go there? That place is riddled with thieves.” He said after a few minutes of silence.
“I didn’t realize paying you meant that you interrogated me.”
“You didn’t pay me anything yet.” Willy grumbled. “You’re a bit cagey aren’t you?”
“Everyone is.” I shrugged.
“I suppose so.” He grunted, then swore– slowing the wagon. “What in the hell are they doing all the way out here?”
“What?” I asked shifting forward– feeling my heart skip a beat.
“Knights.” Willy pointed. “A whole boat load of them. It isn’t even time for harvest.”
I peered around him and felt my face turn white. No. This has to be a coincidence. There’s no way they’re here for me.
Thoughts of what I had done so far played through my mind– spinning breathlessly. Nothing stood out to me as a way for them to locate me– not this fast.
But what are the chances of them being unrelated? A small voice whispered. Slim to none.
The carriage slowed further until it stopped completely. I snapped out of my thoughts and sprang forward– grabbing his shoulder.
“Don’t stop the carriage.” I said, voice shaking from free and disbelief.
“I can’t keep moving it.” He brushed me off, pointing to the quickly approaching entourage. “The path isn’t big enough.”
“I’ll pay you twenty silver if you find a way around them.”
“Look, missy, I can’t.” He snapped. “There’s boulders and wetland beside the road. Even if I wanted to, there's no way.”
Should I just make a run for it? I looked over to the edge of the road– realizing that he was right.
Running wasn’t an option.
I swore and pulled the hood further over my head– hoping they wouldn’t check the carriage. I could potentially jump off and head back to the village– we hadn’t gone far– but they would catch up long before I reached the edge.
“Cara!” A voice yelled, startling me out of my thoughts.
I looked back the way we had come to see Pama running toward the carriage, holding a basket in her arms.
“So many inconveniences.” Willy grumbled. “I must be cursed or something.”
No. I thought. The one who’s cursed is me.
Pama reached the wagon seconds before the knights did.
“You, carriage driver, we’re looking for a woman who’s five foot five, blonde-red hair.” One of the knights spoke– tone gruff and commanding.
Damn it. I stiffened– recognizing the emblem on his cloak. The commander of the knight of Thornevale.
“Cara.” Pama whispered, climbing in the back. “What’s going on?”
I glanced over at the knights, again, before leaning toward her. “Pama, go back to your house.”
“That could be anyone.” Willy shrugged. “Do you have a sketch or anything?”
“Search the wagon.” The knight commanded, motioning two of the seven forward.
“You can’t just search my property.” Willy snapped. “I told you-”
His words died on his lips when the commander pulled out his sword and smacked the hilt against Willy’s face.
Willy slumped forward, his body thudding to the ground.
Pama screamed, scrambling backwards– eyes round.
Everything seemed to speed up– including my mind. I ran through various scenarios, trying to find a solution that would allow me to escape while trying to keep Pama away from their brutality.
The knights marched around the wagon– yanking off the cover in one fluid motion.
Pama looked up in time for one of the knights to reach in and tank her out by the scruff of her shirt.
“Let me go.” Pama swung out her arms– trying to punch the sneering knight.
“Lower your hood woman.” The second one snapped, glaring daggers at me. “Now.”
I raised my hands– hesitating when the first one tossed Pama to the ground– sending the contents of her basket– some fruit and canned goods– rolling.
“Damn little common brat.” The knight moved forward, raising his foot to kick her.
“Don’t touch the girl.” I stood up, lowering my hood. “She has nothing to do with this.”
The first knight looked over and laughed. “You think I care?”
“Enough, Jake.” The second knight snapped, grabbing me by the wrist and dragging me out. “Commander, we found her.”
“Bring her.” The commander called. “The longer we’re out here the more thin my patience becomes.”
Jake and the other knight, each grabbed me under an arm and hauled me toward the commander.
“You are lucky we found you as soon as we did, bastard child.” The commander motioned another knight forward who held a rope.
They didn’t waste time and wound the ropes around my wrist– tight enough that it burned.
“Don’t hurt, Cara!” Pama yelled, running toward us. “Leave her alone, you bullies!”
Jake smirked , releasing me, as Pama came forward and snatched her by the hair. “You filthy little worm.” He hissed. “Do you have a death wish or something?”
“I won’t let you hurt my friend!”
“Oh?” Jake tossed her hard to the ground- raising his foot once more.
The knight that was holding me sighed, complaining about the temper Jake had.
Damn it, kid. Why did you get back up?
The knight that was holding me loosened his grip slightly, sighing about Jake and his temper. I took the opening and yanked out of his grasp– throwing myself over the girl.
Jakes foot connected with my ribs– sending pain through my entire body.
“Why,” I winced, holding the sore area. “Would you hit a child?”
“You mean livestock.” Jake grinned. “You could have just told me you wanted a beating, bastard.”
“Don’t hurt her anymore!” Pama screamed, grabbing my hand. “Come home with me, Cara. We can get my papa and-”
“Didn’t I tell you to leave?” I asked, voice cold. I grabbed her hand and pulled her fingers off, glaring at her. “I’m not your friend. I never was.”
“What?” She asked, tears brimming in her eyes. “You don’t mean that! You-”
“Go home, you stupid child.” I shoved her away. “I’m a noble. I don’t associate with the likes of you.”
“W-what?” She sank to the ground– tears falling. “But-”
“Let’s go.” The commander barked. “This show is over. Leave the kid, Jake. We’re leaving now.”
“Yes, sir.” Jake reached down, tugging me to my feet. “You’re lucky.” He whispered in my ear. “If the commander wasn’t here…”
I turned him out– feeling my heart squeeze as we walked away.
I’m so sorry, Pama. I thought. I didn’t mean a word I said.
As we rode away, Pama’s heartbroken sobs echoed in my ears.