She ignored the barb and moved back to her place against the wall. She should sit if she planned to make relaxed conversation. Although sitting in the presence of a possible enemy certainly wouldn’t relax her.
But the challenge of appearing nonchalant would give her something to work at. No matter what, she had to learn more about this stranger.
6
After Brielle settled herself across from her prisoner, silence sank over the room. What meaningless bit of chatter could she offer to set the man at ease? “Audrey should be here soon with your morning meal. Have you need of anything else?”
Her mind sped ahead to what he might ask for, but the first possibility made heat rise up her neck. Hopefully, Philip had shown him where he could take care ofthatpersonal concern. Although she’d probably have to be around for the need at some point if she took part in regular guard duty.
Blessedly, Evan shook his head. “Food sounds good. I still have a bit of water from what she left last night.” He motioned to a wooden cup beside his pallet.
Good. “If you have need of anything, let your guard know.” That sounded friendly enough.
“It’d sure be nice to see daylight again.” He raised his brows and one corner of his mouth tipped in a hopeful half-smile.
Her own mouth twitched. “Dawn is just breaking over the eastern mountains.” She couldn’t tell him when he might get to see the sun rise again. That would depend on him. And how willing he was to speak of his business here. Sheneeded to pull every detail she could before council’s vote. But hopefully her answer would suffice.
His gaze dipped down to her feet. “You’ve been for a walk already?”
He must be seeing the wetness of her moccasins. She’d expected him to be observant, and she’d been right. Of course, he’d been staring at the same dark walls for more than half a day now. It made sense he would notice any new details in the space.
“A short hunting trip.”
His brows lifted. “Did you get anything?”
“A caribou. You might be eating the meat in one of your meals soon.”
He pressed his lips together, and his head dropped flat against the fur. “Sounds great. It’s been a while since I’ve had fresh meat. Not sure I’ve ever tasted caribou.”
“The herds are plentiful around here,” she said slowly. He must have seen them if he’d been exploring as he said. Did his gun not work?
No one would dare travel without a weapon capable of bringing down food. She’d not tested his musket, only placed the weapon with his packs and saddle in a corner of their quarters. In truth, she hated guns. Their people only possessed the few they’d obtained from the English party who wrought so much damage the last time.
A bow accomplished her purpose well without so much torment for her prey, especially with the concoction she dipped the arrowheads in.
She made a note to check his belongings, though. They might give her more insight into the man and his purposes.
He’d turned to watch her again, so she refocused herattention on him. “I saw a couple herds the day before you took me captive, but I still had plenty of roasted meat. I’ve been eating food cold for a while now.”
This was her opening for a few casual questions. “Where did you explore before you came to this land?” She kept her voice lightly curious.
He matched her easy tone. “I’ve been traveling northwest. I’d heard the mountains are different the farther north you go, so I was curious to see how. I didn’t expect them to have built-in tunnels and caves with people living inside them.” This time the grin twinkled in his eyes.
“Yes, well. I doubt you’ll find that in many of the other mountains around. What other changes have you seen?” She didn’t have to feign curiosity with this question. Only had to keep herself from leaning in for his answer.
“The ice, for one. It looks like entire parts of some of these mountains are made up simply of ice. Farther south, many of the peaks stay covered in snow, but it’s only a layer over the rock. Not the entire structure.”
Interesting. “Why do you think that is?”
“The cold, I’m guessing.” He shrugged, as though shaking off the chill. “We don’t have to wear furs in the winter back home. We can even walk around in shirtsleeves during the summer months.”
As that idea turned in her mind, he spoke again. “The sun isn’t as bright here, either, and darkness seems to last much longer, even into daylight hours.”
She propped her hands on her knees. “How much longer? Our summer days are brighter, perhaps more like you’re accustomed to.”
His brows lowered and he grew silent, probably tryingto make sense of her words. He could do his thinking later, though. Now that she had him talking, maybe he would tell her more. “What other differences have you noticed?”
Another smile lit his eyes. “The caribou. I’d heard of them, but never saw them until those two herds I mentioned.”
