Wendy looked up from the magic book, as Polly, humming, stirred the pot.
There was a part of her, a small part, that realized she should be helping with dinner. Helping set up camp. After all, it was the right thing to do, the fair thing to do.
However, it was also the non-Witch thing to do.
Wendy had busted her butt in the service of her Mistress. She had scrubbed the walls, scrubbed the floors, scrubbed the clothing, scrubbed the dirty pots and pans. Basically, her magical training had consisted of 99% slave labor. Could she be blamed, now, for not wanting to do that kind of crap? She would, naturally, if it was needed. But, Polly was cooking, the wood was collected...
...and, well, she did need to get some reading in while there was still light.
The magic books Polly had given her were way beyond Wendy's comprehension. They assumed skills and knowledge she had not acquired while scrubbing. Each page held not just the gestures and words, but seemed to be filled with magic themselves. The volumes practically hummed in her hand. She had tried to memorize a few of the spells, but had found it virtually impossible. They were too... large, almost, overflowing her mind. No wonder it had been necessary to empty Jack's to make room. Wendy had, after two days, managed to commit one to memory, a female variation on the spell she had used to escape with Jack. With it, she could teleport away from danger. She would also have no control over where she ended up, but the description promised the landing spot would be safe. It might be a safe spot on an empty island with no hope of rescue, but she'd be safe. A spell to save for a last resort, if there ever was one.
Looking down at the current volume, Wendy decided there wasn't much more to get out of it for now. For the most part, she was just getting a sense of what was in there. Placing bookmarks for spells she might need. The books themselves were very helpful in this regard. Custom bound by Polly's Master (mate, boyfriend, whatever), each volume had a different feel. It was easy to grab the right one when reaching into the travel pouch he also seemed to have made. A very resourceful man, this Timothy. He obviously would have made an excellent teacher, if Wizards could teach Witches. Closing the book, she replaced it in the satchel, grabbing for the next one.
"No, no! Not like that!"
Her eyes flicked up. Sam was attempting, with limited success it looked like, to teach Jack to use a sword. Or, at least, how to bang long sticks together. Kids playing, in other words. She looked down at the current book.
It was different than the others. Smaller. Heavier. Wendy frowned. She somehow had missed this one on her earlier explorations of the bag. It had a metal clasp, holding the volume closed. The fact none of the others had meant... what? Hefting it in her hand, the clasp suddenly sprung, brown covers falling open, half the pages following each side.
Inside, she saw a thin, silver locket.
Wendy... considered it. It was cheap looking, the kind of thing a merchant would hang out on top of the counter, not hide below where thieving fingers couldn't reach. Yet, it was in a book of magic. Her expression became wary.
"Polly?"
The woman looked over. Wendy was watching, saw the expression of sorrow, despair flash over Polly's face. Then it was gone, replaced by a smile, which, though familiar, now had hidden depths. Polly left the pot boiling over the fire, coming to kneel down before the witch.
"This... this book, you should stay away from it. For awhile, at least." Wendy just stared at her. Polly swallowed, licking her lips. Her expression became more pleading. "Please?"
Wendy glanced back down at the locket. The power... she was in no way ready for this book. Nodding, she closed the volume. Polly visibly relaxed, smiling a true smile.
"Thank you. Timothy used that book for... special rituals."
Wendy nodded. She would stay away from it... for now.
****
"No, no! Keep your legs apart!"
Sam walked over and stood before Jack. With a whack, she hit the inside of his left leg with her wooden sword. His leg shifted, widening his stance.
"A bit more." Another light whack resulted in another inch. Stepping back and looking him up and down, she nodded. "Good. You want to give yourself as sturdy a frame as possible. Especially when you're on defense."
Jack smiled. She was so cute when she was serious. A slight blush touched her cheek, quickly followed by a hardening of her expression. Jack just grinned more.
"Oh, I'm going to wipe that grin right off your face." She backed up about five feet, moving into the same attack stance she had shown him not long before. "Get ready."
