Safire Dire and Maydire Chapter 2

“You sit in front of me.” I snapped at Maxwell as he tried to climb behind me.

“You still don’t trust me?” He replied pretending to be hurt.

“I only trust Maydire. Plus you know where we are going.” I spoke dryly while looking him over. For an escaped prisoner he looked fairly put together. Covering his long lanky frame was a long black cloak that was a similar style to my dark brown cloak. I noticed that his shoes seemed to be larger than his feet and that he kept pulling his pants up. “Did you steal those?” The question slipped out before I could stop it.

He tilted his head up to me causing his short straight black hair to move slightly. His honey comb brown eyes glinted mischievously as he turned to me. “I had to. I couldn’t go around in my prison smock.” He shrugged with a smirk.

“You have to do what you have to do to survive. I’m not one to judge.” I stated wondering why I was purposely prolonging our conversation when I usually avoid talking.

“So you’re not going to ask why I was locked up in the first place?” He inquired raising an eyebrow as he stood next to Maydire preparing to jump up.

“I haven’t even asked where we are going. Your business isn’t any of my business and the less I know the less drama I’ll have. I won’t ask unless it’ll mean you’ll pay me more.” I snarked only partially kidding.

“I like you. You have a good sense of the world.” He replied with a chuckle, while hoisting himself up. Once he was up my nose was filled with an earthy scent that was more pleasant than it should have been.

“What do you like about me? You don’t know me.” I shot back while nudging Maydire to start walking.

“I like your honesty. Honest people are hard to come by in this world.” He tossed his words over his shoulder.

I went silent to contemplate his words. This stranger thinks he knows me which may be his downfall. I haven’t decided whether I like him or not. If he gives me the money like he’s been saying he will then I won’t kill him. We rode in silence until it starts to get dark again.

Maydire stops in a clearing that’s off the side of the road. “Wait what are you doing? We have to keep moving they’ll find me.” Maxwell protested.

“We’ll be safe here. We need to rest. If you’d like to continue by yourself be my guest. Just mind the wildlife and the rogues that wonder these parts looking for people who are lost.” I warn while slipping off Maydire unrolling my sleeping bag.

“Fine.” He sighed realizing that he would die within the first few steps of his walk and slid himself off of Maydire.

“So impatient to get to where ever we are going. You must trust them to protect you from the guards you’re running from.” I stated while giving Maydire her food.

“Family always does,” he replied shortly. While settling on the ground.

Ah so I’m taking him to his family. Now that makes sense. “Why go to your family when you’re a wanted man? That’ll put them in danger.” I questioned unable to help my curiosity. I knew I should just shut my mouth but this man is getting more interesting the more I’m around him.

“I’m wanted for a crime I didn’t commit and they’ll know that and protect me. My family has a reputation.” He assured me.

“Aren’t we all wanted for a crime that we didn’t commit?” I snark dryly while eating some nuts and berries I collected earlier.

“Of course but I really did not do this one. I only wish I had been the one brilliant enough to get away with murdering the former Mayor Marcus Matclov.” He leaned against a tree not realizing what his words did to me.

His words sent a shock wave through me and everything clicked. He was the bartender at the former Mayor’s party. I don’t know how I didn’t recognize him sooner. The guards must have been desperate to catch the person who did it so they framed Maxwell. “You don’t seem to be sorry that he was murdered. What did he do to you?” I had to ask.

“He did nothing to me directly. He hired me to be the bartender at his last party. It’s what he did to my sister that made me glad that he’s dead.” He replied, giving me a curious look.

“What did he do to her?” I asked wondering if she was one of the victims I was avenging.

“He took her virginity when she was twelve and left her injured body on the side of the road naked in the middle of winter. When my family and I found her she was alive enough to tell us what had happened to her but shortly after she died in my arms.” His eyes went cold as he spoke.

There was so much sorrow and pain in his voice that it compelled me to sit next to him. “I’m very sorry about your sister. The former Mayor took my own virginity when I was thirteen. However I was lucky enough to escape to the stables where I found Maydire when she was still a young foal. We have looked out for each other ever since.” Bringing up the past after over a decade had gone by since it happened was something I didn’t do normally.

“You must have been pleased when you heard he had been murdered.” He turned his soft honey brown eyes to me.

“I’d say I’m more relieved after it was over. It does not please me to murder people. It’s easy to trick selfish men into drinking poison.” I’ve been more honest with this stranger than any other stranger. I need to get a grip.

He stared at me for a very long moment and leaned forward to get a better look at my face. “So that’s why you’re familiar to me. You were the last one to dance with the former Mayor before he died.” He spoke slowly with a smile creeping over his lips.

“Yes and you were the one who provided me with the drink I needed to finish the deed.” I replied, giving a small smile. I searched his kind eyes for any signs of deception and found nothing. I guess time will tell if I have to kill him or not. I wouldn’t hate having a human friend, but good people are so hard to come by these days.

“That kind of makes us partners in a way.” His low voice mused with a chuckle. Gazing at me so strongly that I felt blood rush to my cheeks. What is happening to me?

