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She prefers her weapon to her crown. Can this undercover heir save the land from destruction?
Sixteen-year-old Rasha hates being royal. Working covertly as a courier, the sword-wielding, purple-skinned rebel delivers across all ten kingdoms no matter the dangers. But when she discovers her latest package contains a human princess, she faces her most treacherous mission yet.
While transporting the beautiful girl to the crown prince, Rasha bravely fights off ambushing enemies bent on killing her cargo. All the while a mysterious charmer tracks her every move. But Rasha is not about to loosen her grip on her double blades.
With the fate of the ten kingdoms on her shoulders Rasha, with the help of her friends, will protect her cargo even if it kills her.
The Courier’s Code is the first book in the binge-worthy Bolaji Kingdoms YA fantasy series. If you like feisty heroines, original worlds, and court intrigue, then you’ll love T.S. Valmond’s legendary tale.
Buy The Courier’s Code and follow the adventure today!
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Seitenzahl: 273
Also by T. S. Valmond
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
The Courier’s Conflict
One
Two
Three
Four
Acknowledgments
From the Author
THE COURIER’S CODE
The Bolaji Kingdoms Book One
T.S. Valmond
Copyright © 2017 by T.S. Valmond. All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, businesses, events or locales is purely coincidental. Reproduction in whole or part of this publication without express written consent is strictly prohibited.
PRINT ISBN: 9 7 8 1 9 9 9 5 0 1 2 7 3
EBOOK ISBN: 9 7 8 1 7 7 5 3 6 1 0 3 9
Cover By: Goerz Designs
Books in the World of Bolaji:
The First Kingdom (Prequel)
The Courier’s Code
The Courier’s Conflict
The Courier’s Quest
The Guardian’s Code
Want more adventures in space?
The Starship Hope Series:
Ensign (Prequel)
Exodus
Marauders
Viral
Nexus
Arrival (coming soon)
Want more? Here’s where you can find me: https://TSValmond.com/links
Want to see how it all began? The First Kingdom is a free gift when you sign up to get author updates from T.S. Valmond.
A Romeo and Juliet Story With a Fantasy Twist
Sanee and Adera became friends long before they understood what it meant to hate those who were different. They fell in love in secret against the wishes of their families. Determined to be together when ripped apart, they each embark on a journey to find a land only rumored to exist where they could be accepted and live in peace.
The feuding tribes of Bolaji have never had peace but this epic war comes to a head when border battles intensify over the disappearance of the two young lovers, forcing Sanee and Adera to make unimaginable choices. (MORE)
To my loving husband
Transporting goods, property, and intelligence across any and all boundaries.
In service of the ten kingdoms, allegiance to none.
The courier always delivers.
-The Courier’s Code
Lu hung from a hook in the ceiling, his hands tied together and his boots dangling four feet from the floor. He didn’t seem bothered by it though. The man in front of him paced back and forth. The room smelled of wood and iron. A fire at one end of the room was still ready and prepped for steel work, a set of pokers waiting nearby. A large wooden table dominated the center and sat empty except for a small tin cup. There was a wooden stool on each side of the table.
“What’s a greenie like you doing sniffing around here?” The man, his own skin a crimson red, asked.
“I told you, I’m a courier. I’m in the middle of a delivery. Really, you’re going to laugh when you realize your mistake. I’m no threat to you at all.”
“You haven’t yet told me who sent you.”
“I haven’t told you because it’s classified. They don’t even tell me. Those are the rules. What kind of service do you think we’re running? Let me go, you don’t want any trouble over this. If they ask me what happened I’ll just tell them it was a misunderstanding.”
The man shook his head and prepared a poker in the fireplace, getting it red hot.
“Let’s say I’m just a concerned citizen of Bolaji. I don’t suppose a people like the Tero-Joro, trained to spy, would be hanging around my place without looking for trouble. Let’s see if we can’t get to the real reason you’re here.” The man’s black eyes didn’t waver.
“That was a long time ago, they don’t do that kind of thing anymore. It doesn’t matter anyway since I’ve renounced any allegiance to Tero-Joro to become a courier for all ten kingdoms.”
The man pulled the metal poker from the fire and waved it under Lu’s nose. His eyes never left Lu’s face, even when someone knocked on the door.
“Ah that should be for me,” Lu said, twisting in his restraints.
