Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 3)

"Are we going to take watches through the night?" Rickard asked. "I can take first watch if you like, or whichever one you prefer. If that helps."

Pratik took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

He had to focus on his breathing.

He had to.

"Tonight, we'll be staying in an inn," he said. "Not for long -- only a few hours. But the other nights, yes. We'll be keeping watch. And we'll all have to help with that."

Rickard nodded. "I'll not as young as I used to be but I'll do my best to be of as much use as I can. Whatever needs doing, I'll do it."

"Thank you," Pratik said, inclining his head. "It's all I ask."

Hopefully, it'd be all Ash asked for as well. Pratik had already decided that if Ash decided to be an asshole about things that Pratik was going to take just enough of his pay to survive, and then split the rest of it between Ada and Rickard. But, with any luck, Ash would eat that cost and all three of them would be better off for it.

Rickard fell silent and closed his eyes against the wind again. Ada was a little bit ahead of them, though she kept speeding up and then circling back on them.

Gods, she was being a fool.

But, then, Pratik reminded himself to be patient. He had learned how to function past his anxiety since he was born -- he supposed it was newer to her.

Pratik started shivering progressively harder the further they went. By the time they'd ridden for two hours, the moon was well overhead, illuminating their path. And Pratik felt frozen straight through. His hand curled around the reins rigidly and he clenched his jaw to keep it from chattering, but there was no stopping the shudders that ran through the deepest region of his inside.

Rickard felt the shivering and shifted himself on the horse. "Do you want to trade back, Aren?" he asked. "You can have the coat back and I'll take the blanket til we get to the village."

Pratik hesitated. The little bit of altruism left in him wanted to decline; to let the older man be as comfortable as possible. But his better sense was concerned about what might happen to him, if he stayed in the conditions much longer. Not to mention, he didn't know how well he'd be able to protect them, if something were to happen -- given the fact he couldn't even keep his body from trembling. "Will you be able to hold both me and the blanket? I'd rather be cold than have you fall off."

"I believe so. I can wrap it around myself pretty well."

Pratik nodded then called ahead. "Ada! Slow down again."

He slowed his own horse to a walk, waiting for Rickard to hand the coat back.

Ada slowed down, giving Rickard an impatient look that he ignored. Rickard shrugged the coat off and handed it to Pratik. "I must admit I'm looking forward to a warm room," he said with a wry smile. "The cold has never agreed with me."

"Nor I," Pratik answered, pulling the coat back on. The difference was immediate. His insides were still spasming, but the coat was a warm and welcome change. He handed the blanket back to Rickard. "Thank you."

Rickard wrapped the blanket strategically around himself, folding the edges so they tucked around his arms like sleeves. "Let's hope there are warmer clothes when we get to the in, eh?"

“I do hope so,” Pratik agreed earnestly. He looked down and noticed the horse was huffing and puffing beneath him. He looked up and switched to Akarataran. “We’ll walk them for a few minutes to let them recover.”

Ada nodded in acknowledgement. "I've got extra blankets," she told them, indicating the bundle between her and the horse's neck. "Do you need them?"