Sleepwalker

Chapter Fifteen: Break the Foot

He untied my gag and stared at me expectantly. “How did I know? The book! Not only is this letter in the back written entirely in Caligerian, it’s also addressed to Jenny. I want some answers.” He threw the book at me quite forcefully and crossed his arms.

“Hey! That was uncalled for. Yes, my name is Jenny. I’m not a Leivenirian orphan. My father owns an inn in Yondrin and I’m traveling to Eirodin, okay?”

With a nasty glare, he slapped me across the face. “To think that I told you about my mother! What kind of weirdo pretends not to speak her own language?”

“Ouch! It wasn’t my idea. It was A-Felix’s…” My arms ached as they stretched above my head. “Could you please…?” I jangled the ropes hopefully. My toes throbbed.

“No. You can dangle like that until the spring for all I care. I cannot believe that you have understood everything that has been said. They chatted about you so vulgarly.”

“And it took all of my self control not to react.” I replied, thankful he hadn’t noticed my slip-up with Dill’s name. “This conversation would be easier if you could-”

“I am not going to let down the ropes. Why are you traveling?” He snarled.

I whispered harshly, “That is my business. I don’t have to tell you anything.”

“You are in no position to refuse either, Jenny. How much would an innkeeper’s daughter be worth? Surely not enough to keep her innocent. Surely not even enough to keep her alive.” He had his index finger to my throat, holding it there like a dagger.

“I’m looking for my mother.” I omitted the details of my hunt for answers on Sleepwalker, unwilling to explain. “I was hoping to find her in the archives in Eirodin.”

His face softened at the thought of a mother. “My apologies. I didn’t realize. By tomorrow morning, we should nearly be on the outskirts of Dunver.”

I cursed. “Then it will take at least three more days to get Eirodin. Sorting through files will be no quick task. I probably will not find her before winter.” I groaned. After a moment of musing, I reflected, “Well, I could see the library and the university.”

“You are going into a city of thieves and you’re thinking about a library?” Tristan scolded me. “I suppose you have Felix to protect you. How do you know him anyway?”

“He’s a friend. We’re traveling together.”

Angrily, he rolled his eyes. “Oh, I see. You’re betrothed to him. Well, I must say that you two liars are perfect for one another.” His tone was scalding.

“You’re a thief! Who are you to accuse me of being a liar? Wait, did you say betrothed? I’m not betrothed to him!” I flailed in my restraints, wishing to strangle him.

Another rustling came from camp. Footsteps steadily approached.

With a panic-stricken look, Tristan’s hands rested on my hips. Gently, his lips brushed against my neck, nuzzling me. He moaned and groped my backside.

“Tristan, what the hell are you doing?” Lister squinted at us. “Oh, I…uh. Damn. I wonder how Felix would feel.” Scratching his neck, Lister crawled back into his blankets.

In the morning’s light, Tristan’s face was a deep scarlet. “I…couldn’t think of anything, so I…I mean it’s better than…you’re blushing. I thought you were betrothed.”

I whispered, cognizant of Lister, “I told you. It’s not like that. We’re friends. I’ve only known him since I left home. That was the closest any boy has ever been to me.” My cheeks were flushed with bashfulness. My shoulders burned in protest to dangling with only the very tips of my boots on the ground supporting me. Soon enough my legs shuddered from the stretched position of my body. “And you’re sure that you can’t let-”