Wyrd: Book One of the Witch War Trilogy - WATTYS 2018 WINNER!

Chapter 25: Where Joel is Surrounded by Badass Babes

              Joel was pretty sure he was dreaming. No, he was certain he was dreaming. It was a really good dream, too. One he preferred not to wake from. He blinked into the sun, sweat pouring down his brow, watching appreciatively as Rowan, flanked by Laina and Sky, sauntered out of the citadel, sand swirling in their wake, hair blowing in the wind: all clad for the coming mission. It was epic.

Rowan was in front, a head-to-toe leather bodysuit showed off her athletic-petite build, sleek metal studs throughout, peeked-plate epaulets at the shoulders, heavy boots, and a bevvy of weapons belted to her legs and waist. Her twin dragon-hilted kukri blades were strapped behind her shoulders in an x. She was wearing her signature hair, tight braids on one side showing her dainty features, white-blond hair loose, flowing, and wild on the other hiding the burns peeking from her high collar. Her confident stride and cocky grin told you everything you needed to know: Rowan was Queen of the bad girls. Her strength was inspiring. Her attitude intimidating. Joel had to admit, albeit objectively, that Rowan was incredibly attractive. Someone was going to be lucky to receive her love one day.

On her right was Sky, iridescent wings stretched out behind her like a hawk ready to hunt. She walked gracefully, clad in a battle dress with a brown corseted leather top, indigo grommeted skirt over slacks, a bow and quiver wedged between shoulder and wing. Her tanned skin, high cheekbones, and exotic features stood out with her long dark hair braided behind her. Joel glanced sideways to his companion, Will, knowingly.

Joel elbowed him. "Jaw off the floor, kid. Women with the power to incinerate you with a look prefer not to be oogled. In my experience, they like it when you admire their other attributes: kindness, sense of humour, bountiful ..."

He trailed off, losing the word "brains," not for comedic effect, but as his train of thought suddenly vanished.

Laina had moved from directly behind a brilliant sun flare. Joel couldn't help but notice she looked different. She'd been cute in her funny pants, sweet in her overly large shirts and silly slippers when she woke up and fumbled to the dining hall in the morning, an adorable-sleepy mess. But today, she was in a green fitted tunic with a cinched waist and overlapping rectangles of silver-plated armor that fit snugly to her every curve, ending in a short-armoured skirt of metal and leather lappets, and boots that went up to her thighs. There was a sword with a golden hilt and intricate scabbard belted to her side. Her hair was loose and golden, dancing in the wind, a delicate metallic circlet across her forehead. She looked fierce.

"Hypocrite! Stop looking at my sister like that," Will complained. "Eww!"

Joel coughed. "I wasn't," he protested. He was though. She looked ... absolutely stunning. "I was just appreciating the finesse and technique they used to forge her armor. It's heavy and protective without being cumbersome."

"Sure that's what you were appreciating," Will laughed. "Just don't do it again so I won't have to fight you for real."

They both laughed awkwardly, and then glanced back at the formidable team of women that were now approaching.

Lesser men would have run away, terrified. These ladies meant business, Joel thought, just as he made eye contact with Laina. She was arching her eyebrow daringly, as if to say: I will make you feel pain if you make fun of me. And just then, the tip of her scabbard caught in a small pile of sand, tripping up her smooth gait and making her face-plant into the ground at his feet.

Joel tried. He really tried. He bit his lip and attempted to contain it, but when her head came up and she spurted out a mouthful of sand, he couldn't help but be overcome by laughter. He bent down gallantly to help her up.

"I thought it'd take longer for you to fall for me," he bragged, as he grabbed Laina's elbow. But she yanked his arm while Rowan swept his feet out from under him and he landed beside Laina, head in the sand. Joel flopped over and wiped grit from his eyes, squinting up at an equally peeved Rowan. He got why Laina was mad at him, but for the life of him, he couldn't figure out what he'd done to Rowan. Joel proceeded to make a sand angel before getting up and brushing himself off.

"So. We ready to go?" He asked the team.

"There's going to be hell to pay for you disobeying the Commander and coming with us, Joel," Rowan said.

The 'punishment' and ban on missions together was still in place.

"Who else is going to convince everyone to join our side?" Joel stuck his tongue out at Rowan. "You?"

Rowan folded her arms defensively and shrugged. But she looked relieved that he was joining them despite orders not to.

"I just mean," Joel continued, "you don't go on a diplomatic mission without your—,"

"Bard," Will interjected.

"I was going to say most charming member and mode of transportation. Not sure what you mean by bard." Joel rummaged in his bag and pulled out a toy boat, placed it back in his pack and pulled out a mirror instead.

"Oh. It's a human fantasy class developed by nerds for role playing and video games that means ... eh, nevermind," Will finished when he noticed everyone else just looked confused.

"So the General will be angry when he finds out I've disobeyed him. But my duty is to this team. You're stuck with me. He can punish me later." Joel placed the mirror on the ground and started drawing symbols in the granular sand around it. "The consequences can't be greater than what they'd be if all of you attempted this without me."

Though everyone else looked like they wanted to protest, there was no denying that having an arcane wizard around was helpful.

"Plus, Will here couldn't stomach another ride on a Wyvern, could you Will?"

Will looked green at the prospect.

"So instead, we're going to be traveling by light." Joel gestured at the beam of sunlight shooting back from the mirror. He looked around at the impressive women surrounding him. "Ladies first? We've got some Fae folk to persuade."

Rowan stepped into the beam of light and vanished, just as Sky called "Wait! I have a few things I need to tell you--."

***

I'm so sorry for the extended hiatus. The holidays kicked my butt and a few things kicked my confidence.  But this chapter is for those who do believe in me. And I'm going to keep at it for you. I'm writing because I'm a writer. And so far, I think I'm doing okay for a first draft (so ... channeling the very team of strong ladies I've just written about: unbelievers and haters can eat it.) I'm not trying to show them because I have nothing to prove to them, I'm simply going to keep trying to move my readers cause you guys are the best.  And when I'm finished, I'll have something to be proud of.

If you enjoyed it, please vote and comment! 

I'm back witches!

Emmy <3