No trace: Part Two of The Accidental Trilogy

Chapter Twenty One

I find the inn easily enough. Believing that I am not a monster, not so much.

I had accepted the label long ago, but then I had been little more than a child. I lay down onto the bed and wondered.

There was four years difference between Rosa and I. But she was gone now, she would have passed forty years ago now. Even so, I still tried to contact her then, even though I knew it wouldn't work.

That space of my mind, might seem musty from disuse, I haven't had occasion to use it for some time and when the connection opens, I have almost lost interest and soon to doze off, so it is a bit of shock to hear Rosa's voice again. Shaky and emotional as it was.

'I do not think you will ever hear this. Louis showed me this, creating words and putting them out into the ether, but not sending it. He has had made many friends over his years and found it useful. I want to make amends now. It might be too late. You may never believe it, but what I claimed that night, I said out of anger. I had created a life for myself, and I struck out at the one who was threatening that existence. Ignoring that she was my friend and a child in this strange world. It does not excuse what I did, this statement probably comes too late - '

I cut myself off from this sweetness sodden message of supposed love from an old friend. If she really thought this after the fact, she could have told me, not fucking ignored me, especially when I was right in front of her, with her children who I had personally escorted out of a dangerous country, and to their mother's arms, full to the brim of people who were angry at the monarchy and nobility and would have harmed those said children had I not been constantly vigilant. She does not get to send a posthumous message full of regret and have me listen. I refuse.

'I am not a monster,' I murmur to myself. It doesn't sound false to my ears, but what do I know? I'm just the person who has been around longer than Rosa's been alive. Mostly. I did want to join Alaric and Tristan on their journey north, I had not been to Denmark before.

Alaric. He had brought out something strange in me. I had not felt this before and had a little trouble in recognising it at first.

The following morning, I met them downstairs in the inn's main room and joined them for breakfast.

'You are joining us then, to possibly occupied territory?' Tristan asks me.

'Wouldn't be the first time,' I reply to his question, but I'm looking in Alaric direction.

Then I hear Andrea and I'm at the stables quicker than I have ever moved.

'What in the hell do you think you are doing? Unhand him!' The two thieves are surprised for a moment but do not stop.

I go to grab them, but they both pull out guns. 'Step away, there's a good fraulein.'

I knock into them and pull one of the guns from his grasp and kick the other one for good measure.

'No. You, step away.'

He pulls out another gun and his companion slowly get to his feet. 'Well, I'd like to, but we really do need a horse.'

'You are not taking mine.' I'd fire a warning shot, but I'm conscious of being close to other people, and - ah to hell with it.

I fire a shot that lands in the wood a few centimetres away from his head. 'And that wasn't a lucky shot.'

'Oh, I believe you.'

'You should,' Alaric is behind me. 'Because so far, you've been living on borrowed time. In the time you have left, you should be honest.'

'I knew you wouldn't fire, ladies, don't do that kind of thing...' The next bullet lodges in his palm. He screams and curses up a storm.

'Enough now. We need to leave.'

'They were trying to steal Andrea.'

'Which is why I was giving you time to sort this out. But we really do need to leave, so you prepare Andrea. Tristan and I will take care of these two.'

I put the gun into his hand. 'Might need to get rid of this as well. It's of shoddy quality. Surprised that it fired at all.'

He laughs and Tristan even manages a small smile.

I calm down Andrea, even though he's faced down worse, it's the routine that is a comfort for us both.

Outside, I lead Andrea down the road to wait for the others.

They arrive a few moments later, Alaric asks, 'Are you wondering what happened to those thieves?'

'No.'

'Liar. They're in front of the mayor.'

'Alive.' Tristan adds.

'Nice for them,' I replied carelessly. 'Once we're out of the town, we can talk about transport options.'

'I am assuming it doesn't mean walking all the way,' Tristan says.

'Course not.'

Back in the wilderness, I feel more relaxed once again and out of habit, swing up into the saddle, not forgetting my new travelling companions as such.

'Maybe we all should have bought a horse,' Alaric says calmly.

'Maybe so,' I grin. 'Or even a wagon.'

'We would have our speed limited,' Tristan says. 'But you on your horse, Alaric and I can run, and not become easily tired.'

'First one to the next town?' I suggest.

'Buys the second horse,' Alaric finishes. 'No throwing the race.'

Of course, with their speed, its Tristan who wins and the next morning, sits atop his new mount, with Alaric walking in between the two of us.

'Another race?' Tristan suggests after a few miles of calm conversation. We all agree and this time, surprise surprise, it's Alaric who is the clear winner.

The next day, all three of us are trotting at a steady pace. The banter we shared way back when is in full force.

Once across the border into Denmark, the mood sobers. Tristan especially is serious enough for a room full of judges and I wonder what has happened.

It is a while before any explanation is forthcoming, understandably we are all on alert for any soldiers or fighting and it is nightfall before Alaric walks over to my side of the campsite we have made and sits down next to Andrea and I.