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“Nope”

Barnaby’s grin when he peeked over his shoulder was the final straw Rose stared at hiing them over her hips she sucked in a breath while she did the catch and stared down in disination She could only be thankful it was dark and Barnaby wasn’t able to see her all that well

“It’s not funny,” she said dourly

Barnaby coughed to cover his laughter but did nothing to hide his grin

E inside Rose snapped

“I aan “While I thank you for your efforts thus far, I alance dressed like this I alad you find this situation so funny However, I don’t I have been dragged across the country, soaked to the skin, threatened, and shot at in your coto keep me safe, then I am sure I would be better off by myself It is now time I took my leave of you Goodbye”

Before he could speak, Rose stepped over her soiled clothing and stalked out of the barn Without any clue as to what lay beyond, she then headed in the direction they would have taken if they had continued on their journey

“Wha’cha doin’?”

Rose slammed to a halt and squealed at the sound of the voice behind her She peered through the darkness and watched an aged farmer amble toward her

“I aot lost Could you tell et to Affetton?” She said Affetton because she kneas the last village before Portset back home

“Affetton?” the farue that was extremely difficult to understand He scratched his ear and squinted at her “You want to go to Affetton now?”

He clearly thought she had lost her mind

“That’s why I asked,” Rose sighed, aware that Barnaby – the coward – hadn’t come out of the barn to join them “Which way is it?”

The far that anybody could be so stupid “Are you going to go alone?”

“Can you tell me which way to Affetton?”