After studying it, Garret searched around for one of the scraggly trees that grew here in the plains, and removing a large branch, he sharpened one end with his dagger. He then thrust the other end deep into the earth. Hefting the goblin’s body high, he found it lighter than it looked, and thrust it down upon the sharpened end of the pole, impaling it up through the ribcage, all the way up to the skull, holding the corpse firmly erect. Garret went back into the cavern and set about sorting the group’s belongings and loading them into the appropriate packs, grumbling something about cleaning up the damn goblin’s mess.
CHAPTER 42
Sara
Looking outside, Sara could tell it was growing late in the day. Seth had yet to regain consciousness a second time. They had very little food left, Sara had no more water and they still had at least one more day of travel to reach the nearest town. If that wasn’t enough, Ashton had told her it could be days before Seth regained consciousness. He had lost a tremendous amount of blood and it would take his body time to replace it. Sara knew that no matter how long it took Seth to recuperate, she wasn’t leaving his side until he did.
The afternoon eventually turned into evening which was followed rapidly by nightfall. Seth had not moved a muscle in hours. Ashton, on the other hand, was again able to walk. He had laid out his bear hide bed and was resting on it now. Garret too had laid out his blanket and sat on it looking off into the black nothingness beyond. Amazingly enough, Seth’s blanket had managed to avoid the majority of the bloodshed, and what little blood did stain it had dried during the day. Sara had taken the blanket, as the night turned cold, and placed it over Seth to keep him warm. Garret had stirred from his daydream when Sara had finally stood, and he sat watching her cover his twin.
“That’s gonna piss him off if he wakes up,” Garret smiled at Sara.
“What will?” she asked, not understanding his humor.
“If Seth wakes up tonight, and you’re cold and shivering while he is covered with a blanket, he will be furious and you know it,” Garret stated finishing with a throaty laugh.
Sara smiled in response, knowing all too well that he spoke the truth. She hoped though that Seth would forgive her if he did wake. In any case, she had decided to stay awake all night just in case he did wake up.
The sky turned black and cold, the previous night’s icy winds returning as well. Ashton hadn’t sat up since lying down in the first place so it was obvious he slept now, hopefully regaining some strength. Garret too was sleeping. He had laid down saying he needed to rest his eyes, but had started snoring shortly thereafter. Sara was not worried about intruders. Garret had assured her that his little goblin on a stick decoration outside their shelter should keep anything with half a brain away. He was a good guy to have on your side. All big and barbaric, Sara was glad she had not been the one to cross the larger twin. It was obvious how strong his bond was with his brother.
Sitting quietly in the dark, Sara rested with Seth’s head in her lap, listening to his breathing. She shivered from time to time from the cold, but other than that she was comfortable, leaning up against the stone wall that still retained a small amount of the day’s warmth. She watched and listened for hours, trying with all her might to resist falling asleep. Eventually, however, without even realizing it was a losing battle, she was bested and sleep took her.
CHAPTER 43
Seth
Seth dreamed a dark dream of a beast with razor teeth and a twisted blade. In his dream he was unable to move so the beast made a game of skewering his ribs over and over again with the blade. There was no escape, and though the torment was excruciating, he could not help but be gratified that neither his brother nor Sara was being hurt and that his friend Ashton must have gotten away also. The dream seemed to continue for an eternity. Thousands of times Seth felt the blade slice through his flesh, glancing off his ribs and cutting deeply into his organs. Eventually, as if the torture wasn't enough, Seth found himself unable to breathe, thus he started to cough. Coughing it seemed would be the release from his torturous nightmare, for as soon as he began coughing, the dream faded, and opening his eyes he was able to see both Sara and Garret. He tried to speak several times but barely managed any words. Before he lost consciousness again, however, he had seen Sara smile and he knew everything would be all right.
After drifting from reality the second time, Seth found his condition puzzling, for outwardly he could not seem to wake even though he was perfectly capable of conscious thought. He didn't dream so instead he spent the hours thinking about the past few days. He had learned that his family wasn't his family after all, at least not by birth. Then as if that wasn't enough, he and Garret had to leave their home and their father and friends behind, but had made a new companion of Ashton whose friendship has already become invaluable. The three of them had made their way to Stone Haven where they had met Sara. Seth knew he was already madly and irrevocably in love with Sara. He hoped that his growing relationship with her wouldn't hurt the one with his brother, and up to this point Garret seemed very supportive of them both.
Even so, Seth knew he was not who he had thought just days ago. Though James was still his father in his heart, and Garret his brother, he was unsure of who he really was. A part of him felt as if he had lost his father, but gained both Sara and Ashton. Yet in the days to come he would probably lose them all at the choosing. It were as if he were up against a brick wall with a raging inferno all around him. His entire world was in an upheaval. Everything had changed. Was changing. Seth didn’t know what he would do when the world took everyone away from him. All he could do is try to hold on to those he loved and cared for. With that final thought he awoke.
