{"id":1347,"date":"2012-08-08T00:00:59","date_gmt":"2012-08-08T04:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1347"},"modified":"2012-08-07T09:06:12","modified_gmt":"2012-08-07T13:06:12","slug":"winter-chapter-18-03","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1347","title":{"rendered":"Winter – Chapter 18 – 03"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Thom straightened as Marin\u2019s fingers closed around the fabric of his sleeve.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He craned his neck toward his wife, using his free arm to wipe the sweat from his brow that had gathered despite the day\u2019s chill.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat the hell is going on around here?\u201d she hissed.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI\u2019m up at the greenhouse out across the road for three hours and all of a sudden you\u2019ve quit working on what you <\/span>said<\/span><\/em> you were going to be working on and you\u2019re putting up a watchtower.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cDid you guys have a good haul?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Thom peered past her toward the horses and the makeshift wagons they\u2019d put together\u2014plus the real wagon they\u2019d acquired across the road.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Tala was coordinating the unloading of what looked like mostly apples and potatoes.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cDecent enough.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Don\u2019t change the subject.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Her fingers tightened.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hoofbeats pounded in the distance and his hackles rose, goosebumps rising, racing up and down his limbs.\u00a0 <\/em><\/span>Another? Again, so soon?<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>His lips thinned.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span><\/em>Dragon warned us it could get bad this time.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He thought of Marin, of Carolyn and the others.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>They would want to fight.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>How could he stop them?<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Appeal to their maternal instincts?<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>That was what made them <\/span><\/em>want<\/span> to fight.<\/span><\/em><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He glanced over the tower rail and saw the smudge in the distance.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>His eyes narrowed and he grabbed the binoculars.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Two dozen riders, armed to the teeth\u2014guns this time, not bows and blades.<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cBloody hell,\u201d he muttered under his breath, then rang the bell.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Twice, two loud, long peals.<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Camp exploded into motion and shouts.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>No longer were they the disorganized rabble they\u2019d been.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>They had enough of these fights under their belts to know what to do instinctually.<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/em>I wish we didn\u2019t know what to do so well sometimes.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>It means we do this too often.<\/em><\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThom!<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>What\u2019ve we got?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cHorsemen with firearms,\u201d he said.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAngie needs to take the twins and the other kids down to the tunnel and the rest of us need to get set.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I want Tala and Phelan up on the walls with the longbows.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat about Marin?<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She\u2019s just as good.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Thom winced.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Matt squeezed his arm.<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI know what you\u2019re thinking.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAnd?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThe needs of the many.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Thom squeezed his eyes shut and nodded.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou\u2019re right.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>His brother, the pragmatist, right as usual.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cHer too.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Coordinate the ranged ones and I\u2019ll rally everyone else.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Matt flashed a thumbs-up and jogged off.<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThom?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Marin\u2019s hand was against his face now, bare and cold against his suddenly feverish flesh.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He shivered slightly and covered her hand with his.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cJ.T.\u2019s ghosts,\u201d he said quietly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThey warned him that someone\u2019s coming. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Someone human, probably violent.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>We need to be ready.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Marin stared at him for a long moment before she shuddered.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cGods and monsters,\u201d she breathed.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAnd you just saw something, too.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNot about what might happen today or tomorrow or the next day,\u201d Thom said before h gathered her against his chest and squeezed her tightly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cSomething that might happen on a day a long time from now.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He rested his chin on the top of her head for a moment before he gave her one more squeeze and released her.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI should get back to work.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat can we do?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Marin asked.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cOnce we\u2019re done with the unloading, what do you need us to do?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Thom considered it for a moment, then exhaled.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cJust do what you\u2019d usually do.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>There\u2019s no way we can get more than one tower up in a day, and we\u2019ve got this in hand.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Make sure the weapons are somewhere near so we\u2019re not in a mad scramble.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWe need an armory.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Another thing to add to the list.<\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI\u2019ll add it to the list.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Marin cradled his face between her hands.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThis isn\u2019t all on you.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNo,\u201d he agreed.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cIt\u2019s on you and Kel and Matt, too.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>But we already knew that, didn\u2019t we?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Marin winced slightly and nodded.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYeah,\u201d she said.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYeah, we did.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I wish we didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He folded her into his arms again all too briefly, then released her.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cGo on.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI\u2019ve got work to do.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI\u2019ll bring you all something to eat in a little while.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He smiled.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThanks.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>She smiled back crookedly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cSomeone\u2019s got to make sure that you guys don\u2019t forget to do that.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>You concentrate on protecting everyone.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>We\u2019ll keep an eye on your well-being.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Thom wanted to go after her as she walked away.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Matt clapped him on the shoulder.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cQuit staring at my sister and help me with this lumber, will you?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Thom laughed and nodded, turning.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cRight.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Sure.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Lumber.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Watchtowers, to keep them safe.\u00a0 <\/span>I just hope it\u2019s enough.<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>He had no way of knowing one way or another, but he had to hope it would be.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>After all, wishing for more <\/span>time<\/span><\/em> would only be some sort of exercise in futility.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He didn\u2019t even know how much time they had in the first place.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 All I can do is hope it\u2019s enough.<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thom straightened as Marin\u2019s fingers closed around the fabric of his sleeve.\u00a0 He craned his neck toward his wife, using his free arm to wipe the sweat from his brow that had gathered despite the day\u2019s chill. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat … 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":[35,57,14,52,39],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1347","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-book-2","category-chapter-18","category-story","category-winter","category-year-one"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1EBlN-lJ","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1347","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=1347"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1347\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1349,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1347\/revisions\/1349"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1347"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1347"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1347"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}