Crossfire

9

"Nope."

"Kineou, come on! We barely have any options. Besides, wouldn't you like to be seen as a hero?"

"A hero? It's just a mission to get a couple kids out of the way. I'm honestly surprised you fell for it, Charar."

"Shomy would never do something like that, and you know it. You're just too lazy to do anything important."

Palka felt uncomfortable between the bickering friends. Charar had just filled them in on what his conversation with Shomy must have been about. Shomy wanted the four of them--herself, Charar, Kineou, and Kimdie--to travel to Shermask. Apparently Cloap Shurt told Shomy about his predicament (Palka was still trying to get her mind around that), so Shomy wanted them to go to the city to get information that 'only village people could get'. That was his excuse for why Cloap wouldn't be able to do this.

Palka had so many questions, but couldn't seem to get any in with a stubborn pair of knights in training arguing in the middle of the courtyard.

"It's basically a suicide mission. We're way too young to travel that far alone to get information someone fairly close to the king couldn't get. It's plain stupid." Kineou crossed his arms like a mother scolding her children.

"Oh please, you've done plenty of stupid things. How is this any different?" Kimdie chimed in. Charar and Palka couldn't help but give a few short laughs at this. Kineou scowled.

"Look, I'm sorry. But you really should go with us. We could use your help." Charar straightened his back. "Either we go with four, or we go with three. Your choice."

"Then I guess you're going with three," Kineou said as he turned and walked quickly away.

"He always acts like a little kid. Still love him, though," Kimdie said.

Charar sighed. "I figured he wouldn't come. Oh, well."

The two turned away as if everything was settled.

"Hold on," Palka said, still rooted in place. "Is anyone going to explain this? At all? Does anyone even know what--or why--we're doing this?"

Charar shrugged and Kimdie stated, "We'll figure it out. I'm sure we'll be fine."

Palka was not okay with this answer. It wasn't even an answer to her.

"We might as well start getting packed," Charar called over his shoulder. He and Kimdie were just exiting the courtyard.

"I'm done. I'm insane now. We're all insane now." Palka muttered to herself as she speed-walked after them.

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Palka's bag, previously close to empty, was now bulging with items and accompanied by two other bags of her belongings. Well, some of her belongings. The rest was food raided from the kitchen. She was still shaking her head from Kimdie standing at her door, holding several potato sacks full of stolen food, and a proud grin stuck on her face.

Palka was also surprised at how little the guards paid attention to them. She, Kimdie, and Charar had 'went for a ride in the woods' just before sunset, with bags piled on their horses, and the guards didn't give it a second glance.

Now they were at the edge of Chrilst, the moon rising behind them. Ginke sighed beneath Palka. It seemed the horse knew they were traveling again, back to where they were before.

Minutes before, they had been leading their mounts through a waterway that went through the wall surrounding the city. Charar said it was so they wouldn't have to make up an excuse to the guards at the gate. Still, Palka came up with the idea that, if anyone asked, they were going hunting.