“No, you and I aren’t done,” he said.
The man opened the door and another red brute carrying an unconscious young girl entered. He arranged her on a second hook. Lu saw she had a bloody cut on the side of her head.
“Rash, are you okay?” Lu turned to the man. “What did you do to her?” he exclaimed.
“What’s this? Is she with you?”
“If you hurt her, you’ll be sorry.” Lu hissed through his teeth as he shook against the restraints.
“This whole time you’ve been holding back. Now we see a little fire from our small green friend.” He turned to the other man and asked, “Did you get it?”
“Yes.” The red Karmirian held the item up between two fingers. It was a round disk no bigger than the fingers holding it. Neither of them noticed that the girl had woken up. She mouthed something to Lu. He shook his head, not understanding her. She rolled her eyes before closing them again.
She groaned in pain. Both men turned their heads in her direction and stared at her. She groaned again.
“Looks like someone has something to say.”
“I’ll talk, just leave her alone,” Lu called out.
“No, you had your turn. Why don’t we give this little Chilalian a chance? I’ve always wondered what the purple girls were like.” The man snickered and gave his companion a poke in the ribs with his elbow.
He moved closer, and the girl groaned again. He leaned his face in next to hers. She swung her head back and rammed it into his, making a loud crack. She swung her legs up and snaked them around his neck. Using him for leverage she removed her bound hands from the hook. The man flailed and beat on her legs but she held fast until he passed out and dropped to the floor. She jumped off of him, landing in a crouch.
The other man wasn’t coming empty-handed. He’d grabbed another hot poker from the fire and swung it at her. She smiled, encouraging him to step forward. He twirled the poker then tried to jab her with it. She dodged it and moved to his right. When he turned toward her, she leapt for the stool and then the table. She kicked the stool at his head and he swung at it, leaving him open. She spun and kicked him in the side of the head. His eyes rolled as he fell to the ground, and the poker fell, clattering away from him.
“What took you so long? I thought he was going to skewer me with that thing. Where are your swords?”
“Cutter and Blade are well hidden. I had to make sure he had the disk.” Rasha jumped from the table and using her toes, retrieved a knife from the first man and cut her hands free of the rope. She pocketed the disk and turned to Lu. She lifted him off of the hook before cutting his hands free.
A small squeak came from the can on the table.
“Don’t,” Rasha warned Lu as he walked over to investigate.
Inside was a small beastie, with gold and cream-colored fur covering a wide face with oversized paws. Its large ears lay against its head and came to a point at the ends. It shivered and whimpered when Lu reached to pull it out of the can.
“Well, look what we’ve got here. I’ve never seen one of you before,” he said.
“Come, remember what happened the last time you picked up a stray?”
“Must you always bring that up?” He stroked the little beastie in the palm of his hand until it stopped shivering.
“Only because it’s relevant.”
“My mom always said I had a way with animals.” Lu took in the little animal’s large ears and big brown eyes.
“I think I’ll call you Temi.” He lifted him up and tucked him in the pocket of his vest.
“Why do you bother naming them?” Rasha asked, shaking her head.
“This coming from someone who named her short swords,” Lu said, following her to the door.
“That’s because they’ve never failed me and they’ll never die.”
“I’ve never seen anyone so thrilled to see a disk. I wonder what’s on it,” Lu said as they walked away from the client’s home in Tero-Joro.
“That’s not for us to know. Let’s keep it that way.” Rasha pulled out a palm-sized square disk and pressed her thumb to it.
“Rasha Jenchat, fetch and delivery complete, record one hundred percent, rating ten, payment complete.”
“What’s it like to be seventeen and have a two-year perfect run?” Lu asked as he pulled out his own square communicator.
“I enjoy my work.”
“I suppose so.” Lu looked down at his own communicator and frowned.
“What’s wrong? Was there a problem with your payment?”
“No, nothing, I just have to go take care of something. I’ll meet up with you later.”
“You know where to find me.”
“Yes, of course.” Lu stopped short and turned to her. “Why do you go to places like that? They won’t give you drink.”
“I’m not there for the drink,” Rasha said and turned to go.
