‘hiding’
Li took a deep breath and edged one eye around the corner. He could hear them, eating in the main room of the inn, but he didn’t know how many there were. He winced when he recognized the colonel, and pulled back behind cover. He knew who Blackstock was, all right, he’d seen him practicing for years in the training yards. It had been a longstanding rivalry whether he was any better than the men of the King’s Own, a feat generally acknowledged to be impossible.
I remember watching him spar off with Captain Blacken. He was ruthless all right, with practically flawless technique. I’m really surprised that I did as well as I did in that last fight. I think I surprised him, but next time he’ll be ready.
Unconsciously Li was clenching his fists, feeling a little thrill of challenge at the thought of it. But it wasn’t just Blackstock in that room, there were others too, and the local soldiers were most likely upstairs. And who knew how many there would be outside. With Sakura barely conscious, it was unthinkable to start a fight right now. They’d never get away fast enough. As frustrating as it was, their best course of action right now was to hide.
He began to edge away from the doorway and almost bumped into Tomoyo, who was creeping through the courtyard entrance. She gave a little gasp, and he quickly covered her mouth with his hand.
“Shh. They’re here.”
Her eyes wide with fright, she nodded, and he released her.
“Quiet now. Back to the room. Go.” Silently they both retreated down the corridor and into the room. Sakura was asleep again, Kero perched on the edge of the cot.
“What’s up?” he asked cheerfully.
“Shh!”
“What?”
“They’re here!” Li hissed, and knelt by Sakura’s bed with his crossbow aimed at the door.
“Who? How?”
“Blackstock and everybody, they’re all here. Sakura mumbled something about someone ‘hearing’ her, and that they knew we were here.”
“Oh no,” Tomoyo moaned softly. “What do we do?”
“Well, they obviously don’t know we’re in the building, or they’d be tearing it apart right now. They only know we’re in the area. So they’ll probably be searching the village and the surrounding countryside, like they did in Brookside. All we can do is sit tight and wait for them to leave.”
Tomoyo thought guiltily of the captain. What if he changed his mind?
“What if they don’t leave?”
“They have to, eventually. All we have to do is not move.”
“We’ll have to go outside eventually,” she pointed out. “And the woman who’s letting us use this room expects me to work tomorrow, remember?”
“It’ll be okay. None of them except Blackstock know what I look like. And it’s the same for you, right?”
She hesitated, and he took her silence for agreement.
“So all we have to do is keep Sakura and Kero out of sight. Simple enough.”
“I’m glad you’re not worried,” Kero muttered.
“Believe me, I’m worried,” Li assured him. “But I’m not ready to panic just yet. There’s nothing that can be done at this point anyway; it’s obvious that Sakura’s not ready to go anywhere. You might as well try to sleep, Tomoyo. I’ll stay up and watch the door.”
“Okay,” she said reluctantly. She wasn’t so sure what Li could do if anybody did come through, but she spread a blanket out on the floor and lay down by the bed.
I can’t believe I’m not telling him about Eriol. But what am I supposed to say? Li’s right, Sakura can’t be moved right now. And he let me go. Again. I know I shouldn’t, but I… I kind of trust him. I don’t think he will report me to his superior.
She rolled over and closed her eyes. Strangely enough, she wasn’t thinking about the danger they were in. She was thinking about him. Fine, chiseled features, hair as black as hers, and eyes like sapphires. And very soft lips.
She shivered a little at the memory of their taste, and smiled. Then Kero curled up with her on the floor, and they slept.
The world was still and quiet, awaiting the sunrise. Maude, not in the best of moods, strode down the corridor and rapped sharply on the door before pushing it open. She froze when she found herself facing Li’s crossbow.
“Never mind.” He relaxed his hold on the weapon and sat down again, totally ignoring her flabbergasted expression.
Jumpy, she thought. What’s this little group hiding?
The dark-haired girl was stirring slightly, and her eyes fluttered open.
“Come on, wake up. I’ve got a full house today, and most of ‘em aren’t even paying. I need yer help.”
“Yes’m,” she murmured, and sat up to stretch. Then she addressed the young man. “Will you be all right in here?”
“I just need to go outside for a few minutes, before it gets light. Then I’ll be fine in here. I won’t leave her.”
