***
Shifting on her seat, Eve tried to make herself comfortable in the gown that they had acquired for her. Reaching down, she scratched her legs in an attempt to relieve the itch, and she looked at Olivia, who was looking serene and beautiful, as she observed Eve’s irritation with a smile.
“Tell me, how the hell do you wear these things?” Eve whispered, as she rubbed at her arms, trying to relieve another itch attack. “These are the most uncomfortable things that I have ever had the misfortune to wear. What I wouldn’t give for a pair of scrubs; hell, even a pair of stilettos would be more comfortable than this.”
“Under garments,” Olivia told Eve, as she looked her over, checking to see that Eve looked right. “But I don’t think undergarments would help with that dress. He couldn’t have picked an uglier gown, it does nothing for you,” she laughed.
Eve picked up the edge of the skirt made of a grey brown material that reminded her of those old buildings from the west that had never seen paint. Eve shook her head in disgust as she rubbed at her legs again. “At least I don’t have to wear it for long,” she told Olivia.
“Ready?” Olivia asked, as they drew near the watchtower.
“As ready as I’ll ever be, I guess,” Eve admitted, as she steeled her back, trying to roll with the sway of the wagon, but the road hadn’t been taken care of for a long time, and it was full of lumps and bumps. It seemed as if the wagon they had commandeered loved to hit every one of those bumps, and Eve just held on for dear life, not wanting to be thrown from the wagon.
Watching the road just in front of the horse, Eve wasn’t paying any attention to how close they were getting to the tower, until she looked up when they rolled up to the gate. The men, used to the creaks and rattles of the wagon, didn’t move until they spotted Olivia and Eve seated on the bench, instead of the old man. They scrambled, rushing to grab their swords, preparing for a possible invasion, only to stop when they realized that it was two women seated in the wagon.
Shouts into the tower brought the guards running, and Eve and Olivia both could see the one who was in charge. He was a big man, who used his size as a weapon. His eyes were cold and calculating, as they raked over the both of them, dismissing Eve, and settling on Olivia.
“Halt,” he ordered, grabbing the reins of the horses, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword hanging at his side. Eve studied him carefully, trying not to draw any attention to herself. From the grease stains on his wrinkled, slept in clothing, to the stringy hair hanging off his half bald head, he gave Eve the image of a pig. She watched him preen himself, trying to impress the stunning Olivia, believing he was hot stuff.
“Where is old man Smythe?” he growled, as he stared at Olivia.
“Sick,” Olivia informed them, in a voice that would melt butter, and she fluttered her eyelashes at him. All the guards stopped thinking with the head on top of their necks.
“He was fine at lunch,” one of the other guards stated, as he watched Olivia, melting when she turned the disarming smile on him.
“Yes sir, he was, but ...” she stopped, acting as if she didn’t want to admit to something.
“He took to the bottle,” Eve stated, looking to Olivia, letting her take over just as they had planned. “He imbibed too much drink,” she whispered. “And now he is suffering for his over indulgence.” She shook her head with disgust in her voice.
“So he sent you?” the captain questioned, watching them closely.
“Indeed sir,” Olivia informed him, pouring on the charm. “Master Smythe is a family friend, and more than once, has aided our family is these troubled times. We wished to return the favor, so as he would not lose his earnings,” she explained to them, as she came to her feet, holding her arms out, giving the captain a bright smile, asking for assistance down without voicing one word. The captain reached up, lifting her off the wagon, and setting her down on the ground.
“Thank you, kind sir.” She rewarded him with another generous smile. Eve scrambled off the other side of the wagon, not wanting anyone to help her, as she watched the men become putty under Olivia’s charm.
“Ooh, you’re all so big and strong,” she cooed, patting the captain’s arm as if he was the most handsome man she had ever encountered. “Please don’t let me keep you from your dinners, eat before they get cold,” she insisted.
“Thank you, Madame ...” the captain suddenly looked nervous, as he eyed Olivia, who was staring at him with googly eyes, and he wiped his sweaty hands down his filthy jacket.
“Please call me Olivia,” she supplied.
“Olivia,” he tipped his head. “A beautiful name, but not as beautiful as the woman whom wears it.” She rewarded him with another smile. “Will you join us?”
It was all that Eve could do not to gag at the sickly sweet sludge bantered about.
