Chronicles of Den'dra - Spencer Johnson Page 0,175
in the next life. There was damage to the original manuscript, but I believe it says that the best crafters in the land placed Giansar’thrack at his side. There is just enough room in the damaged line to say that. It all fits together when you step back and look at it.”
“If you say it makes sense. If it is all the same, I will not be telling Alban about Green Wing’s contribution or whose side of the story you were reading concerning the last battle.”
“Suit yourself.” Incrin murmured absently. He was already sinking into the scrolls and didn’t notice Tarth’s departure.
Chapter Twenty-One: Fulfilment
The languid sun did little to warm the Garoche Heights, even at this point in the summer. In a few more weeks of time, the temperatures would begin declining and the slowly melting glaciers would refreeze. It was unlikely that it would snow at this time yet there was always the chance for an early storm on the east facing slopes of the Garoche. Urake stepped out of the lead and let the next person break trail. He was untouched by the frigid air and unlike the rest, he had discovered a seemingly boundless energy that allowed him to forge onward for hours. He had to remember that the people following were not so gifted. When he wondered why, he sensed something akin to laughter. Urake glanced at the sword pommel sticking out of his belt. He considered hanging it on his back, but he knew that he would still be feeling for it every few moments. With it on his belt, the gesture was hardly noticeable.
The trail had been far easier to break once Kosovo had shown up. Aleest was delighted whilst almost everyone else was apprehensive at the giant white bear’s presence. Tusul was huffing and puffing, but he hadn’t uttered a single complaint since leaving Warton. Neither would he let anyone touch the large pack hanging on his back, let alone give it over to Aleest for the bear to carry. Even with Tusul’s addition, the party was considerably smaller than when Urake had traversed the mountain going in the other direction. Tusul had virtually demanded to be allowed to come along. Turana had boarded up the shop and moved to the Golden Thistle for Tusul’s absence. Emeck followed Tusul and shot a smile at Urake who grimly smiled back in acknowledgment.
They had spent several days longer in the Height than had earlier been anticipated. Emeck had volunteered to go ahead before they came out of the mountain at the same place they had the first time, but he had returned and said that there was an army down there and one none too friendly towards the rebels. Urake knew that they would have to cut over to Keom to be safe. It made for slower travel, but there was not anyone else up in the Heights along the route to hinder their movement. They had to remain high enough to avoid the beginnings of the glacier melt river that form part of Keom’s defenses. The detour was exhausting and had required a couple nights to be spent in snow caves carved out of the melting glaciers.
Oscarion was currently tied hand and foot with a blanket wrapped around him. Urake shot a displeased glance towards the bundle draped across Kosovo’s back in front of Aleest. The last of the sleeping potion had been used up hours ago. The lordling was bound to be waking soon. If they had been able to travel through the forest on the lower slopes, they would have been able to move much faster and would have been at Keom by now. Oscarion would have been securely in a cell and it wouldn’t matter, but if he woke up here in the Heights, they would have to deal with him in one way or another.
Urake flinched as he saw the blanket move. A moment later he relaxed. It was only the wind toying with the blanket edge. That was when he saw the boot twitch. Only a matter of minutes before the lordling would groggily begin struggling. Savoring the few minutes of blissful silence broken only by the crunching rotten snow beneath his boots, Urake caught up with Kosovo and walked alongside until Oscarion began waking in earnest. Catching a flailing foot, Urake yanked the lordling off Kosovo and jerked his head at Aleest who whispered something to the bear. A moment later and they were galloping through the snow