Forging Destiny by Marc Alan Edelheit & Quincy J. Allen

Author:Marc Alan Edelheit & Quincy J. Allen [Edelheit, Marc Alan & Allen, Quincy J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B08YY1LNBJ
Published: 2021-03-14T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

“Tovak.” Gorabor shook him on the shoulder. “Tovak, wake up. You are wanted.”

Tovak opened his eyes and blinked, looking around, feeling momentarily disoriented. It was dusk and nearly dark out. The sky was still tinged with some remnants of orange light. He felt stiff, sore, and generally ached all over. Even his fingers hurt, likely from the climb and the rope. Yawning powerfully, he rubbed at his eyes and came away with sand. He wanted nothing more than to lie back down and go to sleep. Instead, he sat up.

“What?” Tovak asked, yawning again. “What did you say? How long was I out?”

“You’ve slept all afternoon,” Gorabor said. “Maybe four hours. Thegdol said to leave you be, so we did.”

“I appreciate that,” Tovak said, stretching. He’d fallen asleep on his pack. He felt tired but at the same time refreshed, better than he had been when they’d arrived. Around them, skirmishers slept. Others were tending to their gear, sharpening blades, or talking quietly amongst themselves. There was even a quiet dice game going a few feet away between Dagmar and Torimar. Dagmar seemed frustrated, for he was scowling at the dice that had just been tossed.

“Maybe we should use mine,” Dagmar said quietly to Torimar.

“Everyone knows your dice are loaded,” Torimar said, looking up at his fellow skirmisher as he scooped up Dagmar’s coin. “Even they couldn’t help your luck today.”

“I think we should give it a try,” Dagmar said.

“Not today,” Torimar chuckled.

Terribly thirsty, and with a sour taste in his mouth, Tovak grabbed his waterskin and drank until it was half empty.

“Why’d you wake me?” Tovak looked over at Gorabor.

“Lieutenant Brund is asking for you,” Gorabor said. “It sounds like you might be going out on a scouting run. You are to bring your pack.”

Tovak perked up at that and glanced around. He did not see the lieutenant. “Where is he?”

“That way.” Gorabor pointed farther down the ridge and through the trees. “Thegdol said to get your butt moving.”

“Right,” Tovak said and stood. He struggled not to groan from the effort. He had thought he was stiff before, but now that he was moving … his thighs protested angrily. He stretched his back out and legs, then bent down and picked up his pack. It took some effort, for his muscles felt tortured, but he slung the pack over his shoulders and secured it in place. He shrugged his shoulders around for a better fit.

“Stay safe,” Gorabor said.

Tovak gave a nod and started over in the direction his friend had indicated. A short walk through the trees brought him to Brund, who was surrounded by six pioneers, four of whom had bows. The only one Tovak knew was Iger.

“Tovak,” Brund said congenially. “Glad you could join us. We’re heading out to reconnoiter the enemy’s position on the wall. I thought you might like to come along.”

“Of course, sir,” Tovak replied, feeling suddenly excited. What his body wanted was to stay right where he was on the ridge and go back to sleep.

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