CHAPTER 44
Sara
Sara woke with a start realizing she had fallen asleep when she had meant to stay awake. She must have gotten cold while sleeping, as she was now curled up in a ball, lying on her side. She reached down to push herself to a sitting position and found big arms wrapped around her, steadying her. She realized immediately her mistake. She wasn’t lying on the ground at all! She spun around in Seth’s lap and wrapped her arms around his neck already crying happy tears. Seth pulled his arms around her, holding her more tightly and kissed her forehead.
Sara let her tears of joy fall unchecked onto Seth’s shoulder. She hugged him tightly around the neck, completely overcome with happiness. Seth simply hugged her in his arms and whispered, “I told you I would never let you go.”
Sara nodded into his shoulder, unwilling to release him even for a second. She did not deserve him she knew. He was hers none the less, and she would spend her life trying her best to live up to his expectations. She now owed him her freedom, her mending heart, her soul and, after yesterday’s events, her life as well. She relaxed her hold on his neck, unwilling to completely release him, and moved her face to his and kissed him more vigorously than ever before. Her entire body trembled with the passion of her kiss and she didn’t stop kissing him until the trembling ceased. She pulled away from his face slowly, and Seth gasped for air. Sara giggled a little and kissed him again quickly, just because she could. Wanting nothing more than to spend the rest of the night kissing him, she knew that he needed rest to heal and so she tightened her hug around his neck once again and whispered in his ear, “You need to get some sleep.”
Seth’s head shook in response and he replied, “No angel, I’ve slept all day. I’m not even the least bit tired.”
Sara nodded, and with a kiss to his neck, slid comfortably into his lap and turned her body to face him. They could not see each other through the darkness, but that did not keep them from peering into each other’s eyes.
“I’m glad you’re back,” Sara whispered into the darkness.
“Did I go somewhere?” Seth answered teasingly.
“Yeah, you went to the one place I couldn’t go to be with you,” Sara stated, a tone of defeat in her voice.
“I’m sorry,” Seth replied to her earnestly. “I promise I
will try to never do it again.”
They sat for hours against the wall, Sara in Seth’s lap, wrapped warmly in his arms. She slept on and off, waking several times suddenly to look up at him, as if assuring herself that he was still OK, then she would go back to sleep.
CHAPTER 45
Seth
Though his body did need rest, Seth couldn’t sleep. He sat holding Sara until the sun rose outside and he held her still when she woke long after dawn. The previous day must have been very trying for everyone, because even after Sara had awoke again, Garret and Ashton still remained asleep. Seth was happy they slept, as it gave him more time alone with his angel.
Seth watched Sara stir, watched the beautiful smile spread across her delicate face. He looked at her, waiting patiently for her to open her eyes. He didn’t wait long and he greeted her with a smile. Her golden amber eyes shone at him like two little suns and lit a fire in his soul every time he looked into them. The feeling was like a drug and he was terribly addicted. They sat silently looking into one another’s eyes until Garret awoke.
CHAPTER 46
Garret
Garret stirred, stretching then yawning, and opened his eyes. He had been sleeping on his side, facing towards Seth and Sara, so when his eyes opened they nearly popped out of his head! Not only was his brother awake, but he was sitting up, Sara in his lap, as if nothing had ever happened. Garret jumped to his feet and would have run up to them if the low ceiling had permitted.
“Lookin’ good,” Garret stated, then a bit more cautiously asked, “How do you feel?”
“Better than you might anticipate, but I’m still weak as hell,” Seth answered with a crooked grin on his face.
“I’ll take weak over dead any day,” Garret responded laughing loudly.
Ashton woke to Garret’s laughing and turned to see the occasion. It was obvious he couldn’t believe his eyes. He had stated that he did not think, hope, nor did he even pray that Seth would recover this fast. He too hopped out of his makeshift bed and came to listen to the twins’ conversation.
“Well…” Garret was saying, “as it turns out we are out of food, but I think I can remedy that if Sara will loan me her crossbow and a few bolts for it.”
Sara nodded in response and reaching down, she unclasped her belt and pulled the crossbow around her body, thus freeing it. She handed it to Garret and told him to have fun. Ashton, wanting to help, said he would go gather some herbs or whatever wild vegetables he might find. Both Garret and Ashton left the small dwelling quickly, eager to see if food would rouse Seth’s body.
CHAPTER 47
Seth
Again Seth was alone with Sara, his Sara. He held her still and resumed satiating his addiction. He traced her every feature with his eyes. Starting at the top of her head he tried to memorize every strand of her midnight hair. Her face he dwelt on for many moments, taking in her soul-penetrating amber eyes, high cheekbones and her plump, firm lips. He next admired her slender, petite neck, a place he had never kissed her, though knew he would not resist it much longer. Seth continued to study the small form in his arms meticulously. He had nearly lost her, or rather sacrificed himself to save her, and so almost sacrificed a future with her. He found it odd just then. There it was, right there in his mind, the inevitable word, sacrifice. Seth had heard and thought the word entirely too much as of late, and he quickly tried to put it out of his mind. Refocusing his thoughts, he returned his gaze to Sara’s entrancing, depthless eyes.
