Roads unknown

I R I S She nodded at his reassurances, finding herself on the cusp of believing them. It was a skittish breed of confidence, egged on by the fact that he was her first choice. There was also something lurking behind the smuggler’s arrogant attitude. Something that felt like danger and made Iris want to probe further. She met the cold blade marking the edge of Jack’s boundaries, right there on her hip, and let her hand slip away. The look she gave him was not apologetic, but cordial. Tantrums? Now that was just offensive. “I’m not a child, Jack,” was what she meant to say. But those things were better shown than spoken, so she locked her jaw in pensive silence and paced a few steps towards the beach, trying to quell the discomfort that came with the very thought of relinquishing control. Granting trust was difficult when your very existence was to be staked with it. And yet, insult aside, the request was sensible. She sighed. ”I understand.” Tentative agreement, and an incline of the head. ”But first, let’s see how you think. We must leave a body for my family to bury. I’ve left a desperate enough image behind for them to think that I might do something reckless.” Her hand went into the small pouch that hung on her hip. ”I will be bringing my brother’s bow with me. It will be noticed. Also, this.” She pulled out a necklace, silver entwined around a green gem matching the one in Jack’s ear. ”Something Iris might be carrying. How do you propose she should expire? Paint me a picture.”