Dreamwalker's Bride - Chapter 248 248

Chapter 248: Tentative alliance
Ford’s hold on his reins tightened as he listened to the man speak. His instincts were yelling not to trust the stranger, but that could be because he wanted whatever treasure or magic there was within the cave all to himself.

He didn’t want to share with anyone! It was only because Mia truly didn’t want any part of it that he felt as comfortable as he did having her along.

Well, that, and he couldn’t have found it without her. He told himself that was the only reason why.

“Are you saying you don’t have magic?” Ford asked the man before Mia could reveal anything.

Gary sneered at him. “What’s it to you?”

Mia sighed deeply and dismounted with a roll of her eyes.

“I’m hungry, so I’m going to stir up the fire and cook some food. It’s been too long since I’ve had anything hot. The two of you can either continue to glare at each other or join me for a meal and polite conversation,” She announced with a flourish, tying off Henry to one of Gary’s ropes.

The two men continued to stare each other down while she worked, though Gary threw darting glances at the girl, as if to make sure she weren’t visiting mischief in his campsite.

Ford raised one eyebrow and smirked lightly. At least in numbers, Gary was at a disadvantage.

Eventually, the smell of something delicious cooking drew more of the stranger’s attention, and his eyes focused more fully on the woman by the fire.

Ford didn’t like the way Gary looked at Mia. The man seemed almost old enough to be her father… but perhaps digging out a cave by himself had aged him prematurely. Then again, he mentioned the war as if he had participated.

Taking the opportunity of being unobserved, Ford swung his good leg over the back of the saddle and used his upper body strength to slowly lower himself to the ground. For once, Mia wasn’t there to catch him if he fell, but the adrenaline of the stranger’s presence helped his grip.

He didn’t want to show weakness in case this ‘Gary’ decided to attack… not that Ford had a sword, or any other type of weapon he was trained with. Closest thing would be his pickaxe, which he’d never used on a person.

And he never intended to, if it could be avoided.

A disproportionate sense of pride and accomplishment accompanied the sensation of his feet being safely on the ground without aid. He suppressed his smile and glanced at the crutch still tied to his saddle.

If Gary had already noticed it, there was no reason to hide it. It might also be used as a weapon if needed.

But if the object had gone unnoticed, Ford could try to do without it and project more strength and able-bodiedness to the stranger, discouraging anything sudden.

The internal debate ended when Gary stepped closer to Mia, looking into the pan she was cooking in. Too close.

Ford strode towards them as confidently as he could manage, ignoring the painful stretch of the muscles being used in ways they seemed to have almost forgotten.

It would cramp badly, later, he was sure.

“I’m Mia,” She introduced herself to Gary, and pointed. “That’s Ford.”

“And how did two people from different countries come to be traveling together… unmarried?” Gary looked pointedly at Mia’s hand and raised an eyebrow at Ford.

It seemed… congratulatory?

“We’re friends,” Mia had been concentrating on the cooking, and missed the suggestive glance.

“I see,” Gary was intrigued instead of disappointed, much to Ford’s dismay. He didn’t like the man at all.

Apparently he decided the newcomers were not a threat, because he took a seat on a rock next to the fire. Ford wished there were another so he wouldn’t have to sit on the hard ground, which would be difficult to get back up from easily.

He lowered himself with what he hoped was an appearance of carelessness, hiding the twinges of discomfort.

Mia glanced at him with a hint of concern before dishing up the meal, using a mixture of Gary’s utensils and plates and what she’d packed.

“I hope you like it,” Mia passed the stranger a portion with a bright smile. “Food is one of the best ways to make new alliances.”

Gary looked at her with surprise. “Who told you that?”

“Something my aunt often says,” Mia told him as she passed Ford a plate. “I think it was an old family saying of hers.”

“Well, let’s put it to the test,” Gary took a bite and chewed slowly. “You say you found a map to this place. Tell me more.”

“Or you could start by telling your story,” Ford challenged. “How you came to know of the cave, to be here. Was it before or after the war?”

Gary swallowed his bite and looked between the two newcomers again, his gaze lingering on Mia.

“Why do you want to go inside the cave? What is the power you have that you want to strengthen?”

“What?” Mia blinked at him in confusion. “Strengthen?”

Gary’s brow drew together in anger. “Don’t play games.”

“I’m not playing games,” Mia sat up straighter, offended.

“What is your power, girl?” Gary’s jaw tightened.

“Leave her alone,” Ford told him.

“Why? Should I turn my back so she can use whatever her power is to take me out of the picture?” Gary glared at him.

“If I had a power like that, and the desire to do it, would I have called out to you, or simply done it when you first emerged without noticing us?” Mia asked calmly.

Ford was feeling warm from being too close to the fire. He scooted away from it. It felt wrong to be further from Mia, but she hadn’t seemed to notice the heat as she addressed Gary.

The man looked at her thoughtfully.

“Why are you here?” He asked again.

“Your name,” Mia said after a moment, “Gary…”

“What of it?”

“It’s familiar,” Mia closed her eyes and frowned for several silent seconds. “Did you know a man named Martin?”