{"id":1542,"date":"2012-12-17T00:00:15","date_gmt":"2012-12-17T05:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1542"},"modified":"2012-12-16T19:12:47","modified_gmt":"2012-12-17T00:12:47","slug":"winter-chapter-27-05","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1542","title":{"rendered":"Winter – Chapter 27 – 05"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201c<\/span>Christus<\/span><\/em>,\u201d Thordin swore again, letting another arrow fly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cDamned things are going to tear them to shreds.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Then, Phelan surprised him.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He\u2019d feared that the once-druid was well and truly out of shape after his years of moving through the modern world, a world where being a warrior hadn\u2019t been prioritized\u2014hadn\u2019t been <\/span>necessary<\/span><\/em>.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Apparently, he\u2019d been wrong.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Phelan saw the Fury coming and dropped low.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>As she closed, he sidestepped expertly and threw his elbow at the creature\u2019s throat.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>The <\/span>Dirae<\/span><\/em>\u2019s screech died with a wet crunch, becoming a high-pitched wheeze as the impact crushed its windpipe.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>There was an anger all his won in Phelan\u2019s green eyes, which gleamed with power and emotion.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He swore at the stumbling <\/span>Dirae<\/span><\/em> in his native tongue and stabbed it through the chest with the blade in his hand before whirling, looking for a fresh target in the darkness.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>It didn\u2019t take him long to find one.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat kind of whoresons are you?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Thordin muttered under his breath, trying to get a bead on another of the <\/span>Dirae<\/span><\/em> and not have his shot fouled by one of the four men engaging them in combat beyond the walls.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Power\u2014whether from the wards or the men before him, he couldn\u2019t be sure\u2014set the hairs on his arms and on the back of his neck standing straight up.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He cursed again as a blast of flame from Rory\u2019s hands left him\u2014and likely the rest of the men on the field\u2014temporarily blinded.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Beneath cackling shrieks, he heard the crunch of boots running across the gravel and snow back toward where he stood.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Blinking and trying to clear his vision, he twisted to see Marin coming between the spots dancing in front of his eyes.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThat was fast,\u201d he said lamely as she scrambled up the ladder partway to thrust a box of shotgun slugs into Paul\u2019s waiting hands.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI know where we keep everything.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Are they holding their own?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She jumped down the ladder and unslung the bow she was wearing across her body, reaching into the quiver that thumped against her hip for an arrow.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cFor the moment.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Can you shoot?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWell enough,\u201d she said.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNot as well as you or Phelan, but I\u2019m not going skewer my husband or one of my friends.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>With that, she drew the fletching back to her ear, sighted down the arrow\u2019s shaft, and let fly.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>In the darkness, a <\/span>Dirae<\/span><\/em> screamed.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bloody\u2014that\u2019s a little more than passably well.<\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>There was an odd gleam to her eye that Thordin feared he recognized.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Wanderer, you\u2019re not going to be able to <\/em><\/span>walk<\/span> when I\u2019m done with you!<\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>Thordin snarled and turned away, sparing only a second longer for his vision to clear before he started firing into the darkness alongside Marin.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Above them in the watchtower, Paul opened fire.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cDid we get a count on how many?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Marin asked between shots.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cA dozen,\u201d Thordin snapped.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAt least.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>No telling how many more may show up.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cBloody hell,\u201d Marin swore.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWe just can\u2019t fucking catch a break.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThis happen often?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>She barked a bitter laugh.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou have no fucking clue.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Thordin growled low in his throat.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Why had Cameron dragged them here, again?<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 To everything there\u2019s a reason,<\/em><\/span> he reminded himself.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He drew back another arrow and fired.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>The arrow slammed home into the spine of another <\/span>Dirae<\/span><\/em>, one that Phelan had flipped up and into the air when it came at him.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Out in the darkness, Cameron swore, then howled a wordless battlecry and threw one of the <\/span>Dirae<\/span><\/em> into a gout of flame Rory lobbed at it.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cHow many do you see?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Thordin barked to Marin.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI\u2019m counting eyes,\u201d she said.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cFive, I think, but they\u2019re moving too fast for me to get a clear idea.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cSix,\u201d Paul yelled down from the watchtower.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThere\u2019s one a little further out, hanging back.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I can see it from here.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>It\u2019s just hanging out and watching.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThat shouldn\u2019t be happening,\u201d Thordin said, almost too quiet to hear.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Marin shook her head.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThings that aren\u2019t supposed to happen typically do around here.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Should we be worried?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYes,\u201d Thordin said without hesitation.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWe should be very worried.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>There\u2019s no reason one of them would be holding back when there\u2019s a fight to be had and targets to take out.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>They\u2019re like supernatural assassins.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Marin shivered.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cPaul?<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Can you get a bead on it?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI can try.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cDo it.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>A moment later, another shotgun blast rang out, echoing off the trees, the buildings.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>As one, the <\/span>Dirae<\/span><\/em> on the field screamed.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>A woman\u2019s voice rang out over the din, cursing their collective lineage as a bright ball of red-white light turned darkest night into brightest day.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>From beyond some brush strode a woman, shorter than any of them men on the field, her dark hair hanging in dreadlocks braided with gold and silver trinkets and wooden and bone amulets.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Blood red lips peeled back from white teeth, blue eyes narrowed dangerously as she strode toward Phelan.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>The <\/span>Dirae<\/span><\/em> dropped to their knees as she came forward onto the field.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>The light itself was centered on her, turning the blood that dripped from a wound in her shoulder black as the night itself.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou,\u201d Phelan said, spitting the word as if it was an epithet.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat do you want?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou know <\/span>exactly<\/span><\/em> what I\u2019ve come for, Wandering One,\u201d the woman said, her voice like discordant music, like an orchestra being tuned.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She looked directly at Cameron, whose hand was pressed against a bleeding wound in his side.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Thordin swore under his breath.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNot good.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>His gaze raked over the others.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He saw fresh blood on more than one of them.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cReally not good.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWho is she?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Marin asked in a bare whisper as she drew closer, her knuckles white around the bow\u2019s grip.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThe Hecate,\u201d Thordin breathed.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAnd she\u2019s <\/span>pissed<\/span><\/em> and they\u2019re all bleeding.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He glanced at her.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAre you all of their blood?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Marin\u2019s throat convulsed as she swallowed.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>The sudden spark of fear in her eyes told him all he needed to know.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He shoved the bow into her hands and unslung the axe he wore across his back.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cStay here.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He marched out onto the field.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cChristus,\u201d Thordin swore again, letting another arrow fly.\u00a0 \u201cDamned things are going to tear them to shreds.\u201d \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Then, Phelan surprised him.\u00a0 He\u2019d feared that the once-druid was well and truly out of shape after his years of moving … 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":[35,66,14,52,39],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1542","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-book-2","category-chapter-27","category-story","category-winter","category-year-one"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1EBlN-oS","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1542","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=1542"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1542\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1544,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1542\/revisions\/1544"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1542"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1542"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1542"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}