Marri's Approach (Brackish Bay) by Cerise Noble Page B

takeover. No matter how you beat me down, I am stronger than most.
    It was with that burst of adrenaline that I reached the far bank. Pulling the little boat up onto the rocks as far as I could, I slipped and fell. Exhausted and uncoordinated, the fall took the rest of my rapidly waning energy.
    I thought I should find a spot closer to the camp and farther from the boat. But then I also risked getting hurt on the way. I climbed a tree and settled in for the remainder of the night.
    Daylight slapped me in the face, and I winced, scrubbing at my gritty eyes. It was hotter than normal, sweltering, and it wasn't even close to noon. Fortuna, you're a hot whore. I leaned against the tree, trying to go back to sleep. Of course, with the sun beating down on me, it wasn't possible. After a time, I sighed and prepared to climb down the tree. I paused. Something wasn't quite right. I froze, my sleepy brain suddenly on high alert. What was it?
    I scanned the forest for threats. No humans in either direction. No dogs, either. No snakes that I could see or hear, though some of them were silent. No wolves.
    There. A bear. A great, hulking black bear. I swallowed hard. I was in a tree. Black bears climb trees. I breathed slowly, trying to remember what my mother said. There weren't as many of them as there used to be. They were not adapted to the intense heat, and it didn't get cold enough for them to hibernate anymore, so they lived reduced life spans, cranky and anxious. Mostly they did not attack humans, but a lone human? I suppose it depended on how hungry the bear was.
    Fortuna? Should I try to threaten it, or hope it loses interest on its own? I took a deep breath. I could probably run faster than it, but I wasn't sure how quickly it could get to me. Would I be able to get out of the tree fast enough?
    It made a mumbling sound, and I grunted back. It squeaked, and I began to laugh. That startled it, and it drew back a little, snuffling the air. Forget it, Fortuna; I'm not staying here to converse with a bear. I leapt down from the tree and began to run towards the camp.
    For a little while the bear lumbered after me, but apparently it decided it would be easier to pursue a less-fleet meal, and after that, I didn't hear it anymore. I gradually slowed to a lope, resting my aching muscles with the easier pace.
    When I reached the camp it was deserted. Gods be damned, Fortuna. I was really hoping I would have a meal waiting. I sighed and began to gather wood for the fire.
    The fish in the little stream nearby were tiny little minnows that weren't worth the trouble to try to catch, so I consoled myself with the last bit of the potatoes we'd dug the other day. I would need to find more food, since I was the first back. But first, sleep. I curled up near the little fire, and it was there that they found me.
    I woke to the feel of a whiskered nose pressing against my back. I flinched, then suddenly came to full alertness. My eyes flew open. There, across the fire, two men stood. The dappled light obscured their features, but it was certain I didn't recognize them. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up, and the sniffing nose resolved into a dog. A hound. A hunting dog. Ah, dammit, Fortuna. I started to push myself up, very slowly, making no sudden moves, when a voice behind me dropped me to the dirt again.
    “Be still.”
    I felt cold chills running down my spine. Not only did I not recognize the voice, but in the brief glance I'd gotten, I didn't recognize the armor the men wore, either.
    Fortuna, I think these men are not citizens of Brackish Bay.
    The voice behind me spoke again. “What's a woman doing out here camping all alone?”
    Thank you, Fortuna, that we clean up our camp every time we leave. I don't think they know there are more than me.
    “I was kicked out of my tribe. I'm on my way to Brackish Bay.”
    “Tribe?”
    “Horsemen.” Please don't call my bluff; please don't call my bluff.
    “You don't look like a horsewoman.