Rasha sat in a dark corner of the tavern with one foot on a chair in front of her. She caught bits of conversation as the other couriers from on and off world sat and discussed their latest fetches and deliveries. Mixed in were a few travelers and locals who sat at the bar in their usual seats. The lighting was at twenty percent and they were nowhere near capacity. Many of the tables sat empty since it was midweek. There were a few seats open at the bar, but she ignored them. Rasha had made the mistake once of sitting at the bar. Those seats were for people taking drink only, not for someone her age. She’d been tossed out on her backside and told to mind her manners in all things concerning the bar.
The barmaid, wearing less than the imagination required, came over and put a glass mug in front of Rasha.
“Rash.”
“Silae.”
Silae sat across from Rash in the empty chair and stared at Rasha’s boot on the other. Rasha glanced over at her boot with a grin in challenge. Silae had reddish-brown skin and long, dark, wavy hair. Her eyes were as black as night. She was part Karmirian and part human, a unique mix. Her almond eyes and full mouth always seemed to smile. Rasha enjoyed their banter even more than the non-fermented juice she drank.
“What’s a nice young girl like you doing in a ruffian’s drinking hole like this one?” Silae asked.
“Minding my own business, which is what you should be doing,” Rasha said.
“I’ll take note of that, just before I ignore it. Sorry I can’t offer you ferm or something stronger.”
Rasha smiled at her brazen attitude and ignored the comment about the drink.
“Where’s that adorable green partner of yours, with the big ears?”
“He has somewhere else to be.”
“What a shame. He’s got such a nice way with people, unlike his traveling companion. Before I go, I thought you should know The Choosing has begun.”
Rasha kept her face and features still as her stomach flipped. It took too long for her next words to come out.
“Why should that concern me?”
“I didn’t say it did. I thought you’d want to be informed.” Silae, always the sly one, slipped out of the seat with a toss of her hair and returned to the bar to get more drinks served.
Rasha’s heart raced as she pulled out her communicator and watched the feed. It was true. The eligible princesses in the realm were making their way to Adalu, the first kingdom. The current prince would choose one of the pure-born princesses to be his bride. Her hand shook when she reached for her juice and she pulled it back again. She raised her eyes to the bar and saw Silae watching her with a knowing smile. She wanted to pull out Cutter and Blade to slice that smile right off of her face. Silae turned to another customer before Rasha let her imagination go wild.
“Ruins is what it is. I can’t get to my trade routes for the all the parading around these princesses do,” she overheard a tradesman the next table over complain.
“Like a bunch of pikos, strutting around for the crowned prince. The whole thing is ridiculous,” his companion replied. “It’ll be tough getting anything on or off this planet for a while. I’m thinking of taking work in the far reaches.”
“I’m not that desperate. Besides, the princesses aren’t half bad to look at, not like this lot,” the tradesman said, waving a hand at the room.
Rasha only felt a tinge of shame being lumped in with the rest. She’d been considered a beauty once. Her grey eyes in contrast to her purple skin often caught people’s attention. That was another time, another life, where she dressed and performed for the approval of others. Few noticed her in the clothing she wore now. She kept her hands and arms covered and a hood concealed most of her head and hair. No one here would even recognize her. Besides, why would anyone look at her? A princess wouldn’t be seen in a tradesmen’s bar drinking unfermented juice. She stroked the amulet around her neck and whispered a prayer under her breath.
Lu found the jail just as he’d left it the last time. A grungy, dark building with the dank and pungent stink of sweaty humanoids. He didn’t bother to pinch his nose. His ears caught a laugh he recognized, and he clenched his teeth and balled his fists at his side. She’d done it again, and this time getting her out wouldn’t be easy.
“Poobari!” Lu exclaimed as he approached the overweight jailer.
“I wish I could say it was a pleasure to see you. She’s in for good this time.” Poobari’s creamy skin folds made grimy rings on his shirt and pants.
“There must be something I can do. A large basket of Majiwan delicacies?”
“I can get that on my own.”
“You haven’t seen the latest tech in the Twinlands. I might be able to get you the newest listening device.”
Poobari opened a drawer and pulled out three such listening devices.
Temi let out a half yawn and growl catching Poobari’s attention.
“What have you got there? Hey little fellow, want to come to Uncle Poobari?”
Temi growled and retreated deeper into Lu’s pocket.
“Sorry, he’s a good judge of character.”
Poobari frowned. “She’s not getting out, so go on about your business.”
