Forks of Stones River

[Ellesar]

"A few minutes isn't going to matter that much, Jasper." Ben replied with a frown. "They already have a half day headstart on us."

 

[BeautyLikeNight]

Jasper growled underneath this breath.

"All the more reason for us to keep moving," he said gruffly, turning his back on the group and beginning to walk away once more.

Cassie bounced lightly on her feet. "We gonna go on great adventure?" she asked, her dark blue eyes gleaming.

 

[Ellesar]

Ben only rolled his eyes at Jasper's back and then looked at Cassie with a nod. "Yeah. We need to find my sister and her friend before they decide to get into any trouble. Hopefully you don't mind heading back south, Cassie."

 

[BeautyLikeNight]

Jasper snorted softly but kept walking, knowing they would not be far behind him.

Cassie shrugged her small shoulders. "Cassie not 'fraid. Cassie free. No man own her now."

Jasper gritted his teeth, sure the girl was lying. Only a fool would free his slaves. Did her Master not know that the intelligence of a black man was far inferior to that of a white man? It was for their own protection that the whites took them into their homes and cared for them. Yes, of course they had to work for their room and board, but that was only fair. He huffed and shifted the pack on his back. The sooner he found Madelyn the better. It was then that he could finally find her brother and be rid of this company.

 

[Ellesar]

Ben nodded and said, "Come along then, Cassie." He then shifted the bag to a more comfortable position and followed after Jasper. Thomas had dismounted to give his horse a break and was following on foot as his horse nuzzled Cassie's neck again.

 

[BeautyLikeNight]

"Pretty horsey," Cassie said, petting the horse's face lightly. "What name?" she asked Thomas, turning to him as she walked beside the horse.

Jasper's body was tense as he walked, wondering if it would be too much trouble to try and lose them along the way.

 

[Ellesar]

"Brisa." Thomas said with a slight smile for Cassie. Brisa nickered softly at the attention she was receiving and pranced a few steps. Thomas laughed at his horse's antics and said, "It appears that she likes you, Cassie."

Ben had slipped into a sullen silence as he followed after Jasper, wondering just what had gotten into Abby to do such a hairbrained scheme as this. "I can't wait to find her..." Ben muttered to himself, leaving the thought unfinished.