After [A Journey of the Twins Novel] (8 page)

She tried to forget her dream, yet was unable. The feeling of Drayco biting her neck had been too real.

Oh, Drayco, I know it wasn't you. You could never do that.

The fire sizzled as the rice bubbled over the edge of the pan, drawing her attention away from the dream. Removing the pot quickly, she stirred the contents. The smell almost made her gag. She forced herself to eat as much of the meal as possible, even though she didn't have much of an appetite. Water washed everything down.

Her shoulder and leg throbbed from the increased use. As she lay down and slipped back into the land of sleep, she hoped the nightmare would not return.

Night was setting and a new day dawning when she awoke. Drizzle lay close, licking his hands with a contented look on his face. His belly bulged with his recent meal.

"Caught something good, did you?” She smiled.

"Of course."

The fire was almost out. Shyanne picked up some wood lying close and placed it on top of the glowing embers. Drizzle watched her.

"Thought I was going to lose you a couple times there to the land of lost souls. You really had me worried."

"It takes a lot more than a rizbak to get rid of me."

She flipped the blanket back and inhaled deeply while she stretched. The stench of her body hit her nose. The breath escaped in a rush.

"Wow, do I stink.” Shyanne gingerly rose to her feet and walked toward the door. “Where have you been getting the water for the waterskins?"

"Close,” he replied with hesitation. “You should wait until you're stronger."

"Drizzle ... I'm strong enough to make flowers wilt. I can't stand the smell of myself any longer."

"Your scent
is
pretty bad.” He held his nose to emphasize his point.

"Then help me get there, silly! We'll both be a lot happier after I wash some of this stink off me."

He went to her side and insisted she lean on him as they went through the door. They crossed the clearing and entered the woods by way of an animal trail. The burbling stream was close, like Drizzle had said, but it was still far enough for Shyanne to be worn out by the time they arrived. She plopped down and panted like a gymnast after a grueling workout.

"Phew, I didn't realize how weak I was,” she managed to say after several deep breaths to help slow down her rapid heartbeat and feed her oxygen deprived lungs.

"I told you,” the cat said with a satisfied look on his face. She gave him a dirty look and stuck out her tongue.

After a few minutes rest, she walked to the stream's edge. Fortunately, it was not too deep. Rocks of various sizes were visible throughout. Shallow pools swirled behind some of the larger rocks. The current was lazy, not rushed. From the looks of things, she would not have to worry about being carried away when she entered in her weakened state.

She undressed carefully, making sure not to open the partially closed shoulder wound, and eased herself down into one of the pools large enough to submerge completely. The water was tepid. Fall may be around the corner, but the water temperatures had not dropped yet.

"Oh my, does this feel wonderful. You're missing out, Drizzle."

Drizzle watched her from the shore, disgusted. “How can you stand having all that water on you? I just don't understand the fascination."

"It's better than all this dirt I have on me now."

Shyanne scrubbed her body with as much vigor as she could muster. There was not a soap bar to be found, but the mere act of scrubbing the head and body made her feel better. Closer inspection of her wounds showed that the thigh had closed nicely. The shoulder still had a few open areas. After completing the scrub down, she stretched her arms out and floated with her nose barely out of the water.

After resting, she sat up. “Boy, do I feel better."

"You smell better, too,” Drizzle said under his breath. She heard his comment, though, and splashed water all over him. He leapt back, a look of shock on his face.

"How could you? You know I hate water!” he snarled as he walked away in utter disgust, shaking his legs alternately to rid himself of the excess fluid.

Shyanne laughed so hard her sides hurt and tears streamed down her face before she managed to sputter, “How could I resist? Especially with such an inviting target?"

"Great ... Are you happy now?” He shook his droopy, wet face, flinging water everywhere. He looked like a spiky, wet mop when he finished.

This brought on another bout of gut wrenching laughter.

Once she was under control again, Shyanne said, “Thanks Drizzle. I needed that."

"So happy I could oblige."

