His Captive Sorceress

Chapter 7: Vigil

I stay close to the cozy fire. Trevus finishes his soup and packs the bowls back into Gramps's saddlebag.

Marcellus has been carving his wooden figurine since the duel, and not once has he met my gaze.

Trevus fishes a leather blanket out of the bag and sets it down beside me. I lift the rolled blanket to find that it's sewn into a tube. While the outside is leather, soft white wool adorns its center.

He takes a large branch and snaps it in half with his foot. One of the halves is placed over the fire. Flames lick the middle, but the edges are left untouched. "The watch log burns," Trevus says. "I shall take the first."

Both Marcellus and Giddius climb into their sleeping pouches. All four of us are around the fire. Trevus is seated on the log to my right, while Giddius and Marcellus are wrapped up on my left.

With the cue from them, I decide to turn in too. Taking care not to bend or stretch my tender torso, I slowly unroll my sleeping pouch. Untying my boot laces is challenging with these thick sleeves, but I eventually pick them free. I crawl inside the cozy pouch, resting my head beside the warm fire.

While lying on my back would be more comfortable, the thought of Trevus watching me sleep makes me uneasy. I lie on my side, facing the fire, away from him.

The pouch keeps my body toasty. Such a comfortable article must have cost more than a few coins. They also bought four horses, with Becky designated just for me. I expected that Trevus would have his own horse, but never did it cross my mind that I would be riding instead of walking. Trevus made provisions to leave Antiock with an extra person before he even knew me.

Through the flames, I spot Marcellus's head poking out from his pouch. Despite being asleep, his fingers are wrapped around the hilt of his axe. Is being out here really all that dangerous? Giddius mentioned that they needed to stay ahead of someone. Are we being pursued? Will there be a battle? I could lose my life if I don't escape before then, but Trevus catching me after a botched attempt would be another way to cut my years short. When I make my move, it needs to be intentional and well thought out.

The duel affirmed that I'll never beat them through confrontation, and Trevus is far too quick on a horse to outrun. I need to sneak away without being noticed, and the best time would be when they're asleep. I've been listening carefully since I lied down. It doesn't sound like Trevus has moved from his spot on the log. He's keeping watch, but not because of his prisoner. If the concern was that I'd slip away, they'd just bind me, and there'd be no need for one of them to stay awake. Trevus's watching for something else – something out there that's a threat to all of us.

The branch in the fire blackens. I yawn but quickly recoil from the stinging in my chest. It's hard to get comfortable after that duel. I'll be sore for the next few days.

"You do not rest," Trevus says in a low voice. He noticed my flinch.

I sit up in the sleeping pouch. "Neither do you."

"I am on watch," he says.

"So you're not allowed to sleep tonight?"

He points to the fire. "Once the watch-log splits in two, I shall rest and Marcellus shall watch. Each person has a turn."

"When is my turn?" The corner of my lip tugs up.

Trevus smiles. "You are fortunate in that regard."

I'm fortunate? That's a twisted way of looking at it. I rest my chin on my knees. "I wouldn't mind trading places with you."

"But do you not harbor disdain for soldiers?"

"You're all bristly asses," I say. It's not about whether I like them but about what they have.