Chapter Nine - The Caravan.


In the early hours of the morning, they decided to head cross-country to Valleyside. Once there they could warn the village and get a message back to Sanctuary of their findings. The sooner the settlements were on alert, the better. Valleyside was a significant distance from its neighbours, with difficult climbing conditions to reach its peak, it was a struggle on a horse let alone on foot. But it was now the most at risk.

With a promise to be more vigilant, they rode alongside one another. Sullivan on high alert now that he'd sized up what they were up against. The journey was long and tiring, for two days they plodded along a vast wasteland. The conversation had dropped to what was necessary to conserve their energy, and at times they had to stop just so the horses could rest a little.

By the third day, the heat beating relentlessly down on them and the horizon still a hazy blur, their conversation had all but ended.

Aliana paused, something moving in the distance drew her attention. Under the protection of her hooded cloak, she cupped her hands over her brow and squinted. A trek of mules and carts plodded slowly along ahead of them.

"Well I never," she muttered, her mouth dry and cotton-like.

"What've you found?" Sullivan drew up beside her and followed suit.

"An unlikely ally," she dropped her hands and sent him a tired smile.

"Who?"

"The Caravan!"

"The what?"

"Caravan... Sul surely you know about the Caravan,"

"We'll assume I don't,"

She sighed, "not all Outsiders are of a fixed abode. Some travel."

She clicked and squeezed her heels into Vine's waist until he trotted onwards, "we should be able to catch them if we don't dawdle."

Root snorted at his urging as he attempted to follow her.

"Come on you stubborn mule," he growled until the horse kicked out as if to make a point and trotted merrily after Aliana. "I fail to see how a group of travellers are going to enlighten us on what happened to two settlements situated miles from their travels."

"Because people gossip, regardless of where they are. They hear things and pass on rumours. The Caravan is a classic example of travelling news. Miles and I used to visit the Caravan whenever they were seen within riding distance of Sanctuary," Aliana commented as she fixed on the trail ahead, "The Caravan are our best chance at finding out the goings-on in the Outlands."

She glanced back at him, a slight frown creased over her forehead as she took in his awkward steed.

"You know he only disrespects you because you don't respect him," she reached over and entwined her fingers through Root's headcollar to urge him closer to her. He whinnied, tossed his head, and willingly edged to her. She stroked one hand down his forehead and dug in her bag till she retrieved something. She reached down and offered it to him in the palm of her hand, which he snuffled down and searched her for more.

"Daft beast," she chuckled as she playfully tapped his neck then turned her attention to Vine before he could snort a complaint.

"I'm not much of an animal person it seems," Sullivan grumbled as he watched her interact with the horses.

"Well, this is why I'm here. I grew up with these two brutes, who else knows how to handle them?"

"A bike wouldn't need this much attention,"

"Yeah but where's your discrete approach, how are you going to refuel in the Outlands?" she listed, "plus you're only going to scare off the Caravan rather than attract. They are known for being overly cautious."

"Well, you've just explained your usefulness in one," he half-smiled to himself, "I knew there was a reason to keep you around."

"I have my uses," She smirked as she urged her horse forward and made her approach. She let out a whistle and signalled the Caravan with a hand signal, the way she and Miles used to greet them.

Scouts appeared from the ridges around them and made a fast approach. Their massive beasts chased them down quickly. They nipped and bullied Sullivan's already skittish horse, he let out a neigh and attempted to kick out. Aliana stood in her stirrups to assess the scene and hollered out in an attempt to ease the tension.

"We come from Sanctuary. We bring you no harm,"

Realising that the scouts had left her well alone and targeted Sullivan solely, meant that they recognised her, but they saw his presence as a threat. She could see the look of panic in Root's eyes, and she made a decision. She swung Vine round and cantered towards them.

"Stop! He's with me!" As she gained ground, she swung her leg over her steed and leapt off the saddle, sprinting towards Sullivan where she grabbed Root's reins and eased him down to calm him. She shot a hand out to stop the scouts and elbowed the nipping beasts.

