A Warrior s Desire - By Pamela Palmer Page 0,50

resignation.

And, finally, acceptance.

"You're stubborn, you know that?" "As are you."

The wry grin that broke over his face melted something deep inside her.

"Yeah," he said.

"I am.

I think that's why I like you so much."

He shook his head.

"I'd really prefer to keep you safe."

Tarrys smiled, ruefully.

"As I would you.

I suppose neither of us will get their wish."

Charlie sighed.

"I guess not.

We'll do this together, then."

He led the way, stopping a short while later.

"There it is."

Tarrys peered around him.

In the distance, an opening in the crystal revealed the bright gold of the Esrian sky.

"No bushes," Charlie muttered.

"If they're waiting for us, they're going to have a clean shot.

Do you know this place? Do you know what the terrain is like out there?" "Cliffs.

Steep paths down the mountainside."

Her eyes widened as she stared at him.

"You can't run and leap, if that's what you were thinking."

"It was a thought.

Okay."

Rubbing his hands together, he eyed the cave mouth.

"Let's do this."

He turned sideways, as much as he was able, and motioned her to do the same.

Then, together, they eased their way toward the cave's mouth.

With each careful step, Tarrys's heart pounded a little faster, a little harder until she thought it would fly from her chest.

Slavery she could survive.

Even living without Charlie would be bearable as long as she knew he was back in his world and safe.

But watching him die would destroy her.

And if the Esri were out there, waiting, that's exactly what would happen.

Tarrys forced herself to breathe, pushing back the panic that crowded her lungs.

She had to remain calm and focused to be of any help to him at all.

Charlie held up his hand, a silent command to stop while he peered out.

The cave entrance was higher than the one on the other side of the mountain and he could almost stand erect.

The scent of fresh air wafted around her, welcoming and worrisome.

"Do you see anything?" she whispered.

He shook his head and took another step.

Tarrys did the same, watching for any shadow, any sign of movement as she followed him closer to the outside.

Slowly, the valley below became visible, shrouded in mist.

But still, she saw nothing move.

A couple feet from the entrance, Charlie stopped and hooked his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close.

"Be careful."

"You, too."

As soon as he released her, she pulled her bow and grabbed an arrow, ready to counterattack.

Arrows wouldn't hurt an Esri, but one aimed just right might slow him down.

Or make him miss his own shot.

And that might be all it took to keep Charlie alive.

Charlie held up one finger.

Two.

As he held up three, he ducked low and lunged for the cave's mouth.

Tarrys followed close behind.

The brightness of the day hurt her eyes as she ran behind him, down the steep path, moving side to side as he'd told her to.

But no arrows came sailing at them.

No shouts.

A dozen yards down the path, Charlie ducked behind a boulder, his back to the red rock, and she joined him.

"Do you sense anyone?" he asked.

"No.

Do you?" "No."

"Then why are we hiding?" He grinned at her.

"It seemed like the smarter place to ask the question.

But it does appear we've beaten them.

How far to the Forest of Nightmares?" "Several days' journey."

"We'll have to run," Charlie said.

"That'll be hard in the mists."

"You mean that fog in the valley? Won't it lift?" "No.

These are the mist lands.

It's always like this."

"That might be good news if they couldn't sense us any better than we can sense them."

But they could all follow his death mark.

"How far do the mists extend?" "They end a few miles from the Forest of Nightmares.

We'll be in them almost the entire journey."

"Great," he muttered.

"How are we supposed to find our way through them?" Tarrys rose.

"I'll lead you through."

Charlie stood beside her, peering around them in all directions.

"Do you have some kind of internal compass or something?" "I'm not sure what a compass is, but I know the way.

I've been through here before.

And I understand my world."

"Then you're the official guide."

A short while later, they reached the bottom of the path and slipped into mists so thick she had to grip Charlie's hand to find him.

She prayed she was leading him to safety.

And not to his death.

"This stuff tastes like turpentine," Charlie muttered three days later, draining the canteen that contained the last of the carnasserie root infusion, the antidote to the black trimor's poison.

They'd come upon one of the bushes their first day in the mist lands.

"It's saving your life.

Give thanks, ungrateful one."

Tarrys sat behind him on the stairs, kneading the tense muscles