Chapter 2Taden jerked awake and blinked in the morning sunlight. Adrenaline pumped through him at the familiar crack of sticks in the air, and he grabbed up his sword and ran on stocking feet to the battle, ignoring the bite of rock and twig underfoot.
He stopped in amazement when he reached the clearing where the horses had been staked during the night. Captain Bryce and Nathaniel faced each other, staves in hand, while Dantrel and Robart looked on. Nathaniel breathed hard, face flushed with anger. The captain returned his gaze, coldly calculating. Taden caught his breath at how young Nathaniel appeared with his sleep mussed hair and the borrowed shirt a size too large for his slim frame.
He cleared his throat to gain their attention. “Are you trying to enlighten every Sutherlin to our
