Chapter 6.

Dubia

After what seemed like hours of traveling, we were rewarded with the sight of a solitary trading post.

Cale and Logan exchanged the tired horses for some food, water, and a lumpy bundle of something. They made me wait in the woods nearby as they traded with the merchant. The promise of food was what made me stay.

Now I knew why they had stolen the horses. Besides the obvious need for transportation, it was a bargaining chip. I began to worry whether they would try to hand me off to someone for a trade.

When the men returned, we sat down and ate—two loaves of bread, a block of cheese, and three apples. My stomach welcomed the food happily, but I was eager to continue on to town. We found the merchant's well and drank as much as we could before filling the canteens.

Cale handed me the lumpy bundle. I took it hesitantly, not sure what to do with it.

"Open it," he said. They both watched me as I untied the bundle, revealing a brown cotton dress and some sturdy boots that laced up.

"Go change," I heard Cale say. I looked up at him, wondering how I was going to change when they wouldn't even let me out of their sight. "Go on," he said, his impatience sweeping through me.

I turned and walked off, finding a large bush and looking back to make sure I was far enough away. I then quickly removed my dirt-clad mourning dress and pulled on the simple brown one. The fabric was soft and clean, still I would have preferred a bath. I kicked off my tattered cloth shoes and pulled on the boots, lacing them up good. They weren't the most comfortable things in the world—they were actually quite heavy—but they would keep my feet protected.

I returned to the clearing to see Cale and Logan packed up and ready to go. I had left my old dress under the bush so I wouldn't have to carry it. It was a lot heavier than my new dress and we no longer had horses, so I could foresee a great deal of walking to be done. I left it behind as a symbol. I was done feeling sorry for myself.

I had a plan.

"One more thing," Cale said, and he pulled out a faded red scarf and handed it to me. I took it from him and tied it around my hair securely. He looked pleased, the frown on his face only slightly grumpy this time.

We set off through the trees, only taking the road when the traffic of coaches and horses became plentiful enough to blend into. I noticed how a lot of women around me covered their heads with scarves, then I realized why I was wearing one. As we passed under a wide arch, guards nodded us through without a second glance.

As we entered Dubia—a thriving town of Fenton—we traveled with the current of the crowd, finally arriving at the center of the bustling community. I couldn't believe I was only mere steps away from people; people that could help me get home. To my disappointment however, Cale led us down a side alley that was nearly empty of residents. We kept moving until we arrived at the back of a building, where we finally stopped.

Cale and Logan conversed quietly about something as I looked around. I didn't have much time. The afternoon sun was beginning to sink closer to the surrounding rooftops.

A hand on my shoulder made me jump. It was only Logan. I ignored his low chuckled and looked around too see Cale walking off down a different way.

"Let's go for a walk," he said.

I scrutinized his expression. He was smiling.

"A walk? Since when do thieves go for walks?"

His smile lessened and he shook his head. "Just come on."

I followed him back down the alley until we reached the bustling crowd again.

Entering the square, I soaked in the familiarity of the scene. Women gathered together, gossiping and holding baskets filled to the brim with produce, children raced past good-naturedly, while merchants attracted customers with their colorful displays. A number of armored men passed by, tall and serious. They looked different than the guards of my hometown. I wasn't sure who to trust.

There looked to be a presentation up ahead. I stuck by Logan as we squeezed through the crowd and came up to an open area in which a man stood demonstrating a variety of elf-made treasures to the spectators. One was a miniature centaur figurine that whipped his mane back and forth gracefully. It was a beautiful thing. I had only ever seen centaurs at the menagerie back home, and I had never seen anything made by elves. Products like those were rare and extremely valuable.

The traveling salesman was asking a fortune for the prized object. I thought of the Kalasite stone that the gnome had given Logan, wondering what he planned to do with it. We eventually left the crowd and continued on. Reaching a shop with weapons displayed in the window, Logan moved toward it.

"I'll be right back," he told me. Then he gave me a look. "Stay close," he added.

I moved to sit down on a nearby bench. "I won't run off," I said innocently.

He watched me with a frown. "There are worse things than getting lost," he said flatly, and he disappeared inside the store.

I wondered how he knew I was worried about getting lost. Then I wondered what he had meant by 'worse things'. I was kidnapped wasn't I? It couldn't get much worse than that.

I sat and looked around at the crowded street. I said I wouldn't run off, but that didn't mean I couldn't talk to people.

A woman walked by with a basket of flowers. I immediately stood. "Excuse me, mam." She turned and I approached her. "I was wondering if you knew of any outward bound coaches?"

The lady eyed me up and down, and annoyance swept through me. "I know nothing," she told me and stalked off muttering something that sounded like, "filthy runaways..."

I stared at her angrily. Runaway? I was trying to get home! Maybe I should be more direct...

A man was coming toward me. I considered asking him until he eyed me in a way that made me feel uncomfortable. He tipped his hat in my direction and then entered the weapons shop. I tried to pick out a good candidate from the crowd, someone who would answer my questions without causing a scene. A few minutes later I spotted an elderly man passing by.

"Sir!" I said loudly, trying to get his attention as a young messenger boy stepped around me. The man looked my way and I didn't waste any time. "I'm trying to get home. Do you know where I can find a coach to Ledira?"

"Sorry, darlin'," the man said. "All outward bound coaches leave shortly after sunrise. You'll have to wait 'till tomorrow." He waved a hand and began to leave me.

