Bloody blades of destiny

I didn't think things could get worse. We had lost half the bosk, the only reason the verr were just slightly stronger was cause they eat everything. The lack of water didn't effect them as strongly as the bosk. I would feed the verr peaches from my tree and that seemed enough to keep their thirst under control. We had lost three guards from Ar, and one of my Brother's men to fever, after we didn't have clean water to clean wounds over an attack from a wild sleens that came near the wagons. I would share what little water we were able to filter at a muddy stream with Alvis, but I could see him getting weaker also, as he slept many ahns during our travel. I think we attracted the sleen from setting the bodies of the bosk on fire.We tried to cook what we could, but we had no extra water to boil meat with to make it last longer. The only plus side was, we could see water. It was only a half a day's walk. I fought with the foolish lying merchant all night over not making the bosk pull it towards the water. They couldn't handle it. Even I was starting to feel tired and worse for wear also. We had lost five wagons, over stuffing the ones we have, which made no sense but he refused to leave any of his goods behind. We burned the Warriors in the wagons we left behind. We could handle this. Yes we could. Finally Big Red talked him into letting us walk to get the water. Me, her and the Bond's would walk with buckets to get water and bring it back for the bosk. Once we got them watered, we would be able to have them take us to the stream. I was so tired. I just crawled in the furs of the wagon, now shared by all the Free, the slaves slept under the wagon on furs.

I swear my head had just found the verr wool pillow when I heard the scream from under the wagon. The guards from Ar were on watch and there was only the sounds of falling bodies. The men were up and running out the wagon entrance. Me and Big Red just embraced each other as we listened. The sounds were horrible. Battle cries I had never heard before, the bellow of our Northern men, and the sound of beast snarling. Our little house sleens were growling by the wagon walls, I started to hum. Anything to block the sounds that made our hearts throb so deeply in our chest. It felt like ahn's before a gasp from both of us filled the air, that was only happiness when we saw the bloody axe push back the leather. Tunnuk nodded that all was clear, I could have kissed him. The deep set frown at his face told me, and stopped me from doing so. Something awful had happened. Big Red pushed past him running out to find her merchant. I had just lifted to my feet to walk out when I heard the screaming. My heart dropped. I knew what it meant. I didn't need to walk out to see, for my heart jumped into my throat causing it to stretch and burn. I had to fight for a breath and swallow it back down as each throb was so painful. I walked out and I could smell blood in the air. It had a mixture of salt from tears and flames being lit by the Northern men left to help keep an eye for anyone returning, and to see any sleen that might come as they would smell the fresh spill of blood also. I kissed Big Red on her salted cheek, but it was a time for silence. So nothing was expected to be said. There was work to do. The weeping Bond's knew the drill, as the silk slaves seem to coward by the wheels. I told them to fetch what water was left in bota's, even if droplets get what they could from the bottoms and put warmed mead in bowls also. Furs were laid across the ground near a fire, and we all carried the bodies to each fur. There was the Merchant, the rest of his four guards that were left, another of the Northern men, and two of the attackers. They were young. Barely men. I started on the young men after the girls had stripped them and wrapped the men in loin cloths, washing the wounds, and dirt from their bodies after the battle. Big Red was working on the Merchant, and the girls on the Warrior's. Once the bodies were clean, and wrapped tight in furs we slept outside by them. I snuggled against Big Red, just holding her tight, feeling her tears moisten my hair. I couldn't help but wish, tomorrow wouldn't come.