Page 84 of Storms & Sacrifice
Khazak was hesitant but agreed that it could work. It would just be a matter of figuring out which, if any of them, can be trusted. He thinks that Druid Darkwolf and Shaman Bonespirit are probably safe, but he’s unsure of the others, who I haven’t even met. Nylan told us last night we’d be going to the east camp, where Bonespirit is stationed, so he seems like our best bet. Now we just need to find a moment to talk tohim alone.
“How are you feeling after last night?” I turn my head to see Khazak looking over me.
“Still a little sore, but good.” He’s asked me that twice already.
“I was worried after I noticed you walking funny this morning,” he adds, a sly look onhis face.
“And whose fault was that?” It was only for a coupleof hours.
He opens his mouth to retort but then lifts his hand and points. Headed toward us, as if he appeared out of nowhere, is Ragnar with Nylan right behind him. I’m glad he looks surprised, because I forgot he’d be able to see us before we saw them, hidden behind the camp’s magical camouflage. Magic makes things so confusingsometimes.
“Sir? Is everything alright?” He looks worried to see us. “Did something happen?”
“Good to see you too,” I tease.
“I am relieving you of your duties for the rest of the evening, Deputy.” Khazak hands over the camping supplies to his friend. “Happy anniversary. Enjoy yourselves.”
He looks surprised, but it doesn’t take much to get Ragnar on board. “Thankyou, sir.”
“How much food did your dad make?!” Nylan takes the basket from me, shocked at its weight. “I packed sandwiches and stuff.”
“I’ll eat them later in the week.” Ragnar takes Ny’s hand with a smile and leads him awayfrom camp.
“Have fun! Happy anniversary!” I call out as they walk away hand in hand.
Khazak and I resume walking, the camp coming into view once we cross the threshold. It’s quiet, seemingly empty except for a few officers. Maybe I’m just imagining things, but a couple of them look more surprised to see us than Ragnar did. The shaman’s tent flap is closed, and since none of the other rangers are back yet, this might be our best chance to talk to him until later. As I’m looking at it, the tent opens, and the grey-haired orcsteps out.
“Captain? What are you two doing here?” the shaman asks as he approaches.
“Giving Deputy Rockfang the night off for his anniversary.” Khazak steps a little closer and lowers his voice slightly. “There is actually something I need to discuss with you inprivate.”
“Of course. Step into my tent.” Wu’dag leads Khazak back.
“David, please put our things in the tent while I speak with the shaman,” he orders before following theolder orc.
Aww. I kinda wanted to talk to him too, but this is less suspicious. Inside the tent, I roll up Ragnar’s bedroll and move his stuff to the side while I lay out ours for the night. We didn’t really pack, just brought something to sleep on and a change of clothes. Ragnar will be back in the morning, and I’m betting we’ll walk back to the city with Nylan since he “won’t sleep outside two nightsin a row.”
I step back outside and stretch my sore limbs. I only recognize one of the three officers currently in the camp. I think his name is Stonearm. The other two I’m not sure, but I can’t shake the feeling that they’re staring at me oddly, like they’re watching me. I look over at the closed tent, hoping Khazak’s managing to get the shaman onour side.
“David?” A familiar voice calls out my name as Orim enters the camp behind me, returning from his patrol route.
“Hey!” I didn’t realize he’d be out herethis week.
“Why are you here?” he asks as he approaches.
“Captain Ironstorm and I are filling in for Deputy Rockfang, so he can spend the night with his avakesh. It’s their anniversary.” It sounds really formal when I use everyone’s titles like that, but I’mtechnicallyworkingright now.
“That is very kind of you.” I mean, I didn’t really have a say in coming out here or not, but if Idid, I still would have done it for my friends.
We exchange hugs (I’ve gotten the hang of the whole wrist-clasp orc-hug thing), and then some movement to my side draws my attention. Shaman Bonespirit and Khazak exit his tent together, still talking. After sharing a few more words, Khazak looks for me, then motions with his head toward ourown tent.
“What’d he say?” I ask after entering behind him.
“He is sympathetic to our cause, or at least willing to investigate a little further,” he shares the good news, voice low. “Tonight, during our watch shift, I am going to lead him to the section of the city wall behind Murbank’s home. If magic was used to cover anything up, Bonespirit should be able to detect it.”
“Then what do we do?” See how I’m asking before acting? Growth!
“That will depend on what the shaman is able to discover. But I have a good feeling.”That makesone of us.
