The Earth-stepper's Bargain: A Short Story

By Jennifer Bresnick

Cal Denaldor is the newest owner of the Rhaveren, an enchanted sword he wields for one purpose: revenge. Or is the sword wielding him? On a search for the man who kidnapped his wife, Cal must decide to take charge of his fate, or accept the path the sword has chosen for him. Visit www.jenniferbresnick.com for full-length works by this author.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jennifer Bresnick
• Release date: May 18, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476494234

Jennifer Bresnick

Jennifer Bresnick is a 2007 graduate of Mount Holyoke College with a major in history. Born and raised on Long Island, NY, she now resides in the Boston area, fervently avoiding all discussions about professional sports.When she isn't writing down the conversations in her head to give them an appearance of respectability, Jen enjoys crocheting silly animal hats, being creative in the kitchen, and on a completely unrelated note, putting out kitchen fires.

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Copyright © 2012 by Jennifer Bresnick

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The Earth-stepper’s Bargain

The soft green scent of the warm, loamy shore in the distance made Cal think of his childhood home, the one he had raided and burnt to the ground last year. There had been no survivors, but he hadn’t intended for there to be. Geilya was dead, and so the place was dead to him. He had had no other choice. But he was returning to the mainland out of duty only; the sea had long ago swept the last of his sentiment away. Roland Ironhand had called him, and his chief was not to be disobeyed, no matter how reluctant he had been to answer the summons.

You need to stop that, Cal, Hewryn said, leaning on the rail beside him. Thinking has never done you any good before, and it certainly won’t start now.

I’m not thinking, I’m remembering.

Even worse.

I know. You could just turn around with the ship if you wanted. I’m not asking you to be here.

Hewryn laughed, a deep, hearty sound of mirth that matched his massive frame. You never ask. I’m here because you need me, and I’d prefer if you stayed alive until you’ve had a chance you pay off your debts.

I’ll never be able to do that, Hew.

Then you should never die, the man said simply.

Cal nearly smiled. I don’t intend to. Roland might have other ideas, however.

He likes you.

Liked, Cal corrected. There was that little misunderstanding that came between us, if you recall.

Hew shrugged. "You did him a favor when you married Geilya. No one was going to take her off