Chapter 41: Sturdy flowers

Irin walked next to Koth as they returned to the shelter with the group of men.

"I will move our gear to make room for you," Koth told them, and moved towards the area where they stored their bags. As his arm was around Irin and he refused to relinquish his hold, she was steered in the same direction.

"Thank you," Lokhue said. Koth moved their bags to the outside of the shelter and covered them with some spruce branches. Irin took out some of her herbs to make tea. The men had removed the gear they had been carrying and were sitting on the platform at a respectable distance from where Koth and her bedding were. Koth took the rabbit meat and gave it to the group to pass around, and Irin made tea. Luckily for them, the men had wooden bowls they could use to drink from. They joined the group and Koth made sure Irin got some meat.

"Could you tell us where we are? When my wife fell ill, I didn't pay attention to the route I took and we got turned around," Koth said. Irin appreciated him taking the fall for her lousy sense of direction.

"That over there are the Amtofth mountains, the lake is Skeggness," Lokhue told them.

"We are further west than we would have liked, but it could have been worse," Koth said.

"Have you travelled far to get here?" Irin asked.

"Yes, our town is about five days' walk from here. We usually use the river that leads into the lake and go by boat when we need to come here, but it's the spring gathering. According to tradition, we walk across our territory and gather resources from the different areas," he explained. "This is our last stop before heading back."

"That is quite an undertaking," Koth said. The men all nodded.

"Where are you from?" Lokhue asked.

"Up north, a small town called Inhasa," Koth said. "We were heading to the Big Lake."

"That is some way from here."

"That is mostly my fault," Irin confessed.

"It was a tricky situation," Koth added.

"Do you need directions on how to get back on track?"

"I think our best bet from here is to head for the coast. Our final destination is the capital," Koth said. It was a lie, but Irin understood it was safer for them that as few as possible knew where they wanted to go.

"Oh, well that is even easier. If you can wait a couple of days while we fish, you can join us and come back to our town. There are regular ships going from us to the capital. You shouldn't have any issues getting a passage," Lokhue told them. Koth gave Irin a look. Yeah, that lie hadn't panned out. But then, maybe it wasn't the worst idea, Irin thought. If they could get to the capital, she was sure they could then get passage on a ship heading for FeighSho. If they could go by ship, it would reduce the chance of an ambush. Koth seemed to be thinking the same thing as he slowly nodded.

"We would be grateful if we could join you. Irin could use a couple of more days of rest before we head out. And if we can avoid long travels on the road, I would be grateful," Koth said. "If you need help with the fishing, I am more than happy to assist." The group of men thanked him and they all introduced themselves. Irin felt that this detour might just have been worth getting lost.

At dinner time, the men shared some of the meat and vegetables they had collected along the way. Irin took it and made it into a stew; she also used some of the regular flour they still had and made bread that she fried on a hot rock. They continued to speak and exchange news and information as they ate. After dinner, the sun was setting and their new companions rolled out their bedding on the platform. They still tried to keep a little distance from Irin and Koth, and Irin got the impression they did it for her sake. She wasn't worried as she had Koth.

"I should remove my sword. It's not comfortable sleeping with it on my back, and I don't think we need to worry," she told him.

"Do you want them to see it?" he asked. She shrugged.

"I don't mind. If I keep it close, it can act as a deterrent," she said. He huffed, but agreed. Irin removed the sword and was placing it in the corner when Lokhue gasped.

"Where did that sword come from?" he asked.

"It has always been there," Koth simply told him.

"I think I would remember seeing it," Lokhue objected. Koth shrugged.

"It's my wife's sword. She always carries it when we are away from home," he said.

"You are a cleric of Alesseja. I didn't know you had weapons like that," Lokhue said to Irin. Irin snorted.

"What did you think we did? Walk around and hit people in the head with sturdy flowers?" she asked, realising too late her sarcastic side had reared its head. Koth chuckled as the other men stared at her. "Sorry. Koth is so used to my sarcasm that I forget I need to keep it in check when I spend a lot of time with him," she said. Lokhue smiled.

"Not at all. We Messilingers appreciate a woman who is strong and fierce," he told her. Koth cleared his throat and Irin rolled her eyes as Lokhue inclined his head slightly to acknowledge that he respected the bond between Koth and her. Koth mirrored the gesture. Irin secretly liked that Koth was protective of her, as long as it didn't get to be overbearing. She would put her foot down if she felt they were heading into that territory. As it was, she was happy to make herself comfortable on the soft bedding and scoot as far as she could to the wall. She saw Koth watch her, and she signed for him to join her.

"I won't fit without squashing you into the wall," he whispered.

"Koth, how are we to pretend to be married if you won't stay close to me and share my bedding?" she whispered back. She swore his cheeks turned pink under his beard.

"But..."

"No buts. Come here," she whispered and patted the spot next to her. He sighed and did as he was told. Irin almost giggled as he tried to be respectful and create space between them. She had no clue what he was thinking. He had kissed her, he liked to pull her down to sit on his lap when they watched the lake, but sleeping next to her was not okay? She wasn't having it. She scooted closer to him, took the arm he was trying to find a place for and placed it around me. She felt him stiffen.

"Not this again," she hissed in a low voice. "I will not hurt you. I will not steal your soul, and I will not steal your money."

"I know," he whispered back.

"Then relax and at least pretend you enjoy this." Irin felt him relax, and after a while he settled down and pulled her closer. The heat from his body was nice, and she snuggled into him.

"I do enjoy this," he whispered and placed a kiss on her hair. "A little too much," he added. It took Irin a moment to understand what he was talking about. When she did, she giggled.

"Is that why you always freeze up when I touch you?" she asked.

"Maybe," he admitted. Irin smiled and sank in closer to him. She liked the idea that she was making him uncomfortable.