"I'm his guide!" she tried to search out the scout leader from the myriad of ghoulish masks they wore then glanced up at Sullivan, "Sul your hood. Show them your face."

He was about two steps behind her, staring down at her until his brain clicked. He drew his hood down to display the tattoos down the side of his face.

"She speaks the truth. I'm no threat to you."

"It's been a long time since we've seen another Islander around these parts," a voice arose from one mask, as he nodded to his companions to stand down, "what can we do for you?"

"We seek any information you may know about the settlements growing silent,"

A whispered hush swirled around them. They turned to their leader, who made his way through the group and offered a hand to her, "Come, there's much to discuss."

She accepted his offer, and he hoisted her onto his beast behind him.

One of the scouts retrieved Aliana's horse and led it along with the others. Sullivan followed amidst the group, watching as Aliana gripped one hand around the scout and the other the back of the saddle. An unwanted pang of jealousy twinged through him and he grit his teeth to force down the feeling.

As they drew alongside the Caravan small children poked their heads out of the carts to watch them, their parents pulled them back into the protection of the canvas darkness before someone noticed them.

The scout led the group to a central cart surrounded by others. He drew his beast alongside the driver and slowed the gait of the group to walk beside him. The driver casually glanced in his direction.

"Isn't it early to be calling the scouts in, Griff?"

"I would have held off, but we have visitors," he indicated to Aliana behind him.

The driver leant over to take in his scout's passenger and nodded in recognition.

"We're a bit out of your way to be searching us out, Miss Wilks,"

"I apologise for the intrusion, but we've come searching for information," Aliana called across to the driver.

"Miles with you? He knows to send a prior warning,"

"I'm sorry, but circumstances prevented Miles from coming with me. I have a friend with me instead,"

"An Islander," Griff responded and cast a wary glance to Sullivan who rode awkwardly behind them.

The driver contemplated his decisions a moment, "we're not far from our camp for the night if you're willing to travel with us a little while."

"Of course," she squeezed Griff's waist, "can I possibly go the rest of the way on my horse? As much as I appreciate your kindness in allowing me to ride with you, it isn't the most comfortable."

"Certainly,"

"You can ride with me, Miss Wilks," the driver suggested, "women should leave the rough riding to the men."

Griff drew his beast to a halt and quickly dismounted so he could assist Aliana off the creature's back. Sullivan observed the placement of the scout leader's hands, scrutinising the unspoken connection between the pair. The way he touched her more than necessary, his fingers gliding over hers as he assisted her to the cart, Sullivan had to force down any aggression he wanted to swing in the scout's direction. Griff looped Vine's reins into the handrail of the cart, allowing him to trot merrily alongside. He mounted his beast before casting a glance in Sullivan's direction, despite his face hidden behind his mask Sully suspected his expression was hostile.

The Caravan travelled a short distance before stopping to set up camp. The entire community pitched in as their carts converted into huge canvas tents. The children ran around shrieking in play as they darted around offloaded livestock that clucked and bleated in elation. Sullivan sat in wonder as a village grew around him, and where once was nothing, life bloomed.

Griff and his scouts took their masks off as they assisted the young and elderly. Sullivan couldn't help noting Griff's attractively rugged dark looks, and he felt pathetically sour. Half of him wanted to contribute, the part of him that had been trained to help those less able, but then he also saw the looks of distrust and wariness sent his way as he attempted a smile. So he kept to himself, away from where the Caravan set up camp. He tied Root under the shade of a tree and tried to unbuckle the saddle, the weight of the leather dropping heavily into his arms. A voice alerted him, and he turned to Aliana approaching with Vine.

"There you are. I wondered where you disappeared," she tied Vine beside Root and followed suit with the saddle.

"I didn't want to get under anyone's feet. Besides, you were looking awfully comfortable amongst them,"

Aliana snorted, glancing up from rubbing down the animal's back.

"Is that what you saw?"

