Original X-roads-2003

    I held my breath.
    Jamie tried to peep inside after seeing the sight of Sertoff.
    Sertoff swung the door wide open.
    I got up off the bed and walked past him and Jamie, whose mouth was hanging wide open. “Trying to catch flies Jamie?” I muttered and pushed him from the back.
    Sertoff grinned and shut the door on Jamies still shocked face.
    I walked down the hallway, down the stairs, and out into the silence of the still dark courtyard.
    Jamie walked out, “I thawt you took off, I didn’ kno you were knockin Sertoffs’ boots.”
    “Oh shut up Jamie, I wasn’t. He took the key after dragging me in there last night and shoved it down his pants.” I glanced at him then back at the courtyard.
    “Uh-huh.” he sat beside me and grinned.
    There were footsteps behind us, “Oh ya found her.” Mesiaha half yawned it. She stretched, “Whatta ya think Sertoff was doing last nite.”
    “Betcha Jas knows.” Jamie grinned as he nudged me.
    I sighed.
    Mesiaha walked over and sat beside Jamie, “Zariaha took off in the middle of the night.”
    I jerked and looked at her, my eyes wide open. “Why didn’t you tell me?!?!”
    “I didn’t wanna disturb ya and Sertoff.” Mesiaha glanced at the downed drawbridge. “Ya kno how he is.”
    “Sheesh, she could be anywhere. Why did she take off?”
    “She saw ya and Sertoff strugglin in tha hallway, she mentioned somethin like he was just gonna get us all killed messin with ya like that. Then she said somethin bout her life not bein rite and she was gone.” Mesiaha stood up and motioned with her left hand. “I tried ta stop her, but she disappeared before I could do anythin.”
    I glanced at Jamie, as he glanced at me.
    “How ya think we’re gonna cross the sea to get to Jon’s?” he asked.
    “Without Sertoff? We’re going to have to get a boat.”
    “Without Sertoff.” Mesiaha scoffed, “Yea rite.”
    “Yeah I know.” I muttered and stood up. “I know how we can get a boat, but who knows where we’re going? Or how to get there, or how to work the sails…” I glanced up, what a sorry bunch of people we are.
    Then and idea hit me, I had a whole army of men, someone there had to know something. “Come on, I got the answer.” I raced off towards the circle of trees.