The Free Trader of Warren Deep (Free Trader Series Book 1) by Craig Martelle Read Free Book Online Page B

his leg or body took longer to heal, that was fine. The Hawkoid needed his wings to fly.
    “I’m not sure we can make it to the woods this turn, but I know we won’t if we don’t get started. Which horse do you think you can best ride?”
    Skirill didn’t want to balance himself with his wings as that would prevent his wing from healing and maybe even set him back further. He settled for riding behind Braden with the human’s braid held tightly in his beak. His claws dug into the saddle as he stood a full head taller than the human. Braden held one arm back, helping the Hawkoid balance. G-War opened their mindlink just to share his ‘cat chuckling.
    “Don’t make me come back there and pet the good kitty!” Braden’s juvenile threat did nothing to dampen the ‘cat’s mirth. He could feel a rumble behind him as the Hawkoid’s massive chest heaved in laughter.  Braden really was outnumbered.
    He didn’t care that they looked a strange lot. He was happy that they covered a lot of ground on that turn. When they came to a thin creek, barely more than a trickle of water, they drank their fill then refilled the skins they had.
    They pushed forward into the early evening until they reached trees sprinkled outward from the woods. It was a perfect camp for their group. A little cover, woods close by for hunting, and the open plain where Skirill could freely fly.
    “I can ‘ly in the woods, you know. When ‘y wing is ‘etter.”
    “Of course you can,” Braden conceded. He stroked the Hawkoid’s feathers absently as he looked around where they might camp. No Crawlers. No signs of animals. “What do you think, G?”
    ‘Hungry,’ the ‘cat replied.
    “Would you look at that! Smoked venison right where we can get it at,” Braden replied sarcastically. “Unless, you might know where we can find something a little more fresh?”
    The ‘cat unfocused his eyes then shook his head. ‘No. Not tonight.’
    “Sorry Skirill. Maybe tomorrow.” He broke out the venison for the other two as he set up the camp. He hobbled the horses so they could graze. He gathered a small supply of firewood and prepared to light a fire.
    ‘No fire. Not tonight.’ Braden trusted the ‘cat implicitly. The ‘cat knew there was a threat out there somewhere. If the cost of being safe was sleeping without a fire, then the price was easily paid. They would look at things again with the sunrise. He was sure it would be better after a good night’s sleep.

 
    17 – ‘They come’
     
    It wasn’t. It wasn’t a good night’s sleep at all. And things didn’t look better.
    G-War tapped him awake when it was still quite dark.
    ‘Get ready. They come,’ the ‘cat said directly into Braden’s mind.
    “Ready for what, for who,” Braden whispered while trying to shake off the fog of sleep. He pulled on his long knife, put on his quiver, and readied his Rico Bow. It was dark, the moon either hadn’t risen yet or had already set. Braden didn’t know how long he’d been asleep. His brain wasn’t fully engaged yet.
    He was surprised at how hard it was to wake Skirill. A simple shaking wasn’t enough. Braden grew more vigorous as the moments passed, until the Hawkoid awoke with a start and drove his beak into Braden’s leather jacket. The human fell down with a crunch and loud “ow.”
    The ‘cat’s loud exasperation penetrated both their psyches. ‘They come for the horses. This way.’ G-War bounded off past the horses, expecting the others to follow him. Braden ran to get in between the horses and whatever ‘they’ were. Skirill hopped, rather awkwardly, then broke into a run, shooting past Braden. To better protect the horses, Braden grabbed them and pulled them back toward the tree under which they camped. They were hobbled, so it was tough getting them to move.
    As he was tying them off, he heard the scream of a Hillcat as it attacked something. The Hawkoid’s screech followed. His friends had joined the battle. A deep