"You seemed rather friendly with that scout,"

"Griff's helped me out in the past," she shrugged, digging through her pack for a change of clothing and stripping her top off behind the privacy of her animal. Sullivan turned away to avert his eyes, concentrating on brushing Root's back. "These people have a rather outdated attitude towards women, you realise. That's why Miles always came with me when we needed information. When I'm here, I'm classed as the inferior gender regardless of my skills. I'm only good for one thing."

"Why do you accept it? I've seen you refute much less,"

"Because they are our allies; when everything falls apart these are the people we can rely upon," she responded, watching the Caravan buzz with life, "I would rather put up with it to keep an ally than threaten what little friends we have out here."

"And Griff?"

"Is he going to be an issue?" she gave him a look, genuinely interested in his answer.

"No, not like that, I can handle hostility. I just thought he seemed a little overly friendly with you."

She sent him a mischievous smile as she slipped a shirt over her vest top, "jealous?"

"You'd love that wouldn't you,"

She playfully nudged him as she headed toward the Caravan, "c'mon, I have someone who wants to meet you."

She led him through the community, moving with ease through the whirl of animals and people. Sullivan began to lag as he stood in wonder at the easily compacted village.

"I'd never thought that so many people would fit in those carts,"

"Fascinating isn't it," Aliana responded as she drew beside him, "I remember the first time I saw it. I couldn't get my head around it."

She slowed her pace to allow Sullivan to take in the village around him until they arrived at a central gathering area where a fire pit stacked with wood was roasting several animal carcasses. The smell was appealing to both human and canine alike, standing idly by the fire watching the juices drip into the crackling fire. Sullivan felt drawn into the dance of senses until a voice sounded from a tent.

"So this is the Islander," the voice was gruff, but the accent was unmistakable.

Sullivan twisted as a man emerged from the canvas darkness, his robes hung over his head until he pulled them down to reveal a face covered in distinctive tattoos.

"You're…"

"From the South Islands, yes I'm aware," the man took Sullivan's left hand between both his as he examined the tattoos down his arm, twisting his limbs to gain a closer look then scrutinised the arches and swirls down the side of his face, "Descended from Kaia I see."

"How did you…?"

"An Islander's tattoo is a depiction of who they are. Their history and personality portrayed through the ink,"

"I think you must be the first person aside from my Grandmother that was able to read a bunch swirls and lines."

"Well that's the easy part," the man chuckled half to himself, "I see a female influence despite a military upbringing. Did your Grandmother raise you?"

Sullivan nodded, trying to swallow back the pain of her loss once again, "she died when I was ten. But her teachings never left me."

"That's good to hear," he released Sullivan's hand, "there are few of us left now. It's important to those of us who remain that we keep our homeland alive."

"I must admit, besides my family you are the first South Islanders I've met,"

"How rude you must think me, I haven't yet introduced myself. I am Elder Hart, but you may call me Gabriel."

"Sullivan Ward," he awkwardly half offered a hand, half attempted a bow. The result of which caused Aliana to snort back a laugh, he tried to shoot her a look, but she was too busy enjoying his awkwardness, "please forgive my companion, she takes great joy in seeing me fail."

Gabriel sent him a smile, "we are well aware of Miss Wilks' unconventional behaviour, and although it's not something we'd encourage of our own women, we acknowledge her independence."

"You make it sound like they've cast me out, Elder Hart," Aliana commented with an uncertain tilt of the head.

The Elder chose to avoid responding to her and placed a hand on Sullivan's back to lead him away, "come, my boy, I must introduce you to my family. You must have much to ask us, I'm sure."

Sullivan glanced back at Aliana's shrug of the shoulders in response, "actually, Elder Hart I'm not here for me. I'm here for her."

Elder Hart paused, glancing between them both, "Is this true, Miss Wilks?"

"It's half true. I come seeking information regarding the villages going silent. But he's actually come to regain his memory. The two are connected,"

Gabriel frowned, "memory?"

"It's a long story, and I'd rather not discuss it in the open. I don't want to instil fear into your families."

"Fair enough, are you willing to wait for the Elders to gather so we can discuss together?"

"Of course, Elder Hart,"

"Perfect, it'll give me enough time to introduce Mr Ward to my granddaughter,"

Aliana smirked to herself as she watched the Elder drag a reluctant Sullivan away.

