The Bounty of Love

Chapter 12

They dismounted to set up near a stream. The dire wolfs needed water and to hunt. Fox set up camp near a small cluster of trees next to the stream.

“We will stop here for the day. Mace's compound is most a days ride by horse from here , these big beautiful fellas here can get us there in a couple hours without question,” he said as he walked over to sit with her.

He handed her some meat and bread and they ate as they watched the stream flow.
“I’m not gonna kill him unless I have to. You said they pay more for him alive right?” She broke the silence first.

He nodded. “Yes they will, however I told you if that’s the closure you need my little Fox take it.”

She shook her head, “Nah, I’d rather have the coin. All together it’s enough for us to go find peace somewhere for awhile.”

She smiled chewing happily on another piece of meat.

“Peace and alone time does sound nice.” He agreed chewing a piece himself.

They finished their meal and got down to business.

Love pulled out a map of Mace’s compound,  “Like I said the dire wolfs can get us there quickly. So I figure as it gets closer to dark I’ll take one with me and do some recon.”
She opened her mouth to protest, but he held a hand to stop her, “He's expecting you dear. Not me.  I’ll take the bow with me and fire a shot if there’s trouble. I’ll have good back up with me.” He ruffled the fur top of his dire wolfs head.

She huffed defeated as she pet her own. “Yea that’s a good point. So the goal is to go in tomorrow night?”

He nodded in response.

They played with the dire wolfs and prepared camp for a longer stay while waiting till the edge of dusk started to creep in. She had just finished getting the fire started.

He stood and started getting his gear on. “I will be back  by midnight. No matter what, stay away from the compound.”

She sighed deeply and nodded as she got up and grabbed their bow, “I’ll stay away if you promise not to hesitate if you need help Love.” She handed him the bow.

He slung it over his shoulder, “Of course my little Fox.” He held her cheek in his hand with a smile. “Everything will be fine.” He kissed her tenderly before mounting and rode off.

 She watched him till he was out of sight, then stayed staring in that direction until she couldn’t even hear the tingle of his earring anymore. She took another deep sigh as she sat next to the fire. He could handle himself she had no doubt. She didn’t trust Mace. Putting a bounty on her wasn’t new, but the price was. He would play every trick he could to save his own skin. He uses fear like a weapon. That’s why he put the coin on her name, And he’s paying more for dead then alive. She sat by the fire petting the dire wolf and thought about the last time she saw Mace.