“Thank you.”
Maude’s eyebrows went even further up at this little conversation, but she was a businesswoman. She had her tasks to attend to, and didn’t pry into other’s personal lives if she could help it.
“Come on then, hop to it. I need ye to watch the bread baking. Ye can have some fer breakfast if ye like.”
“Thank you,” the young woman said politely. She really did speak quite oddly, almost like a noble. She was standing now, brushing off her grubby clothing. Then she followed Maude back to the kitchen.
Tomoyo could feel her face flushing from the extreme heat, but she ignored the discomfort and leaned in closer. Maude had very graciously allowed her a couple of loaves already for breakfast, and she’d given Li and Kero their shares. Now she was determined not to let the rest of it be ruined. But she’d never worked an oven in her life, so she forced herself to pay close attention. She jumped when someone addressed her at her elbow.
“Miss? Excuse me, miss?” A scrawny little boy was standing beside her, almost buckling under the weight of the pole across his back. A pail of milk was suspended on each end.
“Yes?”
“Where’s mum, then?”
“Who?”
“Tommy, there ye are.” Maude appeared in the kitchen doorway, a smile on her face for the first time that day. “Come on then, you know where it goes.”
“Mornin’, mum,” he greeted her cheerfully and crouched on the ground until the buckets touched the surface, careful not to spill a drop. “Right creamy it is, today.”
“Good then. Bring it on, and be quick about it. Get yerself some bread.” The freckled child grinned and hefted one of the buckets. There was a cheerful attitude about the scruffy child that made Tomoyo smile.
“Is he your grandson?”
“Aye. That’s a pretty good guess on yer part.” The old woman gave her a shrewd look, but Tomoyo just shrugged.
“He has your smile.”
“Well,” Maude said, nonplussed, “I suppose he does.” The observation obviously pleased her, but she shook her head and glanced back at the oven. “Keep yer eye on that bread then, miss. It’s ready to come out.”
“Yes’m.” Tomoyo bent over to slide the wooden rack underneath the baking bread and pull it out. It smelled wonderful, and she couldn’t help feeling a little proud of how it had turned out. Carefully she slid each loaf into a wicker basket on the ground, then knelt to pick it up. That was when she realized that Tommy had reemerged from the kitchen and was munching on a crust of fresh bread, gazing at her adoringly.
“Hello.”
“Hello.”
“Where do you live around here?”
“With Da. We’ve got a farm, and three milking cows.” He puffed out his chest a little, obviously proud of this fact. She smiled, and he turned pink in the ears.
“Do you have a mother?”
“Nay. Jest me and Da.”
“I see.” She hefted the basket and edged around him to enter the kitchen.
“Where’re ye from?”
“Um… pretty far away.”
“Ye talk right pretty, you do.”
“Er, thank you.” Tomoyo flushed a little as she saw Maude glance up from pouring the milk.
“Wot’s yer name?”
“Um, Kaho.” One of their teachers when she and Sakura were younger. It was the best she could think of on the spur of the moment.
“All right, Tommy, that’s enough from you.” Maude crossed the kitchen and leant over, fussing with his hair a little and straightening his rough cotton shirt. “Stop pestering my help. Yer father will be waitin’ for ye. Tell him that ye need a new shirt, yer growin’ like a weed, ye are.”
“Right, mum.” Reluctantly he backed away and sent another lovesick glance towards Tomoyo before turning and scampering across the courtyard.
She had to giggle. “He’s adorable.”
“He’s a scamp, is what he is. Now then, sounds like they’re comin’ down. I want yer help serving.”
Tomoyo was scrubbing the wooden counters’ surface, and almost dropped the rag when she realized what the woman had just said.
“Me?”
“No one else here, luv.”
“Serve the soldiers?”
“Bloody freeloaders. Yes, the soldiers.”
“But, but, but…” Tomoyo babbled, frantically combing her mind for an excuse. “But I look awful. I can’t serve food to your guests like this.” She indicated the breeches and dirty tunic. Maude took in her appearance and nodded.
“Right. I can’t have ye servin’ food like that, fer sure.” Tomoyo relaxed as Maude swept out of the kitchen. But a few moments later she returned with a simple homespun dress in her arms. “Ye can wear this. Bound to fit ye.”
