Sparkles of pink and purple shone near her head, reflecting the light of the fire. Corundum! Or was it carborundum? Either way, it could be a weapon.
Reaching toward it, she began to pry it from the dirt.
“Where are you traveling to?” the first bandit questioned. He had pocketed the coins, but his other hand held a knife. It was pointed at Erich.
“To the White Palace. To speak with King Gareth.”
The man holding the knife bent forward laughing. “You hear that, fellows? He thinks he’s going to see King Gareth, but he only has three coins to share with his fellow mates.” He stood abruptly, bringing the knife even closer to Erich.
Aizel wanted to slap her forehead. He could blithely lie about being alone, but he couldn’t think of a better excuse than to be traveling to the biggest capital on the continent.
“We don’t want to harm you, friend,” said the man with the knife. “Do we, fellows?”
A chorus of voices affirmed his words. “No, no. We hate harming folks.”
“We avoid it at all when possible,” a woman’s voice pitched in.
“Much rather share some coin than harm a man.” Their voices combined were an odd mix of happy and regretful over an action they hadn’t even committed yet.
The tension in the small glade squeezed its way into Aizel’s lungs.
She watched as the leader dropped his knife hand and pointed the small blade toward the ground. He leaned back on the balls of his feet, giving himself more room to spread his arms.
The carborundum finally wiggled loose from the packed dirt. Aizel gripped it tightly.
“Don’t make us hurt you.” The man practically begged. “We hate to see it happen to a good fellow such as yourself, but what is one supposed to do?”
For a brief moment, Aizel held her breath, wondering if this was the perfect answer to her problem. If she sat back and did nothing, these bandits would take care of Erich for her and she wouldn’t have to murder him.
She could still report back to the king, but she wouldn’t have to do the horrifying deed herself.
“I’ve been traveling for quite some time now, and my reserves are running dry,” Erich said, licking his lips. Aizel could see the fear in his eyes.
The leader of the bandits slumped his shoulders in defeat, shaking his head. “I told you we didn’t want to do this, but you are giving us no choice, my friend. Do we have a choice, fellows?”
Again, the chorus of affirming words rose around the campfire.
“You said it, boss.”
“He ain’t leaving us no choice.”
“It’s downright terrible it is.” The final voice definitely belonged to a woman, but Aizel couldn’t tell which one she was.
The leader’s blade flashed in the light of the flames as he casually brought it to rest against Erich’s collarbone.
“You... you could consider not doing it this one time, perhaps?” Erich offered. His skin was beginning to look shiny.
Aizel held herself in place. If she waited just a few more moments, her problem would be over. Well, one of her problems would be over, the most immediate one.
“I’m terribly sorry, friend.” The leader clamped his other hand around the back of Erich’s neck and stepped aside so he could guide the prince toward the fire.
Aizel closed her eyes, unable to watch what would happen next.
“This is really very upsetting,” the leader continued. “To all of us.”
“Myself included,” Erich said, his typical dry humor coming out, as though he was trying to defuse the situation.
The leader laughed, slapping Erich on the back.
