The Courier’s Collection

Chapter 6

6

By morning, Rasha was sure they were being followed. The fellow wasn’t even trying to hide it. He left broken branches and prints all over the place.

“What do you make of it?” Rasha asked as they rode along.

“They’re skilled enough to stay hidden,” Lu said.

“But not to cover their tracks?”

Temi seemed annoyed by their scent and he’d growl at the wind. Now he sat on the saddle in front of Lu, content to rest his large head on his paws.

“They don’t seem in any hurry to overtake us,” Lu said.

Rasha didn’t respond as she kept her eyes on the surrounding trees. This fetch was all wrong. First, it was mandatory, after a rotation of optional fetches. A march into the woods of Sidoa, meeting with people that didn’t trust them to deliver feed, let alone whatever was in the package. Not even a day later they’re being followed by a fangledort who didn’t cover his tracks.

“You’ve got that crease in your brow. I think we should’ve traded for a vehicle,” Lu said.

“No, a vehicle would just make it easier for whoever it is to track us.” Rasha tried to relax her face but soon felt the tug between her eyes. “It’s this assignment. It’s all wrong.”

Lu shrugged. “They’re all the same to me. I just want to get it done. A vehicle will cut our travel time by more than half. We can make delivery and take a well-deserved holiday. Besides, the money will help my family.”

“Your sister is still not willing to legalize?” Rasha asked.

It was Lu’s turn to frown. His large eyes cast down as he spoke.

“She’s so different from me. I wish I could reach her.”

“You sound like an old man.”

“Sometimes I feel like it. I know the burdens of this life weigh on you, too. I can’t wait until we retire from it. We’ll be like a couple of royals with servants caring for our every need.”

Rasha shook her head. “That’s not my kind of thing.”

“Since when is pampering not our thing?”

Before Rasha could answer, Lu held up a finger and turned his head to the right. He glanced back at her and nodded once. There was someone out there. Perhaps the person that was following them. Rasha pulled out her short swords and slid off of her beast. She passed Lu the reins and, with a nod for him to continue, she slipped into the trees. She waited for a moment behind one of the older trees and then doubled back. Rasha found male boot prints along with the prints of a large beast. The tracker still made no secret of following them, but remained hidden.

Rasha listened and watched for several moments but there was nothing other than the rustle of leaves and a soft cool wind from the north. Rasha raced back through the trees and caught up to Lu. He slowed down and stopped so she could remount.

“Want to use the pulsar now?”

“No, they’re not close enough. We’ll wait until they relax a little more.”

They reached the small inn they stayed at the night before and settled in with their cargo for an early evening. The inn wasn’t very busy this time of year and the barkeep didn’t mind their age at all.

“Help me with the cargo, then find cover for our beasts. There’s a storm coming.” Rasha said looking at the sky.

Lu looked up. “Yes, but not for hours.”

“I’d rather make sure they’re out of the elements anyway.”

They hefted the large crate into the inn but made it no further than the bar.

“This thing is heavier than it looks,” Lu said as he strained to shift it behind the bar and into a nook. He paid the barkeep to cover it with supplies so that no one would notice it. They’d have to retrieve it in the morning.

They sat at a table watching people come and go for several minutes before the barman came over to take their order.

“No ferm for you two. What else can I get for you?”

“I’ll have a floral juice.”

“I’ll take a fauna.”

“Any food for you? Kitchen closes in half an hour.”

At the mention of food Temi poked his head out and sniffed the air.

“No beasts allowed inside. Take him outside if you want to feed him,” the barman said, turning away without their food order.

“Great, now we’ll starve thanks to your little friend,” Rasha said. “I don’t think I have to remind you what happens when I don’t get fed.”

“He’s harmless. I’ll put him in the room upstairs. Order me a seafood plate.” Lu got up and headed for the stairs. The entire second floor offered rooms for rent and they’d bought one with two beds. Another benefit of the season: there were lots of options.

