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Literature Text
They ran until they came to a ridge in the forest. Jæina held up her hand to signal them to stop. Carefully, silently, the three of them crept to the edge of the ridge. Looking down, they saw a well-armed party of approximately thirty men.
“Can you make out the banner?” Dal’el whispered.
“No,” Rand said after a moment, and Jæina shook her head in agreement.
“Right then,” Dal’el said after taking in a huge breath. “We watch them until nightfall. Then we’ll creep down and spy on them a little longer…they may not be who we are looking for. If we can identify the sword, or if they behave suspiciously, I’ll go in while you two distract the sentries.”
“Why do we have to spy on them to make sure we have the thieves?” Rand said, “Who else would be this close to our and the Icabin’s territory? It all fits perfectly to the pattern that Jæina set out.”
“And I tracked them here,” Jæina said. “They have to be the thieves.”
“Do they?” Dal’el whispered harshly, “Or could they be a hunting party for the Icabins? Raiding Southerners? A chief and his warband heading towards Glorha for Jarem’s coronation?”
Dal’el stood up slowly so as not to attract attention and brushed himself off. “We wait, we watch. Let’s spread out for now. If either of you see any, and I mean any, defining characteristics that could help identify them, whistle like this,” he demonstrated, “and meet back here.”
“Yes, sir!” Rand said sarcastically.
“OK, Dal’el,” Jæina stood up and moved off to the right.
Dal’el watched her walk away and then said to Rand, “I’m going to circle around the ridge for more tracks.”
“Come on, Dal’el,” Rand said, “Relax. It’s obvious that they lead straight down to the camp. You can see a footprint from here.”
“You’re right,” Dal’el said, still double guessing his every move. “But I still want to check. Tajeé always said—“
“Tajeé always said, Tajeé always said,” Rand mimicked. “When are you going to learn to think for yourself? Relax until nightfall, blacksmith. You’ll need the rest.”
Dal’el’s felt himself getting angry, but he suppressed it. I will not respond to his insults. We will need to work together tonight…I might as well give a little. “I’ll go watch from over there,” Dal’el nodded in to the left.
“Whatever you say,” Rand said, already busy pursuing the encampment with his eyes.
Nightfall.
Dal’el whistled and five minutes later, they met back at the center.
“I guess no one saw anything,” Dal’el said.
“Good guess,” Rand said sardonically.
“Actually,” Jæina said, “I took a nap at around six… I woke up only a few minutes ago.”
“Come to think of it, so did I,” Rand said.
Dal’el didn’t smile. “If you two are too tired, maybe you should just stay up here while I go down.”
“Dal’el, don’t be angry. Going down there alone would be suicidal!” Jæina exclaimed.
“Not as suicidal as falling asleep unguarded near an enemy camp! What if they had sent out scouts?” Dal’el charged.
“Well, they didn’t,” Rand said as Jæina hung her head in shame.
“I didn’t get any sleep at all last night—“ Jæina began.
Dal’el cut her off, “And that was your fault for disobeying Halik and coming after us.”
“Maybe so,” Jæina flared, “but look at where I’ve brought you! You would have headed straight towards Mason’s rock and been lost.”
“How do you know?” Dal’el rejoined.
Rand laughed harshly. “You were the one who decided to let her come.”
Rand’s statement snapped Dal’el out of it, and so as much as he wanted to point out that Rand had fallen asleep too, he didn’t. “You’re right. I did. And I don’t regret it,” he said looking at Jæina. “I just don’t want you to get hurt.”
“And I don’t want you to worry about me,” Jæina whispered. “You don’t have to—you’re not—I mean, I can take care of myself.”
“Yeah, you were doing a real good job of it too,” Rand said.
Jæina took a deep breath and prepared to let into Rand, but Dal’el cut both of them off, “As much as I would love to stand around and argue with you two all night long, there is a reason why we are out here cold and hungry. This is the plan: we creep down together and observe for an hour. If I think it’s safe to go in, you and Jæina will distract the guard, and I will sneak in. We won’t bother with taking his uniform or knocking him out, because this is obviously a very closely knit group of men. I’d be found out in an instant. It’d be much easier to get out of it just by lying or something if I get caught,” then he grinned, “but I won’t, there are a lot of shadows down there and that’s where I’ll stay. If the sword is there, I will take it, and then we will run like the hounds of Dorbak are upon us. Agreed?”
“Agreed,” Jæina said.
“All right,” Rand said. “Even though every bone in my body shivers at the thought of stealing.”
“Better than every bone in your body being broken by those warriors,” Jæina grinned coldly.
“All right!” Dal’el said. “Enough. I will leave the two of you up here if you can’t get along.”
“Yes, Mom,” Rand retorted.
Jæina winked at him, then she smiled repentantly at Rand. “Let’s do this. Let’s really do this.”
He looked at her, then smiled and said, “All right! Let’s go for it.”
Dal’el exhaled in relief, and then he said, “Let’s go.”
They crept silently down the hill. The slope was rocky and the path was narrow. As they crawled swiftly onto level ground, all three of them had to be careful not to disturb the foot and a half tall reeds that surrounded the clearing.
It’s obvious that this is the easiest approach to their camp, Dal’el thought, I wonder why they don’t keep better watch… they must not be very alert. Unless, the thought struck him like a hammer, they don’t expect any trouble.
The camp was quiet and the fire had died down low… One or two men wandered from the campfire to the tents. Four men were standing stiffly at opposite sides of the camp, obviously sentries. Dal’el was just about to signal Jæina and Rand to go for the sentry closest to them when suddenly a loud “Ha!” sounded near to him. Some instinct warned him to role away and he did, only to find a sword deeply ingrained in the ground where he had been crouching.
“Alarm!” the big man with thickly braided red hair and a very big sword shouted.
“Why rouse the alarm, Aiden?” A smaller man with short black hair said. “We can take care of these pipsqueaks without rousing the guard.”
Dal’el and Rand spoke at the same time:
“We’ll see about that,” Rand said.
“Wait—this is not what you think,” Dal’el said.
Rand rushed at the big man with his sword.
The man with the short black hair grinned and started toward Dal’el. Before he had a chance to remove his ax, Jæina stepped in front of him.
“Take care of the guard,” she shouted as she blocked the man’s blow with her sword.
Dal’el turned to find the four sentries starting towards him. Great. He held his ax uncertainly as the first one advanced. The man raised his sword to do that downwards swipe Jæina had demonstrated for him—had it been only yesterday?
Kalid’s words rang in his head—use it as you would a hammer.
