Page 174 of Forcing Fate

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Garion ended up having a gift with horses. He joined Xzanth and Rafe at a horse auction in a nearby village. I stayed and trained with Jamlin in the morning. After that, Rafe said I was free to do as I wanted as long as I was within sight of Jam.

It was my first free day since Hatching Day, and even though I wasn’t allowed to go anywhere I pleased, I still enjoyed myself. I ended up racing Collins around, and he taught me how to scale the fortress walls, finding footholds as I went. It was far more exhilarating than I imagined, being able to fly up the walls and land on the balcony.

I sat down on a log, panting for breath, face flushed with the effort of keeping up with Collins. Looking over, I eyed Zephath. “Trees of E’or?” I read, squinting at the cover.

He looked up from his book, offering me a glare.

“Tell me, what about the trees of E’or? Are you reading about the foothills, or the mountains themselves?” I pressed. “The deciduous trees that change their colors with the seasons, or the evergreens? Or perhaps some rare species I’ve not heard of?”

Zeph had the temper of a snake. I could never read him and usually tried to keep my distance. He was cold and cruel in such a way that seemed intent on hurting people.

“Such a commoner wouldn’t understand,” he snapped, going back to his book.

“Oi, a commoner?” I exclaimed, perking up. “So that’s it.”

“What is?” He frowned, glowering at me above the pages of his book.

“You’re a noble—or something of the sort. That’s why you’re different.”

“I am different. I’m not a thing like you,” he sneered.

“You’re not. I’m fine with that.” I shrugged a shoulder, watching him. “Are you?”

“Of course I am.” His gaze narrowed on me. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

I rested my elbows on my knees and watched as Blain and Dane wrestled Korzak in the distance.

“You’re a noble then?”

“The son of one,” he murmured, leery.

“And you joined the army,” I mused. “So, you are either trying to be something you’re not or you’re on the run.” His face flushed at the latter and I nodded. “Running then.”

“You wouldn’t understand,” he snarled, standing.

“Try me.”

He faltered, hurt flashing in his crystal blue eyes, then he snapped his book closed. Hatred and bitterness glimmered in that gaze, and he twisted his face into a grimace. “You’re not worth it,” he said before stalking off to the fortress.

I sighed and returned my attention to the others. Tegan joined the skirmish, fighting everyone and taking no sides. Jamlin stood aside and howled with laughter. I smiled at the sight.

“It’s no use,” Collins stated, coming to sit by me.

“Hmm?”

“Zephath. He won’t let anyone close to him. I don’t know how General Rafe got him to agree to anything. He’s the only one he listens to.”

I studied Collins. His sandy hair was always tousled. He sat awkwardly, as if he hadn’t quite grown into his height.

“He’s been hurt. He’s scared. Rafe offered him safety. Whatever he’s running from, the war front is the furthest thing from it, and that’s where he wants to be.”

“That’s not what bothers me about him,” he grumbled. “He lashes out at everyone. He doesn’t mesh well with us.”

“I would agree, but I didn’t think that any of us would work well together,” I said, gesturing between us and the others. “Rafe knows what he’s doing. He recruited him for a reason.”

“You sure have a lot of faith in the General.”

---