As the sun sank below the horizon, Ryland pulled the boat to a sandy embankment, and hid it in rushes that lined the shore. Amber stood by him, watching him struggle to erase the marks that had been left in the sand when he dragged the boat.
"I could use some help," he said, the first words he had spoken to her since his sharp words earlier in the afternoon.
"Help yourself," Amber snapped, in a tone she did not recognize as her own.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Ryland demanded.
"I mean that if you wish to be such a coward that you can't stand up for what you believe in, and you choose instead to follow another's evil path and invade a land that never threatened you, well, then you will have to do it by yourself and seek your own help."
Ryland halted in his labor and stood up. "I thought you elves were supposed to be all sweetness, but I guess not. You, Lady, could match some from Ansalon with your sharp tongue.
Amber said nothing, but only watched as Ryland pulled dried rations from his pack, and handed some to her. Amber bit into them hungrily, trying to think of something to say that could lead to the man revealing more information. But her mind was tired, and, without coming up with any questions, she sank into a deep slumber.
Steady movement awoke her, and when she opened her eyes, a shock hit her. The world had turned upside down, and her neck ached. It took Amber several seconds to realize that Ryland was carrying her, and her head was lolling back in a most awkward position.
She lifted her head. "Where are we going?" Amber demanded. "I can walk, you know. Put me down!"
Ryland kept his eyes on the path. "I am aware of your abilities, Lady, but your comrades will look for you, and there is no need to leave your footprints leading them straight to camp. "
"But they will see yours!" Amber protested. "Surely you haven't overlooked that! Yours will stand out more than mine!"
"But they aren't looking for mine. Lady, they are looking for yours. Of course I thought of that."
Amber sighed, unsure of what to do. She didn't want to get caught, much as she hated to admit it to herself. This had great potential to be an adventure, and if he led her to camp, she could escape and warn the others.
They were silent for a time. Suddenly Ryland grinned. "You know, Lady, you are clever."
"I knew that," Amber snapped.
Ryland smirked. "You still haven't told me your name."
Amber shrugged. "And I am not going to." She glanced at his face. He didn't look surprised or angry, but. . . there was something in his look that Amber couldn't quite place. Was it hurt?
She didn't have time to ponder it. Voices were coming from behind them.
"Amber? Amber! Where are you?"
"Your friends," Ryland said. "We're caught!"
"Not we, Ryland, you."
"Whatever, I am not letting you get away," Ryland said. Before Amber knew what was happening, Ryland clapped his hand over her mouth, pinning her arms to her sides. There was no way she could warn her friends, and Amber watched them grow closer, feeling helpless, and afraid of what Ryland would do if they were found.