“Oh…but, but, but I - ”
“Stop yer ditherin’, miss. They’re comin’ down, can’t you hear ‘em?” She could indeed hear them. Noisy, hungry, and every one of them ready to arrest her the second they knew who she was. But Maude was pushing the dress in her arms and lifting a platter of bread.
I can’t refuse. She’ll turn us out, and it’s broad daylight. Sakura can’t even walk, still. I have no choice.
Eriol slapped strawberry preserves on a hunk of bread, chewed, and swallowed. His throat was dry, but the pitcher on his table was empty.
“Miss? Can we get some more milk here, please?”
“Yes, sir,” she whispered and turned to pick up the empty pitcher. He’d just taken another bite, and immediately he began to choke on it. She had to clap him on the back a couple of times before he could swallow and begin to breathe.
“Are you all right?”
“No!” he hissed. “What the hell are you still doing here?” She shrugged slightly and turned towards the kitchen. Nobody was paying any attention, and he followed her, blocking her way. “Do you have any idea who is upstairs, right now?”
“Colonel Blackstock. I know.”
“He knows what you look like, Tomoyo. If he sees you and me in the same room, he’ll know I let you go and he will kill me.”
“Then I suggest you let me back into the kitchen.”
“Why are you still here? I let you go last night so you could run away. Not serve breakfast!”
“And I thank you for it. But I can’t leave. I’m not leaving her.” She looked as though she wished she could take that last part back, and he raised his eyebrows fractionally.
“The princess? Is she injured? Unable to run?” Perhaps he wouldn’t need to involve Tomoyo at all. If he could find the girl and bring her to Blackstock, nobody would bother with the servant.
She saw what he was thinking and started to panic.
“Please don’t,” she begged. “I’m telling you, these men have no right to take her back to the General. He’ll hurt her like he’s hurting the prince. She doesn’t deserve it.”
Eriol hesitated. He was in a lot of danger now. If Blackstock figured out what had happened…
Finding the princess is the best way to solve this. But that swordsman is probably with her. And it doesn’t feel right. Tomoyo’s awfully brave, staying put so she can stay with the princess. It’s not fair to use that against her.
“Keep your face down,” he muttered. “And for the love of the gods, please be careful.”
“I will.” She swept past him into the kitchen to refill the milk.
“Dress looks nice on you,” he said softly. He didn’t think she would be able to hear, but she surprised him.
“Thank you.” Then she was gone. And even though he was officially a dead man, he was smiling.
“Sakura? Can you hear me? Open your eyes if you’re awake.” Li was sitting on the edge of the cot, peering anxiously at her face. He was rewarded at last with a mumble and the gradual lift of her eyelids. “That’s better. Try to wake up.”
“Li?”
“Yes?”
“You’re here…” She shifted slightly and saw Kero flying worriedly near her head. “Kero.”
“That’s me. How’re you feeling?”
“Tired.” She tried to remember what it was that had exhausted her so much. She wasn’t even sure where they were, now that she looked around. What was this place?
Li tore a piece of bread off a loaf and held it to her mouth.
“Here. Eat.” She was hungry, and she allowed him to feed her. The bread was obviously fresh, and tasted delicious.
“Tomoyo?”
“She’s fine, for the moment. She made this for us. Enjoy it.” He fed her another morsel and she swallowed, still trying to remember why she was in bed in the first place.
We were walking… and I felt this horrible pain across my back… Touya…
She yelped and sat up in bed; hastily Li shushed her and pushed her back down.
“Li, he heard! I don’t know who he is, but he tracked my magic. They know where we are!”
“I know. They’re here.”
“What?”
“Blackstock and the others, they’re all staying at this inn. We’re downstairs.” She stared at him, frozen with shock. “The old woman that runs this place is letting Tomoyo help out so you can sleep here. You needed some food and medicine. You were a mess.”
“Oh no,” she whispered. “This is my fault. We’re trapped here in the same building with the army and they’ll kill you both if they find us. I shouldn’t have insisted that I do that spell.”
“Well, did it work?”
