Cairis sat huffily on the man's lap, but not after many attempts to get up, or out of his grasp. Pinching, kicking, biting. All this had only resulted in a loud and hard slap in the face. Her cheek smarted, and a vivid red hand print was visible across her fine skin. The first man hadn't been impressed. "Gyden!" He'd growled, turning from his place leading the wagon, "We're being paid good money for her. Don't touch her again."
"But Laikin, she was -"
"I said, don't. Touch. Her." Laikin's voice was lethal, and Gyden said nothing more, just moved his arms so that they were wrapped right around her frame, trapping her arms, and holding her tight against his body so she really couldn't move.
Cai started. She'd felt, rather than heard Scrylett's call. It was exhausted, frightened, worried. In that instant, Cairis felt her spirits lift. She didn't know why, or how, but surely Scrylett could help. Would help.
"Did you hear something?" Laikin turned his head, frowning. The horses seemed a little unsettled, and had slowed down.
"I didn't hear nothing, Laikin." Gyden replied, reaching down surreptitiously to pinch Cairis' bottom. Cai flushed bright red, and a low growl rose from the back of her throat. How dare he.
The second cry came, and this time Cairis was able to see her friend. She was flailing her arms, tearing down the hill. The two men saw her too, and stared first at her, then at each other.
"What is that thing?"
Just then, the horses slowed to an absolute standstill. They refused to move. Laikin snapped at them, cracked his whip. Nothing worked. Worried, he turned to his accomplice. "Pick her up. We go on foot."
Without a word, Gyden obeyed, throwing Cai over his shoulder once again. "Oh come on," she sighed, exasperrated. "This is getting old." But it was okay. Because from this position, she could see Scrylett's form running down the hill.