So instead of blocking the blow, Dal’el brought the ax down with all his strength on the weakest point of the sword—an inch before where it joined the hilt. The sword broke. Both Dal’el and his opponent stared at it in shock. The man reached for a dagger, but before he could attack, another sentry was upon Dal’el.
Dal’el found himself fighting as if in a daze—every move the men around him made seemed predictable, childish. He disarmed them before they had a chance to make a dent in his defenses—not one of the men had an ax.
But the noise of metal against metal had aroused the camp, and more and more warriors were awakening. Dal’el found himself fighting back to back with Jæina and Rand. He held his own…until he met a man with an ax.
In that fight, Dal’el was forced to move away from his friends and he was in every way outclassed. Then some bright warrior put more wood on the fire and it flared higher and burned brighter. Dal’el saw and recognized the insignia embroidered on his opponent’s shirt.
“Stop!” he yelled and dropped his ax. His opponent was in midswing and had shift all his weight to the right in order to avoid bringing a killing blow upon Dal’el. “Jæina! Rand! Stop!”
“What is the meaning of this?” Dal’el’s opponent said.
“My lord,” Dal’el knelt. “We did not mean to, I mean—this was all a mistake!”
The man who had put more wood on the fire stepped forward and said, “What was all a mistake?”
“My lords,” Dal’el addressed the whole assembly, “please forgive us and allow us to continue on our mission. We did not mean to intrude on the Pendeen’s camp.”
“You could have fooled me,” Aiden said, stepping forward with Rand as his captive. Rand’s sword arm was bleeding freely from a shallow cut.
The warrior with the short black hair was still watching Jæina warily as he said, “We came upon them spying on the camp.”
“We were trying to ascertain the identity of the camp when we were attacked,” Dal’el said, rising slowly out of his very vulnerable position with his ax loosely in hand. “We do not wish any of you harm. It was all a mistake.”
“A mistake which cost me my sword,” a man growled. A few more men growled in agreement.
Dal’el did not allow himself to smile.
His opponent caught Dal’el’s look, however, and returned it with a slight wink. “Indeed, they weren’t bad for half-grown warriors, Sire. Think, my friends. Who among you would send two boys and a girl on a mission to attack Jarem’s great war band?”
“The girl didn’t do half-badly, my lords,” Jæina’s opponent stated wryly.
Jæina curtsied in response to the laughter all about her, but still kept an eye on the man across from her.
Dal’el relaxed marginally at the laughter, thinking They would not be laughing if they intend to kill us all. Unless, Dal’el immediately went stiff, they are insane with evil—unless I misjudged them and they aren’t… No, I recognize that seal.
“If you truly mean the Pendeen no harm,” the man who had put wood on the fire said, “put down your weapons.”
Since Jæina and Dal’el were the only ones left with weapons, and they were on opposite ends of the field of battle, they were only able to exchange a long look before Dal’el nodded and they each slowly lowered their weapons to the ground.
Jæina’s opponent snatched up her sword so quickly that it caused the men around him to laugh.
“Afraid of a girl, Coal?” one jeered.
“Merely cautious, Tre’an, merely cautious,” was Coal’s measured response.
More laughter ensued.
The man who had put more wood on the fire spoke, “Coal, Aiden, Galic, escort our friends to the main tent. The Pendeen will see them there—it’s awkward out here with battle blood still fresh. The rest of you, back to bed or back to your posts. Come now, Ardran,” the man said, “no mourning your sword. We will soon be in Glorha, where one of the best blacksmiths in the isle reside. Kalid will mend it if anyone can.”
Dal’el’s opponent stepped forward and picked up Dal’el’s ax. “Come lad, the Pendeen will put get to the truth of the matter. If you have told the truth, you have nothing to be afraid of.”
“I fear time,” Dal’el said. “I am quickly running out of it.”
“Aptly spoken. I am Galic,” he said as he continued to firmly lead Dal’el towards the main tent. “If you outlive the night, lad, seek me out. It is not often that I see a warrior of promise with an ax. I would like to hear the story behind that.”
“Thanks for your comforting words,” Dal’el said sarcastically before he thought the better of it. Then he said, “I am Dal’el. If I outlive the night to see you again, I would be glad to tell it,” he bowed slightly, and then stepped into the tent.
It took a moment for their eyes to adjust to the dim light inside the tent. Galic stepped in close behind him. Jæina walked in freely, and Coal had a red handprint smarting on his face. Dal’el took it in, and his blood began to boil, but he decided that now would not be the best time to pick a fight.
“The lady took offense to your company, Coal?” Galic prodded, a twinkling light in his eyes.
Surprisingly, Coal did not take offense. “I said something inappropriate. Believe me, I deserved it. Otherwise I would not take it so lightly.”
Galic had time to do little more than raise a brow before a struggling Rand and a red-faced Aiden walked into the tent.
“Is this how you treat guests of the Pendeen? Hauling them in like they were no more than a sack of potatoes?” Rand said.
“Guests of the Pendeen do not attack the camp. You’re a prisoner, boy, make no mistake about that.”
Rand was about to respond when the man who had lit the campfire walked in with a torch. “Aiden. Peace,” he said. “If you have a quarrel, now is not the time. It’s late, you should be snoring already.”
“I do not snore,” Aiden said stiffly.
Galic and Coal both choked down laughter as the unidentified man said, “Aiden, you snore like a thunderstorm. You always have, even when we played together as kids. All your attempts to blame it on Coal haven’t worked.”
“I do not snore,” he repeated, and with a face full of wounded dignity said, “and I do not see why I can’t go outside and teach this, this, boy some respect with a cherry tree branch.”
The man raised an eyebrow, and soon all four of them were laughing. Dal’el, Jæina, and Rand exchanged confused and left out glances at each other, and Dal’el had a resurgence of his former doubts about their sanity.
They had all but completely recovered from their laughter when the man said, “You have all their weapons?”
That immediately sobered them and Galic quickly and efficiently searched Dal’el. “Take off your—“
Dal’el reached into his boot and took out a small but wickedly sharp dagger.
“—boots,” Galic finished on an amused note.
Coal approached Jæina warily, and held out both his hands wide, saying “I can either search you, or you can give me your solemn vow as a lady that you have no more weapons.”
Jæina looked at him with amusement and removed two daggers from her boots, one from her sleeve, and one from her hair. “Now I can give you my solemn vow as a lady… You really shouldn’t jump to conclusions, Coal.”
Coal raised his eyebrows, “I can see that.” He collected the daggers—and then stepped closer to lightly search her.
