Chapter 19
T he journey back dragged on endlessly, with us barely able to take a full stride between the two of us. I silently prayed we'd make it back. Lucas didn't deserve to suffer for my reckless mouth.
The rhythmic thudding of horse hooves sounded behind me. I closed my eyes, begging for it to be someone who would go right past us, not noticing our bleak state. My silent prayers weren't answered as they slowed beside us, and I peered over to find a silver-haired man on the bench of the wagon.
"Aye, you look like you could use a ride." The man didn't gawk at our bloody state. "Climb in, I can take ye up the road."
I shook my head. "That's okay, we're fine."
"Lass, you're bloody well not fine. I won't ask again, and I won't ask about what happened. Just don't get any ideas about robbing me."
I sighed. It was clear he wasn't going to leave us alone if we continued as we were. I helped Lucas up onto the bench and sat beside him, my hand poised on my leg, ready to draw a weapon.
"What brings you out so late, you know the roads are dangerous. I've heard there's bandits out here." I tried to keep my voice calm.
"I don't think bandits are interested in books, girl. Plus, I've been traveling this way to visit my sister for years now. Never have I come across anyone unsavory."
He eyed Lucas, who was now passed out on my shoulder. "Is your friend alive?"
"Yeah, just got into a fight he couldn't win."
The old man chuckled. "I know what that's like."
"So you're a book merchant?" I asked, my fingers itching to browse his collection. Books were my weakness, and even in this dire situation, I couldn't help my curiosity.
"Aye, are you needing anything?" We reached the top of the road where the two diverging paths took you to town or the manor respectively. He pulled the carriage to a stop and helped me wake Lucas up enough for him to stand.
I passed him my pouch of coin. "I'll take whatever this will get me."
He weighed the pouch in his hands before digging through his wares, pulling out a blue leather volume. "Keep your coin, consider it a gift. Try not to let your friend start any more fights." He handed me the book and my coin pouch back, and I tucked them in my bag before grabbing hold of Lucas. I called out a thanks as the old man took off into the night.
"I'm so sorry, Lor," Lucas mumbled.
"I'm sorry, Lucas." I huffed as I kept just moving towards the gates. We were almost there. "I guess we're friends now, huh?"
He let out a painful laugh. "You're not getting rid of me that easily."
I laughed as I dragged us through the property and through the doors. The weight of Lucas against my side had become familiar in our trek, like carrying a wounded brother. I wasn't sure which room was his, so I brought him to mine to mend him. The soft glow of candlelight cast dancing shadows across his battered face as I settled him at my desk, thankful he was more awake than he had been. My hands trembled slightly as I grabbed bandages, ointment, and a rag from my drawers, the reality of the night's events finally catching up to me. With gentle movements born of practice I didn't know I had, I began cleaning his wounds.
The battered man winced as I slathered the ointment on his open cuts. My hands shook slightly as I worked, guilt gnawing at my chest with each pained breath he took. "Is it too late to discuss the fun part of the evening?" A hoarse chuckle from his chest betrayed he's trying not to appear as hurt as he is. Purple bruises bloomed across his ribs where I dabbed the cloth, and he flinched each time I found another hidden cut beneath his torn shirt.
"What do you mean? This is the fun part." I replied dryly, though my heart ached knowing I'd brought this violence upon him. Finally finishing wrapping his wounds, I helped him onto the bed.
"Now this is what I'm talking about," he murmured as he let out a heavy sigh as he drifted off to sleep, his body succumbing to exhaustion. The pain etched across his face slowly melted away, replaced by the peaceful expression of deep slumber.
I perched on the edge of the desk, watching the steady rise and fall of his chest. Strange how quickly someone could go from stranger to friend, how fierce the need to protect them could become. Lucas had stood by me tonight when he didn't have to, and I silently vowed to never let him face such danger alone again.