Chapter 8
Light brightened the inside lids of Sage’s eyes. She opened them and blinked at the sunlight filling the room. She sat up, immediately running her hands across her torso, feeling inside her armor for the book. The book pressed up against her ribs. It was still there. She mentally scoffed to herself. What did she think? That Marcus would have searched her while she slept and removed it from inside her armor without her knowing? He wasn’t that skilled.
She looked around the room for him, but he wasn’t there. She had almost finished copying the book the night before. She had started decoding it in case Marcus asked her about deciphering it. She could show him the work she had done by displaying the alphabet parchment. She reached into her armor and pulled out the book, staring at it. She ran her thumb thoughtfully over the leather. She loved the feel of the soft cover against her fingertips, the weight of the book, and even the smell.
But she knew that to escape, she would have to leave it. Leave it with a man who killed Brother Nicolas. Nicolas had warned her not to trust anyone. And she wouldn’t.
She opened the book and removed the parchment. She glanced toward the open door but saw no one. She only heard the tinging of a hammer striking steel and knew someone was working in the smithy. She turned to the last page, grasped the quill and ink, and began copying the book—only one page to go.
She heard footsteps coming up the stairs and quickly blew on the parchment to dry the ink before folding it and tucking it into her boot. So close to finishing! She turned the book to the first page when Marcus appeared in the doorway
“You’re up.”
She looked up…
And froze.
He had removed his monk’s robe. He wore black boots that came up to his knees, black leggings that fit snugly against his muscular thighs, and a dark green tunic that covered his torso, open at the neck to aV. His belt and scabbard were wrapped around his waist.
Sage’s mouth dropped slightly. She hadn’t known he had such a strong physique. His tunic clung tightly over his arms and chest. She closed her mouth and tucked the book into her armor before standing. Her gaze swept him, and she put her hands on her hips. “You didn’t like pretending to be a monk?”
“I wanted to be less conspicuous. We will be leaving soon.”
She glanced longingly at her belt and sheath, where they lay on the floor. “Where are we going?”
He ignored her. “How is the decoding proceeding?”
She shrugged. “It’s difficult. It will take time to figure it all out.” And even more time because she couldn’t read.
“The sooner you decode that book, the better it will be for all of us.”
That sounded like a threat. Her stare traveled over him. “I’m doing what I can.” She put her hands together at the wrists and held them out for him to bind.
He looked at her hands and then at her face. “It would be less conspicuous to travel without having to tie you.”
She lowered her hands. Less conspicuous, but foolish. She nodded.
“I do not want to have to chase you again.”
“You won’t have to,” she agreed.
“You won’t try to escape again?”
She grinned. “Next time, you won’t find me.”
He sighed softly in resignation and held his hand out. “Give me the book.”
Stupid, she berated herself. She stood defiantly still for a long moment before tearing the black leather-bound book from inside her armor and slapping it into his palm.
He nodded and gathered up her sword and belt. Then, he swept an arm out for her to move down the stairs.
He was pretty smart to realize she wouldn’t attempt escape without the book or her weapon. If only she had finished copying the book. She descended the stairs, thanked Gareth, and stepped outside.
Thomas held the reins of the horse. When the boy turned to the horse to check the bridle, Sage glanced down. The small piece of parchment she had dropped the night before was still there. She was using the parchment from Brother Nicolas’s desk. Last night, she had ripped it into several small pieces and put them in the pocket of her breeches.
She grinned. She was leaving a path for her sisters.
As they rode along the road, Sage wondered where her sisters were. Had they met up with her father, as they intended to? They must be searching for her. Where were they?
