Page 201 of Forcing Fate

I nodded and retrieved my crossbow. I hefted it up on my shoulder and headed out. The snow was deep, almost coming to my knees, but I pressed beyond the camp.

I smiled, embracing this sense of freedom. At this moment, I could go where I wished and do as I pleased. I had a task, but I was free to do it how I chose.

Rafe was in General mode, barking out orders, and his mental walls were raised. I didn’t mind it in the least. I knew in my heart how I felt about him and knew his reaction to me. Warmth spread through my body as I pondered our stolen moments. Knowing our secret was enough for me. I didn’t need him to put aside his role as General to care for my feelings. I was his soldier first and foremost.

Pausing near an evergreen, I picked a few of the needled twigs. They would make a decent tea. I pushed them into my pocket and thought about the first time I foraged with Rafe.

I had brought him prickleberries. Now, knowing his prickly nature, I realized how ironic that was. I remembered him throwing them in a fit of rage. I didn’t understand his behavior then, but now, I did.

The other Generals sent him to the homelands against his will, as a punishment. I’m sure he hated leaving his men on the front. Coming back and seeing all the soldiers being trained poorly must have weighed on him. He made it his responsibility to correct their training and prepare them for the war front.

Even I lashed out from time to time when I was overly stressed. Rafe seemed to be more balanced now, a sense of purpose grounding him.

I stopped near a creek bed and pushed the snow aside with my boot. Karven leaves poked through, stiff and green, holding onto their life regardless of the snow. I plucked a few. They were bitter, but if boiled in a stew, that bitterness left a savory flavor.

I stayed out for another quarter of a chime, watching the sun recede and measured the distance as Xzanth taught me. Not finding anything else under the thick snow, I headed back to the camp, closely monitoring my direction, and following my tracks when I could.

When I returned, I was pleased to see Dane carrying two hares. I worked with Xzanth, preparing the evening meal, and chatted with the men about the storm. They were all in a good mood, surprisingly happy for being on the way to their probable deaths.

Rafe had disappeared, and I wondered if he slipped away to relieve himself or to think. The rest of the Tennan were here, enjoying the meal. I busied myself talking with the men, eating warm food, and drinking my tinge berry tea. The stuff was earthy, bitter—but not bad. I packed a few months’ worth, in case we were out longer than expected. I wouldn’t be caught off guard.

Zephath sat on his blanket, knees pulled up to his chest, lost in his own thoughts without a book to read. Tegan recounted a humorous tale about a bear that stormed into an inn, in his home village in the mountains of E’or, and terrified the people and itself. We laughed as he told of the female cook, who was the only one brave enough to charge the bear, armed with only a frying pan.

Rafe drew my attention as he drifted back into the camp with a deep frown. Dane rose to greet him and they spoke in low tones, a stone’s toss away from the rest of us. My smile faltered. I didn’t like that look. Even if I didn’t know Rafe well, anyone could read that something had unnerved him.

We set our watches as night fell, and I curled into my blanket, exhausted.

Someone shook me awake, and I jolted upright, startled.

“Easy there, lass,” Tegan huffed a quiet laugh. “You sleep like a stone!”

I gave him a small smile and rubbed my eyes, glancing around at the sleeping men. I stood and stretched. Winter’s chill bit at me, and I reached down to snag my cloak and wrap it around me.

“Care for yer needs while I stoke the fire,” he whispered.

I nodded and headed off into the night. The moon reflected against the snow, making the forest seem bright and alive. I relieved myself behind a shrub and returned to camp, fetching my crossbow.

After giving Tegan a small salute, I followed his tracks around the camp, watching and listening. I looked out along the snow-covered plains, at the patches of woods peppering the white expanse. There were no houses, no farms, nothing. We were only a day’s ride from Northwing. I thought there would be more traffic, though it was possible the storm warned people off.

A dragon roared in the distance, and I turned southward. Though it was far, I presumed it had to have come from Northwing. Most of the dragons there were in brumation, but maybe one had woken and been distressed by the cold.

I resumed my walk and searched the northern skies. Perhaps it was the Shadow-controlled dragon that Rafe feared from the north. I still wasn’t aware if he told any of the Tennan his concerns, or only shared them with me.

I shook my head, eager to finish my watch and return to sleep. I would deal with that Shadow and its Hunters when we came to it. There was no sense in creating evil where it might not exist.

The time passed, and I rushed back to camp, late to wake Jamlin. I knelt beside him and patted the big man’s shoulder. His eyes snapped open, though awareness took a moment to come to them.

“It’s your watch,” I whispered.

He nodded, sat up, and squinted at the moon through the trees. Noticing the time, his gaze darted from me to where Rafe lay on his side, sleeping.

I slapped his shoulder and gave him a mocking glare. “I was enjoying the evening.”

“Just making sure you weren’t enjoying someone,” he moaned as he rubbed at his shoulder.

“Pah!” I replied, smiling.

I stoked the fire as Jam walked off to answer nature’s call. Returning, he picked up his sword and strapped it on. Giving me a salute as I removed my boots, he headed off into the night.

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