Elder Lorem turned to her, as did everyone else. "And why ever not?"
Carissa replied, "He's with us. We journeyed together from Nysia to Esmeray."
The entire crowd bristled with murmurs:
"What's the meaning of this? Are they Nysian spies?"
"I knew we shouldn't have trusted them."
"We ought to rid ourselves of all the Nysians and be done with them."
Elder Lorem shouted, "Silence!"
But the Elder's voice was barely audible amidst the increasingly loud voice of the crowd. People began to cluster around her. A hand snatched the sleeve of her shirt before she pulled away. Someone pushed her from behind.
Carissa could sense the rising thirst for violence in the crowd, like a wolf's warning snarl before it attacked. Someone slammed one of the tent rods into her side, making pain pierce her abdomen, and she spun around. With everyone pressing so closely around her, she couldn't tell who'd hit her.
Perhaps if she remained calm and didn't retaliate, they'd settle down.
But then someone shoved her, and she tumbled to the ground before curling into a ball. Someone else delivered a kick to her back. If she remained on the ground, she had no doubt they'd kill her.
When someone else kicked her in the chest, narrowly missing her face, Carissa decided it was time she defend herself.
The tent pole whistled through the air as someone tried to bring it down on her, but she caught it before it could hit her ribs. A quick glance up revealed a man with thick brown hair held it.
She twisted it out of his grip. Someone else moved to kick her, and she swung the tent pole towards them. Judging from the firm thunk, followed by a sharp hiss of pain, she'd hit him. Carissa rammed the pole into someone's chest and hit someone else's leg. Soon, she was twirling the pole in her hands, making the crowd step back.
She rose to her feet, keeping an eye on the caravan members lest they all decide to descend upon her again. "We're not spies, and we mean you no harm."
Their expressions were tight as they stared at her, anger smoldering in their eyes.
Words had never been her forte; that was Elon's job. But she couldn't see him in the mass of people. Perhaps he was battling his own angry mob.
"Make way!" Elder Lorem shoved past the people before nearing Carissa.
Carissa stopped twirling the rod but held it by her side. "Elder." Hopefully he'd be able to calm them.
He turned to face the crowd, his gaze cold and hard as steel. "We've been a caravan—and more importantly, a family—for longer than most of you have been alive. And never have we resorted to senseless violence."
A few shifted uncomfortably, their heated glares cooling at the Elder's words.
"You've elected the Council members on account of their wisdom in experience, to guide this caravan in path that would be the most beneficial to all. The Council has decided that these Nysians are our guests, and you are not to—"
"No, father." Mera stepped forward. "You decided that they are our guests. Not the Council and certainly not us." The crowd murmured their agreement.
Carissa squeezed the tent rod until her fingers burned. Mera knew that they were there to protect her, and yet she dared to come against them. Wasn't the foolish girl worried that they would spill her secret?
Though Elder Lorem tried to hush them, someone else said, "And this was before we realized they'd sent members of their party to spy on us. They haven't told us the truth about why they're here."
More people began shouting, until the words melded together in a thunderous roar.
"Silence!" An older woman hobbled forward. Carissa recognized her as one of the Council members.
Elder Lorem's expression relaxed. "Ah, Elder Itura. Would you tell them—"
The woman narrowed her eyes, and Elder Lorem fell silent. "The Council has decided that we will reevaluate what we are to do with these Nysians. With the capture of the newcomer, we need to consider whether or not keeping these Nysians would truly be beneficial for all, Elder Lorem."
If only Elon were here. Then she'd know whether to flee, fight, or speak up and defend herself. Carissa cleared her throat, deciding on the latter option. "With all due respect, Elder, my husband and I have done nothing to warrant such suspicion thus far. Even when you attacked us without explanation, we didn't retaliate."
The woman laughed. "You were surrounded. What choice did you have but to surrender?"
Carissa's jaw ached from clenching it so tightly. If Elon had truly decided to fight, that woman wouldn't have dared to utter such words.
The woman spread her hands. "Bring the other Nysians here."
