Page 61 of Crowned A Traitor
“You wouldn’t have known to look for it. The Border Fae like to lay them where they think refugees are likely to converge.”
The thought of the Fae mutilating those trying to flee made her blood run cold. “Makes you think what the Fae would do to us if they caught us,” Wolfgang reasoned. “This land doesn’t even belong to them and yet they resort to such tactics,” Arthur seemed surprised.
“They don’t want Creatures from Malum overwhelming the border,” Klara told them.
“Can you reveal the traps if you touch the ground like on the road before?” Wolfgang asked.
“I could, but the treaty doesn’t allow magic to be used in the Neutral Lands. If I do, it would be a beacon to both the Fae and Abadan”.
“Maybe I should take point then,” Wolfgang said.
Staring at the snatch, Klara had no choice but to trust him.He has probably spent his life looking for such traps.
Demons used such devices to trap Creatures to force them into making a deal, but Klara expected as much from Demons, not the Fae.
Klara moved back to Arthur, “still think you would have been better off without them?”
“All right old man, that’s enough from you.”
Klara only hoped the strength of the River’s curse and Lilith’s potion had masked some of her use of power. She figured it must have. Otherwise, the Hounds would be chewing on their bones right about now.
“Any direction I should be heading in?” Wolfgang asked.
“South. The border checks are few and far between the further we travel from the Kalion capital.”
“And you know this how?” Wolfgang asked looking over his broad shoulder.
“Informants, I had allies at one point. Even if that is hard for you to believe.” She didn’t want another argument, and from his lack of response, she gathered he didn’t either.
Klara hoped that her information was still valid. The last scout she had paid to venture over to this side wasn’t the most reliable. Those who dared the crossing were often spies from Kharon and offered free passage for information. Klara didn’t want them to sense her doubt, so she retained her steady pace.
“My foot!” Lottie cried out a little too loudly.
Klara froze waiting for Fae and traps to spring out and end their journey. After a moment, there was nothing but the faint whistle of the wind in the height of the trees. Klara freed Lottie’s foot from a covered bog while Wolfgang searched the thinning trees for any approaching threat.
“Thanks,” Lottie said quietly like a lost lamb. Klara could feel the claws threatening to break through as Wolfgang perceived a threat. “She’s fine,” Klara told Wolfgang, and she sensed his relief.
“You need to be quiet, okay?” Klara said. “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to be loud.” Klara could see the tears gather in Lottie’s eyes. “Can you stand up?”
Lottie nodded through sniffles and pulled herself up.
“One step at a time and we’ll all be fine.” Klara ruffled Lottie’s frizzy hair trying to soothe her.
Lottie held up her sodden boot and attempted to pull it back on. Klara took the boot and smacked it against a tree to get off the large clumps.
“I’ll carry her, just in case…” Wolfgang said as Klara put on Lottie’s boot. Lottie’s unicorn backpack looked like a ton weight as her small shoulders slumped forwards.
He’s spoiling her. How does he expect her to survive if he is constantly aiding her?Klara would never have asked to be carried. It would certainly never have been offered. The only time she’d been carried was when she was too exhausted and beaten to stand after training. If Lilith were in a particularly cruel mood, Klara would have to crawl back to her room while Lilith walked beside her until she reached her sky door. All because she couldn’t let Klara pass out on the cold stone floors, what would the King say if the Heir were to get sick.
“What would guests say if they saw you lying about?” Eve would have said at such a sight.
Wolfgang crouched on the ground and Klara didn’t know what possessed her, but she found herself walking towards Lottie.
“I’ll take her, if you get caught in a trap she might get thrown and set off a bigger trap.”
The siblings stared at her, and Wolfgang’s eyes lingered suspiciously, as she secured her double-headed axe to her front. Klara took Lottie up onto her back in a swift motion, making Lottie giggle. Klara could sense Lottie’s innocence emanating from her.
“Are you going to stare at me or the traps?” Klara scolded both Arthur and Wolfgang. Wolfgang winked at Lottie over Klara’s shoulder, “Maybe you should carry her,” Klara warned, and they both turned and continued to search the ground for traps.