Darkness spread around them as the Elders gathered around the burning fire, the smell of cooked meat filled the air. Elder Hart had kept Sullivan within close proximity. He sat the Islander down and indicated for him to speak to the waiting group of strangers.

"Go ahead lad,"

Sullivan had never been one to baulk at a mass group of strangers. He was used to facing many hostile faces while he argued his case during his time in New Ephyra. But these people were his allies, his chance to find answers, and he doubted he was able to give them the entire picture. He glanced back at Aliana. She had taken a position at the back of the group, standing in the shadows to observe from afar. He gestured her to him. The need to keep her close overwhelmed his desire to adhere to the tribe's rules. The Elders muttered between them, women were forbidden to attend their meetings, and they couldn't understand why an outsider was insisting they change.

"I believe Aliana can apprise you of the situation a lot better than I can,"

Aliana took a second to take in the scene, a slight look of panic crossed her face before fixing on Sullivan. In the years she had visited the Caravan she had never once crossed them or their beliefs.

"Sul?"

"You saw it, Ali, tell them,"

She swallowed down her nervousness yet remained on the outskirts of the congregation, making it clear to respect their rules. She started telling them about their discovery, of the pods and the monsters. Finding Sullivan chained to the wall, barely alive. His total loss of memory of the ordeal and his fight for survival. The discovery of similar pods and creatures beneath Sanctuary and their surrounding allied settlements going silent.

At her conclusion, she glanced around at the group of silent Elders in an attempt to find some hope. Griff stared at her in disbelief, like she'd plucked the story from a book, and for a moment, she feared history repeating itself. She half expected them all to start laughing at her. It wasn't until her gaze drifted to Sullivan, whose look of complete confidence reflected at her, that she felt her courage return. He took it as his turn to support her and continued.

"We've been to both the villages, and there are no signs of any violence, it's like everyone's just disappeared. We fear the connection between the two and that something is harvesting humans. We've come to seek your help. Maybe there is hope for Sanctuary, that they can escape a similar fate,"

The Elders all turned to their leader, who thoughtfully rubbed his beard.

"So tell me, Islander," the leader eventually spoke, "you were found amidst these creatures, not in a pod but drained of life. Why were you so different from so many others?"

"I don't know sir. I have no memory of what led me to be there,"

"Seems to me that the answers you seek are connected to you rediscovering your memories,"

"Even Sanctuary?" Aliana's voice quietly dared to come between them.

"The Islander holds the answers,"

"But how, when I don't even know how to regain my memory,"

"You need to go back before you step forward," the leader took in Sullivan's disappointed expression, "no answers are straightforward Islander."

"I understand," Sullivan sighed, "I appreciate you taking time to meet with us."

As he turned to Aliana in readiness to leave the assemblage, the leader called after him.

"We appreciate your forewarning. We will do all we can to look out for such creatures and pass on the knowledge to others. Griff and his scouts will assist as best they can. In the meanwhile, I invite you to join us beside the fire tonight as our guest."

"It would be an honour,"

The women arrived to commence carving the animal carcasses, their children clinging close to them for a chance to steal an easy morsel, and the meeting naturally disbanded. Sullivan felt obligated to remain beside the leader as he greeted his family. Several women met him with drinks and loving adoration, around them, his numerous children clambered for his attention. The kids grabbed Sullivan and pulled him along with them until they were all seated at the head position around the fires. For a panicked moment, Sullivan searched around the firelit darkness in search of Aliana, afraid that they'd pushed her out of their welcoming embrace. He discovered her across from him, sitting with Griff and his scouts, an assemblage of children scrabbling into her lap as she affectionately scruffed their heads. She seemed so at home with this group of strangers, more so than Sanctuary. He had unnecessarily worried about her when clearly she knew how to handle herself among them.

The fire enticingly flickered as they sat avidly chatting. Sullivan settled into the rhythm of the tribe, accepting a variety of skewered meat and vegetables as it made its way around the community. The juices from the meat dripped over the cubes of veg, and he felt his stomach growl in anticipation.