“What are you doing!” Jæina practically screeched when he touched her.
“You yourself told me not to jump to conclusions,” Coal shrugged. “How do I know you’re a lady?” the mischievous light in his eyes told Jæina that he was just playing, but when he stepped in close to search her again, she swiftly grabbed one of her daggers out of his hand and said, “Would you like to repeat that now that I’m armed?”
Coal stifled a short laugh. “Ah…no, m’lady. I don’t think I would. My mother always taught me to respect—to make love to, if you will, an armed lady.”
Jæina flushed, “No, I don’t think I will.”
The man with the torched laughed.
“Just how many unarmed ladies have you known, Coal?” the man asked.
Galic laughed along with Coal.
“Well, m’lady, if you won’t give me satisfaction, give me your dagger and your name, and I will take your word that you are unarmed,” Coal said cheerfully.
Jæina looked confused, not sure if she should fight him for offend her honor, or take it all as a very poor joke. Finally, she looked at Dal’el. He rolled his eyes then gave her a look which said Look, they may be crazy, but they’re our captors. They’ve got swords, we don’t—just let it go so we can see the Pendeen and get on with it.
“All right, Coal,” Jæina said. “I will give you my name and my dagger—in exchange for an apology.”
Coal’s eyes opened wide. “How have I offended you?”
Jæina lost it. “First you insulted me outside. Then, you had the nerve to say I am not a lady. You dared to lay your hands upon me without my permission and without provocation—“
“Jæina, stop it,” Dal’el said, finally stepping into the role that he should have been acting in the whole time. “Just let it go and let’s get on with it.”
She glared at Dal’el for interrupting her, but he was firm. “Just let it go,” he repeated.
Still angry, but calmer now, she said, “As you heard, I am Jæina,” and she slapped the hilt of the dagger into Coal’s outstretched hand. “And I demand no apology of you if you are not sensible enough to see that it is needed.”
By this time, Aiden had made a rough search of Rand, only to come up with one dagger in a back sheath. The noise of that scuffle was over and there was a tense silence throughout the room.
“I am Coal, son of Corin, son of Efud, son of Lam, chief of Quinstad. I humbly apologize for making such an ass of myself tonight, and hope to meet you on better terms hereafter, should the Pendeen decide to let you live.” Coal bowed fluidly.
The renewed threat of death and delay brought a sober and deadly tone back into the tent.
Galic, Coal, and Aiden looked at the man with the torch expectantly.
“Take their weapons and go. I’d tell you to go to bed, but—“
“You’re not serious!” Coal burst out. “You can’t expect us to just leave them here with you after tonight!”
“Coal, don’t you think I’m capable of handling three unarmed teenagers?”
“That’s not the point.”
“Go to bed, Coal.”
“We’ll be outside the tent if you need us,” Galic said, effectively cutting off further argument and at the same time insuring that the man—whoever he was—would be well protected until the Pendeen arrived.
The three of them left with Coal still grumbling.
As man with the torch lit several other torches in the tent, Dal’el studied him. He was young, no older than twenty-two. He was tall, very tall, and from the way his clothes fit, it looked as if he was leanly muscular from his head to his feet. His movements were graceful, deliberate, and powerful. Still, Dal’el got the impression that he was only using the exact amount of strength necessary for the completion of his task. He had fair, sandy colored hair that was cut around his face so that it fell to the nape of his neck in the back and was constantly falling in his eyes in the front. His eyes were sharp, and they seemed to miss nothing. But none of this is what one first noticed about him, what was first noticed about this man was his air of command, and his sense of purpose.
I would serve a man such as this with all my heart, Dal’el was surprised to find himself thinking. What am I thinking? I don’t even know if he will turn around and murder us with his next move. Either way, this is wasting time. Still, if this is the kind of man that serves the Pendeen…
Soon, the tent was well lit and the man turned, his arms folded across his chest to study them with interest. Especially Jæina.
After a minute, he spoke. “So, you are Jæina. What are your companions names?”
“You’ll have to ask them that, sir.”
The man smiled. “Very well.” The implied command lingered in the air. Eventually, a brow cocked, as if the man was giving them one last chance to volunteer before he asked.
“My name,” Dal’el coughed, his throat suddenly dry, “is Dal’el. This is—“
“I am Rand—son of clan-chief Halik, and not a person to be kept waiting. I demand to see the Pendeen. Our business is with him, not with his manservants,” Rand’s childish insult seemed to fall flat in the awesome silence that followed.
The man smiled coldly and sat down on the tent chair made of bearskin stretched over a wooden frame. “Son of Halik, I am surprised that your father has not taught you better manners. As you’re your demand,” he folded his arms, “I am Jarem. What is it you wish to say to me?”
Somehow, Dal’el was not surprised at this revelation which struck Rand mute and caused Jæina to say, “But, but,” then she stopped and flushed.
Jarem’s smile softened, “’But’ what?”
“I thought you would be older.”
“Did you?” His voice was warm—too warm in Dal’el’s opinion. “What made you think that?”
Jæina turned redder.
“I thought you’d be braver,” Rand muttered.
“What?” Jarem said.
Dal’el flushed, “Please pay no attention to anything he says, your majesty, he doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”
Jarem took a deliberate deep breath, as if to say, let’s get this over with as quickly as possible. “Rand, say what you have to say. But I must warn you, I am not a patient man. If what you say is nonsense…” he shrugged. “I am not a patient man.”
Rand’s eyes flashed, and he went, in Dal’el’s opinion, completely and totally crazy. “I wonder that you have the courage to call yourself a man at all. What kind of leader is it that puts more wood on a fire when all his men are fighting to save his life? Who hides under the sheets while his men are doing battle? Not a warrior, not a man.”
Quicker than Dal’el could blink, Jarem was off his chair and holding Rand’s head back by his hair with a dagger that seemingly came out of nowhere at Rand’s throat.
“I could kill you for that,” Jarem whispered.
Both Dal’el and Jæina were too shocked to move.
There was suddenly a foul smell in the room as Rand’s body involuntarily relieved itself.
“But I won’t,” Jarem said, and he released Rand’s head and sheathed his dagger. He took a deep breath. “I will attribute what you said to ignorance.” Jarem smiled grimly, “Do not speak again. I warned you, I am not a patient man.”
Dal’el and Jæina exhaled in unison as Jarem turned and walked back to his chair.
Jarem took another deep breath.
Rand shakily sat down. He was as pale as a birch tree.
Jarem laughed softly to himself. He smiled and said, “I will respond to the son of Halik’s challenge, if that’s even who he his, and explain why I acted as I did. In turn, I will expect a complete account of how you three have come to my camp.”
