Chapter Seventeen

The next morning, I woke to Wellsworth's harsh commands for everyone to rise and prepare for the day. When I opened my eyes, everyone else was already up and bustling about. They quickly scarfed down last night's leftover rations for breakfast and packed up the tents that had been laid out. 

As everyone busied themselves with getting ready for the journey ahead, I saw Wellsworth standing off to the side with a magical orb in his hand. It looked like a communication variety since it was a light blue and he seemed to be conversing with someone on the other end. He must be updating his commanding officer about our progress or something. Typical military stuff, I suppose.

I stretched my arms, shoulders stiff from sleeping sitting up, and stood. My legs were stiff as well. Wincing a bit, I stretched them out in preparation for today's long walk. After I'm satisfied that my limbs are loosened up, I reach to pick up my bag from where I had left it last night. As I'm picking it up, the weight surprises me. 

It should be practically weightless, with only the herbs from yesterday and the food that Husk gave me. I open the drawstring top to see just what the hell is in there, and what I find is unexpected. Someone had put in a cloak, and dry food rations, and as I dug deeper, I saw that they also put my herbs in little glass jars to keep everything separated. 

Husk is the only one who would have done this. My throat is tight with emotion. Why the hell would he do this? He's being far too kind to someone he's just met. I was slightly suspicious of him last night, but this gesture only solidifies that he must be up to something. 

My brain knows that this is suspicious, and yet my heart is warmed by his kindness. These conflicting emotions aren't pleasant. It'd be best to shake it off and keep going. I grab a loaf of bread from the rations and close the bag. Nothing will change if I keep staring at the items in the bag. I sling the strap over my shoulder and walk to where the knights have gathered, already mounted on their horses and ready to set off. 

Wellsworth motions for everyone to move forward. As the company begins its march, Husk draws his horse next to me and stops. "Hey, little healer." 

I sigh and look at him. His hand is outstretched, inviting me to take it. What is he trying to do?

"Come on, don't play dumb! Today's journey will be longer and the terrain will be rougher as we continue south. I couldn't call myself a knight if I allowed you to walk all that way."

I look at his hand. Just what is he trying to do? First the supplies, and now giving me a ride? I know these knights might not know about my situation yet, but they still have no reason to be nice to me. Hell, they're all wary already... Except for him, at least. Still though. His kindness just isn't sitting right. 

Husk must take my hesitation as a refusal. With a sigh, he looks at me with pleading eyes. "Don't make me beg. I just want to help." His eyes remind me of a bunny. Warm and docile. Ugh, I can't say no when he looks like that. 

Rolling my eyes, I grab his hand and use it as leverage to position myself on the saddle in front of him. The height of the horse is dizzying. I knew they were big creatures but sitting on one was a whole new experience. I gripped the front of the saddle tightly as Husk shifted behind me and used the reins to direct the horse back towards the group. 

"I knew you weren't stubborn enough to walk all that way!" I can practically hear the smile in his voice. "Try to get comfortable and rest. Feel free to lean back if you need to."

Since I had gotten in the saddle, I had been sitting upright to try and avoid as much contact with him as possible. I doubt he'd want me touching him, and besides, my body still aches deeply and his armor doesn't look comfortable to lean against. At least that's what I try to tell myself. 

I ignore his words and take in our surroundings. The Craggy Mountains rise high in the distance to our right, and the Forsaken forest surrounds us on all sides. I gaze up at the peaks that are barely hidden in the clouds. Truly, they're beautiful. If only they weren't inhabited by a man-eating dragon. I shiver at the memory of staring that beast down. 

I feel Husk's hand on my hip, causing me to jump. "Hey, are you cold? Do you need a cloak or a blanket?" I can feel his worry flowing off of him. 

I shake my head. "I'm fine. It's actually much warmer here than where my home is." It isn't a lie. With the sun out, I feel almost like a cat basking in its warm rays.

Husk makes a noise of uncertainty. "Hm. If you're not cold, then why do you shiver?" He makes a tsking sound with his tongue. "As a healer, you really should take better care of yourself." 

