All His Wrath

“What plans are those?” Freida asked, troubled by Ercen’s behavior.

Anders glanced around their immediate surroundings and realized that the others would not be able to see them because of the tall, wide stalagmite directly behind them.

“To wait.”

“But, we are waiting, Ercen,” Freida replied, more heatedly that she expected. Hearing her own anxiety out loud, Freida suddenly felt angry. “In fact, that’s about all we’ve been doing! Waiting for Paign. Then waiting for help. Waiting for you!”

“Frieda,” Anders murmured, gently touching her elbow.

She twisted away from his touch.

“I’m sick of waiting!” Freida looked back and forth across the cave, now fully defused in the orange glow Ercen had set upon it. In a different mood, Freida would have thought it beautiful. Now, she hated it. She looked back and forth, her head twisting, searching furiously for a way out.

Anders found himself also looking for an opening in the cavern. While he had no idea what Freida’s plans were, he was going along with her. That decision required no thinking.

“Now that you are here, we’re still waiting!” Freida seethed. “I’m leaving!”

“Wait.” Ercen reached over and laid her slate-colored hand on Freida’s head, gently turning the girl around, while dropping her own head low, so she’d be on the same level with the girl. Freida found herself staring directly into the gargoyle’s wide, amber eyes.

Ercen spoke tenderly. “Freida, we must wait, although it is hard to do so. You are a girl of action, thus this demand is difficult.”