Buy the full book at www.halcyonchronicles.com
The Praetorian
Part 8
He was still holding the grimal claw when he returned to his quarters. He was about to disarm when he noticed a note lying on his pillow summoning him to the east watch tower immediately. He sighed, removed his weapons, rubbed his eyes and left.
The way up to the tower was long and strenuous on the best of days, but for Duncan, every step left a burning sensation in his legs. The doctor was right. He needed to rest. Soon, he promised himself. After this Godforsaken meeting. It was approaching late afternoon and the sun was beginning to set. The temperature was dropping. Duncan’s impatience was rising.
He entered the foot of the tower and stared at the long ascent he had yet to make. He estimated that it had to be at least a dozen stories high, though for all he cared it might just as well have been a hundred. Every step reminded him of his promise to seek rest, and his body ached even more as he continued the climb. Why was he hurting so much? He had passed endurance tests as a cadet (never mind what he went through as a Praetorian!) which were far worse than this. Why did his body protest now?
Duncan felt physically and emotionally defeated. He still believed in the Praetorship’s integrity, but now there was a scratch on the Keep’s armor. Its emblem was tarnished. Perhaps if he’d done more to convince Wallace of his errors, Duncan wouldn’t be here now and seven hundred Praetorians wouldn’t have fallen. He berated himself for thinking such thoughts. He wasn’t angry with himself. Duncan was angry with his marshal. Wallace’s illustrious career was soon to be recorded as having ended with the most astounding loss in the organization’s history.
Damn you, Wallace, cursed Duncan. Why do I have to be the one to tell the world about your dishonor?
Duncan finally reached the top. The parapet was about four meters square and afforded a spectacular view of the craggy surroundings. Duncan wasn’t in the mood for sightseeing, though. He sat down heavily with his back against a crenel.
The two scouts on duty watched his arrival and noticed his rank insignia. “Sir, is there something we can—”
“No, private, thank you,” groaned Duncan, “I’m just here to meet someone. I’ll be fine. Return to your watch.”
They glanced at a third person before complying. Duncan followed their line of sight with his eyes half-shut. He hadn’t noticed the presence of this one when he got here. The stranger approached him. A long fur cloak hid an attractive, athletic figure. The stranger was Duncan’s height with long dark hair and oak-brown eyes.
The captain felt himself drifting off to sleep. He needed to get back to his quarters!
“Get up, Praetorian!” The woman’s voice was sweet but commanding. The scouts looked at each other in dismay. Praetorians generally didn’t allow themselves to be addressed in such a fashion. Then again, strange rumors were circulating about the Praetorship lately.
The voice sounded oddly familiar to Duncan. He opened his eyes and stared at the woman’s face. His eyes widened and he smiled. “What are you doing here?”
She grinned back. “What do you think?”
He glanced at the scouts who were pretending not to hear. “You’re trying to embarrass me,” he mumbled.
Jarren Entigen chuckled and knelt beside him. She jerked his chin up and kissed him. Duncan lifted his hand and stroked the back of her head. She pulled back after a moment and put his face in her hands. The impish grin returned.
“That was awful. I think I scraped my chin on your stubble.”
“I can’t help it. I’ve been in the field for weeks and—”
“And you couldn’t bring a razor?”
Duncan leaned his head against the side of the parapet and stared at her with a futile expression. “You enjoy doing this to me, don’t you?”
Jarren held his hands in hers and nodded. “Isn’t love wonderful?”
She pulled him up to his feet and they embraced. They held each other closely and kissed again for what seemed to Duncan to be an eternity. The scouts looked away jealously, wondering why they never joined the Praetorship.
Stay tuned for the next chapter…
Buy Harbinger’s End: Herald in print or ebook for maps, extra material and a preview of Harbinger’s End: The Time of Meeting.