"This looks amazing," he praised his hosts.

"You should try it, it tastes amazing too," his companion eagerly watched him as he took a bite of the kebab. His lips curled upwards and parted to reveal a toothless smile. Sully made a noise of approval and took another bite.

"You're funny, Islander," one of the Elder's children happily noted, "you act as you've never tried mountain goat before."

"Well, I suppose that's because I have never eaten mountain goat,"

The Elder chuckled to himself as he watched his curious child.

"What do you eat then?"

"I suppose I've grown accustomed to the local cuisine that Sanctuary offers,"

"Freshly caught fish will do that to a man," the Elder nudged his child, then glanced in Aliana's direction as she chatted to those sat around her, "It's likely not just the cuisine that keeps you coastline. Maybe a feisty young lady might have caught your fancy."

"Is she your girlfriend?" The child excitedly squealed, picking up on his father's tone.

"Aliana?" Sullivan responded with a similar squeak, before clearing his throat to lower his voice, "No, she's just a friend."

"You certainly gaze at her a lot for her to just be a 'friend'," the Elder watched Aliana for a moment then smiled back at Sullivan, "and she certainly gazes at you more than necessary."

"She does?"

As Sullivan looked across at Aliana, he caught himself locking with her dark eyes across the flickering fire. She blushed before quickly glancing away and distracted herself in conversation. He cursed himself for allowing his heart the chance to hope.

"There are complications," he grumbled, almost to convince himself as well as his companion.

"And a child," the Elder added, "aye, we're aware."

"There's no issue with the child. He's a credit to her,"

"Not many men are willing to accept another man's cast-offs,"

"There's history between us,"

"Can't be all that bad if she chooses to remain in your company,"

"Far from it, she doesn't know it, but she's saved me on more than one occasion. I owe her my life, and yet all I've done is cause her pain,"

"And yet here she still is,"

"Loyal to a fault," he sighed, "just like her brother, and the only reason I suspect she remains."

His companion thoughtfully tapped his chin.

"A cynic,"

"No, a realist," Sullivan kept firm.

The Elder chewed on his meat skewer, his child had grown tired of their conversation and had scampered elsewhere to play with the dogs.

"What you need to contemplate, despite everything, if all fell apart, where would she be? Regardless of the complications and history, if she is by your side when you need it most, you have your answer,"

Sullivan nodded, mulling over the Elder's advice in his head. He allowed himself to glance in Aliana's direction one more time. She was distracted, talking to an Elder and a couple of scouts while the children braided her hair. Her presence alone warmed his heart. She was stubborn enough to know her mind, but the fact that she'd chosen him, despite everything, to journey with her meant more to him than she could imagine. Having Aliana as an ally when everything seemed so dark and confusing was the only thing that kept him going.

"Thank you for your council, sir,"

The leader nodded in gratitude, "to regain your memory, you need to trust in those beside you, Islander."

They sat in silence for a while, although the community was far from quiet. The sound of chatter and laughter kept the atmosphere lifted. Sullivan had never felt so at ease. Then as the darkness descended further and the children retired for the night, music filled the air. A gentle lulling drum accompanied by an assortment of melodic instruments. For a little while, the group just took in the atmosphere, gently chatting and tapping to the beat, then couples started standing up and dancing. The leader took two of his female companions by the hand and led them to the dancefloor where they joined in a dance.

Sullivan listened to the laughter as it filled the air, the rhythm of the music drawing the community together.

He watched as Elder Hart's pretty young granddaughter shyly made her approach. The fire lit up her delicate features as she offered a hand to him in invitation.

He glanced up at her with an awkward smile, trying to work out the best way to turn her down. It wasn't that he didn't want to dance, he had attended many a ball in New Ephyra back in his Lieutenant days, he just wasn't sure whether the Caravan wished to him to take part in their intimate show of delight.

Just as he was about to turn her down, Griff danced energetically past dragging Aliana in tow. Sullivan shook his head with a laugh and stood to take the young woman's hand to lead her to the dance floor.

