The Labyrinth of Destiny by Callie Kanno

Author:Callie Kanno [Kanno, Callie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Fantasy
Published: 2015-07-09T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Hawk’s Return

Adesina had never experienced such weariness. Her body was numb from exhaustion, and her mind was not much better off.

“Ma’eve, are you listening?”

Ravi’s deep voice woke her from her daze. She sat up straighter and looked around the tent. L’iam, Hestia, and Sitara were looking at her in concern, and Ruon’s lips were pressed together in disapproval.

Adesina cleared her throat. “I am sorry. I am having trouble focusing right now.”

L’iam’s eyes were full of understanding. “Why not go take an hour and meditate? You are tired.”

She shook her head. “We are all tired. There is much to do still, and you know you cannot spare me for an hour right now.”

L’iam did not argue with her, but the expression on his face spoke volumes. Sitara made a gently entreating gesture with her hands. “At the very least go outside and get a breath of fresh air. It will help to sharpen your mind.”

Adesina was going to protest, but she decided against it. It would take less time to step out of the tent and come back than it would take to argue that she didn’t have time.

She smiled at her friends and nodded, climbing slowly to her feet and walking out with feigned energy.

The battle with the Shimat advance force had been going almost non-stop for two weeks now. The number of soldiers in the L’avan and Seharan armies remained surprisingly high. Many were wounded, but few had died. The Shimat commanders did not appear to be trying anything clever in their battle tactics. Their only goal seemed to be wearing their opponents down.

And it was working.

Everyone was exhausted, for there was little time to sleep. L’iam had ordered shifts in the fighting, but even then there was hardly any chance for the soldiers to eat and rest. It was even harder on the commanders, for they saw to the needs of the soldiers before their own. Adesina had been running herself ragged trying to ease the burdens that weighed on L’iam and Me’shan. After all, she was the one who technically didn’t need to sleep.

The cool night air was invigorating to Adesina as she stepped out of the command tent. She breathed it in deeply, glad for a break from the endless planning.

Earlier that afternoon the Shimat army had pulled back without any explanation. They had retreated to their camp, and there they waited. L’iam had sent spies to watch them, but the L’avan and Seharans had taken the opportunity to fall back as well. Now every soldier was taking advantage of this rare time to sleep or eat or make repairs to weapons and armor.

The camp seemed strangely subdued, and Adesina looked over it with sorrow weighing heavily on her heart. Before this conflict was over, many of these fine men and women would lose their lives.

Adesina’s reverie was interrupted by Ruon. The tall, lithe figure of the Laithur came to stand by her.

“You are pushing yourself too hard,” he said critically and without preamble.

She gave him a slightly exasperated glance.

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