“You would have gotten that anyway, your majesty,” Dal’el said.
Jarem’s studied Dal’el for a long minute. “Yes, I believe I would have,” he said finally. His eyes cut towards Jæina, and rousing himself to play host, he said, “Please, both of you, sit down. There are tree stumps over there and there.”
Dal’el quickly rolled one over for Jæina before she could get one for herself. “I could have gotten it,” she whispered harshly.
“But I got it first,” Dal’el said.
He rolled another stump over for himself and sat down. Rand was still shaking on the floor.
“First of all,” Jarem said, “you will notice that neither of you are hurt. Not even your friend Rand is severely injured. That’s a surface scratch that will heal quickly. You may be fine warriors, but mine are the best. Have you wondered why you came out of it without a scratch?”
Dal’el and Jæina exchanged glances.
“We haven’t exactly had time to,” Jæina said.
He smiles at her too much, Dal’el thought to himself as Jarem smiled at Jæina again.
“I’ll tell you,” Jarem said. “I was curious. I saw two boys and a girl on our ridge when I went scouting around with Coal before lunch—actually, I found Rand and Jæina sleeping, and Coal had snuck up behind you, Dal’el. The horses needed to rest, and we had already made camp for lunch, so I left Aiden and Coal strict instructions to keep an eye on you three. I warned them not to harm you if they could help it, should there be any trouble.”
“Why didn’t you just ask us who we were?” Jæina said. “It would have spared us all a lot of trouble.”
“Maybe because you both looked so peaceful sleeping there,” Jarem said.
Jæina blushed.
“Or maybe because I know the best way to find out about a person is to catch them off guard,” he said, still staring at her.
Jæina’s flush grew deeper and she dropped her gaze.
“You mean we risked our lives just so that you could get to know us?” Dal’el said incredulously.
“You were never in any real danger, Dal’el,” Jarem said. “Neither were any of my men. And I have yet to find out about you.”
“So that is your explanation, then,” Dal’el said after a moment of silence. “Curiosity. But what if we had meant you harm, how can you say your men were not endangered?”
“Dal’el, nothing happened tonight that my men could not control.”
“But what if something did.”
“It didn’t though. I took in your caliber when I spied you out. I knew you would stop as soon as you saw me. Real professionals would not have fallen asleep so near my campsite. I was—and am confident that my men could have handled you.”
Dal’el frowned, it still seems irresponsible to me…but I’d better not press the point, after all, he responds radically to challenges to his command.
Evidently Jæina felt the same way, because she was also sitting in stony silence.
“At any rate,” Jarem said after too-long silence, “that’s why I put more wood on the fire. It was a test to see if you were my enemies or not. You passed with flying colors. Still, I’m curious as to why you were spying out my camp.”
“My lord,” Dal’el said. “We are a retrieving party. Something of grave importance was stolen from our village and Chief Halik sent us out to get it.”
Jarem cut his eyes towards Jæina, “I did not think Halik was the kind of man who would send a woman out into danger when there are warriors left to do the job.”
“He didn’t send me, sire,” Jæina said. “I left against the chief’s knowledge and without his consent.”
“Why?”
“I thought that they would need my help,” Jæina said simply. “The recovery of this item is of great importance to me, and to the safety of my village. Unfortunately, I wasn’t much help.”
Dal’el realized that this was as close to an open apology that he was going to get.
“I’m curious…” Jarem said. “Why didn’t Halik wait for me to arrive so that we could make a joint venture?”
“The ah, lost item directly concerns your majesty’s arrival,” Dal’el said uncomfortably.
After thinking a moment, Jarem said, “You’re not going to tell me what was missing, are you?”
“I think that it would be better if Chief Halik discussed the whole situation with you, Sire,” Dal’el shot back.
Jarem’s eyes narrowed. “You have a heart of a warrior, Dal’el, that much is clear. But you are not one, that much is also clear. Why he sent you and Rand, I don’t know. I am certain I will receive an explanation when I arrive at Glorha tomorrow.”
Dal’el breathed out a sigh of relief. “Then, I and my friends will be on our way, your majesty. We have wasted enough time on this false track and must get back on the trail.”
Jarem stood up and stretched. “I don’t think so, Dal’el. You and your friends will be spending the night here, under guard.”
“But—“
“I’ve made up my mind,” Jarem said firmly. “I have nothing but your word and an improbable story. It’s not enough to let you go, when only a day’s ride will set the record straight. When we get to Glorha, if Chief Halik verifies your story, you will be released with my apologies.”
“Sire, I have to insist,” Dal’el began, and then stopped talking as Jarem’s firm glance rested on him.
“Do not even think of trying to escape,” Jarem continued. “If you do, I will conclude that everything you’ve done and said tonight has been an act, and that you are my enemies. My men will have instruction to kill you. Jæina, I’m afraid I must apologies to you now. I would not willingly let an unchaproned girl stay in a camp full of soldiers, but it seems I have no choice. You may sleep in my tent. I will join my soldiers outside. It’s small, but private.”
“I would like to request the return of my weapons, if I am to be made to stay here,” Jæina said frostily. “You have said that you do not know us. Well, I don’t know you, and I don’t trust you or your men, especially since it’s apparent that, though we entered your tent in good faith, we are now taken prisoners.”
“That’s right, you’re a prisoner,” Jarem said flatly. “And my word of honor that you will not be molested will have to suffice your sense property.” His eyes softened slightly, “I am not so much of a fool to present a beautiful girl with any other weapon than the influence she already has with her looks and bearing.”
“It is exactly that type of talk,” Jæina said despite a blush, “that makes me want to have a good dagger on hand.”
Me too, Dal’el thought.
“I will see you to your tent, Jæina. Galic, Coal, Aiden!” he called. “You can stop listening and come in.” Once they did, he said, “I want you to see to Rand and Dal’el’s sleeping arrangements.”
Jæina didn’t look back at Dal’el as she left the tent with Jarem.
“Can you make out the banner?” Dal’el whispered.
“No,” Rand said after a moment, and Jæina shook her head in agreement.
“Right then,” Dal’el said after taking in a huge breath. “We watch them until nightfall. Then we’ll creep down and spy on them a little longer…they may not be who we are looking for. If we can identify the sword, or if they behave suspiciously, I’ll go in while you two distract the sentries.”
“Why do we have to spy on them to make sure we have the thieves?” Rand said, “Who else would be this close to our and the Icabin’s territory? It all fits perfectly to the pattern that Jæina set out.”
