Bond of a Dragon_Zahara's Gift by A. J. Walker

Author:A. J. Walker [Walker, A. J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, fantasy
Goodreads: 42438736
Publisher: A J Walker Publishing
Published: 2018-10-23T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

|||||

Zahara

DESPITE THEIR PRESENCE, ANDERS and Max were not invited into the tent where the Rollo Island leaders were discussing their next plan of action. Instead they went to set up their own campsite near the edge of the cluster of warrior tents. The size of the camp rivaled the size of most towns in Westland. Anders remembered reading in a book in Theodor’s library that in the Rollos’ culture anyone brave enough to fight was allowed to join the warriors. He passed men, women, and even children as he and Max walked across the sprawling camp. The youngest child looked to be about fourteen years old. Anders greatly respected the women who’d come on their journey. He did worry that the youngest of the children were too young to see battle and could possibly be a hindrance in a fight.

After Max and Anders set up a spot for themselves, they wandered through camp in search of food. Many fires blazed, most smelled of roasted meat. They joined in with a group who were handing slices of lamb cooked over a spit roast. Anders introduced himself and sat down to soak up the warmth of their fire. Max and Anders enjoyed the savory meat.

Anders struck up a conversation with a woman sitting next to them. She introduced herself as Britt. “I was surprised to see such young warriors with your party,” Anders said to her through a mouthful of lamb.

“It’s common in our culture to go on your first war party when you’re very young,” Britt replied, the thick Rolloan accent Anders’ had grown accustomed to from listening to Red was nearly absent in her speech. “Most of us have seen battle by the time we’re fourteen. I went on my first raid when I was thirteen,” she added proudly.

“Weren’t you scared?” Anders asked her, imagining what he would have felt going off to fight strangers to the death when he was only thirteen years old.

“Fear is something that we do not see in battle,” she said strongly. “It is the greatest honor for our people to die in the glory of battle. We do not fear death in battle; we welcome it.”

Anders was shocked at this thought. “Why is that?” he asked.

“If you fight hard and prove yourself to be a brave warrior and die in battle,” she said, “the spirit within your body will leave this world and join the spirits of others of our people who have gone before us. All of the finest foods are waiting in a giant feast when your spirit arrives at the Great Hall. A giant goat sits at the head of the table and its udders produce endless amounts of brew…” she trailed off smiling up into the night’s sky. “If you live your life as a brave warrior you will be granted a seat at the table. If you cower from battle or fear being killed in battle, then you will be damned for eternity and spend your afterlife wandering

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.