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The Savage Hand

Previous chapter:  Sisters

Migus sat there uncomfortably on guard duty this night. It was only a three hour shift, but still it would be nice if he had something to lean against. Last night the rock he sat on was practically shaped like a chair and it was just perfect for sitting and keeping watch. Tonight’s rock was higher up and had room for four people, but its top was basically flat. At least he had first watch tonight.

Avris had next watch and he could already tell that she was going to relieve him early. She had a tendency to do that since she didn’t sleep well. Migus had been on watch now just over an hour and Avris was already tossing and turning with another bad dream. This was their fifth week away from the lair and it was no longer a secret about Avris having nightmares practically every night. The men quickly learned not to mention it. She tended to make whoever did her whipping boy that day. Migus had been glad that his Tonnagell had told him years ago about her bad dreams. So any day that someone thought they could be of help to her and try to talk about her bad night. That was a day she left Migus alone.

The only one that Avris never talked to was the black skinned one that they all called the savage.  Avris once told Migus that his not having any hair on his body was part of what creeped her about him.

Largon was also not sleeping well this night. His horse for no apparent reason suddenly went wild on him in the middle of the day. It was Migus’s first thought that something like a snake had scared the poor beast, but after wards they found no trace of a snake or even a place for one to hide. Korlio had been riding next to Largon when his horse suddenly reared up with an eerie horse like wail that sent shivers down everyone. Korlio’s horse only reacted to the horse gone wild by quickly moving to the side. Korlio got hit by one of the wild horses hoofs on his right leg and would probably limp for a week.