Free Kathir's Redemption (Book 6) by Kristian Alva Page B

bear and then cooked the meat over several campfires. The dwarves were so thankful that they threw a makeshift party right then and there. That night, everybody ate and slept well.
    The dwarves eventually crossed over the Orvasse River and travelled into an area of open fields. The days turned into weeks, and eventually the snow-capped Highport Mountains became visible in the distance. A vast plain of snow broken only by occasional trees extended into the distance in front of them.
    The temperatures dropped, and the snow on the ground froze into a solid crust. Their supplies were depleted, and everyone was cold and hungry. Everyone knew this last stretch would be the most difficult part of their journey. And yet, people were still hopeful — after everything they had been through, their quarrels with the Vardmiters seemed easily forgotten.
    Reaching Highport would be like crossing the finish line at last.
    “ It ’ s colder than usual for this time of year. Even if the Vardmiters accept us with open arms, it ’ s going to be a hard winter for everyone, ” said Skemtun.
    “ At least the trail is clear, ” said Kathir. “ That ’ s a blessing. Do you anticipate the Vardmiters to accept all your survivors? ”
    Skemtun shook his head sadly. “ I hope they do, but I ’ m not sure what to expect — not after everything that ’ s happened between the clans. ”
    Skemtun didn ’ t say anything more. He rode up to the front in order to get a better look at the trail.  When he made it up to the front line, he spotted Bolrakei and stopped. They hadn ’ t spoken much in the last few weeks. Skemtun tried to avoid her. He ’ d told himself it was because he was busy with his leadership duties, but he knew in his heart that was a lie.
    Bolrakei rode a mule while everyone around her walked. Somehow she ’ d managed to remain quite fat, despite their lack of food. Her neck and wrists glittered with the jewels her people had been able to retrieve from the mountain during the siege.
    Bolrakei turned around and eyed Skemtun with disapproval. “ What are you doing up here? Aren ’ t you supposed to be safeguarding the back of the line? ”
    “ The orcs haven ’ t attacked us in days, ” Skemtun said. “ They ’ re leaving us alone for now, so I decided to ride up front for a while. Your clan members have some nice weapons. Perhaps some of them would like to take a turn fighting in the back for a while. ”
    “ Not a chance! ” she snapped. “ I need all my guards up here! Who will guard my gemstones? Someone has to protect the last bit of wealth we have! Without me, the clans would have nothing! ”
    Bolrakei ’ s words stirred up intense anger within him. “ What good are yer gemstones here, Bolrakei? Look around ye! Can ’ t ye see that everyone is starving? People are only interested in bread to fill their bellies.  Maybe if ye ’ d spent less time obsessing about yer money and yer jewelry, this march wouldn ’ t ‘ ave been so hard on everyone! ”
    “ You don ’ t know anything! ” Bolrakei snapped. “ We ’ ll certainly need my treasures if the Vardmiters don ’ t allow us to stay with them! Have you thought about that? How will we buy food or supplies? How will we purchase land? It will fall on my clan to purchase those things, since my clan is the only one with anything of value! ”
    Skemtun ’ s frowned. “ Yer clan is no more important than mine, Bolrakei. We ’ re equals. ”
    “ Ha! ” she snorted. “ I ’ m high born and have a long line of royal ancestors. You ’ re nothing more than a miner ’ s son, and a lucky one, at that! You ’ re low by birth, and I ’ m destined to be the next queen. ”
    “ Don ’ t be so sure about that, ‘ princess, ’ ” said Skemtun, with sarcasm. “ Ye don ’ t wear a crown yet, thank goodness. ”
    Bolrakei ’ s expression became even uglier. “ You watch your mouth! I will be the next queen! You can bet on it! ”
    “ Ye know, I wouldn