The few bells that had been allotted for searching had nearly expired. It was a fact that Myles knew yet was keeping as far from the forefront of his conscious thoughts as possible. He approved orders when they came with a stoic nod, denied few when necessary and continued about his nearly autonomic functions. Soon his small refuge from the storm around him collapsed as the pieces that composed his tent were packed and loaded to caravan.
His gaze then turned to the digsite that Arianna had disappeared into hours prior, the shoddy wooden framing around it to keep the entrance stable from collapse. He tried not to think of how they’d have to close it up behind them. They’d not risk anyone finding what they started and destroying or looting anything precious held within. His eyes winced shut as he forced the thoughts that followed that line of thinking from his mind.
Suddenly, high pitched voices began shouting at the site entrance. His heart skipped a beat as his eyes shot open. “What is it..?!†His voice demanded as he marched over to the half dozen now crowding the area. Two men emerged from the glorified hole in the ground, carrying an exhausted looking blonde between them who looked weighed down by the canvas messenger bags pulled across each of her shoulders. She was filthy, dusty and a bit bloody with scrapes and cuts. Yet the sight of her couldn’t have put Myles’s heart at more happiness and peace. Everything clicked into place then. The next order was simple.
“Get ready to move out..!†He shouted with newfound authority. “We need not tarry any longer and becomes casualties of this damn, pointless civil conflict..!†With that he dashed to the woman who was being loaded onto a stretcher in one of the caravans. She blinked up at him giving him a characteristic smirk.
He smiled back. Even in her state she had a shite-eating grin. “Too bad we can’t stay longer..†He lamented, crawling into the caravan beside her. “To do so would likely mean our own deaths.†He smiled wistfully. “Though I loathe the thought of returning empty handed..â€
The tired woman tried to sit up and collapsed, coughing and sending the dust still caked to her blowing about. Her hand gripped the strap of one of the bags attached to her. “Not empty handed..†She assured her partner through labored breaths. “Not empty handed..â€
His gaze then turned to the digsite that Arianna had disappeared into hours prior, the shoddy wooden framing around it to keep the entrance stable from collapse. He tried not to think of how they’d have to close it up behind them. They’d not risk anyone finding what they started and destroying or looting anything precious held within. His eyes winced shut as he forced the thoughts that followed that line of thinking from his mind.
Suddenly, high pitched voices began shouting at the site entrance. His heart skipped a beat as his eyes shot open. “What is it..?!†His voice demanded as he marched over to the half dozen now crowding the area. Two men emerged from the glorified hole in the ground, carrying an exhausted looking blonde between them who looked weighed down by the canvas messenger bags pulled across each of her shoulders. She was filthy, dusty and a bit bloody with scrapes and cuts. Yet the sight of her couldn’t have put Myles’s heart at more happiness and peace. Everything clicked into place then. The next order was simple.
“Get ready to move out..!†He shouted with newfound authority. “We need not tarry any longer and becomes casualties of this damn, pointless civil conflict..!†With that he dashed to the woman who was being loaded onto a stretcher in one of the caravans. She blinked up at him giving him a characteristic smirk.
He smiled back. Even in her state she had a shite-eating grin. “Too bad we can’t stay longer..†He lamented, crawling into the caravan beside her. “To do so would likely mean our own deaths.†He smiled wistfully. “Though I loathe the thought of returning empty handed..â€
The tired woman tried to sit up and collapsed, coughing and sending the dust still caked to her blowing about. Her hand gripped the strap of one of the bags attached to her. “Not empty handed..†She assured her partner through labored breaths. “Not empty handed..â€
![[Image: utfF6OQ.gif]](http://i.imgur.com/utfF6OQ.gif)
