The Wanders 1: Priceless

Chapter 3

The moon was high within a sea of stars, bathing the world below in a silvery glow. That was fortunate for the Wanders who needed the extra light to ensure they hadn't forgotten to batten down or store anything.

This felt wrong to Ciela. As she laced a tarp to the wagon's side, she couldn't help but simmer. It twisted her gut to run from a fight, especially one brought on by some two-bit pocket thief. In another life not so long ago, she would've split them wide at the bottom of a ditch somewhere. She'd done it before. Maybe too many times, but enough to know how to handle situations like this.

But that was before she was a Wander. This wasn't a band of highwaymen with nothing to lose. It was kids and a grandma and a jebroot farmer all thrust into a situation they never asked for.

She finished the lace, then stopped to let out a slow sigh. Her serpentine eyes looked toward the wagon entrance where Ma was going on about Lord Burlington again. The kids were rushing to lock the crates and fasten the wheels. Abeline was well aware of the danger they faced while Dante looked almost hurt that he wouldn't be able to fight anyone. These were Ciela's people, and no twisting in her gut mattered more than they did.

"Hey."

Ciela turned back to see Gomer standing still next to her. In one arm he held an unlit oil lantern, but his other hand reached to hold hers. There wasn't so much fear in his eyes, at least not as much as Ciela expected. Rather, she saw sadness. There was almost shame in his smile, even when he steadied his voice. "I love you, Ciela."

She took a moment to look him over. There was obviously something on his mind, and the way he said that almost sounded like an apology. She could guess what for, and held his hand tight. "I love you too, man."

Gomer nodded and started off, but she kept his hand tight. "I mean it."

He looked back to see her looking straight into his eyes. Her smile remained as she stepped away from the wagon. "I love you for everything you are, and everything you're not. This world's full of big tough guys who'd rather duke it out than think it through. It doesn't matter that you're not a fighter, Gomer. You got what counts."

A pause came to him, and he looked off with a slight smile.

"So do me a favor," she came into a hug. "Stop chewing yourself up and do what you're best at. Taking care of this family."

"M'kay," he softly breathed, then kissed the top of her head. "You got yourself a silver tongue, you know that?"

Ciela looked up at him with a grinning hum, "Mmm, maybe after this is over, we can see what this silver tongue can-"

Shunk!

Something hit Ciela square above the chest, knocking her hard against the wagon. Gomer stumbled back, then seized when he saw Ciela's round eyes staring ahead. Between her shoulder and neck stuck the shaft of an arrow. The blood drained from his face as his frozen breath choked into a gasp.

"Oh," she shuddered, "Oh shiv." Her knees buckled and she slid down the wagon side, painting a line of blood.

"Dad!" screamed Abeline, causing him to snap into a surreal scene. She was pointing toward the village where a mass of at least twenty bandits were all following Korse. Death was in his eyes, and he was staring straight at Gomer.

Just beside him, a bald bandit drew a second arrow.

It wasn't so much thought that erupted from Gomer. He could barely hear himself shriek for everyone to get inside, or feel Ciela's limp body in his arms as he sprinted for the wagon entrance, dodging that second arrow before tossing her in and slamming the door. Tubby was already in the harness, as far as Gomer's blurry vision saw, so he leapt the coachman's seat and they were off.