Later, Galin and the others rode north towards the forest. The poor pasture was rocky and unkempt. Long grass swayed in the mild breeze, just above the horses’ knees. On the far side, a line of trees, like troops in formation, outlined the pasture’s boundaries.
Am I announcing my presence too early to them by killing this patrol? Galin thought. No, he already did that when he protected the dwarf family. Maybe he should just move on and head to Croft Keep? All he would get would be a few soldiers anyway, but only after the king agreed. If they kill this patrol, what’s stopping the Darkstriders from sending another one? Nothing. But would they? Galin sighed. A person could go crazy worrying about this. His nose twitched. “Smell that?” Galin asked as he brought Thea to a halt.
“Fire of some kind,” Jena said.
Mae nodded. “A campfire. Their camp must be in that wood line.”
“Think they see us?” Jena asked.
Ellis rolled his eyes. “Why would they even be looking for us? We’re in the middle of a cow pasture; of course they could see us. If it’s even them. You’re so—”
Galin glared at him. “Ellis, cut he crap. He’s right though, if they’re looking, they’d see us. I seriously doubt it. But, we can’t go straight for them, either. They would know what we’re up to.” He urged Thea forward and veered slightly east. “Come on, I have an idea.”
Was this going to work? It was true that every Darkstrider was looking for them throughout the kingdom, but Galin looked like common folk and his unremarkable features were easily missed. His gut twisted in his stomach, nagging him to reconsider. He was doing the right thing, wasn’t he? No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t put that feeling out of his mind. There was no question that freeing those people was the right thing, but was he going about it the right way? Maybe ignoring it until the fighting was over was the best idea.
As they approached the wood line, Galin slowed Thea down. The breeze ran parallel to the line of tall pine trees. Galin swallowed. “Here we go,” he said as he moved into the woods. Saplings, prickers, and ground cover decorated the forest floor. It was not impassable, but thick all the same. Galin tied Thea to a tree. “Let’s leave the horses here.”
Jena jumped down from Tyra. “How far away are they?”
“A few hundred yards,” Ellis said as he slipped his daggers into their sheaths.
With his sword by his side, Galin moved in front of them. Too late to turn back now, he thought. “Let’s go.” Prickers scraped across his skin as he pushed through the underbrush. How many Darkstriders were there? Galin swallowed. He had no idea, none whatsoever. There could be one or five or a hundred for all he knew. Was he being foolish? Was this act really necessary to complete his mission in Shumnar? Maybe. Probably not.
Ellis moved close to Galin. “Want me to scout ahead?”
Galin nodded. He held up his hand, stopping Jena and Mae as Ellis scurried off towards the campfire.
“What’s he doing?” Jena whispered into Galin’s ear.
“Scouting the camp,” Galin whispered back.
Jena bit her lip and stared into the woods.
She doubts me, Galin thought. His stomach twisted. Hell, he doubted himself. Why should she be any different? Sure, Ellis ran ahead and had even caused a diversion or two before, but something . . . feels different this time. Could his luck be running out? Sounds of crunching leaves was coming towards them. Galin raised his sword, waiting to confront the assailant.
Ellis emerged from the underbrush with a smile. As soon as he saw Galin with his sword raised, he frowned. “Did I piss you off that badly?”
“Sorry,” Galin said. “I’m a little off today.”
Ellis grinned. “Since when are you on your game?” He knelt down and brushed aside a few leaves covering the ground. He drew in the newly exposed dirt with his finger. “The camp is about two hundred yards ahead of us, here.” Ellis jabbed his finger into the dirt. “To the south, about fifty yards, is the pasture we were on. They must camp there a lot because the underbrush is basically cleared.”
“How many are there?” Galin asked.
“I counted eight,” Ellis said. “Feral Orc warriors, nothing else. Just like the checkpoint going towards Iron Fist Keep. They are eating around the campfire. It will only take them a second or two to attack, once they hear us.” He patted Galin on the shoulder. “We’re going to need that dragon magic of yours.”
Galin nodded. “Let’s pair up and spread out.”
Jena drew her two short swords. “I’m with you.”
Mae did the same. “Let’s go, Ellis.”
