Chased Distance: A Novella (WLW)

Chapter Six: March 6th, Athens, Tennessee

Once Elu pulled back a branch from a nearby tree, Beth leaned through the break in the green and surveyed the town of Athens, Tennessee. Just dry enough to head into town, they stood nearby, examining the town's dirt streets from afar. It had plenty of people, but not quite as many as Beth expected by the stories she'd heard around the Qualla Boundary. From what she could see, there was a railway station filled with those loading and unloading the many goods transported, at least one boarding house and--

"If you never left our tribal land, how have you learned English so well?" Elu chimed in, intruding into her thoughts and making her look toward her instead. "Was it really just from your mother's diaries?"

"I read my mother's journals quite often after you taught me some English in our youth, yes, but that was not my only source. Some I spent time figuring out on my own. I had a lot of time on my own." Beth felt her throat tighten at the memory, still keen to ask Elu why she remained gone for so long. She ached to ask why she hadn't at least come back sooner for her, if not for her father, if she so obviously cared about her so much, but she bit her lip to stop herself. Instead, she glanced back up into Elu's eyes and decided to simply finish her only half answered question. "And I secretly listened each time a white lawman came to speak with the elders. There was not much left to do. I was never accepted in spite of the fact I cannot control my heritage."

"You learned all of your English from her notes and passersby?" Her interest piqued, Beth watched as Elu's eyes drifted down to her lips. She'd noticed her doing this as they spoke and hiked toward town earlier and now it was even more bewildering because she'd seen that very gesture from Sadie only hours earlier. As if noticing where Beth's attention had gone, Elu peered away, gazing at the somewhat busy Athens streets as she spoke. "I hadn't realized the journals were so extensive."

Beth leaned back and glanced Elu up and down. "And you learned English better during your captivity? Yours is quite well, too."

"Like I said, I wasn't in captivity the entire time." Elu's expression grew stern and Beth watched as one of the smaller scars along her chin moved when she clenched her jaw taut.

So many questions immediately swamped her mind, but before Beth could retort, Elu placed a hand on her shoulder and nodded toward town. There exiting a saloon was the man into whom she'd hurled her favorite knife several days prior. Reynolds was hunched over with a bandage peeking out of the top of the vest covering his chest and fussing under his breath at his female companion dressed in men's garb. Beth's chest suddenly tightened as she recognized the woman and she took a step back, but was stopped by Elu's arm around her shoulders, lulling her back to the edge of the greenery. She furrowed her brow and glanced along her own torso, then back up at the street.

"What is it?" Beth probed as she did the same, her nervousness nearly overtaking her as she watched Sadie disappear with Reynolds into a building across the street.

"You need to purchase cattle driver men's clothing for me and a length of cloth. Make sure you have a long coat, vest and some boots and that they are all black." Elu rubbed the strap of her rucksack as she thought to herself for several silent moments, then she met Beth's gaze. "Please, get me a cologne as well. Something musty like a woody scent that is better suited for men. And we must speak nothing but English from here on."

Beth nodded as she peeked to make sure Reynolds and Sadie were gone until Elu grasped her by the shoulders and started marching her back a few paces. Beth waited patiently as she made sure she was presentable in her mother's old clothing that still bore slight stains in certain areas, then gestured toward town. However, as she moved past her, Elu took hold of her arm and pulled her closer once again.

When she peered back at her, Elu knelt and fitted her small dagger into her boot, then gave her calf a few rubs which sent tingles up the back of her leg in total contrast to the sensation Sadie's touch gave her. "Just in case. Be cautious, alright? Remember you are a white woman traveling alone with your bodyman. Many will inquire as to why, so remember your cover story is that your husband just passed away and you are heading toward family further south. We will need a car on the next train that disembarks." Elu got back behind her and braced one hand along the arch of her back, putting the other atop her shoulder. Pressing her back ever so slightly, Beth felt her also pull back on her shoulder as well and she promptly straightened her back. "Speak with dignity and clarity and hold yourself high so that they will believe it. Do not give anyone a reason to doubt your story or you may draw attention."