She stepped out of the cave, searching the ground. There, a cluster of fallen branches looked to have what she needed. She selected three of the sturdiest, all about the same size and returned to their packs. It took her three trips to haul Ari's large pouches and the branches into the cave, but finally all their belongings were safe inside.
e had chosen well, much as she hated to admit it, even to herself. She sighed and opened one of his pouches. It didn't take long before she found some rope and a small iron pot. As she rummaged further, she found more necessary tools, including a large wooden spoon. Once more, she wondered why he traveled so long and alone. He'd equipped himself with the needs of a man on a quest. Again she wondered what sort of quest. If only he would answer her questions.
Those answers would come, she vowed. In the meantime, she had to continue to earn his trust so he would be more likely to reveal his secrets. Determined not to let thoughts of him consume her entire focus, she turned her attention to the three branches. In minutes, using the rope she'd taken from his pack, she'd made a secure brace that fit over the stones encircling the fire and would hold the iron pot. Once more rummaging through Ari's pack, she pulled out a small bucket.
Water from the stream soon filled the bucket and Thora poured it into the pot. Keeping her concentration on the fire, she picked up a smaller stick and poked at the flames. As the kindling and wood broke apart, the fire settled. Perfect. She carefully arranged the tripod around the stone circle and then hooked the pot to the dangling rope.
Giving Kata a glance to ensure the animal's safety, Thora once more stepped outside the cave and searched. There, just what she needed. Both wild onions and angelica grew in a cluster near a gathering of trees beside the stream. She knelt beside the fluted stems with its curled leaves and studied the greenery. She knew enough of plants, having been taught by the women of her clan after her mother's death, to recognize this was safe to eat. If Ari caught some fish she could boil the leaves with it. She gathered several onions and a clump of the angelica and returned to the cave to prepare them.
She pulled one of the knives from her pack. How easily the handle of the blade twisted in her hand and she savored the feel of the weapon. Since Ari had forbidden her this morning to wear the knife on her belt, she'd missed the comfort of the blade. It had offered a sense of protection and she sorely needed that, though no knife would protect her from the danger Ari posed.
Focusing on her task, she soon readied the angelica and onions. The water in the pot began to bubble. How long had Ari been gone? The last of the daylight had faded some time ago. Shouldn't he have returned by now?
"Damn his soul, Kata, he wants me to worry."
Thora paced along the edge of the cave's entrance, watching for any sign of Ari or Kati in the trees. She turned her attention to another section of forest, wishing one or both would soon show themselves.
The realization she didn't know who she wanted to see more left her stomach churning.
A rustle in the nearby brush drew her attention. Kati? With caution as her guide, she stepped toward the cluster of bushes at the edge of the stream. Her attention also remained on the opposite bank, knowing any sort of creature might linger within the thick growth of underbrush.
A moment later, Kati bounded out of the bushes and to her side. A surge of relief that a wild animal didn't attack left her knees shaking, and she sank to the ground, wrapping her arms around her pet.
"He's quite a hunter."
Ari's voice drew her gaze to him as he walked alongside the stream. On his belt hung several hares. Thora stood, enthralled once again by the heat in his stare.
"Kati caught all those?'
"He caught the first four. The other four are mine. He flushed them all out, made it easy for me."
"We'll feast tonight."
Ari nodded and unhooked the hares from the belt, handing them to her. She took them and headed toward the cave. Kati immediately went to Kata's side. Aware of Ari standing nearby, Thora forced her focus on skinning the hares and preparing them to cook.
"Will you fetch me sticks to roast them with, please?"
She kept her tone cool, yet with a hint of command. After several moments of silence passed, she looked up from her work. Once again, Ari's sea-colored gaze held a hint of anger and despite her efforts to suppress it, she shivered.
"Are you giving me orders?"
So that was his problem. How she resisted the urge to throw a rock at his head, she might never know.
"Must I do everything? Am I a slave?"
He shook his head. "No, but you are the one indebted to me, remember?"
"I do, since you remind me of it at every opportunity. However, if you wish to eat, I need sticks to spit the hares. If you cannot assist, you will starve."
He chuckled. "I do like your spirit, Thora. More than I probably should. Very well, I will be back in a few minutes."
He turned and strode out of the cave. Thora held back the need to release a cry of vexation. She looked over at the wolves, both now settled on the furs.
"He's insufferable," she said. Did she imagine it, or did Kata nod? "He's lucky I don't have corncockle, or I'd poison his meal."
She had just finished skinning the fourth hare when Ari returned with several long, thin sticks. Maintaining her silence, she continued to work until all four of the hares had been readied and spitted on the sticks. She laid the animals across the fire and checked the pot. The onions and angelica boiled at a rapid pace, filling the cave with an enticing aroma. Soon the scent of the cooking meat mingled and Thora realized just how very hungry she was. She gathered the remaining four hares and carried them over to her pets. She gave each animal a gentle stroke on their heads. Returning to the fire, she turned the meat, their juices sizzling and crackling in flames. Sensing Ari's stare on her once more, she met his gaze.
"Why do you always watch me?"
