Trading by Shroomlight by C. M. Simpson & Michael Anderle

Author:C. M. Simpson & Michael Anderle [Simpson, C. M. & Anderle, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781642023930
Publisher: LMBPN Publishing
Published: 2019-07-30T22:00:00+00:00

12

Challenge and Compromise

The plan they came up with would work, but it was going to take time, and Marsh felt her heart sink. The campaign Gustav was describing would take months...and she didn’t know if the missing had that much time. She said nothing though, just helped them add finishing touches to what they had.

When it was done, the leaders exchanged looks and nodded.

“It’ll do for a start,” Tabia told them. “We can always change it if something comes up.”

“What about the other settlements?” one of the other warriors asked, and Tabia’s expression of resolve melted to one of sympathy. She looked at Gustav and Kwame. “We have to secure those first.”

This led to another round of planning and some reorganization, then they sat back again, studying the lines they’d drawn in the dirt.

“Will it do?” Gustav asked, and the two leaders nodded.

“If we start today,” Tabia replied.

“How long will it take to get ready?”

“A single turn of the hourglass to eat and grab our equipment,” Kwame told him, and the leaders of the other shields and spears began moving among their men. Kwame raised his voice. “Meet at the dining hall when you’re ready. We’ll eat and move straight out.”

They paused before acknowledging him with nods. As they scattered, Marsh gathered with Roeglin, the children, and Brigitte, relieved when the shadow guards and Jakob joined them. Henri and Izmay’s arrival was a pleasant surprise.

Henri eyed Marsh’s torn tunic. “You finally managed to piss Mordan off as well,” he commented. “Congratulations.”

Izmay slapped him, but Marsh gave him the sweetest smile she could manage. “Yeah, I was trying for biggest asshole in the Deeps, but apparently you got there first.”

The others sputtered with laughter, and Henri regarded her with shocked surprise. Finally, he shrugged. “The Deeps know how.”

Roeglin draped an arm over her shoulders and smiled at Henri. “Don’t worry, Henri. You won’t hold the title long. Someone is a very quick study.”

He’d managed to pin one of her arms between them, and his grip was enough that she couldn’t twist and hit him with the other. She was saved from having to find an answer by Gustav’s arrival.

“They brought our mules and gear over from the temporary camp and stabled them in the waystation. Apparently, we can operate out of there for the remainder unless we want to change to another of the towns during our stay. Either way, they’re glad of our help.

As they should be, Marsh thought and earned a sharp glance from Roeglin, although he didn’t comment.

Gustav led the way back to the waystation, where Marsh changed her tunic for an untorn one and then pulled on her armor. “What?” she said when she emerged and caught the look on Gustav’s face. “We are going to go kick raider butt, right?”

“We’re having lunch first.”

She shrugged. “And your point is?”

“Just get your ass to the dining hall, apprentice.”

Trust him to remind her of her bust-back rank. He must be feeling all kinds of useless.

No, but he’s thinking double-time and making a couple of hard decisions.

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