Belly of the Beast by Warren Thomas (story books for 5 year olds txt) 📕

Raven ran up a few minutes later, winded and flushed. She pushed into line in front of Tane, bringing forth several angry comments from the others behind them.

            “What? You’re all that eager to die?” Raven said. Her emerald eyes flashed with challenge as she looked back down the line. “First in is first dead. Who wants to jump ahead of me?”

            Everyone got deathly quiet. Her words sent a cold chill down Tane’s spine and made his stomach begin to twist up.

            “Where have you been?” he said, more to break his train of thought and concentrate on anything other than the coming fight.

            “I went up to the walls...and had a quick look,” Raven said between huffs. “Can’t see any of them yet. All I could see was a wall of dark clouds slowly moving our way. I was told it marks the edge of the zombie horde.”

            “Do you think we can stop them?” Tane said.

            “No.”

            He waited for her to elaborate, but she just looked up the line impatiently. What little confidence the training had instilled in Tane began to melt.

            “Why do you think they’ll win?” he said.

            “Too many of them for us to kill,” she said. Her matter-of-fact tone startled him. Then she started to braid her hair as they waited, outwardly unconcerned with their impending doom. He wondered if she felt any fear or dread. “The wall of clouds stretches from horizon to horizon. And if the clouds really do mark the advance of the zombie horde, then the best we can hope for is to hold them at bay until the Jarlander cities muster their combined armies and crush the zombies and their master.”

            “How long will that take?” Tane said, fearing the answer.

            Raven smiled sadly. “I don’t even know if the Jarlanders know about what is happening down here.”

            “Then we’re doomed,” he said, a chill sweeping down his spine.

            Raven squeezed his hand, smiling warmly. “Not necessarily. There are always survivors, no matter how crushing the defeat. If I have my way, I’ll be one of those lucky few. I hope you’ll be coming with me, too.”

            “Me? Why?”

            “Why not?” she said. “You’re the only friend I have here. I’d be lost among enemies without you.”

            Stunned by her admission, and totally at a loss as to what to say, Tane was saved from responding by their arrival at the armory door. The harried armorers were brusque and demanding. Raven asked for and received her steel cuirass. It was stained black, with enough dents and scratches to prove an active life.

            Tane stepped up to the window as she departed. He already had his sword, so only needed his knife and daggers.

            They found both Vikons back in formation, with Joelle casting bones to discern their immediate futures. Joelle and Armin wore their Vikon armor over their tunics, with steel grotesque helmets of frightening designs protecting their heads.

            As he stopped beside Raven, she ran her eyes disapprovingly over him.

            “You really need armor,” she whispered as if afraid to interrupt Joelle’s spellcasting.

            “I know, but they won’t issue me any.”

            “Well, don’t be squeamish about stripping the dead for armor,” Raven said. “It’ll probably be covered in blood, or worse, but it’ll save your life if you live long enough to get it on.”

            Oh great, now I’m going to be forced to desecrate the dead, Tane thought. First this war doomed my life to a bloody end, and now my immortal soul might be damned as well.

            “Tane! Take this,” Quinn said, running up from behind. He was loaded down with a chain mail vest and a pair of iron helmets. “Hurry and put this on.”

            “Shining Gods, you do care!” Raven laughed, eagerly plopping a battered iron helmet on her head. “You handsome rascal you.”

            The half-elf paused to look at her with alarm as Tane took the light mail vest from him. Holding it up to examine, he found it to be of poor quality. The tiny iron rings were thin and specked with rust. None of them were riveted closed, much less welded. The mail would offer little protection, but it was better than nothing.

            “Where did you get this?” Tane said as he struggled into the unfamiliar armor. The mail vest didn’t open up in front like their practice armor had, forcing him to lift it over his head and squirm into it. He found it to be a little on the snug side across his shoulders. “Is the army providing it?”

            “Don’t ask,” Quinn said, giving one of his rare grins.

            “Never ask where a gift came from,” Raven said, winking at the half-elf. “It’s bad manners.”

            “Oh Gods,” Tane moaned. “We’re not going to get into trouble for stealing, are we?”

            “Not as much trouble as you would be in if you march into battle without armor,” Raven countered, eyes flashing. “So stop your whining and thank Quinn nicely. There aren’t many men in this world who’d risk so much for another person he barely knows.”

            “No need for thanks,” Quinn said, though visibly pleased by her words. But he quickly regained control of himself, saying solemnly, “Don’t worry, Tane. I didn’t steal anything. Not really. At least not from another soldier.”

            “The armory?” Armin said, grinning. Joelle was looking up from where she was kneeling over her six tiny bone dice, nodding her approval. Studying Tane’s vest a moment, Armin said, “This looks like the standard issue armor for the Kestsaxian Royal Army’s archers and slingers.”

            “I’m impressed,” Raven said, a twinkle in her eyes. “I’ve been a bad influence on poor Quinn. Turned him into a regular Ashtarite, I did.”

            “What?” Quinn said.

            The half-elf looked so alarmed everyone laughed.

            “Fall in 3rd Platoon!” Lieutenant Artair called. Everyone immediately took their position. “Sergeant Knut, report!”

            Everyone was there, save one of Corporal Disa’s men who still stood in line to draw his arms and armor. He