A/N: Once again, thanks to everyone that reviwed, xxTunstall Chickxx for the great beta work, and Sarah says BITE ME for listening to my random ideas.
I will continue giving little excerpts to everyone that reviews!
Sorry I had to fix something in the Wanted Poster, Thanks to Bookflower for pointing it out!
I AM NOT TAMORA PIERCE
Kate and Laney had finally gotten all the other girls settled down and asleep, curled up together under Kate's cloak. Kate had offered each girl a, clean, change of clothing but all except Laney declined, the other girls didn't like the idea of breeches,particularly knee length breeches. Laney joined the younger girls in slumber after a while. When Kate heard Laney's steady breathing, she silently crawled up the rocks to sit in a niche above the dark crevice where she could survey the area. Dry. Rocky. Dusty.
On the bright side though, there was a small stream that stretched deep into the rocky bluffs. That would work for them and against them, they wouldn't have to worry about water but they would also be expected to stay close to it, narrowing the search area.
Kate knew they had to move deeper into the bluffs to escape the searchers because five bed warmers were worth a lot, but she still had to stay close enough in so she could go into the town to steal food, there was no way they could forage anything out here.
Kate pulled her knees up to her chin, thinking of where they were in Carthak. We must have landed in Port Zyro, it's the biggest city on the southwest coastline, but that means that if we're northwest of Zyro we're in the...her eyes went wide at her own thoughts, Spidren Bluffs.
The bluffs were well known for the deadliest Spidrens ever met and how few people ever came out of the bluffs.
Then Kate heard the rattle of rocks close to her, too close. She jumped up pulling out two of her longest daggers from thigh sheaths, thankful that she was reunited with her blades after feeling naked on the ship. The rocks slid again but this time a tiny "ouch" came up as well. A seventeen year old girl with plain brown hair came up to Kate holding a scratched knee. "Sorry, I couldn't sleep." Laney said softly
"It's fine." Kate settled back down on the ground.
"So much has happened to us." Laney sat down next to her.
"Well, that is one of the questions I have for you. What are your stories?" Kate rubbed the sleep away that was pushing into her eyes
Laney stared off almost horror struck,"Well, Lily and Rochelle are our cousins. We're from Tortall, Port Caynn. Our families are merchants. I was in charge of one of our shipments to the Yamani Isles. The others and I were going to do a bit shopping before we headed home. Then on our way through the markets Annie and Rochelle were playing and they lead us off into a darker part of the city." she stared ahead as if she was speaking of someone else, "They just grabbed us and knocked us out before carrying us to their ship. They took Annie as the captain's plaything for the trip to The Copper Isles. Then, when you caused problems for him on the trip here, he took her again saying 'the fresher cargo is worth more'."
Silence passed through them and Kate noticed tears stinging Laney's eye, "I'm sorry. I didn't know that would happen to your sister."
Laney took a deep breath, "I know, I wish I could say that I wish it did happen to you but I wouldn't wish that upon anyone. You look awful." Laney pointed out after looking at the shadows under Kate's eyes and the tired look on her face.
"I know." Was all she said
"Why don't I keep watch for you?" Laney suggested, "I've had a bit of nap tonight"
Kate looked cautious about letting a merchant's daughter keep guard in Spidren Bluffs and Laney saw it.
"You stay up here and doze at least, I'll be the main watch I've spent plenty of nights in the crow's nest on our ships." Laney got comfortable.
"Thanks. Please make sure we're all awake by sunrise." was all Kate managed to say before her eyes fluttered shut.
--
"Come on." Kate climbed up onto a rock before offering her hand down to help Lily and Rochelle.
They had been at this for almost an hour after sunrise, the girls were all in bad moods no matter how much Laney tried to soothe them and Kate's icy exterior didn't help matters. Laney had already broken an argument between the two sixteen year olds. The two were on edge around each other the entire time and it was evident they were arguing about 'the prices of other's actions are often paid by another' as Annie put it.
When they finally found the place that Kate declared 'It'll do' they all crowded around the entrance of a cave. Kate made a torch from some of the dried up dead brush that they found and she went deep into the cave.
The cave was covered in dirt and it looked as if no one has ever set a foot inside. She found the back and since there was only one entrance other than a small hole above the very back, she decided that there was no way a Spidren could be lurking in the simple inlet of rock.
There was a turn that would hide the light from a fire and the small hole in the roof of the cave would be a perfect vent for the smoke. The dry wood wouldn't put off more than a wisp of smoke anyway.
Kate returned to her charges outside the entrance, they were lazing about rubbing their sore feet. Kate continued looking the area over. The cave entrance was hidden by large boulders and it opened into a canyon that seemed to stretch down to the small stream.
"We'll stay here until Ja--David catches up." Kate began carrying in her sack but noticed that Laney wasn't moving, "What is it?"
"You think he made it out." Laney asked carefully
Kate almost choked on her own words, "Of course, now let's get you guys settled I've a long day ahead."
