“Everything looks clear ahead, captain,” Perci said.
“Good. Let’s set up our bedrolls and get a campfire started.” He unloaded his pack, setting it on the ground.
My muscles ached, and all I wanted to do was sit down.
“If I never see another tree, it’ll be too soon.” Pudge swatted at a branch, and it thwacked him back in the face. His tunic dripped with sweat, and his hair lay damp against his forehead. “I want a cup of hot innards and a place to soak my feet.”
With a laugh, I tossed him a chunk of smoked venison. “This will have to do.”
He collapsed to the ground, scarfing down the venison, then laid his head back and closed his eyes.
While he rested, I gathered wood for the fire with Beaurick. Taking dry leaves and small twigs, I cupped my hands around it until flames leaped up. It only took a couple of minutes for the wood to catch, and soon we sat in front of a warm wall of orange flames.
“I’ve got to pee,” Pudge said, shoving to his feet.
“You should all probably try to go now so we can get settled in for the night,” Captain Bushwell said. “Ivy, you wait until the others return, and I’ll go with you to keep watch.”
Pudge moved into the trees. “Hag, these bugs are huge out here.”
“We’re in the woods—there are going to be bugs.”
“Yeah, but you should see these things they’re—ouch, it bit me. Ugh, it won’t let go…”
A loud crash sounded. Pudge cursed, letting out a howl as he half hopped, half ran into camp with his breeches around his ankles.
A few seconds later, Vane yelped as well. “What are these?” He swung his arms above his head.
“Get it off!” Pudge screeched.
I rushed to his side, grabbing the tiny thing from his arm. Oh gob, they weren’t bugs. They were tiny fairies with sharp fangs. The books didn’t make them gruesome enough. There had been no pictures of glowing red eyes and bloody mouths. The flutter of fairy wings sounded around us, and I watched in horror as a swarm of them darted from the woods.
The one I held bit my finger. “Piss off,” I said, throwing it into the fire.
Grr growled, rushing around the camp, chomping at the air. He caught two and thrashed his head back and forth.
“Ivy, help me!” Pudge yelled.
I tugged the hood of my cloak up, rushing to grab a blanket from my pack, the whole while trying to knock the beings off my flesh. My calves stung, pain shooting up my leg. There was no way I’d let these bastards kill me. Blanket in hand, I flung it in the air like a net and ensnared quite a few of them beneath it.
“Stomp on the blanket,” I said.
Captain Bushwell saw what I was doing and shouted out orders. “Toss blankets or cloaks or whatever you’ve got over them.”
Pudge finally got his pants up, then jumped up and down. Little squeaks came from beneath the quilt. The cries of the captured fairies caught the attention of the ones buzzing in the air. When they realized what we were doing, they hissed, then sped away into the night.
The blanket turned crimson, making me sick to my stomach. But we had no choice. It was either them or us. Scooping up the gruesome-looking cloth, I tossed it in the fire, then went to clean up the bites on Pudge’s arms and legs while the others tended to their own wounds.
“Is everyone all right?” Captain Bushwell ripped a piece of cloth and patched up Barthe’s arm. There were grumbled yeses all around. “Good, then let’s bed down.”
“Ivy, you can share my blanket tonight, since yours is ruined,” Pudge said, pulling my bedroll closer to his.
Blushing, I sat down beside him, slid my boots off, and lay next to him. He tapered his blanket over us, and I turned to face him as his hand wrapped around my waist, tugging me closer.
My heart thudded loudly in my ears, causing more racket than Cook pounding on pans.
“I’ll keep you warm tonight,” he whispered.
My fingers wound into the fabric of his tunic as I rested my head against his chest. “Thank you, Pudge,” I said, taking in his familiar woodsy smell.
“Sleep well.”
“You, too,” I said. Pressed against him, I listened to the soft thud of his heartbeat as it pattered against my cheek. Hag, it felt good to have him hold me. I lifted my head and stared at his face.
His eyes met mine, and he raised a hand to brush my hair back. I inched closer to him, fingers trembling. What would it be like if we shared another kiss? This one planned, unlike our last one.
