"I can assure you, Brian, you won't be found out and hanged for treason."
Major Anderson did a double take at Scarlett's words. "You… you can read minds?" he stammered.
An amused huff was Scarlett's reply. "No. Your body language gives your thoughts away. Any soldier, I've learned, with an uncertain look on his face mingled with fear is thinking of consequences. As for how I knew you were thinking of being hung… where is your right hand at this moment?"
Major Anderson blinked, before looking down. He hadn't even noticed his hand touching his neck as if it was already feeling the coarse noose. "Oh," he said softly, heat rising up his neck.
Scarlett chuckled. "You've done gone and turned red as your coat, Major. Are you part chameleon?"
He frowned, unsure of how he felt being teased by a captor. Luckily he was saved from having to respond by Captain Stevenson asking when they would be leaving.
"Right now," Scarlett replied as she went over and untied Captain Smith. The man pitched forward, but Scarlett caught his shoulder before he could fall out of the chair. "Little help here, Henry?"
Captain Stevenson went forward and hoisted his fellow captain onto his shoulder with Scarlett's help. His knees buckled under the weight before he righted himself.
Major Anderson did not hear the Native approaching until he was right beside him.
"Stay with Scarlett," he said in that soft tone, causing Major Anderson to jump and flinch away. The Native held his gaze steadily. "She will protect you. My father will try to silence you. If you wish to remain alive, I suggest you stay with Scarlett."
The Major gulped at the grim reminder. He had a price on his head now given what he knew. The Assassin was right. If he strayed from Scarlett, Haythem's agents would pick him off. There might even be some within his own troops.
The Assassin addressed the Alphian. "I must go to meet my father at Valley Forge. I will see you once the battle is over," he said, and then left the room.
Scarlett dipped her head at his back, then turned to the major. "Here, follow me. We're taking a secret tunnel system so I avoid guards and you three can avoid Haythem's friend that are seeking out your blood as we speak." She turned and walked down a side hall.
Stepping forward to help Captain Stevenson with Captain Smith, Major Anderson followed Scarlett through the darkened hall. There was no noise other than their footsteps, the squeak of rats, and the dripping of water. A faint scream of pain reached the major's ears, and he jumped with fright.
Scarlett kept her gaze fixed ahead, but Major Anderson could have sworn he saw her shoulders tense up. She walked faster.
Soon they came to a single door after passing many side routes. Scarlett opened it, the dull wooden hinges creaking eerily as the door swung out to reveal a darkened, dimly lit passageway with steps leading down. A chill from below rolled out the door and swept over then and raised the hair on the back of Major Anderson's neck. He swallowed hard and forced himself to follow Captain Stevenson down.
A hand was laid on his shoulder as he passed, and he jumped and grabbed the wrist.
Scarlett gave his shoulder a calming squeeze. "Easy, Brian. I promise, I won't let you die. Trust me, ok?"
Major Anderson held her blue gaze before nodded. "O-Ok," he said timidly.
She smirked. "Good. Now."
Major Anderson jumped in shock when she gave him a playful swat on his rear.
"Get your butt down there."
What is it with her? Why does she have to be so strange? the major thought as he hurried down the steps. Reaching the bottom, he offered to help Captain Stevenson with Captain Richard.
The green eyed man nodded, out of breath. "Aye, here." He passed the unconscious captain to the major.
Major Anderson gave a grunt and staggered a step. He quickly steadied himself.
Scarlett ignored most of the steps and simply jumped down to them. Landing with no problem, she straightened up and smirked at the two men. "Well boys, just keep walking straight until I tell you to turn left or right. Got that?"
Captain Stevenson nodded as did Major Anderson, although the latter's was more hesitant.
Scarlett focused her sharp gaze on him. "You look hesitant, Brian. I'm taking the rear so you won't get stabbed from behind and also so you can't run away. Now, as you often tell your own troops, march!"
I felt as if I had drug this out for long enough. Way long enough. After all, most writers fit it into half a chapter and I drug it out to 9.
So it ends here.
If you think I should write an epilogue of sorts, or even a sequel, let me know in the reviews. For now, peace out!
