CHAPTER 18
Cole and Pierre rode steadily towards Loudon. They stuck mainly to the roads but had crossed over a few fields trying to get there more quickly. When it had become well past dark Pierre had asked Cole to stop for a rest as soon as he felt that it would be a safe place to make camp. Cole hadn't really wanted to stop. He had found that the pull that drew him towards Arlana seemed to grow stronger as they continued on their journey. He was relieved and pleased that this wasn't ending up as a detour but he decided to abide by Pierre's wishes and found a place to rest.
They settled close to the side of a hill. There were trees all around and not far from them was a stream where they could water their horses. As Pierre unpacked some supplies Cole started to gather kindling to start a fire.
“This is perfect Cole, thank you. I have some meat I bought from the butcher that we can cook once you get the fire going.”
Cole nodded to Pierre. He was glad that Pierre seemed so easy going.
After dinner Cole decided that he would try to find out more about where they were going and what the circumstances would be when they got there.
“So, you said your brother was recently married?”
“Oh yes, well he was supposed to be. I received word at the last town I was in that there had been some sort of delay for my brother also, which ended up being good for me. That is one reason I would like to get there quickly. If we get there within two days I think I will make it in time for the ceremony. You see, we don't have much family left. Our father died when we were young. Now it is just my brother, mother, and I. I really wanted to be there for him.”
“Oh, I see. So you and your brother are close then?”
“Well, we used to be closer. Since I've been away at school I haven't seen him very much. And he is quite an affluent businessman now; he doesn't have much time for visiting.”
“What type of business is he into?”
“Oh, you know this and that.” Pierre laughed awkwardly.
Cole wondered what that response meant. Avoidance to cover up something maybe? He supposed it didn't really matter to him.
“Oh, well that's good I guess. Has he been engaged for long?”
“No, I was actually quite surprised that he decided to get married. It's definitely not for lack of interest; half the women in that town would love to marry him, if only to sink their claws into his fortune. Maybe that's why he's waited so long. Possibly the reason he decided to get married now is my mother’s constant prodding, she wants grandchildren and she won’t let my brother or I forget it,” Pierre mused.
“Hmmm, how did he meet his fiancé?”
“Oh my brother has told me next to nothing. He arranged the marriage with her father, I do know that much. She is a little old to be getting married, I think he said 17, although personally I think that's better. My brother is well into his thirties, he shouldn't be marrying a 14 year old by any means, they are still too much of a child at that age.”
Cole nodded solemnly. Seventeen... that was Arlana's age. He couldn't imagine her being married to a man in his thirties, nor would he want to imagine her with anyone other than himself, good thing she seemed to overlook the fact that he was several centuries old, at least he didn't look it, he chuckled to himself.
“Well, I guess we should get some rest,” Pierre settled down into his blankets.
“Goodnight,” Cole replied. Pierre seemed to drift quickly into sleep his snoring filling up the air around them. Cole stayed deep in thought for a while but then decided he would sleep for a couple of hours too. He felt his heart pulling closer to Arlana keeping him awake, not wanting to stop or let go. He told himself that the rest would give him more energy to put into finding her and with that thought he surrendered himself to sleep.
When Cole woke up it was still dark. The fire blazed lazily next to them looking like it was about to go out. Pierre was up and looking at his maps. He had them spread across the ground close to the fire where he could see better.
“Good Morning,” Pierre said as he looked to Cole.
“Morning.” Cole was glad that Pierre hadn't wanted to sleep for long. He estimated they'd only slept about four hours. “How much farther do you think until we get there?”
“Well, I think we've done even better than I'd hoped. If we can be packed up and ready to leave within half an hour we will definitely be giving you that bonus, barring of course there are no complications.” Pierre said with a smile.
Cole smiled back and quickly put out the fire, repacked the saddlebags, and got the horses ready. They went by the stream one last time to water the horses and then they were off.
They went across acres and acres of farm land. They were way off the beaten path but Pierre said it would get them there quicker. Cole definitely had no problem with that. He had so much pent up energy he was actually hoping someone would try to stop them so he could let some of it out.
As if Pierre could read the look on Cole's face he asked him, “You seem like quite a horseman, would you like to race?”
“Would I ever, but what about the supplies?”
“It will be ok. We'll only race to the end of this field then we'll double back for the other horses.”
“Ok then, when do we start?”
“Right now!” Pierre took off on his horse. Cole raced after him, laughing. Pierre had a good ten feet or so head start, but in the end Cole was able to head him off for the win.
“Cheaters never prosper, Pierre!”
“That is apparent; you won after all.”
“Well that is true.” Cole was feeling a little better.
They doubled back for their horses and supplies. Pierre pulled out some dried meat and bread he had in one of his bags and shared it with Cole. They talked casually as they rode closer to their destination.
“How many more days do you think?” Cole asked
“I would say, no more, we should be there first thing tomorrow morning.”
“That's great. Will you make it in time for the wedding?” Cole truly hoped he did, he was feeling like he was rooting for Pierre to make his goal, like maybe he had found a friend. Or maybe it was just that he wanted someone to make it on time he thought remorsefully.
“Yes, I think I will if everything is still going as planned the wedding will be tomorrow.” Pierre smiled, the look on his face was as if a burden had been lifted.
“What about you Cole, do you have any plans once we get there? Say, why don't you come to the wedding with me? My brother won’t mind, and I'm sure there will be a great feast, much better than what we've been eating,” Pierre laughed.
“Well, I don't know,” Cole hesitated, “I'm kind of on a mission of my own right now.”
“At least think about it, and if I can be of any assistance to you when we get there, please let me know. My brother has all sorts of resources that may be useful to you.”
“Thank you, I appreciate it.”
“Oh, you know what I just remembered something. You had asked about my brother’s fiancé yesterday. I do know a little bit more about her. You see he's never officially met her but he saw her from afar. He saw her hunting, of all things. He said she was quite skilled, but I don't think that was what got to him. He said she had beautiful eyes and he kept talking about her hair, really, I've never heard my brother go on about a woman like that. Maybe you'll want to come to the wedding just to get a look at this rare beauty,” Pierre laughed.
Cole laughed with him. Out of curiosity he asked, “So what color were her eyes, did he tell you that?”
“He did, he said that they were golden, like a field of grain glistening in the sun, oh and that her hair was a golden red.”
Cole felt his pulse speed up and all he could see was red. He calmed himself as much as he could and replied, “On second thought, I think I will go to that wedding, and let's try to get their sooner, no stopping tonight.” With those words Cole raced ahead not giving Pierre a chance to argue. Pierre looked dumfounded at first but then shouted fo
r him to wait as he hurried to catch up with the supplies. Cole didn't need Pierre's maps anymore, he just followed the beat of his heart forward and with every beat it sounded Arlana, Arlana, Arlana.