[This post is from Marin’s point of view.]
I walked, at first, then broke into an uncomfortable jog toward the tents, the cookfires—anywhere I could hope to find our friends. It would only be Thordin up at the forge this time of day. My best chance at a concentration of people would be by the cookfires.
I don’t even know what’s out there. I haven’t a bloody clue.
What the hell was I doing?
Dammit, Phelan.
It was too late to turn back now.
Hand against my swollen belly, I resumed my jog toward the cookfires, cursing him under my breath even as his care made my heart ache.
Shoving me out of harms’ way. A shame I never stay completely out of it.
I was breathing hard by the time I made it to the fire, where Tala was tending a cauldron of stew for dinner and Jac was boiling bandages. Both of them looked up curiously, though Jac’s curiosity morphed quickly into alarm.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
I gulped in a few breaths of air before I said, “Drums in the distance. Something out there.”
My friend swore softly under her breath, glancing at Tala. “Make her sit down and drink something,” she ordered, then looked back at me. “Stay here. I’ll get the others.”
Still catching my breath, I nodded. Tala took me by the arm and sat me down on a log.
“What do you think it is?” she asked as she turned away to get me a drink.
I shook my head. “I have no idea,” I said between breaths. “But I’m damned worried we’re going to find out.”
“I’m not sure there’s any doubt of that now.” She poured something steaming out of a kettle and then pressed the mug into my hands. “Here. Drink it slow.”
“What is it?” I lifted the mug, the scent of its contents familiar and soothing.
“Something Phelan gave me. Tea of some kind, I think.”
I nodded slowly and took a slight sip. “Tala, if you need to go make sure your kids—”
“I will, but not until someone else gets here first.” She smiled weakly. “It’s going to be okay.”
I nodded, staring down into the mug. I wished that I still had her optimism.
After losing Matt, I didn’t anymore.