“Um…” She closed her eyes and concentrated. “He’s healing, physically anyway. He’s not going to die of infection at least.” She didn’t mention that overwhelming fear and anxiety that she could sense in him, how afraid her brother was for her.
“Then don’t regret it. You did what you had to do. And they won’t find us. They’re assuming we’re in the countryside; that’s where most of them are right now. There’s only a few of them still here.”
“But the colonel’s here?” He pressed his lips together and nodded, and she whimpered.
“We’ll never get out of this.”
“Sure we will. Don’t worry about it. Just eat. You need to get your strength back. Hopefully by tonight you’ll be able to travel again. We can slip out of here under cover of darkness.” He fed her another piece of bread.
“But - ”
“Shh. Just eat. Rest. You’re not moving today, and that’s final.”
Why is he still here, with us? Why is he doing this?
She looked at the serious brown eyes of the man sitting on her bed as he fed her another mouthful. She knew she should beg him to go. He could walk out of here quite easily, looking the peasant that he was, and he’d be free of them. He’d taken them far enough away from his home.
But I can’t. I can’t imagine doing this without him. I need him. I’m so selfish, but I just can’t ask him to go.
“Woman! Tea here!” Blackstock turned back toward his officers and continued to detail the day’s search plans.
“Captain Jefferson, you’ll be head of the west detail, and you, Captain Kabil, you’ll be east. I expect all clues to be reported back to me, no matter how insignificant they may seem. Is that understood?”
“Sir, yes sir.”
“And Captain Hiiragizawa – where’s that bloody boy?”
“Right here, sir.” The young man slid onto the bench across from him and placed a steaming mug before him. “I was walking past the kitchen and the servant gave me this for you.”
“Lazy girl,” the colonel grunted, but sipped his tea undisturbed. Eriol relaxed slightly, and so did Tomoyo in the doorway.
“As I was saying, Captain, you’ll remain here in the village with me to direct the house-to-house searches.”
“Yes, sir.” He’d rather expected more of the grouchy attitude, but the officer actually seemed relieved that he’d been stationed here in the village. Odd.
“You have your assignments. Move out.”
Obediently, they stood, except for Hiiragizawa, and exited the inn. “Captain.”
“Sir?”
“I haven’t appreciated your attitude these past few days. I hope you know where your loyalties lie in this mission.” The colonel gave him a steely gaze, but Eriol returned it unflinchingly.
“I have sworn to uphold the law, and that is what I will do.”
“Good. We want the same thing, then.” Blackstock stood without bothering to put any coins down for his breakfast, and turned and walked out the door.
Right. Exactly the same thing.
Eriol only hesitated for a moment before dropping enough silver on the table to cover both himself and the colonel, then stood up as well. Tomoyo was watching him from the doorway again, and he gave her a tiny nod before following Blackstock.
Her answering smile lit up the room.
Tomoyo finished scrubbing the kitchen and retreated to their room down the corridor.
“Sakura? How are you feeling?” Her friend raised her head slightly from the cot and gave her a tired smile.
“I feel as though my body’s been filled with sand. I can’t even imagine getting up.”
“Well, that’s all right. We’re not going anywhere anytime soon. They’re combing the village right now.”
Gingerly she sat on the edge of the cot, and Li stood. “I’ll just go outside for a minute of fresh air,” he offered. Sakura looked as though she wanted a minute alone with her friend. “Come on, Kero.”
Sakura waited until they were gone before gripping Tomoyo’s hand. “I’m so scared.”
“Don’t be.”
“I can’t help it. I can’t believe what kind of danger I put you in with my little spell. And now you’re staying here, working in the kitchen just so I can sleep here. Why are you putting yourself through this for me?”
“Sakura, no. Don’t you dare start thinking like that. I owe you everything.”
“You owe my mother. I didn’t do anything.”
“Yes, you did.” Tomoyo leaned forward, serious. “Sakura, your whole life you’ve known that I was a nobody. You were a princess, and I was an illegitimate child. But you never looked down on me.”
“You know I wouldn’t.”