The musicians upped the tempo, and the gathering whooped and cheered in response.

Elder Hart's granddaughter shyly giggled at his dancing attempts as he tried his hardest to follow the dancers around them. It took him a couple of moments to realise that she was leading his movements, talking through their steps. For every beat he started to pick up the rhythm, the dance slowly became a part of him as he twirled the young woman to the centre of the gathered circle and a new partner joined him.

The woman let out a raucous laugh at his reaction as they joined hands crossed in front of one other and swirled around into the centre of the circle where the men hi-fived and cheered, the women joined hands and danced a second circle around them before returning to their new partners. They stepped out into a larger ring where he took her by the hand, twirled her around him, threw her upwards and she twirled into the circle where he met a new partner and the dance continued.

The music swirled into a heady trance of dance steps and cheering their laughter kept the dance going on and on. Sullivan had no recollection of how long they had gone on for, he had long lost his initial partner, but at least he had mastered the steps. The music reached a crescendo, and his next partner twirled towards him, he caught her with practiced expertise before his eyes fixed upon a familiar face.

Aliana's untamed curls hung over her face, the braid the children had expertly plaited had long since been teased out, letting the shorter strands cover her eyes. He reached out and gently eased the strands away from her face. There was a wildness in her expression as she flashed him a smirk he hadn't seen in a long time before they spiralled around one another, her infectious laughter echoed around him before she disappeared into a circle again.

Damn, he hated that he wanted her so close.

He had worked so hard to keep her professionally at arms reach. But, as she reached him and he clasped her possessively into his arms, he wanted no one else. He twirled her around him and tipped her back over his arm until he was able to see her flushed face gaze at him. Her eyes dilated at a sudden realisation, and she shyly dipped her head away from him. He ghosted his fingers over her chin to gently turn her to him and smiled back at her.

"There you are,"

He righted her and twirled her again just as the music slowed. Her body stiffened as judging eyes drifted towards them. Before she could pull away he softly placed his hand around her waist, and he edged her closer to him. Her hand rested on his shoulder as they swayed with the slowing rhythm. He wondered for a moment whether she could hear his heart beat as loudly as he felt it, the traitorous thing.

"I didn't know you could dance," her voice was soft.

"I'm a walking mystery," he chanced a response.

She laughed, her breath tickled against his neck that shivers of pleasure made their way up his spine and he instinctively twirled her away for fear of betraying himself and his worked on resolve. The moment he caught sight off the smile on her face in the dying firelight as it flickered against their dancing forms, he realised he was indeed in danger of falling hard once again for her.

The tempo of the music changed, and the leader clapped his hands, bursting their brief bubble.

"Well I'm certainly exhausted, so why don't we open the dance floor to our beautiful maidens,"

The group slowly dispersed to return to their seats as several young women in semi-revealing finery commenced their own dance. They shimmied and swayed with each other before turning and displaying their act to the eligible males amongst the group.

Sullivan led Aliana beside him until they found a place to sit beside the fire. She leaned in to whisper a comment.

"No visit is complete without witnessing the allure of the maiden dance," she half slumped against him as a maiden gyrated in front of them.

"Do I detect a hint of sarcasm?" He quietly responded to her as he smiled pleasantly at the maiden.

"Sarcasm? No. Disdain, absolutely,"

Elder Hart let out a chuckle as he plonked himself beside him and watched the girls in glee, he elbowed Sullivan and pointed to his granddaughter at the back of the girls doing her own little shimmy to the music.

"These are our most desirable maidens all available should you be interested."

"Oh... well, they're all very...uhh... beautiful,"

"I can make recommendations if you're interested,"

"I bet most of them aren't even maidens," Ali whispered on the other side of him, "I swear that one was on offer the last time I was here."

Elder Hart busied himself chatting about each of the dancers, allowing Sullivan to comment back to Ali without fear of offending.

"You sound like you disapprove," Sully stopped himself from glancing at her.

"It's not that I disapprove, it's more that I just lack the education behind it. I mean, where are the eligible men in this dance. I've never once had that offered to me,"

Sullivan stifled a snort of a laugh and tried to hide it from the Elder on his other side.