CHAPTER 48
Garret
Garret left their shelter and fought, once again, through the thick brush to the wide path they had traveled two days before. Here he hoped to find an intersecting game trail he could follow to hunt for some food. Reaching the trail, Garret turned left, the direction in which they would soon be traveling, and examined the ground. He had taken only a few steps when he heard a snort. Jerking his head up he stared down the trail ahead of him where three men on horseback stood. Garret froze. He could not make out much detail at this distance, but even from where he stood, he could see the gleam of their armor and their weapons glinting in the sunlight. The men must have noticed him at the same time, and kicking their horses’ flanks, the beasts exploded forward at a neck-breaking speed. Garret remained immobile. He did not know whether these men were friend or foe, but was afraid that if he ran and they were not friendly, he might mistakenly lead them to his companions. The horses and their riders approached him without slowing, the hooves of their mounts like thunder as the roared nearer.
Sure he was about to be trampled, Garret prepared himself to lunge headlong into the brush across the trail when the armored men reined in their steeds. Knowing there was no escape, Garret was frozen in terror. One rider remained directly in front of him, his mount’s hot breath exploding in great bursts into Garret’s face, as the other two riders urged their mounts to either side and behind him, leaving him no room to flee.
CHAPTER 49
Ashton
Ashton was kneeling in the dirt, expertly removing some wild onions from the soil, when he heard the thunderous pounding of hoof beats coming down the trail. Leaving the onions on the ground, he crept through the brush to see who had approached and why they had stopped. Reaching the edge of the trail he could see Garret surrounded by three heavily armed and armored men. Each of the men sat upon an enormous white steed. It was a breed Ashton did not recognize. From this distance he could not hear what transpired, but he gathered from the men’s postures that they were not to be taken lightly. He watched the three armored men dismount from their steeds, their highly polished armor all the while shining in the sunlight. Then Garret was off into the brush, and the men followed directly behind him. Ashton, unsure of what was happening, raced through the undergrowth, certain he could beat them to the shelter where Sara and Seth were unaware of the coming danger. Racing to the clearing Ashton paused to check that Garret and the men had not yet arrived. Assuring himself they had not, he charged into the stone shelter, not stopping until his eyes found his companions in the dimly lit space. Sara sat at Seth’s side near his face, and as Ashton approached, she raised a finger to her lips telling him to be quiet, telling him Seth was asleep.
“Wake him,” Ashton responded to her unspoken command.
“Whatever for?” Sara demanded in a hushed tone. “He needs his rest.”
“Yes, but we may be in danger,” Ashton warned, turning Sara’s face grim.
“Again?” she asked
“Yes, three men met Garret on the road. They follow him now, and they follow him here. They are all armed.” Ashton related as much as he could, without being long winded.
That was apparently enough information for Sara. She asked nothing further. Instead she leaned her face to Seth’s ear and whispered.
“Seth darling, I need you to wake up.”
Seth’s eyes popped open immediately, scanning the room. He must have perceived in Sara’s words a tone of fear, one she had not intended. Not locating any immediate danger, however, he looked then to Sara.
“Men are coming with weapons. They found your brother hunting, and he’s leading them here.” Sara spoke quickly as Ashton’s face mirrored her concern.
CHAPTER 50
Seth
Seth nodded, and rolling first to his knees, warily rose to his feet. Though knowing he was too weak to fight, he drew his sword, then reached to his belt and brought forth his dagger as well. Motioning for Ashton to follow, he handed the dagger to Sara, and led them towards the opening of their small cavern. As they neared the entrance Seth could hear voices so he motioned the others back. He paused a moment to listen. Men were talking and there was the sound of a sword being drawn. Next came the sound of bones breaking, followed by a hollow thud, the sound a body might make when it hit the ground. He listened a moment longer, his heart filled with sorrow. His brother was probably dead.
Unable to dwell on what might be happening outside their hiding spot, Seth listened for a moment longer
. Straining his ears, he could hear someone approaching the entrance. He turned and this time led Sara and Ashton to the farthest corner in the back of the cavern, where the shadows were darkest. If they could surprise the men who had followed his brother, they might stand a chance. Seth, knowing this may be his last chance to do so, looked to Sara. She did not notice his gaze. Instead she watched the entrance, unblinking, shaking, fear in her eyes. How it pained him to see her this way, yet she had every right to be afraid. He would be unable to protect her in his weakened condition and Ashton was not even armed. Her dagger would not be enough to save her, and after the men disposed of him and Ashton who knew what they might do to her.
This in mind, Seth quickly formulated a plan. He was too weak to fight, but he was sure he had enough energy to put up a good show. He could rush the men as they neared the entrance, hopefully startling them, giving Sara and Ashton a chance to escape and make a run for it. If he could live long enough to give them at least a few moments’ head start, they might be able to lose the men in the thick ocean of brush that went on for miles in every direction. Seth knew he would die, but he would gladly sacrifice his life if Sara would live. He turned to tell his plan to Ashton, seeing Sara’s look of fear mirrored on his friend’s face, but suddenly froze before he could speak.
Age of the Gods: The Complete, twelve novel, fantasy series (The Blood and Brotherhood Saga) Page 12
