{"id":1546,"date":"2012-12-19T00:00:26","date_gmt":"2012-12-19T05:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1546"},"modified":"2012-12-18T21:51:26","modified_gmt":"2012-12-19T02:51:26","slug":"winter-chapter-27-06","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1546","title":{"rendered":"Winter – Chapter 27 – 06"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Behind him, Marin swore, too before she took two steps after him.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Thordin held up a hand to stop her.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cStay there and cover me,\u201d he growled.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cCover <\/span>all<\/span><\/em> of us and make sure those damned wards hold.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He continued forward, leaving the Seer behind in the gap where someday gates would be.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Phelan glanced at him and put up a hand to try to forestall him but all Thordin did was shake his head.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Not this time, my friend.<\/em><\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Phelan snarled slightly and turned back to the Hecate, his expression schooled back into something close to impassivity by the time he faced her again.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou can\u2019t have any of them, hag.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I thought we established this.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>You don\u2019t get to make demands of us when it comes to all of that.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>You don\u2019t get to choose.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>The witch-goddess smiled a thin, cruel smile more befitting a hag than the maiden she appeared to be.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou don\u2019t get to tell me what I am and am not allowed to do, Wandering One.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I\u2019ve told you once, twice\u2014a dozen times.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I\u2019ve told your haggard prince the same.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Curse his lady for her cleverness.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>The rest of you, though\u2014you\u2019ll not be so lucky if I\u2019ve a thing to say or do about it.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou\u2019re not welcome here,\u201d Phelan said, his voice a little stronger, though there was the barest hint of desperation in his voice.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Don\u2019t show her weakness, old friend.\u00a0 <\/span>I\u2019ve no idea what you\u2019ve gone toe-to-toe with lately, but you shouldn\u2019t have any thoughts of pending knee to this bitch.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>It\u2019s not worth your life or your soul and you know it.<\/span><\/em><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAnd when have I ever cared where you and yours welcomed me, Wandering One?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>The Hecate spat his name like an insult, eyes narrowing slightly. Her gaze shifted toward Cameron, blood-red lips curling back in a smile.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThe Dragon,\u201d she said, her tone somehow softer.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou have no idea how long I\u2019ve sought you, child.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Down a hundred generations, all I\u2019ve searched for is you.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Phelan\u2019s eyes narrowed as he aimed a baleful glare at the Hecate.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAsk her why, Cam.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Ask her why she\u2019s been searching for the Dragon for a hundred generations and more.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Cameron shook his head, one hand clamped over the rent in his side.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI don\u2019t need to as.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>It\u2019s because of the goddamned sw\u2014\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cShut your mouth, Dragon,\u201d Thordin rumbled as he watched the gleam of curiosity leak into the Hecate\u2019s eyes.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She doesn\u2019t know about that sword, does she?\u00a0 <\/span>No, it\u2019s something else.<\/span><\/em><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>After shooting Thordin a strange look, Cameron looked back toward the Hecate, confusion marking his expression.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhy <\/span>have<\/span><\/em> you been looking for me?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>She took another step forward.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Thordin swung his axe into her path, stopping the honed edge a hairsbreadth from her throat.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNot another step closer, Lady,\u201d he growled.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>The Hecate favored him with an almost amused glance.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cDo you presume to stop me, mortal?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI still have a few tricks up my sleeve,\u201d Thordin said evenly, his voice pitched low.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou should know better than to underestimate any one of us.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>She snorted humorlessly as her gaze flicked back toward Cameron, who stood stoically, the hand not catching blood gripping the hilt of Caliburn in an iron grip.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>We\u2019d better hope she doesn\u2019t recognize that blade.\u00a0 <\/span>Otherwise our hand will be tipped and we\u2019ll be screwed in ways we can\u2019t begin to fathom.<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cTell him,\u201d Thordin said.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cTell him why you\u2019ve been looking for him, Hag-Queen, or you\u2019ll feel what tempered cold iron feels like against your throat.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>The Hecate barked a laugh and stared at Cameron.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cIt\u2019s your <\/span>blood<\/span><\/em>, Dragon,\u201d she said softly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cIt\u2019s your blood that pleases, that I\u2019ve sought for so, so long.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>It holds the key to so, so much.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Her voice dropped to a bare whisper and she seemed to lean forward through she hadn\u2019t moved an inch.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI have been looking for the blood of Seamus the Black since the day I learned he spawned.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Phelan sucked in a sharp breath and rocked back against his heels.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>The Hecate glanced at him and her smile widened.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou didn\u2019t know.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI knew,\u201d Phelan said, his voice low.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI just didn\u2019t know it was <\/span>common<\/span><\/em> knowledge.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Cameron glared at both of them, his jaw tightening.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat do you want from me?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI thought I was perfectly clear,\u201d the Hecate said.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI want <\/span>you<\/span><\/em>.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI\u2019m not on the block,\u201d Cameron said, lifting Caliburn almost menacingly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAnd I\u2019m getting a little tired of getting hunted.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAnd no one should blame you for that,\u201d a voice said, smooth as velvet as a figure emerged from the darkness.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>A muscle in Thordin\u2019s jaw twitched.<\/span>\u00a0 Where did he come from?<\/em><\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Thom swore.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cTaking care of a little problem for you,\u201d Cariocecus said with a strange measure of pleasure in his voice.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He emerged from the shadows beyond the light surrounding the Hecate.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>As he passed one of her <\/span>Dirae<\/span><\/em> come to heel, he casually reached out and took it by the throat. His hand convulsed and the creature\u2019s neck snapped with a sickening <\/span>crack<\/span><\/em>.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Cameron swallowed visibly.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou\u2019re poaching on my patch, Hecate,\u201d Cariocecus purred as he circled her like a predator.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI have a standing engagement with the men and women here and an agreement that I am violating by my sheer presence.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>They weren\u2019t supposed to see me for days yet.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He smiled a thin, dangerous smile at Phelan and Thom.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI hope you don\u2019t mind, gentlemen.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cOh by all means,\u201d Thom said, voice dripping with sarcasm and barely controlled anger, \u201celiminate the fucking poacher.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWith pleasure.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Cariocecus trailed a sharp-nailed fingertip along the back of the Hecate\u2019s neck, winning an angry snarl from her.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThey\u2019re mine, Witch.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Not that you\u2019d ever have a prayer of violating the wards they\u2019ve set.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I had to get a cat\u2019s paw so I could get in.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cFuck off, you third-rate warhound,\u201d the Hecate snarled.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI\u2019ve been looking for them far longer than you have.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cHave you?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>His smile was thin.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cIs that truly an argument you want to have with me, Hecate?<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>In front of an <\/span>audience<\/span><\/em>, no less?<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Have you no idea who they are?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI don\u2019t care who the rest of them are,\u201d she said, eyeing Cameron even as she spoke to Cariocecus.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI\u2019m only here for one of them.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNot tonight,\u201d Cariocecus said, tone almost light.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Then he wrapped an arm around the Hecate\u2019s neck and vanished in a burst of shadows and fog, taking her and the <\/span>Dirae<\/span><\/em> with him.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Behind him, Marin swore, too before she took two steps after him.\u00a0 Thordin held up a hand to stop her. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cStay there and cover me,\u201d he growled.\u00a0 \u201cCover all of us and make sure those damned wards hold.\u201d\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":[35,66,14,52,39],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1546","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-oW","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1546","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=1546"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1546\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1547,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1546\/revisions\/1547"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1546"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1546"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1546"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}