Stormlands ( Book 2 of the Torrent Skies Saga)

Chapter Twenty-Five: The Correct Choice of Words

The sea was calm, and the wind was in their favor as they left the small island behind them in favor of the rolling sea. They all lounged on the deck of the Mynyrri, looking out across the waves. The dwarves had been so eager to return to the sea, that none of them would have to work for hours, yet. So they sat on the deck, as they had every morning for the past tenday, a deck of cards between them all.

"I know you're bluffing, Jon," Fykes said.

"I'd never do such a thing," Jon said with a grin.

"Just play," Roahn huffed. "I want a good hand."

Katerin sat next to Brazen, watching everyone's faces. She wanted to smile so badly. Her hand was good, and she was sure she had them all beat, but she kept her expression drawn. A feat, considering the rolling of the ocean waves still threatened her stomach and her sanity.

As each of them laid down their hands, she groaned. And there was a chorus of similar sounds to follow, as everyone pushed the small pile of coin toward Brazen who was smiling widely.

"Seems your luck has passed on," Jon said.

Katerin chuckled. "My luck is just fine."

"Yeah, his is just better," Roahn said, glaring towards Brazen. "Come on. One more hand. I'll win something back eventually."

"Not with the cards you've been getting," Fykes said.

Roahn turned glare towards him, and huffed before she turned to Katerin. "He's pretty. I'll give you that. But so damn rude."

"Only when he has reason to be," Katerin said with a grin.

Jon snorted.

"Jon, deal, before this evolves into a brawl," Fykes said, still smirking.

"I think you mean devolves," Katerin said, giving Fykes a prideful look.

"It wasn't the wrong word," he said.

"But, it was," she said, laughing.

"A matter of opinion."

Jon's expression sobered as he dealt the cards around the table. "how's things going back home? I know you've been checking."

"Every day," Roahn clarified.

Katerin sighed. "It's bloody. Last I checked, Aughk'tor is fine. But those war machines they're facing..." She shuddered.

"Orcish Grinders?" Roahn asked, squinting.

"I'd assume so. It's a fitting name, at least."

"Best way to plug those up is with orcs," Roahn said, and Jon snickered.

"Is Graiden alright?" Fykes asked.

"Of course. Still fighting at the front at every opportunity, though."

"And Beymor?" Arjiah said, as she frowned at her cards.

Katerin nodded. "He's alright, too. Just seems... sad? Exhausted?"

"He is," Jon said. "They all are."

"What about Ky'lei'mei?" Brazen asked, a worry deep in his eyes.

"They're untouched, mostly. Everything is holding well, I just feel like we should be there." Katerin let out a heavy breath as she set down her water skin.

"But we can't be," Brazen said. "They know what they are doing."

"We could easily turn around, or..." Katerin trailed off as she brushed her fingers across the scroll for the teleportation rune in Typhon's attic.