The Last Vanguard (The Sevordine Chronicles Book 1)

Out of Switcher Pass

When I wake, Rulf's sitting over a fire. He's cooking a small rabbit that appears to have just been caught. From the light, I'm guessing it's early evening. My mind's a little slow, but I think that means I've only slept for an hour or two.

I pull myself up. I don't like the way I feel, but my body tells me I'm not going to sleep any longer. The others are all still out. Hemot lies on his back in a weird position, sprawled over his pack, and he's snoring like there's something seriously wrong with his throat. I feel sorry for him and try to push him into a better position, but in his sleep, he fights me off bravely. I leave him to his misery and drop down next to Rulf at the fire.

A moment later, Ellcia wakes up and sits down beside me. Rulf doesn't say anything to us. Instead, he just focuses on the rabbit. I'm guessing he has multiple snares set up, but he must have caught one quickly. I'm glad. It smells great, and I can't wait to dig in.

Ellcia and I chat for a little while, but I find she's not really in a talking mood. I am, so I turn to Rulf. He's a hard one to get information out of, but I've settled into the idea that I can learn bits and pieces here and there.

"Thanks, Rulf," I say.

He looks surprised for a moment, then asks, "For what?"

"For all you're doing. We wouldn't be alive today if you weren't with us. None of us knew how to hunt or fight or to watch out for the assassins."

Rulf grunts a reply. When I look at him, I have to remind myself that he's a smart guy. Nothing about his appearance comes across as anything more than a brute.

I decide to dive into some of the topics we're all quite curious about. Hemot, Marleet, and Mic all appear sound asleep. Maybe it's a good time just to focus in and chat. "Hey Rulf, why does the Regent want us dead?" It feels good to ask that question. Until recently, I had been really holding onto the hope that the Regent really isn't a bad person.

Rulf turns the rabbit on the spit a little more and then asks, "What do you know about the rebellion?"

"We studied it a lot in school. The Airite tribe wanted the throne. There had been a king from the Airites nearly a millennium ago, and they wanted the throne back. No one suspected them as they were considered a peaceful tribe and citizens of Sevord. Once enough of them were in the city, they attacked the castle, killed the King, and would have held the throne if it were not for the Nobles. The soldiers moved in under Lord Parthun's command and killed the rebels, taking back the throne. He took on the role of Regent as there was a rumor that the Prince survived. The Prince was right around our age at the time. Hard to know where he'd be now."

As I spell all that out, I'm filled with doubt. The Regent has not proved to be as honorable as I thought he was—perhaps much about that story isn't accurate.

"No," Rulf says.

I wait for more, but nothing else seems to be forthcoming. "No, what?"

"No," Rulf says. "The Regent was behind it all."

I shake my head. I'm pretty sure I believe him, but I just find myself struggling to accept what he's saying.

"Can you tell us more?" Ellcia asks quietly. "Tell us what actually happened. And tell us about who we really are."

"I can't tell you who you really are," Rulf says. "The Captain told me not to."

Anger builds in my chest. The Captain has always been against me. He's known all along who I really am, and yet he's kept it from me and is trying to keep Rulf from telling me.

"You don't have to listen to the Captain."

"Yes," Rulf says, "I do. He's one of the few soldiers in the castle loyal to the throne. I'd listen to him even if it cost me my life."