William

Will had been deep in thought for quite a while and hadn't said much and that had probably made him seem either somewhat meditative, as a good monk should be, or withdrawn, also as a monk should be. Oh how he loathed being regarded as a monk. He understood their ways perfectly but, he despised the way of life it encouraged. He felt like he was supposed to be a prisoner to some outside force and some inside force. He didn't, no he couldn't be a prisoner to anyone. He would choose death first. The only person he would be prisoner to was himself but, not following the traditions of the monastery.

Bonita had led them to find food and they had eaten hours ago. Cordell had been leading them somewhere that she had not disclosed but they had been traveling most of the night and felt no closer to their destination than before. He was tired but he shrugged it off. He glanced ahead and saw Cordell beginning to slow.

"What's the matter Cordell?" Will asked.

Cordell was slightly agitated but didn't let it come out in her words. She had been the only thing that had prevented them from all going their separate ways.

"I'm just a little tired Will," She said quietly as she looked around for a place to sit. Finding one she sat down. "Can't we rest for a few hours?"

"But we need to keep moving," Will insisted. "The soldi--" Will was cut off.

"The soldiers," Bonita repeated and then continued her own thought. "Will have an easy time finding us during the day. I know a place nearby we can rest for a few hours and get some sleep before we continue moving. But you must both promise never to speak of it to anyone. Is that understood?"

"You have my word Bonita," Will said formally, bowing slightly. "I will tell no one of the place you take us. I have no way to repay you though. I wish..." He trailed off.

"Now is not the time for regrets," Bonita replied harshly. "We need to get to shelter quickly the sunrise approaches."

Cordell, William and Bonita quickly moved what seemed like a few miles across a river and into a heavily wooded terrain. Bonita, being at home to the region moved quickly through the underbrush. William, not as skilled but agile and strong, followed albeit somewhat clumsily. Cordell had a great deal of trouble getting her hair tangled and snagged on branches and her dress torn even more.

A few minutes later William saw Bonita standing over a small hole in the ground and insisted he climb inside. He entered the tunnel and began climbing through the narrow passageway and he emerged a long time later and all was darkness.

He heard another person enter the room and then another. Finally, a candle was lit and Will could see the small room they were in, big enough for the three of them, but not many more, to be comfortable. There were small trinkets all around and a small stream passing by off to one corner, it came in through one rock and left through another. There were even some small holes in the ceiling to allow air to escape.

Cordell had already found a place to sleep and was settling down to rest. Will made a slight grunt of pain as he took off the bandage on his arm. The wound was not bleeding anymore but would need covered for some time.

He sighed, "Looks like I need your help again. Do you have anything around here I can use as a bandage?"

(If you don't have anything in mind to post let me know and let me know if it's okay to control Bonita some more and I can.)