Rose awoke in the dark, her throat dry and aching. How long had she been out? Where was she? She struggled to sit up and panicked when she couldn't move her hands. She tugged against the bindings, the rough rope digging into her wrists.
Staring upwards, at least she thought it was up, she willed herself not to panic despite the scream welling up in her chest. She went over in her head what had happened, her walking home, the man startling her, the man whose voice she had recognized too late. His hand, she couldn't breath. And now …
She tugged against whatever she was tied to, but it was solid and she couldn't make it budge. She tried to turn, groaning at the ache in her back. Finally, somewhat more comfortable, she stayed still and listened.
Rose couldn't tell how long it was she waited – or had even been laying there – but eventually she heard the distant sound of a door opening. She heard muffled voices and strained to make out what they were saying.
“... I did what I thought I 'ad t'. She recognized me ...”
“ … an idiot Rory. Why'd y' even go after her t' begin with? Y' had t' have known …”
“Alright boys. That's enough. Jalecob, you go add the coins from the last haul to the bag. Rory, you can go stand watch at the window. And I'll go check our unexpected guest,” came a voice, clearly feminine and closer than the two men. The voice was very familiar, but no.
The creaking of the door had Rose laying still, willing her breath steady so it would appear as though she were asleep. A light flooded the room and she listened as footsteps approached her.
Poke. Rossiath didn't move.
Poke poke. Rossiath let out a small snoring sound, turning her head.
“She's still out. Rory, of all the fool things to do, you had to bring her here. You had to go after her to begin with ...”
“But Maliennde, she 'ad that cashbox. I were jus' goin' t' relieve 'er o' it, then leave 'er.” the man whined from the other room.
Maliennde? No, it couldn't be. It had to be a mistake. But she'd recognized the girl's nasally voice, even before the man had spoken. But … why? Didn't Talleine give her everything she wanted? “Really Rose, you spoil those girls,” Talleine always said to Rose. But isn't that what she did with Maliennde?
The thoughts spun wildly in Rose's head as she listened to Maliennde's receding footsteps, and heard the door close once more. In the darkness, she opened her eyes once more, shock giving way to anger. And Maliennde had come to the stall to ask if Rose had recalled anything about the burglar, when she knew who the man was!
But … why?
