Great Chief

by Lindsay Buroker

  “So, what’s the solution?” Yanko made himself focus on the physical threat rather than the one to his heart. He hoped he could find a way to take care of the latter if he lived through the next few days and secured the city. “I’d say feigning my death might work, but Zirabo has plans for me.”

  “Yes, I assumed he did.” Her smile returned, but it was a sad one.

  He realized she didn’t want him to be Great Chief any more than he did. Because they couldn’t be together then? Had she sensed this coming when they had been at the shrine in Yellow Delta? When she’d said she couldn’t have him?

  He hadn’t agreed with that then and didn’t now, but he found himself asking, “How long have you suspected things would turn out this way?”

  “Since Zirabo left the ship with thousands of prisoners-turned-troops and it was your name on all their lips, not his. I think you’re the only one who didn’t know.”

  “Apparently,” he murmured, then shook his head. “Feigning my death won’t work then. What if we gave the money back to Sun Dragon? Do you know how much his people paid for my assassination? If we dumped a gold bar at his feet, and you, as a representative from your sect, said the deal was off, would that work? Nullify the contract?”

  “Only if he agreed to it.”

  “What if I came along and made him agree to it?” Yanko was tired of all the Sun Dragons everywhere and didn’t think he would have trouble making plausible threats.

  “Luy Hano Sun Dragon would not deal with you. He must already consider you an enemy, both for putting yourself forward as a rival for the dais and for killing his kin, however inadvertently.”

  “Yes, I’ve already chatted with him. He doesn’t like that I destroyed his pet either.”

  “So if you show up, I fear you’ll end up battling him to the death. I doubt you could coerce him. And if you killed him, there are other Sun Dragons here in the city. They’d leap to avenge him. You’d have to kill the whole family.”

  “One would hope that at least one of them would be amenable to an alternative.” Yanko admitted she was probably right that he would have to kill Luy Hano. If he didn’t, the man might continue to fight Yanko, one way or another, for the rest of their lives.

  “The other option…” Jhali placed her hands between her knees and gazed at the floor again. “Is to kill Morin Shu and anyone else alive in the sect who’s determined to follow through with that mission.”

  From the glum set to her jaw, Yanko feared that was what she’d decided had to happen before she’d come to his room.

  He squeezed her shoulders. “Nope.”

  “What?”

  “Unless you have some secret vendetta against him that could only be settled by his death, the answer is no. We’re not killing the people you grew up with just to save my life.”

  She squinted at him, and he wondered what she was thinking. That he was naive? That she appreciated his desire to keep her from doing something awful for his sake? That a man who watered lavender late at night was undeniably sexy? Would she ever let him touch her mind and see her thoughts? Share her emotions?

  “If you’re thinking of kissing me again, I would be agreeable.” Yanko wriggled his eyebrows, though he was positive that was the last thing on her mind. More somberly, he said, “I’m taking some gold and going to visit Luy Hano Sun Dragon. Tonight. If I have to go through the whole clan to find one willing to call off the assignment, I’ll do so.” He shrugged. “We were going to have to fight them to claim the city, regardless.”

  Jhali leaned in and kissed him again, her lips demanding and hungry this time instead of regretful, and fire rushed through his veins. He wrapped his arms around her, not worrying about her array of weapons as he pulled her closer. She molded herself to him, the curves of her body pressing against him, strong but also feminine. As she was. A mixture of grace and beauty and deadly power. He let his hands roam over her form, wishing he was brazen enough to slip them under her tunic.

  “I’m thinking of more than kissing you,” Jhali growled against his mouth.

  “Now?” He managed not to squeak the word in an unmanly manner. Barely. He didn’t think bedroom activities had been on their list of plans for the night, but maybe they could move that confrontation with Sun Dragon aside until dawn…

  “No.” Her voice was husky, and she pulled back with visible effort. “The night isn’t long. If it is what you wish to do, we must gather your allies and storm Sun Dragon’s stronghold before dawn.”

  “I was afraid you were going to say that.” But he smiled, both at seeing in her eyes that she longed to be with him and at knowing he could trust her. She’d been willing to go against her own people to ensure he lived.

  “Just promise me,” she whispered, “that before they put the wreath on your head and a thousand advisors show up to recommend suitable moksu wives for you, that we’ll…” Her fingers strayed to the comforter.

  “Oh yes, I’m very willing to do that.” He patted the comforter and rested his hand on top of hers. “And as for the rest, Zirabo suggested I try to get Dak as an advisor. If there’s anyone less likely to set me up with a woman, I can’t imagine who it would be.”

  She snorted softly, though she shifted her fingers to twine them with his. “A Nurian Great Chief can’t have a Turgonian spy as an advisor.”

  “Says who?”

  “I’m sure it’s in a law book somewhere.”

  “If it is, I’ll ask Tynlee to amend it. She can scratch that chapter out and replace it with adventures revolving around Turgonian muscles.”

  “I’m more interested in Nurian muscles.” Jhali arched her eyebrows and rested a hand on his chest.

  “I can’t tell you how pleased I am to hear that.” This time, he kissed her.

  They both knew they couldn’t tarry for long, but neither hurried to break the kiss.

  By the time Yanko knocked on Dak’s door, he’d cooled his passions, buckled on his scimitar, and pulled his hair back up into a topknot. He smoothed his crimson robe, feeling he was as ready to battle enemy Sun Dragons as he ever would be. He judged they had about six hours until dawn and wondered if Jhali’s fellow mage hunters were even now watching the palace from some nearby rooftop, waiting to see if she succeeded or if he showed his face in the morning.

  “Dak?” Yanko knocked a second time when there wasn’t an answer. “I apologize for interrupting your sleep, but I need one last favor.”