Rasha turned up her nose. She wasn’t a fan of seafood but she ordered his plate and a meat plate for herself. When the barman returned with their drinks, she placed the order and used her own disk to pay.

The sound of an all-terrain vehicle approaching the inn made Rasha turn and look. Two large men climbed out and strolled into the bar. One slapped the other on the back, and they laughed as they took their seats. That gave Rasha an idea. Before Lu returned, she put the plan into action.

Rasha sauntered over to them and looked them over from head to toe as if trying to determine their clothing size.

“Can I help you little miss?” the bearded one asked. His dark hair stood in spikes on top of his head.

“I was just wondering how the two of you managed to get that all-terrain vehicle. It seems a little expensive for a couple of fellows from the ninth kingdom.”

“How do you know we’re from Buku?”

“Your clothes and that smell. I’m not sure what it’s called.” Rasha grimaced and waved a hand front of her face.

It had the desired effect.

“Go play with your dollies, little one. We haven’t got time for your games.”

“Not even a game of Hands?” She gave the men a smile as she pulled out her disk and set it on the bar. “Four hundred credits says you’re no good at it.”

“You can’t be serious. Gorg never loses.” The beardless one was mouthy. His buddy, Gorg, tapped him on the chest to keep him quiet. Rasha was already calculating her winnings.

“Sure, little purple one. I’d love to take your money and teach you a lesson in how a lady should behave.”

Rasha laughed. “A lady? I had no idea you had so much experience.” The man rose from his seat as if to hit her, but Rasha didn’t flinch. He was flexing his muscles. He wouldn’t hit her, a girl-child in his eyes. Taking his money would be fun.

Rasha invited them to her table and Lu joined them a moment later. His confused expression became a smile after she explained what game they would play. The men didn’t suspect a thing even after she’d thrown the game and raised the stakes. A crowd gathered around them. A few onlookers cheered them on. The others were for the big guys. Rasha looked at her partner and gave him a subtle but rapid double blink. Lu knew his part, and Rasha counted on him to make it good. He didn’t fail her.

“Oh no, I’ve got nothing Rash,” he groaned and then covered his mouth as if remembering he wasn’t supposed to say anything. The crowd that had been supporting them groaned.

She kicked the table in front of his knees and he flinched as if she’d kicked him. She rolled her eyes to the crowd as if he’d just ruined the entire game for them. The two men smiled at each other over the cards they held.

“What’s it going to be little one? Your partner has nothing. Shall we end this game?”

Rasha bit down on her lip as if she were working out a complex problem. The crowd around them doubled in size. Money passed from hand to hand as the people placed bets on the game.

“I’ve got the rest of my earnings for the month. What have you guys got?” She knew they’d already finished the credits they’d planned to use. She pushed for more.

The two men nodded to each other and shrugged.

“We’ve got our vehicle, the one you admired, if you’re interested?”

Rasha looked to Lu who shrugged as if he didn’t know what to say.

“I guess so. But this has to be the final round, I can’t afford to lose anymore,” she said loud enough for the crowd to hear.

“Oh, us too. We don’t dare bet anything more.” Gorg gave his partner a knowing a smile.

“Place your hands, gentlemen,” Rasha said, calling all of their cards to the table.

They put their cards on the table and Rasha put hers down trying not to giggle. “I think I won.” The crowd erupted, and some slapped Lu and Rasha on the shoulders in congratulations. The crowd collected their own bets on the game. Rasha returned to the bar to get the credits she’d given the barkeep to hold for them. The men were angry but with the large crowd there they didn’t dare fight the outcome. They’d lost and now they’d pay up. Gorg shoved his friend, who was still running his mouth about how unfair the game had been. He pushed back. Gorg gave him a swift jab with his elbow before he got the key to the vehicle and held it out in front of her.

“Are you sure it’s not too much vehicle for you?” he asked her.

“I’m sure,” Rasha said and she slipped the card in her pocket and turned to leave.