Dreamwalker's Bride - Chapter 386

Chapter 386: More decisions
Ford watched as the decision-making process continued. Part of him wanted to be an influential presence, to be a valued member of the group, and another, larger part, wanted none of the burdens that accompanied leadership.

The wrong decision could be disastrous, and deadly for more than just himself.

“The forest here has plentiful grazing, despite the snow,” Seth thought out loud, “and the summer melt has created a small stream for consistent water. This would be the best place for the horses to stay.”

“Alone?” Daniel’s young face contorted as he patted his horse’s nose. “I don’t like the thought of never seeing them again.”

“No, not alone,” Seth frowned. “We’ll need them to get home. I’ll stay with them.”

“You?” Ford shouldn’t have been surprised at the suggestion, but he was.

“Yes, me. I have no magic. I have the least to offer as you get closer to the castle. I know for a fact I won’t be able to talk Anaisa into staying behind and, besides… the horses may need defending, if the birds or some other creature comes along, and I won’t leave a lone woman to the task.” He concluded.

“Will you be able to defend the horses in such an event?” Grandpa asked as a few bees buzzed out of their hive to whirl around Seth’s head for a few rotations before heading back.

“I will keep them as safe as I’m able,” Seth responded to his father evenly. “They are secondary to saving Trace. Though it would be a pain to walk all the way home, it would be worse to ride home without him.”

The old man sighed, but didn’t argue.

“Daniel will stay with you,” Anaisa volunteered, and the child turned wide, hurt eyes on her.

“But why, Mama?”

The words were not quite petulant, but a little hurt.

“Because by now you’ve told us everything you’ve read about wights and dragons, and because your Uncle Seth has no magic. If a monster comes, you can conjure the image of a chimera or a giant wasp to scare it away. You’re needed here.”

Ford looked at the woman. Her calm demeanor was something that would have fooled him not long ago. The logic she presented was sound, but it was clear that she wanted to keep her child as far from danger as possible.

Of course, there was no guarantee that the forest would remain safe by any stretch of the imagination, but it was a good bet that it would be a great deal less dangerous than spelunking into a cave full of dragons and other unknown monsters.

“What if you see a monster you don’t know about? Maybe I would have seen it in a book?” Daniel was clearly trying to be logical, trying to act manly rather than childish, but it was stinging his pride to have it suggested he should stay behind once more.

“You’ve shown us so much while traveling, I don’t think there could be much more that you haven’t,” Anaisa suggested gently, and Ford nodded in support.

Daniel had indeed projected images often and in great detail, sometimes even putting entire pages of words in the air when his voice grew tired.

“But I want to help rescue Papa,” His last plea was softer, and Anaisa pulled her son into a tight hug.

“You have helped. Think of all the many times you’ve helped. And now you must help your uncle protect the horses until we come back. It will only be a few days.”

Ford saw Anaisa and Seth make eye contact in a silent conversation that Ford watched with some interest. Seth briefly cut his eyes to Mia, and Ford understood.

An exchange of caretaking. Anaisa to watch over Mia for Seth, and he would take care of Daniel for her.

It tugged at his heart, and made him sad to see the imminent separation wearing on the parents.

“Ok, Mama,” Daniel said after a moment, hugging her back. “I promise, I’ll be good.”

Ford looked away from the tender moment. The boy could very well be his own nephew, and he’d become fond of him apart from that. It hurt a little to watch him be sad.

“It will take time to divide the supplies, we should camp together tonight,” Grandpa suggested, and Martin pursed his lips.

“I’ll make a cave to keep the horses in. Don’t want my ride back home getting away.”

With that, the man wandered off, towards the nearest rock outcropping. Ford suspected the man didn’t like emotional moments, but no one would complain since he was being more helpful than they had asked.

Ford joined in the task of unsaddling the horses and beginning to divvy up supplies between what would be needed for the group rescuing Trace and what would be better left with Seth, Daniel, and the horses.

With a heavy hand, he brushed Storm’s coat, like the animal seemed to enjoy, and briefly lamented that he wouldn’t continue riding with Mia, at least for now. His eyes found her as he had the thought, and caught her staring.

She dropped her eyes, her face reddening.

Ford was so strongly torn. He wanted–needed–to learn so much more about her, about being a husband, about many things, before moving forward, but part of him wanted to delay that in favor of holding her longer and kissing her again.

The presence of others was a strong deterrent. Besides, he had some other business to take care of first. Setting the brush aside, he cleared his throat and walked up to Seth with rigid shoulders.

“If you’re going to be here for a few days, you’ll need plenty of firewood against the cold. May I help you gather some?”

“Gee, thanks, Ford! I hate gathering firewood!” Daniel beamed from next to his mother. “It seems to be the chore my parents send me on when they don’t want me to overhear a serious conversation they’re having.”

Ford cleared his throat as Seth’s eyes narrowed slightly in suspicion.

“Sure, Ford. Let’s go get some firewood.” Seth picked up the hatchet for that purpose and shouldered it, gesturing for Ford to lead the way.