The Beggar's Past by J B Drake

Author:J B Drake [Drake, J B]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: dragons, Elves & Fae, Gods & Goddesses, Fantasy Characters, Devils & Demons
Publisher: J.B. Drake
Published: 2020-06-17T22:00:00+00:00

Yawning, Marshalla squirmed as the last vestiges of sleep left her. The sun had only begun bathing their camp in its warm, welcoming light, but the air was already filled with the songs of the many woodland birds. Stretching, she sat up as she rubbed her eyes open.

“Up at last, I see,” Anieszirel said as she stared at Marshalla from the smouldering heap that was their camp fire.

“Didn’t you get any sleep?” she asked, frowning.

Anieszirel shook her head as she smiled. “I don’t need it, though I do indulge from time to time.”

Yawning once more, Marshalla nodded as she moved to stand. Then, she noticed Anise was still in her pallet.

“You may as well wake her,” Anieszirel said.

“Yeah,” Marshalla nodded as she knelt beside Anise, “else she’ll end up brooding the whole day.”

Snickering, the chronodragon rose and rekindled the fire as Marshalla shook the slumbering Archmage awake.

“Mmh,” Anise mumbled as she stretched.

“Good morning to you too,” Anieszirel replied.

A growl was Anise’s response.

“Not much of a morning person, I see,” Anieszirel muttered.

“Not so much, no,” Marshalla replied, a response that earned her a glare from the Archmage and a snicker from the chronodragon.

“The caravan hasn’t been past yet, I take it?” Anise said as she rose.

“No.” Anieszirel shook her head. “Although it would seem you made quite an impression in Barrow.”

“Oh?” Marshalla and Anise said in unison.

“Yes.” Anieszirel nodded. “Fourteen men rode past last night, armed for war. Rode past not too long after you both went to sleep. From the way they were riding, you’d think Hazuel was after their souls.”

Anise frowned as she shook her head. “That many men and horses, I would’ve woken up.”

Anieszirel smiled. “I put a sphere of protection around you both. You’re welcome.”

At this, Marshalla frowned.

“Why would we need a sphere of protection when we’re in a concealment sphere?” she asked.

Anieszirel shrugged. “Because I was feeling generous.”

But Marshalla’s frown remained.

“There was something out there last night,” she said, “wasn’t there?”

In response, Anieszirel looked at Anise.

“Wasn’t there?”

Sighing, the chronodragon turned back to Marshalla. “Yes.”

“Oh, come now!” Anise chided. “You can’t be sure—”

“But whatever it was,” Anieszirel continued, “it kept its distance. You were never in any true danger, Marsha, truly. The barrier was just a precaution.”

Marshalla’s frown deepened as she stared from the chronodragon to the Archmage and back again.

“I am not a child, alright?” she growled. “Stop treating me as if I was some mewling babe who needs to be succoured every waking moment. If there is something hunting us, I deserve to know.”

“There’s nothing hunting—”

“Not now, but there was last night! You should’ve said so!”

“We didn’t wish to frighten you,” Anise soothed.

“Bugger that, we’re in this thing together, the three of us! Three! Not two and a half!”

In unison, Anieszirel and Anise bit their lips as they fought to keep their snickers within.

“Well?”

“You’re right,” Anise replied as her smile broke free. “You’re absolutely right. Next time we’ll be more forthright.”

“That’s all I ask.”

Nodding, Anise turned to the chronodragon, only for her smile to fade.

“Those men that rode past, you’re sure they’re from Barrow?”

Anieszirel shrugged.

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