Running Away From One Thing, and Into Another.

Chapter 19: Up to the North

Sorry for being late, but hey, been busy.  =) Hope this makes up for it! This is the EDITED verison.  Very important. =)

    “ Brean, we have to rest. I can't go any farther if I wanted to.” I pant, struggling to keep standing.

“How do you think if feel, jalz?” He pants back. “How will we sleep? We are both too exhausted to keep watch.” I shrug my shoulders to show how much I've thought about it.

“How far have we traveled?” We have run out of water, and we are both paying the price.

“I think we are deep in the northern woods. They are bound to be still following us... we can't stop.”

“Brean, look at us. We can't go on. We will die out of exhaustion.”

“That or die by execution; take your pick.” Brean argues with me. We are both wrecks. Our hair is tangled, the clothes we wear are dirty, and we both are dripping with sweat. Safe to say we stink bad.

I say nothing to that, not knowing what to do. “Brean, I'm so tired...” I complain. I want him to fix it, but what can he do? Nothing.

Nothing like everyone else.

Both of our heads snap in front of us when we hear rustles. “Hullo there?” A man calls out. I look at Brean, and he at me. Who is leader? “I could have sworn that I heard someone there.”

“Blast, I should have kept my cloak.” I hiss, trying to figure how to make hood for myself.

“Well, least one of us thinks ahead.” Brean mutters as he digs into his bag. Out comes a cloak that looks a little small, but that isn't what is important. It's the hood.

“I didn't know we had an extra cloak!” I snatch it and quickly fix it around myself. “How's that? Are my ears covered?”

He nods. “How's it feel to wear something clean and non-sweaty?”

“Like a dream.”

He chuckled, then snapped his head up. “Stay quiet, make them think your mute.”

“Why?” I whisper very quietly. I see their shadows now. Snaking their way towards us. Their scent is... odd. Dirty, but of a good material. They don't seem to be even trying to quiet their footsteps. They have no reason to fear.

“Your voice is too, well, enchanted. It will keep our cover better if you just don't talk.”

“I hear somebody!” The closest shadow yells. “I see two people!”

I just nod and bite my tongue as a reminder to myself. Three men finally come out from the shelter of the woods with six horses behind them. Though it is obvious that they are travelers, it is also obvious that these are wealthy travelers. The travel dust clings to their fancy, bright fabrics.

Brean holds up a hand in greetings. “Ho, there. How are you gentlemen?” He asks politely. My teeth dig deeper into my tongues as I force myself not to utter a sound.

“Well, aren't you two a sight.” The one dressed in yellow and green robes mutters lowly. The one next to him, dressed in red and yellow, clears his throat.

“Good evening, fellow travelers. Did you not hear us?” He raises an eyebrow. Great, he has seen us for about ten seconds and he is all ready suspicious. Record?

“Oh, yes, sorry.” Brean apologizes smoothly and waves his hand without a care. “I am very out of breath and weary of travel. We ran out of water long ago, so my throat is parched.”

“And what's her excuse?” I don't like the way he points at me fearfully as if my filth will get on him. Don't growl, cranky girl.

“Oh, that's simple. She's mute.” Smirking at their guilt covered faces, I study them a little more carefully. They all appear a little under middle aged, but I don't dare judge their age by their looks. They all have brown hair except for the quiet one who is dressed in just a dark yellow robe. He looks older than the rest since his hair is a dull grey. His has a long beard drooping from only his chin; unlike the others since they don't have any facial hair.