“Oh, you are too kind sir, but my sister and I have eaten. Still, we would partake in a cup of chira to warm us for the ride home, if you have one you can spare.”
“Most certainly, Miss Olivia,” he told her as he offered his arm, readying to escort her inside the tower. Turning to look at his men that were all standing around watching in awe of Olivia, and showing off for her, he tossed out orders. “Bring the food, and water the horses.”
“Oh, thank you, Captain,” Olivia gushed. “But it is not necessary, we must be returning home soon,” she told them, as she watched Eve out of the corner of her eye, they both walked into the tower, following the men carrying the food. “We wouldn’t want to be caught out on the road after dark. You never know where those terrible rebels may be hiding.”
Eve smothered a snicker at how sincere Olivia sounded, and if she hadn’t known that she was on their side, she would really wonder; indeed, she would swear that Olivia wasn’t acting.
“Have you had any problems?” the Captain questioned, as he puffed out his chest, trying to act like the brave man that he wasn’t.
“No sir, we have been very lucky. King Bartholomew is working very hard to take care of the rebel problem.” She gave a shudder of fear. “I just wouldn’t want to encounter them. They are such terrible men, unlike you and your brave guards.” She paused, letting her flattery sink in, puffing up his ego even more. “We were so surprised when the king reopened the tower.” Then she dropped her voice, acting as if she was worried that someone might overhear her. “But we were so glad to find out that you all were here to protect us. That is why you are here, right?” she threw at him, as she gave a look of utter devotion, and he totally ate it up.
“Yes, that was part of the reason. The King wants to protect the people of Elden.” Trying to act like a big shot, he revealed the information that they had been seeking. “But we are also here to guard a couple of dangerous prisoners.”
Olivia gasped, holding her hand to her chest. Her eyes wide with worry, she poured on the charm. “You, my captain, you are all so brave.” She flattered their egos, and fawned all over him. “Could you ...” then acting as if she should back off, “I shouldn’t,” she whispered. “My mother is always telling me I ask too many questions. Please eat your dinner, it is getting cold.” She swept her arm over the table, where Eve had laid out the food that they had brought. “I will sit here, and you can tell us all about your bravery against the terrible rebels,” she pushed innocently.
Within ten minutes, the last of the guards succumbed to the drugged ale that Eve had been feeding them since they had taken their seat at the table, while Olivia had continued to distract them with her outrageous flirting. When the captain finally dropped into a stupor, Eve turned to confront Olivia.
“Thank the gods that you are on our side,” Eve admitted, as she quickly checked to ensure that they were all still breathing. “They didn’t suspect a thing, not even when they started falling asleep. Damn, you’re good.”
“All in a good cause, besides, we both know if you flatter a man enough, he wi
ll never think that you are working against him, especially a man like the captain here.” Olivia laughed as she searched the pockets of the captain, who was lying face down in what was left of his meal. “Yes!” she shouted with success, as she held aloft the key. “Signal the men; I’ll see who our dangerous prisoners are.” Eve nodded her agreement, as she headed for the door, and Olivia headed for the stairs.
Eve pulled out the small flashlight that Caleb had given her, in order to signal when the way was clear. Two quick flashes, then a pause, followed by two more quick flashes of light, and she backed into the tower to wait.
It only took them a few minutes to appear out of the darkness, but Eve was relieved to see them.
“It’s about time,” Caleb threw at her with a smile, letting her know that he was joking.
“Sorry, we had a couple that took a while longer to fall asleep. They are passed out, but alive,” she told them.
“You both okay?” Caleb checked.
“Oh, we’re fine,” she assured him. “Olivia, on the other hand ...”
“What’s wrong with Olivia?” Grey demanded, as concern for her well-being bubbled up within him.
“Olivia rocks! If I didn’t know she was acting, I would have wondered whose side she was on.”
Grey sagged with relief, and he looked around for her. “Where is she?”
“Checking on the prisoners,” Eve told him, pointing at the stairs that she had disappeared up a few moments ago. Grey took off, bounding up the stairs, followed closely by Caleb and the others. Eve watched them disappear out of sight then muttered to herself. “Thanks for all your help Eve, you did great.” Turning, she spotted the smiling Roderic holding out her backpack.
“You did a great job, Eve, thank you for all your help,” he told her, just as she headed up the stairs.