Lorik The Defender (The Lorik Trilogy) Read Online Free PDF Page A

it.”
    “You’re the only one who can be everything Vera needs,” Lorik said. “I don’t think the way you feel is unreasonable.”
    “But it’s not rational either.”
    “Nothing about this situation is rational,” Lorik said. “Not me, not the creatures we’re fighting, not even the way any of us are thinking. But we’re facing it, as honestly as I think we can. There’s nothing more a man can do than that.”
    “I could run,” Stone said honestly, looking into Lorik’s eyes so that his friend knew that he was seriously contemplating what he was saying. “I could take her and get the hell out of here. We could go north, to Baskla or even the Highlands. We could find a place to hide, a place where she would be safe and I could defend her. Out here, we’re so exposed, anything could happen.”
    “You could,” Lorik said. “I wouldn’t blame you or even try to stop you. You’ve given more of yourself than anyone could expect. I would miss you both, but if you feel like that is the best thing for you to do, you should do it.”
    Stone shook his head. “You think I should?”
    “I think you’re fooling yourself,” Lorik said. “There is no place to hide. If we die here, perhaps it will mean something, but ultimately we’ll all have to face this danger, if it is as bad as the wizard predicted. And if it isn’t, then you’re just as well off here with us. I don’t think running and hiding would be good for you or for Vera, but I understand the desire.”
    “But what if we stay and we’re overrun?” Stone said. “I was helpless against the Norsik when they overran our camp. I had to send Vera away and then I wasn’t any use to anyone. I killed some of them, and managed to survive, but that was all.”
    “You did more than survive,” Lorik said. “You followed the raiders and took the fight to them.”
    “I couldn’t have done it without you,” Stone said.
    “And I couldn’t have done it without you.”
    “That’s where you’re wrong. You didn’t need me. You were like some warrior from the old stories. You could have fought an entire army.”
    “No,” Lorik said. “I would have died fighting the Norsik if the wizard hadn’t saved me when he did.”
    “I don’t know about that,” Stone countered. “You were like a force of nature.”
    “I’m stronger with you beside me,” Lorik replied.
    They walked through the afternoon and eventually made camp for the night. The sprawling group took shelter near an abandoned village. Enough food and ale was found to feed the large group. Fires were kindled and everyone settled down for the night. Lorik found himself on watch once again. The moon was visible in the sky, but it was little more than a sliver. Lorik listened to the sounds of insects and night creatures as the noise from the camp finally settled down.
    There were other men from Lorik’s volunteers standing watch around the large group. Stone would come and relieve Lorik halfway through the night. Everything that could be taken care of in regard to the large group of refugees was being done, but Lorik was nervous. He feared what might happen if they were attacked. His men knew how to fight the monsters, but the group of refugees were scared. It wouldn’t take much to send them into a panic. He had no way to protect them if they didn’t stay together. The monsters weren’t rational; they didn’t fight strategically, but they were drawn to weakness. If the group of refugees scattered, the monsters would too, avoiding Lorik’s men and picking off the fleeing villagers.
    “You seem tense,” Issalyn said.
    She had come up quietly behind him. He was well away from the camp, standing in the darkness. It was cold and he was wrapped in a thick cloak, his swords strapped to his back and his hands tucked neatly into his belt. He didn’t turn to look at Issalyn, although he felt a shiver of excitement knowing she had come to him.
    “I am,” he said quietly.
    “Why? Are we not