“Of course. But so many did. I know what the nobles were talking about behind your back; I know how they looked at me. It must have been what my mother felt when she conceived. Sometimes it hurt so much, I didn’t want to face anyone again. But you were always there for me, and you always stuck up for me. You didn’t have to. We’re friends, Sakura, sisters. And I’m not leaving you to face this alone.” A few tears ran down her face, and Sakura sniffled. “I love you, you know that. There is no way I’m leaving your side.”
“Thank you, Tomoyo,” she sobbed. “I couldn’t go on without you.”
“Shh.” Tomoyo bent over and they embraced fiercely. “It’s going to be okay, I promise. We’ll make it through together.”
When Li pushed open the door to reenter the room, he found only Sakura in residence. She hastily pulled the blanket up to her chin and blushed.
“The lady that owns this place has a washbin. Tomoyo got permission from her to wash our clothes with some soap.”
“Oh.” Then the full impact of what she’d said hit him. She wasn’t wearing anything under the blanket. “Oh.” He felt his face grow red and he looked away, right into Kero’s smirking face. “What are you looking at?”
Kero chuckled and didn’t bother to reply, but flew across the room to land by Sakura’s hair.
“Maybe,” Sakura squeaked, then struggled to get her voice under control. “Um, maybe you could go give her your shirt, if you want.”
“Good idea,” he said quickly, and backed out of the doorway. “I’ll do that.” He couldn’t leave fast enough, sure that his face must be the color of a tomato. What was wrong with him?
Sakura waited until he’d gone, then rolled over to glare at Kero. “What were you laughing at?”
“His face. He’s so pathetically obvious about it.”
“About what?”
“That he likes you.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about, as usual.” Li hated royalty. She knew he didn’t want anything to do with her.
“Believe whatever you like,” he replied in a singsong voice, and she flicked him on the side of his head.
“Ouch!”
“Serves you right. Now I’m tired, so let me sleep.” She closed her eyes and relaxed, drifting into slumber with a tiny smile clinging to her face. She was picturing Li without his shirt on again… lying in bed with her this time. Hugging her close as she fell asleep, holding her safe in his arms.
“Don’t worry,” he was whispering, in her fantasy. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Tomoyo finished scrubbing their clothes and hung them on a drying line in the courtyard. At long last they would finally have clean shirts. The thought made her smile, and happily she set about turning down the beds in all the rooms. Things were going well. If they could just make it until nightfall, Sakura would probably be fit enough to travel. The thought cheered her as she filled the washbin again to bathe. It had been two days now, and it was time to clean her hair again.
Lovingly she soaked in the cold water, then emptied the water into the trough that ran out of the courtyard. By the time she was dry enough to pull on the dress and reemerge, the sun was starting to sink in the western sky. Maude was looking for her, and she drew in her breath rather sharply when Tomoyo walked in the kitchen.
“Oh, there ye are. I need ye to keep an eye on this roasting chicken.”
“Yes’m.” There was a shaken look about the old woman’s face that started her thinking. “This was your daughter’s dress, wasn’t it?”
“That’s right,” she affirmed, a little taken aback. “My little Penelope. She died in childbirth. Poor lad never knew his mother.”
“I know how that feels,” Tomoyo replied.
“Hmph.” Maude narrowed her eyes at the young woman as she kneaded the dough. “Who are you people? What have ye got to hide?”
“We’re not hiding anything.”
“Jaberwocky. Yer friend in there is jumpy as a mouse in a wolves’ den. And who’s the girl?”
“She’s nobody,” Tomoyo said firmly, and Maude sealed her lips. Her curiosity was growing about this little trio, she couldn’t help herself. It didn’t take much to guess that they were what the soldiers were after, but she was a purple cow if they were thieves. Why were they hiding from the law?
Li stirred and woke, feeling a little groggy. He hadn’t slept any the night before, keeping watch, and he hadn’t really meant to sleep during the day either. But exhaustion had caught up to him. He must have slept all afternoon.
Yawning, he sat up and stretched, then glanced over to the sleeping princess on the cot next to him. That she was still sound asleep, even after so much rest, indicated how exhausted she must have been. Kero snored gently by her side.
Sakura’s face was smooth and unworried, a hint of a smile on her lips as she peacefully slept. He wondered what she was dreaming about, then let his gaze travel downwards. The blanket had shifted as she turned in her sleep, and now it was much further down her chest. He swallowed, then reached for it.
