xvii.
Halt tried putting as much distance between himself and the village in the few minutes after they left. He doubted simple farmers would dare pursue them, but still felt weary after antagonizing them. Close behind him, he heard Blaze and Mane with their respective riders, led by pure instinct as it was too dark for them to see anything in the road. Of all nights they had to pick a new moon to look for a camp at night. He hadn't really had time to check where they were heading or how any of them were after coming out of the inn but he knew now wasn't the time to look for answers for these questions.
Eventually, he heard Gilan call his name as the younger Ranger went to the side of the road finding a place they could stop. He motioned Abelard to follow behind Mane as the three entered the forest and blended with the shadows. It was still some time before they got to the clear patch but at least that way they wouldn't be easily found from the road. Scrambling in their hands and knees, Gilan and Maiah set to find any twigs that could help them get some light at least until they set up and went to sleep. It took longer than usual even when the three of them joined to create a decent fire; however once the first sparks lit the night their anxiousness quieted down and they were able to find comfort in the red glow illuminating the faces around them.
Are you okay?" Gilan asked once they stared into each other's faces long enough.
"It's kind of late but—" Halt started though she quickly show her head and interrupted.
"I'm fine, thanks." She didn't say it there, but she was ashamed of herself for behaving like such a delicate thing. She had learned to easily hide her embarrassment, but that didn't stop her from feeling close to tears not just because of how she had depended on them to save her, but because she had been scared out of her wits when she had been slammed against the table. She had gone through a lot in Mazoniria, but in all those occasions—at least in the greatest part of them—she had been afraid because she didn't know if her plan would work; the problem here was, she didn't even have a plan, she had no way of coming up with a quick escape and her vulnerability set her nerves on end and unbalanced her whole being.
Surprising her, a quiet whimper escaped her throat as they sat around the fire. Quickly pulling herself together, she pulled her cloak closer around her and stood trying to get away before she made a fool of herself again.
"Do you need help?" Gilan asked searching her face though when she didn't acknowledge his question he tried holding her back.
"I said I was fine, Gilan." She snapped, flinching from his grip and stepping away.
"I was just trying to help." He answered, somewhat accusingly and harsher than he intended, not really thinking about it until he let it out.
"Just drop it, Mr. Hero. Don't…" He was too stunned by her response and although he had quickly tried to find an apology after he had yelled at her, he decided it was better to let it fall as she quietly isolated herself and sat against a tree at the edge of the shadows. None of her traveling companions made another move to speak with her, nor did she want them to and was rather glad when they ignored her presence for the rest of the night and didn't even assign her a watch shift but rather did as if she wasn't even traveling with them. Pulling her knees closer against her chest she quietly observed the camp wondering if she had just been too harsh with Gilan especially since he had only tried to help. She realized it wasn't that she was angry with him but rather he had been the first person to get in her way as she took out her frustration. Thinking it over, she knew she owed him an apology and a solemn "thank you" for saving her life and worrying about her even after all her pride had been torn away by the huge oaf that had grabbed her. She tried to convince herself in Araluen what had happened was not unusual and for a male to rescue a girl was highly praised; however, months in the large island did not compare to the eighteen years in Mazoniria.
She followed Halt's movements with her gaze as he moved about during his watch. There weren't too many, but she set to count even the slightest shift on his part as he got more comfortable or moved to keep himself awake. On the branch above his head she made out Nox's silhouette peacefully listening and watching over the camp along with the Ranger and couldn't help feeling extremely sad as the cat reminded her of home. She never thought she could miss the place she had lived in with Prowessa and was more than happy to be able to leave it even when it meant she had to find refuge in a foreign nation; however, after such a long time in such a different place she had come to miss the tropical environment with the colorful birds and flowers and insects and the noises of the rain forest, and the tiny adobe houses in the villages and the fear the large cats set on the population and all those other things that used to be dreadful back then. She wasn't sure she would ever miss Prowessa but even her mentor's leaving took away another part of what could have made Araluen a little more like her native country.
