Echoes of The Forgotten: A Fantasy Fiction Series (The Raknari Trilogy, Book 1) by Lori Holmes

Author:Lori Holmes [Holmes, Lori]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Independent
Published: 2023-08-11T16:00:00+00:00

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12

Warning

Utu had barely risen above the far horizon when Rannac approached the Chief’s shelter at the centre of the camp. Eldrax was already waiting, squatted outside his home as he knapped the edge of a fresh cutting flint. He had all the appearance of a coiled predator. Invulnerable and dangerous.

Rannac allowed himself to feel a swell of pride for the man before him. He had overseen the raising of Eldrax since he was a boy. In the art of wielding a spear, he had no equal. And not just with a spear. Put any weapon into those mighty hands, and Rannac knew no man could ever stand against him. Under the Red Bear’s watch, the clan women knew safety; the children well fed on the bounty of rich territories no other Chief dared to challenge for.

Rannac might disagree with the violence Eldrax might display at times, but he hadn’t made the Hunting Bear the strongest clan under Utu by being soft-hearted. Power and fear were the language between the clans. Juran had committed his own number of atrocities in the Black Wolf clan’s rise to power. It was an unfortunate consequence of protecting one’s own.

And Eldrax protected them well. Yes, Rannac was proud of the hand he had played in his making.

“Rannac,” Eldrax stood as he saw him approach.

“My Chief, what is it you wished of me?”

“Your company on a hunt, my old friend.”

Rannac frowned. “Didn’t your hunting group just return with an ox?” Rannac saw Eldrax draw a quick breath to temper his patience and thought better of saying any more.

“Can I not just wish for your company, Old Wolf, to hunt together as we once did? It has been far too long.”

“Not since you became Chief,” Rannac recalled.

Eldrax cocked his head. “Not since I broke your leg?”

“No.” Rannac ignored the sudden ache he felt from the old injury. An injury that symbolised the breaking of their old relationship. It gladdened his heart that Eldrax finally wanted to return to that. No matter how mighty Eldrax had become, he still needed guidance, and if their previous bond was reaffirmed, Rannac would be in a better position to do just that. “But what about the boy?” he asked. “You asked me to teach him to hunt.” Rannac was also afraid to leave him unguarded. He did not know what mischief Lorhir may try to cause if he left camp now. Adolescents were disobedient, volatile, and not entirely in control of their emotions. No matter Eldrax’s ruling, if the wrong word was spoken, Rannac knew he may return to bloodshed. He did not speak this fear to Eldrax, however. To do so would risk the Red Bear ripping Lorhir’s throat out as an example to those who might consider harming his new prize. He had already bloodied Tamuk for getting Khalvir injured. “He has seasons’ worth of experience to catch up on.”

“Then another day will not hurt him.” Eldrax flung a spear in Rannac’s direction, which he caught. “But if you do not stop talking, it will be two.

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