The Pirate's Legacy: New Identities

Chapter 22: Wandering the Woods

The dense forest gave dawn the impression of being just as dark as night. It was in this opaque atmosphere that Em, Roger, Diamante, and Leo prepared for their long journey to Dracon in the makeshift stable the rebels had built. Leo gave back the other three's confiscated belongings when he met them at the stable.

"How long do you think it will take to reach the checkpoint?" Em called to Leo from the other side of the stable.

Leo pursed his lips in thought. "If rest stops are kept at a minimum, we can get there in less than a week," he said before a raucous chorus of male voices preceded the four rebels that entered the building.

"All hail Leo the Lion, who once again journeys into the perilous unknown!" shouted Luther as he and Calvin, the two making the most noise, walked over to the eldest Odina son.

"Hey mate, you gonna come back with your last kidney intact?"

"Excuse me, Princess."

Hox stood in front of her mare's holding pen with his hands folded in front of him. Over his short russet hair, Em saw Roger eyeing the liaison from the other side of the stable. She stepped away from her horse as Hox apologized for mistaking her group's identity and her rough treatment during and after the ambush. " 'Tis already been accepted," she told him firmly. "Are you all seeing us off?"

Suddenly, Demitri appeared next to Hox. "I am, but these three are returning to Cola Port," he answered with his ever-present smile. The liaison moved toward an available horse after giving a little bow to Em, to her small discomfort.

"All three are going to pick up more refugees?" she inquired over her shoulder when she turned back to her mare to resume tightening the saddle straps.

"No, Luther and Calvin are escorting Hox and then are returning here straightaway. 'Twouldn't be wise for Hox to travel to Cola Port on his own," Demitri said.

Em was mildly amazed by his complacent tone regarding the dangers that the forest housed. She supposed his attitude came from being well-aware of the perils of making one's home in the Cola province. She looked down and noticed two swords hanging from Demitri's belt.

Catching where her gaze went, Demitri said, " 'Tis for the delegate." He removed the plainer of the two swords and held it up. "I noticed while Leo was on his way here with your things that only you and Dread Pirate Robin had weapons to protect yourselves. Excuse me for a moment." He walked over to the other side of the stable to give Diamante his new sword. By the time Demitri returned to Em, everyone in both departing groups had their horses brought forth from their individual stalls.

"Thank gods I'm not wearing that burdensome dress," Em said as she moved to mount her horse. As soon as Leo had woken up her this morning, she'd thrown off the garment and had put on her familiar boy clothes. The weird look she'd received from Leo was one of many that her clothes had attracted as she walked with him, Roger, and Diamante across the compound on their way to the stable.

"I thought you looked lovely in it," said Demitri. His smile looked sincere enough when Em raised an eyebrow at him. Her nostrils flared in a noncommittal fashion before she placed both hands on her saddle, preparing to jump onto her horse.

"Here, allow me." Demitri bent down on one knee and laced his fingers together.

Em stepped back from her horse and faced him. "Thank you." She'd never before mounted a horse without some sort of assistance. She placed one hand on Demitri's shoulder, another on the saddle, and then stepped one foot onto his laced fingers. While Demitri pushed Em's foot up, she swung her free leg over the saddle and then hauled the rest of herself onto the horse. The mare stood complacently underneath her as she took the reins. When Em leaned down to stroke its head, her own head turned sharply when Demitri directed his attention to Roger, who hadn't mounted his horse yet.