{"id":1359,"date":"2012-08-15T00:00:16","date_gmt":"2012-08-15T04:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1359"},"modified":"2012-08-15T06:56:59","modified_gmt":"2012-08-15T10:56:59","slug":"winter-chapter-18-06","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1359","title":{"rendered":"Winter – Chapter 18 – 06"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Phelan appeared at Thom\u2019s shoulder just as Rory reported that the incoming rabble had managed to cross the broken span over the Grand River.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Thom looked at him sidelong, jaw setting.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cDid anyone send them, Phelan?\u201d Thom asked, his voice low enough that only Phelan, on one side, and Marin, on the other, could hear him.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>The flame-haired man bounced an impressive old-style hunting bow between his palms, brows knitting in thought as he considered the question.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>His gaze drifted to the north, toward the threat he couldn\u2019t see.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He shook his head slightly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNo,\u201d he murmured quietly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNo, I don\u2019t think so.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou\u2019re sure?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Marin asked, peering around Thom.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Phelan frowned.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThere\u2019s no such thing as \u2018sure\u2019 in these things, but my instincts say no.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>This is random.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Bad luck.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Nothing more.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Bad luck.\u00a0 <\/span>Right.<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>Thom\u2019s lips thinned.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cRight.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>What\u2019s your range with the bow?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cFarther than the shotguns,\u201d Phelan said with a wry smile.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Thom nodded firmly.<\/span>\u00a0 Good.<\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI need you on one of the roofs with that thing.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Can you climb?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI\u2019ll manage,\u201d Phelan said, hand drifting unconsciously to his side.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Thom clapped him on the shoulder.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cStart climbing.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Hold your fire until I give you a signal.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI think I can handle that.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Phelan gave both of them a tight smile and headed for the nearest shed, beginning to scramble up, using a tote as a step to give himself a boost.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Marin eased closer, a shotgun in one hand and her staff in the other.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Thom slid his arm around her shoulders and squeezed briefly.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cStay out of the direct line of fire,\u201d he murmured in her ear, then kissed it gently through her hair.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cPromise me.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I\u2019m not going to stand by and watch something happen to you.\u00a0 <\/span>The <\/span><\/em>camazotzi<\/span>, the Greys, that\u2019s one thing.\u00a0 <\/span>This is different.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>This isn\u2019t something she\u2019s equipped to fight.<\/span><\/em><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>It\u2019s not anything any of us are equipped to fight, but I\u2019ll never forgive myself if something happens to her.<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Pain flickered across her features and she took his hand and squeezed.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI\u2019ll try.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Where do you want me?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Traces of tension eased. <\/span>\u00a0I couldn\u2019t ask for much more than her trying, at least.<\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cRight here, under the watchtower.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Go up if you have to if you need to get a clear shot.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>You\u2019ll know if you do.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThom!<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>They\u2019re halfway up the hill.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>My count\u2019s twenty-five.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Five look like prisoners.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Prisoners?<\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>Thom swallowed bile.<\/span>\u00a0 What the hell are we dealing with here?<\/em><\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>It struck him that just scaring them off might not be an option.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 We might have to kill them all just to make sure we\u2019re safe.<\/em><\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>As if he hadn\u2019t already shivered enough today.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He glanced at Marin.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I have to keep them safe.<\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>He thought of Jac, of Angie.<\/span>\u00a0 I have to keep all of them safe.<\/em><\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He shook his head at himself and started getting everyone in order\u2014ten people up on the walls, ten in the gap.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He took the middle.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThey\u2019re coming down Campus Drive now,\u201d Rory called down.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Won\u2019t be long.<\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAll right.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Hold until my signal.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Kel, are you coming down to negotiate?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>After a momentary hesitation, she answered.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou open.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>If they\u2019re willing, I\u2019ll come down.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Thom nodded, mostly to himself.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWe\u2019ll meet violence with violence only if we have to.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Stand fast but be alert.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>If one of them so much as twitches, we need to be ready to respond.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>On my signal.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He took a deep breath and exhaled it slowly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He could almost hear them now.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cCheck your loads and wait.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He tried to quell the racing of his heart as he strained to hear the sound of their approaching \u201cguests.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>All he could hear was the thundering of his heart and the sound of the others checking to make sure their weapons were loaded around him.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>The one that came into view first was taller than even Thom with shoulders broader than J.T.\u2019s.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He was clean-shaven, chiseled features, like some kind of European model.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>The men who came behind him were equally rugged, though they looked less reputable than their leader.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He\u2019s a wolf in sheep\u2019s clothing.<\/em><\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>The man\u2019s eyes glittered like obsidian in the sun and a slow, cruel smile split his features as he and his wended their way across the field before the walls.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWell well,\u201d he said, his voice almost a purr.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cLook at all the little children with their toy guns.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Thom eased forward from the line.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cHave you come to trade, or to raid?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>The man considered the question for a moment, his gaze raking over Thom.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWe\u2019ve come for your food, your livestock, and your women.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 To raid, then.\u00a0 <\/em><\/span>A muscle in Thom\u2019s jaw twitched.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cIn exchange for what?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYour lives,\u201d the man said, then grinned.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Some of the men behind him grinned feral grins\u2014the group was mostly men, except for four women with their wrists duct-taped together in a wagon\u2014while only two of them, plus a teenager boy in one of the wagons, looked uncomfortable with the statement.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI\u2019m sorry, that\u2019s raiding, not trading.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Thom mustered up a smile that he hoped matched the stranger\u2019s in cruelty.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAnd New Hope is closed to raiders.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Find yourself easier pickings elsewhere.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>The man started to laugh.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Thom set his jaw, resting one hand on the hilt of his sword.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAnd you\u2019re going to stop me with your little toy sword and your little toy guns?\u201d the<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>man said, mirth fading though the cruel smile remained.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou bet.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Thom said.<\/span>\u00a0 One way or another.<\/em><\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>The man started to laugh again.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>A pistol appeared from nowhere.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Thom dove.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Shots echoed off the walls, the remnants of buildings.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Pain exploded in his side and he hit the ground gasping, his chest and shoulder on fire.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Something whistled over Thom\u2019s head, then hit somewhere ahead of him with a dull, meaty thunk.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cIf one of you so much as twitches for a weapon, you\u2019ll be next.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>It was Phelan\u2019s voice, Thom realized dimly as black and red nibbled on the edges of his vision.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Breathing hurt.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Someone ahead of him was shouting.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He heard weapons cocking.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Gunfire erupted above him even as he fought to stay conscious, every breath a battle.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Please.\u00a0 <\/span>Please, gods and monsters and whatever the hell is out there, please take care of them.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Protect them.<\/span><\/em><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Protect them when I can\u2019t.<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Like right now.<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Phelan appeared at Thom\u2019s shoulder just as Rory reported that the incoming rabble had managed to cross the broken span over the Grand River.\u00a0 Thom looked at him sidelong, jaw setting. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDid anyone send them, Phelan?\u201d Thom asked, … 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-1359","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-lV","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1359","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=1359"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1359\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1361,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1359\/revisions\/1361"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1359"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1359"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1359"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}