Away with the Dread

Nim lay awake in the dark. Awash with fear and pain.

Perhaps it was the cold. Perhaps it was that Disseus wasn't there to warm her.

But most likely it was that Lon and Disseus had vanished with the fading pink sun but only Lon crept back. Quiet as his bumbling feet would take him, he woke Almora.

After he’d escorted her somewhere, he’d returned to curl up in the Dread’s bedroll. Inhaling deeply, before sighing.

Some scouting. Nim thought hatefully. They were supposed to be preparing to leave to get her son on the morrow but instead Disseus was sneaking off for a dalliance with the gorgeous woman.

So, after all Almora's pretty words and lovely attempts at friendship, the Dread had persuaded him to stall another night so they could sneak off together.

Nim flopped to her other side and heard her teeth grinding. She hadn’t even realized she was doing it. She was nearly quaking with rage.

***

Disseus lay next to the