Nature Abhors a Vacuum (The Aielund Saga Book 1)
Page 37
“I’ll walk you out, and then I’ll stay and help out my mates around here,” Colt said, drawing an exchange of looks among Aiden’s companions.
“You’re not coming with us to Fairloch?” Aiden asked.
“Ships and I don’t get along Aiden,” Colt explained as they made their way outside. Smoke from recently doused flames hung in the streets on the still-foggy morning. “I don’t fancy spending the better half of this week with my head over the side.”
“So I guess this is goodbye,” Aiden told him, feeling strange about this rude, offensive man who had somehow, over the course of the past month, become one of his friends.
“Don’t start crying, Aiden, you’ll look weak in front of the women.”
“I wasn’t…”
“I’m just joking, mate,” Colt grinned, offering Aiden his hand. “You’ve done alright, kid. If you’re ever in the area, stop by and we’ll have a beer together.”
“You know something Dante?” Aiden said, “You’re all right.”
“Take care of yourself,” Nellise said quietly. “I’ve never embraced anyone while wearing armour before, so I’ll spare you the pain.”
“I appreciate that,” Colt grunted. “You got anything to say to me, Sy? You look like you do, but you’re keeping quiet.”
“I’m not burdened by armour,” she replied softly, coming forward to embrace Colt fondly, the big man’s bulk all but obscuring the tiny girl in the process.
“I’ll pass on the hug,” Pacian said to Colt, dryly. “Unless you really can’t help yourself.”
“None of that for you,” Colt growled at him. “I think I’ve gotten to know you pretty well, these past few weeks, and I don’t like what I see.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Pacian replied defensively.
“You’re a hard man, Pace. You’ve killed more than one man in cold blood right in front of my eyes. Maybe that’s what the situation demanded, and maybe it ain’t, but to me, you’re almost as bad as the bastards we fought.”
“I can’t believe I’m hearing this,” Pacian remarked, looking around at the others in disbelief. “I killed murderers and traitors, I did it really well, and I’m not apologising for it.” Colt leaned in close, and the next words he spoke were barely above a whisper.
“The others may not see who you really are, but you’re not fooling me. If I hear that you’ve hurt Nellise in any way, I’ll hunt ya down, and I’ll kill ya myself.”
“I would never hurt her,” Pacian growled back in a harsh whisper, “but if it came to it, one way or another, you’re welcome to try.”
“Enough bluster, we can hear you, you know,” Criosa interrupted, her arms crossed, a stern expression on her face that Aiden thought was surprisingly cute.
“We’re done here,” Colt replied, as if nothing had happened. “I hope your trip to the capital is smooth, but at this time of year, I think you might be regretting the decision to go by sea. Farewell.”
They waved goodbye to the big ranger as he headed over to a nearby damaged house, and set about assisting a small group of people pulling valuables out of the wreckage. Culdeny had been hit hard by the attack, but Aiden knew they’d rebuild and life would go on. It was the instigators of this destruction that had his interest now. He would find out who was responsible and bring them to account.
About the Author
Stephen L. Nowland resides in Frankston, Australia, where he spends his time creating stories and art to astound and entertain.
www.amazon.com/Stephen-L.-Nowland/e/B005GRRPP0/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_2
Further information on this novel and upcoming titles can be found at his website, and you can follow his progress on Facebook and Twitter.
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www.stephenlnowland.com.au
@stephennowland
The Aielund Saga
Nature Abhors a Vacuum
In Defence of the Crown
Ruins of Legend
Legacies of Fire & Steel
Upon the Fulcrum of War
The Akashic Throne
Other titles by the same author
The Ballard Chronicles
In the Wake of War
The Fortress of Gold