He lowered his hand back to my waist, making me all too aware of our bodies wedged so closely together.
“Pudge,” I said softly.
“Ivy—”
“Everyone sleep. Percivious and I will take watch tonight,” Captain Bushwell said, reminding me we weren’t alone and that I needed to be more careful, because as far as everyone else was concerned, I was betrothed to Dorian.
Cheeks on fire, I lowered my head back to Pudge’s chest and shut my eyes.
…
I kicked at a pine cone as we made our way farther into the forest the next day. My eyes burned with tiredness, and my muscles ached. Sweat slid down my cheek, and I raised a hand to wipe it away. It was hard traveling in daylight. The sun took a lot out of us, but it was the safest time to be wandering around in this part of the world since we didn’t fully know our way around the unfamiliar terrain.
As we rounded the corner, I saw several hunting snares set along the ground.
“Look, they’ve caught a rabbit.” Vane pointed. “Do you think they’d miss it if we took it for dinner?”
My eyes narrowed. “Don’t even think about it.”
“I’m sick of venison,” he said. “I want a real meal. Some rabbit stew with potatoes and carrots. Or sheep innards with cream. I’d have the servants loading up my plates.”
I wanted to tell him this wasn’t his family’s kitchen but held my tongue.
“Stop talking about food. You’ll just make yourself hungrier.” Captain Bushwell held a branch out of the way for him to pass under. “We’ll make camp soon, then we’ll eat.”
“The bones said I’d be doing a lot of walking today—they weren’t lying.” Pudge nudged my arm.
I stopped and spun around. “Of course we’re doing a lot of walking. We’re on a Mission. Those bones are full of shit. If you ask me, we ought to give ’em to Grr for a snack.”
Pudge’s eyes widened. “Take that back or you’ll curse us both.”
“I knew I’d regret the day we went to that fortune-teller.” With a sigh, I moved forward again, not interested in talking about the bones.
Just then, a short, stocky form barreled out of the brush, blocking my path.
“You.” He pointed at me and my traveling companions. “You stole from my traps.”
I stared at the dwarf. His long beard was braided to his waist, beady eyes almost hidden beneath eyebrows as large and furry as mice. He only came up to my waist but was thicker than Pudge.
He shifted his battle-axe from one shoulder to the other.
“Easy now, dwarf,” Captain Bushwell said.
The dwarf glowered.
“We didn’t steal anything. Now get out of the way.” I tried to push around him.
But he raised a hand, pressing it against my hip to stop me. “You ain’t going anywhere until you pay me for what you took.”
I smacked his hand away. “I already told you, we didn’t take anything.” I shot Bushwell a look, but he shook his head no, staying my advance.
Just then, the dwarf charged forward, but Grr intercepted him, latching on to his beard and dragging him to the ground.
“Get this beast off me!” The dwarf’s battle-axe came out of his hand while Grr tugged him toward the trees.
Stuff like this only happened to me. I ran aft
er Grr and got hold of his nape. “Drop him.”
Pudge laughed. “He’s like a toy.”
I glared. “You’re not helping.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“Get the dog off him.” Captain Bushwell ran up beside us.
Long moments later, we got Grr to release the dwarf. He rushed to grab his weapon from the ground, then scurried off.
“Hopefully, that’s the last we see of that arse,” Vane said.
My eyes narrowed at him. Had he actually taken the rabbit after we’d said not to? Before I could interrogate him, Captain Bushwell sent Perci and me to gather wood for a fire. Once it was stoked, I pulled out some salted pork and stale biscuits.
“Eat up,” I said, passing the food around.
Snap! The sound came from the woods. I glanced up in time to see them stepping into camp, weapons drawn. We were in trouble.
Chapter Twenty
The dwarf we’d fought with earlier had returned. With backup. Several dwarves circled around us, sharpened battle-axe blades glinting in the firelight.
Grr stalked in front of me; the hair on his neck bristled, and he crouched down, teeth bared.
“They’re the ones that took the game from my traps.” The dwarf pointed a thick, meaty finger at us.
