Auxland by M B Aznoe

Author:M B Aznoe [Aznoe, M B]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B07K7YM1Z4
Published: 2018-11-30T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

Khomar stretched his aching muscles as he scanned the western horizon. Arlye had just disappeared behind the mountains with Tranya following close behind. A cold wind had picked up in the last hour, billowing out of the icy peaks above them and sapping the strength of those who still trained. It was as good a time as any to conclude the day’s work.

“Your form with the syntaroth has improved,” Lu commented, “though the Lasnath may not yet be willing to welcome you as a brother.” He hooked his nose at this as he looked askance at Khomar with the barest hint of a glimmer in his eye. Somehow the Dormankye managed to not look winded even though he had been training the men throughout the day.

“I’m not sure I’m ready to decorate my skin anyway,” Khomar replied with a smirk. He shook his head. “The Dormankye style of fighting still feels strange to me.”

“You and Kintrye still think too much like Jyrye,” Lu observed.

Ahron approached them then, his face beaming even though sweat was frozen to his beard. “I think we’ve made good progress today. Lu, your teaching has been invaluable.”

Lu bowed his head slightly in acknowledgment, his expression still carefully composed.

“Will you join us for dinner, Ahron?” Khomar offered.

Ahron looked pained. “Alas, no. My mother has insisted that I come back to the cottage for dinner tonight. I think she’s hoping my father will be arriving soon.”

“Have you received word from him?” Khomar asked hopefully.

It was already Hensday night, and with the Council convening in two days, Khomar’s father had been showing increasing signs of concern at the prolonged absence of his general. To make matters worse, Khauxlan’s brother-in-law, Esiah, who was the Ghordmon of Khantron, had also not yet arrived. The time to confer with his closest advisers before the actual Council was rapidly dwindling away.

“No, we haven’t heard anything, but Ma doesn’t think he’ll wait much longer,” Ahron replied with a shrug. Then, with a grin, he added, “Besides, I think she’s missing him.”

Khomar gave him a half-hearted smile. Thorixal’s absence also reminded him of the unresolved business with Hamach. He was dreading having to face his great-uncle again at the Council of the Ghordmon.

Ahron’s expression turned more serious as he clapped Khomar’s shoulder. “Pa will be here. You’ll see.”

Khomar shrugged. “We’ll see you in the morning.”

“But not too early, right?” Ahron smirked. “It must be difficult to get away from that wife of yours.”

According to the plan he had laid out, Khomar had taken the first shift of guarding Aya that morning. After the now habitual reading of the Book of the Way in the great hall, he had retreated with his wife to their room while Lu and Kintrye had taken the first turn of training. From the knowing looks he had received from the others upon his return, it was clear they suspected that their entire time had not been spent reading as Khomar had claimed. The fact that they were right only heightened Khomar’s discomfiture.

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