Book 5: Chapter 111
Mary looked around the camp and frowned. The sun had risen not too long ago, but the people within the camp were acting like it was still nighttime. She approached the nearest person and asked, What are you doing?
The man lowered his head, not daring to meet Marys gaze. Im waiting for orders from the boss.
Marys brow furrowed. Technically, she was the boss, but she was the boss of these peoples boss. Where is he?
Im not sure, the man said. Maybe hes sleeping in?
Mary marched away from the man, heading towards Josephs tent. She yanked open the flap, not caring that part of the material tore. She poked her head inside and looked around, but the large man was nowhere to be found. She dropped the flap and took a few steps back, staring at the tent with a frown. Did he run away?
Mary went to the next nearest tent and yanked open the flap. Inside, the woman who had silenced Keith, was putting on her robes. The woman froze, and a second later, upon seeing who the intruder was, she finished getting dressed. Yes, Madam Scathir? How can I help you?
Wheres Joseph?
The woman who had silenced Keith blinked. He was keeping watch last night, she said. Although his outward appearance is a bit boorish, hes actually softhearted. He wanted to see if any of the scouts would return. Hes not outside?
Mary furrowed her brow and took a step back. She walked through the camp, grabbing and asking people if they had seen Joseph, but all of them replied in the negative. After going through the whole camp and peering out from the outskirts, Mary returned to the robed womans tent. The woman was looking at the maps that the scouts had brought back with a frown on her face. Upon seeing Mary enter her tent, the woman who had silenced Keith raised her head. Did you find him?
Itll be difficult, the robed woman mumbled. Im not a leader, but I suppose theres no other option. Werent Keith and Danielle amongst the missing scouts? I cant believe they abandoned me.
***
Gloria and Ramon exhaled and lay on their backs. Behind them, there was a pile of supplies. Keith and Danielle stood next to the pile with unreadable expressions on their faces. They had gone with the two dragons to raid their own boat, and after taking all the food and drinks, the dragons dragged the boat far away from shore and tore apart its keel, letting it sink into the depths below.
Are we traitors? Danielle asked.
No, Keith said. It couldnt be helped. If we didnt do this, wed die.
That doesnt mean were not traitors, Danielle said. Deserting from a battle to avoid death is treasonous.
Im trying to make you feel better, alright? Keith asked. What do you want me to say? Were selfish ingrates for cooperating with dragons to screw over half our party and the people we hired?
Danielle glared at her companion. You couldve just kept your mouth shut.
Keith sighed.Fôllôw new stories at novelhall.com