Page 33 of Warrior of the Wild
“Iric was so hungry. We’d run out of food the previous day, andI didn’t know what else to do. I tried many things that day. In small quantities. I recommend avoiding the indigo-colored berries and the dark purple fruit. I won’t scar your ears by telling you what happened when I tried those.”
Apparently, putting himself in harm’s way is something Soren excels at. “And I suppose you volunteered to taste everything in your path while Iric merely watched?” I ask.
Soren just shrugs.
OddI decide is the best word. This boy is very odd.
“Thank you for the berries,” I tell him.
“You are brave and wondrous with an ax,” Soren says. “May the goddess grant you rest in her Paradise in the next life.”
I force myself not to react to the words. I’d thought the two boys didn’t believe in the goddess, but it would appear I was wrong. At least where Soren is concerned.
I nod, both a dismissal and my own show of gratitude.
Then I turn back to the tree in front of me. Grabbing a long and pointed rock from the ground, I press it to the bark firmly and scrape a line at an angle.
“What are you doing?”
I jump slightly. Soren’s voice is close, and I hadn’t heard him come up behind me. I assumed he would have taken my hint and left.
I face him, not bothering to hide my irritation this time. “Look, I appreciate the food. It was a kind gesture, but I have work to do. And it’s really none of your business what I do with my time.”
Soren looks perplexed. “You… want to be left alone?”
“Yes.”
He’s taken aback. “It’s safer out here if we stick together. Theonly reason Iric and I have survived this long is because we have each other. Our shelter is plenty big for three people. The ziken can’t climb. We’re safe from them. Your fort is truly impressive, but if any beast discovers you’re sleeping inside, it won’t take much for them to break through. Especially the gunda.”
I roll my eyes but don’t bother telling him the gunda isn’t real. It’s not worth the energy. Instead I demand, “Why are you concerning yourself with my safety?” I don’t like at all the way he’s showing so much interest in what I do.
“Because I’m gallant and chivalrous.”
I stare at him.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Are youflirtingwith me?”
He grins. “I just think it should be pointed out that you’re a fierce warrior woman and I’m a fierce warrior man, so we should spend some time together.”
I cock my head to the side. “I found you broken and bleeding on the ground.”
“I was… having an off day. Give it time, you’ll see what I’m really like.”
“I have no interest in seeinganymore of you.” I wave a hand up and down his profile with the words, which I hope makes all meanings of the phrase perfectly clear.
Soren stands there for a moment, as though he doesn’t know what to do next.
“The road is that way.” I point in the direction I intend for him to go.
I turn back to the tree.
“All right. You want to be left alone. I understand.”
I let out a sigh of relief.
“But there’s a problem,” Soren says. “You see, you saved my life. Now it belongs to you. I owe you a life debt. From now until I draw my last breath, I am your man.”
