{"id":1451,"date":"2012-10-01T00:00:15","date_gmt":"2012-10-01T04:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1451"},"modified":"2012-09-30T14:54:19","modified_gmt":"2012-09-30T18:54:19","slug":"winter-chapter-22-04","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1451","title":{"rendered":"Winter – Chapter 22 – 04"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cA little bird,\u201d Cameron repeated, shocked his voice was as steady as it was.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>His mind reeled.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Princess of Avalon.\u00a0 <\/span>Is he talking about Neve?<\/span><\/em><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He had to be.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Who else could it be?<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>The man looked momentarily thoughtful and contrite all at once.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cActually, it was a <\/span>Dirae<\/span><\/em> scout, but I took care of that for you.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I hope you don\u2019t mind.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Was about three miles back.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He grinned again even as the bottom dropped out of Cameron\u2019s stomach.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A <\/em><\/span>Dirae<\/span> scout?\u00a0 <\/span>We really can\u2019t stay.<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>He dropped the bags where he stood and turned to bring more of the supplies out.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>The stranger had suddenly become a secondary concern.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If he killed their scout, he\u2019s on our side, right?<\/em><\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cPilot or sailor?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Cameron froze in mid-step, turning toward the man\u2019s impossibly cheerful voice.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cPilot.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>How did you know?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou move like a warrior, but you don\u2019t seem like the wilderness type.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He just blinked at the stranger for a moment, then turned to face him squarely again.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWho the hell are you?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThordin,\u201d Neve\u2019s voice said softly from the entrance of the lean-to.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI thought you were dead.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI was,\u201d the stranger said, voice still queerly cheerful.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI got better.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Cameron swallowed bile and turned to Neve.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She stood on one foot, body wrapped in one of the blankets they\u2019d slept under.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He slid his arm around her waist to steady her, to keep her weight off her bad leg.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou shouldn\u2019t be trying to walk on it,\u201d he murmured in her ear.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>One hand came out from under the blanket and stroked his cheek, roughened by three days\u2019 worth of beard.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI can\u2019t keep crawling for the rest of my life,\u201d she murmured.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI\u2019ll be all right.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He kissed her temple gently and tried not to sigh, acutely aware that they had an audience that was watching them with a keen, measuring gaze.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI see that you\u2019ve found more than just Caliburn\u2019s latest choice,\u201d the stranger\u2014Thordin\u2014said, grinning.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>The expression softened from something just on the safe side of manic to a quiet, gentle smile.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou spent a long time looking.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Neve blushed, going pink to the tips of her ears.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cSome of us are picky, <\/span>cara sean<\/span><\/em>.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThe implication is that some of us aren\u2019t.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He was still smiling fondly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>His eyes flicked toward Cameron then, gaze sweeping over him from head to toe.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>After a brief moment, he nodded slightly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI approve.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Did your brother?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cTeague doesn\u2019t have to sleep with him,\u201d Neve said, leaning against Cameron.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He squeezed her gently.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cHave to?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>She smiled, looking up at Cameron.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cHe doesn\u2019t <\/span>want<\/span><\/em> to, either.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I choose to.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cGood to know,\u201d Cameron said, unable to quell the wry smile that rose to his lips.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He glanced at Thordin.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cOn both counts, I imagine.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>So you two know each other?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>I hope to high heaven that really means that he\u2019s on our side.\u00a0 <\/span>But she hasn\u2019t screamed or indicated that I should run him through, so maybe we\u2019re okay.<\/span><\/em><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cSo what\u2019s a dead man doing here in the middle of the Canadian wilderness after the end of the world?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Neve asked.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Cameron helped her over to where he\u2019d dropped the things he\u2019d been carrying so she could sit on top of one of their saddles, which lay amidst the pile.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou mean instead of minding my own business in an alehouse somewhere?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Thordin smiled wryly again and shrugged.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThere aren\u2019t any alehouses to be found, unfortunately, so I decided it\u2019d be best to pick up my old pastime again.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat was that?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Cameron asked as he turned to duck back into the lean-to for the saddle blankets and the rest of their gear.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cKilling anything that threatens the Earth,\u201d Thordin said.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cUnfortunately, I don\u2019t do asteroids.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Cameron looked at Neve, then turned to Thordin.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou\u2019re like Neve and Teague.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>You\u2019re not from around here.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou\u2019d be right,\u201d Thordin said.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThough unlike the fair maiden of the bow here, I was born beyond the Veil between worlds.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Not initially, anyway.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Cameron looked between the two.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cDoes that make a difference?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cOh yes,\u201d Neve said quietly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cIt does.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>A big one.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>We\u2019re more and less vulnerable all at once.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cVulnerable to what?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cDepends on who you are,\u201d she said quietly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cBut for most of us, iron.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Other things, like what the <\/span>Dirae<\/span><\/em> use to paint their claws.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Some poisons, plants, wardings.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Different things.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She smiled weakly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThere\u2019s a lot you\u2019ve got to learn, <\/span>cro\u00ed m’anam<\/span><\/em>.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWell, hopefully I\u2019ll have time to learn.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He looked at Thordin.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI don\u2019t suppose you cook?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI could,\u201d their visitor said.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThen please do,\u201d Cameron replied as he turned back to the lean-to.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cIf you killed a <\/span>Dirae<\/span><\/em> three miles from here, then we don\u2019t have any time to waste.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThree miles?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>The concern was clear in Neve\u2019s voice.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThat\u2019s damned close.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAye, they\u2019re tracking you,\u201d Thordin said.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cMaybe both of you.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>The thought made Cameron shiver.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Not for the first time, he had to wonder about that.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Why would anything be hunting both of us instead of just one or the other?<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cA little bird,\u201d Cameron repeated, shocked his voice was as steady as it was.\u00a0 His mind reeled.\u00a0 Princess of Avalon.\u00a0 Is he talking about Neve? \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He had to be.\u00a0 Who else could it be? \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The man looked … 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":[35,61,14,52,39],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1451","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-book-2","category-chapter-22","category-story","category-winter","category-year-one"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1EBlN-np","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1451","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=1451"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1451\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1453,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1451\/revisions\/1453"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1451"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1451"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1451"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}