Not Much Chance to Rest

Writers: Devin, Kaysea
Date Posted: 16th February 2008

Characters: Royani, Marod
Description: Marod and Royani shelter from Threadfall - and become suspicious of the Holder
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 8, day 20 of Turn 4

"Royani!" a voice hissed in her ear. "Wake up!"

"Wha?" she began but found a hand clamped over her mouth. "What's wrong?" she whispered, coming around quickly at the urgency in his voice. She had learned over the last few months to trust Marod's instincts.

"I think someone suspects us. We have to go, now." He avoided staying in populated areas, even small farm cots, but Thread had fallen at mid-morning, and they'd needed to find shelter.

"But the Thread?" she asked nervously. Many times over the last months she had ached to be back in safety and security of her home, never more so than when Thread fell; but the freedom she had experienced, and the sense of real independence was becoming an addiction she enjoyed -
except for the Thread. "Do you think we'll be safe?"

"Thread isn't due for almost another sevenday," Marod told her. "We'll be fine." Being caught out in Thread was a terrifying prospect, but often it was just another thing on the list of problems to worry about.
Being recognized, the difficulty of traveling through the mountains --
harder now that it was winter -- making sure they had enough food, heat, and clothing, being found by Klegen and Boesyn ... Those were the problems that worried him. That, and wondering if Royani had finally had enough of this hard, dirty life and would turn him in.

"IF you're sure." she glanced across at the holder and saw he was watching them closely. "He does suspect, but how did you find out?
Klegen's not here, is he?" she turned and looked around the building they were in, no more than a large storage shed. "Please, tell me he isn't here." she clasped at Marod's jacket. The idea of the hard-faced man finally catching up with them, filled her nightmares.

"No." He put his hands over hers, soothing. "That holder's been asking me questions, and I don't like the way he looks at you." As if he was trying to see beyond the dirt and weariness. Both he and Royani had been up before dawn to reach the small cot and get under shelter before the Fall. Marod had let her sleep through it, but he'd stayed awake, talking with the farmer.

"I don't like the way he's looking at me either." but she felt a little relief in the fact they hadn't been discovered by Klegen. "I don't feel so good Marod." she said, as with his help she began to rise from her temporary bed. The heat she had been feeling during the dream must have been a reaction to the fever she appeared to be carrying.

"You haven't had much chance to rest. I'm sorry." They needed to find somewhere they could rest for a few days, but he was getting more nervous about staying anywhere for long. They were getting closer to Amber Hills. The area was becoming more populated, the holds larger. The chances kept increasing that someone would recognize Royani. That meant trouble for Marod, but it might also mean trouble for the girl herself.
They didn't know who had ordered her kidnapping, but it had been someone with marks, and someone who obviously didn't care for the girl. "We can stay on the main trail for a while. Walking will be easier," he said as he helped her into her coat. "We might even be able to beg a ride."

"From what I remember there's a wagon trail around this area somewhere.
I know the traders come through here two or three times a Turn, I just don't know when. But there will be some shelter along the trail."
she nodded, feeling her legs wobble as she stood up. She brushed the back of her hand across her forehead, and wasn't surprised when it came away wet with perspiration. "We're getting closer to home." she said quietly, not sure if he was aware of just how close they really were.

Marod offered her his arm. "Yes, you'll be home soon." They would need to have a discussion about what would happen when she got there, but now wasn't the time.

"Did he ask why we were together, too?" That had been one of the most frequently asked questions the pair had been asked each time they stopped anywhere. She had become used to the sly looks of the men, and the concerned glances from the woman when they been told Marod and she were man and wife, so it had become easier to say they were siblings.
The age difference didn't seem so much to her, she had never asked, but really he couldn't be more than four or five Turns her senior, so she wondered why it seemed so unusual for them to be man and wife.

"I told him you were my sister. I also dropped a few hints that we might be on the run because our father's trying to sell you off in marriage,"
he said. "It's a little risky, but I figured it would explain your nervousness."

"That's a new one," she said, almost smiling, then remembering she was supposed to look worried. She cover her smile by turning it into a grimace. "Well, we should leave now then, and see if we can find that traveller trail?" she asked.

Marod nodded. "Maybe we can find a place to stop a little earlier tonight and get some extra sleep." Faranth knew they both needed it.

"That would be nice." she nodded, feeling sleep wasn't far away for her again, right now. "I could sleep for a sevenday right now, but each time I get into a deep sleep, I dream of Klegen." she said quietly.

"I dream about him, too," Marod admitted. "But don't worry. You'll be home in a few sevendays, and you won't have to worry about him any more." He hoped. There was still the question of who had ordered Royani's kidnapping in the first place, and what else they might have in mind for her.

"And what about you?" she asked, as they walked towards the doorway to open air again. She would be grateful to be away from the strange looks she had received from the Holder, but then realised they were being watched still. "What do you plan to do once we're back at Amber Hills?" she asked, glancing at the Holder from the corner of her eyes.
"He's watching us..."

"Let's go." Marod tugged her gently and headed for the door.

She quickened her pace, allowing Marod to lead her through. It wasn't just a tired or faint feeling she had now, she felt truly ill with worry. Did the Holder know about the runaways? Had he been told to be on the lookout for them - who would he report their presence too? "I _really_ don't like it here." she said to Marod as they left the barn behind.

"The next place will be better," he said.

"I just hope we find the first shelter before nightfall." she said quietly, with a last glance over her shoulder at the Holder, standing in the doorway of the barn, watching them.

Last updated on the February 21st 2008

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Not Much Chance to Rest