I glowered. “Why would we steal food from you when we’ve got our own?”
“Are you calling him a liar?” Another dwarf pushed forward, braids with metal beads swinging from beneath his helmet. His beard was snarled, with tiny bones threaded through it.
“You’re right, she is,” Pudge said with a goofy grin. “Matter of fact, I think you should leave right now, before she chops your legs off and makes you even shorter.”
The dwarves roared. Now he’d done it. They barreled toward us. I dove aside, grabbing the Sword of Avarik. It hummed as I clenched it in my hand. A deep blue glow radiated from it, as if it were possessed. The sword felt warm against my skin, like it was a part of me.
Metal clanked against metal when I met the first battle-axe. Twisting the blade, I managed to dislodge the dwarf’s weapon, sending it sailing through the air. It struck a log in the fire, causing it to roll across our camp, flames licking at our feet.
Grr sprang into action, grabbing one of the dwarves by the leg. He thrashed him around, charging toward a large rock. The impact had the dwarf holding his bits and pieces, howling like an injured animal.
Captain Bushwell and Perci cornered one against a rock, and he dropped his weapon, while Vane was nowhere to be seen.
“You won’t get away with this.” A dwarf slammed against my leg, and I staggered, dropping my sword.
He took a swing at my midsection, and I leaped out of the way as his axe struck the side of the tree. He cursed, tugging at the handle to remove it. I took the opportunity to swing around, landing a solid kick to his head. He toppled over but couldn’t pull himself to his feet.
Glancing around, I caught sight of Pudge wielding his sword. He’d already taken down one. I smiled.
“Now I’ve got you.”
I turned to find the dwarf who’d started the whole thing coming at me. My fingers closed around the hilt of my dagger, belted to my thigh. I dropped to my knees and dove right as the axe swung at me. The blade skimmed the air, and for a moment, I thought my Mission was over. Then I heard a clank. My eyes widened as I watched Pudge’s sword block the dwarf’s weapon.
Pudge’s face contorted, a vicious gleam sparking in his eyes. He backed the dwarf up against a tree, then drove his blade through his tunic, pinning him to the trunk.
“Next time, don’t come into our camp, accusing us of stealing.” Pudge leaned down in his face. “Get your men and get out.”
I’d never seen this side of Pudge. It was like he’d turned into a warrior right before me. His chest heaved in and out, fists clenched at his sides. His floppy hair clung to his face, shadows smudging his cheekbones.
My blood sang in my ears as I stared at him, the urge to reach out and kiss him tugging at me, but instead, I turned back to our enemies.
The dwarf jerked free, leaving his tunic sleeve attached to the tree. Slowly, the rest of his men staggered away.
“Where’d you get the sword?” Beaurick asked, coming up alongside me.
Startled, I peered down at it. “Um—well, the Hag, I guess. It sort of appeared to me.”
“Hag’s breath,” Perci said. “So it must mean you’re meant to be on this Mission.”
I nodded, trying to ignore Vane’s glare as he mysteriously reappeared. There was no hiding the weapon now; I’d had to use it. Not that it should matter—the council knew I’d been chosen by the Hag, and even if Vane and Barthe were now aware, it changed nothing.
With a smile, I turned to Pudge at last. “You did great tonight. I mean, your sword skills, wow.”
Pudge grinned, then moved to pull his sword from the oak. “I don’t know what got into me. All of a sudden, I saw him coming at you, and I didn’t have time to think. I just started fighting.”
“I think this Mission is exactly what you needed.” I patted his shoulder, then moved to walk away, but Pudge caught my arm, pulling me in for a hug. I leaned into him, my body buzzing like I’d been shocked by a bolt of lightning.
“Are you sure you’re all right?” he asked.
“I’m fine—thanks to you.”
He stroked my face, tenderness drifting over his features.
“Everyone, let’s try to settle back in for the night,” Captain Bushwell called. “Ivy, get your sword and take first watch.”
I jumped back, heat blazing across my skin. “Yes, sir…”
Ugh. I had to be careful. If I kept this up, then the others would realize the farce about my engagement.
