Carmine (Completed)

Chapter 26 - Part 2

My eyes blurred. Arms fidgeted to the ever-leaving spirit of my stride in the night. The road to the capital was a dire one. We had one path, yet our luck ran out so quickly.

Valor and Five stopped their horses. I slowed my horse behind them. It was still rather dark, so I struggled to make out Valor's face. 

I turned to Janilla. She smiled at me and I returned mine. It was not like I could do anything other than keep positive. I saw a light. It was from a candle Valor held.

Then Five said something that chilled me to the bones. "I sensed no lifeforms."

That was what he called anything that was like us. He could not only read people's thoughts, but he harbored the ability to detect any living thing within a large range.

It helped us avoid anyone up until now and we all knew those evil bastards were following us. When they would attack was another thing entirely.

Valor twirled his horse asking Five, "Funny for a body to be here. Let’s move on."

I was looking down the beaten path. Sparse rotten apples graced the cracked dirt.

Beyond those, I saw figures sprawled on the ground next to broken wood and splintered boards. Dead bodies, I cut my eyes away and said, "No, I want to see what happened here. Five go. Check for gold and any valuables”

“Yes Mother,” Five answered. He descended from his horse.

Valor said, “Five stop right there.”

Five paused on his way down. "Yes, brother."

Valor turned around. He gestured with his hands. “Problem Princess?” 

The fire provided Valor’s scorn very clearly to my eyes. He and I exchanged displeasing stares. I said, "We need supplies. There might have some there."

Valor said, “Carmine, you have me. Let us move on. I do not feel good about this.”

I had you for now. What about when you were gone? "You will not be around forever."

Valor opened his mouth, but hesitated. 

I said, "Five?" Five had gotten off his horse. 

Valor said, "Five stop."

I said, "Five from now on, you will not heed the orders of Valor."

Valor stared in ire. "What are you doing? We don't have the time for this. We need to get to Tiam as quickly as possible."

"All the time you are spending arguing with me, we could have finished this task by now."

"Maybe we wouldn't be in such a rush if we weren't always stopping to eat and rest, and—"

"Wood berries, and plant bark cannot fill my gut, and honestly I am tired of it. I need a good meal. You should have bought more food at that hamlet."

He snorted, whipping his head in disgust. "I did."

"And we are rationing it?" I struggled to hold back the anguish in my voice.

"Because you brought friends! They are eating your share!" There were strong points of his finger at Five and Janilla to emphasize his point.

"A poor assassin, ain't this something."

Valor bellowed, “Listen to me, you spoiled despot. I am in charge!” He slapped his chest. “You eat what I give you and do as I say!”

This arrogant, self-loathing, disgusting, ugly, smelly little weasel mouthed hard rock-headed of a man. How dare he talked to me in such a manner! 

I composed myself and with calm and pose spoke, “I'm sorry? You are not my father. You are a simple sell sword carrying someone of worth."