{"id":1455,"date":"2012-10-03T00:00:39","date_gmt":"2012-10-03T04:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1455"},"modified":"2012-10-02T20:42:57","modified_gmt":"2012-10-03T00:42:57","slug":"winter-chapter-22-05","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1455","title":{"rendered":"Winter – Chapter 22 – 05"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He began the process of re-packing and loading in silence, stewing over the question as Thordin wandered off and returned with a mount of his own, one he\u2019d apparently abandoned a short distance away so not to startle them by simply riding into their camp.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Cameron was aware of Neve\u2019s eyes on his back, of a vague sense of concern coming from her.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>She doesn\u2019t have anything to worry about.\u00a0 <\/span>I\u2019m fine.<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>He was still sore from the fight two days before, but it was nothing he couldn\u2019t handle.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Thordin dismantled the lean-to to get to the fire as Cameron carried the last gear out and bundled it for loading.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Neve caught his hand as he headed toward the horses.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cCam.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d he said quietly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cJust a little worried, that\u2019s all.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Three miles is too damn close for my comfort.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cIt is,\u201d Neve agreed, fingers tightening.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She tugged him down toward her.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He sighed and knelt in the thin layer of snow over the still-green grass.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Neve cupped his cheek with her palm, thumb stroking the corner of his mouth.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cBut they haven\u2019t quite caught up to us yet, have they?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNo.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Not yet.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 But someday, our luck\u2019s going to run out and they will.<\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>Bile crept upward in his throat and he swallowed hard.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWe can\u2019t keep running from them forever.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>She leaned her forehead against his.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cSomeday, we won\u2019t have to.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He snorted softly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI wish I could\u2014\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Thordin cleared his throat.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Cameron twisted to look at him over his shoulder.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cCan I give you a little advice?\u201d the big, strange man asked.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Cameron\u2019s eyes narrowed slightly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cSomething tells me that you\u2019ll give it whether I say yes or not.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Instead of getting angry, Thordin laughed, peering around Cameron to Neve.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cA sense of humor.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I\u2019m thinking that\u2019s a good thing.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cProbably,\u201d Neve agreed, a smile softening the worry lines that had only recently begun to gather around her eyes.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Cameron sighed.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAdvise away.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cBelieve her,\u201d Thordin said.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cIn the deepest, darkest hours of life, of your <\/span>soul<\/span><\/em>, believe in her.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Neve is not a woman that would ever lead you astray.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Cameron stared at him.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Neve drop her gaze to her lap.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>The bile he hadn\u2019t quite tamped down started to rise again.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He squeezed his free hand tightly into a fist.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cHave you ever known something that cruel to just give up?\u201d he asked, unable to keep traces of bitterness from his voice.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI\u2019ve known the things that send them to find the cost so dear they call off their hounds,\u201d Thordin said quietly.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Neve squeezed his fingers again and Cameron looked down at her, throat tightening as he stared into her pale face and eyes ringed by dark bruises born of barely adequate sleep.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThe cost has already been too high,\u201d Cameron murmured.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Caliburn hung heavy on his back.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019m the only one who can protect her.<\/em><\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou don\u2019t have to,\u201d Neve whispered, as if she\u2019d heard his thoughts.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Maybe she had.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He kissed her forehead and pushed himself upright again.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI want to.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He glanced toward Thordin, who wore a faint, wry smile of approval.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAre you riding with us?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cDo you think I came looking for Lady Rhiannon\u2019s only daughter just to say hello?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Cameron laughed a tight, bitter little chuckle and nodded.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI thought as much.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He extended his hand.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cCameron.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Thordin cocked his head to one side as his fist engulfed the pilot\u2019s hand.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNo,\u201d he said quietly, almost thoughtfully.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNo, you\u2019re the Dragon.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>His hand tightened briefly, then loosened.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>As Thordin turned away to tend to the fire and breakfast, Cameron glanced at Neve, who looked even paler for a moment, her lips pressed together in a thin, tight line.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Cameron crouched again.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat\u2019s the matter?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNothing,\u201d she said, giving him a weak smile.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>His gaze lingered on her for a few long moments before he nodded and straightened up.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Neve\u2019s gaze dropped to her knees again and she mumbled, \u201cEverything.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Shivers shot down Cameron\u2019s spine and he swallowed hard, refusing to give in to the urge to spin back toward her.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cEverything?\u201d he echoed a few minutes later as he settled a saddle blanket into place across a horse\u2019s back.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Cam,\u201d she said.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cIt\u2019s not exactly turning out like I thought it would.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Nothing is happening the way I thought.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThat\u2019s the way life is, Neve,\u201d he said.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cEndless chance.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Unpredictability.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI come from a bloodline of Seers,\u201d she said.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWe\u2019re supposed to know.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cEven gods make mistakes, <\/span>hjartasystir<\/span><\/em>,\u201d Thordin called from the fire.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cEnjoy the unpredictability.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>What your brother sees isn\u2019t always what comes true.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNo,\u201d Neve said softly, her voice strange.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNo, it\u2019s not.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>When Cameron looked back, she was smiling, though sadly.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAre you all right?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>She looked up at him and nodded.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>She was fine.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>That, at least, was true.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He began the process of re-packing and loading in silence, stewing over the question as Thordin wandered off and returned with a mount of his own, one he\u2019d apparently abandoned a short distance away so not to startle them … 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-1455","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-nt","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1455","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=1455"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1455\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1457,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1455\/revisions\/1457"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1455"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1455"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1455"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}