Dalliance

Chapter Thirty Eight

By the time Dawson was untied, the morning sun had illuminated the land. The fire that had been raging all night had been extinguished by Raven's men, and Holly remained alone with the leader as Dawson was anxious. When she finally emerged, her entire appearance had altered from a typical maiden to a wild folk. Her hair was braided with flowers placed sporadically about. She had several markings upon her in a crimson shade that were set on her lips, cheeks, and one wrapping around her ring finger. In a way, she shinned in her new attire, but Dawson was still nervous for what was asked of her. The thought lingered all night as he was released to pace and kept in a small area and observed. Now as he was able to talk to her, everything rose to the surface and his eyes filled with a deep fear that was covered by rage.

"Have you converted into their kind?"

"Simply welcoming their custom." She said coldly as she moved across the camp. Her gaze did not match his as they began to talk, she simply stayed glaring towards the path ahead.

"I heard what he asked of you...did you accept?"

"Of course not. The realization that you have to ask is what makes me loathe your thoughts of me."

"Can you place blame upon me? We are both guilty of deception? Can we not move on from it?"

"I desired that of you before and you were willing to leave me stranded in the middle of the wood with nothing but my price on my head. So forgive me if I am not willing to lie my arms down."

"We have to leave...those soldiers will not be far behind and the weapons they wield are far more strong than arrows."

"Raven was correct on how simple minded you are."

Suddenly Dawson pulled her back before she entered another tent. The other wild folk had moved close, pointing their weapons towards Dawson.

"You do not understand how reckless you believe in others. Your heart is kind and trusting, which is dangerous. Have you no thought of what will become of you when you are no longer needed? Do you expect us to be the only people to ever cross their path?"

"Of course not." She motioned a gaze to those wielding weapons and they resumed the duties prior to protecting her.

"Then why is there no story of their hospitality in any corner of this world?"

"What are you saying?"

"They are savages." He lowered his voice. "Coated in sheep skin. They have claws, Holly. They will dispose of you the first chance they get-regardless of who you are or what you can offer them. I see it in Raven's eyes. The way he looks to you as if he can possess you."

"The way you used to gaze upon me, if I remember correctly."

"I wanted to claim you, not possess you. Nobody can do that. Not to you."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because you are broken now...whatever the King did to you...he took that part of humanity that made you helpless and made you-"

"Strong-"

"Weak."

She glared.

"You are not helpless, you're vengeful-and that is what is dangerous."

Without another word, she moved into her tent and left him to roam among the others. By midday, Dawson realized he was shunned by the others. No one had spoken as much as a word to him and whatever was spoken was in their unfamiliar language. He decided then to take leave and linger near the river, in hopes of gathering his thoughts without angering any one else.

Picking up a flower between his fingers, he played with the stem back and forth before throwing it into the water. As he looked up, he saw soldiers coming up the hill. As quickly as possible, he hid behind a nearby tree and had shielded himself from those nearby. Trying to rest his breathing to not be overheard, he could hear the sound of the men's chatter.

"Do you believe it is truly a useless quest?" One man asked as he jumped from his horse.

"I believe if a woman were to escape in the middle of the night without a horse or provisions, she is most certainly dead."

"But she was not alone."

"And a stable boy...not smart enough to thrive off the land."

"He was also a soldier...as they say..."

Silence then filled the air as Dawson saw a large branch near his feet. Picking it up to use as a weapon, he had went to reveal himself until they began speaking once more.

"I know the King will not desire the knowledge of Nicholas's fate."

"That sod is better of in the tavern where we left him."

"It is not too late to go back and retrieve him..."

"If you wish to go and wind up men who act no different drunk than sober-be my guest...but I am searching for the girl..."

"I thought you believed it all to be useless?"

The men that walked away, leaving Dawson with an idea.