Rise of the Warrior of Everfen

Chapter 53: Thieves

"No, no, no, spit that out!" Erinne sprinted across the room and reached into Andol's tiny mouth and yanked out the small brown stick he'd just stuffed inside it. He nipped at her with his tusks and growled. "Don't growl at me, Mister!" She snapped and swatted his rump. The moment she did his eyes narrowed, his lip puckered out, and he turned to look at Cold Hammer.

"Don't look at me." He chuckled. "I already learned not to growl at your Mama." No sooner had Cold Hammer finished then Andol shrieked loud, big tears rolling down his face. His father laughed and she met his gaze. "I think we have our hands full."

She laughed back, "Not even a year old and he already challenges us."

"He may give Lohke a run for his money."

"Great Chieftain, son of Tekhana and Sheobulf."

"Ha," he stood up and walked across the room. Andol's tears ceased and he held his hands up towards Cold Hammer and he lifted him easily while Erinne held up the stick he'd tried to swallow.

"No one warned me that babies try to eat everything."

"That they do." Cold Hammer stooped to pick up Andol's wooden direwolf that was getting teeth marks in it. "If you keep chewing on this we're going to have to take it away." Andol made a rude noise as if he could understand every word spoken to him and she smiled with amusement, but rolled the stick around in her hand.

She still hadn't told Cold Hammer that the ancestors had told her she'd lose her son. While Duran's words made her days easier, she still worried for Andol. Daily. Hourly. Every minute. Her dreams of the place with red fog didn't help keep her calm, but they were occurring less often now. Cold Hammer told her they were just that, dreams. Worries and fears. He said it was probably because of her near death experience. He didn't know her deeper fears for Andol's safety.

"Hey." Cold Hammer grabbed her shoulder, Andol in his other arm. He could sit up now and made all sorts of noises. "Stop fretting so much, he's fine."

"Mmmhmm," she smiled and hoped he didn't see how much worry and fear was actually there as he carried on past her. If he knew the burden she carried...she would never curse him with that knowledge, especially given he carried his own curse, terrified of the harm he might bring with one swing of his hammer.

As Cold Hammer reached Andol's crib, he laid him in it, dancing the direwolf in front of him, repeating the word for Andol to learn. She had to admit, despite her fears, life was peaceful now. She was content here with Cold Hammer, raising their son. It wasn't simpler though, raising a family never was. She worried about every little thing, about the future, about the mayhem and her mate's hopes and fears.

At night, she laid awake sometimes wondering about useless scenarios that she prayed never happened, like what would happen to Andol if she and Cold Hammer died on one of their peacekeeping trips. Peace was a fragile thing and they left often to keep matters smooth and easy between orcs and humans.

As she'd promised, the moment she was well and able, she'd gone with him to help keep the peace. Whether here in orc territory or near the border, each time Lohke called, they both went.

"Hey," Cold Hammer grabbed her under her chin this time, turning her face to look at him. "Stop. You worry too much, my love." He kissed her cheek and his hand trailed down her arm, encircling her wrist before he led her towards the crib. It was mildly amusing to her that her serious, somber mate was so much more relaxed since their child had been born. He seemed to be learning to enjoy the simpler things in life. He was at ease, happy with his life. She was happy, too...until she thought about the ancestor's words or another dream intruded on her life.