- Of course," she stood back, letting Erin pass, and she, not believing her ears, stepped carefully past the mercenary. Then another step, another one. And turned around.
- Do you have to follow me?
- Of course," River nodded calmly. - I can come in handy. I'll hold the bag," a smile flashed on her lips. When Erin realized she had nothing else to lose, she rushed forward. Almost immediately she felt her back pressed against the woman's chest, and her strong hand embraced her neck.
- Don't be, green-eyed," the mercenary whispered, whispering with her breath, moving her blond hair. - I can be angry.
- I don't think it's going to get any worse," Erin left, twitching as hard as she could, but it seemed like the hired woman was made of iron. The girl couldn't move a centimeter. And the hand on her throat was getting tighter and tighter. Finally, realizing the futility of the attempts, the witch stopped resisting.
- That's right," River said approvingly, though, without rushing to let Erin go.
- No, you can't be left alone for a moment," Sylvia looked at the picture critically out of nowhere: River and Erin straightening up next to her. - Hugging without me? River, I thought we had a deal.
The mercenary grinned and shook her hands. Erin immediately stepped aside. No, you won't get any victims," she threatened the gods, who, of course, wouldn't listen to her. - You could never be trusted.
- You know, baby," Sylvia already spoke to her, and her voice wasn't a hint of fun, "I don't like you. And if I ever see you trying to escape again, I'll kill you.
- One of you had already received a mission to kill me," the girl answered grimly. - I wonder how much I'm worth?
- Cheaper than you think," Sylvia dumped, and then turned around and hid among the trees.
It wasn't long before River reached out and took Erin's bag off her shoulder.
- Go," she said briefly. - And next time, try not to walk at night, because it may not be me you're on your way to.
Erin turned obediently in the opposite direction.
Freddie kept sleeping without his hind legs. Jealous of his ability to shut down in any situation, Erin lay down in her place. "It's a pity that the basics of black magic are taught in the last year," she thought vindictively. Despite all the excitement of today, she fell asleep almost immediately and did not hear someone's hands gently covered her with a second blanket.
* * * * *
- Do you miss me?
Erin turned around to look at Freddy approaching her. As usual, he had a stupid grin on his face, but surprisingly, today she wasn't annoying.
- It's not that," she said vaguely, turning her eyes back to the sea.
The next morning after the failed escape, the entire "friendly" company boarded the ship, just on its way to the island where Moghar was located. Erin had to forget about his seasickness because there was no other way into town, and the mercenaries didn't want to hear about the girl's problems. However, there was no rocking, and Erin felt more or less tolerable. At least she never threw up and nobody asked why her pallor was green.
- I'm glad you're okay," Freddie put his hands behind his back. - It's my fault, too.
Erin threw up her eyebrows.
- Really?
- Of course," the guy said modestly. - All this time, I was distracting you from your unbearable seasickness, and I think I've done well. What do you think?
- If you don't praise yourself, no one will.
- I'm just saying the obvious facts since you don't see them.
The girl hid the smile.
- I notice everything, but I prefer to keep my remarks to myself.
- That's no excuse," Freddie squinting at the distance. - Everything was very calm.
The girl shook her shoulders.
- What did you want?
- I don't know," Freddie said, "I thought we were going to be attacked by pirates and...
- Send us into slavery," Erin said, squeamishly wriggling for him. - What a fantasy you have! It's shaking.
Freddie nodded, but it seemed to her that he hadn't heard her say it. His face became suddenly serious as if he was thinking hard about something. Deciding not to bother him, Erin wanted to leave quietly, but suddenly he grabbed her by the hand.
- Tell me, don't you feel the same as I do?
Erin pulled back. "Well, not an explanation of love. And what a bad time.
- You know," she said, "because there was no romance in Nathan's broadened brown eyes. There was a splash of fear.
Erin followed his arm. It was really quiet around him, the screams of birds that had accompanied them all these days were silent, and the ship itself froze as if the young men were alone on it.
To be continued...