She’s so beautiful. A sorceress, of royal birth… what am I doing here, in the same room, watching her sleep? We shouldn’t even be breathing the same air.
Tenderly he pulled the blanket back up and tucked it under her chin. The door creaked, and he jumped to his feet and backed away.
“It’s just me,” Tomoyo said softly before entering. Li stared at the floor, frantically running through his sword drills in his head. He knew his face was red again, it felt as though his skin was on fire. “I’ve got our clothes, nice and clean.” She tossed him his shirt, pretending not to notice his flaming cheeks, then set her clothing on the foot of the bed. Sakura’s eyes were fluttering open again.
“Sakura, you’re awake. How are you feeling?”
“Much better.” She started to sit up, and the blanket fell away from her shoulders.
“Don’t get up, don’t get up,” Li said hastily, and turned away to hide his eyes. Sakura blushed as she remembered.
“Whoops. Hand me my shirt, Tomoyo.”
“Here you go.” She blushed even further when she saw the knowing look in those violet eyes.
“Thanks. I’m feeling a lot better. I think I can stand now.” Gingerly she stepped onto the floor and stood up, then pulled on her breeches.
“Well?” Tomoyo inquired.
“I’m a little dizzy, but I think I can walk.”
“Well, it’s still daylight outside. We can’t go anywhere just yet. And I’m helping Maude prepare dinner for the guests.”
“But what about the soldiers? Blackstock?” Was it her imagination, or did Tomoyo hesitate just a little?
“Don’t worry, Sakura. I handled the morning meal all right. And if I help her wash the dishes and serve, I think she’ll pay me in coins.”
“Well, I suppose that it’s worth it…”
“I think it is.” Sakura nodded as she belted in her tunic, then took a few unsteady steps. Her knees felt like jelly, and she wondered whether she was really up for hiking that night.
“Here.” Li braced himself under her arm to support her. “Did you want to try and go outside?”
“Yes, I’m a little desperate. And I need the fresh air.” Tomoyo walked ahead of them down the little hallway.
“Go ahead and stay with her, Li, I think it’ll be all right. None of the soldiers have returned yet. I need to go put feed in the horses’ troughs.”
“I can help,” Sakura offered, but Tomoyo shook her head.
“It’s an unnecessary risk, Sakura. Besides, I can do it fine on my own. You just get used to walking again.”
She led them through the kitchen and out into the yard, then crossed it for the stables. Big burlap sacks sat in a heap inside the doorway, mice nibbling at the holes where grain spilled out. There was a scoop, and it was easy enough, if a rather lengthy task, to walk back and forth and fill each trough. Only two horses were in their stalls, the rest of the soldiers out searching the countryside. The colonel’s beautiful palomino, and Ruby. Tomoyo paused by her stall and held out some scraps of fruit that she’d saved from the kitchen.
“Hello, girl. Do you remember me?” Ruby bared her teeth and whinnied, but Tomoyo didn’t flinch. “Shh. Come on, it’s a treat. Good stuff. Don’t you want it?” She held out her outstretched hand again, and this time Ruby lowered her head to sniff. Then she swept the scraps of pear off her hand. “Good girl. That’s much better.” Delicately she reached out and placed her hand on the smooth and velvety nose. Ruby snorted a little, but didn’t back away, and Tomoyo began to stroke her.
“She must like you.” Tomoyo didn’t turn away from the horse to face him, though she knew Eriol was lounging in the doorway to the stables.
“I’m flattered.”
“You should be. She rarely lets anybody touch her. And she’s a very good judge of character.”
“Does it take a horse to convince you that I’m not a criminal?”
“I know you’re not a criminal.”
“Then why are you helping the General hunt for us? Don’t you see that he’s the true criminal?”
Eriol was silent at that and watched her murmur softly into Ruby’s constantly flicking ears. “Why are you still here? I kept him away from the inn all day so you could get away.”
“Too many soldiers in the countryside. And she can’t walk any distance yet.”
He wondered what had happened to the princess.
I can’t believe that she’s staying with her, putting herself at so much risk. There’s obviously more to this servant than meets the eye.
Unable to help himself, he drew closer to the young woman.
