His heart had started to match the rhythm of those drums by the time they were out in the snow and cold beneath the watchtower. “Fear fiach, get down here.”
Thom’s face appeared from above, blue eyes narrowing slightly before he scrambled down the ladder. “I don’t suppose anyone brought my sword.”
Phelan grimaced and shook his head. “Doesn’t seem like it, but I’m hoping we won’t need it.”
Thom gave him a walleyed stare and Phelan nearly laughed despite himself.
Expect the worst but hope for the best—except for when hope’s been beaten bloody and left in the street to die. He knew that look, had seen it before. Phelan clapped him on the shoulder, gripped and squeezed for a moment.
“Do you trust me, fear fiach?”
Thom exhaled a sigh. “You know I do.”
Phelan nodded firmly. “Then give me a few inches.” He glanced beyond Thom to Thordin and J.T., who had descended from the watchtower in Thom’s wake. The rumble of hooves shivered the ground and the calls of hunting hounds mingled with the sound of drums. The rest of camp wouldn’t stay asleep for long.
Neve will have felt this by now—unless Jac or J.T. gave her something to help her sleep. Marin’s certainly felt it, and Kellin, and Cameron… He frowned briefly, giving in to the brief urge to shiver.
“We’re going out to meet them,” he said. “The five of us.” He inclined his head toward Sif to include her in their number.
“Six,” Leinth said, peering at him from around J.T.’s shoulder.
He shook his head. “No. You stay here, guard the gate. We’ll need someone who can hold it if things go sour.”
Leinth glanced sidelong toward Sif, then met Phelan’s gaze. “Lady Sif would be a better choice for that role.”
Sif glared at Leinth. “No. You are more than equal to the task.”
“I’ll stay with her,” Rory said, breath steaming in the air. “We’ll hold it together.”
Phelan nodded firmly. “Then it’s settled. Thordin, Thom, Jay, Sif, with me.”
“Do we have a plan?” J.T. asked, sounding like he didn’t actually want to hear the answer to the question he’d just voiced.
Phelan just laughed. “Negotiate,” he said simply as he strode toward the gates. “They’ll listen.”
“You sound sure of that,” Thordin said.
“That’s because I am,” Phelan said, giving his friends a grim smile. “Trust me.”
I’m right on this one, and I’ll prove it.
Yeah! Phelan is sounding very very positive! Good sign.
Thanks for the new post.