#yamslander

Alba tensed at the grim look on Silas’ face. The pair had camped out on some rocky flats the night before, and now the black-haired male’s hangover was starting to show.

As Silas fiddled with the dying coals, Alba looked at the horse a few breaths away. She always had a worried look on her face. “What’s her name?” Alba prompted, smoothing out the wrinkles in her dress.

“Vandrith. Named ‘er after my ma n’ pa.”

Alba frowned. Silas continued stoking the fire, a scowl on his face. “You wanna keep on?” he asked suddenly, coal-like eyes boring into Alba’s deep blues.

“My husband’s with that girl,” Alba said, bringing her knees up to her chest. “I need to get away as fast as possible. I don’t know what he’ll do.”

“The girl’s after me. I bet’cha she’s in cahoots with yer lover boy, lady.” Silas looked at her again, and Alba noticed his deep eye bags. Certainly befitting a man who did nothing but drink all night. His eyes were devoid of the mirth she’d seen the night before. Was it the situation, or was the alcohol giving him that mood boost?

“You should get some food in ya. Can’t be older than twenty, couldja? A boy like you shouldn’t be drinkin’ so much.”

Silas looked up at her, and for once Alba took notice of her age. At thirty, she was perfectly youthful for an Oasis Nymph, but humans aged differently. She must’ve seemed old to her.

“Yeah?” he chuckled dryly. “We got coffee and beans, lady. Any of that sound good?”

Alba scoffed. “Coffee would be nice.” She picked at her nails in boredom as Silas grabbed the pot and coffee from the bag situated near Vandrith. The white horse whinnied in apprehension and Silas gave her a reassuring pat. “So, why’s your gal runnin’ after you?”

“I dunno,” he shrugged, placing the pot on the coals. He poured some water and let it simmer. “What’s got your hubby in her company?”

“He went away to war,” Alba sighed. “I thought he wouldn’t, y’know, make it back. I became a saloon girl.”

“So he thinks you were unfaithful?”

“I guess. That’s probably what’s goin’ through his head.” Alba watched as Silas let coffee seep in the barely boiling water. Had he ever made coffee before?

“Here ya go, lady,” he grinned childishly, handing her the pot. Alba could touch it with her bare hands.

“Thanks…” Alba said gently, deciding to take the cold coffee. She sipped it and had to restrain herself from spitting it out.

“Ya like it?” Silas asked, his charming demeanor returning.

“Yeah, bud. It’s alright.” Alba gave a small smile. Silas began packing up his items, and while his back was turned Alba poured the coffee onto the coals.

“You comin’ along, right?” Silas said. “Plenty a room.”

“Yeah. Gotta skip town after this one.” Alba laughed sadly.

“So…We headin’ together now?” Silas asked. To Alba, he seemed more and more like a lonely guy the longer she stayed around him.

“Sure,” she smiled. Alba reached out her hand to shake. “Consider us together.”