The Unending Epic Written to Appease a Friend, Tell a Tale, an...

8

          The girl jumps a foot in the air when the pantry door opens, but relief washes over her when she realizes it's Asher.

          "Why are they chasing you?" he demands.

          She just stares at him.

          "What did you do that they're coming after you with weapons?" He feels the heat in his voice, yet she only looks down and remains silent. "Did you hurt someone?"

          She shakes her head and he keeps pressing.

          "Did you bring a curse?" Another shake. "Are you the reason my parents are dead?" He nearly shouts. At that she looks up and meets his gaze. His anger suddenly cools when he sees the tears swimming in her eyes.

          "No."

          He has no more words, after that. He looks at the door, then back at the girl. Her eyes are begging. "Please," she nearly whispers.

          Asher feels like his chest might burst. The men must have a reason for chasing her, but then he looks at the girl again and sees her fear and makes up his mind. "I'll be right back," he tells her. He reaches for the door but she clutches his arm.

          "Don't leave me again."

          He pauses, then nods. "Okay. Follow me." He slowly crosses the farmhouse to the window. When he doesn't hear any footsteps behind him he turns to see why she isn't following, then nearly jumps when she's only half an arm length away. She looks at him with concern. "You have a light step," he mutters.

          The men are still out of sight. Asher leads the girl out of the house and points nods to the north. A thousand paces from the house, the forest skirts the foothills of the mountains. "Run straight there," he says. "Once you're in the trees it'll be easier to hide. I'll come find you when they're gone and--"

          "Hey!"

          Asher whips around. Saman stands at the corner of the house, his teeth bared in a snarl. "Liar! She's bewitched you!"