Shady

Pratik blinked. He’d forgotten Rickard spoke Akarataran. That would make things simpler. “Take my coat,” he muttered so that everyone would be able to understand. “You didn’t know to pack ...

Pratik felt Rickard shivering against him, but he didn’t trust him not to fall off off if he tried to hold on to a blanket as well. … he supposed ...

Yes. Yes he would. “Because your blood won’t be on my hands,” Pratik muttered. “And I wasn’t going to leave you there to rot.”

Right. Because every single thing either of them knew about him were lies. “I’m saving our skins is what I’m doing.”

“We’re not out of the woods yet,” Pratik said gruffly. “Don’t celebrate until we are. Now hold on.” Pratik broke into a gallop as well. The foolish girl didn’t even ...

“Shh!” Pratik chastised, but he urged his horse to go faster, catching up by the time they got to the gates — chest tight with anxiety.

Pratik inclined his head and urged the horse forward, looking over his shoulder at Rickard. “Hold on to me. Tight. The only time you fall off should be if I ...

Pratik briefly considered making Rickard hold the blanket he’d snitched, then decided he’d rather the man focus the entirety of his attention on not falling off. Pratik swung himself onto ...

(Aha I dig it!) “It’s time,” Pratik said to Ada, gesturing at her horse. Then he looked back at Rickard. “Get on. Behind my saddle. You’ll hold on to me.”

(Ooh, nice! I like the twist you threw in. We all know Pratik can’t help himself xD) “We’re going,” Pratik said, turning back towards her. “Rickard is coming with us.”

“We’ll make it work,” Pratik repeated. All they really had to do was make it work til the first town. He’d try to negotiate something with the innkeeper. And if ...

“And you trust him to keep his mouth shut, if we leave him here?” Pratik asked, raising an eyebrow. Rickard had fucking complicated this, no matter what he did.

“He can ride with me til we get to the first town, then I’ll steal him another horse.” He’d deal with Ash when they got there. “It’s on me. I ...

(Thanks!) Pratik took the sword and strapped it to his hip. It felt good to have one on him again. Like he was back in control. He tucked the dagger ...

Pratik nodded. He hoped Ash had made it worth Roland’s effort. “My weapons?”