Branded Book 1: Skald by J.A. Guynn

Author:J.A. Guynn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Epic High Fantasy, High Fantasy, Fantasy, Elemental Magic
Publisher: 3220 Group, LLC.
Published: 2022-04-16T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 29

THE WAGON WASN’T MOVING when I woke. Sunlight came from behind us. The slit of light I could see with my right eye grew larger.

I shook Crum. “We’re stopped.”

He snorted a few times, mumbled something, and opened his eyes. “We’re stopped.”

I nodded. “Nice of you to notice. Take a moment to wake up and I’ll see what’s happening.”

“Sounds like a sensible plan.”

Our horses didn’t seem restless, but I crept out of the wagon, sending my talent out once my feet hit the ground.

The wagon wheels made a large area of pressure, impossible to miss. The horses were easy to find, and I felt two people standing next to the horse team, but couldn’t detect anything else.

“Something wrong?” I called, when I saw Tindra.

“No,” she said. “We decided to let the team rest and eat dinner now. The horses can keep pulling long enough to get through the pass before we stop for the night.”

“Still planning to travel after nightfall?” I asked.

She nodded. “Only until we make it out of the pass. We’ll stop when you find a place to secure the horses.”

“Are you sure the lanterns will light our way well enough?”

“I have enough faith in them to risk my own life,” she said.

“Good enough for me,” Crum said.

I nodded. “What’s the plan for eating?”

“Finish off all the cooked food and leave the containers here,” she said.

“Makes sense,” I agreed. “Did you turn the wagon to shade us?”

“Yes, we did,” Mam said, sounding proud.

“Clever girl, this one,” Crum said, pointing at Tindra. “I’m almost thinking about letting myself consider the possibility of starting to like her.”

I noticed the quip confused Mam.

Leaning toward her, I whispered, “Don’t try to figure it out...trust me.”

She looked at me and smiled. “Can I get the plates?”

I nodded. “Bring water, too.”

Tindra ate with urgency and everyone followed her lead.

“It seems such a waste to leave this behind,” I said, as we finished.

“Sometimes one must make sacrifices,” Crum said.

“Wise words,” Tindra agreed, smiling. “You should listen to him, this time.”

“I sense a real friendship developing between you two,” I said.

“Never,” they replied in unison.

Mam laughed and I shook my head.

Tindra stood. “I’ll harness the team. Clean the dishes and secure your horses so we can get moving.”

Mam ran to gather our horses while Crum and I cleaned. The three of us working together finished at the same time Tindra had her team ready.

“I think it best if Mam and I drive until dark, and you two get us through the pass.”

I nodded and looked at Crum. “Get your bow ready; stow it and your arrows in the bench.”

“I like the way you think,” he said, before running back to his saddlebag.

I climbed into the back of the wagon and found a comfortable position as Crum jumped in.

The wagon lurched forward immediately.

“Tindra said she’d get the wagon moving before I got in. She was almost right,” he said, before laughing.

“What is it between you two?”

“Professional discourtesy,” he said, smiling.

“What do you mean?”

“She’s a deceiver and a manipulator.

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