“You’re better than all this running and hiding, you know that, Tomoyo. Why don’t you let me help you get away? You don’t deserve to go through all this.”
“I would never leave her side. She’s my best friend.”
He had to admire her loyalty, even if it led her to her doom.
“You’re lucky that I offered to check on the colonel’s horse for him, you know.”
“Yes, I’m very lucky,” she said slowly, then turned her face to look at him for the first time. Those violet eyes ensnared him, held him transfixed. “Lucky that you’re here. You’re not like the other soldiers.”
“Thank you.”
“You have a mind, you like to think. Think on this, Eriol. Deep down, you know that the princess doesn’t deserve to be caught and taken back to the General. You won’t hurt her, and you won’t hurt me. I can see it in your eyes.”
“Really?”
“I’m very good at reading people.”
“Are you?” He placed a hand over hers on the stall door. “Then what am I thinking about right now?”
He was leaning forward slightly, tickling her face with his breath. Tomoyo trembled slightly. She knew exactly what he was thinking about, because she was thinking about the same thing. But she was scared. He was technically the enemy, and she shouldn’t even be talking to him like this… let alone contemplating another kiss…
She was saved by Ruby, who whinnied a little impatiently and thrust her head between them.
“Ouch,” he snapped, and rubbed the side of his head where she’d butted him. “Can’t you go two minutes without attention, damn it?”
The moment was gone, and Tomoyo backed away. “I have to get back to the kitchen. Goodbye.” She slipped out the doorway in the growing dusk, and he didn’t bother to follow her. Instead he leaned against the stall door and glared at his horse.
“I suppose I should thank you,” he growled. “Getting involved with a fugitive is the last thing I need if I ever want to make lieutenant colonel.” He nodded to himself as Ruby nudged his arm, impatient for more affection. “It’s not like I like her or anything. I don’t even know her. I’ve let her go, but that’s as far as it gets.” A sharp pain elicited a yelp on his part. She’d bitten him.
“Ouch! You watch your mouth, young lady. I know what I’m talking about. She doesn’t mean anything to me. I just feel sorry for her, that’s all. And maybe I respect her a little too, putting herself in danger for her friend. But that’s it. Nothing more.” He nodded determinedly to his mare before striding out the stables and walking around to the front of the inn. It was time for dinner.
Reluctantly Sakura disengaged herself from Li and took a few steps on her own.
“Are you sure you’re all right? You seem a little dizzy still, to me.”
“Well, I am, I suppose. But I’m sure it’ll clear up when I start walking. I mean, what choice do we have?”
Li was about to suggest that they remain there for another day when Maude poked her out of the doorway.
“Kaho? Where’s yer friend?”
“Um…” Sakura glanced toward the stables, but there was no sign of Tomoyo. “She’s feeding the horses. Please, tell me what I can do.”
The old woman gave her a skeptical glance, but she was in a hurry. “Come on, then, I need ye to clean those tables right quick. The lot will be in soon for their dinner.”
“Of course,” Sakura said immediately. She entered the kitchen and found an old rag, dunking it in a pail of water. “I’m only too glad to help. You’ve been so kind, allowing us to stay here today.” She directed a glowing smile to Maude, who lost track of her thoughts for a moment. This young beauty was no peasant, and she spoke as well as the other one. Who was she?
“No,” Li objected. “Too dangerous. Let me.”
He spoke more like how he dressed, unlike the girls. And his hands were callused and tough, like a worker’s. How did he fit in with the other two?
Sakura saw the calculating look in Maude’s eyes and winced. Already they were acting suspicious.
“He knows what you look like just as much as me, Li. Come on, T – Kaho can’t be going in there either, once Blackstock’s in the room. This needs to be done quickly.” She handed him another rag, and they hastily began to wipe clean the wooden tabletops. Above her head she could hear the sounds of the soldiers in their rooms, splashing their faces with the water kept in clay jugs by their beds. They had a few minutes yet. They’d be all right. She was already done –
“Woman, have you seen a girl pass through here today? Short brown hair, green eyes?” She had almost walked into the kitchen, and she froze. That was the colonel himself in there, questioning Maude. Li reached for the pendant under his shirt.
