Evan struggled to sit up as his guard stood. The man grunted with the action, as though his joints ached with rheumatism.
Evan’s body hummed with impatience, but he forced himself not to show eagerness. He couldn’t let this man think he had anything planned but a simple trip to the privy.
But instead of coming nearer to loose the binds around Evan’s ankles, the guard motioned toward the dark corner. “There’s dirt in the corner. Just hobble over.”
Disappointment sank through him as he peered toward the spot. Did they truly plan to never let him out of this tiny closet? He would go mad trapped within these rock walls. Even now they closed in around him. He squeezed his eyes shut against the sensation, drawing in labored breaths.
“Go, if you plan to.” The guard motioned toward the corner again, impatience thickening his accent.
Evan opened his eyes and steadied his breathing, forcinghis mind to think rationally. He should use this opportunity to relieve himself, for he certainly wouldn’t be doing so if either of the women came back. And maybe he should start showing these people he meant them no harm. A friendly conversation would be a good start.
Rolling to his hands and knees proved no easy feat with pain twisting its blade in his stomach. By the time he worked his way up to standing, he could only take in tiny gasps of air. He stood motionless to let his body adjust and focused on thin inhales to keep away the darkness threatening the edges of his vision.
When his body finally settled, he sent a glance at the guard.
The man watched him with the corners of his mouth tipped, even as his nose squinted in a knowing look. “Brielle’s arrow leaves a lasting mark, eh? I always wondered what that potion would do to a man. The concoction knocks caribou into sound sleep.”
Evan had too little control of himself to stop his glare. Did the man mean to say they never tested the poison on a human? The she-warrior really hadn’t cared if he lived or died. He’d better not depend on her female sensibilities. Mayhap she wasn’t really a female at all. What woman had the nerve to shoot a deer, much less a fellow human being? Certainly none he’d ever met.
“Will you cut my legs free so I can walk?”
The man shook his head. “You can shuffle to the corner.”
Evan bit back a retort and started across the span. It shouldn’t bother him so much to be degraded in front of this man. Something about him seemed like he could be friendly if he wanted to. Maybe Evan’s goal for now should be to make the man amiable toward him.
When he reached the dark corner, he searched for a topic that wouldn’t arouse suspicion. “I hear a bit of French in your accent, but I’m amazed at how well all of you speak the American tongue.” Maybe he should have saidBritishtongue so they wouldn’t know where his allegiance lay, but the word slipped out before he thought about it. Did this village know of the war in the east? If so, did they side with Britain? This place was secluded, though, far west of the Canadas.
He slid a glance toward the man to see his reaction.
The guard’s brow furrowed. “You are from the American colonies then?”
Evan barely caught his confusion before it showed on his face. The only colonies in the New World were the British colonies of Canada. Except for the French ones far to the south. But American colonies ...?
Had these people really been so isolated that they didn’t know America had fought fiercely to gain their independence nearly forty years before? And the United States had been fighting again to keep that independence these last three years. What question could he ask to test the man’s knowledge without raising suspicion?
He replayed the guard’s last statement in his mind. He’d have to betray his allegiances. But then, maybe he’d already done so. Better to be clear than make the man think he was hedging or had something to hide. “I’m from the American states.”
The man’s brows lifted. “States? Britain allowed the colonies to become states?” His surprise couldn’t be feigned. And he must assume they were still under Britain’s rule, as if the great people of America wouldn’t have the ability to break free of Britain’s domineering thumb. He’d often heard ofthat attitude prevalent amongst Tories during the days of the revolution.
How much should Evan tell? Would these people even believe him? The war had been fought. America firmly secured its independence. All they need do to confirm his news would be to send a scout down east to learn the truth. This part was no secret. Nor should it endanger his life. Hopefully.
Readjusting his tunic, he turned to face the man, propping his hand against the stone wall to keep from swaying each time a wave of vertigo passed through him. “The American colonies fought and won their independence from Britain back in 1776. We’re a free country, made up of thirteen states.” Better to stop there.
The man’s dropped jaw seemed to indicate that what little Evan had shared was plenty enough for him to take in.
“You can’t mean it.” The guard snapped his mouth shut, apparently realizing he shouldn’t reveal his shock so plainly.
Evan nodded, but the blackness flooding his vision made him regret the movement. “It’s true.”
The man’s tone turned almost wistful. “I’ll bet there have been lots of changes we don’t know about.”
Evan worked to form a question that might help him understand more about these people. But a new bout of spinning forced him to squeeze his eyes shut.
When he opened them, the man was studying him. He motioned to the fur Evan had been laying on. “You better lay back down before you fall.”
Evan shuffled forward. The man was more right than he wanted to admit.
When he reached the fur, he dropped his hands down first, then lowered himself to his knees. He’d just started to easedown onto his side when a single tap on the door sounded. The wood panel opened, and Brielle stepped in.
