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Suddenly he went slack, nearly drawing Thorn to the ground as he fell. |
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There stood Mariah, a large rock still clutched in both hands. She'd obviously used it to bash Nahtana. "We'd better get out of here," she said. |
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Thorn stooped to grab Nahtana's knife, "What about the others?" |
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"They're awake and loose, though if they're as stiff as i was, they're going to have a hard time." |
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Thorn glanced toward the cave, where the tire and pelts still blazed. A couple of indians emerged from one side, coughing. "We'd better go." |
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The two soldiers did not look well, but they had apparently sized up the situation. "Thank you," said the older one as he limped into the dark shelter of the forest. |
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The other, the one who hadn't shaken Thorn's hand, sounded grudging as he repeated, "Thank you." |
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Thorn took Mariah's arm as they hurried into the woods. She was bedraggled, her hair loose around her face and her clothing torn. There were smudges on her face where either rainor tearshad smeared dirt beneath her leaf-green eyes. There was a scratch along the side of her small, dainty nose, and her lips looked dry. |
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He'd never seen anyone more lovely in his life. |
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And brave. She'd knocked Nahtana over the head, perhaps even saved Thorn's life. |
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Now she kept up with him despite the growing darkness in the deep, shadowed forest. |
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"Thanks," she echoed after they'd gone some distance from the Indian encampment. |
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"You are welcome," he said gruffly. "But, Mariah, you must know" |
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She stopped running beside him for just an instant and placed a small, callused linger on his mouth. "I know. You happened to be in the neighborhood hunting rabbits and just dropped in. Bui no one, Mr. Thorn, should depend on you." |
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She took her linger away, reached up to grab him behind the neck and planted a quick, groin-tightening kiss upon his mouth. Then she hurried into the forest. |
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