Category Archives: Year One

“Marin, wait.  Marin!” Matt ducked Thordin’s whistling axe and turned toward the sound of Phelan’s shouting, holding up a hand to forestall another assault.  Behind him, Thordin frowned slightly and took a step closer, cocking his head to one side. … Continue reading →

I pushed to my feet before J.T. was a few strides away and jogged to catch up with him.  “Jay, wait up.” He paused, half turning back toward me.  “You’re not going to stick around here and watch Matt and … Continue reading →

J.T. scrambled after me and caught up before I’d gone more than a dozen steps. “What the hell is wrong with you?” he demanded quietly.  “Matt’s trying to be proactive about shit and you’re throwing it back in his face.” … Continue reading →

I spotted Matt and J.T. trailing in Thorin’s wake as they walked out of the forge as I headed out toward the holly hedges about half an hour later.  I’d left Thom to negotiations with Tala about our victuals for … Continue reading →

Thom greeted me by wrapping his arms around my waist and tugging me back against him—I nearly dropped the basket of laundry I was hauling.  I blinked over my shoulder at him, trying to pretend I was annoyed that he’d … Continue reading →

Phelan came to them later, as the day slowly gave way to night, the sun sinking lower and sparkling against the snow.  Never had lost track of how long she and Cameron had stood there together, staring out at nothing … Continue reading →

Neve leaned against her crutches, trying to take deep, even breaths so she could ignore the pain that hummed through her body, reverberated down to her bones.  Something unexpected had come, something powerful, something that had almost knocked her cold … Continue reading →

“I—I’m sorry,” J.T. stammered after a few long moments of silence.  They climbed over the frozen hill and across the field toward Matt’s forge.  Smoke curled from its chimney, drifting away on the winter wind. Phelan shook his head.  “It’s … Continue reading →

“Help me up,” Phelan said suddenly.  “Let’s walk.” “Eh?”  J.T. blinked at him, expression blank, confused. Phelan smiled briefly and shook his head.  “I’m not in the mood to stay here in the dark, near-death experience or not.  Let’s walk … Continue reading →

Phelan stirred awake only a few bare moments after she was gone.  He groaned quietly, twisting in his blankets, eyes blinking open slowly in the dim light.  J.T. watched for a moment, silent, the spirit’s words still sinking in. Then … Continue reading →