The Ogre Apprentice (The Bowl of Souls Book 8) by Trevor H. Cooley

Author:Trevor H. Cooley [Cooley, Trevor H.]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2015-02-26T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

That first day of travel through the sodden plains was just as miserable as Fist had feared. The ogres had found the mud a fun distraction at first, laughing every time one of them became stuck and throwing huge sticky handfuls at each other, but by mid morning the novelty had worn off. There was nothing but brown grass and puddles of water as far as their eyes could see and they slogged through the mire, their moods growing fouler by the hour.

That evening, the exhausted group stopped on a wide hillock that rose mostly clear of the mud. Locksher had Fist help him dry the area out even further so that they could light a fire and bed down for the night. The next morning Fist awoke with Puj curled up at his side, Squirrel asleep in the crook of her arm.

That day’s travel was better than the day before. They were able to stay out of the more marshy areas and everyone’s spirits rose. Puj spent most of the day walking right behind Fist and Squirrel stayed on Puj’s shoulder. The animal chattered at the ogress, feeding her shelled seeds and nuts.

Puj found the squirrel’s companionship amusing and did her best to carry on a conversation with him, saying things like, “This is a better day than yesterday, Food” or “I like your red shirt, Food” or “Thank you for the nut, Food.” Squirrel chattered back at her and she pretended to understand. Sometimes she even made lewd remarks about Fist. Squirrel would respond with his little chattering laugh.

This new development grated on Fist. By mid-day, he couldn’t hold his irritation back any longer. Without looking at them, he sent, What are you doing, Squirrel?

Me? Nothing, the little beast said innocently as he shelled a rather large pumpkin seed with practiced clips of his front teeth.

Yes you are, Fist said. You are being too nice to Puj. You are encouraging her.

She is a good ogre, Squirrel replied. He held out the seed and Puj opened her mouth, letting him toss it in. She will make a good mate for you.

I told you, I don’t want her to be my mate!

Squirrel snorted at his attitude. Not before, but you like her better now.

She’s an ogress, Squirrel. They don’t stay with just one mate. Fist replied as much to remind himself as to convince his bonded. It was true that he had been warming up to Puj over the last few days, but they just weren’t compatible. She wouldn’t be able to comprehend the kind of monogamous relationships that humans tended to have; that he wanted to have. Besides, she’s not smart enough.

At that moment, Puj stepped in a hole and stumbled, nearly falling. Squirrel had to grab onto her hair to keep from being thrown free. “Are you alright, Food?” she asked. “I almost squisheded you.”

Squirrel let go of her hair and chattered back at her as if nothing had happened. She is like you when we met.

I was much smarter than her, Fist argued.

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