Page 62 of Warrior of the Wild
I take care of my morning needs as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, it’s not any easier to squat in the woods than it was yesterday. Walking, at least, seems more doable. My mind and muscles appear to have finally gotten the rest they so desperately needed.
Once I return back to the tree, Iric has joined Soren at its base. It would seem that I once again have interrupted a conversation, likely about me.
“I thought you were trying to get more sleep,” I say.
“I was, but you’ve woken me up all the way. Falling back asleep is impossible now. You are not on my list of favorite people for today.”
“Sorry, Iric,” I say. “And I’m sorry about yesterday. Everything I said to you was unfair and rude. You’ve done me a great service, andI’m doing a poor job of thanking you for it. What can I do to help this morning with the chores?”
Soren looks to Iric and smiles, as though he just won the argument they were having before I showed up.
Iric straightens. “I’m heading to my forge this morning. You could come with me.”
“I’d like that.”
“Or,” Soren hastily adds, “you could come with me to check the traps for meat.”
I look from one boy to the next. Are they really making me choose?
“I’ll go with Iric,” I say. He’s the one I need to warm up to me.
Iric says, “Oh, don’t be so obvious, Soren.”
I find the second boy with his shoulders slumped, but he quickly rights them at Iric’s words and glares at him.
“All right, then,” Iric says. “This way, Raz. Mind the traps.”
Iric takes me down yet another trail. A group of Iric’s metal traps line the front, guarding the tree house from ziken, I realize. I leap over them and grunt from the pain that lances up my middle from the impact.
“Raz?” I ask when we’re out of Soren’s hearing.
“Your name is a mouthful. I’m shortening it.”
“And should I call youI?”
“That just sounds stupid.”
“AndRazdoesn’t?”
“Well, the name should fit the person.”
“Is that supposed to be funny?”
His shoulders shake the smallest bit as I watch his back. He’s laughing silently. “I thought it was.”
“You don’t like me,” I observe.
“That’s not true. I insult everyone. Don’t take it so personally.”
“Tell me, Iric, are you letting me tag along because you want me to ooh and aah over your forge or is this some master plan to keep me from Soren and prevent our inevitable romance?” I remember what the boys argued over yesterday. I wonder if today’s argument was over the same topic.
“Both. Now be sure to step over this trap here on the trail.”
I cease talking long enough to veer around the trap, not letting any metal touch me.
“You needn’t worry,” I continue. “I have no interest in Soren that way. Romance is the furthest thing from my mind out here.”
“The longer you are away from home, the lonelier you will get. Soren’s been here a year and now look at him. He’s practically throwing himself at your feet.”
