by W.J. May
Chapter 12
Sarah stared at Jules, wide-eyed. Three members of her team had made it through the portal, but now they faced execution. She felt awful about that. Once again, it was all her fault that people she cared about were in trouble. She’d been in charge of the expedition, and she’d picked the spot where they hunted for Bigfoot. Waves of guilt surged through her, first over Liz and now over her friends, her team. If anything happened to them, she could never live with herself. She grabbed Frank’s hand, avoiding his apologetic gaze. “We can’t just let them die in this place, Frank. We have to do something—anything! Let’s go!”
“What do you suggest we—” Frank started.
Jules grabbed her shoulder, interrupting Frank. “Where do you think you and Frank are going? We’re in the middle of a big village crawling with knights. You take one step out there, and it will be an execution of five instead of three.”
“He’s right,” Frank whispered. “Besides, it might be a trap. They probably know we all came from the same world and that we’re friends. They might be trying to bait you out of hiding, Sarah.”
Sarah was trying to think logically, but having more people on her conscience wasn’t an option. She had done enough harm already. Shaking her head vehemently, she turned to face Frank, her eyes ablaze. “I don’t care! They are only here because they were loyal, trying to find me, and I’m not going to desert them now. I’m going, with or without you.”
“Sarah, you’re being irrational,” Jules said. “I won’t let you go.”
“And you care why?” Sarah asked. “Last time I checked, you couldn’t wait to get rid of us.”
“You scammed King Victor and dragged Mia into all your craziness. I might not like it, but I promised Mia I’d keep you safe. I’m not going to just stand by and watch you walk into death’s arms. Throughout this journey, I’ve regarded your safety as my top priority because I will not break a promise to my love.”
“Walking out there is a suicide mission,” Frank said. “Unless this Immortal nonsense can also make you invisible, we’re gonna need a disguise and a smoking hot plan…and a couple of Uzis really would have helped.”
The priest smiled. “I may be able to help with the disguises,” he said proudly, walking over to a peeling wooden chest. He pulled out two black cotton robes, frayed where the hem had dragged over the ground. “Just wait a bit longer. In one hour, hundreds of priests will gather for prayer and to attend a short midday service. When they leave to return to their villages, you’ll blend right in with them.”
Frank nodded, brows raised. “I love it when a plan comes together,” he said with a smirk.
“I think this will work,” Sarah said, slipping into a robe, tying the hood, and then adjusting the white belt cord. The coarse material hid her supple curves, giving the impression of someone much leaner and less feminine.
She turned her attention to Jules. “Are you onboard with this or not?”
He seemed confused. “I don’t understand. It is not necessary to use a boat, as we’ll be traveling on foot.”
She rolled her eyes, more at herself at forgetting the poor guy wasn’t accustomed with twenty-first century slang. “Sorry. I meant to ask if you are in agreement to help us with this. Can you guide us? We cannot find the village on our own.”
“I said we’ll be traveling on foot, didn’t I? And I know a shorter way.”
The mention of a shortcut made Sarah smile, in spite of the sarcastic tone in Jules’s voice. “Even better,” she said, tossing him a robe.
The priest handed Sarah a staff, a pair of glasses, and an oversized silver cross on a long leather string. “You need the best disguise possible, considering you’re their main target.” He squeezed a small bag of gold into her hand. “Take it. Your sister would want me to help you, and you may need this on your journey.”
For a moment, she struggled with the idea of taking the old man’s money. His torn clothes and the tattered condition of his church told her he needed it as much as she did; however, she knew they might not make it without his monetary support. Even though her throat constricted at the idea, she held out her hand and grabbed the sachet, then hugged him tight. “You’ve been a huge help, Father. Thank you,” she whispered, vowing to come back and repay her debt.