Chapter 89

Chapter 89<~> Chapter 89

The two men we were replacing were happy to be relieved early. They were dead tired and lucky that they had first watch rather than a middle shift. Morrigan and I took our positions facing opposite directions on the road. There was a second night watch on the other side of the small fort but they were out of ear shot, we were alone over here.

"Morrigan, what do you think of Silva so far? Did you get a chance to talk to her before I came to get you?"Điscover new chapters at novelhall.com... We talked a little bit I didn't really learn much. She's only been a slave for about a year, she's only been working as Fae's bodyguard for less than a month. Her father saved her from execution, not sure what for... The time between that was training, she changed the subject when I asked her what kind of training she received."

"Murdering a Noble. I think it might be the main reason Fae can't get herself to trust her."

"Ah..." Morrigan stared into the darkness.

"What... would you think if I considered buying her from Fae?"

There was a long pause. "I don't know. Are you sure that's something you want to do? You won't be able to free her from slavery either..."

"I know..." The road leading onwards to the capital was dark. If it wasn't for my night vision I wouldn't be able to see out here at all. The bright moons that lit the night sky were blocked out by dark clouds.

"What made you start considering this?" Morrigan asked.

I sighed and looked ahead at the empty road, the only thing that could be seen were the wild animals, or perhaps monsters in the distance. "I've been thinking about our fights. My... recklessness in the dungeon and our coordination at the dungeon camp the other day. I don't think I'm strong enough... or skilled enough to hold the front line myself. When Fae was telling me her story I couldn't help but imagine Silva standing next to me like Tarklin and Nora did at the dungeon camp. Our party isn't very balanced, I can't hold the front line on my own..."

"Has Mimi told you her level yet?"

"Fourty-two. A bit higher than mine."

"...Were you thinking of giving her the gold slave token?"

"...Yes."

I looked over and Morrigan was scratching her chin in thought. "I suppose the trade would be worth it... are you sure Fae would be willing to go for it?"

"Yeah... She basically told me directly that she intended to sell her. The memories are too hard for her to handle."

She sighed. "Are you intending on making us vote on this?"

I shook my head. "No. This would have to be unanimous. She would be a party member, with all of us the entire time. All of us need to be able to trust her."

Morrigan let out an irritated huff. "You don't make things easy do you? One of the nice things about being a slave is not having to make so many decisions."

I laughed. "Maybe this is my own kind of training. That way you're able to cope when I manage to free you from slavery one day."

"Yeah yeah, I heard about your oath. I'm not holding my breath on it. Besides... maybe by then we'll have a bond stronger than your oath to free us."

"Great! Find your bodyguard and meet with me in around a bell." He pushed himself off the wall he was leaning up against and started walking away.

Apparently there wasn't any kind of breakfast or anything planned, most people were busy packing everything up again before we headed out. I suppose there was so much down time that everyone except for the uuna riders could eat a ration on the road or just wait for lunch.

We met up with the twins and Silva, Torien handed Mimi back to me and I explained the slight change in what was happening. Fae's shoulders tensed when the rabbit demi-beast was in earshot again but she did her best not to let it show, once again adopting the hard exterior she had yesterday. It was obvious the rabbitkin knew what was happening but she didn't let it bother her, not taking any offence to the way the young girl adopted a persona in order to even deal with her.

I sighed and walked with Bella towards the wagon we had been assigned to yesterday. The coach from yesterday was already waiting, eating a few bites of jerky before we got moving. I helped Bella up into the seat before climbing up myself. Bella yawned and stretched and seemed to be in a good mood today. I looked up at the sky, it was overcast and smelled faintly of rain. I wondered if that was going to be an issue.

In no time at all the uuna were moving again, pulling the carriages and wagons full of rocks and timber. I made sure to take note of which carriage our two new guests were in. They were riding inside the carriage with most of the merchants, hopefully out of sight of anyone that might be looking for them.

About thirty minutes into the trip I indicated to Bella I wanted to chat with her through [Soultouched Connection].

-- "Bella, I want to talk to you about Silva. I already talked to Morrigan about it but I was considering buying her from Fae. I think she would really round out our team and I think she's in an unfair position right now." --

I felt a slight amusement pass through our bond. -- "All morning I had been trying to come up with how I would bring this up to you and you skipped right to the end." --

I shared my own amusement at the situation through the bond. It was like a silent laugh between us. -- "So you're okay with the idea?" --

-- "Yes. Though... I guess for me it was less practical and more... I felt bad for her. She worked so hard to protect Fae and is only hated and feared for it. It's probably not my place to judge Fae, she's just a kid and she went through something horrible... but it still doesn't feel right." --

I mentally nodded. -- "Morrigan is mostly on board but we have a little time before we make a final decision. She said she would talk with Torien about it today. She also... expressed interest in her," the intent of my innuendo bled through the bond. "Morrigan wanted permission so I basically gave her free rein to test the waters, provided you are okay with it too of course." --

Bella suddenly looked a little flustered but she had a small smile that totally gave away her feelings on the matter.

I smirked at her through the bond. -- "You're interested in her too, aren't you?" --

-- "I can't help it. And... in that sense she reminds me of you, how would I be able to not think about it?" --

-- "Me?" -- I was frankly a bit bewildered by the comment.

-- "There's something to her that... gives off a similar kind of confidence that you do. I can't really explain it but the idea of her pushing me against a wall..." --

I didn't miss the way Bella's hands subtly shifted to her lap where she could better hold down the front of her adventuring dress.

"Boy you two are quiet today! You aren't much of morning people ain'cha?"

Bella jumped and only looked more embarrassed when the coachman suddenly started to make conversation.

"I'm just enjoying the scenery, don't mind me."

What I didn't say out loud was the scenery I was talking about was my blushing doe that couldn't help but let her embarrassment and arousal bleed through our connection. I couldn't help but smile while her ears burned red.