"Wait! Where do they pick up?" But the man had already been swept away by the crowd. I took a step forward, bumping into the messenger boy who had turned after fastening something to the wall of the weapons shop. "Sorry..." I muttered, looking around for the old man, but he was gone.

"It's okay miss," the boy said. He smiled and tipped his hat, then sped off in the other direction with a handful of papers under his arm. I turned to see what he had posted, merely out of curiosity. I nearly fainted at what I saw.

MISSING, the sign read. KENDRA FORESTER OF LEDIRA. SEVENTEEN, SHORT BROWN HAIR, BLUE EYES. DAUGHTER OF THE LATE GENERAL GRANT FORESTER. BELIEVED TO BE A VICTIM OF KIDNAPPING SUNDAY. REPORT ANY INFORMATION TO THE ROYAL GUARDS OF FENTON.

I couldn't believe my eyes. I stared at the sign. Not only were people looking for me—something I had not expected—but my description was right there for all to see! Although, I knew several women of my age must also have brown hair and blue eyes. There wasn't anything outstanding about me, except perhaps my 'gift', but no one knew about that and they couldn't very well write that on a notice anyway.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. I turned around to see Logan coming out of the weapons shop and instinctively moved in front of the sign so he wouldn't see it.

"Ready to go?"

I nodded, looking away from him so he wouldn't notice the shock on my face. I quietly followed him back through the center of town, though my mind was screaming with relief. Someone was bound to see the sign and recognize me. I could only hope they had the means to face my kidnappers.

We were almost to the alley when I heard my name being called over the crowd. "Kendra?"

I didn't turn around at first, certain I was hearing things. "Kendra!"

I glanced at Logan, but looked away before I could register his expression. I turned to see a girl with long red hair approaching me.

"Gwen?"

"Kendra! It's good to see you!" I stared in surprise as one of my old friends from finishing school walked up to me and gave me a hug. I hadn't seen her in two years.

Gwen pulled away, and I saw her glance at Logan who stood quietly beside me. I couldn't tell what he was feeling, but I knew what he must be thinking. This could blow everything.

"Gwen, this is... Logan." I tried to sound calm. I still hadn't fully recovered from the knowledge that people were looking for me. I didn't know what to do. But I knew what not to do. I wasn't going to drag Gwen into this. She was bound to see the 'missing' signs sooner or later, and maybe she would find someone that could help me. Maybe. But I knew I couldn't count on anyone but myself. I had a plan, and I was going to stick to it.

She didn't seem to notice my hesitation. "Nice to meet you," she said, shaking Logan's hand. Then she turned back to me. "Kendra I haven't seen you in years! How have you been?"

"I..." I pushed away the painful memories of the past week and managed a smile. "Fine. And you?"

"Wonderful! I'm teaching dance here in town. You should come to one of my classes!"

I marveled at how easy it was to fool her, though Gwen had always been more concerned with herself than others anyway. "Yeah maybe, but I'm just visiting..." I tried to sound casual, though my heart was pounding nervously. What was I supposed to tell her? No thanks, I'm actually kidnapped right now so maybe some other time?

"That's alright." She looked at Logan again. She was smiling but I felt her disappointment. "I'll leave you two alone. Maybe I'll see you around." She smiled cheerfully and waved as she left.

I watched her walk away, a sinking feeling in my stomach. Had I just passed up a chance for rescue? I hoped I knew what I was doing, and that my plan would work. I looked at Logan who was watching Gwen as well, and I felt annoyance rise up as I once again failed to know what he was feeling. "Are we going to find Cale?"

He nodded without a word. I couldn't read his face, but I guessed he was relieved that I hadn't ratted him out. Although, he didn't necessarily look happy. I continued to contemplate the enigmatic emotions of the boy beside me as we continued on our way.

Cale was waiting for us when we arrived at the alley.

"I found a place to stay for the night," he said. I was surprised to hear this. I thought we'd be returning to the woods to sleep, but I wasn't complaining.

Cale led us behind several buildings until we reached a door with a small awning over it. He bent down and began searching through one of the two bushes that flanked the doorway. Then he pulled out a key and unlocked the door, leading us inside. I could only assume someone had arranged this for us.

It looked to be a storage room, for there were boxes everywhere. A wooden ladder leaned up against one wall, with a small opening in the ceiling. Cale started up the ladder and I followed, arriving in a dark attic. From what I could see, it was small and dusty, and everything was covered with white sheets.

Logan pulled out a lamp and lit it, setting it down on top of an upturned crate. I walked across the room, my head nearly skimming the low ceiling. I hadn't realized how late it was until I looked out the small attic window and saw the street lamps being lit as the sun fell below the trees.

"Get away from the window," Cale snapped. I did as he said. Then I watched as he pulled out the rest of the food we had left, and we sat down and ate it in silence.

Eventually Logan got up and pulled off a few of the sheets. He shook them out and handed them to me. "Take these."

I took them with a quiet thank you and walked to the opposite side of the room near the window. I laid two on the floor and folded the third sheet under my head. Then I lay down and stared up at the slanted wood ceiling. It felt good to be sleeping indoors again, with something other than my hands for a pillow.

I glanced over and saw Cale reading something in the lamplight. Logan was leaning against a box holding a small bag that I hadn't seen before. I wondered what was inside of it.

My wondering was short-lived, however, as the comfort and warmth of the sheets made me realize how tired I was. It had been an extremely long day. I rolled over and faced the wall, closing my eyes and drifting to unconciousness.

A/N: Thank you as always! Hope you enjoyed this chapter!