{"id":1475,"date":"2012-10-19T00:00:41","date_gmt":"2012-10-19T04:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1475"},"modified":"2012-10-18T22:47:28","modified_gmt":"2012-10-19T02:47:28","slug":"winter-chapter-24-03","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1475","title":{"rendered":"Winter – Chapter 24 – 03"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He should have known that something was wrong right away when Rory sent Thom and Matt to go scout without having them consult with someone else.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Phelan frowned as he followed their resident flame caster down into the maze of sheds instead of toward the walls or the cookfire.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat the hell happened?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Rory glanced at him and momentarily appeared to be on the verge of clamming up, jaw tightening for a moment, then exhaling and relaxing by a fraction, as if a weight was being lifted as he spoke.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cMarin collapsed while we were working on the wards.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Not like any other time she\u2019s blacked out, either.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I don\u2019t think she\u2019s seeing anything right now.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She\u2019s just down.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cDown?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>His throat constricted and his heart started to beat a little faster.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>That\u2019s not good.\u00a0 <\/span>That\u2019s really, really not good.<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>Phelan nodded for him to keep moving.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cShow me.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Who\u2019s with her?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cJay and Kel, though he maybe sent Kel to find Jac.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Phelan sucked in a couple of breaths, suddenly relieved that Thom was out beyond the walls by now with Matt, though already dreading sending someone after him.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>It\u2019s too bloody soon if it\u2019s what I\u2019m afraid it is.\u00a0 <\/span>Damnation, Teague.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Fucking damnation.<\/span><\/em><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cShe\u2019s seeing something,\u201d he said, keenly aware of how grim and angry his voice must sound.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cTrust me on that.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>When she wakes up, she\u2019ll have seen something, and Kellin will need to be near.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>And Thom, and quite possibly her brother and I.\u00a0 <\/span>Bloody hellfire, monsters, gods, and damnation!<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>He punched the corner of one of the sheds and cursed softly as the impact shivered up his arm and he skinned his knuckles against the rough wood.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Rory spun at the sound of meat smacking against wood, eyes widening as he saw Phelan shake out his fist, spraying tiny droplets of blood from his now-bleeding knuckles.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat the hell was that about?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>His eyes narrowed. \u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThings happening sooner than they should,\u201d Phelan growled, then started to push past him.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAre they in Thom and Marin\u2019s?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Rory nodded, keeping his gaze on Phelan as the older man kept walking.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat the hell is going on?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThat\u2019s what I\u2019m hoping to find out,\u201d Phelan said.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAnd I\u2019m hoping that I\u2019m wrong about what it is.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 It\u2019s too bloody <\/em><\/span>soon<\/span>.\u00a0 <\/span>What\u2019s going on around here?<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>How did I not realize that things weren\u2019t happening the way he thought they would?<\/span><\/em><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Not that it really matters, but\u2026<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u2026well.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>It might. It could.<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>He grit his teeth.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>His cousin had seen a lot of things, warned him about others.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>One of the things Teague had seen, had mentioned, was the long, on-and-off illness that Thom Ambrose had also forseen\u2014the one that had forced him into denial, the one that had almost cost him his life and his happiness when he let that fear drive him away from Marin Astoris.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>But it was too <\/span>soon<\/span><\/em>, wasn\u2019t it?<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Maybe I\u2019m wrong.\u00a0 <\/span>Maybe it\u2019s some kind of attack.<\/span><\/em><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He never thought he\u2019d see the day where he hoped something was an attack, not illness, not accident.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>The door to the space Thom and Marin shared stood partially open and Phelan shouldered his way inside, into the light of the lamps that J.T. and Jacqueline had lit.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Kellin leaned in a corner and looked at him sideways as he came inside.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat took so long?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cDistracting Thom and Matt temporarily,\u201d Rory said from behind Phelan, giving him a shove to propel him deeper inside.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cSent them out to scout.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Kellin nodded.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cGood.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Don\u2019t need them underfoot right now.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWe might soon,\u201d Phelan said as he walked over to the bed where Marin lay.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He put a hand on her forehead, glancing at J.T. and Jacqueline as he did.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat\u2019re your professional opinions?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cLow-grade fever but otherwise I can\u2019t figure out why she\u2019d pass out,\u201d Jacqueline said, sinking down to perch on the edge of the bed.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>J.T. just shrugged.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cShe was complaining that she was lightheaded and nauseous. If I didn\u2019t know better, I\u2019d say that she\u2019s\u2026y\u2019know.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>But I think it\u2019s a little early for that.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Phelan cursed inwardly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cDon\u2019t know.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>It\u2019s certainly possible.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He brushed hair back from Marin\u2019s face, gaze flicking toward Kellin.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou guys were just setting the wards?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYeah.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>We\u2019d just finished the third.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Kellin caught her lip between her teeth.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cShe might have just put too much into it.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>That could be it.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Could be.<\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>Phelan nodded slowly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThat could be it.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I could feel them starting to shiver my bones from up at the forge.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 Though I couldn\u2019t be sure which one of you was responsible for that.<\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>The corner of his mouth twitched upward in a faint smile.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThat\u2019s a sign of good ward-forging.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>In the bed, Marin groaned softly, starting to stir.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Good sign.<\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>Phelan straightened and stepped back.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cStay with her,\u201d he said, his gaze taking in Jacqueline and Kellin.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Then he looked to Rory and J.T.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou two come with me.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>We\u2019re going to finish off those wards.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI should come with you,\u201d Kellin said, straightening from her lean.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Phelan shook his head.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNo.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>When she wakes up, she\u2019s going to have seen something.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>You need to be here to find out what it is.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Kellin stared at him.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cHow do you know that?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cIt\u2019s not important right now, Kel,\u201d Phelan said as he headed for the door.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAnyway, I hope I\u2019m wrong, but in case I\u2019m not, stay here.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>You\u2019ll know if something goes wrong.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cHow?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>That was Jacqueline.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He smiled grimly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cBelieve me, you\u2019ll know.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He should have known that something was wrong right away when Rory sent Thom and Matt to go scout without having them consult with someone else.\u00a0 Phelan frowned as he followed their resident flame caster down into the maze … 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-1475","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-nN","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1475","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=1475"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1475\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1477,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1475\/revisions\/1477"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1475"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1475"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1475"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}