Marin sighed and shook her head. \u201cHe was probably concerned with making sure the huntsmen didn\u2019t come thundering in this direction when they heard the sound of explosives and never got over to tell anyone else\u2014especially if he couldn\u2019t find you or I.\u201d She looked back at Thom. \u201cWhere\u2019s Phelan? I\u2019m surprised he\u2019s not involved in any of this.\u201d<\/p>\n
Davon scuffed a toe in the snow. \u201cHe\u2019s out at the barrow with J.T. and Thordin. Something about meeting with Cariocecus and checking the graves.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAt least he took Thordin with him,\u201d Neve muttered, crossing her arms and glancing sidelong at Marin.<\/p>\n
Thom barely managed to suppress a sigh. I\u2019m not sure when these two turned into everyone\u2019s mothers, but I guess I can\u2019t complain or fault them for falling into the role. We need it to a degree, but this is starting to get ridiculous.<\/em> Idly, he wondered if it would get better once they had their own children to worry about.<\/p>\n Something told him the answer was most decidedly no<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure they\u2019re fine,\u201d he said, touching his wife\u2019s arm. \u201cJust like we\u2019re fine out here testing the powder. No major concern required.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMm.\u201d Marin stared at him hard for a moment before she nodded. \u201cI guess not. Just be careful, huh? I don\u2019t think anyone here has the ability to grow back anyone\u2019s fingers and we need all of your collective fingers.\u201d<\/p>\n He smiled and stole a kiss. \u201cWe\u2019ll be careful, I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood.\u201d She reached up and stroked his cheek with a faint smile before she turned to her brother. \u201cYou be careful, too.\u201d<\/p>\n He gave his sister a mock-salute and a grin. \u201cGet back to your books, sis. See if you can find one on metallurgy for me, will you?\u201d<\/p>\n She arched a brow. \u201cGoing to try to hammer different metals now?\u201d<\/p>\n Matt shrugged. \u201cThe more you know.\u201d<\/p>\n He let the words hang there in the air between them. Thom shifted his weight, squeezing Marin\u2019s arm gently. She sighed and smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll see what we can find.\u201d<\/p>\n Neve turned to Cameron and poked a finger against his breastbone. \u201cYou be extra<\/em> careful. Marin\u2019s right, I need your hands just the way they are.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know,\u201d the former pilot said, taking her hand and kissing her palm. \u201cI\u2019ll make Davon play with the powder.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Cameron,\u201d Davon said, nose wrinkling.<\/p>\n \u201cAs long as you guys are careful, I really don\u2019t think that\u2019s necessary.\u201d Neve kissed his cheek and stepped back. \u201cCome in if it starts to rain or snow or whatever, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe will,\u201d Thom promised, then watched as the two women retreated back toward the safety of the settlement\u2019s walls. He glanced sidelong at Matt. \u201cDid you really need to ask her for that?\u201d<\/p>\n Matt shrugged. \u201cShe took it as innocent enough. They don\u2019t need to know that I\u2019m asking about it so I can figure out how to maybe build a cannon, now do they?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey won\u2019t like that,\u201d Davon said, moving over to inspect the site of their last test. \u201cSeems like escalation.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor the moment, we\u2019ve got guns,\u201d Thom said quietly. \u201cWe don\u2019t know how long guns, bows, and our wits are going to hold off what shows up. Hell, that\u2014what was it, Cam?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe firbolg?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, that. We barely held that off. If the stories that Daniel\u2019s pack told are true, there\u2019s worse coming from the other side of the lake, and soon. Considering our track record, it\u2019ll only be a matter of time before they show up at our gates. I want to be prepared for that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll of us do,\u201d Matt said, joining Davon. \u201cThat\u2019s why we\u2019re doing this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re not going to be able to keep them in the dark forever, though,\u201d Cameron said.<\/p>\n \u201cI know,\u201d Thom muttered. \u201cWe just have to keep them in the dark long enough. Then it won\u2019t matter anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n Cameron grunted. \u201cYou need to talk to Marin.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know,\u201d Thom said again. \u201cTrust me. I know.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Marin sighed and shook her head. \u201cHe was probably concerned with making sure the huntsmen didn\u2019t come thundering in this direction when they heard the sound of explosives and never got over to tell anyone else\u2014especially if he couldn\u2019t find … Continue reading