Lucien by Linda Mooney

Author:Linda Mooney
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: action, adventure, romance, science fiction, sensuous, post-apocalyptic, swords, mutants, fantasy, futuristic, dystopian
Publisher: Music And Press
Published: 2018-02-06T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Three

Durrow

The battle lord didn’t push them, but they kept to a steady clip and covered a lot of ground. A couple of times Yulen went to talk to his men and captains, checking on them as he always did. Lucien also noted his father taking the time to inquire on the wounded Mutah. Iain rode next to the wagon to keep an eye on the man.

Less than an hour after they departed Whiterock, they came to a split in the road. Yulen studied the trail that turned southward as they continued on toward the west. Curious, Atty asked, “Where does that lead? Do you know?”

“I don’t know where it eventually ends up, but Alta Seran is in that direction.”

Lucien perked up as his mother softly wondered aloud, “Do you ever think about him?”

Him. Rafe D’Jacques. Fortune had told Lucien about the time his father’s half-brother had tried to take over Alta Novis by force, claiming since he was firstborn, the compound was his by right. But Rafe’s hatred for all things Mutah had led the man to abusing Atty, as well as many others. In the end, Yulen had killed him and sent Rafe’s mother, Janelle Callahan, back to Alta Seran.

Yulen gave his wife a loving smile. “Not if I can help it.” That seemed to satisfy Atty, and they said no more about it.

Surprisingly, the battle lord called for a halt a little past midday. Believing they’d made good headway, he gave everyone an hour to eat and stretch their legs before returning to the road. Johna grabbed her spear and vanished momentarily between the trees. Lucien took the opportunity to go over to where his mother was already cooking a couple of squirrels she’d managed to snag during their trek. The smell of roasting game over the open fire made his stomach growl. Atty flashed him a smile, which let him know she’d heard it. “Dinner will be ready shortly. Where’s your friend? She’s welcome to join us. There’s plenty.”

He turned to go get Johna, when a sneeze caught him off-guard. It didn’t come from him. Surprised, he gave his mother a concerned look, which she waved off. “Pepper.” She sniffed and blew her nose on a rag. “Hurry. We eat when your father returns.”

“He’s returned,” Yulen drily remarked as he strode into their personal campsite and took a seat on one of the mats she’d placed on the ground. Holding out his hands toward the fire, he looked at Lucien. “Was that you who sneezed?”

“No. It was Mom.”

Yulen turned to Atty, who waved at the sizzling squirrels. “Drop that expression, D’Jacques. I got some pepper up my nose.”

Chuckling, Lucien went to get Johna. When they returned, Iain had joined his parents. Lucien and Johna took a seat next to him as Atty carved portions from the meat. “Good thing about squirrels is they cook fast,” his mother remarked.

“They smell wonderful,” Johna praised her.

“Do you cook?” Atty inquired, handing the young woman a trencher.

“No.”

“You should learn. A good hunter doesn’t just kill the meal.

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