Alternate

Chapter 6

For three days Rand and Jen had kept an eye on the fortress. The routines were starting to become familiar; when the guards changed shifts, when patrols left and returned, and all the other tasks any guarded stronghold would have. What they had seen gave little hope of breaching the defences that were set up.

Tried as they did they saw few if any weak spots. None they wanted to bet their lives on. There were small openings here and there, but those closed quickly and even if you got through all you'd accomplished was trapping yourself inside the walls. There the guards would quickly capture you.

Life inside the tree had not been trouble free either. As big as the tree was, it still didn't offer much in the way of privacy nor was it very practical. Jen was at the mercy of Rand when it came to going outside and that was a strain on their relationship. The constant requests to go outside to do her business was getting on the nerves of both of them. Doing your business inside the tree was not a possibility since that was where they slept.

There had been several instances where a patrol had almost spotted them because of a bathroom break at the wrong time. Those were moments that made their hearts race because they both knew what exposure would mean. Afterwards they tossed the blame around even though they both knew it would do no good and there had been lapses from both of them.

But despite all that they somehow managed to hold it together. They weren't at each others throats all the time and the lookout position at the top of the tree served to give both some private time.

It was midday and Rand had just finished his turn at the top. It was Jen's turn to cook, though there was not much cooking to be done without a fire. Still, it was nice if someone made the effort of laying everything out.

He made his way down the stairway and to the small room he had created. The tree did not seem any worse off for it so he felt confident they could stay there for a long time without being found out, though both of them would have preferred not to spend much longer without moving. It never felt good to sit in one place for a long time while waiting for something to happen. The risk of being found out grew with each day and as good as their hideout was it would eventually be spotted or one of them would get found out when going to the bushes to relive themselves.

Jen had unpacked some bread and dried meat on the wooden table Rand had created after the first day. There were two seats as well, making for a more comfortable area to enjoy a meal. Sitting on the ground day in and day out could grow uncomfortable.

"We're running out of honey," said Jen as she saw him coming down the stairs.

"Well, our supplies couldn't last forever," said Rand and took a seat opposite to her. He took a look at the jar of honey and it was indeed running low. He frowned, "Didn't we have another jar of it somewhere?" He was certain he'd seen one.

"I couldn't find one," said Jen and started assembling herself a sandwich from the few ingredients available.

"Well, I'll look through our things one more time," said Rand and followed her example.

"It's your time," noted Jen as she took the first bite. Honey dripped down her chin. She wiped it with her fingers and licked them clean.

"Speaking of time, maybe it's time we move on. We've been here for days now and haven't found a way in."

Jen gave him a look. Rand had grown familiar with it over the days. He imagined it was a look she'd give her children when they asked something stupid. If she ever had kids. "We've learned quite a bit about the fortress. There has to be some way in, something we haven't noticed or considered."