Brotherhood

Chapter 27

The tension in the air was so thick, Geric doubted even a silver sword could have pierced it. The wolves stayed well away from the soldiers and the soldiers stayed in their own groups, eyeing the wolves suspiciously.

"Well, at least they're all here," he muttered teasingly under his breath to Amy who smiled wanly.

"True, but I was hoping for a little more unity than this," she whispered back. Geric nodded, watching the camp closely. This was never going to work if they couldn't put aside their differences.

A beating of hooves made them both turn to see Darrow riding toward them through the trees. He stopped short of Geric and Amy and bowed as he slid off his horse.

"Sorry I'm late, Your Majesties," he said, picking up a large package that had been attached to the horse's back and handing it to Amy. "This wasn't ready by the time we needed to leave, so I stayed behind for it."

Amy smiled and thanked him just as Tonraq bellowed excitedly. "Darrow!"

Darrow looked up and started running at his brother, meeting him halfway and giving him such a tight hug that they toppled to the ground in a laughing, wrestling heap.

"It's been far too long, brother," Darrow exclaimed, a broad grin spreading across his face. I've missed you so much!"

Pulling Geric to the side, Amy asked quietly, "Why has it been so long since they've seen each other? They live close by."

"You know why," Geric muttered softly, glancing at the two brothers who were trying to start up a game of sticks. A few wolves and soldiers reluctantly joined, still casting each other wary glances. "Once a man begins training to be a palace guard, he's not allowed to have dealings with the wolves as an extra security measure."

"Even his own brother?" Amy asked indignantly, putting a fist on her hip. "It's no wonder many of them hate humans."

"Both Tonraq and Darrow wanted to be in the royal guard," Geric said quietly, watching the scene unfold behind them. There was still caution in every move that both sides made, but there were also a few smiles now, which Geric took as a good sign. "When Tonraq was turned as a child, he told Darrow not to let go of his dream just because of him."

Amy looked down at her well worn riding boots, her eyes glistening. "We have so far to go, Geric. There's so much we need to change."

Geric shrugged, taking her fist in his hand and rubbing it in slow circles with his thumb to ease the tension there. A roar of laughter from the group surrounding Tonraq and Darrow made him look up briefly again, but the group was merely passing around tankards of ale and congratulating Darrow on a fine victory.

"True," Geric acknowledged, turning her around so she could see what he saw. "But look what we've accomplished already."

Amy smiled as she watched the soldiers drinking and laughing together, finally striking up a tavern song.

But now let's roll the dice again, and win some drinking money! Who thinks about November's rain, while it's still warm and sunny?

Geric grinned, remembering the first time he had heard that song. He and his brothers had snuck out in the middle of the night and joined the commoners for a drink. It had been Tonno, his youngest brother's first time drinking and he had insisted on getting mead. He had been so drunk by the end of the night that he and Armand had to carry him home and get him inside without their mother knowing.

"I almost forgot," Amy said, patting the package that rested by her feet. "Come with me, I want to show you something."

He followed her to her tent, it was as plain as the rest, unadorned and bare. Just the way he knew Amy preferred it.