Bridging the Ancient ✓

Chapter 17

The bush in front of me tickles my nose and I bat the sharp branches away. I've been crouching in this spot for what feels like hours, although it's been only a few minutes. With every passing second, the sound of wagon wheels moves closer. So close I think the sound is rattling in my skull, the result of being directly next to me. But that is just my nerves.

Renit pulls the tattered hood over his head, one he crafted out of the extra fabric of my tunic, and shifts from where he crouches next to me. "Wait here," he whispers. This bulking mass of a witch can crouch for much longer than I can and manages to squirm much less.

Without bothering to wait for my response, he breaks through the tree line and walks along the side of the trail like he's waiting for anyone to help him. A lost man in a large kingdom. That is the part he will play.

He's lucky. As the wagon comes into view, I see it doesn't belong to the king's men or any prison wagons. It's a supply wagon. Perfect. Renit approaches, raising a hand in the air in greeting. The man driving the wagon slowly comes to a stop, pulling on the reins of his exhausted horses.

There are no windows to the wooden wagon, only a back door housing whatever might be on the inside. Food. I hope.

I smirk at the sight of the performance Renit puts on. He forces a limp, bracing his hand against the back of his knee. He's injured so the steps required to meet the man at the wagon are unnecessary. At least that appears to be the case for the driver as he holds out a hand, ushering for Renit to stop. I'll come to you, he seems to say with that simple gesture. The driver awkwardly smiles and climbs down the steps, asking if Renit needs help. Scratching at the dry berries caked around my eyes to hide my identity, I wait.

Any second now.

If any word of our descriptions is shared throughout the kingdom after this robbery, this plan won't work. My plan, considering Renit isn't involved. But he agreed enough to keep off the trail to avoid any further threat from rebels. He still thinks they're coming after us, even after not hearing anything for an entire night.

I clamp an arm around my stomach as an unsettling growl rips through the air. I need to eat. The only thing we've found are those berries and after nearly a day, I can't hold out much longer. My energy is drained and we need proper food. Without weapons or traps, this is our only shot and Renit is doing whatever he can.

The man is older, which makes me feel even worse, but I forced Renit to promise something. He is not to hurt anyone we come across, even if they have a snarky attitude. When asked if that was necessary to add in, I told him that the unpredictability of his nature caused it.

The man hobbles over to Renit on a limp of his own, originated form his hip, and places a hand on the prince's shoulder. That's a mistake. Renit moves in the flash of a blink and the man is disabled, one arm wrapped around his back while Renit pushes him against the side of the wagon. I wince. Guilt settles in my stomach like a rock.

"Now, spitfire!" Renit shouts back over the man's pleading. I break through the bushes, berry face and all, and avoid looking at the man that is whimpering for his freedom.

I don't like this. I don't like this.

I adjust the spare piece of Renit's sleeve over my head to hide the true color of my hair. One of the strands broke loose so I stuff it back underneath the dirty and uncomfortable fabric. I yank open the door to the wagon and am immediately met by crates upon crates of food.

Standing amongst the supply, I don't know what to take first but I grab the satchel resting in the corner, dump out the contents of herbs and medicines, and begin loading in fruits, vegetables, bread and cheese until there is no room left.