{"id":1471,"date":"2012-10-17T00:00:29","date_gmt":"2012-10-17T04:00:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1471"},"modified":"2012-10-17T07:58:15","modified_gmt":"2012-10-17T11:58:15","slug":"winter-chapter-24-02","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1471","title":{"rendered":"Winter – Chapter 24 – 02"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cPhelan?<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Can we borrow you for a few minutes?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Three sets of eyes turned toward Rory\u2019s voice as his head poked inside the forge, which was easily thirty degrees warmer inside than it was outside.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Phelan stepped away from Matt\u2019s makeshift bellows and nodded for Thom to take over.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cSure.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Thom arched a brow as he took over.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat\u2019s up?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Rory shook his head.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cJust something we need Phelan\u2019s touch for, that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWards stuff?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Thom winced slightly as he started to work the bellows, ribs twinging uncomfortably.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYeah, something like that.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>His gaze flicked between Thom and Matt.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cY\u2019know, Marin wanted someone to go out and scout to make sure there\u2019s nothing strange going on outside the walls.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Think you guys could handle that?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Matt frowned a little, glancing at the half-started piece in his hand, then looked at Thom.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Phelan swallowed a chuckle.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou\u2019ve barely gotten started, Matt.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I think you\u2019re okay to leave it.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Better get to it if Marin asked.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Phelan snagged his coat from where he\u2019d tossed over a pile of wood and turned to Rory.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cLead on.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Thom stepped away from the forge to let Matt clean up and bank the fire, drifting toward the door.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He shivered slightly as he stepped out of the warm darkness of the forge and out into the chill of daylight.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Even with the sun high in the sky, the day was still cold, holding the promise of an even colder winter to come.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Every time I have to deal with a security threat, I can\u2019t be building something that needs building.\u00a0 <\/span>At this rate, nothing will ever be done and we\u2019ll end up freezing to death before winter\u2019s out because I haven\u2019t been able to make sure everything is properly insulated.<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>His jaw tightened.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Too many problems.\u00a0 <\/span>Not enough solutions.<\/span><\/em><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Not enough time.<\/em><\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Matt nudged him and offered Thom the jacket he\u2019d left inside.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>As he shrugged into it, he said, \u201cWhat do you think?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Matt frowned.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAbout what?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWe ready for any of this?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Thom asked.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWar, the weather?<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Any of it?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNo one told me we were going to be fighting a war,\u201d Matt said.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cJust some skirmishes to solidify our position and defend ourselves.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>As for the weather, we won\u2019t know that until we face the first real test, will we?<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>At least we\u2019re staying dry and out of the wind.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>That\u2019s the worst of it.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>We\u2019ve got blankets.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>We\u2019ll find ways to stay warm.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Thom shook his head slightly and reached back inside, snagging his blade from where he\u2019d left it leaning against the wall just inside the door.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He belted it on before he zipped his coat and yanked on his gloves.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI\u2019d hoped we wouldn\u2019t need to worry about that.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Too many other problems.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cOne thing at a time,\u201d Matt said, momentarily sounding wiser than his years.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He clapped his brother-in-law on the shoulder.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cCome on.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Let\u2019s have a look around.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou\u2019ll need a weapon,\u201d Thom said.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cGot some.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Matt produced a throwing knife roughly the length of Thom\u2019s hand from somewhere\u2014probably inside his sleeve.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Where the hell did that come from?<\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhen did you learn to throw knives?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhen I was in Scouts.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Same time I learned rifle and archery.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>The blade disappeared again.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cRory\u2019s been helping me with the sleight of hand part.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Made the knives.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Good practice for the swords.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Thom shook his head.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cFull of surprises, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI try to be, anyway,\u201d Matt said, then set off down the hill.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Thom shook his head again and followed.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou thinking they felt something?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Matt asked after a few minutes.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhile they were working their mojo?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cDon\u2019t know.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Thom glanced to one side and then the other as they drew up to the gap where he hoped someday a gate would be.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He couldn\u2019t see the warding team right away.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Probably broke off in case we find something.<\/em><\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>I hope we don\u2019t.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I really, really hope we don\u2019t.<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou and I going to be enough?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Matt asked, frowning as he peered through the gap.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cFor the moment,\u201d Thom said, stepping out into the open, gaze scything from side to side as he cleared the walls.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cOtherwise, you book it back and I\u2019ll try to hold whatever we run into where it is.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThat doesn\u2019t sound like a good idea.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Thom shrugged.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNot going to strip camp of defenses.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Two of us is enough to scout for now, especially if there\u2019s not actually anything out here.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Matt arched a brow.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou don\u2019t think anything\u2019s out here.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cCorrection,\u201d Thom said.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI <\/span>hope<\/span><\/em> there\u2019s nothing out here.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He smiled grimly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cCome on.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Let\u2019s get to work.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cPhelan?\u00a0 Can we borrow you for a few minutes?\u201d \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Three sets of eyes turned toward Rory\u2019s voice as his head poked inside the forge, which was easily thirty degrees warmer inside than it was outside.\u00a0 Phelan stepped away … 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":[35,63,14,52,39],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1471","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-book-2","category-chapter-24","category-story","category-winter","category-year-one"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1EBlN-nJ","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1471","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=1471"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1471\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1473,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1471\/revisions\/1473"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1471"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1471"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1471"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}