As the night dragged on she became aware of Halt's slower movements and was rather surprised when he remained still for almost an hour and a half not because she doubted he had fallen asleep but because she couldn't help wonder how he did not lose concentration and actually fall asleep when he was so still and quiet. There was a second, when she got bored of staring at Halt's unmoving, fading figure that she tried finding Gilan, however he had wrapped himself in his cloak and with the plants around him it became impossible to find him. eventually, the stillness of the forest became too heavy to bear and soon she felt her lids become heavy getting her to that point when one is still awake yet unable to think clearly and all ideas mesh together so that one can't really find what led to the current thought and when we realize what it is and go back retracing our thoughts we forget what it was we first thought of. She didn't know when it was her eyes blinked one last time before she drifted into sleep. However, sometime in her stirring she thought she could see the Rangers changing posts.
Gilan looked tired after half a night of watch. Halt couldn't help noticing the dark bags under his eyes and the messy hair after the young Ranger had tousled it over and over to keep himself awake. However, his uncommon taciturn mood was not an effect of the long night and Halt knew perfectly well why he only got a quiet nod of the head as a good morning compared to the bright grin that was usually there even after the roughest nights. He didn't try to cheer him up as he stirred the coffee since he knew Gilan would use the long night as an excuse. However, once they sat around the small fire to enjoy their dark drink he couldn't help trying to get him to speak as it became too strange to have him so serious and quiet.
"We're only a couple days from Araluen. You planning on staying to say hello?"
"No. I want to get east as fast as possible. Unless we get there at night time I don't think I'll be stopping to rest."
Halt—never being the talkative kind—was unsure on what to say after and instead allowed the silence to envelope them once again as they finished breakfast and began packing up. He had become aware of Maiah watching them for some time now though didn't make a move to come forward and so he didn't much as acknowledge her trying to avoid the two young ones from confronting each other. He knew eventually they had to speak to the other but for now he decided to keep war from breaking out in their little camp. For the same reason he was the one who went up to her to tell her to get ready and gave her the piece of bread. Just a few minutes after, they were already on the road, wordlessly agreeing to push on without breaks until they got to Ingersul, a small known village a day's ride from Araluen Castle.
They rode in silence, Halt at the front with Gilan, and Maiah at the back closing their caravan. It had been the quietest trip Halt had taken in the last few weeks resembling his life before the talkative foreigner came into their lives. Nevertheless, he still wasn't comfortable with the awkwardness of it all and wished more than ever for Pauline to be there; she would know how to get the two of them to talk to each other again. But she wasn't there, and Alyss wasn't there, and none of the ones present knew anything about rhetoric, diplomacy, or reaching for the feelings of others. Therefore, the silence lasted well into midday when the sun was above their heads, hitting hard on them and exhausting their progress. It was far too warm for this time of the year and the three travelers could feel the heat getting trapped in their woolen cloaks making perspiration slide down their backs. Still, they were not used to traveling without their cloaks and kept going until it became too hard to bear.
"We'll take a quick rest in the shade of those trees." Halt said motioning Abelard to head in that direction. "It's getting too hot for us to be traveling. We can spare a few minutes I would say. Hydrate and make sure your horses drink water."
The other two simply followed, without making any sound but what was necessary. The grass under the trees was cool from the shade and a soft breeze felt much better once they were out of the burning sun. After loosening the straps of the saddle and watering the horses, the three travelers finally sat down against a tree feeling the freshness of the grass climb to their bodies through their legs. They drank some water though made sure to save enough for the rest of the trip and eventually allowed their bodies to relax. The sun had drained every drop of energy not to mention the long night all three of them had spent. Despite his efforts, Halt felt his lids grow heavy and for the first time lost his senses; he still heard the forest around him and knew they were alone and out of danger but it took twice as much concentration to make sense of each sound he heard.
Maiah sat down enjoying the cool breeze on her face. She wished she could pull down her cowl and allow the wind play with her hair but knew in this parts blond hair would be easily seen and the last thing they wanted was to be spotted by anyone—even a simple farmer who could give them away if one of the Seers bribed them for information. She lifted her eyes to look across the meadow to where Gilan stood, pacing the small space and looking around them. Behind him, the horses mulled over some grass, resting for the long trip that awaited them.
