‘You must be Karyk's wife?' *Blink* His question catches her so off guard that it takes a tick to register his exact meaning. *Blink* Unable to help it her head swivels quickly back in time to see Karyk walking away as if he hadn’t heard; but the set of his broad shoulders made her worry. Suddenly self-conscious, Salara knew she wasn’t socially savvy so wasn’t certain if she had been inappropriate toward Karyk in her gratitude for a seat on the wagon. What else could it have been? Her cheeks flush then pale at what he must be thinking. Had he run? Was he angry? Did it matter to her? Yes, a long-silent little voice whispered deep within her. Catching lower lip between her teeth she flashes back several nights after the group had survived the wolf attacks when she had forced herself awake through terrifying nightmares of black wolves the size of Kesh tearing her to pieces. The dreams finally stopped as she found comfort and sleep only after crawling into the shipwright’s bloodstained shirt. Dorrin was one that she understood. All of them had developed a bond that day and he, looking out for his buddy by recognizing and encouraging a fledgling attraction from an ‘eligible’ woman, but this odd little man? What would have made him jump to such a conclusion? She tries turning back nonchalantly hoping to hide the awkwardness that was beginning to crawl in the pit of her stomach, “No, why would you think so?” As their brief conversation ends Salara tosses her bag into the carriage with heavy thoughts and confused feelings but suddenly feeling grateful that she had signed up for guard duty. Maybe she would run across Kesh soon, a much easier friendship. She lifts her spirits a moment to bid safe travels to Hortense and Oleander. She didn’t think they had heard the exchange but if they did they were kind enough to act as if they hadn’t. When Karyk returns to begin the caravan’s long journey, the Kelvic would be nowhere to be found. *word count 2134 |