Iron Bloom (Legend of the Iron Flower Book 1) by Billy Wong

Author:Billy Wong
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2014-01-10T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

The week until their trip passed slowly for Rose, as the Whitestones continued to give the Dunwal needy their aid. She took less pleasure now in her work than she had before, ever thinking about the violence that could yet come. She still couldn't decide what she would do if she found herself in the close vicinity of a battle in Jugeld. But she knew she wouldn't have such a problem when she was there, even if she made the wrong choice whatever that could be. She would never put off a decision until there was no point, ever again.

"You ready for the big trip?" Ethan asked the night before their departure from Dunwal.

"You know I am." She was going to keep her sword close by her side.

When she came downstairs in chain mail with her sword and shield hanging from her broad back, the rest of the Whitestones stared. "What are you, our bodyguard?" Brian asked.

"I'm ready for trouble, that's all."

They departed in their large wagons full of preserved food, clothing, and medical supplies, and day after day Rose found herself the object of suspicious looks from the people she had come to regard as friends. She knew exactly what it was she was doing to make them view her this way, but kept doing it. She would rather be alienated than let anyone she cared about die.

She was lying on the grass glumly watching the cloudy sky when Ethan sat next to her, put a hand on her mailed shoulder, and smiled. "You're as stubborn as a mule."

"If none of the rest of you are going to protect yourselves, who will?"

"There are soldiers at the bases where we're going to help the refugees. You know that."

"But there's no one here, Ethan. You didn't bring any guards, but me."

"What could happen?"

"Bandits. Monsters. Raiders who got past the border."

"You shouldn't worry so much, Rose. It's not good for the mind."

"Stop treating me like a little child. It'll be good for my mind to be alive."

"Sorry. I just don't think all this worry is necessary. We're a pretty big group, and I don't think most people would try and attack us."

"That's true. But anything's possible, and if you do get attacked, you're not going to fight. And bandits don't negotiate, or if they do, it won't be your idea of the word. You wouldn't want them to have their way."

"Now you're the one treating me like a babe. Don't you think I know that? I haven't had a perfect life. But we've got to have faith."

Rose touched her sword hilt. She did have faith—in herself, and the strength of her arm. Ideals were nice, but they wouldn't keep the bad things away.

#

It was about three days from their destination that they first encountered face to face the consequences of the border conflict. A wagon drawn by a pair of mules appeared before them, its driver a woman with bewildered eyes and a number of children at her back. Five, Rose counted.

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