After [A Journey of the Twins Novel] (10 page)

She picked the berries, making sure to avoid the wicked thorns protecting the bounty. Several handfuls made their way into her mouth during the process. This time of year, close to fall, they were ripe and sweet. When she had her fill, Shyanne picked more and placed them in a small pouch she had brought. Drizzle stayed as far away from the bushes as possible. Tubers and herbs were located and added to the bag. She scouted around the rest of the area; nothing more was found.

The blanket and clothes were not quite dry when they returned. She flipped them over and sat down with her back against a tree trunk. A long piece of grass tickled her hand so she plucked it and popped into her mouth. It stuck out between her lips. Drizzle lay down next to her, his tail swishing gently. They both watched the leaves as they swayed in the breeze.

"I keep getting this feeling that something is wrong with Drayco.” Her voice was soft. “It gets stronger with each passing day."

Drizzle watched her frown. “What do you suppose it means?"

She grabbed the stalk and threw it away. “I don't know. I feel that he's hurt and suffering.” Looking at the cat, she asked, “Do you suppose he's close and that's why the feeling is getting stronger?"

"One never knows. The bond between twins has never fully been understood."

"I wonder if that's how I know he's still alive, our bond as twins.” Shyanne rose and checked the damp things again. This time they were dry. She folded everything and placed the clothes in the pack, then went to get the waterskins. They were lying next to the stream where she had left them, filled. The straps went over her shoulder and she positioned them so they rested comfortably. Scooping up the folded blanket and pack, she and the cat started toward the camp.

"This stuff sure is heavy,” she said to Drizzle as they walked. “Sure would be nice if I had help carrying it."

"I'm a hunter—not a pack animal,” Drizzle responded.

Shyanne smiled.
Good ol’ Drizzle. Never changes.

They heard voices coming from somewhere close as the clearing for the camp came into sight. They had not emerged from the woods yet and dropped to the ground quickly just before several people on horseback rode into view.

Drayco went in and out of consciousness due to his beaten and battered body and the intense pain from lack of drinking blood. He felt so old. His head swung with every motion of the horse's gait. When the motion stopped, he turned his head to see why. The small effort it took left him exhausted. A clearing with a run down building in its center was in front of them.

Moss looked at Brom. “What do you think? Do you think it's occupied?"

"Won't know till we check it out, will we?"

They moved into the clearing. The return of the swaying motion had Drayco wishing his journey would end—soon—one way or another. The trio pulled even with the building. Moss jumped off, his sword out as he landed, and ran up to one side of the doorway. With his back against the wall, he cautiously looked inside, then ducked back again, reminding Drayco of the old time detective movies he used to watch on late night TV. In a flash, Moss disappeared inside. He came out a few seconds later with something in his hand.

"Someone's staying here, all right. All kinds of stuff lay'n around inside, and a horse is housed in the back.” He paused and gave Brom a slight smile. “And I found this.” He held up a sword, the figure of a crouching puma with its teeth bared as its handle.

"That's hers! I'd know that blade anywhere!” Brom focused on his bandaged arm, then on Moss.

The burly man stood tall in the stirrups and looked around the clearing. Seeing no one, he got off his animal and led it into the building. “Get your horse inside, quick. I want to surprise her when she comes back."

Drayco felt his horse pulled into the building. Once inside, the bonds holding him to the animal were cut. He dropped to the ground like a lead weight. The pain caused from the hard landing ravaged his body more than ever. He lay where he fell, unable to move, grimacing.

"Stash them animals with the other one,” Brom said as he inspected the items in the room. “We need to get him out of the way, too.” He walked over and kicked Drayco in the side, causing the dark man to draw himself into a ball.

Moss led the horses to the back room. He noticed the girl's horse acted somewhat strange and held its distance from him while he was there. When he came back to the main room, he watched as Brom grabbed the captive forcefully by the front of his shirt and dragged him to the far corner. He threw him into it, causing the dark man's head to slam back hard into the wall.

