Rise of the Warrior of Everfen

Chapter 40: Love Could Save Us All

Erinne was sitting at the base of Weeping Woman's Rock with Khash. She liked it here, away from the camp but still close. Bukoo was sprawled out in the grass nearby and she thought the animal must've sensed her and Cold Hammer's grief because he'd been quiet and stayed close to her. She almost swore he was ignoring his master intentionally some days, as if he was favoring her over him. Maybe he was, but she knew Cold Hammer would allow it because he liked the dire wolf close to her where he could protect her.

"Okay, what about this?" Khash scratched off another spot in the sand where they'd created a game of Battle in the dirt with rocks and sticks representing different pieces of their game. They'd been doing this off and on for a couple of days now. To his great despair, he hadn't brought along a real game board with pieces from Thunderfall, but he told her every day they played about how great it was, gold inlaid into the game pieces, colored tiles on the board.

"I think I'm going to raise the stakes," she moved one of her sticks that represented a knight to a different location.

Khash cursed and laughed, "I didn't see that one."

She laughed back. Khash had a proclivity for potions and magic, but he couldn't play this game to save his life even though he seemed to love it. Still, he was good company and she needed that right now. Away from the orcs and her mate as she struggled to find a peace within her mind. "You're going to have to do better than that, Khash."

"This right here is why I am only the magical advisor." He stated, stroking his chin as he tried to find a weakness.

She was about to giggle when a lump of fur strode between them, walking all over their game and Sheshal flopped into her lap, whining and wagging. "Sheshal!" She threw her arms around the direwolf's neck as a shadow fell over her. She tilted her head back and saw Lohke standing over her. As quickly as her excitement had risen to see the beautiful wolf, it tempered and began to dwindle.

She hadn't seen Lohke since she'd fled from her family home Broc'tannen. She missed him, but everything was different now. Her heart ached when she looked at the orcs. Not with fury, not with longing, but with a pain she couldn't even begin to name. She'd chosen Cold Hammer, but she grieved deep inside and she felt lost.

Lohke gave a short, sharp whistle and Sheshal growled and clambered away from her. Erinne gave a short sigh and rose to her feet and Khash rose with her, uncertainty etched on his face while Lohke's was carefully controlled.

Khash dipped his head respectfully, "You've returned safely, Great Chieftain."

"I have." He stated, words clipped. "May we have a moment?"

Khash didn't hesitate to agree and left the area surprisingly quickly. She could see Cold Hammer across the distance that separated them, watching. So Lohke had managed to find his best friend before coming to her. She wondered if he was surprised to find Cold Hammer free instead of chained secretly in the woods.

She focused on Lohke again, his eyes hooded. She was happy to see him, but she'd been distant with the orcs since returning. She'd stood with Cold Hammer in the trees after letting him go, but she'd yet to go near him since. She didn't even speak to him. Not a single word. She knew it hurt him when she didn't speak, but she'd lost her voice in her grief.

"I'm glad you're back," she finally told Lohke, trying to push thoughts of Cold Hammer aside, which was nearly impossible since he was the center of this whole conversation anyways. Him and her.

"I'm glad I didn't come back to find my best friend dead." He said sharply and she sighed and bowed her head before she felt his hand on her chin, pulling her eyes back up to meet his gaze. "Either of them." His words were sincere and she felt tears prick her eyes, "I was worried about you." She didn't know what she'd expected from him on his return, but the moment Lohke pulled her forward to hug her, she threw her arms around his neck, tears flooding her face, sobs seconds from breaking free. "Please stop running away when you're upset. I know you start feeling trapped, and after living in a cage for so long, I don't blame you for running, but please,"