Read Online Tales of the Wolf: Book 01 - The Coming of the Wolf by A. E. McCullough - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: A. E. McCullough
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arms. “I’m hoping you choose the later of the two, it is the more entertaining choice.”
Blackfang swallowed hard once again but kept his voice level when answering. “Since she is meditating, we wouldn’t want to disturb her, so I will wait.”
Moving over to sit on a nearby bench, Blackfang tried to regain a measure of his injured pride. “Besides, she would never forgive me if I killed you. Good servants are so hard to come by.”
Darnac just smiled.
The deadly dark elf just pulled out a whetstone and began to hone an already razor sharp knife. However, the grating of the blade on stone was more entertaining than the silence and he knew it would irritate the Highlander.
Chapter 7
Nestled deep in the ravine with the hills and trees around them, the companions spent a relatively comfortable night. The air was brisk with a gentle breeze coming from the west as the sun cleared the eastern horizon. In the dim light of the morning sun, Hawkeye studied his companions. They were a motley crew at best.
Rjurik was showing his age and no matter what the old dwarf would say, yesterday’s flight had taxed his strength. However, Hawkeye knew that the dwarf wouldn’t quit on him as long as there was a breath left in his body. He was as solid as the stone his kin loved. Hawkeye also knew if it came to a battle, Rjurik’s hammer and shield would make a solid dent in whatever foe they faced.
Mortharona, the dark haired twin, was a mystery. He seemed more aloof than the other two elves and rarely spoke unless it was to offer a snide remark. Of course, he had suffered a major head injury and a broken shoulder which he bore without complaint. In Hawkeye’s eyes that was an admirable trait.
Khlekluëllin, the blue haired twin, was his brother’s opposite. He was friendly, inquisitive and non-judgmental. He seemed to be the rock the other two leaned on and the overriding voice of reason of the siblings.
As Hawkeye’s gaze reached Tatianna, he paused to study her lithe body. Tatianna had rolled over onto her side in her sleep, hiding the bandages on her left cheek. She hadn’t spoken to anyone as far as he knew about what had happened to her at the Shrine.
Although he hadn’t seen it, he could read the signs they had left behind. Besides, he knew what despicable acts Blackfang was capable of committing. Judging from her actions, Hawkeye figured Tatianna felt self conscious about her wounds. Yet he found her more than beautiful, not in spite of her wounds but because of them. She had not let her injuries dampen her fiery spirit or even voiced a single complaint throughout their flight north.
With the coming of the dawn, Hawkeye roused his companions, starting with Rjurik. Tapping the old dwarf’s boot he said, “Time to rise sleepy head.”
“Hurmph,” snorted Rjurik. “Me thinks I found da hardest rock in da area ta sleep on last night.”
Stirring at the dwarf’s complaints, Khlekluëllin rolled over. “Impossible master dwarf. That honor goes to the patch of ground I am currently lying on.”
Without opening his eyes Morthrona added, “I’m not sure how anyone slept with the way that old dwarf snores!”
“I do not snore!”
Tatianna giggled as she sat up. “Yes Rjurik, you do.” Seeing that the old dwarf was about to explode she added, “But it’s not as bad as Mortharona says.”
Turning her head slightly, she noticed that Hawkeye was watching her and she felt the irresistible urge to stretch. Arching her back a bit more than normal, she grinned as Hawkeye quickly turned his gaze away.
‘Dammit Tatianna,’ she thought, ‘You’re a shameless flirt.’
Reaching into his pack, Rjurik pulled out a bundle of dried meat. Taking a large hunk, he passed it to Mortharona. With a distasteful look, he took a much smaller piece before passing it on to his brother. Khlekluëllin didn’t even hesitate before grabbing a large piece and passed it to Tatianna.
She took the offered parcel but looked up at
Blackfang swallowed hard once again but kept his voice level when answering. “Since she is meditating, we wouldn’t want to disturb her, so I will wait.”
Moving over to sit on a nearby bench, Blackfang tried to regain a measure of his injured pride. “Besides, she would never forgive me if I killed you. Good servants are so hard to come by.”
Darnac just smiled.
The deadly dark elf just pulled out a whetstone and began to hone an already razor sharp knife. However, the grating of the blade on stone was more entertaining than the silence and he knew it would irritate the Highlander.
Chapter 7
Nestled deep in the ravine with the hills and trees around them, the companions spent a relatively comfortable night. The air was brisk with a gentle breeze coming from the west as the sun cleared the eastern horizon. In the dim light of the morning sun, Hawkeye studied his companions. They were a motley crew at best.
Rjurik was showing his age and no matter what the old dwarf would say, yesterday’s flight had taxed his strength. However, Hawkeye knew that the dwarf wouldn’t quit on him as long as there was a breath left in his body. He was as solid as the stone his kin loved. Hawkeye also knew if it came to a battle, Rjurik’s hammer and shield would make a solid dent in whatever foe they faced.
Mortharona, the dark haired twin, was a mystery. He seemed more aloof than the other two elves and rarely spoke unless it was to offer a snide remark. Of course, he had suffered a major head injury and a broken shoulder which he bore without complaint. In Hawkeye’s eyes that was an admirable trait.
Khlekluëllin, the blue haired twin, was his brother’s opposite. He was friendly, inquisitive and non-judgmental. He seemed to be the rock the other two leaned on and the overriding voice of reason of the siblings.
As Hawkeye’s gaze reached Tatianna, he paused to study her lithe body. Tatianna had rolled over onto her side in her sleep, hiding the bandages on her left cheek. She hadn’t spoken to anyone as far as he knew about what had happened to her at the Shrine.
Although he hadn’t seen it, he could read the signs they had left behind. Besides, he knew what despicable acts Blackfang was capable of committing. Judging from her actions, Hawkeye figured Tatianna felt self conscious about her wounds. Yet he found her more than beautiful, not in spite of her wounds but because of them. She had not let her injuries dampen her fiery spirit or even voiced a single complaint throughout their flight north.
With the coming of the dawn, Hawkeye roused his companions, starting with Rjurik. Tapping the old dwarf’s boot he said, “Time to rise sleepy head.”
“Hurmph,” snorted Rjurik. “Me thinks I found da hardest rock in da area ta sleep on last night.”
Stirring at the dwarf’s complaints, Khlekluëllin rolled over. “Impossible master dwarf. That honor goes to the patch of ground I am currently lying on.”
Without opening his eyes Morthrona added, “I’m not sure how anyone slept with the way that old dwarf snores!”
“I do not snore!”
Tatianna giggled as she sat up. “Yes Rjurik, you do.” Seeing that the old dwarf was about to explode she added, “But it’s not as bad as Mortharona says.”
Turning her head slightly, she noticed that Hawkeye was watching her and she felt the irresistible urge to stretch. Arching her back a bit more than normal, she grinned as Hawkeye quickly turned his gaze away.
‘Dammit Tatianna,’ she thought, ‘You’re a shameless flirt.’
Reaching into his pack, Rjurik pulled out a bundle of dried meat. Taking a large hunk, he passed it to Mortharona. With a distasteful look, he took a much smaller piece before passing it on to his brother. Khlekluëllin didn’t even hesitate before grabbing a large piece and passed it to Tatianna.
She took the offered parcel but looked up at
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