Game of Destiny, Book I: Willow

by J Seab

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  The soft murmur of a voice, interspersed with periods of silence, awakened Willow. Art chatting with Rengade, she concluded. She poked Geldane. He stirred, creaked open an eye. “Leave me be. I need at least another three days of sleep,” he mumbled. Willow smiled. She knew he would be up soon enough, so she let him sleep. She walked over to the front door, opened it, and went outside. The early morning was thickly clouded, the air cool, but there was no rain, no new storm threatening. A couple of fishers were fussing around their boats and nets on the shore. Art sat in one of his odd looking rockers with Rengade standing nearby. Art jumped up, came over to her.

  “How are you doing?” he asked, taking her hand.

  “Better.” She sighed. “Much better.”

  “Rengade told me about your expedition. I’m sorry to hear about all the troubles you encountered that prevented you from locating the Bathus Pod.”

  “Yes, but we did accomplish something. Two things, actually,” she said, sliding into a rocker.

  Art sat next to her, his look inquiring.

  “First, as Rengade probably told you, we discovered that encampment of rogue soldiers but we haven’t a clue who they are or where they come from. Do you?”

  “No, they’re as much a mystery to me as they are to you but it does explain much,” he said pensively.

  “About the orc raids?”

  “Yes, and they’re back. We’re stuck on shore again.”

  “Any theories?”

  “Nothing. No idea,” Art said, shaking his head.

  Geldane stumbled out onto the porch, a couple of mugs of orange juice in his hands. He handed one to Willow. “Anybody else?” he asked.

  Art waved a no. Rengade didn’t say anything.

  Geldane fell into a chair next to Art and sipped his drink.

  Rengade twitched his fingers at Art and rose. Willow jumped up, gave him a quick hug before he could escape, and thanked him deeply for his assistance. He dashed off.

  “That Rengade is a remarkable fellow,” Geldane observed, watching him depart.

  “He is, most unusual,” Willow said, surprised at Geldane’s admission. Even Geldane, it seemed, had a hard time not noticing Rengade’s capabilities.

  “What about the second thing?” Art prompted as Willow sat back down.

  “The second thing is that Blink, the dolfina that helped tow us, said he’d find the Bathus Pod and let them know about Swiik’s death and that we need to speak with them. Everam said we can’t continue the quest until we know the original location of the oddment.” Willow didn’t mention anything else, certainly nothing about being a tide of renewal. She didn’t know what to make of that yet, likely she’d simply misunderstood. Maybe she’d ask Misti about it later.

  “That’s good to hear,” Art said. “Then you’ve been successful after all, in an indirect way.”

  “I guess we have at that,” Willow said.

  “That means there’s nothing further we can do, not until the Bathus Pod contacts us again,” Geldane added.

  “True, very true,” Willow agreed.

  “I’ve got more good news,” Art said. “The Oak Cove Patrol showed up here a couple of days after you left. They were worried, said your horses returned to Oak Cove without you. I told them what happened, that you were fine and were off on an expedition to the Dolfina Isles. Reassured, they left your horses here and returned to Oak Cove.”

  Geldane perked up. “Best news I’ve heard,” he exclaimed.

  “That is good news,” Willow said, smiling.

  “That also means it’s time to head for home,” Geldane said, rising.

  “Is that before breakfast?” Willow teased.

  “Of course not,” Geldane said, alarmed. “We must have our energy. It’s a long ride back.”

  “Of course,” Art said. “I’ll get some eggs and pancakes on the stove immediately.” Chuckling to himself, he went inside.

  Chapter 14