Sacrifice of the Heart (The Legend of Hooper's Dragons Book 8) by Gary Darby

Author:Gary Darby [Darby, Gary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gary Darby Books, LLC
Published: 2018-06-13T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 26

By late evening, we have a battle plan of sorts. Unfortunately, it’s filled with uncertainties, guesses, and assumptions on our part as we do not know for sure when our friends will make their appearance. I have no doubt that they will come, but with how many and how soon? We have one certainty—that Vay is going to attack us. But if she does before our allies arrive, are our forces enough to hold? If not, then the sisters’ portal is lost, as well as the Northern Kingdom and Vay will easily sweep away those who remain to oppose her, and all Erdron is hers.

Tavin lets out a long sigh as he eyes the crude map of sorts outlined in the dirt at his feet. He sweeps a hand over the rocks, pieces of cloth, leaves, and twigs that we’ve set down to represent places across the Northern Kingdom and the positioning of our forces. “I admit, I’m out of ideas. Anyone else have any remaining thoughts?”

Other campfires burn low, but ours still flames high, as we need the light to see what Lord DinBaern, using the pointed end of a thin branch, has laid out in the soft soil. “Not I,” Lord Layton grumbles. “My thoughts have become as thick as new honey straight from the hive.”

“Mine too,” Helmar replies, his response accompanied by a grunt from Lord Russel, indicating that he’s done as well.

Lord DinBaern straightens from his stooped position, leans back as if stretching out his back muscles. “I don’t have anything to add, other than it’s a decent plan, given all the uncertainties. Now, if Vay will only cooperate and do exactly as we want her to—otherwise . . .”

“Yes,” Tavin sighs again, “there is that, isn’t there? Your enemy rarely does what they’re supposed to, do they? Still, I’d give every ducat in my treasury to know her plans and intentions.”

I furrow my brow and glance toward Tavin’s destroyed castle. Tavin must have seen my look, for he snorts and says, “Thinking that I’ve lost my gold and other valuables in the attack, Hooper, and have no ducats to offer?”

“Something like that.”

“You and many others, I suppose,” he responds and then smiles. “My father was a wise man, Hooper, and went by the adage to never put all of one’s ducats in one treasury or one castle, for that matter.”

“Never heard that saying before,” Cara snorts.

“New one,” Tavin replies. “Just made it up to fit the occasion.”

“Well,” Helmar grunts, “here’s a new one to meet the occasion. The cock always crows just after you drift off to sleep unless you’re already awake.”

A few laughs greet Helmar’s pitiful attempt to match Tavin. Cara leans over and puts a hand on Helmar’s shoulder. “Methinks, sir, that you should not attempt a new line of work as a sage philosopher with lines such as that.”

“Just saying that if there’s no more to be said, we need to get some sleep.”

“To that I would heartily agree,” Tavin replies. “Unless .

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