"What do you mean you have have a long day, I'm sure we all have." snapped Annie and Laney knew another argument was about to start.
"I mean I have to leave but I will be back." Kate's icy glare matched her tone.
"Where are you going?" Laney suddenly sounded worried.
"I have to go back into the city to get food unless we want to starve. You'll be fine you can fend for yourselves. I'll be back after night fall." Kate turned her back on them leading the way into the cave.
"But--"Laney started, she could be brave but not unless there was someone there to be a brace.
"You'll be fine. Just go to get water when you need it otherwise stay in here." Kate told her and pulled something out of her pack and handed it to the seventeen year old, "Just in case"
Laney took the long dagger from Kate but not without worry, "Hurry."
"Will do. Now, keep a watch between you two while the younger ones rest." She told them before slipping out of the cave with the now empty pack on her back.
Kate couldn't hurry and stay hidden so she alternated between a dead run, resting, and everything in between. She closed in on the city in no time. She walked into the city under the cover of a merchant caravan and into the market.
She took the food she needed with ease, and paid for other supplies such as cookware, skins for water, and some linen bandages, just in case.
She had to leave almost as soon as she got there if she wanted to get back. So Kate started her run back to their temporary home with the heavy load, but the entire time she was in the city she watched for that dark brown head of hair and searching for the distant emerald eyes. She even tried to look for any sign of a search party or rewards for missing slaves. Out of everything she looked for all she found was a few pieces of paper.
MISSING
One male slave and
Five female slaves,
Male approx eighteen, dark brown hair
Females ranging in age from Twelve to Seventeen,
Three with brown hair, two blonds,
Tallest brunette female and Male seem to be the ring leaders,
REWARD!
Ten gold pieces for the each blond girl-alive
Ten gold pieces for the two shortest brunettes-alive
Fifteen gold pieces for the tallest brunette and male-dead or alive
--
She ripped the paper down and took off towards her desert home thankful for the cool night air. Constantly looking on the horizon for a tall, broad shouldered shadow. She slid down the rock face to the cave entrance inside the younger girls were asleep with Laney standing near them, pacing.
"What's wrong?" Kate demanded after seeing the worried look on Laney's face
"Annie, she went to get water and hasn't returned and I don't dare leave these two by themselves." she whispered fiercely, trying not to wake the others.
"Good idea, stay here, I'll find her." Kate rushed back outside searching, hoping that Annie doesn't yell because that would attract unwanted attention, but at the same time wishing she would so she could find her. Kate looked near the stream, no one, so moved her search to the rocks surrounding the cave.
Sure enough Kate found a small patch of large rocks that have recently fallen. Under one was Annie's arm and she was silently weeping.
"It's okay, we'll get you out of here." Kate looked at the trapped arm. It would be bruised and at least a couple of cuts but not enough damage to break the bones.
"It. Hurts." Annie gasped.
"I know. Now, when I get it up, pull out." Kate braced her shoulder against the stone. She pushed with every muscle she had and with a groan the rock budged just enough to pull out the injured arm.
"Thanks." Annie said while cradling her arm trying not to cry.
"No problem, now let's get going before--" Kate was cut off, the movement caused the rocks to shift again, "Go!"
Kate shoved Annie out of the way as a new rock tumbled down. Kate dove out of the way as well but one of her legs was caught under the boulder and scraped.
"Come on let's go." Kate said through clenched teeth and Annie stared at her in disbelief, the young woman almost had her leg ripped off and yet was ushering her to safety while she sat here crying.
Annie nodded and attempted to help Kate but found out that Kate could work around her injuries with just a limp here and a gasp there.
The two went into the cave and as soon as Laney saw Annie and Kate she threw her arms around Annie, "What happened?"
"A little ways from here some loose rocks fell and trapped her arm. Speaking of which let me see." Kate demanded and before Annie could protest aqua fire flowed around her arm, killing infections and stopping the bleeding.
"What about you?"Annie asked in slight, but new found respect.
"I'll be fine, I knew I needed to get these." Kate sat down and pulled out the bandages tossing a couple to Laney, "Bandage her."
"Your leg." Laney gasped after seeing the bloody mess of her leg which looked like half the skin was pulled off.
"Just a scratch." Kate mumbled as her a small glow of aqua flowed into her leg
"It's a mess and your gift it's--" Laney exclaimed seeing the very noticeable lack of Kate's gift.
"I'm just tired. I'll finish once I get some more rest." Kate said beginning to wrap the leg in cloth. "Will you take first watch to night so I can sleep some?" Kate asked Laney but looked ashamed for it.
"Of course." she answered
The girls settled to make a small supper with the items Kate returned with and woke the younger ones who were tired all day from their early morning jaunt and the heat. Lily and Rochelle were happy to see the food but still wary of Kate.
Kate watched them with some envy as they talked over their meal, she was thinking back to her sister, brother, and cousins. The thoughts were quickly sent away though after she thought about what she would get in return for temporarily leaving them.
--A/N:I know, not much happened, but the next couple of chapter will be MUCH better.