Page 120 of Halfling
Orek pulled on a clean shirt and braies and then his boots and a jerkin, but he left behind his other leathers. It left him feeling strangely undressed, vulnerable, and his hand itched to strap at least his hatchet to his side. But this was her family home. There was no danger here.
And yet she was taken by slavers just outside her door.
He settled for his hunting knife, tucked safely in its sheath on his belt.
Grabbing Darrah, he quietly made his way from the room, down the hall past all the other closed doors. His steps were silent as he padded downstairs to the ground floor, finding it silent and still as well.
Although…
Shuffling and a frustrated grunt did make its way to him from deeper in the house.
He stood at the front door, unsure what to do. He’d meant to walk around the area again without so many human eyes, get his bearings and maybe find something for Darrah to eat so he wouldn’t be so ravenous at the table again. The scent of the forest and feel of the breeze on his skin was also tempting.
He was soon joined at the door by one of the siblings, the younger boy, Calum. He looked up in surprise when he saw Orek, eyes going wide as the many odd things he carried jostled in his arms.
Of all her siblings, this one looked the most like Sorcha. They shared the tight curls of brown hair, and unlike their other siblings who only had a few across their noses and cheeks, Calum and Sorcha both had freckles patterning their faces and chests.
The boy wasn’t quite a child anymore, too tall and rangy for that, but still not an adult. If his brothers and father were anything to go by, his shoulders still had some width to gain and he’d likely put on some more height.
“Oh. Good morning,” the boy said, blinking up at him with curiosity.
“Good morning.”
“Early riser, too?”
“Yes.”
“I understand from yesterday that you’re an experienced tracker,” he said, catching Orek off-guard.
“I am, yes.”
“Did you want to come with me?” He held up all the things he carried, an unwieldy array of books and tools and contraptions. “I’ve been doing studies on the wildlife down by the lake. I’ve found dawn to be the best time to observe. I’d value your input as a woodsman.”
It was Orek’s turn to blink in surprise.
Even in the gray dawn light, he could see when the boy’s cheeks started to stain pink. “I-I mean, if you don’t have something else to do…”
“All right.”
Earning his place here in Sorcha’s clan began with learning her family. He supposed one of the younger siblings was a good place to start. And he had wanted to get outside.
“Oh. Oh! Excellent! Well, follow me, then.”
With a big grin, the boy led Orek through the front door, out into a misty morning. He offered to carry some of Calum’s odd assortment of things and was gladly handed a few books and a collapsible fishing pole. He marveled at the contraption while Darrah hopped onto the boy’s shoulder and chittered, making Calum grin even bigger.
“Fascinating,” Calum said, bopping Darrah on the nose. “So, Orek of the Stone-Skin—what can you tell me about the migratory patterns of southern elk?”
Sorcha rolled to her back and luxuriated in a long stretch and jaw-cracking yawn. She flexed and popped her toes, skin sliding against the familiar softness of her bedding.
I’m home.
The thought was sweet as syrup, and she sighed in happiness. Hopefully today they would—
Eyes flying open, Sorcha sat up to find herself alone in her room. Just like every other time she’d woken here. Pulse throbbing, nausea threatened as she had the sickening thought—was it all just a dream?
Her fingers clenched into fists, and finally her disoriented mind caught up. One of Orek’s big furs was laid over her, and both their packs sat where he’d left them beside the bed. Darrah’s cushion was empty but still had the indent from his furry body.
Pressing her hand to her chest, she willed her frantic heart to slow down.Not a dream.