Jack adjusted his grip. The stick wasn't that comfortable, which wasn't surprising. They had found two reasonably straight branches, cutting off the extra and lashing a short cross piece for the guard. There was a knot, right under his thumb, which was starting to annoy him. It had dug in during the last two attacks, not breaking the skin, but leaving a nice indentation. Maybe after dinner he could carve...
"Defend!"
She came at him, sword coming in from his right. Silently grunting, Jack got his sword up. Sam hit hard, the crack of sticks colliding followed by his hands stinging like hell. She wasn't done, though. Following through, her sword came off of his as she lowered herself and spun. The momentum carried her weapon right into the back of his leg.
"And you're dead!"
Jack jumped away, spinning himself to face her. Sam just grinned.
"Watch the follow through. Most fights are only going to last one or two swings. Make sure your second swing gets there first!"
****
The four sat around the campfire, dinner digesting. It had been another meatless stew. Sam missed meat. Oh, sure, she hadn't gone without it for that long, but she was young. It was a larger fraction of her life than if she was old like Dad. She couldn't wait until he brought home a nice large buck, or a wild boar. Then, there would be some good feasting!
Wendy sat across from her, looking a bit worried. Now, what could be worrying little Miss Witch?
"Problem, Wendy?"
Sam felt Jack's hand on her knee. He was warning her to play nice, most likely. Oh, she would. But that didn't mean she wasn't going to play. Wendy regarded her seriously.
"I'm just worried about your father. I don't like him being alone like this."
The fact that Sam felt the same way almost made her want to lash out at the girl. After all, who was she to worry about Dad? Jack's hand squeezed, calming her. Sam took in a deep breath... and released it.
"He'll be fine. He was always going out hunting, usually with some of the other guards, but also alone if Mom needed something special for the table. He'd be gone for days, as you don't find much close to the city." Sam paused, looking out past Jack into the darkness. She pursed her lips. "To be honest, I hope he gets far enough from this town that's nearby to find some game. I haven't even seen much small stuff, and that's worrying." A finger traced on the back of her hand. She listened, then nodded. "There's not even any frogs out by the stream."
"There are crickets, though," Polly said, a half smile on her face. "Maybe you two should go hunting."
"I'll catch them, if you cook and eat them!"
Wendy suddenly stood. She looked down at Polly, then nervously at Sam. Sam's expression hardened.
"What?"
"Well..." Wendy seemed to be talking herself into something. "What if... I made things easier for Gary?" Sam's eyes widened, Wendy going on before she could speak. "There's a spell I saw. It brings a game animal to the hunter, and lets him kill it easily. We can make sure Gary doesn't come home empty handed."
"He wouldn't, anyway!" Sam was indignant. "Dad's a damned good hunter!"
"Now, Sis..."
"Don't 'Sis' me, she just insulted Dad!" Jack's hand squeezed hard. She glanced at him. He... she took another deep, calming breath, then looked back to Wendy. "Sorry, sorry. It's just... sorry." Wendy nodded.
"I know."
Sam thought. The girl did have a thing for her father, and him for her. She wasn't going to do anything foolish regarding him. And, there was something strange going on...
"Ok. Do it."
Wendy stepped around the fire.
"I need Jack for this..."
****
Wendy's teacher would have punched her hard in the head if she had seen Wendy like this. A witch was never, ever, to act subservient. NEVER place themselves below another. Yet, here she was, kneeling before a sitting Jack, new dress getting dirty as she pulled his pants down and pulled out his cock.
Diplomacy. That was the key. That she was Mistress to both Sam's sister and... playmate, and lover to her father, was not something to be lorded over the girl at this time and place. Later, once Wendy was more secure, then certainly. But, not now. She placed a finger on her slave's member.
"This won't hurt him, Samantha."
That wasn't what the girl was worried about, most likely, given where her eyes were focused, but that was another reason Wendy was doing this. Yes, she honestly did want to help Gary. But she also had to impress on the child before her that SHE, Wendy, had the only claim on Jack that mattered. She had to understand, and accept. Things would go much easier after that.
