The Forbidden Lands (Wattys 2015 Winner)

Chapter Twenty-Two

I pushed on his chest, and he coughed up some water. "My thanks," he said in a hoarse voice.

I nodded in response."Now what?"

He looked around. "How long have we been drifting?"

"An hour, perhaps," I replied, glancing at the sun's position.

He nodded. "It's good that you thought of this, Lady Fendway, or else we'd be subjected to the darkness, as well."

I thought of all the bandits who were left behind. Lady Idena, as well. A tear fell onto my cheek.

"Lady Fendway . . . " Liam's voice had become tender.

I brushed the irksome tear away and glared at him. "What? I'm fine. Let's figure out what to do with Sam here." I couldn't show weakness. This was my fault. I was the one who was supposed to stop the dark force, and I hadn't. It was my responsibility. And I needed to find the three Enchanters in Krialle as quickly as possible.

"Yes, indeed," Liam said. "We need to get Sam to shore and some medical assistance," he said, wincing and holding his arm."

"And get you help as well," I pointed out, looking meaningfully at his arm.

"It's fine," he said, shrugging.

I rolled my eyes. "Why do men insist on doing that? It is obviously not fine, and you should accept the fact that you need help."

"No, I don't need help," he said. "I need to get back to my other men and help them."

"Why are we going to a town, then, if you are just going back."

"I need to get you and Sam to safety," he replied, clutching his arm and sitting up.

I was incredulous. "I survived an entire month in the Forbidden Lands! I do not need to be in safety. Do you know how many times I almost died?"

"No, and I do not want you in a situation where you almost die."

"Why?" I said in annoyance.

Liam's ears turned a little pink, and he coughed uncomfortably. "You are Girec's sister. I--I told him I would protect you, since I wouldn't be going back to war. And I already failed miserably when you went to the Forbidden Lands."

I let out a cry of astonishment. "Girec made you promise to protect me?! Does he think I am a little girl?"

Liam started to say something. "Um . . . you--"

I interrupted him, glowering. "Do not reply to that. I am not a little girl. I do not need your protection. Let's drop off Sam and go back to the bandit camp."

"They are my men," Liam argued. "Besides, don't you have your own quest that is more important?"

I faltered. "Yes."

"Tell me," he said.

"How do I know I can trust you?"

"Girec trusts me."

"Yes, and you never told him about the entire bandit thing," I pointed out.

He looked a little hurt. "I saved your life! You would've drowned in River Velia!"

"Fine," I said. Soon, he had me spilling the entire story, Enchanters and all. After I was done, I felt a burden lift off of my shoulders. I had needed that.

Liam had not interrupted me once, but when I was finished, he looked me in the eyes. "I see why Girec is always proud of you," he said. "You're brave. I'll help you find those Enchanters. We'll meet at Merth in four days."

I nodded reluctantly. "Very well."

We sailed on the river to a little town and pulled Sam off the raft. Liam carried him over his shoulder and walked to the square.

I stopped a passer-by. "Where is the closest physician?"

"Two towns over," the man replied. My face fell. "But the local apothecary can work wonders. He's right over there."

We took Sam to the directed building. The apothecary was startled by our entrance. We must've looked horrid.

"We need some medical attention," Liam said.

The man nodded. "Of course. Bring him on back." He nodded to Sam.

I stayed there and inspected different jars on the counter. The herbs inside smelled spicy, reminding me of Coten and the Aquweed.

What was I to do? Would breaking the Enchantment destroy the shadow creature? For some reason, I doubted that. But I did know one thing. I needed to find the three Enchanters in Krialle ad take them to Havane. Perhaps, with all the races' help and the Enchanters', I could defeat the shadow thing.

Where would I start? Where could the Enchanters be? I recalled Ava's husband speaking about dark magic. Perhaps he knew more. Yes, I'd go to him first.

Liam exited the door, with the top of his arm wrapped in a bandage. "You should go get your wrist wrapped," he said.

I looked down at it. It was a mottled purple, and bleeding. "I don't your help, nor your protection," I snapped. "Do you have money for me to hire a ride?"

Liam nodded and reached into a hidden pocket in his boot, withdrawing three gold coins. He handed them to me.

I raised an eyebrow. "I want shoes like that," I said.

"Remind me to get you some once this is over," he said dryly.

"I will," I told him. I started out the door.

"Wait," he said.

I turned around, hands on hips. "Now what?"

"Aren't you forgetting something?"

I looked down at my satchel. "No."

He looked at me skeptically, and pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket. It was a Wanted Poster with my name on it. "You are a criminal. You can't go out there without a disguise of some sort."

"There's no picture on the poster, and I don't stand out," I said.

"Yes, you certainly do," he said.

My cheeks turned a little pink, much to my irritation. "I do not. I have brown hair, brown eyes. It's a typical thing." He was probably going to bring up my slight size.

He shook his head. "You walk to confidently for a normal lady. Your hair and eyes are much more wild than most, because you don't worry to much about them. And your clothes don't exactly make you look like an everyday woman."

"Fine, I'll walk more timidly."

He handed me another few coins. "Go buy new clothes, cosmetics, and shoes with a taller heel."

"How do you know all this stuff?" I asked.

"I've had to spy before," he said. "Sometimes, the only reason I was in the army was to spy."

"Very well. I'll go get the fancy attire." I exited the door and made my way to a local seamstress.

"Will you please provide me with a new look?" I said upon entering. I held up the coins, and her eyes lit up.

"I'd be happy to help," she said cheerfully.

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