{"id":1152,"date":"2012-03-30T00:00:37","date_gmt":"2012-03-30T04:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1152"},"modified":"2012-03-29T11:21:30","modified_gmt":"2012-03-29T15:21:30","slug":"autumn-chapter-6-08","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1152","title":{"rendered":"Autumn – Chapter 6 – 08"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>We reached the fire as most of the others were gathering there.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Matt frowned at me, looking away from instructing Tala in the finer points of aiming and shooting a shotgun even as he belted on the bigger woman\u2019s festival rapier around his waist.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhere\u2019s Phelan?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cHe went to get holly,\u201d Carolyn said.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cJac, he said you two would need a mortar and pestle and a bucket of water.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Jacqueline blinked, but nodded.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cRight.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She moved quickly, rising and darting toward the well.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Thom took me by the elbow, drawing me slightly aside.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat are we looking at?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He was leaning on one crutch but most of his weight was on his good leg.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>His broken ankle had improved markedly over the last few weeks, but J.T. had been keeping a close eye on him to make sure he didn\u2019t push his limits too much.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I was afraid he was about to do it, too, since his festival sword was riding on his hip.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I frowned, staring at the blade.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He sighed softly and touched my cheek.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou didn\u2019t really think that I was telling Matt to get it to use himself, did you?<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>All he knows is that the pointed end goes in the bad guy.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He\u2019d hurt himself trying to fight with it at this point.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cSo will you,\u201d I murmured, tearing my eyes away from the weapon to meet his gaze.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI hope not.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I\u2019m tired of it.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He rested his forehead against mine.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI\u2019ll be careful.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Now come on.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Tell me what we\u2019re up against.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>I swallowed hard.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWe don\u2019t know yet.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>All we know is that whatever\u2019s out there in the ravine stopped fighting amongst themselves and maybe could be coming for us.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>We\u2019re waiting.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He nodded slightly, putting his arms gently around my waist.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I leaned into him, sighing quietly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I hate the waiting.\u00a0 <\/span>I hate not knowing.<\/span><\/em><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWe\u2019ll get through it,\u201d he murmured.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAll of us, in one piece.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I promise.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Carolyn cleared her throat behind me and I jerked, straightening and pulling away from Thom.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I asked.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAre they moving?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNot yet.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Paul and Stasia are driving the flocks across the lines.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>What are we going to do?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThree rings of defense,\u201d Thom said quietly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cMost able at the exterior line, with the firearms and most of the swords.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Angie and Tala <\/span>\u00a0<\/span>and Jac here at the center, which is the last line and our fallback point.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Anyone that gets hurt needs to shift back here.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Carolyn shook her head.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThom, we don\u2019t have the manpower for that.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>There aren\u2019t that many of us.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWe\u2019ll make it work,\u201d he said firmly, glancing at me for support.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I sighed quietly and shook my head a little.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cIt might work.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>We don\u2019t have to ring the whole camp, just the ravine sides.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>That\u2019s where they\u2019ll come from.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>At least I think that\u2019s where they\u2019ll come from.\u00a0 <\/span>I hope they don\u2019t try to surround us.<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>There were probably enough of them to pull that off, though.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat might work?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Kellin asked as she joined us, red-faced and breathless.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThom\u2019s plan,\u201d Carolyn said.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThree lines, one nearest to the ravines and the wards, one further in, then a knot back here by the fire.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Kellin looked between Carolyn and I.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cHow many are we talking about?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWe don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 Could be dozens, or hundreds, or thousands.<\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>Shivers worked their way up my spine.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I hope dozens, or less than dozens.\u00a0 <\/span>I hope none at all.<\/span><\/em><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Thom squeezed my arm, his palm covering the mark, warming it slightly.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNo movement yet,\u201d Phelan called from behind us.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cBut they\u2019re stirring.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Something\u2019s coming.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>His was torso bare except for the gauze taped over his stitches.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He\u2019d taken off his shirt so he could carry a tangled mass of holly leaves and berries, the bundle cradled in his arms like something precious.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Rory came on his heels, carrying four staves\u2014one of them Phelan\u2019s\u2014in hand.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cSet them there, Rory,\u201d Phelan said as he knelt down near the fire and spread his shirt over the bare earth.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Quick fingers made small ornaments of leaves and berries, which he lashed to the balance point of each stave.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat are those for?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I asked.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He grinned over his shoulder at me.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cProtection.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Staves for you, me, Rory, and Jac.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Where is she, anyway?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI\u2019m here,\u201d she said, huffing as she hauled a bucket of water over, a basket bumping against her hip, trapped between it and her elbow.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She set the bucket down heavily next to Phelan, then started to unload the requested mortar and pestle.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat are we going to do with these?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Phelan\u2019s eyes glittered.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWe\u2019re going to bless the blades and the staves and the ammunition and hope that I haven\u2019t lost my touch\u2014and that yours is as strong as I think it is.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 We reached the fire as most of the others were gathering there.\u00a0 Matt frowned at me, looking away from instructing Tala in the finer points of aiming and shooting a shotgun even as he belted on the bigger woman\u2019s … 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-1152","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-iA","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1152","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=1152"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1152\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1153,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1152\/revisions\/1153"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1152"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1152"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1152"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}