"Let's be honest you'd devour any innocent male they offered you,"

"I'm not that intimidating," she huffed beside him, "plus I was kind of hoping they could offer a more experienced male to the maiden visitor."

"Except, you don't exactly qualify as a maiden anymore,"

"Said the Islander that took great delight in taking said maidenhood,"

Sullivan felt himself flush a beacon red. She had never been so upfront about it before. His mouth responded before his brain.

"I didn't hear you complain,"

He heard her let out a breath of laughter.

"Touché Sul," she responded, "at that, I'll leave you to the delights of the maidens. I think Elder Hart is one step away from pairing you with his granddaughter. Enjoy. I'm going to check on the horses and bed down for the night. See you in the morning."

By the time he allowed himself to turn to her, she was already walking alone into the darkness.

Aliana contented herself as she stroked Vine's muzzle. He snickered at her touch as he chomped down on a hand of sweet-grass she'd offered him. Root snorted as he tried to push for a snack.

"Wait your turn, you pushy grump," she pushed him back against his snout as he tried to nibble the grass from her hand, "there's plenty for you both."

He whinnied grumpily at her, his gums rolling back to reveal his teeth. She did the same in response.

"Yeah, yeah, we both have teeth," she laughed as she relented and offered the sweet-grass to him.

She sat for a short while between them as they munched through their feed bags, running a sharpening stone over different blades. She chewed on a sprig of sweet-grass as she did so. The horses gave her a look.

"Just because I look after you doesn't mean I have to smell like you," she grumbled, unhooking the feed bags off their muzzles.

Satisfied the animals were fed and watered, she unpacked her bedroll from her bag and unrolled it near to where she had tethered the animals. She draped her cloak over her and used her pack as a pillow. She lay on her back, staring up at the distant stars above, listening to the music and chatter from the camp. The sound lulled her into a light sleep as she grew accustomed to the noises around her. She lost track of when the music had finally ceased and the chatter dispersed.

The sound of approaching footsteps crunching over the dried dirt drew her attention, and she sat up, scrabbling for a weapon.

Sullivan raised his hands in surrender.

"I didn't expect you back so soon," she commented cautiously, "thought you were going to keep Elder Hart's granddaughter company for the night. Keep the Islander bloodline going."

"Try all he might, but my place is here," he grumbled, picking up his pack and unrolling his mat beside her. He unfolded his cloak and dropped tiredly to the ground, head resting on his pack and arms folded behind his head as he gazed up at the sky. He lay in silence for a while before speaking again, "besides, there's only one maiden who ever held my attention."

She checked herself a moment in case she had stopped breathing. He was still able to make her heart flutter after all this time. That evening was a classic example, she had to reel herself in, or she was at serious risk of losing herself to him. Things were different now, and the last thing she wanted to do was drag him into the mess of her life without considering the consequences it might have on her son.

At her returning silence, he half-smiled to himself.

"Night, Ali," he turned over to face the opposite way.

"G'night, Sul," her soothing voice made him let out a breath of relief.

Once again, the wall returning between them when it had been so close to tearing down.

They woke to the sound of approaching footsteps. Dawn lazily held itself beyond the hills, but the Caravan was already in full action. Aliana drew herself to a sit and poked Sullivan awake. Griff towered above them on his beast, his mask fixed firmly over his face.

"Apologies for the intrusion," he started, as he dismounted and approached them, "the Caravan planned on leaving before you woke, but I couldn't go without talking to you."

"Please go on," Aliana made no attempt to move from her position.

"I left early and did a quick sweep of our route, the creatures you warned us about, we spotted them in the hill beyond. Looked like an encounter with the COG,"

"The COG are here?" Aliana scrabbled to her knees to lever herself up, but her limbs were heavy and unresponsive.

"No survivors it seems," Griff glanced across at Sullivan, "the answers you seek are beyond the hill."

Sullivan nodded in response, "thank you for everything."

"I have a confession," Griff said thoughtfully, "if you'll grant me permission."

