Chapter Twenty-Five
By the time the group had made it back to the place they had left Karaugh, the sun was beginning to set, setting the hills and trees on fire in the golden light.
On the horizon there were dark red clouds, seeming to be bringing rain their way.
“I see you brought Aaren and Aoife with you,” Karaugh called from the wagon. “I knew you would.”
Aaren was unnerved by the woman knowing his name, and stepped protectively in front of Aoife, who clung to his arm nervously.
“Bwahahahahahaha!” Jean laughed heartily. “That’s Miss Kara for ye! Don’t be frightened! She’s a good person!”
Karaugh came out from behind the wagon with a pot in hand. She had set up the tent, knowing that they’d arrive back late and went ahead and made dinner for them, and the newcomers.
Aaren still was not quite convinced of this, and watched Karaugh closely.
Markl looked back and forth between Jean and Truman, who was looking very displeased.
“Stop fooling around and help me with Freya,” he hissed through his teeth, anger dancing in his eyes.
“This is cumbersome,” Karaugh said, frowning. “But things will get better,” she assured her brother.
“I might be able to help,” Aoife said.
“Don’t push yourself,” Aaren said, his eyes showing concern for the first time Markl and Joshua had met him. “At least sleep some first. You’ve been forcing yourself to keep walking this whole time Aoife.”
Aoife went quiet, looking down at her bare feet.
“Joshy’ll help!” Markl volunteered his friend, pushing him forward.
“W-what?” Joshua complained. He had been trying to avoid Truman in his anger, and was doing quite well. He shot Markl a frown over his shoulder, earning himself a grin and thumbs up.
“What help would you be?” Truman growled, his full attention and anger now directed towards Joshua.
Joshua gulped. “W-well....” he stammered, intimidated by the angry soldier.
“Oh, well Joshua was a volunteer at our local clinic!” Markl explained.
It was true that Joshua helped out at the clinic, but only because he had been forced to find work by his father, who believed that everyone should learn the importance of earning things themselves. Especially earning money.
Truman frowned, not really believing him. He looked quizzically at his sister, who nodded.
“He speaks the truth,” she replied simply. “Let’s get you all in the tent!” she said, waving in its direction.
“My stomach says it’s dinner time!” Jean said, gesturing for Aoife and Aaren to follow Karaugh. “You must be hungry! Go on!”
Truman sighed and carefully headed over to the tent, Jean trailing close behind him.
Aaren led Aoife after them by the arm, still not trusting Truman. Especially not now when he was this angry.
“I am beat!” Markl exclaimed, throwing himself down on his mat on the floor.
Joshua sighed. “But Markl, aren’t you gonna eat first?”
“Eat without me,” Markl grumbled, making a cocoon out of his rough blanket.
Aaren was sitting on the floor besides the mat Aoife lay on, who was already asleep. Joshua noticed for the first time how exhausted the man looked with those dark rings under his eyes. He wanted to ask the man a lot of things, but could not muster the courage he needed, so he got up to sit near the warm embers of the fire Karaugh was tending.
Truman grabbed Joshua by the arm, pulling him over to where he had set Freya down. “You, get to work,” he growled, the look in his eyes telling Joshua he was not one to mess with.
“Y-yes sir!” Joshua yelped, looking over at Karaugh, his eyes pleading for help. He was lost as to what to do, and had no desire to have Truman staring at him the whole time.
Karaugh nodded, seeming to understand and whispered something to Jean, who was already working on his second bowl of soup.
“Truman,” Karaugh said, placing a hand on her brother’s shoulder. “Maybe you and Jean would like to step outside and eat while keeping watch,” she said, her nails digging into his skin. “Here,” she smiled, holding a bowl out to him, her grip on his shoulder tightening.
“All right!” Truman exclaimed, snatching the bowl and getting up, causing Karaugh to release him from her iron grip.
“Thank you,” she smiled, shooing him out of the tent.
Jean laughed, getting up to join Truman.
“Thank you,” Joshua sighed. “Karaugh, please help me with this... and could you help too Aaren?” he asked, not bothering to ask Markl whom he knew was already asleep by the sound of his deep, rhythmic breathing.
Aaren glanced up, nodding solemnly. “I suppose I owe you for helping Aoife,” he sighed, scooting over to Freya’s side.
“I’ll go cook some cloth,” Karaugh announced, grabbing an old blanket and cutting it into strips to boil in a pot of fresh water.
Joshua exchanged a glance at Aaren. “Let’s not tell Truman what we have to do,” he said.
“Agreed,” Aaren nodded. “Now, you’re the doctor. What do you want me to do?”
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Oo Joshua's a doctor now xD hehe, Truman's acting like a little moody girl.... xD somebody is not havign a good day :P
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Ashes
Mystery / Thriller"Once a being has been named, it has power. Be sure to take care of yours. I'd know how important it is, because I lost mine." Joshua is always fretting over the "what ifs" in life, but never trusts his gut feeling because it's always wrong... at...
