His Captive Sorceress

Chapter 18: Flowers and Lies

The morning sun warms my face. Without our horses, we're on foot, and my well-made boots protect my feet from the dew.

I've been ordered to walk between the three of them, and Trevus retied the sleeves around my arms after I threatened his men last night.

I fumble with the berries in my pocket. The sleeves make it difficult to maneuver a strawberry to my mouth. After tasting blueberries, blackberries and strawberries, I've decided strawberries are my favorite, and letting one fall in the dirt would be a waste. I loved blueberries as a child, but little of who I was then is who I am today.

"Trevus, how far are we from Nepolis?" I ask. Knowing how much time I've got left will help me plan.

"Five days on foot," Trevus says. "Crossing the bridge at Troas shall mark our entrance into Mephia."

"Forget the bridge," Giddius says. "Without our mounts, we shall cross Merk river as soon as we encounter it. It shall recover a day."

"Crossing the Merk without a bridge has cost us men in the past," Trevus says.

"Detouring to the bridge at Troas will burn a day. Do you not wish to find your father alive?" Giddius says.

Trevus gives Giddius a sharp look before returning his attention to me. "Irrespective of our path, the Merk marks the border between Versillia and Mephia, and Nepolis is a three-day journey from there. Can you muster the stamina to traverse that length?"

"I can." I nod, but it doesn't mean I plan to cooperate.

The forest thins as we walk. Green leafy plants resembling clovers dominate the underbrush. They reach up to our shins, engulfing my boots with each step. Bright yellow flowers dot the ground. After spending so long apart from nature, I'll never overlook its beauty again.

A bright pink flower with a white-seeded center catches my attention. I step out of our little pack's formation for a closer look. Giddius and Marcellus eye me with suspicion. I'm not about to take off.

Placing my sleeved hands on either side of the stem, I pluck the flower. I carefully tuck it in my shirt front pocket before falling back with the others. Its vibrant pink stands out against my inky black outfit.

The sweet scent of the flower reaches my nose. Soon I spot another one, and I can't help but take it too. It's not long before I have three stuffed in my front pocket and two more between my hands. I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed the outdoors.

This pink and white flower is my new favorite. It's similar to a sunflower but has a smaller middle, different colors and far more petals. It's not the shape of a rose, and it's too big to be a daisy.

Trevus is leading the group. I hurry up to catch him.

He notices the pink flowers between my hands. "What is it you carry?"

"I was hoping you could tell me." I raise them to his level.

He takes both flowers to inspect. "These are consolvas." He runs his fingers through the soft petals. "They are said to be of radiant beauty. The unique white pistil stands out from other flora." His gaze falls on me. "Their beauty is derived from the ways which they are different."

I smile. Not only are the flowers beautiful, but they're special.

"It appears the girly finds the Captain endearing, for she gifts him flowers," Marcellus says.

Giddius grunts in agreement.

Imbeciles.

Trevus returns the flowers to my hands. I fail to get a proper hold between my sleeves, and one falls.