{"id":1148,"date":"2012-03-28T00:00:33","date_gmt":"2012-03-28T04:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1148"},"modified":"2012-03-25T17:38:20","modified_gmt":"2012-03-25T21:38:20","slug":"autumn-chapter-6-07","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1148","title":{"rendered":"Autumn – Chapter 6 – 07"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThey stopped,\u201d Carolyn said suddenly, taking half a step toward the very edge of the ward-lines.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>My heart dropped to somewhere in the vicinity of my feet and I swallowed hard.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWho won?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI\u2019m not sure anyone did,\u201d Carolyn said.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThey\u2019re arguing again.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Words instead of flinging their allies at each other.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She looked at us, grimacing.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cSo much for hoping they\u2019d waste themselves fighting each other.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Phelan shook his head.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI didn\u2019t think we\u2019d be that lucky.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Vammatar\u2019s smarter than that.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Apparently, so is her opponent.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cDo we even know who\u2014or what\u2014he is?\u201d Matt asked, looking down at Phelan and I.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cOr is he just some overgrown <\/span>camazotzi<\/span><\/em>?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI\u2019m not sure,\u201d Phelan said, \u201cthough I do have some theories, none of them very good for us.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>The only upside is that if I\u2019m right, Vammatar wouldn\u2019t work with any of them in about a million and a half years.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>A million and a half.\u00a0 <\/span>Apparently that\u2019s an important half.<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>I bit down on my tongue as I got to my feet.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cMatt, go send someone to relieve Drew.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>We\u2019re going to need him.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>My brother grunted, looking at me sidelong.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAnything else you need me to do?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYeah, get everyone else to the fire so we can get organized before these things come boiling up out of the ravine at us.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI can do that,\u201d he said.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He reached over and squeezed my shoulder before he turned and jogged away, shotgun still in hand.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I took a deep breath and exhaled it slowly, then looked at Phelan.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cTheories, now.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Before we go back and pow-wow with the others.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Phelan stared at me for a moment, then glanced at Carolyn, as if she\u2019d help him fend me off.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She crossed her arms and just stared back, clearly sharing my thoughts on the matter.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Finally, he just sighed and looked back at me, holding up three fingers.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThree possibilities crossed my mind, but there\u2019s one that\u2019s most likely, though I shudder to think of how he got his claws into the <\/span>camazotzi<\/span><\/em>.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou\u2019re not really explaining, Phelan,\u201d I said, crossing my arms.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cBe patient,\u201d he snapped.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI\u2019m having a hard time getting my thoughts in order.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Just bear with me a second.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He sucked in a breath and exhaled it in a rush.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cEnyalius, Gurzil, and Cariocecus.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I can\u2019t be sure it\u2019s any of them, but I\u2019d lay the strongest odds on Cariocecus.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He\u2019s a warmaker and needs as much power as he can garner.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Phelan\u2019s brows knit.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cOf course, so does Enyalius, if only to step out of his father\u2019s shadow for once.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Could be either one of them, really.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>The more I think about it, I don\u2019t think it could be Gurzil at all.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>We\u2019re too far out of his comfort zone and he\u2019s the type that needs a horde of priests to make him feel powerful enough to take on much of anyone.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He rubbed at his temple and shuddered slightly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cDid it just get very, very still out here?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>It had.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I frowned and reached down, pulling him to his feet.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI think our time\u2019s up,\u201d I said, feeling my pulse begin to quicken.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cBetter get back to the others.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>You can tell us the rest about the two it <\/span>might<\/span><\/em> be on the way.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He swallowed but nodded, then squeezed my arm gently.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThe wards will keep them out at least for a time.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Don\u2019t panic, Marin.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>You\u2019re made of stronger stuff than that.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If I am, it\u2019s news to me.<\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>I just nodded, looking past him to Carolyn.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat do they see?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNothing,\u201d she said quietly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cBut they\u2019re coming back to the lines.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>They think something\u2019s about to go sideways.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She looked at me.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cSo do I.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYeah, me too.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I tugged Phelan toward the tents, toward the fire and the others.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Phelan kept talking as we walked, his voice low.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cCariocecus is probably the most likely, because he could have been exposed to the <\/span>camazotzi<\/span><\/em> thanks to the <\/span>conquistadores<\/span><\/em> and their adventures in Camazotz\u2019s territory, or at least caught whiffs of their existence.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He\u2019s the type that likes to possess people rather than inhabit his own skin\u2014or so the legends I\u2019ve heard say.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Enyalius is a bit trickier.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He\u2019s more powerful and a little more clever.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>The good news is, neither of them have a grudge against me.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAnd the bad news?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Carolyn prompted.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThey\u2019re stubborn, like a hound worrying a bone, and powerful.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He grimaced.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAnd Vammatar is equally stubborn, but more vindictive, <\/span>and<\/span><\/em> she had a grudge.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>If they don\u2019t take each other out, we\u2019re going to have to fight them on both fronts.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I don\u2019t like the sound of that.<\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cCan we win?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI hope so.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Phelan frowned, then changed directions, heading perpendicular to our previous course.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>I spun, reaching for him.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhere are you going?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cTo get some holly,\u201d he said, strides lengthening as he apparently forced any feeling of discomfort from his mind.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWe\u2019ll need it for the blessings.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThe blessings?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I asked, feeling abruptly bewildered.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAye, on the weapons.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Some of you have steel, right?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWell, yeah.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 Not all of it is combat steel, though.<\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He grinned over his shoulder at me and Carolyn, who was a step behind me.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cBelieve me, it\u2019ll work better than bullets.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Tell Jac to get a bucket of water and one of the mortar and pestles.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She and I can work while you two plan.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I\u2019ll meet you back by the fire, go!\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>I stared at him for a second as he broke into a jog, heading toward the line of holly bushes that we\u2019d planted in the weeks before.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat the hell is he talking about?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Carolyn asked me.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI have no idea.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Come on.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>We\u2019re just going to have to trust him.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThey stopped,\u201d Carolyn said suddenly, taking half a step toward the very edge of the ward-lines. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 My heart dropped to somewhere in the vicinity of my feet and I swallowed hard.\u00a0 \u201cWho won?\u201d \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not sure anyone … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[38,35,44,14,39],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1148","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-autumn","category-book-2","category-chapter-6-book-2","category-story","category-year-one"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1EBlN-iw","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1148","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1148"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1148\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1149,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1148\/revisions\/1149"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1148"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1148"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1148"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}