Chapter 9

Pherein lay down exhausted from the efforts and stress of the day looking up at the inky darkness of night. Though bone-tired he was satisfied with what had transpired as he felt his efforts and sacrifices had been worth it. While he didn't understand what Professor Horsewood was doing, and at the core of it really didn't care, the excitement of the academic was infectious. He couldn't help but be drawn in. The compensation became far in the distance. In truth Pherein MacDiarmidson had never been interested in the gold, it had been merely a measure. But for a long time he'd felt much of what he'd been doing was of little value. He was nothing more than a base sellsword which not only grated on his sense of pride but his conscience as well.

No, something was stirring in the big Delorgan, something that had begun before he'd accepted the contract with Horsewood, and it felt good.

In the depths of Pherein's resting consciousness something else stirred- a sense of danger.

The seasoned warrior woke up in an instant, alert, with dirk in hand. A figure shrouded in darkness leaned over him, a dagger glinted in the light of the now partial moon.

Pherein reacted instinctively as the dagger started to plunge towards his chest. He rolled out of the way and swept his bigger dirk across the path of the attacker's blade, knocking it aside while at the same time coming across with an off-hand punch that connected with his attacker's temple. Caught unexpected and off balance, the assailant stumbled allowing Pherein to leap to his feet and pounce. The Delorgan quickly overpowered the attacker. He nimbly leapt and got on top. Pherein was about to plunge his own blade into the chest of the assailant, but something caused him to pause and look more carefully at the person who'd just tried to kill him.

It was Travis, the student assistant.

"Are you crazy? What are you doing?" Pherein demanded in stunned surprise.

"You stole my girl!" the burly student growled back, trying to get out of the fighter's grasp.

The Delorgan punched the struggling Travis in the temple then put his sharp blade at his throat.

"What's going on here?" Cony Farr demanded, long sword out as he responded to the commotion.

"That is what I'm trying to determine," Pherein responded calmly as Travis started to settle down. "This foolish lad tried to kill me in my sleep."

"You stole my girl!" Travis repeated angrily but this time he didn't try to get away.

"What? Fool! Cut his throat and drag him out for the beasts!" Farr declared angrily, who'd been patrolling the periphery and had never expected an attack from within.

"Let's find out more about this first, but away from the camp." Pherein declared, "no need to disturb the others. The fighter was fully dressed so got and quietly dragged the student away from the rest who lay asleep.

A short distance way and still confused by the unexpected turn of events, the Delorgan demanded, "Speak boy."

"You stole my girl," Travis said again but this time with less fire.

"What? Lauren?" Pherein answered, things becoming clearer. "I've not stolen her."

"She won't even talk to me anymore and only looks at you!" the student countered angrily.

"That's because you pushed her in front of the ghast, you damned fool," Farr countered. "Pherein saved her life."

"It wasn't my fault," Travis whined, "I was surprised and scared."

"Go back to your bedroll, boy, and go back to sleep," Pherein ordered, hauling the young blond-haired man to his feet.

"I will have vengeance," Travis protested.

That was enough for Pherein. He grabbed the student savagely and pulled him to his feet, dragging him farther away from camp. Satisfied they were far enough away he stuck his battle-scarred face into the students and snarled, "Listen you spoiled boy. I did not steal Lauren. She came to me after your cowardly act. I have not sought her; I've only talked to her. If you would get your head out of your arse you would see the only person to blame here for what is going on is you for your arrogance and cowardice. I should cut your throat, or worse, drive you out into the Dead Lands and let you fend for yourself."

A look of panic came over the student's face as Farr, the fighter, beamed in anticipation.

"But I won't, for the professor's sake and for Lauren's sake. But if you come near me in this manner again or speak to me like this, I will kill you."

Travis turned and slunk away, entirely humiliated by the experience.

"Yes, go back to sleep, little boy," Farr taunted the student, "pray this was only a nightmare."

The blond-haired youth quickened his pace to remove himself from the poorly thought-out scheme.

In her bedroll Lauren closed her eyes as she'd overheard all of it on the night air.

The next morning dawned overcast and the travelers quietly broke camp to begin the long trek back to Grantsbend as quickly as they could. It was obvious that Cony Farr had shared with Theme Winchell the story of Travis' foolish move the previous night. Professor Horsewood was oblivious to all of it, too engrossed in his discovery and already pouring over the treasure he'd discovered. Travis moved about quietly, head down, not making eye contact with anyone. Lauren stayed away from the boy and had tried to engage Pherein in conversation, but the fighter was in a sullen mood and busied himself with the tasks of breaking camp then rode off far ahead to scout as the rest of the exploration party left the ruin of the ancient temple.

The first day had gone by quickly and everyone relaxed visibly when they left the Dead Lands returning back to Latrellus. Yet there was still an underlying tension that permeated over the small party. They knew there was little threat to them anymore, especially when they passed a patrol of the King's Guard coming from the direction they were heading.

Still Pherein ranged ahead with the other two guards providing perimeter security. Professor Horsewood had already made some stunning discoveries in the manuscripts and was eager to share them. Lauren was interested in what he'd learned, very interested in fact, but her heart was becoming increasingly heavy as the Delorgan warrior stayed far ahead of them. She replayed in her mind the conversation with Pherein the previous night. She'd become increasingly intrigued by the fighter and now not just because he'd saved her life. There was something deep within the sometimes brusque warrior that she wanted to find out.

But how?

Travis' foolish attempt to attack Pherein in the night seemed to have burst whatever bubble she and the Delorgan had.

You stole my girl.

The phrase the husky student had repeated echoed in her mind. She wasn't his girl, but she'd allowed her fellow student to think that way and had carried on as such until they'd been attacked in the tomb by the ghasts. His declaration to Pherein only seemed to reinforce this idea. But she wasn't the person she had been, or so the thoughtful woman wanted to believe. Yet she'd liked the attention. And now, it seemed, this had caused the one she wanted to find more about to pull back.

Why though was she interested in the man?

She couldn't answer the question, if she was honest with herself. He was rugged, masculine and handsome to her but was that it? She didn't know and found herself becoming angry. The attractive chestnut brown-haired woman had always been able to attract attention from men but had never really let herself fall. Relationships were more something to study, like the texts Professor Horsewood continued to talk about obvious to the fact she no longer was listening. They were more of an exercise, or experience, rather than a surrender. The thoughtful woman tried to pull herself out of the spiral of negative thought, but the last few days had shaken her to the core of who she was. If she was honest, she really didn't like what she saw when she looked deep and reflectively at herself. Something was missing. Perhaps a near-death experience had brought it out in the eerie Dead Lands. Regardless, she wanted more out of life and instinctively felt that it involved the big Delorgan who now seemed to do everything he could to avoid her.

Pherein rode ahead, angry and looking for a fight. He wasn't quite sure why, but he knew he wanted to be away from people. The expedition with Professor Horsewood had gone well and all were coming out not only alive but with the treasure the academic had searched for. He'd been well compensated for an honorable job, his first in a while.

Yet there was something unsettling he couldn't shake.

You stole my girl.

The words of the foolish boy, Travis, echoed in his mind. He'd stolen nothing. Lauren had come to him to speak and there was nothing between them.

And that was the problem.

There was nothing. He'd allowed himself to think about the attractive woman with the engaging hazel eyes. Yet she was with another and probably was being nice to him out of a feeling of guilt. She was from a wealthy, good family from Latrellus. He was Delorgan. That was the end of it.

Storm Fury turned his head to look up, as if knowing what was on the troubled man's mind, giving a sympathetic whinny.

"Just you and me, Storm Fury," Pherein declared to himself, "as it should be."