Inkblots: A Tale of Magic, Adventure, and Romance

XVI. Hitching a Ride

By mid-morning, Alia took off her cloak. She should have been more comfortable under the warm sunshine, but nausea tightened her stomach and a dull pain pervaded her abdomen. It was probably a consequence of barely eating for two days, but Alia didn't want to complain to her companion.

Finally, though, she just felt too wretched. "Kit," she said shyly, speeding up to walk alongside him, "could we stop? I need a small break."

He glanced sideways at her and then stopped, peering down at her face more closely. "Oh. You're pale. Sit down. Let's get some food in you."

"Thank you," she said gratefully. There was a small boulder at the edge of the road, and she propped herself up against it, letting her muscles relax.

"Here." He handed her another dry biscuit and chunk of chewy meat. Alia tried not to wrinkle her nose, but maybe her sentiments showed on her face anyway, because Kit spoke again. "Sorry. I know this stuff is terrible. It's all I had on me. We'll get more supplies in Eastgate."

"It's okay," she said awkwardly. "I'm used to nice food because my mother works in the kitchens, but I'm not stupid. I know you can't pack fresh things." Gods, every time she spoke she felt like a child. "If it's any help, I can cook, too."

Kit nodded at that, sitting himself on another nearby rock, but just gnawed at the meat instead of speaking more.

One more stabbing pain clenched at her gut, but as Alia ate, she began to gradually feel better. After her companion had finished his meal, he shook the canteen and then looked at it with a skeptical expression.

"You need water?"

Bland crumbs still clung to her palate, but Alia read his expression correctly and said "I can wait."

"Ready then?"

Alia nodded and stood up, turning to grab her cloak from beside her makeshift chair.

"Um..." Kit sounded vaguely alarmed, and Alia spun around to see what was the matter.

"What?" she asked when he didn't speak.

"You're bleeding," he said, flapping a hand vaguely at her.

"Bleeding? Where?" She looked at her feet, expecting her blisters to be the source of Kit's alarm, but of course she couldn't see anything through the brown leather of her shoes.

"Skirt."

"Skirt?" With dawning horror, Alia looked back behind her and pulled her skirt out to make it more visible. Sure enough, there was a blotch of reddish damp on the brown fabric about the size of the palm of her hand. Everything clicked. She stood frozen for a moment, not knowing how to look at Kit or even go on walking. Suddenly, unexpectedly, amusement bubbled up in her chest and Alia found herself laughing wholeheartedly.

"Alia?" Kit sounded more alarmed now, and she laughed harder, bringing up her hands to cover her face.

"Oh gods," she said into her palms.

"Are you all right?"

"Yes, yes," she wheezed, trying to calm down. "It's just— It's just my moon time. Here in front of a Hero of the Book. Gods, and this is why I've been crying so much too!" She lost it again, hunching over in a gale of laughter.

When she finally calmed herself and looked up at the golden-haired hero who stood before her, his cheeks might have been tinged faintly red, but he looked amused. "So you don't cry so much normally? That's a relief."

Alia snickered again before taking a deep, soothing breath. "No. I mean, yes, I cry. But not all the time." How had she not known her moon time was due? But then again, it had been a hectic time to say the least. She pulled her skirt to the side again, looking at the stain in dismay. "Oh, bollocks."