Read Online The Northern Approach by Jim Galford - Free Book Online Page B

army. Many good people die, as always happens in war. I have done this too many times and I wish to not watch more people die.”
    “You will have your army before we face the enemy directly,” offered On’esquin, flipping through the parchments and then smiling to himself as he tapped a page. “Help us and we’ll find a way to make this work out.”
    “Very good,” Yoska said, leaning back against the tree. “You two should sleep next shift. You keep me up very late, so I take first shift sleeping. I know, I know, Yoska is very interesting, but you must give him some time to rest as he has been stabbed very badly. Tomorrow we will talk about how I will win war for you, yes? Go to sleep and trust friendly gypsy to watch over you when you are defenseless.”
    Without another word, Yoska closed his eyes and began snoring, though Raeln was certain he was feigning sleep. The man reminded him of his deceased sister, pretending to sleep so she could sneak out after the rest of the family settled in…though unlike her, he was a mystery and incredibly dangerous if ignored.
    Three men against a hundred thousand undead and immortal Turessian leaders , Raeln thought as he sat down to rest. This had all the makings of a lost cause. Raeln wanted to object, to argue about even continuing this farce, but he really did not care. Getting himself killed trying to accomplish the impossible was a fine ending for him. He only hoped the others understood he had no expectation of living to see another winter and they would die with him if they continued with their plans.
     
    *
     
    Raeln had rested fitfully, unable to sleep and unable to relax and meditate as he once had during times when readiness had been required. Upon hearing On’esquin get to his feet, Raeln blinked wearily, his vision blurred and eyes stinging. Every morning seemed to be a struggle anymore.
    Yoska was already standing over Raeln, tapping his foot impatiently as Raeln looked up at him. The man’s side had been freshly coated with the mud mixture and he winced when he moved, but he handled himself well considering the wound Raeln had seen before it was covered. Most men would have been curled in a ball, waiting to die.
    Nearby, On’esquin had already gathered his belongings to begin traveling again. They had little among them, so it took Raeln only a few seconds to finish collecting things and stand up.
    “We don’t have enough food for the trip back to camp,” Raeln announced as he rubbed his eyes, trying to wake up. “I can probably find enough for a few days if we spend the rest of today hunting.”
    Walking over to kneel between Raeln and Yoska, On’esquin spread out a worn sheet of parchment covered with maps of nearby lands. The sheepskin was old, cracking and crumbling to dust in spots as he applied pressure to it, attempting to flatten it.
    “We are not going back to the camp, Raeln. We lost our other companions, so we will go on without them,” the orc explained, searching the mountains on the map with the tip of a large finger. He finally tapped a spot and kept his finger there. “I suggest a direct route, taking us north through Altisian lands and past, into the foothills and plains. That region is uninhabited, so once we get beyond the forces in Altis, we should make good time toward the city of Urlenna.”
    “Is no city by that name,” interjected Yoska, though he did not look at the map. Instead, he rubbed a torn scrap of blue silk between his thumb and first finger, glaring at it. “You know nothing of these lands, do you, old man?”
    On’esquin frowned, his tusks giving him a furious look despite Raeln knowing he was likely confused or disappointed instead. “Where would you have me go, gypsy?” he asked, motioning broadly at the map. “I’m guessing you have traveled more than either of us.”
    Taking a knee beside On’esquin, Yoska looked over the map and drew one of his knives. He tapped a spot a little north of where they stood.