The burly man stood over him with his hands on his hips and smiled. “When that girlie returns, we're gonna have a bit of fun with her. I want to remind her of her folly before we take her to the Boss."

Drayco managed to blink the white spots caused by hitting his head away before the world of darkness settled in. The words spoken by his captor came out with such sliminess that an ugly picture forced its way into his mind. He hated this man more than ever and vowed he would kill him without an ounce of mercy when the chance arose.

"Who is this boss you talk about? What does he want with the woman?"

"What difference does it make? She somethin’ important to you?” The slimy smile never left his face.

Drayco held his tongue, glaring at the burly man that towered above him.

"You do look a lot like her,” Moss added. “I'll bet you two are related somehow. That's why you're so interested in her. It makes sense."

"Quit with all the chattering. How're we gonna surprise her with all this noise going on?” Brom growled, moving toward the doorway that led outside.

"We'll never be able to surprise her with you yelling like that,” Moss whispered under his breath.

The two men took up positions on either side of the door and waited.

Drayco leaned his head forward, resting his chin on his chest; thinking.
What does this boss person want with my sister ... and how much does he know about her?

These questions would have to wait. He needed to concentrate on finding a way to warn his sister about what awaited her first.

Shyanne and Drizzle watched as the shifty-eyed man went into the building and came out again with her sword held high.

"Damn.” She had left the blade in the building because Drizzle was with her, and nothing would mess with her when that cat was around. “How stupid can I be?” The only weapon with her now was her boot knife. It would be ineffective against their swords. Moreover, Drizzle could only do so much against two well-armed men. Shyanne watched as the horses were led into the building. The last animal had someone draped over its back.

"That's Drayco!” she hissed. “What have those things done to him?” She almost gave away her position at the shock of seeing her brother for the first time in so many years. “He looks like he's in bad shape. Drizzle, we have to help him."

"Those are the men from the inn, aren't they?"

"Yeah."

"If we're going to help him, we have to do it fast. He doesn't look like he'll make it to morning. Do you have a plan?"

"No. But I'll think of one as we go."

Shyanne took the pack, blanket, and waterskins and hid them under some bushes. If these men went investigating, she did not want them to discover her things and know that she was there.

The woman and cat crept through the woods until they were on the opposite wall from the opening. Keeping low to the ground, they made a dash for the building. Once they reached it, they stopped and listened. No sounds of alarm filled the air. Shyanne hugged the wall as she slid around toward a hole she noticed while circling. She peeked in quickly. The horses were on the other side. Two animals were biting at their bits. Their heads hung low and sweat ran from under their saddle pads.

Just like them to not care about their animals
.

As decided before they separated, Drizzle made his way around the building close to where the men were hiding. He crouched and waited for her signal. The cat wasn't sure what it would be, but knew it would come.

The hole was not very big. Nevertheless, she knew she could make it through due to her smaller size. She crawled in with the animals. Jack pushed against her with his head and whinnied. She rubbed his nose to quiet him.

"What was that?” One of the men looked in the direction of the horses.

Shyanne flattened herself against the wall as best she could and prayed they would not come investigate.

"It's just the horses. Pay attention.” Both men turned back to the entrance and resumed their watch for her.

With relief, she peered in Drayco's direction. His head leaned back against the wall; his eyes were closed. One of his eyes was purple and badly swollen. His lip was split near the corner; dried blood crusted his chin. He seemed so pale. Her blood boiled at the sight of the beating he had endured. She wanted to reassure him, to let him know she was there, but couldn't chance it. She was trying to think of her next move when a devilish plan came to her.

I hope Drizzle knows what to do when the commotion starts.

Shyanne hoped Drayco would be safe during the melee that was about to occur. He was in the far corner away from the other men, which helped her with her decision. She reached up and grabbed Jack's halter. With her free arm, she started to shout and wave it wildly. The other horses were so startled by the sudden motion that they bolted from the room. The men by the doorway that led outside were equally as startled. They recovered quickly, though, and threw themselves out of harm's way. Or so they thought.