"Rosnac."
He became hard before her, hot, throbbing. Wendy gripped it, as the blueness of male magic filled her eyes. The spells quickly followed. They rushed by her eyes, much too fast. Gritting her teeth, she focused. They slowed. Now, then. The one she wanted was near the middle. Yes.... there. That one.
"Sam, get me one of Gary's arrows."
The girl paused a moment, hand holding Jack's, eyes focused on the first male she had seen besides her father, then she moved towards the wagon. There were extra arrows there, Wendy knew. Gary hadn't planned on fighting off an army or anything, and could always retrieve or repair arrows if he ran short. The girl was back quickly, holding one of his custom made projectiles.
"Hold it in your hand, just like that." Wendy checked the spell again, making sure, then with her left hand drew a rune in the air around the arrowhead, ending by touching the point. "Przyniesc zabic."
Semen exploded from Jack, shooting in the air. The blue life-force sparkled inside, outshining the fire behind her. It gathered in a swirling mass above their heads, as if contemplating their next move. A small strand reached out to touch the arrow's tip, startling Sam. The rest shot out into the forest.
Jack was now limp in Wendy's hand. She released him. His body was also limp, but he came to quick enough to stay upright. Wendy watched as his mind returned, eyes focusing on her.
Those eyes would never understand, or accept.
****
Sam walked slowly through the dark forest, the babble of the stream her guide. She knew he had come this way, was, in fact, probably in the same spot. It's not that Jack was predictable. More... it was that there were few places he would go where he knew she would find him.
If he wanted to be found.
She paused, rolled up blanket almost slipping from her grip. Jack... might want to be alone. She could be reading the signs all wrong. After this evening, he might not want to be with her.
She wanted to be with him, though. More than ever. And, if not tonight, with Dad gone, the others in bed, and the stars shining, then when? Telling herself that she would go, if sent away, Sam continued on.
****
Sam found him, not on the bank of the river, but on a flat grassy spot not far from a large maple tree. He was laying on his back, eyes on the stars. He was still wearing the pants and shirt they had bought for him, both in need of a good wash. So was he, most likely, not that she was any different. Travel did not leave one squeaky clean. Pausing near him, Sam warred with herself. Part of her wanted to just lie down next to him. Talk to Jack, comfort him. Kiss, caress...
Biting her lower lip, she chose the other option. As his blond covered head swung towards her, Sam dropped the blanket and pulled her shirt over her head. She could see, or think she saw, his blue eyes widen as she stood exposed to a boy for the first time. She was not much, she knew. Thin, with small breasts, and equally small nipples. Nothing compared to her sister, let alone the comically large Wendy. The air was still warm, but she felt her nipples harden regardless. Quickly, while she had the nerve, Sam undid her rope belt. Trousers and under shorts dropped. She stepped forward out of them, the feel of grass on her bare feet somehow exotic now that the rest of her was bare as well. Without a word, she lay herself down next to Jack.
As his warm body pressed against hers, all fear and doubt left Sam. She pulled herself half on top of him, one bare leg pressing between his, lips seeking their mates. She felt his hands come up, running over her back, arms, ass, before one moved around to cup a breast. She groaned, turning it into a whimper as his covered leg rose and pressed against her sex. She broke their kiss, forehead pressing against his.
"Oh, Jack..." One hand snaked its way down his body, between his legs, searching for what she desired most...
Sam felt no hardness. No swell of his manhood. Raising her head, she looked at Jack's face in surprise. He closed his eyes, turning away, face full of embarrassment and shame.
The witch.
She had drained him. Completely. Taken from Jack that which Sam desired.
Well.
"It's OK, my love." Sam gently kissed his cheek, then rubbed her own against it. "Let me see if I can undo her evil." He turned back to her, questioningly. Eyes glowing, she kissed his nose, then lips. Moving so she straddled him on all fours, she began kissing her way down his body. As she passed his own breasts she pulled his shirt up, revealing white, perfect skin. He tasted of sweat, dust, maleness, as she made her way down. She paused at his belly button, giggling as its existence, as if it proved he was human and not some god or magical being. Her hands undid his belt, pulling his pants down enough to reveal her goal.
