Drabble 335

Finished on time at 6:56.

Araziel had dragged Blue out of the cottage, leaving Raven's mare squeezed into the kitchen. “I don't want to have to go looking for Raven,” Blue whined. “Can't we just accept that he's a big boy and needs to be able to take care of himself?”

“No, we cannot,” snapped Araziel.

“Well why can't we?” asked Blue.

“Because, between the drinking and the tantrums I'm really starting to believe that he isn't.” Had Raven been there he might have disagreed just to keep himself from having to sleep outside, but he did have to admit that she had a point.

Drabble 334

Finished on time at 6:43.

Only after Anansi had searched Raven for potential weapons did he finally released his grip and allowed Raven to turn to face him. “I'm sure there's a splendid reason why we're all the way out here, alone, without any of your soldiers witness right now,” said Raven, “but honestly Anansi, save it. I don't want to hear about why I should go rejoin the dark side.”

“Is that what you think? That it's just a simple matter of I'm the bad guy and Mary-Tzu is just a victim?” asked Anansi. “Do you really think that war is ever that simple?”

Drabble 333

 Finished late, strike 14.

Anansi continued to pull Raven through the woods, only stopping when they were far enough from anyone that nobody would have heard if he'd screamed, and while Anansi hadn't quite accomplished what might have been considered an example of police brutality Raven was sure that he'd be developing some impressive bruising when Anansi let him go. “A walk through the woods; how romantic,” Raven sneered, squirming in Anansi's grip even though he'd only hurt himself further. “It's always nice to be reminded just how charming you can be,” Anansi told him, stopping beside a large tree, pinning Raven against it.

Drabblle 332

Finished on time at 6:54.

After nearly a day of stumbling through the woods, the journey having taken far longer than it should have due to Blue getting them lost for several hours, Blue and Araziel arrived back at Raven's cottage to find it empty. “Maybe he's still out looking for the horse,” Blue suggested, sitting himself down on the settee.

“There's a half finished cup of tea on the side,” Araziel pointed out; “I don't get the impression that Raven usually leaves tea unfinished.”

“We just got back from finding the horse,” snapped Blue. “I don't want to have to go looking for Raven.”

Drabble 331

Finished on time at 6:48.

After a while Anansi pulled Raven aside, out of view of his soldiers, just behind the first couple of trees. It was the best opportunity Raven had been given so far to get away, and it would still likely require he knock Anansi out so that he and his soldiers didn't immediately come after him. Anansi seemed to know precisely what Raven was thinking, though, because he was walking just behind Raven with his arm gripped in such a way that he could twist it behind his back at a moment's notice, and break it if Raven really pushed him.

Drabble 330

Finished on time at 7:06.

They stopped on the outskirts of the woods to rest and Anansi dismounted, passing the reigns of his horse over to a servant. None of Anansi's men sat down, apparently too well trained for that. If they had done that might have given Raven a chance to slip away, gaining enough of a head-start while they reorganised themselves to find Mary-Tzu's camp before they found him and warn her. Anansi was watching him closely, too, eyes following Raven wherever he went and he still couldn't find any way to get away without being immediately recaptured and dragged back to Anansi.

Drabble 329

Finished on time at 7:05.

Raven walked miserably alongside Anansi's horse. He hadn't been offered a horse himself, and was struggling to keep up with the far larger strides of the creature. It didn't appear to be a problem for Anansi's men, who were clearly used to marching alongside cavalry. Raven had considered using that to fall back and make his escape, but Anansi was keeping a close eye on him and he was heavily outnumbered. Not only that but he still wasn't entirely sure where he was or how to get back home, and couldn't risk getting lost with a small army after him.