“Wot do you think yer doin’ in here, then? This is my kitchen!”
“Answer the question, old lady!”
“I haven’t seen any girls here today, ye got that? Now git out!”
Maude pressed her lips together and nodded curtly towards the door. This arrogant man had strode in through the courtyard entrance, obviously hoping to take her by surprise. He was the leader of the group, she knew, the reason why she had so many unpaying customers. She supposed that she really ought to tell him about the girl and her friends, it was bound to get nasty if they were discovered, but she had had enough of their lordly ways. If this young lady had something they wanted, then they could just do without it.
He straightened his back and glared at her, then turned to enter the main room.
“Be quick with dinner tonight. My men and I are hungry.”
Sakura gave Li a panicky look, and he realized that a fight wasn’t possible right then. Not only was Blackstock coming through the doorway, men were trooping down the stairs. Sakura was still too weak; she’d never be able to run. And he had no idea how to grab Tomoyo and Kero fast enough. Making a split second decision, he grabbed Sakura’s shirt and pulled her under the long table in the middle of the room. The sunlight was gone now, and in the flickering candlelight, the shadows should conceal them. Hopefully. It was too late to back out now, already soldiers were spilling into the room, seating themselves.
Oh gods, Sakura thought frantically as the colonel pulled out a chair right beside her and sat in it. She was practically brushing his knee with her nose. All he had to do was move his legs just a little…
Li held out his hand to her and motioned her forward. She had to crawl past the colonel; she couldn’t stay where she was. If they could crawl down the table, to the end that met the wall, they’d be safer.
She shook her head, too terrified to move. Again he beckoned. Hesitantly, she put her hand on the floor and tried to crawl between the legs on either side of her.
“No signs of them?” the colonel snarled, and banged his fists on the table above her head with particular vehemence. She froze. “What do you mean, no signs of them?”
“Sir, we searched painstakingly. But there’s no sign anywhere in the surrounding countryside of any camping. There was a trail leading to the village that matches their party, but it disappears in the more well-trodden areas.”
“She must have come into the village, damn it. Did you question everybody?”
“Every soul we met, sir. But no one has seen her.”
“Or they were lying about it. We know she was here, Salfrek never made a mistake before.”
Salfrek? Sakura frowned, trying to recall that name. She’d heard it somewhere before, she was sure…
Li waved to get her attention and motioned her to crawl forward. He was starting to look a little impatient. Fearfully she shook her head. She couldn’t do it, she was too afraid. All it would take was one little brush, and he would know she was there. They wouldn’t have a chance.
Damn it, thought Li. She can’t stay there; it’s too dangerous. He crawled closer and leaned in until his lips were brushing her ear.
“Sakura.” He was taking a terrible risk, talking like this. What if somebody heard?
“Don’t - ”
“Sakura, I believe you.”
What? She wrinkled her nose in confusion, and he leaned in again.
“About your father. I don’t think he knew.”
Her eyes flew open in surprise, it was so unexpected. He grinned a little at her reaction, then started to scoot backwards. After a second’s deliberation, she crept past the colonel and followed. It was a journey that took forever, but when they finally reached the end of the table she was able to breathe. There was no candle above their heads here at the end, and Li hoped that it would be dark enough to hide them. He leaned against the wall and stretched out his legs and Sakura pressed up close against him.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “This is my fault.”
“No, it’s their fault. You just got caught in a bad place.”
This isn’t such a bad place, thought Sakura. His arms were wrapped around her and their noses were practically touching, they were so close. The enemy was all around them and she was scared stiff, but it was impossible to drag her attention away from Li’s mouth.
Li was finding it difficult to breathe. She was so close, they were almost inhaling each other’s breath. He could feel her heartbeat against his chest. All it took was a tiny movement on his part, and his lips brushed hers. She quivered slightly in his arms, but she clutched his shirt and pulled herself closer, meeting him in the kiss.
It was the first time for either of them, an experience heightened by the danger surrounding them. Instinctively his hands slid further down her body, holding her to him as he parted her lips with his tongue. She allowed him in, pressing even harder against his body, wishing that she could moan out loud but forcing herself to stay silent. And silently they kissed, for a long, long time.
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters
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