“What? You’re joking. I’m one half of the best team of couriers Bolaji has ever seen. I can get you whatever you like.”
Poobari stopped and looked up at him with beady eyes half buried in folds of skin. He gave Lu toothy grin.
“Perhaps there is something.”
“Anything, I’ll do it.”
“I have a special fetch and delivery request. It’s half on-and half off-the-books. You need to go through official channels to accept but I can make sure you’re the only one who gets the offer. Agree to it up front here with me and I’ll send it to you.”
“Sure, what is it?”
“Since when does a courier need to know what the package is? Aren’t you supposed to be discreet?”
“I am, I am. Poobari, you’re amazing. I’ll take the fetch. Thanks again. Can I go back and see her? I want her to sweat a little.”
“You horrible little yahtz. Sure, just make sure you’re both out of here within the half hour. I have another prisoner in transfer, the cell will be filled again before night’s end.”
“You have my word.” Lu didn’t bother to shake Poobari’s hand. His nod was enough. Poobari released the locks on the cell door. Lu entered the cell and Poobari locked it behind him with a loud clang.
The reek only grew worse within the walls but he followed the corridor down to the fifth cell on the left. Several of the inmates whistled and called out as Lu passed. He got too close to one side and had to remove his tunic from someone’s gnarled grip. When he reached her cell, she was hanging by her fingers from the ceiling and pulling herself up. Her green skin and large eyes and ears were a perfect blend of her Tero-Joro parents, one from each of the Twinlands.
“Told you boys I wouldn’t be here long,” she said and dropped to the floor. They groaned and yelled obscenities at her. She brushed her hands off on her fitted pants. “Well, hello big brother.”
Ladi, two years younger and half a head shorter than him, swaggered up to the bars of the cell and rested her arms on them. She didn’t seem at all bothered by the smell of the place. She pulled out a piece of dried meat and gnawed on it. Lu shook his head and leaned against the bars.
“What’s it going to take with you?”
“What do you mean? Hey, who’s the new little beastie?” She reached out a hand and Temi purred at her touch.
“His name is Temi.” Lu pulled away from the bars, stepping just out of reach. “When is it going to be enough?”
“I’m enjoying myself and making lots of money. So what if I get caught sometimes, I have plenty to bring home when it’s all done.”
“Mother and Father are well taken care of,” Lu said between clenched teeth. He dropped his shoulders and relaxed his jaw. “You have the skills to work legitimate jobs, I don’t know why you won’t take them.”
“They don’t pay as well.”
“I wish you wouldn’t worry our parents so much. I won’t always be able get you out.”
“But you got me out this time, so why are we still talking through the bars?” she asked, tapping them with one finger.
“Because I want you to understand something.” Lu waited for her to meet his eyes. “This is the last time.” She didn’t flinch as he stared her down. “I don’t have a problem seeing you punished for criminal activity. Next time they’ll take more than just your money.”
“What? Poobari, you scheming, two-faced ranglefort!” Her voice carried down the corridor and their ears picked up his belly laugh.
“You let him take my money?” she said, turning back to Lu.
“Let him? I’m not sure what kind of position you imagine you’re in but you put yourself here.”
“No, I didn’t. Who do you think hires me to do all these off-the-books fetches and deliveries?”
“Well, not anymore. If you get into trouble again, you’re on your own.” The cell door’s mechanical locks clicked and the door slid open. Lu noted it was just before the half hour mark.
Ladi strolled out of the cell and down the corridor, not waiting for her brother to catch up. “So, he took the money, which means you’re doing something for him. What is it?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“You’re doing a run for him. I can help you. We can have it knocked out in a day. Debt paid and I never have to worry about it again.”
“No, you’re going home, right now. I’ve been missing Mom’s baked beti and you need an escort.”
“I need no such thing.”
“Well, no, but I’m desperate to see your face after Mother and Father finish with you.”
He chuckled when she glared at him.
Lu was already waiting downstairs at the bar when Rasha made her way down the steps of the inn. She held up a hand at Lu while she paid the barkeep. The man lifted out a black box he kept behind the bar and she swiped her disk across the top. The confirmation beep ended the transaction. Silae slithered out of the back before she got away and called out to Lu. “Well, if it isn’t my favorite greenie.”