“And I tracked them here,” Jæina said. “They have to be the thieves.”
“Do they?” Dal’el whispered harshly, “Or could they be a hunting party for the Icabins? Raiding Southerners? A chief and his warband heading towards Glorha for Jarem’s coronation?”
Dal’el stood up slowly so as not to attract attention and brushed himself off. “We wait, we watch. Let’s spread out for now. If either of you see any, and I mean any, defining characteristics that could help identify them, whistle like this,” he demonstrated, “and meet back here.”
“Yes, sir!” Rand said sarcastically.
“OK, Dal’el,” Jæina stood up and moved off to the right.
Dal’el watched her walk away and then said to Rand, “I’m going to circle around the ridge for more tracks.”
“Come on, Dal’el,” Rand said, “Relax. It’s obvious that they lead straight down to the camp. You can see a footprint from here.”
“You’re right,” Dal’el said, still double guessing his every move. “But I still want to check. Tajeé always said—“
“Tajeé always said, Tajeé always said,” Rand mimicked. “When are you going to learn to think for yourself? Relax until nightfall, blacksmith. You’ll need the rest.”
Dal’el’s felt himself getting angry, but he suppressed it. I will not respond to his insults. We will need to work together tonight…I might as well give a little. “I’ll go watch from over there,” Dal’el nodded in to the left.
“Whatever you say,” Rand said, already busy pursuing the encampment with his eyes.
Nightfall.
Dal’el whistled and five minutes later, they met back at the center.
“I guess no one saw anything,” Dal’el said.
“Good guess,” Rand said sardonically.
“Actually,” Jæina said, “I took a nap at around six… I woke up only a few minutes ago.”
“Come to think of it, so did I,” Rand said.
Dal’el didn’t smile. “If you two are too tired, maybe you should just stay up here while I go down.”
“Dal’el, don’t be angry. Going down there alone would be suicidal!” Jæina exclaimed.
“Not as suicidal as falling asleep unguarded near an enemy camp! What if they had sent out scouts?” Dal’el charged.
“Well, they didn’t,” Rand said as Jæina hung her head in shame.
“I didn’t get any sleep at all last night—“ Jæina began.
Dal’el cut her off, “And that was your fault for disobeying Halik and coming after us.”
“Maybe so,” Jæina flared, “but look at where I’ve brought you! You would have headed straight towards Mason’s rock and been lost.”
“How do you know?” Dal’el rejoined.
Rand laughed harshly. “You were the one who decided to let her come.”
Rand’s statement snapped Dal’el out of it, and so as much as he wanted to point out that Rand had fallen asleep too, he didn’t. “You’re right. I did. And I don’t regret it,” he said looking at Jæina. “I just don’t want you to get hurt.”
“And I don’t want you to worry about me,” Jæina whispered. “You don’t have to—you’re not—I mean, I can take care of myself.”
“Yeah, you were doing a real good job of it too,” Rand said.
Jæina took a deep breath and prepared to let into Rand, but Dal’el cut both of them off, “As much as I would love to stand around and argue with you two all night long, there is a reason why we are out here cold and hungry. This is the plan: we creep down together and observe for an hour. If I think it’s safe to go in, you and Jæina will distract the guard, and I will sneak in. We won’t bother with taking his uniform or knocking him out, because this is obviously a very closely knit group of men. I’d be found out in an instant. It’d be much easier to get out of it just by lying or something if I get caught,” then he grinned, “but I won’t, there are a lot of shadows down there and that’s where I’ll stay. If the sword is there, I will take it, and then we will run like the hounds of Dorbak are upon us. Agreed?”
“Agreed,” Jæina said.
“All right,” Rand said. “Even though every bone in my body shivers at the thought of stealing.”
“Better than every bone in your body being broken by those warriors,” Jæina grinned coldly.
“All right!” Dal’el said. “Enough. I will leave the two of you up here if you can’t get along.”
“Yes, Mom,” Rand retorted.
Jæina winked at him, then she smiled repentantly at Rand. “Let’s do this. Let’s really do this.”
He looked at her, then smiled and said, “All right! Let’s go for it.”
Dal’el exhaled in relief, and then he said, “Let’s go.”
They crept silently down the hill. The slope was rocky and the path was narrow. As they crawled swiftly onto level ground, all three of them had to be careful not to disturb the foot and a half tall reeds that surrounded the clearing.
It’s obvious that this is the easiest approach to their camp, Dal’el thought, I wonder why they don’t keep better watch… they must not be very alert. Unless, the thought struck him like a hammer, they don’t expect any trouble.
The camp was quiet and the fire had died down low… One or two men wandered from the campfire to the tents. Four men were standing stiffly at opposite sides of the camp, obviously sentries. Dal’el was just about to signal Jæina and Rand to go for the sentry closest to them when suddenly a loud “Ha!” sounded near to him. Some instinct warned him to role away and he did, only to find a sword deeply ingrained in the ground where he had been crouching.
“Alarm!” the big man with thickly braided red hair and a very big sword shouted.
“Why rouse the alarm, Aiden?” A smaller man with short black hair said. “We can take care of these pipsqueaks without rousing the guard.”
Dal’el and Rand spoke at the same time:
“We’ll see about that,” Rand said.
“Wait—this is not what you think,” Dal’el said.
Rand rushed at the big man with his sword.
The man with the short black hair grinned and started toward Dal’el. Before he had a chance to remove his ax, Jæina stepped in front of him.
“Take care of the guard,” she shouted as she blocked the man’s blow with her sword.
Dal’el turned to find the four sentries starting towards him. Great. He held his ax uncertainly as the first one advanced. The man raised his sword to do that downwards swipe Jæina had demonstrated for him—had it been only yesterday?
Kalid’s words rang in his head—use it as you would a hammer.
So instead of blocking the blow, Dal’el brought the ax down with all his strength on the weakest point of the sword—an inch before where it joined the hilt. The sword broke. Both Dal’el and his opponent stared at it in shock. The man reached for a dagger, but before he could attack, another sentry was upon Dal’el.
Dal’el found himself fighting as if in a daze—every move the men around him made seemed predictable, childish. He disarmed them before they had a chance to make a dent in his defenses—not one of the men had an ax.
But the noise of metal against metal had aroused the camp, and more and more warriors were awakening. Dal’el found himself fighting back to back with Jæina and Rand. He held his own…until he met a man with an ax.
In that fight, Dal’el was forced to move away from his friends and he was in every way outclassed. Then some bright warrior put more wood on the fire and it flared higher and burned brighter. Dal’el saw and recognized the insignia embroidered on his opponent’s shirt.