I groan internally. Not his nagging again. I swear, he's like a relentless den mother. "I'm perfectly fine, you nettlesome man. Now leave me be. I was simply enjoying the view."

He's quiet for a moment, but I can still feel the weight of his hand on me. His warmth burns through my clothes like a hot iron. The contact makes me uncomfortable, but the touch is much gentler than I would expect from someone the size of a bear. By the Fates, why has this man decided to take me under his wing as though I were a lost chick?

As I'm about to tell him to let go of me, his grip tightens and he leans closer. I can feel his breath on my skin as he whispers, "Listen to me, little healer. Once we get to the camp, things won't be easy. They'll station you with the mercenaries coming in, so you have to be careful. Do you understand?"

I go rigid. I figured I wouldn't be stationed with the knights, so that isn't a surprise. What's truly surprising is how serious he sounds. "Why do you care if I'm stationed with the mercenaries? We've only just met." 

Husk chuckles. "Well, let's just say that you're very interesting. And someone as interesting as you deserve better from this life." He doesn't continue. He leans back slightly, but his hand remains firmly planted on my hip as we travel.

His words have shaken me and it feels as though a stone is sinking in the pit of my stomach. Any time someone has taken an 'interest' in me, it's never ended well. I want to have faith that he means well, but that possibility is so slim that I can't even consider it. Finding a unicorn would be more likely than someone having good intentions toward me. 

***

By the time the sun sets, we've traveled quite a distance and the landscape has started to change. The Forsaken forest still sits to the west, bordering the mountains, but it has thinned to the east revealing rolling plains and farmland. Small clusters of houses started appearing on our path around midday and now we're coming into a town. 

It would be small if compared to the capital city, but it's much livelier than my own little village. The roads here are paved with cobblestone and shops boast brightly colored goods. If it weren't for the ominous conversation from earlier, I'd feel like a child looking around excitedly. 

Husk hasn't said much since then, except for trying to get me to eat something along the way. He had complained that he could feel my bones through his thick riding gloves. Of course, this only made me elbow him in the chest. I don't care if he can feel my bones. It's his own fault for touching me. 

The group of knights halt at Wellsworth's command in front of a tavern that sits at the edge of a pasture. Once he gives the signal to dismount, Husk stops me from jumping off of the tawny-colored horse we'd been riding. Shooting him a glare, I watch as he dismounts first. 

"Allow me to help you, little healer. I'm afraid that if you simply jump off at this height, you'll snap your ankle." He says with a smirk as he reaches for me.

Any protest I could have made dies on my lips, replaced by a yelp of surprise as he grabs me around the waist and lifts me off of the horse. Once my feet are on the ground, I go to pull away only to find that he hasn't let go yet. 

A cocky grin replaces his usually childish one. "My, my, if looks could kill, I'm sure I'd be dead by now." His hands side up and graze my ribs. 

I hiss in pain as his touch disturbs my barely healed injuries, the broken ribs still not having completely mended. I push his chest and quickly step away as tears fill my eyes. Fuck, that hurt! I stare daggers at him as I try to control my breathing. The pain tightens around my whole chest, making any kind of control over the shallow pants coming from me almost impossible. Damnit.

He's clearly shocked. When I pulled away, he held up his hands unsure of what had happened. His eyes were wide as he looked at me. "What...?"

I don't let him finish. I force my body to straighten and turn away from him. Wellsworth is standing at the front of the tavern directing everyone to a side that had been rented out for us for the night. Walking up to the lieutenant, I take the key he offers me and set off to find the door it belongs to.

I don't bother looking back to see what Husk's face might be saying. No doubt he'd want to figure out why my reaction was so sudden. He already knows that I'm injured, but I won't let him discover the extent. No one here needs to know. It's my burden to bear, and that's how it shall stay. Next time that damned knight offers kindness, I'll turn it down. I open the door to my assigned room to find a small bed, a wash basin, and a table and chair that have been tucked into the corner. At least they had enough sense to have the woman in the group bunk alone. I lock the door behind me and refuse to leave for the rest of the night.