The crowd shifted as several men dragged Elon and Algernon forward. Elon was, as usual, unmarked by the scuffle, save for his ragged clothes and mussed hair. Algernon was sporting an angry purple bruise on his cheek and an angrier expression. The men released Algernon and Elon on either side of Carissa.
The woman nodded. "Now bind them, and—"
"Wait. Please wait." Everyone glanced at Algernon as he shuffled forward before kneeling before Elder Itura.
The woman stared down at him. "What do you want, Nysian?"
"I have information that might be of interest to you," Algernon said. "There's one more of our party—my sister. I told her I'd return for her before dark."
"We'll have a few of our men venture into the forest and find—"
"But you don't understand."
Elder Itura's hand flew through the air before slapping his face, jerking his head to the side. "You dare interrupt an Elder?"
Desperation and anger warred on Algernon's expression before the former emotion settled over his features. "Forgive me. May I speak?"
Elder Itura nodded.
"Even if you send your men after her, she won't come. I told her not to appear until I called her."
"Then what do you propose? That we send you?" The woman released a raspy laugh. "I would be handing you an opportunity to escape on a silver platter. If your sister doesn't appear when the men summon her, then she will remain in the forest."
Algernon clenched his fists. "But night approaches, and with the Yare wolves—"
"My decision is final, Nysian." The woman turned on her heel.
But before she could take a step, Algernon lunged forward and caught her ankle. The men around him immediately drew their weapons. Elder Itura turned and stamped on Algernon's forearm.
Though Algernon flinched, he didn't release her. "Please, Elder. I beg this of you. She's–She's all I have left, and I would do anything to see her safe."
"Anything? Even if it means returning to remain our prisoners?"
Algernon nodded.
Elder Itura studied him for a moment before nodding. "Very well. You may go with our men to find your sister before nightfall."
Elon cleared his throat. "I highly suggest taking either myself or my wife with you."
Elder Itura snorted. "So you can all escape together? I may be merciful, but I am not a fool."
Elon met her derision with a cool gaze. "I have been presented with the opportunity to escape multiple times, as has my wife, and yet we remain."
"Which makes me wonder what you want from our caravan."
"Carissa and I merely need a group to travel with. If we traveled alone through the wilderness, it might arouse suspicion. In return, we can offer you protection."
Elder Itura studied him through narrowed eyes. "And what makes you so certain that one of you ought to go retrieve the girl?"
"You've heard of the king's ability to use foresight?"
"That's a load of pig slop."
Elon's smile slanted to the side. "Then call it a hunch. But if you ignore my warning, none from the party you send will return."
The woman seamed her lips. "I see. But surely you don't expect me to allow both of you to leave."
"Of course not. Take one of us, and hold the other here as insurance. I won't leave without Carissa, and she won't leave without me."
"I'm not so certain about that. What if you decide to escape, then return to help your wife escape?" The woman stroked her chin. "No, I have a better proposal. If one of you doesn't return by midnight, I'll execute whichever one of you remains."
Carissa began to protest, but Elon spoke, "Very well. In that case, I suggest I be the one to remain."
Elder Intura shook her head. "You think I'm fool enough to agree to that?" She snatched a dagger from one of the men and charged towards Elon.
Carissa's breath stalled. Did the Elder intend to kill Elon—here and now? She slid in front of Elon, holding the tent rod like she would a sword.
Elon nudged her to the side. "It's alright, Carissa."
The Elder came to stand before Elon, and against her instincts, Carissa lowered the tent rod. The Elder slashed Elon across the chest. The dagger further shredded his shirt, but the skin on Elon's chest was unbroken.
Carissa sighed. She knew from experience that a dagger likely wouldn't kill him, but a part of her couldn't help but panic at the thought.
The Elder harrumphed. "See? I don't know what magic you're bewitched by, but you can't be killed. If I kept you, I'd be making empty threats."
Elon fingered the torn cloth of his shirt. "That's not entirely true. My skin is nearly impervious, but I'm still vulnerable to other things."
The Elder's eyes gleamed. "Do tell."
***
Author's Note: Enjoy the sneak peek (in my profile bio) and have a wonderful weekend. 😊