Page 23

C asimir joined Jorrar across the table from Quinn and Raine, watching them shovel breakfast into their mouths in the tavern. He reached across the table and served himself roasted pork and fried eggs, topping it with a thick brown sauce and set his plate down in front of him.

Sugha had spoiled them, ordering her cooks to make the largest breakfast feast as a thank you for saving her daughter and grandchildren.

She had placed platters of meats, eggs, grits, berries and pastries in front of the four of them, insisting they eat as much as they liked.

He took a sip of tea, steeped from local herbs Sugha grew herself in the garden behind her tavern, and sighed at the warmth.

He absolutely loved tea. There was a small tea house back home that had every flavor you could imagine and he missed it. Couldn’t wait to get home and sample their concoctions while he watched the animals visit the stream outside the window.

Home. He was ready to be back in the city.

Though he took his role as general seriously and would do anything to protect his kingdom, he often longed for the quiet of Mosshaven.

A simple life. That’s what he ultimately sought.

Maybe after the war was over he’d find it.

What he wouldn’t give to sip tea by the fire while he read his favorite book without the fear of his home being destroyed.

Perhaps he’d have a partner to share it with too. Someday.

But for now, he would focus on assuring the safety of his people against the daemon queen.

Casimir turned his attention back to his two captains across from him. “Do you know how disgusting the both of you look? It wouldn’t hurt you to eat more… civilized.”

Raine raised an eyebrow. “Like you’re one to talk. You’re so full of grunts, growls and body hair, I’m surprised you haven’t turned into an animal by this point,” he said through a mouthful of honeyed grits.

Casimir grunted as he raised his fork to his mouth and dug in.

“See?” Raine pointed at him with his spoon.

Quinn laughed, setting down her tea. “There’s a reason your nickname is The Bear, Cas. And it’s not because of Aro.”

“It is because of the bear,” he retorted, ripping into a pastry.

“Sure,” Raine said.

“Any word from Thorne?” Casimir asked, changing the subject and looking at Jorrar from the corner of his eye.

He shook his head. “Not yet, but I suspect we shall hear something soon. Percy should return any day now.”

“We need to come up with a plan,” Raine said, taking a drink of his tea.

“We follow the king’s orders,” Casimir responded. “We rest here a few days longer while we wait.”

“We should talk about last night,” said Quinn.

“Like how Cas almost wet his pants at the sight of those creatures?” said Raine.

Casimir tilted his head with predatory grace. “Just like you almost did the first time we visited Nelida?”

Jorrar and Quinn burst out laughing as Raine looked incredulously at Casimir. “That wood nymph is utterly terrifying! I don’t care if she can see the future or whatever, she gives me the creeps. Besides, I was young then.” He brushed his hair behind his shoulder.

“Sure,” said Cas, taking a bite of eggs, a smirk on his face.

Quinn piped up after a moment. “What were those things? I’ve never seen anything like that before.”

“I have no idea,” replied Casimir. “I assume they’re some sort of creatures of Deidamia’s. Whether they were created or came over from her homelands, I don’t know.”

“They were really fucking hard to kill,” said Raine.

Jorrar nodded. “Indeed, they were. And I fear it won’t be the last time we see them.”

“You’re probably right,” said Casimir. “We need to send for some extra guards to patrol the towns. Where there are three, there are likely more.”

They finished breakfast and decided to take a walk through town, speaking with the guards and explaining the best strategies to use should more of those insects appear.

It seemed luring them to the ground in some way and trapping them was the most efficient, though once they figured out what they were trying to do, they didn’t fall for it as quickly.

Not only fast, they were smart, and this concerned Casimir a great deal.

They walked through the shops and Casimir sat down on a bench next to Raine while Jorrar and Quinn went inside to talk to the fletcher about the possibility of stronger or faster arrows.

Should they encounter those beings again, they’d need them.

None of the others could rise into the air like him and he didn’t want to have to use that magic any more than necessary.

“You saw her again last night, didn’t you?” asked Raine carefully, his usual humor gone.

Casimir nodded, staying silent.

Raine placed his hand on Casimir’s knee. “Her death wasn’t your fault, you know. You were just a child. ”

Casimir turned to his best friend. “I know that. But it will never stop haunting me.”

“We all have things that haunt us. Quinn deals with it by pretending she hates everyone. Jorrar deals with it by being overly nice and helping others. I deal with it by being an insufferable rogue. And you deal with it by being a brooding, grumpy asshole, and beating yourself up over every perceived misstep. By taking responsibility for everything when it’s not your job. ”

Casimir looked at him. “I’m the general. It is my job.”

Raine rolled his eyes. “We just need to get you laid. That will bring a smile to your face. When was the last time you had some beautiful thing in your bed?”

“That isn’t the answer to everything, Raine. That stuff doesn’t matter anymore.”

“What stuff?”

“Sex. Companionship…” He paused. “It’s just a distraction.”

“A distraction from what?”

“From this war that’s about to erupt,” he insisted, eyes boring into his friend’s.

“I know,” Raine said. “But there’s nothing wrong with having a little fun.”

“Fun?” Casimir tilted his head. “Is that what that was last night when I saw three orcs leave your room disheveled and smiling?”

“Exactly.” Raine grinned widely. “You should try it some time.”

They were interrupted by a faint hooting in the distance.

Raine stood. “Looks like Percy’s back.”

Jorrar and Quinn stepped out of the shop in time for the owl to swoop down and land on the back of the bench next to Casimir. Percy ruffled his feathers and softly hooted at his companion. Jorrar tilted his head, listening to the information the owl had brought with him .

“He has news from Thorne,” he informed them. “The rumors about the human are true. All the animals are speaking of it.”

Quinn gasped. “Seriously? What does that mean for us? What does he want us to do?”

“They have the human woman. It sounds like she’s their prisoner. Thorne wants us to start scouting the lands in between Monterre and their largest army camp. Not get too close but see if we can gather any intelligence from the creatures of the nearby forest.”

“Well, alright then,” said Raine. “I was kind of hoping he’d tell us to come home, but who’s up for a little adventure?”

“Only if I get a tent to myself,” grumbled Quinn. “I’m sick of listening to Raine mumble in his sleep all night.”

“Oh, thank The Mother. I’ll finally be free of your incessant snoring,” he replied, a twinkle in his eye.

“I do not snore,” she bit back, shoving him. “Right, Cas?”

“I’m not answering that,” he remarked as he led his friends back to the tavern. “We need to gather our supplies and move out.”

Quinn scoffed behind him as Raine laughed and continued to taunt her. The four warriors made their way back to their rooms above the tavern at the inn and began to pack, preparing for their next mission.

“I hope we don’t run into any more of those horrid insects,” said Raine. “Their black blood was impossible to wash out of my hair.”