The Hammer: An Epic Fantasy Harem Adventure by J. A. Cipriano

Author:J. A. Cipriano [Cipriano, J. A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-08-22T16:00:00+00:00

20

Eamon and I continued to spar in the mornings, while Kasaka prepared breakfast and started breaking down our camp. In the evenings, the troll and I would duel, while he made camp and started our fire.

Over the next two days, before we turned away from the river to set off into the foothills, Eamon made something of a breakthrough as we rode along the shore. A dusting of snow persisted in the shadows beneath trees and on the leeward side of hills. He rode up closer to me and gave me a nod before addressing Kasaka.

“I want to apologize,” he said, fidgeting as if the words made him uncomfortable.

Kasaka shifted a bit against my back, and I imagined her straightening and looking at him with those rich, golden eyes.

“For what?” she asked, her tone pitched low.

Eamon took a breath. “I had only heard tales of trolls, and nothing too flattering,” he told her somberly. “Traveling with you has shown me that I shouldn’t be so quick to judge.”

I was impressed. Often it took men years to break out of their prejudices. Possibly it was because she was a pretty female, but I wanted to think that Eamon had a bit more depth to him than that.

The shifts she made against my back during our own conversations had taught me a little about how to read whether she was nodding, shaking her head, or making some gesture or other. She was definitely nodding as she stated graciously, “As it has taught me that humans can be both trustworthy and merciful. Our kinds have often been at odds, something that this man, Gharrik Anzar, did not know. Perhaps we both are seeing our world through his eyes.”

That was embarrassing. I coughed and twisted to look at them both. “Enough,” I said firmly. “We’re on the same side, fine. I don’t need to hear either of your confessions.” Then I turned away, hiding a faint smile as they both fidgeted nervously.

“I heard you talking about Ga’idra,” Eamon spoke up again, and Kasaka stiffened. “We’re rescuing her, too, aren’t we?”

“I reckon so,” I said blandly. “That was part of the deal I cut with Kasaka here, and …” I paused for a moment, thinking of Rhianne’s years-long rivalry with the orcish Runemaster. “I keep my word. Hopefully, Rhianne will come around.”

“It was not my friend’s fault, Gharrik Anzar,” the troll said softly, protesting. “Your lover will surely see this.”

I took a deep breath and thought of Rhianne and her absolute rage when we’d found the dead scouts and of the oaths we’d sworn. It would be up to her to decide for herself, and all I could do was keep my word.

“Hopefully,” was all I said. They didn’t need to know how far I’d go to keep my promise to Rhianne.

“What can you tell us about where we’re going, Kasaka?” I asked as I settled the saddle on Finn and checked the cinch. The damned horse was good and taking a deep breath right before I tightened it down, but I was wise to his ways.

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