His member was soft, maybe two inches long, a stubby mushroom nestled in a thin patch of light yellow hair. Two fleshy eggs hung beneath it. Sam had seen her father before, both in this state and the other, but never had she felt... well, she couldn't even attempt to describe it. Her heart was beating loudly in her head, her breasts hard, aching, the slit between her legs seeming to throb. With that, there was also anger. Anger at the Witch. At the thought someone else dared to steal what should be freely given. Bending down, Sam lightly kissed Jack's cock.
She began with the tip, lips lightly touching the curved head. Her kisses were light, tender. She moved slowly over the head, down the shaft, lifting it with her small hand so she could move to the bottom. It stayed soft. After a few minutes, Sam added a flick of her tongue to her kisses, lightly licking the warm flesh. The licks became longer. She nibbled, a bit, on the edge of the mushroom head, taking her time, surprised at how much she enjoyed it. Jack's hands were in her hair, playing with her scalp. Her lips moved to the notch at the bottom of the head, giving it a light flick of her tongue.
Sam felt a slight movement in him.
Not daring to hope, she focused on that spot, licking, nibbling. The shaft began to gain shape, slowly growing. Sam slipped her lips over the entire head, taking it into her mouth, tongue bathing the bottom. She could feel the entire cock growing, straightening, becoming harder. Jack's hands were gripping her head, his entire body trembling.
The witch had lost.
****
Sam knelt above Jack, his hard manhood touching her opening. Their eyes were locked, Sam completely lost in his gaze. She loved him. Would protect him. Care for him. Be his wife, his lover, his everything. All she had to do was lower herself, and they would be joined. Forever. One of Jack's hands, trembling, came up, finger touching her belly. It traced a heart.
With a sob, Sam let herself drop onto him.
She was a virgin, although the proof of that had broken long ago. Never had she played with herself, nor had she ever been penetrated. There was pain, as she was stretched, filled. Sam gritted her teeth as Jack fully impaled her. She dropped down on all fours, head above Jack's. His eyes were wide, with shock, awe, and joy. His strong arms wrapped around her, pulling Sam down against him as he kissed her. She felt him begin to withdraw, then thrust back. Pain, slowly, was replaced, as her body adjusted, responded. She felt pleasure, so unknown her mind did not know how to react. Her body did, though, guiding them both through their first joining.
Jack stiffened. His hands, cupping her small ass cheeks, squeezed them almost painfully. Sam felt him swell inside her... followed by a warmth flowing up into her very soul.
What the Witch had been forced to take from an unwilling host, Jack had joyfully given Sam. A gift, more precious than any spell. This.. this was the true magic of life, and love.
They were Man and Woman.
****
Jack awoke, mind full of confusing thoughts and emotions. Dreams of Samantha had been interrupted by... something. Eyes on the starry night sky, he tried to sense what had awoken him.
Sam groaned, body pressed against his. She was warm, soft, a wonderful blanket if ever there was one. He smiled, thoughts turning to her, and only her. Sam's face, laying on his chest, looked beautiful, peaceful. Raising a hand, he swept her short hair back, uncovering a small, delicate ear. He wished he could speak. Could tell her how much he loved her, how much he cared for her. Tell Samantha he wanted her by his side forever, would protect her from the world and all it held. Fill those lovely ears with the sounds of love...
The faint sound of horn blasts penetrated through the night air.
Jack jerked up into a sitting position, hands grabbing Sam to keep her from falling. Her eyes, full of sleep, opened, blinking rapidly.
"Wha...?"
The horn came again, three short blasts, followed by....
A roar.
Sam was on her feet in an instant, Jack with her. His pants, still around his legs, were quickly pulled up as Sam also took the extra second to dress. He waited for her, eyes darting around the forest, grabbing her hand as soon as her shirt was over her head. They ran for the camp.
****
"POLLY!"
