Page 33 of Orange Sky
I clamped one arm around her waist and pressed her firmly towards me.
“Hold on to this,” I firmly grabbed both of her hands and placed it on the pommel. “We need to run fast Brin.”
I do not like to explain myself to people. I probably spoke more words this past week than all the words I utter for a year.
Brin did as she was told and sat stiffly. She was trying not to make her back touch my front which was ridiculous as the saddle is just right for me and her. The stable master gave me a weird look and probably thinks I am kidnapping a child in their tribe. But when he got his first look of Brin, I saw him visibly relaxed.
I did not give Brin any time to prepare. I pressed hard against the side of our horse and as expected, it violently lurched back then forward.
In hindsight, I should have foreseen if Brin will throw up. The feeling is like a freefall or experiencing an air turbulence when traversing asteroids in space.
I felt her sharp intake of breath and swoosh when we went forward. I felt justified when she leaned hard against my chest.
It is a good deal indeed. This horse is as fast as the smaller horses.
I saw Brin closed her eyes, her knuckles white against the pommel. But I cannot make the ride slower. There is no avoiding it. The route we are taking is the fastest one but the most dangerous. As long as there is light, we can still make it.
This is going to be a long ride. I should be aware of our surroundings for creatures and enemies in this vast open land. Yet I find my thoughts kept straying to the female in my arms. She’s still pale with her eyes closed. I can see some spots on her face. Little spots I noticed across her chest and other hidden places. She doesn’t have stripes but those little spots make me purr and lick them every time I see one.
I need to find a new place for her. Somewhere she can make it by herself.
And maybe visit her every few months.
I grumbled. Once I leave her somewhere, I do not need to see her again. I need to focus on my mission. The relic is just one of the many things I need to accomplish.
Yet, I found myself intrigued and caught myself looking back at the top of her head. She kept the head cover I told her to wear so people will not take notice that her face lacks fur and stripes. We do not want to attract too much attention.
Two hours into the ride, surprisingly the female was able to sleep. I doubt she can fake sleeping because I can feel her heartbeat and her dead weight. I guess I and the blue tribe slave tired her out.
Roqs is right behind my tail. I find myself excited when I imagine Roqs and I play with her.
Ah, Roqs. Whatever am I going to do with him?
She mumbled something in her sleep that is somewhat cute. And irritating at the same time.
“Sleep more.”
But she fidgeted more in her seat. I sighed.
“What is it?”
“Umm.”
Of course, I am probably too tired to even scold myself why I ask her questions when she can’t speak my language. I don’t know where I can find a doctor that can repair her language chip. Finding one will surely cost me my tail to make that doctor quiet abouther.
She mumbled something incoherent. Yet at the same time she is fidgeting.
I urged our horse to stop at a nearby forest of trees. We should be close to a town soon. As soon as we stopped, she struggled to come down.
Maybe something is wrong with her?
Instead of asking, I grabbed around her midsection and leaped down. It amazes me that she gets scared like a kit when I do that.
She tried to push away my arm around her. I let go but grabbed her arm and followed her. She went to the cluster of trees. I am now curious why we need to go so deep in the trees but at the same time I am hyper alert if finally, she is going to show me about her true colors.
I have the horse locked into my dna code so it can go to me when I need it. Just to be sure, using my free hand, I unlocked one of the buttons on my belt pouch.
Well, this should be interesting. She kept tugging at her arm and glaring at me. She kept repeating a word over and over again.
