Sisters in Arms

12.

Rilla POV

It was evening. And we were still on this wretched barge. I sat sulkily in the front of it, as far away from the others as possible. Josephine sat in the middle, or rather lay. I had a feeling she was asleep. Annabelle was perched delicately on the edge, with her horse snuffling away to her. And Thom...just kept paddling. I hadn't a clue how he was keeping it up for so long.

The evening was the worst time, for me. It was a glowing haze of light and moving shadows as the little breaths of wind rustled through the trees, meaning I couldn't trust my eyes to spot enemies if they were stealthy enough. It put me on edge, and when I was on edge, I sulked.

The other issue I had was where we were going. I didn't know, and I didn't like not knowing. I felt like we could be walking into a trap, or that Thom was leading us into a trap. It put me on edge, and when I was on edge, I sulked.

"Where are we going?" I demanded, in a casual, passive aggressive sort of style.

Thom looked up.

"I'm taking you down to the river, and then down the river to the coast. I was told you were heading for Sorthau" he replied soothingly. I didn't fancy being soothed.

"Who told you that?" I snapped.

"Annabelle, since you ask" Thom smiled easily. "I assumed she was the brains behind this enterprise. No offense meant, of course."

I crinkled my nose.

"None taken."

I turned away, and went back to my scanning of the riverbanks. But another question came to mind, and I had to ask it.

"How far have we got to go?"

Thom looked up again and grinned at me. I didn't return the favor.

"Not far now, Rilla-elf" he sighed. "In fact, if you look carefully enough, you can see the ocean ahead." He pointed with his free arm.

Instead of looking, I glowered at him.

"Don't call me that."

The boy's grin spread wider, and there was a wicked glint in his eye.

"Why don't you come over here and stop me, Rilla-elf?" he taunted. With a quick intake of breath, I looked solidy at my feet. I wasn't going anywhere near him.

"It's not even my name" I tried lamely, after a minute of heavy silence.

"Oh?" Thom asked. "So what is?"

Kicking myself, I realised my mistake. I didn't want Thom calling me by my real name. Only Mother ever called me that.

"Not telling."

Thom chuckled to himself.

"I thought Rilla was a beautiful name on it's own" he commented, and I saw Annabelle's head move as she tuned in to our conversation, obviously interested now.

"But now it's short for something" Thom carried on. "Let me think..."

"You'll never guess" I said defensively, to more laughter from the boy steering the boat.

"Marilla?" he guessed. I rolled my eyes, shaking my head and looking away again, down the river and along the banks, watching the moving shadows. We continued our journey downstream, and Thom tried again and again to guess my name, even enlisting Annabelle's help as I tried to block them out and keep guard. It eventually turned out to be a serious game.

"Pricilla?" Annabelle asked. "Come on, Rilla, help us out here!"

I didn't help them out. I hoped Annabelle wouldn't remember my real name was written on the top of the letter that had arrived with the keystone.