How could she be less dressed than before? The small shirt managed to cover her chest leaving her shoulders and midriff bare. The skirt, a thin material, hung around her ankles but didn’t hide her legs, which could be seen when the light shone behind it.
“Hey, Red, you’re looking charming this morning. Shouldn’t you be sleeping after an overnight shift?”
“Not when there’s a chance I might see someone like you. I was telling your partner last night it wasn’t the same without you.”
“Next time. I promise. Any news?” he asked.
“Not really. They announced The Choosing has begun, so be careful on the trade route. You know how competitive these purists get,” Silae said.
“Have you seen who’s in the running this year?” he asked without looking up from his communicator as he checked the facts.
“The Sidoans are offering a princess of age for the first time. She’s striking, they say. With the mines in Sidoa now offering the rarest gems ever found in the ten kingdoms, she’ll have an even better chance of being chosen.”
“My money is on the Karmirians, they’re the closest other than the Chilalians, who don’t even have a pure daughter to offer. Crazy, right, Rash?” He still didn’t look up.
“Yeah, isn’t it?” Silae said with a significant glance at Rasha.
Rasha’s hands clenched at her sides. Silae was pushing their fragile acquaintance with her insinuations.
Lu didn’t seem to notice. He leaned over the bar and whispered something to Silae that made her laugh. Rasha grit her teeth and turned to go.
“Rash, wait, where are you going?” Lu called after her. He gave Silae a kiss on the cheek and bolted after his partner.
Rasha reached the cool fresh air and took a deep breath. What did Silae know, anyway? Why was she giving her those looks?
“I’m not spending another night here. The place is far too loud and, if you ask me, overpriced. How was your business last night?”
“Fine,” Lu said looking at his feet. Rasha was ahead of him and didn’t see his hesitation.
“Where’d you sleep last night?” she asked.
“I—,”
Before he could answer, her communicator signaled. She looked down at the screen. “What the yahtz?”
“What?”
“Central is sending us a mandatory.”
“Oh, well, glad I didn’t skip town right away, now we can take care of this and then I can go visit my family.”
“This is madness. I should contact Central and find out what the mix up is. We just finished a one-month fetch and delivery due to theft. Why do we always have to be the ones?”
“We’re the best, that’s why they call us.”
“Yeah, but why is this one mandatory?”
“You think they’ll tell us?”
“No, of course not. It’s all the way in Sidoa.”
“The tenth kingdom!” Lu slapped his leg. “Well, then let’s go, it’ll take us longer if we stand around complaining. We’ll worry about the rest later.” He adjusted his pack on the back of his tuskin and led him toward the woods.
Rasha thought for a moment. True, she couldn’t ask them why they wanted to send her. Besides, it was a mandatory. She didn’t have a choice.
“Wait a minute.”
Lu stopped short and looked back at her.
“How’s your family? Did you get to talk to them at all?”
“Yeah, they’re fine.”
“They’ll be sad you missed them.”
“I’ll send them a message when we’re well on our way.”
“Fine, but after this assignment I’m turning off my communicator and throwing it into the nearest river.”
Rasha grabbed her large riding beast, a tuskin, and the animal’s short tail wagged in greeting. She didn’t notice. Her mind was on the journey south. Lu pulled out a piece of gale fruit and gave it to his tuskin, who gobbled it up in a saliva filled slurp. He rubbed his curved horns against Lu in thanks. Lu rubbed his knuckles up and down between the beast’s eyes.
Temi made a faint cry of complaint from Lu’s pocket.
“We should pick up supplies. Our animals are hungry and it will be much warmer in the south. We might pick up a few things while we’re there,” Rasha said.
“Like some jewels,” Lu smiled.
“Something like that.”
The journey South to Sidoa was pleasant and uneventful. The climate warmed day to day as the sun’s rays grew stronger and longer in duration. This time of year, storm activity increased. Rasha and Lu found comfortable lodging at a few nice inns they’d frequented before. Most of the time an inn would balk at their ages. Young and in trade they weren’t always offered a room on the premises. There were a few places they’d stayed that knew their reputations and allowed them access to some of the nicer establishments.
“We should be there by nightfall,” Rasha said, looking up at the orange sky. The two moons were visible to the north.
“What do you think it will be?” Lu asked.
He was referring to the fetch. “Only the gods know.”
