1.
Heather burst out laughing, the rest chuckled out of politeness. Matthias had been telling a story, it wasn't good by any Black Air Raider standard. No one's bones broke, no one covered in blood, no one bled out, no one died or got hurt. The only redeeming factor was the way Matthias spoke; he was absorbing. At least for her.
They'd crossed most of IiLifa and were in Novelty which was deeper into the territory than previously guessed. She was seriously starting to question the abilities of the Black Air Raiders who'd written the original records. Heather stopped laughing, staring at the carriage to give herself something to look at, other than him.
The carriage was larger than any of them would have thought. It was enough to seat all, only five were inside, Lindi/Evening and Matthias's wife were in front of the carriage. Sarah/Noon, Shoki/Twilight and Mags/ Morning had made the roof their own private sleeping quarters. Nomonda and Qondile or Day and Dawn respectively had remained with Heather, never straying from her at all times. Leaving the four of them, with baby judge sleeping between Heather and Qondile. The story had been an attempt at an ice breaker, it failed. Even Matthias looked awkward, which only served to frustrate Heather.
The silence rolled on.
"We should be close; thanks to this carriage we've made very good time." Mathias forced out.
The girls nodded.
"Yes, of course" Heather said.
"I guess that's where we'll be parting. " he said.
"Yes," Heather said resting her head against the side of the carriage.
"Sad" He sighed
"Yes, Day, go to Evening tell her to stop in an hour. There's a curve in the road. We'll get off there. Dawn, your wings should be relaxed enough to fly. Make sure there's enough wood for us to move through unseen. Both girls looked from one to the other but after a few seconds of silent protest they started moving.
"You should lock both doors when they leave." Matthias said.
"Why?"
"Trust me."
She locked the doors on both sides and only a few seconds after locking the second door there was a knock. Heather gaped; Matthias smiled.
"Who is it?" Heather yelled.
"It's Evening. I thought I'd come inside. My bag's there."
"No, you'll wake Judge" She said before shutting the curtains. She turned to Matthias. "What are you so smug about?"
"You honestly don't know? You don't see it? They don't trust you, or rather they don't trust me alone with you."
"That's ridiculous. If anything, the only one who should be afraid is you. We Black Air Raiders are natural born killers"
Matthias burst out laughing. It was the kind of offensive laugh one got when they were seasons behind. A laugh which said, when offered an invitation to a grand gala, she'd appear in sports gear.
She frowned, "You think me a fool"
He stopped and sat up straight, "I would never, ever be so foolish."
He held her head, her breath fell short, her pinkie toe curled of its own accord. The other hand touched her wrist. She sunk down to the opposite chair. The shaking of the carriage was lost to anticipation. She was free falling on land and loving every second, only she wasn't supposed to, not him, not now.