She crawled out of the stream and lay on a bed of soft grass in a small clearing to dry. The sun beamed down through the trees, making the job faster. Once dry, she dressed in the same dirty clothes.

"I can't wait to get some clean clothes on."

Shyanne checked on Jack upon their return. He stood in the field surrounding the building, grazing. As she walked up, he greeted her with a soft nicker. “Nice to see you too, young man.” She gave him a pat on the neck, then ducked inside. Seconds later, she emerged with two handfuls of grain. Jack munched on this special treat like it was chocolate to a chocoholic.

She changed as soon as the horse finished, pulling a fresh blanket out of her pack afterward. The soiled items were tossed into the furthest corner to reduce the torture of having to smell them any longer.

"Tomorrow, I'll take the blanket to the stream and wash it. Right now, I need something to eat."

Shyanne made sure the fire was still burning strong before sitting down. Her strength and endurance were returning, but she still tired easily. She reheated the leftover meal from the night before. After she ate her fill, she curled into her blanket and was quickly asleep. Drizzle sprawled out next to her, content to stay in for the night.

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Drayco had walked through the night and the better part of the day after the vengeful encounter with the Wanderers. It was dusk when he made his way into town. The people went about their daily business, paying him no attention. They were used to seeing new faces. Travelers passed through on a daily basis while on their way to other destinations.

Life was different in the rural towns than the ruined cities. The people here had adapted to the changes that occurred after the virus had ended so much. They weren't trying to hold on to hopeless dreams, such as the return of lost technologies.

A store clerk swept the front porch of his business. A woman hurried home, her arms loaded with food purchased for her family. Kids ran around in the streets playing tag, their parents close by, keeping an eye on them while they talked. Life with his family had been like this, loving and caring. He felt a momentary pang of loss, but shrugged it off. He could not continue living in the past.

Drayco looked up and down the main road through town, trying to locate an inn. All he could see were shops and a stable.

"Excuse me,” he asked a passing woman. “Where might I find an inn to stay at?"

The woman kept her distance, clutching the bag she carried close. She wore a long, flowing dress that reminded him of an old school marm. A hat covered her brown hair.

"Keep going this way.” She pointed down the road into town. “You'll see it on the right. You can't miss it. Listen for all the noise.” She turned and hurried away before he could ask any more questions.

The dark twin looked where she pointed, then back to thank her. She was already gone. “Sure did leave in a hurry.” He wondered what had alarmed the woman so. Looking down at himself, he laughed. “No wonder she was so nervous. I would be too if I looked at me."

He was filthy.

The faint tracing of a beard lined his face and the dust of the road was all over him, turning his dark clothes a shade of gray. He tried to pat some of it off. All he did was smear it around. With a weary sigh, he gave up and started toward the direction she had indicated.

About a block down the road, he heard loud laughing and singing coming from the right. Drayco followed the noise until he stood in front of the inn. A banner with a rearing stallion on it hung near the roof.

He entered through the front door and looked around. A group of men were crowded around the bar, laughing and carrying on. He walked to a table in the back and had sat down when the waitress came over to him.

"Welcome! What'll you have?"

"A pint,” he said as he put his pack on the floor next to him.

"Sure thing, sweetie, coming right up."

She flashed him a smile full of suggestion and turned back toward the bar. She swung her hips to attract his attention, making her skirt sway with every toss. He watched her for a short distance before focusing on something else. When she glanced over her shoulder and saw her tease wasn't working, she pouted.

Drayco noticed a big, burly man with a bandaged arm standing near a smaller, shifty-eyed man at the far end of the bar. They looked his way several times, then at each other, moving closer to talk. Drayco ignored them. He was more interested in having his thirst quenched.

The waitress returned with his order and a wooden bowl filled with dried berries and nuts. She leaned over while putting the bowl on the table, allowing him to take a good, long look at her chest. A very low cut shirt with a rounded collar made it easy for him to see.