“Jewels. I bet its jewels.” Lu pulled Temi from his pocket and set him down on the beast. He’d grown a little and could keep himself on the moving beast’s saddle.
When they reached Sidoa, they followed a small road off the main thoroughfare to the location of the fetch. The locator led them to the middle of nowhere and nothing. Lu checked the position twice.
“How can this be the place? There’s nothing here.” Rasha asked.
Lu climbed down from his tuskin and tied the reins to the nearest tree. He cocked his head and listened.
“Someone’s coming this way. It’s a wagon.”
“That’s promising,” Rasha said. “What do you see?”
“Nothing from here. I’ll climb up and see if I can get a better look. The sun is already down, so no promises.” He held Temi out to her.
“What?” Rasha asked, looking down at his hand as if he held a poisonous slithering stolken.
“He doesn’t like heights.” He grabbed her hand and put Temi down.
Temi had grown since Lu found his tin cup. His limbs now dangled over the edges of her hand while she gripped his midsection. Temi never took his little eyes off of Lu and he whined when he lost sight of him in the tree.
“There, there, little fellow, he’s just getting a better view. He’ll be right back.” She ran her thumb across his head as she’d seen Lu do and the beastie stopped crying.
A moment later, Lu was climbing back down and Temi’s whole body wiggled with joy.
Rasha pushed the little beastie back into Lu’s hands as he spoke.
“There are three men, two of them Sidoans, and they’re hauling a large crate. Looks to be heavy, we’ll need to team up our beasts to pull it.”
Rasha bit her lower lip.
“Okay, since we’re not welcomed in the kingdom we won’t be sleeping here tonight. I say we make our way back toward the inn we stayed at last night,” she said.
Lu nodded. “They have seafood, I could live there.”
“We aren’t staying long. She climbed down from her beast.
They didn’t have to wait much longer for the three men to reach them. The men were a mix of dark and light-skinned. Their trader outfits and size suggested the shady end of dealings. Temi growled as the men approached them, but soon climbed into Lu’s pack to avoid being seen.
“My hero,” Rasha said, looking at Temi. She addressed the men. “Out for an evening stroll, gentlemen?”
“Are you the Jenchat?”
“I am.”
“You’re Chilalian.”
“Yes.”
“We have a fetch.”
“Well, now, that’s convenient.”
They looked at one another with confused expressions, then at Lu and Rasha.
“How old are you children?”
Rasha didn’t like proceedings starting with this question. It meant not only did they not trust her abilities but they wouldn’t process her digital paperwork. She wasn’t in the mood to lose money. They’d travelled five days and wouldn’t even be able to trade for the famous gemstones they’d heard about.
Rasha pulled out her disk. She held it up and let the Central data do the talking for her.
The robotic female voice spoke loud enough for all of them to hear, “Rasha Jenchat, certified courier, record: one hundred percent over two years. Satisfaction level: ten.” Rasha pocketed the disk.
“I showed you mine, now you show me yours.”
The large brown man in front held up his square and keyed in his purchase code. His device beeped as he tapped the edge of her disk, which beeped in return.
“Fetch complete, thank you for your business,” it said.
“Are we done here?” Rasha asked.
“I hope I don’t have to tell you that this package is precious.”
“You just did,” Rasha said. She and Lu transferred the harness to their tuskins.
“Please, protect it with your life.”
“Fetch, delivery, and satisfaction guaranteed,” Lu said.
The men still seemed worried. In fact, they waited for them to ride out. The only thing that would change their minds was a successful delivery and Rasha planned to give them one. This assignment was as important as all the other ones had been for their clients.
“It’s gems, isn’t it?” Lu asked when he was sure they were out of hearing distance.
“Without a doubt,” she said. Rasha shivered. She turned in her seat to glance behind them.
“What is it?” Lu asked.
“I have the feeling we’re being watched.”
Lu looked around, then tilted his head into the wind and away.
“Anything?” she asked.
“No,” he said. “Want me to send out a pulsar?”
“No, it’s probably a wild animal looking for a morsel,” Rasha said, but she shivered again.
At the word ‘morsel’ Temi poked his little head out of the pouch and sniffed the air, letting out a low growl. Lu gave the beastie a pat on the head.
“See, Temi doesn’t believe you, either.”
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 year 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.”