Most won’t lift a sword unless they have to. A damned better people than me to be able to do that.”
She empathized. Secretly she longed for the day when she no longer needed weapons to get her point across. Malweir might not be the friendliest of places, but there had to come a time when violence failed to solve matters. Sadly, it was naught but a dream.
Her thoughts dissolved on her tongue at the sight of a warrior marching sternly towards them. Boen noticed her change in demeanor and glanced up. The man was one of the ones who captured them.
“I’m Orlek, I was ordered to provide you all with shelter and what little food we have to spare.”
Boen nodded his appreciation and subtly unclenched his fist. “My thanks to you, though we don’t need your food. We’ve enough of our own, for now.”
Orlek was unimpressed. Whether they ate or not wasn’t his concern. He’d done what Ingrid instructed. As far as he was concerned his task was complete. “That’s your business. The boss doesn’t want you to starve or freeze tonight. Looks to be a rough one. Bundle up and take shelter under the cover of the trees. That should protect you enough.”
He glanced over Boen. Even without weapons the big man was a formidable opponent. He doubted there’d be much of a fight. Even with his knowledge of hand-to-hand combat, Orlek wouldn’t last long. The idea was mildly enticing and might prove entertaining if the weather permitted, but now wasn’t the time.
“Best get moving now, while there’s still some daylight left,” he added. He started walking away but stopped and turned. “Where are you from?”
Boen grinned savagely. “Nowhere.”
A cold sensation ran through Orlek as he realized why the big man seemed dangerous. Because he was. He was staring down a Vengeance Knight.
The fire was warm, but the wind still managed to worm through the stacked trees at precisely the wrong moments. Orlek would have liked to have been in a nice tavern with no elements to deal with. Life as a soldier wasn’t that kind. He grunted. Probably why he didn’t last very long in the rank and file. Still, he couldn’t complain about being part of the rebellion. Before Ingrid came along he was just another body with a sword. A part of the initial mission to raid the weapons locker on the docks, he’d worked with Joefke and Lord Argis. That had been a battle worthy of remembering. Nothing he’d done since fleeing from Chadra held much meaning, despite his elevation in rank. Nothing, that is, but his blooming love for Ingrid.
Thoughts of tempered blond kept him warm on cold nights. She was a remarkable woman just beginning to come into her full potential. He hoped she survived this war. Delranan needed better people like her. Hells, he needed her. She caught him staring fondly at her from across the fire and flashed a tender smile. It warmed his heart to know she might feel the same.
“What do you think?” she asked him.
Orlek rubbed a hand over the top of his head. “They’re a dangerous bunch. The Giant alone could kill every one of us without breaking a sweat. A Giant, Ingrid! Who would have thought we’d have one in our camp? They’re not supposed to exist.”
“All legends are based on some form of reality,” she said. “They do appear to be quite the eclectic group. A Giant, Dwarf, Gaimosian, and more. What do you make of the old man and that strange woman they travel with?”
Orlek’s face turned serious. “I’ve heard whispers he’s a wizard and she’s his bodyguard.”
Ingrid paused. Bahr never mentioned a wizard being part of this. The last she knew, all of the wizards and Mages had died out. Having one, if it was true, in her hands would drastically alter the balance in the war. She’d be able to drive Harnin from Chadra and assume the stewardship of Delranan until a rightful king was emplaced. Even the best-laid plans are filled with faults. This was no different. With Bahr returned, there
She empathized. Secretly she longed for the day when she no longer needed weapons to get her point across. Malweir might not be the friendliest of places, but there had to come a time when violence failed to solve matters. Sadly, it was naught but a dream.
Her thoughts dissolved on her tongue at the sight of a warrior marching sternly towards them. Boen noticed her change in demeanor and glanced up. The man was one of the ones who captured them.
“I’m Orlek, I was ordered to provide you all with shelter and what little food we have to spare.”
Boen nodded his appreciation and subtly unclenched his fist. “My thanks to you, though we don’t need your food. We’ve enough of our own, for now.”
Orlek was unimpressed. Whether they ate or not wasn’t his concern. He’d done what Ingrid instructed. As far as he was concerned his task was complete. “That’s your business. The boss doesn’t want you to starve or freeze tonight. Looks to be a rough one. Bundle up and take shelter under the cover of the trees. That should protect you enough.”
He glanced over Boen. Even without weapons the big man was a formidable opponent. He doubted there’d be much of a fight. Even with his knowledge of hand-to-hand combat, Orlek wouldn’t last long. The idea was mildly enticing and might prove entertaining if the weather permitted, but now wasn’t the time.
“Best get moving now, while there’s still some daylight left,” he added. He started walking away but stopped and turned. “Where are you from?”
Boen grinned savagely. “Nowhere.”
A cold sensation ran through Orlek as he realized why the big man seemed dangerous. Because he was. He was staring down a Vengeance Knight.
The fire was warm, but the wind still managed to worm through the stacked trees at precisely the wrong moments. Orlek would have liked to have been in a nice tavern with no elements to deal with. Life as a soldier wasn’t that kind. He grunted. Probably why he didn’t last very long in the rank and file. Still, he couldn’t complain about being part of the rebellion. Before Ingrid came along he was just another body with a sword. A part of the initial mission to raid the weapons locker on the docks, he’d worked with Joefke and Lord Argis. That had been a battle worthy of remembering. Nothing he’d done since fleeing from Chadra held much meaning, despite his elevation in rank. Nothing, that is, but his blooming love for Ingrid.
Thoughts of tempered blond kept him warm on cold nights. She was a remarkable woman just beginning to come into her full potential. He hoped she survived this war. Delranan needed better people like her. Hells, he needed her. She caught him staring fondly at her from across the fire and flashed a tender smile. It warmed his heart to know she might feel the same.
“What do you think?” she asked him.
Orlek rubbed a hand over the top of his head. “They’re a dangerous bunch. The Giant alone could kill every one of us without breaking a sweat. A Giant, Ingrid! Who would have thought we’d have one in our camp? They’re not supposed to exist.”
“All legends are based on some form of reality,” she said. “They do appear to be quite the eclectic group. A Giant, Dwarf, Gaimosian, and more. What do you make of the old man and that strange woman they travel with?”
Orlek’s face turned serious. “I’ve heard whispers he’s a wizard and she’s his bodyguard.”
Ingrid paused. Bahr never mentioned a wizard being part of this. The last she knew, all of the wizards and Mages had died out. Having one, if it was true, in her hands would drastically alter the balance in the war. She’d be able to drive Harnin from Chadra and assume the stewardship of Delranan until a rightful king was emplaced. Even the best-laid plans are filled with faults. This was no different. With Bahr returned, there
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