The Call of Nys #5 (Waverly Stump and The 7 Realms)

37 - W A V E R L Y

The next morning, Waverly asked to join Judson in the fields.

He revealed – much to her surprise – that the greater part of his year was spent with the Elves. She could barely believe it.

Even though she could do nothing physical except watch him clear a small part of the fields, she was happy to have come along. Their cave, albeit comfortable, had grown to be somewhat stuffy. She needed the outdoors as well as the sun. In only a few weeks, the year would come to an end. Judson wanted to make the most of the rains by planting food with which they would travel.

She was reeling with excitement over seeing her Elven friends again and listened attentively to Judson retell all that she had missed out on.

"Olwirien is commander of the army now." He voiced, swinging the machete that was Calaire.

Seeing the wristband after so long felt strange to Waverly. Out of everything, it was the one item she found difficult to reunite with, for some reason despite that she knew the reason and was only refusing it to surface.

"I am unsurprised." She laughed, smoothing out the picnic blanket on which she sat. It kept folding under the breeze.

"And," Judson straightened to breathe. "Diarmaid is betrothed now."

A long gasp streamed out of her that also made her upper body erect. "He is?"

He laughed. "Yes. She hails from the North, a skilled archer, and quite the tease."

It was her turn to laugh. "The perfect match for him."

"He had it coming." With a grunt, Judson disappeared further into the fields, then emerged from the other side.

Waverly often rotated in her position to make sure she was facing him at all times. Watching him do physical labor was unusually attractive.

"Were you discovered by anyone else?" She asked in a cautious tone.

He stopped, but not out of offense or upset, and squinted at her. "By those who wanted to either help or behead me. I met Aurora and the Elf Queen, both of which were very contrasting meetings."

Waverly sank into herself, remembering Brijjet's lovesick, vengeful widow. "I gather twas Aurora who wanted your head."

"I never found out what became of her after she threw me in the Guard House. However, I appreciate that she had me jailed. I never would have had help."

"I guess getting thrown in a cell has its advantages."

"It surely does!"

"When do we leave?"

Judson studied the ground. "As soon as we have what we need, perhaps in the next three days. I need to get you a horse and some other supplies before—"

Ruffling noises distracted him to look over his shoulder. Qar was timidly emerging into the clear portion of the fields. Waverly leaned sideways to glimpse the approaching Burrower, who was fiddling with his tiny hands, as if he felt very nervous about something.

"Qar?" Judson asked, turning about to kneel in front of his friend. "Is all well?"

It could have well been her imagination, but Waverly caught a blush ripple through Qar's face. She rested against her arm to witness whatever his demeanor would amount to.

"I have come. . ." Qar's unsteady eyes found hers for a moment before returning to his master's. "I have come to speak with you, sire."

Judson gestured carefreely with an open hand. "You always have my attention, Qar. What is it bothering you?"