Page 82 of The Warrior's Oath
The others fell in behind her without complaint or comment, hurrying along in her path.
“Step like this,” she instructed, showing them how to pivot their feet on the ground to spread the weight and quiet their steps.
Steve did as she said but seemed a little confused. “How do you know all of this?”
It was too much to try to explain all she’d experienced with Korvin. The trekking, the survival, the bonding of their runes.
“I just do, okay?”
“Okay, okay. Just asking.”
As she led the way, his, and everyone else’s, doubts faded away. Nyota wasgoodat this, and their confidence in her grew with every step. Even the rescued aliens who had no reason to believe a human could thrive in this environment found their doubts assuaged.
“You’ve done well,” a familiar voice said from just up ahead.
Nyota’s heart raced faster. “Korvin!”
“Where’d you guys come from?” Steve wondered. “I didn’t hear a thing.”
“Then we are not losing our touch,” Halvax said with a chuckle.
A nervous grin twitched across Steve’s lips. “But where were you? You guys, like, vanished back there.”
“We were setting a false trail for the Dohrags should they pursue us,” Halvax replied. “And a good thing we did.”
“It certainly was,” Korvin agreed. “The Dohrags had a few men on the ground already. After the crash they are stranded, for now.”
“So they’re coming after us?” Nyota asked.
“No. At least, not for a while. They took the bait. Bait which led into dense forest. They will have no aerial advantage there and will be forced to proceed on foot to search.”
Nyota grinned. “In the wrong direction.”
“Exactly, my love.”
“Well, then. What now?”
“Now? Now we move as fast as we can that way,” he said, pointing off in the distance. “If I am not mistaken, cutting through that marsh will take us in the vicinity of the transit route to Molok.”
“Through a marsh? Seriously?” she grumbled half-jokingly.
“To save a day’s trek and avoid the Dohrags, yes, I am afraid so. Would you prefer I carry you?”
Halvax rolled his eyes with an exaggerated groan. “If you two are quite through, we have our survival plan to enact.”
The lovers took off without another word, leading the way, hand in hand.
It was a difficult trek through the marshy wetlands, but as Korvin had hoped, the result was worth the effort. Mud-streaked and exhausted, they came upon a small caravan of trading transports as the sun began to lower in the sky. Korvin waved them down, and within minutes all the survivors were helped aboard and offered fresh water to drink.
“You say it was Dohrags?” the trader asked.
“Dohrags, yes, but first Raxxians,” Korvin replied.
“Krikes! That’s bad business. I’ll pass word along to my associates to be on their guard.”
Korvin seemed pleased at the idea. “A wise move, my friend.”
“Thanks to your warning. But you say you are heading to Molok, yes? That’s our next stop.” The trader looked them up and down, taking in their filthy attire. “I’ll drop you in at the trading neighborhood. In your state, you might fare better there.”
