{"id":1505,"date":"2012-11-16T00:00:39","date_gmt":"2012-11-16T05:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1505"},"modified":"2012-11-15T20:34:36","modified_gmt":"2012-11-16T01:34:36","slug":"winter-chapter-25-06","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1505","title":{"rendered":"Winter – Chapter 25 – 06"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>The ground beneath their feet vibrated with its footsteps, growing worse as it came closer, came quicker.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He could see it now, big and sickly green and ugly enough to turn the stomach.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He <\/span>knew<\/span><\/em> this one.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Damnation.<\/em><\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Stay in control, Phelan.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Stay in control.<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/em>He sucked in a breath and as he exhaled, the ground before the firbolg\u2019s feet erupted, earth and roots geysering from the ground.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Phelan\u2019s knuckles were white against his staff.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>The trick wouldn\u2019t delay the enemy for long.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhere the hell did you learn to do that?\u201d Greg blurted from alongside him.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhy haven\u2019t you ever done that before?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Thom asked in the same moment, sounding vaguely betrayed.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Phelan set his jaw.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Now was <\/span>not<\/span><\/em> the time for explanations.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cGet ready on the shotguns,\u201d he roared, ignoring both questions.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cPaul, up top <\/span>now<\/span><\/em>!\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAlready there!\u201d the shepherd shouted from the watchtower.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cJust say the word.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cFire at will,\u201d Phelan said, voice quiet and deadly, but he didn\u2019t need to speak any louder than he had.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>They heard.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>The sound of shotguns left his ears ringing.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Next to him, felt Rory gathering power, then felt the heat, smelled the brimstone and ash of his fire as it at first dripped, then shot from his fingers.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>The gout of flame hit the firbolg in the chest as it staggered back from the onslaught of shotgun blasts.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Like a living thing, the flames rippled and crawled up the creature\u2019s body and for a long, aching moment as the fire eclipsed their view of it, all was silent.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cIs that it?\u201d J.T. whispered, shouldering his shotgun in the sudden silence.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cDid we just\u2014?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNo,\u201d Greg said, voice bleak.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Phelan knew he was right\u2014he could feel it straight down to his bones.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>The firbolg <\/span>roared<\/span><\/em>. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u2022<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u2022<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou\u2019re fucking <\/span>crazy<\/span><\/em>!\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Thordin shouted at him as Cameron forced the horse to scramble across the broken concrete, leaping gaps and somehow scaling inclines.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou\u2019re the one that\u2019s following me!\u201d he shouted back, one arm locked around Neve\u2019s waist, his other hand clutching the reins in a death-grip.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cHurry,\u201d Neve whispered.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWe don\u2019t have much time.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>They leapt the last gap and hit solid pavement again just in time to hear the firbolg\u2019s voice again.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh Wandering One, I hear your cry,<\/span><\/span>
\nJust settle down and wait to die<\/em><\/span>!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cDammit,\u201d Cameron growled, kicking the horse into a gallop.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cDammit, dammit.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat the hell is going on?\u201d Thordin asked, voice booming like thunder over the sound of the horses and the blood roaring in Cameron\u2019s ears.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cIt\u2019s the firbolg who did this to Neve,\u201d Cameron snapped.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She\u2019d twisted in the saddle, wrapped one arm around his waist to free his other arm.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNow it\u2019s down there threatening the place I\u2019m supposed to find.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He knew it, now.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Knew it straight to the core, with every bone, every fiber.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>This was where he\u2019d been drawn to\u2014but he still didn\u2019t know <\/span>why<\/span><\/em>.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If that firbolg reaches whoever\u2019s down there, I\u2019m never going to know.<\/em><\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He hauled sideways on the reins, jerking his mount\u2019s head to the left, turning at a full gallop to pass under a weathered copper arch above the road.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Thordin came after.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWanderer\u2019s here!\u201d Thordin shouted.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cHe\u2019s in trouble,\u201d Neve whispered into Cameron\u2019s chest.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThey\u2019re all in trouble.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>They came around a pile of rubble in time to see the ground explode, see the shotgun fire, see the jet of flames.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Beyond the firbolg, facing it, stood a red-haired figure glowing with bright green light, hands locked around a staff.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Flanking him in the gap between walls were a dozen others, young and determined.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He could tell even this far away.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cPhelan,\u201d Neve breathed, staring at the man.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Cameron felt sick to his stomach.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cSlide off the horse, Neve.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>She went rigid, eyes flicking up to his.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat did you\u2014?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI can\u2019t fight that thing if you\u2019re mounted with me.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Caliburn rasped softly as he drew the blade.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cSlide off.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>She stared at him, swallowed once, then did as he was asked, landing awkwardly with a wince and hobbling toward a half-destroyed bush.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI\u2019ll be right here when you come back.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He nodded.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThordin, stay with her.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Neve\u2019s bow sang, three arrows narrowly passing next to Cameron\u2019s head as they flew toward the firbolg.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThinking not, Highness,\u201d Thordin said with a grin.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>The firbolg howled as three arrows sunk into the flesh above its ear, whipping its great bulk toward the trio.
\n<\/span><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNow or never,\u201d Thordin said.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Cameron lifted Caliburn and charged.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The ground beneath their feet vibrated with its footsteps, growing worse as it came closer, came quicker.\u00a0 He could see it now, big and sickly green and ugly enough to turn the stomach. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He knew this one. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 … 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":[35,64,14,52,39],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1505","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-book-2","category-chapter-25","category-story","category-winter","category-year-one"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1EBlN-oh","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1505","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=1505"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1505\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1506,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1505\/revisions\/1506"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1505"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1505"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1505"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}