The female’s cheeks flushed a bit as she stood up and raised her brows at the male. “I’m not shy, and I like to share.”
The male cleared his throat before eagerly jumping to his feet to follow her into my tent.
Good, at least someone will be easing some tension tonight.
“And I thought we were going to have a quiet evening during this watch,” Gunnar teased, leaning back to continue carving a small figurine in his hands.
“What are you crafting tonight?” I asked.
“A snake,” Gunnar answered, holding the carving upright, highlighting the unique pattern of scales imprinted across the back. “I thought of carving a basilisk, but I figured Skylar wouldn’t appreciate it.”
I huffed a laugh as I pulled my shirt over my head.
“Besides, the legs looked deformed. This is a much simpler design.”
I eyed his work once more, admiring Gunnar’s keen details in the fangs and the unique way the snake’s body coiled.
Keeping himself busy so his mind would remain sharp.Wise. I taught him that trick.
“It’s never an uneventful evening in a war camp,” I said.
“And now we have a chorus of three at our backs instead of a duet.” Gunnar chuckled. “How nice.”
“I never want your watch to be dull,” I added, strapping my swords across my back before scanning our surroundings. “Which is why I have graced you with my presence this evening.”
Gunnar’s scoff was all I needed to hear as I flashed a toothless grin and laced my hands behind my head.
We were on the southern end of Sterlyn Lake, veering toward the western side of the water’s edge, only a short trek from the boundary of the wilt. Thick pine and birch trees somehow still stood their ground, with rolling hills and smaller mountains at our backs. I glanced toward the large boulders that once stood atop the mountains and wondered how they managed to make it here in onepiece. Many were the size of a small house, while others were no bigger than a horse. Their varying sizes puzzled me, delightfully challenging my intellect as to how they were created.
This clearing was our rendezvous point, and we would remain here until Crimson City forces arrived from the north or word to advance came from my brother’s command.
Through countless centuries of research, my best assumption was that the Heart of Valdor was in the center of the Inner Kingdom itself. But regardless of whether I was correct, this was a strong position to form an attack. Off to the east, along the shores of the lake, boats were tied off and secured in case the need to travel across the waters arose.
“All is fine,” Gunnar said. “I checked the perimeter myself only thirty minutes ago.”
“Good,” I said.
“Anything from Skylar? Or Adohan?” Gunnar asked.
I reached into my pocket and retrieved the enchanted parchment, unfolding it and shaking my head. “Nothing,” I mumbled. “Skylar has yet to open Daxton’s letter and hasn’t seen my message.”
“What did you write her?” Gunnar said. “I’ve been meaning to ask.”
I huffed a laugh, running my fingers through my hair. “How does fried roc taste?”
Gunnar doubled over laughing. “Well, that’s one way to get her attention.”
“I thought it was appropriate. And perhaps witty enough for her to reply back with some kind of snarky remark and—”
“So, we’d know that she was safe,” Gunnar finished for me.
“Yes.”
“You know she’ll win the challenge against the alpha. I trained her myself.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” I said.
Before Gunnar could move, a vision of death flashed across my mind, and I wisely shifted my weight to the right.