“Stop!” he yelled and dropped his ax. His opponent was in midswing and had shift all his weight to the right in order to avoid bringing a killing blow upon Dal’el. “Jæina! Rand! Stop!”
“What is the meaning of this?” Dal’el’s opponent said.
“My lord,” Dal’el knelt. “We did not mean to, I mean—this was all a mistake!”
The man who had put more wood on the fire stepped forward and said, “What was all a mistake?”
“My lords,” Dal’el addressed the whole assembly, “please forgive us and allow us to continue on our mission. We did not mean to intrude on the Pendeen’s camp.”
“You could have fooled me,” Aiden said, stepping forward with Rand as his captive. Rand’s sword arm was bleeding freely from a shallow cut.
The warrior with the short black hair was still watching Jæina warily as he said, “We came upon them spying on the camp.”
“We were trying to ascertain the identity of the camp when we were attacked,” Dal’el said, rising slowly out of his very vulnerable position with his ax loosely in hand. “We do not wish any of you harm. It was all a mistake.”
“A mistake which cost me my sword,” a man growled. A few more men growled in agreement.
Dal’el did not allow himself to smile.
His opponent caught Dal’el’s look, however, and returned it with a slight wink. “Indeed, they weren’t bad for half-grown warriors, Sire. Think, my friends. Who among you would send two boys and a girl on a mission to attack Jarem’s great war band?”
“The girl didn’t do half-badly, my lords,” Jæina’s opponent stated wryly.
Jæina curtsied in response to the laughter all about her, but still kept an eye on the man across from her.
Dal’el relaxed marginally at the laughter, thinking They would not be laughing if they intend to kill us all. Unless, Dal’el immediately went stiff, they are insane with evil—unless I misjudged them and they aren’t… No, I recognize that seal.
“If you truly mean the Pendeen no harm,” the man who had put wood on the fire said, “put down your weapons.”
Since Jæina and Dal’el were the only ones left with weapons, and they were on opposite ends of the field of battle, they were only able to exchange a long look before Dal’el nodded and they each slowly lowered their weapons to the ground.
Jæina’s opponent snatched up her sword so quickly that it caused the men around him to laugh.
“Afraid of a girl, Coal?” one jeered.
“Merely cautious, Tre’an, merely cautious,” was Coal’s measured response.
More laughter ensued.
The man who had put more wood on the fire spoke, “Coal, Aiden, Galic, escort our friends to the main tent. The Pendeen will see them there—it’s awkward out here with battle blood still fresh. The rest of you, back to bed or back to your posts. Come now, Ardran,” the man said, “no mourning your sword. We will soon be in Glorha, where one of the best blacksmiths in the isle reside. Kalid will mend it if anyone can.”
Dal’el’s opponent stepped forward and picked up Dal’el’s ax. “Come lad, the Pendeen will put get to the truth of the matter. If you have told the truth, you have nothing to be afraid of.”
“I fear time,” Dal’el said. “I am quickly running out of it.”
“Aptly spoken. I am Galic,” he said as he continued to firmly lead Dal’el towards the main tent. “If you outlive the night, lad, seek me out. It is not often that I see a warrior of promise with an ax. I would like to hear the story behind that.”
“Thanks for your comforting words,” Dal’el said sarcastically before he thought the better of it. Then he said, “I am Dal’el. If I outlive the night to see you again, I would be glad to tell it,” he bowed slightly, and then stepped into the tent.
It took a moment for their eyes to adjust to the dim light inside the tent. Galic stepped in close behind him. Jæina walked in freely, and Coal had a red handprint smarting on his face. Dal’el took it in, and his blood began to boil, but he decided that now would not be the best time to pick a fight.
“The lady took offense to your company, Coal?” Galic prodded, a twinkling light in his eyes.
Surprisingly, Coal did not take offense. “I said something inappropriate. Believe me, I deserved it. Otherwise I would not take it so lightly.”
Galic had time to do little more than raise a brow before a struggling Rand and a red-faced Aiden walked into the tent.
“Is this how you treat guests of the Pendeen? Hauling them in like they were no more than a sack of potatoes?” Rand said.
“Guests of the Pendeen do not attack the camp. You’re a prisoner, boy, make no mistake about that.”
Rand was about to respond when the man who had lit the campfire walked in with a torch. “Aiden. Peace,” he said. “If you have a quarrel, now is not the time. It’s late, you should be snoring already.”
“I do not snore,” Aiden said stiffly.
Galic and Coal both choked down laughter as the unidentified man said, “Aiden, you snore like a thunderstorm. You always have, even when we played together as kids. All your attempts to blame it on Coal haven’t worked.”
“I do not snore,” he repeated, and with a face full of wounded dignity said, “and I do not see why I can’t go outside and teach this, this, boy some respect with a cherry tree branch.”
The man raised an eyebrow, and soon all four of them were laughing. Dal’el, Jæina, and Rand exchanged confused and left out glances at each other, and Dal’el had a resurgence of his former doubts about their sanity.
They had all but completely recovered from their laughter when the man said, “You have all their weapons?”
That immediately sobered them and Galic quickly and efficiently searched Dal’el. “Take off your—“
Dal’el reached into his boot and took out a small but wickedly sharp dagger.
“—boots,” Galic finished on an amused note.
Coal approached Jæina warily, and held out both his hands wide, saying “I can either search you, or you can give me your solemn vow as a lady that you have no more weapons.”
Jæina looked at him with amusement and removed two daggers from her boots, one from her sleeve, and one from her hair. “Now I can give you my solemn vow as a lady… You really shouldn’t jump to conclusions, Coal.”
Coal raised his eyebrows, “I can see that.” He collected the daggers—and then stepped closer to lightly search her.
“What are you doing!” Jæina practically screeched when he touched her.
“You yourself told me not to jump to conclusions,” Coal shrugged. “How do I know you’re a lady?” the mischievous light in his eyes told Jæina that he was just playing, but when he stepped in close to search her again, she swiftly grabbed one of her daggers out of his hand and said, “Would you like to repeat that now that I’m armed?”
Coal stifled a short laugh. “Ah…no, m’lady. I don’t think I would. My mother always taught me to respect—to make love to, if you will, an armed lady.”
Jæina flushed, “No, I don’t think I will.”
The man with the torched laughed.
“Just how many unarmed ladies have you known, Coal?” the man asked.
Galic laughed along with Coal.
“Well, m’lady, if you won’t give me satisfaction, give me your dagger and your name, and I will take your word that you are unarmed,” Coal said cheerfully.