“More like you unknowingly helped me with my plan.” I scoffed with a smirk while eating a handful of nuts.

“Fair enough.” He agreed then paused for a few moments. “Is the former Mayor the reason you don’t trust people?”

“One of the reasons sure. I don’t trust people because I was stolen away from my parents when I was so young that I don’t remember them anymore. I was a gift to the former Mayor.” I shuddered at the memory. “It’s too dangerous to trust people. I can’t risk it.”

“That sounds like a lonely way to live.” He observed while leaning against a tree staring at me.

“It’s not so bad. I have Maydire.” I shrugged purposely avoiding his eyes. “Are you hungry?”

He continued to look at me until I caught his gaze. He looked like he wanted to say something more but decided against it. “Starving,” he answered.

“Have some of these.” I handed him the bag I was holding.

“Thank you.” He smiled.

Suddenly, Maydire strutted over to us and laid down in front of us and put her head in my lap. “Hey, beautiful, rest well,” I gently kissed her nose as she sniffed my hair before settling back down to close her eyes.

“I’ve never seen a bond like the two of yours before,” Maxwell remarked gesturing between Maydire and I.

“We have been through hell together and have grown together.” I replied, giving him a sideways glance.

“Earning someone’s trust is hard work but worth it in the end.” He stared off into the distance for a moment.

“Until they break your trust, which is why I trust animals more than people.” I sighed stretching out in my sleeping bag

“Then why are you trusting me to lead you to a place you don’t know?” He questioned raising his eyebrows.

“You assume too much about me. I don’t trust you. I know these parts well. I’ll know where we are even if you don’t tell me.” I laughed while rolling my eyes. Little does he know I’ve grown up in these woods. The people who stole me from my parents taught me how to live off the land and track animals and murder those who deserve death. Useful skills for one who lives a life like mine.

“I’m learning more the longer I’m around you.” He drawled giving me a wide smirk.

“You know what I let you know. Nothing more nothing less.” I spoke evenly. Why is this man both fascinating and extremely irritating?How is that even possible?

“You can trust me. I know you won’t until you’re ready, but I’m a patient man. We are already partners in crime.” He said sincerely.

“I’ll be honest, most of me would like to trust you but the more stubborn part of me won’t trust you.” I admitted.

“Understandable. Maybe once you get to know me better you’ll be able to trust me. Maybe once you trust me we could be friends.” He replied smoothly.

“Maybe.” I stated locking eyes with him. “You should get some rest. I’ll take first watch.” I added.

“I’ll accept a maybe.” He shrugged. “Since you offered I could use some rest. Wake me up whenever. Goodnight, Safire.” He yawned as he pulled the extra blanket from my pack over him.

“Goodnight, Maxwell,” I sighed, while shaking my head. I’ve never had the opportunity to make a friend before. I’ve only ever talked to the ones who trained me and I would not call any of them my friends. I’ve only done what I’ve needed to do to stay alive.

I absentmindedly stroked Maydire’s mane as I thought. In theory a human friend would be nice. Is Maxwell a good person to call a friend? So far, yes, but I don’t know him well enough to say for sure.

The sound of branches snapping caught my attention and pulled me from my thoughts. I looked up to see a dark outline of a person lurking a few feet away from us. I ready my bow. “Who’s there?” I exclaimed loud enough to wake Maxwell.

To be continued…

Here is the newest chapter of the new week! Thank you for the continued support. Don’t forget to follow, like, comment, and share!

• Waking Up in Space (7)
  I woke up on my side with a blanket on me and my head on a pillow. When I opened my eyes the first thing I saw was the most expensive unbelievable dark black sky with smatterings of various colored lights. There were so many different colors that I had to squint to let myContinue reading “Waking Up in Space (7)”
• Waking Up in Space (6)
  “Definitely, just keep it interesting I hate a boring tour guide.” I sassed good naturedly. “Well in that case you better leave the tour to me.” Sébastien chuckled while pulling both Oliver and I to our feet. “Down this hall there are four doors the first one is Oliver’s room. The second door is myContinue reading “Waking Up in Space (6)”
• Waking Up in Space (5)
  “You’re doing great. It’s almost done. I knew I couldn’t be the only one who finds the scan ticklish.” Sébastien encouraged me with a smile. I looked up at him and noticed that he had incredibly unique opaque blue eyes. “Thanks.” I chuckled then winced. Now that my adrenaline had started to wear off IContinue reading “Waking Up in Space (5)”
• Waking Up in Space (4)
  “Is that what you two are calling it? Friendship?” Oliver teased while walking over to us after pressing a few more buttons. “Shut up,” Sébastien grumbled, while turning a darker shade of pink. “I’m just saying when they’re together they act more than friends.” Oliver sassed with a roll of his eyes as he satContinue reading “Waking Up in Space (4)”
• Waking Up in Space (3)
  “First time in a spaceship?” Oliver smirked on his way by me to take a seat at the front of the ship. Past his seat there was a huge window. Don’t get the wrong idea when I say huge. This window was the entire front of this ship. “Ahhuh,” I nodded while trying to makeContinue reading “Waking Up in Space (3)”