Galin rose to his feet. “Move out.” He silently moved into the brush. With each step towards the camp, the smoke grew stronger. His heart beat faster. He looked over his left shoulder at Ellis and Mae twenty yards to the south. When they attack, the camp should divide up, right? Plus, they had the advantage of surprise. His ears perked up. The rumbling ahead was orcish, the language of the Feral Orcs. Even though Galin couldn’t speak it, he did recognize it. He froze and listened. Laughing. Talking. Eating. Joking. No, they weren’t onto them. He peered through the bushes to see the Feral Orcs gathered around the campfire, drinking ale or some alcoholic drink. They’re having a party, Galin thought. The orcs swayed back and forth like they were . . . drunk. He looked to his left to see Ellis and Mae in the underbrush, waiting for Galin to make his move.
A Feral Orc let out a loud burp and rose from the campfire. With his eyes barely open, he grabbed his ax.
Galin watched the orc, with its ax dragging in the dirt, walk over towards the area where Ellis and Mae hid. He’s going to see them! Galin thought. If he attacked Ellis now, all eight would converge on his lifelong friend and kill them both. Galin’s eyes never left the orc.
The Feral Orc stood right over the bush where Ellis was hiding. He dropped his ax onto the ground.
Galin blinked. What is he doing? He watched the orc sway back and forth, as if he could fall over at any moment.
Ellis’s eyes widened as he covered his face.
The Feral Orc let out a sigh of relief as he urinated on top of the bush where Ellis was hiding.
Galin covered his mouth, trying not to laugh.
“You bastard!” Ellis yelled as he flew out of the bush, knocking the orc to the ground. He thrust a dagger through the orc’s right eye.
Galin envisioned Jena being captured by the Dark Elves and his rage exploded. Tiny arcs, like lightning, began to bounce across his flesh. When they danced from his hands to his sword, it began to glow. Galin charged at the orcs still sitting around the fire.
Seven Feral Orcs jumped to their feet with their axes in hand.
Mae let out a battle cry as she leaped at an orc. She swung her sword, aiming for its head.
The orc ducked and knocked away her sword.
She crashed to the ground as the orc raised its ax over her head.
Jena charged at another orc with both swords drawn. It tried to bat them away, but the orc was too late. Both short swords skewered the Feral Orc’s chest. It crashed to the ground.
Three orcs barreled at Galin.
Think offense, Galin thought. He dropped to his knees and swung his sword at the three charging orcs. His glowing sword sliced through their legs as if they weren’t even there.
The Feral Orcs screamed as they crashed to the ground.
Galin stood over them and raised his sword, putting them out of their misery.
“Mae!” Ellis snatched his dagger from the dead orc’s eye and threw it at the orc standing over Mae. The dagger found its mark and buried itself in the Feral Orc’s chest.
Galin looked around. “Weren’t there eight?”
Ellis pointed at the two orcs racing into the woods. “Over there!” He started after them.
“Ellis, come back! Let them go,” Galin said. “They’re leading us into an ambush. Two orcs can’t harm that village.” He smiled at his blood-covered bride. “Everyone all right?”
Jena smiled at him. “Yes.”
Galin smiled at Ellis, already rummaging through the Feral Orcs’ camp. “Couldn’t even clean yourself off first?”
“Nope,” Ellis replied without even looking up.
Galin looked into the woods where the two Feral Orcs disappeared. Was letting them go the right thing to do?
An hour later, Galin, Jena, Ellis, and Mae were riding back towards Oakenhost. Galin’s gut twisted every time he reran the fight in his mind. Those two orcs that got away, why did he let them go? Was it the honorable thing to do? Absolutely. But was it the wise thing to do? What if he put the village in more danger by letting them go? What if—?
Ellis snapped his fingers in front of Galin’s face. “Hey, wake up.”
Galin frowned. “I was just—”
“Thinking, I know.” Ellis grinned. “You’re very boring when you’re just thinking.”
Small buildings came into view, just over the next rolling hill. “Let’s camp here,” Galin said.
“I thought we were seeing Stilgar,” Jena said.
Galin nodded. “Ellis and I will ride ahead. We’ll be back in half an hour, okay?”
Jena smiled. “Sure.”
He glanced at Ellis. “Let’s go.” He led Ellis towards the village.
Jena watched Galin and Ellis ride towards Oakenhost. “I hate watching him leave,” she said as she pulled Tyra’s feedbag from the saddlebags.
Mae started gathering up felled branches and put them into a pile. “Nothing is going to happen to them. I’ll kill Ellis if he gets himself hurt.” She grinned. “You can get Galin.”