Jæina looked confused, not sure if she should fight him for offend her honor, or take it all as a very poor joke. Finally, she looked at Dal’el. He rolled his eyes then gave her a look which said Look, they may be crazy, but they’re our captors. They’ve got swords, we don’t—just let it go so we can see the Pendeen and get on with it.
“All right, Coal,” Jæina said. “I will give you my name and my dagger—in exchange for an apology.”
Coal’s eyes opened wide. “How have I offended you?”
Jæina lost it. “First you insulted me outside. Then, you had the nerve to say I am not a lady. You dared to lay your hands upon me without my permission and without provocation—“
“Jæina, stop it,” Dal’el said, finally stepping into the role that he should have been acting in the whole time. “Just let it go and let’s get on with it.”
She glared at Dal’el for interrupting her, but he was firm. “Just let it go,” he repeated.
Still angry, but calmer now, she said, “As you heard, I am Jæina,” and she slapped the hilt of the dagger into Coal’s outstretched hand. “And I demand no apology of you if you are not sensible enough to see that it is needed.”
By this time, Aiden had made a rough search of Rand, only to come up with one dagger in a back sheath. The noise of that scuffle was over and there was a tense silence throughout the room.
“I am Coal, son of Corin, son of Efud, son of Lam, chief of Quinstad. I humbly apologize for making such an ass of myself tonight, and hope to meet you on better terms hereafter, should the Pendeen decide to let you live.” Coal bowed fluidly.
The renewed threat of death and delay brought a sober and deadly tone back into the tent.
Galic, Coal, and Aiden looked at the man with the torch expectantly.
“Take their weapons and go. I’d tell you to go to bed, but—“
“You’re not serious!” Coal burst out. “You can’t expect us to just leave them here with you after tonight!”
“Coal, don’t you think I’m capable of handling three unarmed teenagers?”
“That’s not the point.”
“Go to bed, Coal.”
“We’ll be outside the tent if you need us,” Galic said, effectively cutting off further argument and at the same time insuring that the man—whoever he was—would be well protected until the Pendeen arrived.
The three of them left with Coal still grumbling.
As man with the torch lit several other torches in the tent, Dal’el studied him. He was young, no older than twenty-two. He was tall, very tall, and from the way his clothes fit, it looked as if he was leanly muscular from his head to his feet. His movements were graceful, deliberate, and powerful. Still, Dal’el got the impression that he was only using the exact amount of strength necessary for the completion of his task. He had fair, sandy colored hair that was cut around his face so that it fell to the nape of his neck in the back and was constantly falling in his eyes in the front. His eyes were sharp, and they seemed to miss nothing. But none of this is what one first noticed about him, what was first noticed about this man was his air of command, and his sense of purpose.
I would serve a man such as this with all my heart, Dal’el was surprised to find himself thinking. What am I thinking? I don’t even know if he will turn around and murder us with his next move. Either way, this is wasting time. Still, if this is the kind of man that serves the Pendeen…
Soon, the tent was well lit and the man turned, his arms folded across his chest to study them with interest. Especially Jæina.
After a minute, he spoke. “So, you are Jæina. What are your companions names?”
“You’ll have to ask them that, sir.”
The man smiled. “Very well.” The implied command lingered in the air. Eventually, a brow cocked, as if the man was giving them one last chance to volunteer before he asked.
“My name,” Dal’el coughed, his throat suddenly dry, “is Dal’el. This is—“
“I am Rand—son of clan-chief Halik, and not a person to be kept waiting. I demand to see the Pendeen. Our business is with him, not with his manservants,” Rand’s childish insult seemed to fall flat in the awesome silence that followed.
The man smiled coldly and sat down on the tent chair made of bearskin stretched over a wooden frame. “Son of Halik, I am surprised that your father has not taught you better manners. As you’re your demand,” he folded his arms, “I am Jarem. What is it you wish to say to me?”
Somehow, Dal’el was not surprised at this revelation which struck Rand mute and caused Jæina to say, “But, but,” then she stopped and flushed.
Jarem’s smile softened, “’But’ what?”
“I thought you would be older.”
“Did you?” His voice was warm—too warm in Dal’el’s opinion. “What made you think that?”
Jæina turned redder.
“I thought you’d be braver,” Rand muttered.
“What?” Jarem said.
Dal’el flushed, “Please pay no attention to anything he says, your majesty, he doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”
Jarem took a deliberate deep breath, as if to say, let’s get this over with as quickly as possible. “Rand, say what you have to say. But I must warn you, I am not a patient man. If what you say is nonsense…” he shrugged. “I am not a patient man.”
Rand’s eyes flashed, and he went, in Dal’el’s opinion, completely and totally crazy. “I wonder that you have the courage to call yourself a man at all. What kind of leader is it that puts more wood on a fire when all his men are fighting to save his life? Who hides under the sheets while his men are doing battle? Not a warrior, not a man.”
Quicker than Dal’el could blink, Jarem was off his chair and holding Rand’s head back by his hair with a dagger that seemingly came out of nowhere at Rand’s throat.
“I could kill you for that,” Jarem whispered.
Both Dal’el and Jæina were too shocked to move.
There was suddenly a foul smell in the room as Rand’s body involuntarily relieved itself.
“But I won’t,” Jarem said, and he released Rand’s head and sheathed his dagger. He took a deep breath. “I will attribute what you said to ignorance.” Jarem smiled grimly, “Do not speak again. I warned you, I am not a patient man.”
Dal’el and Jæina exhaled in unison as Jarem turned and walked back to his chair.
Jarem took another deep breath.
Rand shakily sat down. He was as pale as a birch tree.
Jarem laughed softly to himself. He smiled and said, “I will respond to the son of Halik’s challenge, if that’s even who he his, and explain why I acted as I did. In turn, I will expect a complete account of how you three have come to my camp.”
“You would have gotten that anyway, your majesty,” Dal’el said.
Jarem’s studied Dal’el for a long minute. “Yes, I believe I would have,” he said finally. His eyes cut towards Jæina, and rousing himself to play host, he said, “Please, both of you, sit down. There are tree stumps over there and there.”
Dal’el quickly rolled one over for Jæina before she could get one for herself. “I could have gotten it,” she whispered harshly.
“But I got it first,” Dal’el said.
He rolled another stump over for himself and sat down. Rand was still shaking on the floor.
“First of all,” Jarem said, “you will notice that neither of you are hurt. Not even your friend Rand is severely injured. That’s a surface scratch that will heal quickly. You may be fine warriors, but mine are the best. Have you wondered why you came out of it without a scratch?”
