Page 9 of A Dream of Snow

“We have to make certain that nothing worse waits for us. I don’t want to be surprised when Karehl gets here by some other enemy. We couldn’t fight off both your brother and a creature like that at the same time.” I checked my quiver and bow, then swung up on Yaran’s back. “San, are you coming?”

He started to head for his horse, but Fenling stopped him. “No, I’ll go. Better we leave a strong warrior with Bran. Now that Quen is wounded, we can’t just leave him alone without a guard.”

I nodded, motioning for her to get her horse and follow me.

“We’ll be careful,” I promised Bran, as we headed for the tree line. I wanted to explore more before dusk. As we entered the forest again, I made sure my bow was ready. I didn’t want a reenactment of what happened with Quen.

CHAPTER FIVE

As Fenlingand I pressed into the woodland, I kept a close eye out. Whatever that creature was, it had proven too deadly to chance another encounter.

“You’ve forever earned a spot in both Bran and Quen’s hearts. Saving Quen like that,twice…you’re truly his guardian spirit.” Fenling glanced around, sniffing the air.

“What do you smell?”

“That’s what I’m trying to figure out. Wolf shifters can pick out things most people can’t even smell. I’ll bet you didn’t know that Quen reeked of that creature.”

I shook my head. “No, I had no idea. Why didn’t he sense it before it attacked us?”

“He’s had a cold lately and his sense of smell is off,” Fenling said. “Anyway, I can smell the creature you killed—it’s mingled with the scent of death. And some other animal came through this way but I think it’s been a day or so.”

“Elk? Deer?”

Fenling paused, sniffing. “No, I don’t think so. I’m not sure.” She hesitated for another moment, then said, “All right, let’s get a move on.”

We rode through the trees, on the lookout for anything that might present a problem. While we were out there, we kept an eye out for any landmarks that could be useful. While there were a few boulders, the forest was on an even land, with no ravines that we could see, nor caves or hills. There was no place to hide except in the snow and behind the trees.

By dusk, we’d circled the camp, and if there were more of those creatures, they hid themselves well. We returned to find Quen cooking dinner—a stew of sorts—and huddled by the fire. One day over. One day, plus or minus a few hours, to go.

I gratefully accepted the bowl of stew and bread that Quen handed me, and hunkered down beside the campfire. As I ate, the warmth flooded through my body. Fenling sat beside me, as we told the others what we had found—or rather, what wehadn’tfound.

“There’s nothing but a couple boulders. No caves, no hiding places except the trees themselves or snowdrifts. I’m not sure how we’re supposed to get the upper hand if we can’t hide while waiting for them,” I said, spooning the hot meat and gravy into my mouth.

“We could create bunkers of snow—build up drifts that are actually hiding spots,” San said.

“But we don’t know which direction Karehl will be coming from,” Fenling said. “If we hide in the wrong place, it won’t do us any good. When we win, we need to change this tradition. Just make some laws that ensure leaders can be deposed if they turn like Karehl did. The Council waited too long. Bran needs to establish some method—” she paused as a sound came from the forest near us. “What’s that?”

I set down my bowl and picked up my bow.

“I smell something—the wind just turned and we’re downwind of whatever it is.” San withdrew his sword, as didBran. “It’s coming from the other side of the camp—where you and Quen started out this morning.”

Fenling pulled out her daggers and we edged our way toward the sound, which was to the back of our camp. Bran motioned for us to pause. As we did, the noise grew louder—like something snuffling and growling through the forest. But, unlike our forests at home, there were no sounds of branches breaking or bushes rustling.

The next moment, a loud shriek cut through the approaching night and three charimonts leaped out from the treeline, racing towards us.

Swinging around, I brought my bow up and aimed for the lead beast. “Move!”

San and Bran jumped out of my way and I sent the arrow flying, but the charimont veered to the right and the arrow missed, landing in the snow. They were close enough that by the time I prepared another arrow, they were at the outskirts of the camp. I dropped my bow and pulled out my dagger. My skills weren’t the best with a blade, so I raced over to the fire and grabbed a branch that was burning, pulling it out from the coals. I held it up and turned back to the charimonts.

Bran braced himself as one of the charimonts headed toward him. The second veered toward San, and the third continued in my direction. Fenling appeared by my side, daggers out and ready. Quen unsheathed his sword, moving to back Bran.

And then, with one more breath, we were all in the fight.

All I could see was the creature in front of me, and Fenling to my left. The charimont slowed as I held up the flaming stick, waving it toward the beast. As it followed my move, it narrowed its eyes. Fenling edged toward its side. I tried to entice it, to give her the space to move in. She knew how to use blades and I trusted her skill more than I trusted mine.

As the charimont snarled and began to creep toward me, in position to pounce, I held tight to the branch. Fenling shifted, taking another step forward. Then, with one final wiggle, it leaped toward me. Fenling struck as it sailed past her, slicing down its side with both her daggers.

The charimont shrieked, trying to get away. I took that moment to bring the flaming branch down on its head and the fur caught fire. As the beast staggered, lurching, Fenling landed on it and struck again with her daggers. This time, the charimont flopped to its side and was still.

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