Running Away From One Thing, and Into Another.

Chapter 4: At Another's Mercies

The girl in the picture is Catyn!

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

The wet grass is easy to crush as I hurriedly run towards the cabin. You should have done this earlier! I mentally scream at myself while I nicely dart in the shadows back to the cabin.   I further curse myself when I see our cabin is bright with light.

Frowning, I hide behind a thick bush. Angry yells echo from the cabin followed by a loud crash. I close my eyes, trying to make out whose voice it is.

Hazden? No, his voice is too dang deep. Lisht? No, he isn't here anymore. Name after name comes in my head through one ear and out the other ear. There is too many blasted names on this blasted farm.

I only stop thinking of names when a scream splits the air that I can match to a face.

Azjin.

Before I can react, the door swings open and the nine year old girl is dragged by the new guy. Not knowing, nor caring about his name, I focus in on his words.

“Surely you picked up on something!”

“I don't know! This was the first time I've met her!” Azjin cries out only to cry louder when a slap hits her face.

“You must have noticed something, rat! Now tell me!” Azjin's cry breaks my heart, but I can't do anything.  I guess I do have to leave her. 

“She didn't notice anything.” Speaks a new voice.

The guard whirls around to face the door with a firm hand on Azjin's frail shoudler. “Did I ask you to speak?” The guard demands. 

“No.” Catyn replies bluntly as she walks into my view. She glances down at the hem of her dress, then swervs her eyes to mine. My mouth drops when sudden fear comes over me. I remember back to Mart, how I felt when I held his life in my grasp; that brilliant power. Now, I am in her hands.

In her mercies.

She obviously saw me before, because there is no surprise in her eyes when she saw me.

“However,” she continues as she takes her eyes off me and faces him, “I know information.” I just then notice that the red headed guard has a steak knife in his left hand. No wonder Azjin is so upset.

“Speak then, we need to find her now!” I couldn't help but notice how upset he was. Panicked, flustered, and worried. It didn't seem all for him either. Almost like something more important.

“I plotted with her.” Catyn states casually as she takes Azjin's other hand, and draws her close. Not noticing her being pulled, Azjin slides out easily from the guard's grasp. Then placing Azjin behind her, Catyn becomes human shield.

“So you know where she is?”

He doesn't notice the step she to the side. “I know where she should be.” 

“Then talk!”

“She should be at the barn.” Catyn purrs

“She was just there," he rolls his eyes,  "she stole a horse.”

“Oh, did she? I didn't think she would actually take my advice.” Catyn places her pointing finger on her chin, faking obliviousness while she takes another step to where her back faces me.

The guard raises an angry fist.  "Will you shut up and tell me where the brat is?"

She takes a step back.  "I can't tell you if I have to shut up."  She reminds him with in a stupid voice.  His hard fist smacks her in the jaw, making her stumble backwards a good few steps.