To Buy A Wife

Chapter 4

The sun was high and beating down hard from a white sky. All of Lake's water was gone, and her head throbbed to the pulsing of her heart. But she'd made it to the base of the mountain. All she had to do was climb up.

Lake allowed her gaze to trace the winding trail and would've cried if she had any energy left. She thought of sitting, taking a break, closing her eyes.

Did they have Vonn?

One foot in front of the other. There was no other option.

Lake had no idea how long she walked, but by the time she'd ducked into the cool darkness of the cave, the sun was low and tired in the sky, sinking like an old man into his bed.

Inside, large smooth boulders were arranged around an ashy fire pit. The ceiling rounded up into an uneven dome. Faded images of men with arrows chasing animals, long gone from this world, danced across the walls. Near the back, natural depressions in the cave lead to small slits in the rock, but as far as she knew there was only one way in and one way out. She stuck her hand behind a rock ledge and pulled out a water jug and some dried meat. Every time she'd been here the provisions had been replaced and were somewhat fresh.

She ripped off the cap and downed the water, spilling just as much down her neck as she did her throat, wetting her shirt.

"Careful or you'll throw it all back up."

Lake startled. She'd thought she was alone. Turning, she reached for the hilt of her sword. Behind her, where the sunlight didn't dare shine, Lake watched a shadow separate itself from the surrounding darkness. A hooded, cloaked figure stepped forward on silent feet.

Elder. Lake dropped the jug and unsheathed her sword. Her skill with the weapon was nowhere near that of an Elder. They were trained masters, but she might be able to buy herself enough time to run.

"Easy, White Fox. You're among friends," he said, and lowered his deep hood, exposing a smooth expanse of scalp.

Grey Owl. She'd never been so grateful to see a balding head in her life. If he'd ever had hair, she couldn't have guessed. Even his eyebrows were only raised pink ridges. He'd been with the Rebels the night they visited her father. He was the one who had brought her the computer, made the safe place, had been her contact since she'd joined the Rebellion. Grey Owl was her last and only friend.

"Sorry about the robes," Grey Owl said. "Slipping back and forth through the Portal is easier when you don't look like a Rebel."

"I thought I was alone." Lake's hand trembled as she tried to sheath her sword, but Grey Owl was kind enough not to mention her unsteadiness.

There was an uneasy moment of silence. For months the question of Vonn's fate had burned in her gut, but now that the answer was before her, she couldn't seem to form the words. Lake's arms folded over her belly. Either way, it all ended here. "Do you have Vonn? Do you know if the Elders found him? Is he alive?"

Grey Owl stepped forward, concern making deep ridges in his forehead. "At ease, White Fox. He's doing well. Missing his sister, asking about his parents, but for the most part loving at playing soldier."

Lake heard the words, but she needed to be absolutely sure. Needed to make sure there was no misunderstanding. "So you have him? He—Vonn is alive?"

Grey Owl's pink ridges rose. "Yes. I'm so sorry. I wish there had been a way to tell you, but I couldn't take the risk."

Lake shook her head, and then drew the first full breath she had in months. The rush of oxygen made her dizzy. She lowered herself onto a rock, placing her head between her knees.