Free Kingdom's Dawn by Chuck Black Page B

need to do is find a water supply and hopefully a few berries to eat. Then we need tobuild a shelter and set up camp. Once we get that done, I’ll focus on hunting up some meat for us.”
    Tess seemed to feel better having heard Leinad’s plan.
    W ITHIN TWO DAYS , L EINAD and Tess had found a mountain stream that carried cold, fresh water to the desolate plains below them. They built a makeshift shelter nearby using logs, leaves, and grass. Although it was rather crude, it gave them some protection from the elements and afforded a feeling of security. Unfortunately, Leinad’s plan to find game for food was more of a challenge than he’d expected. By the fifth day, Tess was so weak that she could not rise from her grassy bed. Leinad was weak himself, but the thought of failing Tess drove him to his feet. He made sure Tess had water and was warm.
    â€œYou rest, Tess,” he said tenderly. “Today I will bring back some food.”
    Tess managed a weak smile but did not move or speak.
    Without the means or time to make a decent bow, Leinad’s hunting gear was comprised of three sharpened sticks to use as spears. He thought some animals must have been frightened to higher ground by the Vactor Deluge. The notion of climbing higher into the mountains in his weakened state was not pleasant, but he knew that Tess might not make it if he wasn’t successful today. He climbed, listened, watched, and climbed some more. The flutter of a small bird was his only reward.
    By midday, the sun was hot, and the physical and emotional strain was taking its toll on Leinad. He climbed asmall rise that was much more difficult than it should have been and knelt down in a small clearing to catch his breath.
    The frustration of an unfruitful hunt and the thought of returning to Tess empty-handed to watch her wither further was becoming unbearable. Leinad’s thoughts turned to the past, where his father and their farm still remained on the fertile Plains of Kerr. His deep breaths became moans of despair, and he could not stop the tears that fell for the loss of joy that had embraced him just a few short days ago. Leinad had never had a chance to fully mourn for his father, and now the tremendous burden of being responsible for the life of another was overwhelming. He dropped his spears, fell to both knees, and covered his face with his hands. In the solitude of the mountain clearing, he wept.
    â€œI have failed Tess, my father, my people, and my King. I can’t do this,” he whispered. “I can’t do this!” he screamed and fell to the ground in the fetal position. He lay still and wept until a fitful sleep overcame his exhaustion and despair.
    L EINAD WAS VAGUELY AWARE of the shadow that crossed his face and wondered if he had slept so long that the evening sun was already casting its long shadows from the trees.
    â€œLeinad,” came a strong but gentle voice from above him.
    Leinad blinked groggily thinking he didn’t remember voices sounding so real in his other dreams.
    â€œLeinad. Wake up,” said the voice again.
    Leinad raised himself on one arm and looked up at the figure that was casting the shadow across him. A man with broad shoulders and a noble face stood before him. Across his shoulders was a young antlered deer. He dropped the game to the ground and knelt down to Leinad.
    Leinad wiped his eyes and wondered if his weakened condition was causing his mind to hallucinate. “Who are you?” he managed to ask.
    â€œHere … drink some water,” the stranger said as he put a flask of water to Leinad’s lips.
    He drank heavily.
    â€œYou must eat, but eat slowly and not too much,” he said, offering some sweet bread and a bit of dried meat.
    It took a tremendous amount of discipline not to devour the food ravenously, for it was delicious. Leinad immediately thought of Tess.
    â€œI have to get this to Tess,” he said earnestly and began to