Dal’el and Jæina exchanged glances.
“We haven’t exactly had time to,” Jæina said.
He smiles at her too much, Dal’el thought to himself as Jarem smiled at Jæina again.
“I’ll tell you,” Jarem said. “I was curious. I saw two boys and a girl on our ridge when I went scouting around with Coal before lunch—actually, I found Rand and Jæina sleeping, and Coal had snuck up behind you, Dal’el. The horses needed to rest, and we had already made camp for lunch, so I left Aiden and Coal strict instructions to keep an eye on you three. I warned them not to harm you if they could help it, should there be any trouble.”
“Why didn’t you just ask us who we were?” Jæina said. “It would have spared us all a lot of trouble.”
“Maybe because you both looked so peaceful sleeping there,” Jarem said.
Jæina blushed.
“Or maybe because I know the best way to find out about a person is to catch them off guard,” he said, still staring at her.
Jæina’s flush grew deeper and she dropped her gaze.
“You mean we risked our lives just so that you could get to know us?” Dal’el said incredulously.
“You were never in any real danger, Dal’el,” Jarem said. “Neither were any of my men. And I have yet to find out about you.”
“So that is your explanation, then,” Dal’el said after a moment of silence. “Curiosity. But what if we had meant you harm, how can you say your men were not endangered?”
“Dal’el, nothing happened tonight that my men could not control.”
“But what if something did.”
“It didn’t though. I took in your caliber when I spied you out. I knew you would stop as soon as you saw me. Real professionals would not have fallen asleep so near my campsite. I was—and am confident that my men could have handled you.”
Dal’el frowned, it still seems irresponsible to me…but I’d better not press the point, after all, he responds radically to challenges to his command.
Evidently Jæina felt the same way, because she was also sitting in stony silence.
“At any rate,” Jarem said after too-long silence, “that’s why I put more wood on the fire. It was a test to see if you were my enemies or not. You passed with flying colors. Still, I’m curious as to why you were spying out my camp.”
“My lord,” Dal’el said. “We are a retrieving party. Something of grave importance was stolen from our village and Chief Halik sent us out to get it.”
Jarem cut his eyes towards Jæina, “I did not think Halik was the kind of man who would send a woman out into danger when there are warriors left to do the job.”
“He didn’t send me, sire,” Jæina said. “I left against the chief’s knowledge and without his consent.”
“Why?”
“I thought that they would need my help,” Jæina said simply. “The recovery of this item is of great importance to me, and to the safety of my village. Unfortunately, I wasn’t much help.”
Dal’el realized that this was as close to an open apology that he was going to get.
“I’m curious…” Jarem said. “Why didn’t Halik wait for me to arrive so that we could make a joint venture?”
“The ah, lost item directly concerns your majesty’s arrival,” Dal’el said uncomfortably.
After thinking a moment, Jarem said, “You’re not going to tell me what was missing, are you?”
“I think that it would be better if Chief Halik discussed the whole situation with you, Sire,” Dal’el shot back.
Jarem’s eyes narrowed. “You have a heart of a warrior, Dal’el, that much is clear. But you are not one, that much is also clear. Why he sent you and Rand, I don’t know. I am certain I will receive an explanation when I arrive at Glorha tomorrow.”
Dal’el breathed out a sigh of relief. “Then, I and my friends will be on our way, your majesty. We have wasted enough time on this false track and must get back on the trail.”
Jarem stood up and stretched. “I don’t think so, Dal’el. You and your friends will be spending the night here, under guard.”
“But—“
“I’ve made up my mind,” Jarem said firmly. “I have nothing but your word and an improbable story. It’s not enough to let you go, when only a day’s ride will set the record straight. When we get to Glorha, if Chief Halik verifies your story, you will be released with my apologies.”
“Sire, I have to insist,” Dal’el began, and then stopped talking as Jarem’s firm glance rested on him.
“Do not even think of trying to escape,” Jarem continued. “If you do, I will conclude that everything you’ve done and said tonight has been an act, and that you are my enemies. My men will have instruction to kill you. Jæina, I’m afraid I must apologies to you now. I would not willingly let an unchaproned girl stay in a camp full of soldiers, but it seems I have no choice. You may sleep in my tent. I will join my soldiers outside. It’s small, but private.”
“I would like to request the return of my weapons, if I am to be made to stay here,” Jæina said frostily. “You have said that you do not know us. Well, I don’t know you, and I don’t trust you or your men, especially since it’s apparent that, though we entered your tent in good faith, we are now taken prisoners.”
“That’s right, you’re a prisoner,” Jarem said flatly. “And my word of honor that you will not be molested will have to suffice your sense property.” His eyes softened slightly, “I am not so much of a fool to present a beautiful girl with any other weapon than the influence she already has with her looks and bearing.”
“It is exactly that type of talk,” Jæina said despite a blush, “that makes me want to have a good dagger on hand.”
Me too, Dal’el thought.
“I will see you to your tent, Jæina. Galic, Coal, Aiden!” he called. “You can stop listening and come in.” Once they did, he said, “I want you to see to Rand and Dal’el’s sleeping arrangements.”
Jæina didn’t look back at Dal’el as she left the tent with Jarem.
![Zatanna B-Side](https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/c6643c3c-9563-4fb8-ab40-8dd5e3e5e7e8/dg75f20-f64e99b1-fed4-423e-8466-4a3e29f2392c.jpg/v1/fit/w_300,h_900,q_70,strp/zatanna_b_side_by_xalphafox_dg75f20-300w.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7ImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9MTkyMCIsInBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcL2M2NjQzYzNjLTk1NjMtNGZiOC1hYjQwLThkZDVlM2U1ZTdlOFwvZGc3NWYyMC1mNjRlOTliMS1mZWQ0LTQyM2UtODQ2Ni00YTNlMjlmMjM5MmMuanBnIiwid2lkdGgiOiI8PTEyODAifV1dLCJhdWQiOlsidXJuOnNlcnZpY2U6aW1hZ2Uub3BlcmF0aW9ucyJdfQ.CkuKdAeCThuWxst-Dwign59UJI6rCbJza-fkKFKOu-E)
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So this is the end of what I have written...If you've read and want to comment: now is your chance! Do you want me to write more and continue/end it? Did you enjoy it so far?
Hope you've liked it.![Glomp! :glomp:](https://e.deviantart.net/emoticons/g/glomp.gif)
Hope you've liked it.
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I think you should carry on a little longer, at least to have an ending. I want to know what happens ...
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