Her sister's cry awoke Polly fully. It was a cry of terror, fear. Even as Wendy, on the floor, groggily struggled onto her elbows, Polly slid down the length of her bed on the wagon bench and out onto the ground. The fire was low, but still going, showing it was not yet close to morning. From the trees she saw Sam and Jack running towards her, both fully dressed. Well, it wasn't an attempted rape, then, although if anything she thought it would be Sam forcing herself on the poor boy. She shook her head to clear it.
"What is it?"
"Dad's horn!"
As if summoned, she heard it, distant. Three short calls in the night.
"Oh, God.... WENDY!" The witch's head popped out of the wagon, sleep still in her eyes. "Wendy, get the book bag. Volume three, the directed teleport spell. We have to go to Dad." A roar, again distant. "Hurry!"
Polly saw Sam strap her sword belt on, Jack doing the same. His weapon was taken from one of the bandits killed in their first meeting. Sam also grabbed the quiver of their father's extra arrows
"I need a light!"
Jack was there next to them, holding a log from the fire, as Wendy dropped from the wagon book in hand, satchel around her shoulder. Polly moved his arm to bring it closer to the witch without burning them. Wendy's hands were trembling as she searched through bookmarked pages. She stopped, eyes scanning.
"Got it! Jack, Sam, grab onto Polly!"
Without even being asked, Polly held out her bare arm. Holding the book open with one hand, Wendy drew her dagger. She drew a rune with the tip, Polly feeling the familiar tingle flowing through her body, the almost sexual thrill. With no warning, Wendy slashed the blade against her arm.
"Zabierze nas!"
****
Wendy blinked as her feet went from grass to cold water and slippery stones. They were standing in the middle of a wide stream, the four of them, forest close on either side, coming right up to the water's edge. Before them... oh, Goddess, before them... Gary.
He was running down the middle of the stream, arms pumping, legs straining. Behind him... a monster. Wendy's throat went dry. It was some kind of bear, as large as a building, as wide as the stream. Its eyes almost glowed in the dark, starlight reflecting off of massive teeth. As she watched, frozen, it let off a roar that turned her blood to ice.
They were doomed...
"Dad!"
Sam leapt forward, drawing her sword. Gary saw them, almost falling as he pulled up, still a good forty feet away. Turning, he notched an arrow and raised his bow. Wendy could now see other arrows embedded in the monster. Goddess...
Wendy looked at Polly. The woman was kneeling, holding her right wrist, eyes wide in terror. Wendy had cut her deeply. She was of no use at the moment, would not be useable until she recovered some strength. Her eyes went to Jack. He was drawing his sword, a bit awkwardly, not used to the action. She grabbed his arm.
"No! I need you!"
Without pausing, she shoved her right hand into his pants. He should be recharged. She should be able to find a spell, any spell...
Jack was limp.
She made the rune again. There was no response. Her eyes jerked up to Jack's face. The hatred there took her breath away. Pulling her hand out, he flung it aside as he ran after Sam.
They were doomed...
****
Sam ran to her father. He was standing tall, bow in his hands, strong, powerful. She skidded to a stop beside him, water splashing. Sword held before her with both hands, she set herself in a defensive stance.
"What the hell is it?!"
"No idea," He said, voice almost calm. Notching another arrow, he let it fly. The monster roared, arrow finding its target in its neck. "It came on my camp a little while ago." He glanced at her, hand retrieving another arrow from his quiver. "Why are you here?"
"Why?! Because you blew that blasted horn, that's why! What did you think we'd do!"
"Walk," He said, laughing. "I forgot about Wendy." Firing again, he lowered the bow. "Arrows aren't working, and I honestly don't know if we can run. It's damned fast on solid ground." Jack came up next to them. Reaching over, he wrote on Sam. She translated.
"No magic for now, Dad. We either run or fight. I vote for fight."
Gary's eyes went over his shoulder, to the two women behind them. Sam kept her eyes on the monster. She was terrified. Terrified they'd be killed. Terrified she would disappoint her father. Terrified... that she wouldn't be able to protect jack.
