The Heir of Kings

Chapter Nine: Bargaining

A few hours later, Estela was being stubborn again, as usual. The woods were still around them and showed no signs of going anywhere. They had changed directions several times and were far from their goal. Though at least the light came down from the trees nicely. There was also a bit of a breeze, which kept them cool.

Even so, Relma sighed as they passed that same stump again. She'd seen it several times already and was tired of it.

"We're lost, and you know it," Relma said. Why couldn't Estela admit she had no idea where she was going? Relma probably knew better, but Estela would never listen.

"We're not lost," said Estela. "We're just finding our way."

"This wouldn't have happened if you hadn't broken my compass, you know," said Ronald.

"I didn't break your compass," said Estela. "You passed it to me badly." Why was she like this?

"Could you just admit you dropped it?" asked Ronald.

"After you passed it to me badly," said Estela.

"Just keep walking in one direction," said Ronald. "We're sure to come out somewhere."

"Assuming the wolves don't track us down," said Relma. "They're sure to have discovered I'm gone by now. We must get to Gel Carn quickly, or things could be bad."

"What's the rush?" asked Estela. "You don't think they'll march straight to war over a couple of squires, do you?"

Relma decided not to blab the truth and gave a look to Ronald. "Well, you never know." was what she said.

Estela must have noticed before she looked at them hard. "Actually, you do," she said.

At that moment, Anya slung over Estela's shoulder and woke up. She started struggling. Straining against her ropes and thrashing. She glared hatefully at Relma. "Mmmph! Mmmph!"

"Well, it sounds like our prisoner has woken up," said Estela. "Come on, let's keep moving." Anya kept shouting and thrashing as they walked. It became increasingly irritating as they walked. Relma was afraid that they would attract attention. "Did you tie her properly?"

"Of course," said Estela.

"She's making a lot of noise," said Relma.

"You know, if you'd made a bit more noise, we wouldn't have been in this situation in the first place," said Estela.

"I couldn't," said Relma. "Ajax did something to make me fall unconscious."

"It's calling hitting someone over the head," said Estela flatly. "An ancient technique that is known only to the greatest warriors. One that has been passed down in Ronald's family for generations." Did she have to be so snide about all this?

"No, I mean he put a cloth over my mouth," said Relma. "When I breathed through it, I fell asleep." Anya kept yelling. "I wish we had one of those now."

Ronald hit Anya over the head again, and she fell unconscious. "I can improvise."

"Will you stop doing that?" asked Relma. "You could hurt her."

"She was attracting attention," said Ronald. "Do you think it was some kind of spell?"

Relma looked down. "No. I know spellwork when I see it. It must have been a poison of some kind."

"What did he want you for anyway?" asked Estela.

"He wanted to marry me," said Relma. "I think he was stalking me before now. But right now, Telix is transforming villagers into wolf people."