“Is it? I didn’t notice, I think I was… unconscious. Maybe that was the attack, not the travel, you know? I guess I think maybe this won’t be so bad.”
He was silent for a long moment. Then he said quietly, “Twill be bad. Ye must ready yerself, Princess.”
He twisted the vessel.
I held on.
But nothing happened.
He bangedit against his palm and then twisted it again. Nothing happened.
After watchinghim concentrate and try a few different, increasingly desperate things, I asked, “It’s not working?”
“Tis nae working.”
“Has this happened before?”
He lowered the vessel down to his side and stared out at the mountain in the distance. “Aye, it has happened.”
“Great.”
He let goof the reins of the horse.
I said, “Can we stay here until…?”
“Nae, we canna stay here at all, tis verra unsafe. We’ll reach the next town. We’ll get a room. Then we’ll try again.”
He exhaled and looked me over. “First, we need tae dress ye.” He dug through a saddlebag, found the damp tunic, and held it toward me.
I frowned deeply. “Iknewthis was going to happen. Didn’t I tell you Torin? I washed it because I could tell, I was going to have to wear this gross dead man’s tunic.” I crossed my arms.
“Ye knew it, ye were right on it.” He continued holding it out.
“I donotwant to wear it.”
“I ken, but ye hae on a wee soggy dress. This tunic will cover ye and tis not near as wet.” He twisted it and wrung it, there weren’t any drips.
“It smells like the odor of a dead man’s ass.”
He bit his lip to stifle a laugh. “Ye still hae tae wear it.”
“Fine.” I grabbed it from his hands.
“Ye must dress here. I canna risk ye out of my sight.” He dug through the pack and pulled out a plaid.
“I don’t even want to ask if you’re going to put that disgusting dead man’s plaid on me.”
“I wouldna think on it, Princess, just dress.”
“I will butyoudon’t look atmygreat ass.”
Torin smiled, holding out the plaid like a screen. “I will stare at the river, at the trees, at the verra clouds —anythin’but the glory of yer hindquarters.”
I laughed. “Glorious hindquarters? I feel like you’ve looked.”
He grinned. “I would never admit it, I am yer lowly servant. I think of naething but keepin’ yer glorious hindquarters safe.”
“Very funny.” I unzipped my sodden sundress and let it fall in a wet heap at my feet. I was in wet panties and a bra. The cool air gave me goose bumps. Quickly, I tugged the linen shirt over my head and shoved my arms through the sleeves. It smelled better now — boggy with a hint of smoke, a trace of sweat.