She had to protect him, at any cost.
"I'll flank him," she said. Sword lowered, she ran towards the right hand bank.
"Sam!"
Her dad was too protective of her. She could handle herself, could survive a fight. She reached the edge of the stream. Water had cut through the earth here, leaving a three foot cliff running along the bank. She could climb it, easily, but it would require putting her sword down and leaving her back to the monster. Neither was a good idea. Even as she turned to mark its position, the bear-thing roared again, charging down the center of the stream. She saw her father and Jack move apart, swords at the ready. It was ignoring her. Good. As it passed...
At the last moment, it swerved, throwing its bulk against the riverbank. Sam cried out, as fur and filth came crashing towards her. She dropped to the ground, half in the water, sword held above her. As the monster hit the embankment, mud and rocks exploding outward, her sharp steel sliced into its body. The creature jerked away, roaring again, blood shooting out. Then it was past.
Sam struggled to her feet. It could be hurt. That was good. Now, she just had to...
"GARY!!!"
The monster had her dad in its mouth.
She watched, frozen, as Polly and Wendy let out horrified screams. Almost in slow motion, Jack hacked at the thing's neck, only to be slapped aside by those powerful arms. Her dad hung, limp, limbs dangling from its slobbering jaw.
A calm fell over Sam. She was running, charging the bear. Her sword lashed out, slicing into hits hind quarters. The thing whirled, throwing her father's body towards the shore. She hacked again, blade biting deep. Too deep: it caught, in bone or hard muscle. As the creature twisted, the sword was forced from her hand, embedded in the monster.
It looked at her. There was blood on its teeth. The blood of her dad's life. She could smell its breath, feel the evil and hatred coming from its very essence.
"Damn you!!!"
Without thought, Sam reached over her shoulder and grabbed an arrow. Knowing it was futile, stupid, she just threw the flimsy projectile at the creature. Let it eat one more of her dad's arrows, before it ate her...
The arrow burst into blue fire. It's tumbling flight straightened. As Saw watched, unbelieving, the arrow struck the monster in the center of its head, completely embedding itself. The creature reared back, letting out a horrible roar... before collapsing in the center of the stream. The running water began turning red.
****
Jack struggled to his feet. He didn't think anything was broken, but most of his body hurt, regardless. Barely able to keep his grip on the sword, he stumbled towards the others.
Gary's body lay on the bank. He was almost in two pieces. Feeling faint, Jack focused his eyes on the man's face. The face of someone he could, almost, have come to consider a father. Would, so long as he had memory, consider a friend. Its weight finally too heavy, he just let his sword drop. Its tip embedded in the mud, a rock keeping it upright against the mild current.
Sam slowly walked towards them. She was covered in blood, dazed. Moving to block her view, Jack took her in his arms. She broke down crying as soon as he touched her, face burying itself in his chest.
"Jack, Jack, Jack..."
Wendy and Polly were kneeling next to the body as well, grief pouring out of them. For the first time since they had met, Jack felt an emotion other than hate for the dark skinned witch. She was holding Gary's hand, just chanting his name. Her magic hadn't been able to save him. Her magic...
A dreadful thought passed through his mind. He looked down at Sam. She still wore Gary's spare quiver, a dozen or so arrows still in it. Tentatively, he raised up her shirt, slowly writing on her back.
It took a moment for Sam to realize what he was doing. He started over, not wanting her to get this wrong, not wanting to be right. Slowly, she pushed herself away from him, eyes looking up in horror.
"Oh... oh, god, no... NO!"
Her head whirled. Jack followed her gaze, to the the two women kneeling by the body. Stepping away, Sam grabbed the pommel of Jack's sword, pulling it from the river bottom. Her eyes were hard.
"Wendy."
That the witch's head jerked up, that anything was able to penetrate her world of grief, spoke to the harshness of Sam's voice. She looked up, uncomprehending. Sam pointed her sword at her.
"Wendy. That spell. What, exactly, did it do?"
