Free Light of Epertase 01: Legends Reborn by Douglas R. Brown Page A

you.
    “I can tell that about you.” She hesitated with a slight grin.
    You don’t fear me from these stories you’ve heard?
    “I like to make my own judgments and from what I’ve seen, you have done nothing but help me.”
    You are a princess. You cannot be here with a criminal.
    Her eyes went wide and she ignored his concerns as she blurted, “I brought supplies.” She ran to a pack that rested against the cave wall near the entrance. She returned, full of enthusiasm, and presented it to him like a Matthew Day’s gift.
    I don’t understand.
    “I just thought … maybe … you could use some things.” She dug into the bag with tremendous zeal before pulling out a frilly white handkerchief wrapped around something silver. With the huge grin never leaving her lips, she unrolled her prize – a set of eating utensils.
    Rasi forced a smile but his labored attempt gave him away. Her shoulders slouched. “How silly of me,” she said and turned away. “You don’t need things like this out here.”
    Rasi strained to come up with comforting words and then they came to him. Nonsense. Do you know how long it has been since I was able to enjoy a meal like a regular man?
    She gazed at him seemingly searching for a hint that he was lying. “Are you sure?” she asked.
    Everything that can make me remember life away from here is something I cherish. Thank you.
    She smiled, pleased with herself. “Wait, I brought more.” She dug through the pack until she pulled out a folded piece of fabric. “I made a blanket for you.” She unfolded the multicolored patchwork blanket and it was the ugliest yet most beautiful thing he could imagine.
    I love it, he told her with enough sincerity to show he meant it. Are you doing alright? After your friend died, I mean.
    Her green eyes blurred with tears. She quickly swiped her hand across her eyes, first one and then the other. With a deep breath, she seemed to ignore his question.
    “I brought something else for you. I want you to think about what I say and consider my offer.” She removed a dark knitted hat, a pair of laced leather shoes, and a bag of gold and silver coins. “I want you to come back to Thasula. I want you to wear this hat and cover your straps with your furs. I will help hide you until I can convince my fath …”
    Rasi pulled away, shaking his head. I cannot come back. I will not hide in a kingdom where the people turned their backs on me. No, I will return on my own one day when I am welcomed. Or be carried when I am dead.
    He could tell his words made her sad because she hesitated and stared at the ground. She searched for comfort. “Well,” she said. “I am leaving this here in case you change your mind. I can only hope that the gold and silver will aid you in some way one day.”
    Rasi nodded his appreciation. Are you hungry? he asked.
    “No. Are you?”
    His stomach’s rumble answered for him even as he shook his head that he wasn’t.
    “Please, do not let me stand in your way.”
    He backed out of the cave and onto the path. The rain was slowing and the suns were nearly gone but he could see his prize – his cotee. It was being dragged into the brush by a lucky scavenger or two.
    He walked back into the cave. I wasn’t much hungry anyway, he told her.
    She smiled the same smile he had replayed in his head a thousand times since their first meeting. She said, “I see you have berries over there.”
    Yes.
    “I would love to share some with you.”
    Rasi hurried to them, grabbed a bushel, and hurried back. He scanned the floor until he found his eating rock. A quick swipe of his hand cleared the dust away and he piled the berries onto it before sliding it over to her.
    “Here,” she said with a fork outstretched.
    Rasi smiled.
    Together, the new friends talked while eating with their forks as the moon sailed across the sky. He told her about his wife and her death. She listened with the same warmness he remembered from Edonea. It was obvious that