Heavy Burdens 《Completed》- -

Chapter 25

Elizabeth's POV

Her sleep was peaceful. Her waking up, however, wasn't.

Liz jumped to sit up straight when Sokanon came walking into the tent. Making loads of noise and already asking Liz something in that angry voice of hers. Liz didn't have the time to let her eyes adjust to the darkness that's still lingering in the tent when Sokanon stands before her. Looking up to the woman while holding one of the furs against her body. Covering her nakedness with it.

"Where's Declan?" Liz' voice sounded hoarse into her own ears and she clears her throat before speaking a bit louder. "Where is he?"

Eyes roaming around the tent but not seeing the man she shared the night with. The ache between her thighs reminded her of the passion they both shared.

"I was about to ask you the same question," Sokanon's voice making Elizabeth look back at the native woman.

She's confused, not sure why Sokanon would think Liz knows where Declan is. But her stomach turns inside her body, a sick feeling taking a hold on her and Liz takes a deep breath to try and keep the panic away.

"Shit," she murmurs, hands searching for her clothes while trying to keep the fur into place. "I knew something was up."

It was as if Sokanon felt her anxiety and the woman kneels to fetch Liz's dress from the floor.

"Michael is gone too," Sokanon said, anger gone out of her voice and features. It made place for a concerned tone. "Get dressed, Liz. We need to move fast."

Elizabeth just nods and grabs the dress out of Sokanon's hands. "Thanks, I'm there in a few minutes." Not noticing the woman had used her name for the first time they met. And not in an angry or belittling tone.

She waits until Sokanon leaves the tent before jumping up to get dressed. Her fingers are trembling, making is hard to bind the cords of her dress properly and Liz gives up after a few tries. A simple knot would have to do, and she bites her bottom lip when tying up her shoes.

Deep down she knows what Declan's plan is. She should have seen it coming but for some reason, she didn't take him as a reckless man. Apparently, he was.

"Sokanon?" Leaving the tent and feeling the chill on her face.

"I'm here. I found Michael."

Turning to her left, Liz saw Sokanon and Michael standing together. And it takes her just a second to stand nose to nose with the boy who no doubt knew more about this.

"Where is he?"

Her voice demanding, and Michael furrows his brow while looking down at her.

"You spend way too much time with Sokanon," he murmurs but Liz isn't laughing.

"I'm not joking. Where's Declan?"

"I don't know!"

He raises his hands towards the sky as if that makes him believable somehow.

Liz is only vaguely aware that the camp is waking up around them. Her finger pointing at Michael while taking another step toward him.

"You were gone this morning before Sokanon woke. So was Declan. Where did he go?"

"I promised not to tell, Liz," Michael said, his voice almost begging her to stop questioning him. His blue eyes flickering from her to the natives that are gathering around them. "And we have to go."

Liz opens her mouth to speak up but Sokanon grabs her by the arm.

"Not now. First, we go," Sokanon murmurs and pulls Liz away from the camp.

Liz wants to struggle, wanting to know where Declan went. Needing to know why Declan left her in the middle of the night after they shared the bed together. It nags her in her stomach, causing a knot that's making her feel nauseated. Feeling betrayed by Declan.

She's so deep in thought that Liz doesn't notice Sokanon had led her away towards the stream away from the Red Claw. But as soon as Sokanon lets her go, Liz turns on her heels towards Michael.

"I don't care what you promised him," she snaps, her finger poking into the boy's chest. "I need to know where he went?"

Silence hit her. But the frown forming between Michael's brow only infuriates Elizabeth more.

"To Fort James," he mumbles, his eyes darting between Liz and Sokanon. "He went to take out Lord Benton. Asked where the gunpowder was stocked. He said something about Emberly and two English men, fur traders of the National Fur Company. They just arrived here, and Declan talked to them a few days ago. They said they wanted to bring Benton down and would help..."

Liz raises her hand to stop Michael from talking. Her heart beat fast and her hands are shaking when turning to Sokanon.

"We need to do something," was all she managed to say. "He'll get himself killed."

"He didn't plan on coming back, Elizabeth," Michael chimed in making her snap her head into his direction.

"He'll better stay alive long enough for us to get there."

"Good luck," Michael frowned, turning around and planning to walk away.

"You're going with us," Sokanon his voice didn't leave open a discussion for him. And the boy obeyed her.

All three of them started walking towards the East. Their pace fast but they knew it would take a few hours before reaching Fort James. Elizabeth her feet hurt, and she didn't doubt her wounds were bleeding again. She didn't have the time to change the bandages. And Liz didn't want to stop their journey towards Fort James for her feet.

The entire road, her hands were balled into fists. Her nails leaving small wounds into her hands. But Liz didn't notice any of it. Her anxiety and anger driving her towards Lord Benton. Because she's almost certain they'll be too late to save Declan from Benton's viciousness.