Sullivan frowned, "go on."

"My people haven't been entirely honest with you. The creatures you speak of, they affect them too, and they're scared," he tipped his mask above his head to address them, "we've encountered several villages as you've described. Inhabitants gone, no sign of a struggle."

"There are more?"

"One empty village could mean anything, two, perhaps they opted to unite their forces and move elsewhere. My people are nomads so it's not beyond realms of consideration. But we've encountered seven, plus the two you've mentioned makes nine. Nine Outsider villages are enough to scare the most grounded of cynics."

Sullivan exchanged looks with Aliana before fixing back on the scout.

"As you know, my tribe are notoriously jumpy, and your recent information has them wanting to go to ground. I admit I'm curious myself about these vanishing people and would like to assist you as best I can. However, my responsibility is to my people."

"Have you spoken to your tribe?" Aliana asked, finally able to stand.

"I discussed it at length with them last night. My absence will put them at a disadvantage on the trail, but their minds are set, they are determined to go into hiding until it is safe again. My scouts know the route, so I'm not essentially needed to escort them."

"Are you sure about this?" Sullivan now took to his feet as he approached the scout, "it's a big ask to have you absent from your tribe. What if something happened?"

"I admit, I'm in two minds but..." he glanced down at Aliana and gave her a gentle smile, "I believe I would be more useful to you."

Aliana glanced over to Sullivan, her expression searching his for permission, "what do you think, Sul?"

"Of course," he responded without hesitation, he knew it would be foolish to turn down an opportunity to use Griff's knowledge and ability in the Outlands, "but please do not feel like you have to. Your tribe is important to you I can see that, I'd hate to jeopardise its safety just for you to travel with us."

Griff nodded thoughtfully glancing from Aliana to Sullivan, then back to Aliana again, "nope, I have decided. I will accompany you. Now I'm afraid you'll have to forgive me, I need to assist my tribe in readiness for their departure. I'll return once you're ready to set off."

He gave them a semi-bow before retreating to his mount to join the Caravan.

"Wow," Sullivan commented as they stared silently at the scout's retreating form, "is he always like that?"

"Like what?" Aliana asked as she rolled her mat up.

"So polite," he bowed in jest and mimicked his best upper-class South Island tinged accent, "my lady would you partake in a spot of breakfast?"

She snorted, "like you didn't speak like that with the COG."

"I may have been an officer, but I knew my upbringing. I wasn't a war hero's son no South Island street rat could ever aspire to the likes of the upper-class."

"Too right. You think I'd have befriended you if you acted like the Officer you are?"

"I'm not an Officer anymore though,"

"True," she thoughtfully nodded then half smiled to herself, "I think I prefer it this way."

He wasn't overly sure if he'd misheard her but didn't want to question it in case it raised further issued. Instead, he set to cooking their breakfast as Aliana backed their bags and saddled the horses. Stopping only to eat the starchy concoction he had made.

Griff returned shortly after watching his people depart. His beast made light work of the packed travel bag over its back and the various weaponry looped over the saddle.

"So," he announced, "where's our next stop?"

"We're heading to Valleyside, to warn them and to send a message back to Miles," Aliana informed her companions.

"But first," Sullivan added, then addressed Griff, "I'm curious of that COG encounter you told us. Do you think you could lead us there?"

"Of course, whatever you need," Griff nodded.

Mounting their horses, they headed towards the mountains. Griff took the lead, his muscular beast towering over their horses, he was able to make distance and scout their route quicker. Aliana, meanwhile held back to cover their tracks. By mid-afternoon, the group united to continue the next step of the journey together.


Author's Note - I know right! Shock horror, I posted another chapter after what seems like forever. That's what social isolation can do to a person, get your ass into gear to actually write again. Fret not, I am alive and well and so is Catch You. Suffering from the world's worst writer's block but I'm getting there.

Anyway, The Caravan is one of my favourite chapters because not only do you meet Griff, who has become one of my fondest characters, but you also get to see Aliana and Sullivan break away from the seriousness for a little while. Enjoy and let me know what you think.