He glanced between Pudge and me. “Pudge, go help Beaurick and Cray get dinner around.”
Pudge peered back at me, dazed, then nodded. “All right.”
“Corporals Baxter and Digger, you take watch to the south. Ivy has the north.”
Before I left, Captain Bushwell caught my arm. “Here, take this, too, just in case.” He handed me his bow. “There seems to be a lot going on in these woods tonight. You might need more than a sword.”
“I’ll keep a close eye out,” I said. “Are you sure you don’t want me to leave it here for you?”
He chuckled. “I’m sure. Maybe when we stop for supplies next, we’ll see if we can find you your own.”
Slinging the bow over my shoulder, along with a quiver of arrows, I made my way into the woodland.
Darkness encompassed the forest as I found a clump of brush near a tree to hide in. It’d be good camouflage for guard duty. I got comfortable, or at least as comfortable as I could, pulling my cloak tight about my shoulders and adjusting my weapons so they were in reach. I leaned against the tree and scoured the landscape.
The sky opened up, and rain fell in sheets. Damn it. I tugged my hood up over my head, watching the area carefully. Only the constant sound of droplets hitting the leaves and ground could be heard over the wind.
This was going to be a long night.
A couple of hours into the watch, bolts of lightning cascaded against the bleakness, casting unusual silhouettes near a cluster of trees. I peered closer. I swore there’d been movement, and not the normal type a branch or twig would make, even with the wind picking up.
I reached for Captain Bushwell’s bow, focusing on the same spot, until lightning pierced the sky once more, illuminating everything in the forest. I sucked in a staggered breath, spotting a small group of gray-skinned creatures hidden in the foliage. They looked almost human-esque, in that they were standing on two legs, or at least what I could make out of them.
Bow in hand, I notched an arrow and let it go, hitting the first beast at the head of the group. A faint cry sounded, and I ducked, not wanting
them to figure out where I hid. They shifted around nervously, trying to locate me.
Shit. My heart hammered in my chest as I stood and released another arrow, striking down one more of the creatures. Somehow I had to alert the others, so I let out a loud whistle and waited a couple of minutes. But there was no response. Damn it, there was no way I could leave my post, or more might get through. Frantic, I let out another whistle, watching as the beasts moved toward the camp.
No! I couldn’t let this happen.
But as I shifted position and attempted to move, I caught an odd glimmer against the forest background, followed by a soft thud of something falling from the tree. No, not something—someone. A tall being, almost like a person, but with skin that seemed to change to match the surroundings, stood peering around the darkness, as if trying to pinpoint my location.
Holy Hag. I didn’t dare breathe for fear it would sense me. Just then, Grr came up next to me, and I pointed out toward the small group of enemy soldiers to my left, then to the ones at my right. Maybe eight or nine beasts in all, but I couldn’t tell for sure.
Soon Captain Bushwell, Pudge, and Perci joined us, too, sneaking in from behind, using the surrounding foliage for cover.
“There are two groups,” I whispered to my captain. I proceeded to point them out.
He nodded, gesturing for us to follow him. We moved quietly forward before splitting up in order to take them by surprise. However, in doing so, I lost track of the camouflaged one. A spiked mace swung just to the side of my head, narrowly missing me.
Shocked, I choked back my fear, realizing how close I’d come to having my skull crushed. You could train for this sort of thing, but in real life you didn’t get a do-over. Luck was the only thing that’d saved me at that moment.
I unsheathed my sword, and a tall gray-skinned creature opened its mouth, revealing rows of razor-sharp fangs. It brought a hand down, sending me flying into a tree. I cried out as the impact jarred nearly every nerve ending and bone in my body. With a grunt, I raised my weapon to block the next blow. I jumped to my feet, bracing myself against the tree.
It missed me as I rolled to the side, swiping my own blade up in a counterattack. But the beast launched itself out of the way, dropping its mace in the process. However, not having a weapon didn’t deter it as it dove at me once more, crashing us both into the rain-soaked ground.
Where There Be Humans Page 16