The horses started for the only exit to the outside world, the door where the men once stood. The animals had almost reached it when Drizzle blocked their way. He let out with a deep growl, followed by a loud roar. The sight of the snarling humecat was too much for them. Their eyes rolled back until only the whites showed and they started to buck and rear in any direction they could, except the one where the big cat was.

The two men never had a chance. Shyanne turned her head away, unable to watch as they were kicked and stomped several times. Unfortunately, she could still hear their bones breaking. Screams bounced off the walls, then only moans when the men were unable to scream anymore.

Drizzle waited until he knew the men could not get up before herding the horses into the back room again. The cat stayed by the opening between the rooms. His presence prevented the horses from stampeding through the main room and hurting Shyanne or Drayco.

Shyanne waited with Jack until the animals were in the farthest corner, trembling with fear, before she checked on the two men and Drayco. Her boot knife appeared; it sliced through the bonds holding her brother with ease.

"Are they dead?” he asked, barely able to speak.

"No. But they aren't far from it."

Putting the knife away, she grabbed his ice cold hands and started to rub them. Her brother winced when the pinpricks of returning circulation grew in intensity. The hands remained as pale as the rest of him even after warmth had settled in. She poured a small amount of water into a cup.

"Here, drink this."

He tried to hold the cup, but his hands shook uncontrollably. Shyanne took it from him and gently poured a small amount into his mouth. After a couple of swallows, he motioned for her to stop.

"The water is helping, but I need something else to get my strength back."

"Is it anything I can get? Bread, cheese?"

"No,” he said in a matter of fact tone. “I need blood. It is the only thing that can help me at this point."

Using the wall as a support, Drayco struggled to his feet. He stumbled to the burly man's side, his weak and battered body fighting him the whole way. Brom lay sprawled to the left of the door, moaning. Judging from the odd angle of his arms, both were broken. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

"What have you done? Why can't I move my legs?"

"My guess would be that your back is broken,” Drayco said calmly. “And I didn't do anything. The horses did.” Shyanne walked up behind her brother.

"You! I should have known you were behind this!” He started to cough. Blood sprayed outward like a fan. He was bleeding internally.

Moss started to whimper. Shyanne went to check on him. He screamed with pain when he tried to move. “My legs! My legs!” Blood spattered into the air with each word. “Aaahh ... my chest, it hurts so bad!” Tears mingled with the blood on his face.

"If he can, I want him to watch what I'm going to do.” Drayco knelt beside the burly man.

Shyanne knelt beside Moss. He looked into her eyes. He was in a lot of pain, but he obviously knew what was going on. “Don't move. You'll only make the pain worse if you do.” She placed her hands on either side of his head and forced him to look toward her brother. She hung her own head low, unable to watch what was about to occur. It had been a long time since she had seen this side of her twin; the memories it brought back were frightening.

"I need information,” Drayco said, “and you have it. I want to know who this Boss is and what he wants with my sister."

"I knew it! I knew you two were related! You'll get nothin’ out of me!"

"Oh, I think I can help you change your mind.” Drayco gave one of the broken arms a wicked twist.

The punished man emitted a blood-curdling scream, followed by laughter. He looked at his tormentor with a crazy glaze in his eyes, and repeated, “You won't get nothin’ out of me ... no matter what you do!” He spat blood at Drayco, missing him by a mile.

"I guess since you won't cooperate with me, there's no further use for you."

"What does that mean? What are you going to do?” A glint of fear blended in with the crazy look. “You can't kill me. If you do, you won't get the information you want!"

"You're not going to help me anyways, so what difference does it make?” Drayco grabbed Brom by the hair and pulled his head abruptly to the side. The dark man sank his teeth into the exposed neck. He ripped a chunk of flesh out and started to drink the life juices pumping from the wound. Brom tried to pull his head away. The condition of his body prevented it.