Miri hoped to whoever was listening that this guard didn’t find her. Tucking her stolen meat away, she took a steeling breath and watched this guard search for her She didn’t know what he would have done if he did but she didn’t think it would have been pleasant. But she was trapped with nowhere to go but into the firelight where she could be seen. He must have seen her or known she was there somehow or perhaps by sheer dumb luck he’d aimed correctly because he was aiming straight at her heart. If he loosed his arrow, she would be dead within moments.

The first time he asked, she stayed hidden and hoped he’d give up. The second time, she cringed and hoped he’d turn elsewhere so she could escape. The third time, she gave up. He would not leave. Biting softly on her lip, she stood up slowly, her slender frame barely discernible from the darkness until she stood tall enough to escape from the shadows of the crates and the fire shone light upon her. Slowly, she raised her hands, palm facing him to show she meant no harm and that she wasn’t armed in anyway.