Drayco acted as if nothing had happened. He picked up the mug and took a long drink to wash away the dust in his mouth. He was familiar with her kind and wanted no part of what she had to offer.

She stood up, exasperated at his lack on response, and put her hands on her hips. “Anything else?"

"Have you heard of a woman around these parts traveling with a big cat?"

"She was here about five days ago."

"Is she still here?” He tried to keep his voice even. He succeeded.

"No.” She smiled and leaned over again, still hoping to attract him. “If you're looking for company, I'm free this evening."

Drayco doubted she was free. “Do you know which direction she went?"

"Sorry sweetie, I don't. I wasn't working that day. But I heard she had a bit of a scuffle with some gents and left in a hurry."

"Was she hurt?"

"Naw. I think the gents got the worst of it."

The waitress snickered as she looked over her shoulder toward the bar. Drayco wondered who she was looking at. She was in the way so he couldn't see. A man yelled at her, preventing him from asking anything else.

"Hey, Sheila! Get over here! Customers are waiting!” the man behind the bar yelled. “I don't pay ya to stand around gab'n!"

Sheila gave the bartender a dirty look after he turned his attention elsewhere. “He's such a slave driver."

Drayco slid two gold coins across the table toward her. “Thanks for the drink ... and the information."

"Anytime, mister. If you need anything else, just let me know. I'm always available.” She winked at him.

Sheila slipped one of the coins down the front of her dress and went back to the bar with the other. The burly man grabbed her around the waist, pulling her against him. She giggled and pretended to fight. Drayco could tell she wasn't trying very hard. Burly whispered something in her ear as he held out a coin. She whispered back, pulling the man's hand toward her exposed cleavage. He dropped the coin between her breasts and copped a feel before withdrawing his hand. They both started to laugh.

Must be arranging for something else since I wasn't interested
, he thought to himself. He finished his drink and stood.

The weariness of his sleepless night and all day trek was catching up to him, fast. The nuts and fruit he'd eaten while drinking the pint had taken the edge off his hunger. After he slept, a large meal would be the next thing on the agenda. He was more tired than hungry right now.

The eatery and bar were on one side of the building; the rooms for sleeping were on the other side. Drayco picked up his pack and went through the connecting doorway. A lad sat behind a counter. He walked up to him.

"How much for a room?"

"Three gold coins a night, includes breakfast."

"I only need one night. If I need to stay longer, will it cause any problems?"

"We're not crowded. If you have the money, we have a room for you."

Drayco yawned as he paid for the room.

"Room Four. Up the stairs and down the hall.” The lad sounded bored.

The dark twin swung his pack over a shoulder and trudged up the stairs. He found the room at the end of the hall. Once inside, he turned and shut the door, locked it, and tossed his pack on the floor. After the recently taxing experiences, all he wanted was a good night's sleep. He crossed the room and flopped down on the bed.

"Ah, Shyanne,” he sighed. “I always knew you were a tough cookie and could hold your own in a fight."

His eyes felt so heavy. With a groan, he sat up and peeled off his boots. He did not have the energy to undress further, so he didn't. Unbuckling the strap to his sword, Drayco curled over on his side and placed the weapon next to the pillow, within easy reach.

Snoring soon echoed throughout the room.

Click.

The exhausted traveler was in a deep sleep and never heard the noise. The door slowly opened. The burly man from the bar peered into the room. The shifty-eyed man stood behind him.

"He's asleep. Let's do this now."

They entered the room quietly and shut the door, locking it again. Shifty set a pack on the floor next to the one already there. Both men moved to either side of the bed. With a signal from the burly man, they attacked. The sleeper woke up, though not quick enough. Burly punched him in the face and wracked him across the back of his neck before he could counterattack. He went down, face first; knocked out.

"Tie him up,” Burly said as he plucked the sword off the bed and leaned it against the wall.

The shifty-eyed man pulled out some twine from his bag and went to work. He rolled the unconscious man over onto his back, tying his wrists together with the palms facing outward. The feet followed.