Jena laughed. “I know, it’s just . . . I—we’ve had too many close calls.” She watched Mae start the campfire. She loved Galin and he loved her, there was no doubt. When her mother was alive, she used to tell Jena how complete she felt when she had a child. Someone to teach . . . to mentor . . . to carry on the family tradition of service to Odella. Yeah, she wanted a child, but did Galin? Why would he? Jena swallowed. “How serious are you and Ellis?”
Mae smiled. “Very.”
Jena plopped down next to the fire. “What are you going to do afterwards?”
Mae blinked. “After what?”
“The war.”
Mae laughed. “The war has barely started. Why would I want to think that far ahead? I could be dead tomorrow’ so could Ellis. Sure, I like being alone with him and he . . .” She blushed. “He knows what I like.”
Jena cleared her throat. “I see.”
“We can’t be shy, Jena. Live for the moment; there may not be another.” Mae pulled out a wineskin and held it up. “Want a swig?”
“Sure.” Jena took a sip and handed it back. Should she talk to Mae about children? Her heart longed for someone to share her desire, but her gut screamed no. What do I have to lose? “Ever think about having children?”
Mae coughed as the wine went down the wrong pipe. “What?”
“Kids? Do you want to have kids?” Jena bit her lip. Was talking to Mae about this a mistake?
“Um . . . Sure, why not?” Mae said. “Maybe, someday.” She poured some wine down her throat. “What about you?”
Jena turned away. “I think so.”
Mae leaned forward. “Aren’t queens supposed to have heirs? I think it’s a law or something.”
Jena laughed. “No, that’s not a law.”
Mae eyes narrowed. “Well?”
Jena’s lips trembled. She’d opened the door, she might as well step through it. It was too late to turn back now. “Yes, I want two, a boy and a girl.”
Mae frowned. “Why? Do you think it is fair to bring up children in servitude? Life under the Darkstriders will never be anything more than that.”
Jena’s mouth dried up. “You don’t think we’re going to defeat them?”
“I—of course.” Mae looked into the fire. “I guess I worry about the future too much. Why do you want a boy and a girl?”
Jena poked a stick into the fire. “The boy for Galin’s heir, and the girl to become a priestess of Odella. The women in my family have been priestess for four generations and I want it to continue.”
“What if she doesn’t want to?”
Jena looked up at Mae. “I . . . I don’t know. I never thought of that.”
“Does Galin know?” Mae asked.
Jena shook her head. “No. Every time I start to talk about it, he changes the subject or puts it off till later.”
“I don’t get it. You two act like newlyweds, even after six months. You two never fight.”
“No, we don’t. I guess I’m ready for a baby and he’s not,” Jena said.
Mae grinned. “You’re in control, not him.”
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t tell him. Get pregnant first, then tell him. What could he do about it?” Mae asked. “You only need one thing from him, girl.”
Jena’s face reddened. “I can’t do that. It’s not right.” This was a mistake.
Mae shrugged. “I guess you don’t want children that bad then, do you?”
“We’re back,” Galin said as he jumped down from Thea.
Ellis tied Runt onto a felled tree. “Miss me, Mae?”
Mae smiled. “You know I did.” She leaped into his arms and kissed him.
“What’s that for?” Ellis asked.
She smacked him. “Shut up and eat.”
Whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh.
Galin looked up.
Fear ran through Jena’s soul as the hulking creature flew over them. It had great wings and gigantic claws that were only dwarfed by stories. Its blue skin glistened in the moonlight. It must have been at least thirty yards long. “What is it?”
“A dragon,” Galin said.
Jena heart slowed down as the creature disappeared over the horizon. “It’s fast.”
Galin nodded. “Yes, it is.
“Head out first thing?” Ellis asked.
“Yeah,” Galin said. “Me and Jena will take the first watch.”
“Night,” Mae said as she and Ellis cuddled next to the fire.
Jena’s heart raced as Galin touched her hand. Should she ask him now? Why not? Surely he’d love the idea, right?
“Is something bothering you?” Galin asked.
Now, now was the time. Odella couldn’t give Jena a better opportunity to talk about children. Yes, she was going to do it. As her mouth opened, her stomach twisted into knots. “No, nothing at all.” Jena bit her lip. I’m a coward!