The witch slowly stood, brow furrowing.
"Which spell?"
"The one to bring a large animal to Dad. The one you used one of the arrows at camp for. Was there any chance that arrow WAS THE ONLY FUCKING THING THAT COULD KILL IT?!?" She took a step, closing the distance. "I THREW a fucking arrow at the thing, and that killed it! I suspect magic, how about you?!"
Polly was suddenly between them, shielding Wendy with her body. Her eyes were red, voice raw.
"Kill her, and you kill Jack."
"Oh, I won't kill her. She has too many limbs, though. And a tongue, she doesn't need a tongue."
Jack watched all this from the side. He was with Sam, naturally, but knew his limitations in this matter. He would wait until there was an opening...
Pain exploded in his mind. Pain... and a command...
****
Sam didn't see Jack move at first. She was focused on her sister. A sister that loved Dad as much as she did, for all his faults. A sister that SHOULD want revenge! Why was she protecting this WITCH?
Jack was behind Polly now, next to Wendy. Sam's eyes widened. His face... it was contorted with pain, with fear, despair. She looked at Wendy. The witch's eyes were desperate. Her arm reached around Sam's sister, her only family, grabbing the older girl's arm. Polly's eyes looked down in surprise as her arm was pulled back, a knife slicing into it.
"Uciec."
They were gone.
Gone.
Sam fell to her knees, sword clattering agains the rocks.
Jack. Polly. Gone.
The witch. Gone.
Raising her head to the stars, she screamed.
****
A lone horse entered the clearing.
Heather reigned in the animal, eyes sweeping the campsite. A simple wagon, covered by an arching tarp, sat not fall from the trail back to the road. Two horses grazed nearby, un-staked but obviously trained not to roam. The fire pit was unlit.
"Are we camping here?"
Heather looked down at Cathy. The girl sat before her in the saddle, body sagging. It had been a long day, the sun now just at the top of the trees. Soon, it would be dark enough to make setting up camp, as simple as that was for them, difficult. Her eyes took in the clearing again.
"I don't know. Someone is here, or was here..."
A shape rose next to the wagon, Heather kicking herself for not seeing them earlier. It was a boy, young, dirty, with short black hair. He had a sword, which he used to help himself stand upright like a walking stick. His face... it was not a friendly face. Heather took a firm grip on the reigns.
"Want to leave, Miss?"
"No," Cathy said, softly. "Say hello."
Well, if that's what her Mistress wanted. Heather dismounted, right hand first making sure young Cathy was secure on the horse, then slipping down to the scabbard tied to the saddle. She addressed the boy.
"Hello, friend."
She saw his eyes close, as if composing himself. There... there was something odd about the boy. She could not put her finger on it, though. He was not as he seemed. Neither was she, for that matter. She had been, at the start, just a buxom blonde serving maid to a duke's daughter. Now... now, she considered herself a knight, on a quest for her Mistress. She had killed. Would kill again. Those who treated her lightly did so at their own peril...
"We mean you no harm, boy."
His eyes opened. They were hard.
"I have heard that before."
Heather blinked. It was a girl. She was sure of it. Her hand slipped off the scabbard, Cathy moving the horse forward a few steps. Heather looked up as her Mistress spoke.
"We quest. We are looking for the wife of a Wizard, traveling from Reth. Have you seen them?"
Surprise showed on the stranger's face. They blinked.
"Wife?"
"Well," Heather said, "she bore his child. We did not ask the exact relationship. We tracked her to here, but the trail ends."
The sword fell to the ground. The girl took a few steps forward, eyes alight.
"You tracked us? How! How did you do it?!?"
Heather looked up at her Mistress. Cathy nodded, eyes alive with hope.
"A magic compass," Heather said, "pointing towards the object we bought and paid for, which the woman still has. Who are you?"
The stranger straightened, seeming to transform.
"I am Samantha, daughter of Gary, wife of Jack, sister to the Polly you seek. I will help you find her."
****
Edited by SciFi Nut
The Story now continus in… The Magic of Bells