
Chapter Fifteen
"Mum? Can I go?" The question echoed around in Cassandras mind as she slept that night. Earlier that morning, she had received a letter from Oberjarl Erak, who was an old friend to her ever since he saved her life when she and Will were only sixteen years old. He was explaining Hallasholms current state and how they needed help to get her up and running again. The local Ranger there, MJ, requested the help of several rangers to make sure all of the Arridan soliders were gone, and that the country was safe again.
"Cassie?" Horace whispered. It was dark in the room, but she turned to face her husband, feeling his warm breath on her face.
"What is it?" She asked. He shifted in their bed so he was propped up on one elbow.
"This might be good for her. She is an adult now after all." Horace said. Normally, he rarely ever disagreed with her when it came to their daughter, Maddie. But he seemed determined now.
"Horace, it's too dangerous." Cassandra sighed. Horace smirked at her.
"I think you have forgotten she's a full fledged ranger. She's old enough to make her own decisions. I mean look at Abby! She's married and has two strong willed young men for sons!" Horace said. Maddie was quite furious with Cassandra that morning when she refused to send her to Skandia. Erak had requested help, but Cassandra didn't need to put her own daughter at risk.
"I worry about her. She doesn't look out for herself enough." Horace took her hands in his own and kissed her palms lightly.
"You worry too much. Besides, she'll have Will and Halt to look out for her. Some old Former mentor apprentice bonding time!" He said gleefully. Cassandra rolled her eyes.
"You can be such a child sometimes Horace." She scoffed. He grinned and kissed her lips softly.
"And you love it."
***
The next morning, Maddie was ecstatic when her mother finally caved in. Her uncle Will and her uncle Halt were already at Castle Araluen, so the three of them left on a cargo ship full of supplies heading to the aide of the Skandians. Though Maddie loved the thrill of being able to help, she wasn't too fond of ships. A trait she inherited from her surrogate great uncle, Halt. She and Halt weren't blood related really, but she felt better about getting sick over the edge when she had someone to blame.
"Is everyone we know alright?" Maddie asked Will. He nodded slightly as he leaned up against the port side rail.
"Yes. MJ reported to me and said that they were all fine. Just shaken up a bit." He said. Maddie let out a snort.
"Skandians? Shaken up? There is nothing I have ever encountered that a Skandian has ever been afraid of!" She laughed. Will glared at her.
"Their whole life is gone, Maddie. Their village has vanished. The place they grew up. How would you react if castle Araluen was burned down? You'd be lost." Halt said dully. Maddie's smile dropped as she realized the truth in his statement.
"But they'll build it back up." Maddie said confidently. Will let out a sigh.
"But something can never be retrieved. People lost their mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, siblings, and they can't be rebuilt or replaced."
***
Most of the smoke had died down, so most of the refugees, with the exception of the injured, walked through the remains of their homes. Willy walked along side Abby and Jesper as they shifted through the rubble of their home. MJ was reluctantly walking through the rest of the town, making sure everyone was safe, and there were no more stray Arridans. He had put up a fight eariler that morning over leaving Lynn. She had yet to wake up, and it has been several days since she had been hurt. MJ wanted to be there when she woke, but knowing their family's luck, she'd wake when he wasn't there.
"What exactly are we looking for?" Willy asked irritably. Abby glared at him.
"Anything that might have survived." She said. Willy rolled his eyes, unseen by his mother. She had refused to allow him to stray ten metres from her side ever since Lynn came back injured. It was extremely unlikely that they would find anything. They had already been searching for an hour, so he was getting very tired of doing nothing. He was relieved when Emmy came running out, clutching tightly to Ash.
"Willy!" She yelled as she approached. "The ship is here. My uncle says to round up the crew and meet them." Willy glanced at his mother, who glared at Emmy.
"Can't you go without him?" She asked.
"Mam!" He growled in disbelief. "It's my ship! My crew!" He scoffed. Jesper placed a hand on Abby's shoulder.
"Let him go, Ab." He whispered to her. She let out a long sigh before continuing her search throughout the rubble. Willy ran over to where Emmy stood and grabbed her hand. The two of them rounded up the crew and they ran to Bearclaw creek.
The crew was on board getting everything prepared to sail when Bente approached them. Emmy was the only one unoccupied, so she climbed down the ladder to meet the other Skandian girl on the beach.
"I'm coming with Willy." Bente said. Emmy held on tighter to the small kitten in her arms.
"You'll have to talk to Willy about it. I'm not sure he'll approve." She said. Bente glared at her.
"You can't make calls for him." She sneered.
"I'm his girlfriend. I think I acctually can." Emmy retorted. Anger flared in Bente's eyes as she glared at Emmy.
"Not for long." She threatened before she turned around and returned to desolated town.
***
Little contention there between Emmy and Bente...So anyway! Since I might not have another chapter published by Thursday, I want to say merry early Christmas! Or Hanukkah, or whatever else some other people might celabrate... So yeah. Comment and Vote please! I love the feed back from your guys and gals comments. Love you all! You guys are the reason I've come this far!
~Avis
Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: Truyen247.Pro