going to make it halfway to Redtown by darkfall. Let’s go.” He turned his back, muttering, “Hail to a powerless orb…”
In a soundless instant one of Chazic’s scimitars was leveled against Tat’s neck.
“ Whoa! Everybody relax!” Dace commanded, jumping forward. “Chazic, lower your weapon…that’s an order. We can ill-afford disunity. Our enemies are numerous enough as is…we will chant the Hymn.”
After a few tense seconds Chazic lowered the blade. He pressed his face an inch from Tat’s. “Your eyes are a glassy lake...” The Enforcer turned to leave but Tat grasped his shoulder and swung him around. “You have something to say? Then speak!”
Chazic’s eyes narrowed. “You care nothing for our mission, Jade, or this war. You blaspheme the Orb in a personal crusade to rescue your wife….”
In a blink an arrow was fitted into Tat’s bow. Wolfrick dove forward and tackled him as the arrow discharged, ripping a chunk of flesh from Chazic’s cheek. Voices raised as the others rushed to break up the commotion.
Cody leapt back to avoid the conflict. In the periphery he caught sight of Tiana alone by the water well. She made no motion to acknowledge his presence as he approached. She stroked her fingers though the downy mane of her white stallion and wet its brow with the cool water.
In that moment, an idea consumed Cody’s mind—a horrible idea. The instant it materialized Cody knew he should reject it. But before reason could deter his rashness he took a deep breath. Turning, he placed his hands on Tiana’s cheeks and planted a wet kiss.
15
A Torn Heart
TIANA MADE NO EFFORT to pull away. Time slowed to a stagnant halt. When Cody finally broke the embrace his breath was ragged and his forehead burned. He braced himself for the inevitable explosion of rage—but it never came. Instead, Tiana’s face was tender for the first time in weeks. Drying her lips with her sleeve, she grinned. “You should probably water your horse.”
As she turned to leave, Cody touched her shoulder gently. “That…felt really good,” he blurted. What are you doing!? Pull yourself together! “I’m sorry, that sounded stupid. I mean…thank you…for earlier. I wish… ” he stuttered. Tiana placed a finger on his lips. “Tonight.” Without another word she leapt onto her horse and trotted away.
Cody was hypnotized as he watched her leave. His stare was broken as Poe led his horse by the reins. With the servant’s help, Cody mounted.
His face was beaming. Wasn’t such a bad idea after all! The kiss had felt really good. He searched for Tiana again, but instead looked straight into the burning eyes of Xerx. The young monk’s usual spiteful expression was replaced by a glare of pure hatred.
“You can teach yourself the High Language, you filthy pig.” Xerx reared his horse, but only moved several feet before turning back around. “Two men have died —for you ! The men in this Company risk their lives on this suicide mission—for you ! How do you respond? By frolicking around like a love-sick child.” Xerx was quaking. “You make me sick.” He spat a mouthful of saliva and departed.
They rode hard, occasionally pausing at water stations but never lingering long. Each time, at Chazic’s request, everyone would recite the Orb’s Hymn; everyone except Tat who used those moments to disappear on unexplained scouting duties.
Throughout the day, Cody’s attempted eye contact with Tiana was unsuccessful. The same could not be said for Xerx, whose continual glare burned a hole into his back.
Dace decided it was too risky to ride through the night again, as the necessary light to guide their path would too easily expose their position to the Hunter. So when the daylight finally vanished Cody released a sigh of relief.
The tents were quickly erected. Tat was assigned first-shift watch duty. The rest of The Company retired to their dwellings. Cody felt savage butterflies raging in his stomach
In a soundless instant one of Chazic’s scimitars was leveled against Tat’s neck.
“ Whoa! Everybody relax!” Dace commanded, jumping forward. “Chazic, lower your weapon…that’s an order. We can ill-afford disunity. Our enemies are numerous enough as is…we will chant the Hymn.”
After a few tense seconds Chazic lowered the blade. He pressed his face an inch from Tat’s. “Your eyes are a glassy lake...” The Enforcer turned to leave but Tat grasped his shoulder and swung him around. “You have something to say? Then speak!”
Chazic’s eyes narrowed. “You care nothing for our mission, Jade, or this war. You blaspheme the Orb in a personal crusade to rescue your wife….”
In a blink an arrow was fitted into Tat’s bow. Wolfrick dove forward and tackled him as the arrow discharged, ripping a chunk of flesh from Chazic’s cheek. Voices raised as the others rushed to break up the commotion.
Cody leapt back to avoid the conflict. In the periphery he caught sight of Tiana alone by the water well. She made no motion to acknowledge his presence as he approached. She stroked her fingers though the downy mane of her white stallion and wet its brow with the cool water.
In that moment, an idea consumed Cody’s mind—a horrible idea. The instant it materialized Cody knew he should reject it. But before reason could deter his rashness he took a deep breath. Turning, he placed his hands on Tiana’s cheeks and planted a wet kiss.
15
A Torn Heart
TIANA MADE NO EFFORT to pull away. Time slowed to a stagnant halt. When Cody finally broke the embrace his breath was ragged and his forehead burned. He braced himself for the inevitable explosion of rage—but it never came. Instead, Tiana’s face was tender for the first time in weeks. Drying her lips with her sleeve, she grinned. “You should probably water your horse.”
As she turned to leave, Cody touched her shoulder gently. “That…felt really good,” he blurted. What are you doing!? Pull yourself together! “I’m sorry, that sounded stupid. I mean…thank you…for earlier. I wish… ” he stuttered. Tiana placed a finger on his lips. “Tonight.” Without another word she leapt onto her horse and trotted away.
Cody was hypnotized as he watched her leave. His stare was broken as Poe led his horse by the reins. With the servant’s help, Cody mounted.
His face was beaming. Wasn’t such a bad idea after all! The kiss had felt really good. He searched for Tiana again, but instead looked straight into the burning eyes of Xerx. The young monk’s usual spiteful expression was replaced by a glare of pure hatred.
“You can teach yourself the High Language, you filthy pig.” Xerx reared his horse, but only moved several feet before turning back around. “Two men have died —for you ! The men in this Company risk their lives on this suicide mission—for you ! How do you respond? By frolicking around like a love-sick child.” Xerx was quaking. “You make me sick.” He spat a mouthful of saliva and departed.
They rode hard, occasionally pausing at water stations but never lingering long. Each time, at Chazic’s request, everyone would recite the Orb’s Hymn; everyone except Tat who used those moments to disappear on unexplained scouting duties.
Throughout the day, Cody’s attempted eye contact with Tiana was unsuccessful. The same could not be said for Xerx, whose continual glare burned a hole into his back.
Dace decided it was too risky to ride through the night again, as the necessary light to guide their path would too easily expose their position to the Hunter. So when the daylight finally vanished Cody released a sigh of relief.
The tents were quickly erected. Tat was assigned first-shift watch duty. The rest of The Company retired to their dwellings. Cody felt savage butterflies raging in his stomach
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