She knew the night before she had been cranky and it wasn't Gilan's fault they had humiliated her that way. Therefore, she probably owed him an apology and tried really hard to think of a way to talk to him about it. She wasn't sure how he would respond to it, after all, he had every right to be angry and ignore her; still, she hoped with all her might his friendly personality came out because if it did things would be fine again and she would feel much better and it would make it all much easier than if it didn't go according to the plan. She watched him for some more time while she gathered her courage finally standing and heading his way.
"Um, Gilan…" once she was there, she realized she hadn't really thought about it that hard. She didn't feel ready at all and now was too late to go back to her corner and think so more. However, seen his warm eyes and inviting expression gave her a little more confidence and decided to take it before it disappeared. "I'mreallysorryaboutyesterdayIdidn'tmeananyofwhatI —"
"Slow down." He said with a quiet chuckle trying to hide his own nervousness. He had been thinking about apologizing the very second she had called his name. It was a little awkward for her to be the one apologizing even if she had snapped at him first though he couldn't figure out why she had done it since in her country men would have to apologize first. "It's fine. I should have gotten the message first and I promise I will try not to embarrass you again."
"I think I just have to get used to this whole new culture. But I got it now…somewhat."
"I think you're doing better than anyone else in a foreign country. Though just for the record," He saw her cheeks flare up, her blush so deep even her scalp turned red under the thin white hair, making him rethink what he was about to say. He decided then was not the right moment to tell her usually men were expected to apologize whether or not they were guilty. It truly was a silly thing, but in society it would be expected for her to play proud and wait for him to come around even when he knew—and she knew—she had been the one who waved him away; he didn't held her responsible, he had forgiven her the moment he realized she just needed some time, but nevertheless, it wouldn't help to accept how events had unfolded. Still, seeing her embarrassment at being corrected he decided to leave it until later—perhaps when she got a lesson or two from Pauline or Alyss—to teach her the expected views of society. "Well, I…consider your apology accepted and I just want you to know I am really sorry about it. In part it was also my fault so I owe you an apology as well…Don't worry about it, Maiah. You will be fine."
She offered him a smile, placing a strand of her silver hair behind her ear making her look as innocent and small as if she had been just the ten-year-old daughter of some farmer. He returned the smile realizing how much lighter he felt now that they were in friendly grounds once again. Somehow, unlike his experience with many others, just that simple apology had closed the growing gap that had been between them and healed their relationship so well it seemed the argument had never existed. He was glad about it yet he knew there were more people like her in that aspect, Will, Halt, Crowley, Jenny…
Jenny. Suddenly, like if hit by lightning, he remembered how much he missed her and wished to be able to appear in her warm kitchen, full of smells and flavors and her merry talk. He had promised to come back safe and sound, in one piece and ready to start their new life together yet he realized that although at the moment his longing for her took his breath away and made his whole being ache he had a slight doubt as he tried recalling a time in the past two days he had remembered his promise and found just a few. He wondered if people in love thought about each other every second of every day or if just a few times every other day though in strong bursts of emotion. He had never seen Will become all dreamy and sick over Alyss nor did he think anyone had behaved in such a way ever.
"Are you alright?" He snapped out of his reverie feeling Maiah's soft touch on his shoulder and meeting her concerned stare, wondering how long had he been standing there awkwardly looking into the distance. "Perhaps you should sit for some time before we get back on the road."
He thought of waving her request away but realized he did need to sit for a while as his knees felt unusually weak. She carefully sat cross-legged in front of him worriedly chewing on her lower lip as she twirled a grass blade between her fingers. Suddenly, he remembered Halt had been awfully quiet through their whole conversation and despite the fact that Gilan knew his former mentor would give them some space to figure things out, his prolonged silence seemed out of place. Looking over at the figure, Gilan realized that surprisingly enough, Halt was deep asleep against the large trunk of a tree, comfortably feeling the breeze and enjoying the shade of the tree.
"We should let him rest." She said in a whisper after they both stared at the grizzly Ranger.
"No matter how many times he denies it," Gilan said with a smile touching his lips. "Graybeard Halt is getting old."