Page 38 of Camriel
Chapter Twenty-One
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CAMRIEL WOKE UP BEFOREdawn and headed to the lake.His breath frosted and ice coated the ground.“It’s going to snow soon,” he predicted.He stopped at the edge of the water and took in the quiet stillness.It was a beautiful spot, with plenty of fish and wildlife.He could see why the early settlers had chosen to build their home here.
Dawn arrived and the wan sun rose over the mountains.Cam tilted his head back to let the faint light shine on his face.The Void was a nowhere land without smell, sound or even a temperature.It was neutral in every way, including color.He never wanted to go back to it, even though he’d spent most of his time there in stasis.It would be better to simply fade away than to continue this farce of a life.
“I can’t screw things up with my cambion,” he said.“I have to convince her to bond with me.”He’d finished the latest romance book last night and had a few ideas of how to win her over.Now he just had to wait for her to arrive.
Amaros tugged on his mind to get his attention.Is everything alright,he asked.
I’m just getting some fresh air, boss,Camriel replied.
The females want to head to town when they get up,Amaros reminded him.
So, we’ve got a couple of hours to kill, then,Cam joked.We should do some hunting,he suggested.
Good idea,Amaros replied.I’ll bring some bows and arrows.
Camriel didn’t have to wait long for his commander to arrive.They went in search of deer and found a herd on the far side of the lake.Amaros killed a small doe with a single arrow.
“Nice,” Cam said in approval.“I’ll carry it closer to our base and start cutting it up.”
“I’ll grab containers to store the meat in,” Amaros said.
They returned to the other side of the lake and focused on their respective tasks.Cam washed his hands when he was done, glad he’d shoved his sleeves up so they didn’t become stained.“I really suck at skinning deer,” he said ruefully.
Amaros glanced at the ruined hide and other remains.“You’ll get better with practice,” he figured.
“Grace won’t be happy about eating Bambi’s mom again,” his second predicted.
“I know, but I’m sure she’d object to eating cute fluffy rabbits more,” Amaros pointed out.
The girls were up when they returned to the base.Camriel had disposed of the remains, so they wouldn’t draw predators closer.“We can cook the meat when we get back from our excursion,” he said, seeing the containers were stacked in the room next door to the kitchen.They were using it as a pantry.It was cold enough to preserve the meat for a while.
“We should take all three trucks,” Zoe said.She and Grace had eaten breakfast and were drinking coffee.
Grace handed a steaming mug to Amaros, who nodded his thanks.“We’ll need them all if we’re going to clear out the sporting goods store and other clothing stores in town,” he agreed.“I want to grab some fishing rods and more hunting gear as well,” he added.
“Can I drive?”the teen asked Zoe.
“Sure.I’ll man the radio and see if the Mad Prophet has anything to say,” the cambion replied.
“You should put some warmer clothes on, shorty,” Cam said to Grace.“Your tights aren’t going to keep you safe from the cold weather.”
“I’ve got it covered,” she said cheekily and hiked her thumb at the long black coat that lay over a folding chair.“That thing has a thermal lining.It’s warm enough for a snowstorm.
“I’ve got one, too,” Zoe said.“They’re awesome.”
The knights didn’t feel the cold as much, but they still wanted to be prepared for the worst that winter had to offer.
Backing their vehicles out from beneath the trees, Amaros took the lead.Grace went next and Camriel brought up the rear.Amaros didn’t want to draw attention by visiting the town too often, but it was unavoidable this time.They needed supplies with so many people due to arrive eventually.They were lucky so few humans were still living in the area.So far, the remaining townsfolk hadn’t looted much, apart from food.
There hadn’t been any new landslides or rockfalls during the journey.They pulled into the parking lot of the sporting goods store just over an hour later.Amaros made sure the rear of the truck faced the doors before he climbed out.Camriel and Grace copied him, parking in a neat row.The doors were still unlocked.Most of the gear they hadn’t taken yet was still there when they entered the store.
“Some of the weapons are missing,” Grace noted.
“Let’s take the rest,” Cam suggested.“There’s no point leaving anything for people who could turn out to be our enemies to use against us.”
