Put back together

65. Trust me not to stab your back

Warnings: Blood, fear of death, violence, head wound

Roman wasn't sure how he felt about seeing Virgil again.

Relieved that he hadn't killed him after all and that there still was a way for them to fulfill their quest?

Angry that he was back as if nothing had happened and they were stuck with him again?

Afraid that he could hurt them or betray them again, worse than the first time?

Maybe a mix of all three and hints of other feelings he couldn't or maybe didn't want to understand.

He just knew that he didn't trust him.

It had hailed, just as Virgil had predicted.

They went on as soon as it stopped and even though they were going in the direction Virgil had come from he went with them without hesitation or anyone even asking him to.
Roman couldn't help but wonder what his motive was.

He was glad that his arm had healed, even more so now. Like this he could finally fight properly again if the need arose.

They reached the summit and Roman could barely make out anything in the thick mist.

After a while he heard sleigh bells in the distance.

"We should try to stay away from whoever that is," he suggested. "Who knows if they're friend or enemy. Better not risk anything."

"You're right," Logan agreed. "It's already dangerous enough out here."

The bells came closer and they tried to steer away from them as best as possible, with how steep the path went down and the wind carrying the sound around making it hard to place where it came from.

"Hey!" a rough voice called and they froze.

A few metres over them stood a figure, dressed in sallerowan armour.
Their beard prevented them from closing the helmet. Not a soldier.

"Revolutionary," Roman whispered, hoping the others could hear him.

"So enemy," Patton whispered back.

"Who are you?" the man called.

"Just travelers!" Emile told him. "We're crossing the mountains to get home to our village."

"Which village are you headed for?" the man asked on, getting closer. Roman subtly made sure his sword was completely hidden.

"To the Mossgarden," Patton answered quickly. "It's a small village further up the Jein. I doubt you know it."

"I don't," the man admitted and his eyes wandered over them restlessly. "You don't look very sallerowan," he finally said and pointed at Virgil. "Who are you?"

"He's deaf," Logan claimed saving Virgil from having to tell the truth or come up with something on the spot. "We don't know where he's from but he's useful so we let him stay with us. We don't know his goal either."

Other than the deaf part it wasn't even a lie. Roman couldn't help but admire Logan's answer a little.

"Completely deaf?"

"As a rock," Roman nodded before turning to Virgil and yelling at the top of his lungs. "Aren't you?!"

Virgil smiled nervously but didn't react otherwise, playing along.

"Are you carrying any illegal goods or weapons?" the revolutionary asked on.

"I just have a bow and arrows," Patton spoke almost too quickly.