Shady

“He’s okay,” Pratik said quickly, before she could do something foolhardy in her fear. “He’s helping.”

“She’s coming,” Pratik assured him. And he hoped to the gods he was right about that. “We thought we’d draw less attention if we made our way here ourselves.”

Pratik didn’t have much to bring. He had — somehow — managed to keep the mini dagger hidden all this time — but it wouldn’t be good for much more ...

(Nope, that’s all I’ve got!)

Pratik nodded, reaching his hand into his pocket to brush his fingertips across the coin face. He hoped to god this worked. It’d be hard to protect them both, if ...

Pratik inclined his head, watching her go. “Dress as warmly as you can. We’ll have a 3 hour ride before I can get us more furs.”

“Yes.” Pratik peered out the window. It wouldn’t be long now. “When the moon rises.”

“I… don’t know,” Pratik admitted. “I’ve never been childish to mind, if a woman offered herself. And I’ve never been a monster to take something not freely given. I don’t ...

“I… I think so?” He was realizing he knew pathetically little about what women experienced or what they’d need. “Maybe also hurt?” He said in Akarataran, then switched. “Hurt.”

“Oh.” Pratik nodded. Tarr did act like a twelve year old. Maybe that would work. “The word is period.” He switched to the language Alexander would understand. “Period.”

She had a point. “Make him understand what?”

Pratik looked at her, startled. “We’re going to Serpent Keep. It’ll be a long, long ride hurt.”

“I’ve got a plan from the stables to our freedom and stability afterward,” Pratik said with a sharp sigh. “I don’t know how to make sure the bastard stays away ...

Pratik hesitated. That was a good question, wasn’t it? ‘Then we’ll wait’ made him sick to his stomach. But he couldn’t very well draw Tarr’s wrath and attention on himself, ...

“I’ve been making connections,” Pratik said quietly. “I found one who can get us out. There’s an innkeeper in the next town over who will help us along. It’ll be ...