Destroyers and the Dragons

Page 32

     "You should relax a little," Evergreen says grinning at me.

     "I just want to make sure everything goes well, so this will be done quickly," I say rubbing my eyes and peeling out of my wet armor. My tunic and breeches are just as wet. "Damned weather," I curse. "Everything I own is soaking wet." I wring some excess water out of my tunic and try to get closer to the fire in the brazier.

     "Here wear these, until yours are dry again," Evergreen says handing me a royal blue tunic and matching leggings.

      "Thank you," I say turning my back on him and pulling off my soaking wet clothes. I pull on the dry clothes as his first, Pine, enters the tent.

     "We are about a day out from where we were hoping to be," he says glancing at my clothes. I quickly spread my tunic and breeches on the ground next to the brazier hoping they'll dry soon.

     "We can't very well ride in this downpour," I snap. "The horses couldn't see the ground at their feet and neither could the riders. We'll just have to wait it out."

     "I figured you'd say that," Pine says.

     "And what does that mean," I snap throwing a piece of bread at his head. He catches it and shoves it into his mouth.

     "It means that if a plains demon refuses to ride in this none of the men will."

     "It also means that your enemies are unlikely to try anything in this mess as well," I say in triumph. "Make sure the guards are still on alert. I'll take first watch tonight."

     "Fine, I'll let them know that," Pine turns and leaves as I begin to pace again.

     "You should rest before your shift," Evergreen chides. I nod in agreement and flop onto the cot and close my eyes. Pine wakes me up and hands me a piece of dried meat, hard bread, and a piece of hard cheese. I eat quietly and then change back into my damp clothes and my wet armor. I pull the oiled cloak around my shoulders and then trudge to my post along our southern line. I find a good spot and sit down in the shadows of some bushes. I am huddled in my cloak and watching the water attack the ground as my mind runs through so many fantastic possibilities that can never be realities. Finally another sentinel comes to replace me. I return to the tent hang the oiled cloak on a peg and then peel out of my wet armor and clothes. I don't bother putting on anything but the dry tunic and crawl onto the cot. I pull the cover up to my chin and quickly fall asleep. I wake to sunshine pouring through the tent walls and smile even before opening my eyes. I reluctantly open my eyes to find Evergreen studying me. I realize I've kicked off the covers in my sleep and the tunic is up to my hips from all my thrashing. I quickly grab the covers and pull them up while he smiles seductively at me.

     "I was enjoying watching you sleep," he says with a wicked grin and I am glad a table is blocking me from seeing anything below his waist. It takes me a minute to locate the leggings and another minute to pull them on under the blanket. Evergreens amusement at this only seems to irritate me. I pull on a pair of boots and stomp from the tent almost running into Pine. I mutter a curse under my breath and then disappear into the woods. I relieve my bladder and return to the tent.

     "I can't help it Pine, I find her most intriguing. I could spend the next thousand years watching her and never once get bored," Evergreen says happily.

    "You must stay focused at the task at hand, I mean if you bed her no one will object," Pine says.