I Refuse to be a Named Character

Part 3

"What are you two talking about?"

I looked over at Graham, who had held back to ride beside me, and sighed. Would it kill him not to show up every single time I'm trying to talk to Luke?

"The best way to murder you and let Lucien take the throne." I answered finally with a serious expression.

Luke grinned and nodded along. "Yep."

"You're joking."

"Who knows?" I shrugged, enjoying his annoyed expression. "What brings you to the back of the group?"

Graham glared at me for a few moments, and then turned to Luke. "We're getting close to the branch point. My group is heading for the Serpent Camp. What about you, brother?"

Luke paused at that. "Well, I had initially planned to go to that one as well. But I think that I might head for Scorpion Camp instead."

"Really? I heard you had connections at Serpent Camp?"

At Graham's doubtful question, Luke glanced over and winked at me. "I suddenly don't feel like fighting with your group... at least right now. Scorpion Camp will suit me just fine."

I watched them discuss their plans, struggling to remember the plot of the book. There should be three bandit camps: Serpent, Scorpion and Spider. Spider Camp already had an allegiance with one of the princes, the youngest of named Fetter. In the book, Lucien had reportedly slaughtered everyone in the Serpent Camp, including one of the princes, forcing Graham and his team to compete with Corran for the Tarif of Scorpion Camp.

But now Corran was already dead, and Fetter already had a Tarif. Which left four princes to compete for the final two. And if Luke was going to Scorpion Camp...

I reached out, grabbing Luke's hand, startling us both. "They use poisons. Are you prepared to deal with that?"

Luke smiled, a teasing light in his eyes. "Are you worried about me?"

I didn't hesitate. "Yes."

"..." At my straightforward answer, he seemed caught off guard. His cheeks flushing with a faint red stain, he shook his head, looking away. "I'm prepared."

"Are you sure..."

"He'll be fine." Graham pushed his horse in between Luke's and my own, forcing us apart. "We should part ways now then, brother, so as to not slow you down."

"Very well." Despite his half-brother provocative stare, Luke seemed very calm.

I stared at him, and glanced over at his servant who had a confused expression on.

What had Luke called him? Eric? Why does that name seem so familiar?

If he had a name in the story, that likely meant that he was set for a painful end. I felt a growing sense of unease. "Are you planning on just having one person watch your back?" I should go with him.

"You promised Chloe you would help us!" Graham spoke up, his eyes cold.

"You said you needed me to track. There's an obvious path here. You don't need my skills at all."

Even as I pointed out his lies he stayed calm. "You can also fight."

"You have plenty..."

"Wait." Luke interrupted. "Don't worry about me. I want you to keep your promise with your sister."

"Luke..."

"A smaller group works better for the Scorpion Camp. I'll be fine. " He smiled, trying to reassure me, but I could only frown in response."