Cursed: Traitor's Trail

Chapter 14 Part 2

Bane followed Jaob as he walked from his tent. Something inside him needed time to think, and there was no point trying to find peace there. The concern of the village was too thick, and he found himself unable to escape it, unable to draw his mind back to rational thought. His own fear grabbed at him, denying him rest.

“Urgent matter?” Bane asked when they were out of hearing range of the others. Jaob did not answer right away. Worry twisted his gut. Since the beginning of New Hope, his leadership had never been in such jeopardy. He feared now that when he announced the rest of the news he would lose his role completely.

And why wouldn't they choose a new, competent leader? One that would protect them from traitors and king's alike?

“Unfortunately, yes.” Jaob eyed Bane. His one true friend. If anyone would understand his position, it would be him. And the man just might have some suggestion on how Jaob might work his way out of this mess. Hesitantly, he explained the scout's news.

Bane grew quiet, frowning at the new turn of events. “First the assassin and now this second intruder. The village has been compromised.”

“That much is obvious,” Jaob had slowed now, and his attention turned back toward the crowd of Magi. “Bane, do you think that Aya...”

He shook his head before Jaob finished. “Unless she is a very good pretender, then no.”

Jaob nodded. Instinct told him she wasn't a threat, but, admittedly, his own feelings had been off lately. He did remember his first encounter with her, and how difficult she had found it to lie to Keirra about the wood louse. That Bane's reaction backed his own impressions gave Jaob a small bit of confidence in his assumptions.

“Still, we will have to watch her closely.”

“I was watching her closely,” Bane said wryly.

“And perhaps keep her confined, for the sake of peace in the village. Hamor will not accept anything less at this point.”

Bane's frown deepened, but he did not argue.

“And Thian? What will we do about that?”

“We must evacuate. Even if the people of Thian do nothing on their own, it will only be a matter of time until word gets to the king, if it hasn't already.”

The shocked look on Bane's face stalled Jaob.

“You want to run?” he finally asked.

“What other choice do we have?”

Bane didn't answer, just ran a frustrated hand through his hair, pulling strands from their neat confinement. “And what happens if we are found again? Will we continue to run forever?”

“What would your solution be? Fight the entire king's army?” Jaob exclaimed in frustration, turning the head of a young Magi walking by. He turned his back to the youth, trying hard to contain his emotions.