  He supposed he could attempt to sneak into Sun Dragon’s stronghold and confront the man and all of his allies with only Jhali, but it seemed wiser to take allies of his own.

  The door finally opened, and Dak stood naked with only a blanket wrapped around his waist and legs, his fist the only thing that was holding it up. Yanko hadn’t thought to check the room with his senses before knocking, but now he detected Tynlee, in a similarly nude state, in the bed behind him. Embarrassment flamed Yanko’s cheeks.

  “What favor?” Dak asked in a baleful tone. It was more of a growl. A grumpy growl, not the sexy growl Jhali had used earlier.

  “I’m sorry,” Yanko said, “but, uhm, I really do need help. Is there any chance you can scrounge around the palace and find the makings for a few more explosives? The mage hunters will be here to assassinate me at dawn unless I can find Luy Hano Sun Dragon, force him to take a gold bar, and talk him into canceling the assassination deal with their sect.”

  “Can’t you just kill the mage hunters?”

  “Jhali says they’re good. And even if I did, others from her sect will keep trying to fulfill the deal if I can’t convince Sun Dragon to end it. I’m taking a very lovely gold bar. I engraved a pretty lavender stalk in it. Though is it technically engraving if you use your mind? I don’t know.”

  Dak sighed noisily. “Give me a few minutes to find my trousers and get dressed.”

  “Where are your trousers?” Yanko asked before thinking better of it.

  Dak didn’t answer but his gaze drifted toward a ceiling fan mou
nted high above the bed.

  Yanko couldn’t see Tynlee well in the shadows, but he sensed that she was grinning mischievously.

  “As for explosives, I’ve already made more,” Dak said. “Do you think I would rest comfortably in a Nurian palace without defenses that could be deployed in an emergency?”

  Jhali walked around a corner and into view with Lakeo and Arayevo trailing through the shadows behind her. Yanko hadn’t known they were in the city, and he waved, delighted to see them. Did their presence mean the pirate fleet had arrived? If so, maybe Sun Dragon’s people would be distracted.

  Lakeo and Arayevo ran forward and hugged him. Lakeo looked frankly at Dak, taking in his bare chest. He frowned and closed the door.

  “He’s still sexy from the lips down,” Lakeo announced.

  “What are you two doing here?” Yanko patted their backs as they parted from the hug.

  “Arayevo convinced me that you would never succeed without us, so we’re here to help.”

  “Are you ready for a battle?” He took in their weapons, a cutlass and pistol for Arayevo, and a dagger and bow and arrows for Lakeo.

  Lakeo lifted her chin. Yanko wondered what had changed her mind.

  “We are,” Arayevo said, “though we thought it would be tomorrow, not tonight.” She looked curiously back at Jhali—how much had Jhali told them? “We just figured this would be the easiest time to sneak into the city, so here we are. I wish I’d been here to see you slay that dragon. That must have been amazing. Even your mother—she’s very stern, you know—said she’s pleased with how your training is coming along.”

  “Ah.” Yanko was surprised Pey Lu had admitted that aloud to a relative stranger. Though maybe she remembered Arayevo from her days back in the village. Arayevo was several years older than Yanko, so she would have been a girl darting around in pigtails back then.

  “Your assassin said you’re sneaking in to kill your main remaining enemy tonight?” Lakeo asked, glancing at Jhali.

  Yanko frowned and shifted to stand next to Jhali. He was tempted to wrap his arm around her, but would she appreciate a demonstration of his affection in front of others?

  “You know Jhali’s name, Lakeo.” Yanko slipped his arm around her waist—he would risk her ire on the chance she would like him to acknowledge that he cared for her. “And she’s saved my life and warned me of danger more than once. She’s not my assassin.”

  “Right, right, she’s your bodyguard now.” Lakeo waved a dismissive hand. It was probably vain to hope they would ever be friends.

  “Bodyguard?” Arayevo’s eyes twinkled. “Yanko never put his arm around Dak’s waist.”

  Dak’s door opened in time for him to hear that. He arched his eyebrows. Thank the ferret god, he’d acquired his trousers and donned them. He wore his black Turgonian military uniform and carried a short sword, pistol, and rifle, along with a pack that Yanko hoped held explosives.

  “What’s going on?” Dak stepped into the hallway, closing the door behind him.

  So Tynlee could go back to sleep? Yanko approved of his consideration even as he wondered if her clothing had also gone on a journey somewhere.

  “Canoodling,” Arayevo announced.

  Yanko lowered his arm, but he didn’t step away from Jhali. Maybe it was only in his imagination that she seemed pleased to have him at her side.

  “We’re going to find the Sun Dragon leaders and deal with them tonight,” Yanko said. “Thus forestalling the need to march armies through the street tomorrow.”

  “Suits me.” Dak patted his pistol, then jerked his thumb over his shoulder to a pack he’d donned.

  “Deal with them?” Arayevo asked. “Are you turning into an assassin, Yanko?”

  “No, I’m trying to prevent my own assassination. Which has apparently been deemed more important now in the light of certain… revelations.”

  “Yes, I heard that you’re the candidate Zirabo is backing.” Arayevo’s eyes burned with curiosity.

  “So it seems.” Yanko didn’t feel like explaining it again. They had more important things to deal with tonight. “As far as assassinations go, I’m open to simply paying the Sun Dragons to order the mage hunters off my trail, but I think it’s going to take more than that. Luy Hano has been working toward the dais for months, and now I’m in his way.” Yanko looked at Dak. “Do you know where in the city we can find the Sun Dragon base of operations?”

  “You’ve reunited with Zirabo, have access to numerous high-ranking military officers and an entire army of mages and soldiers, and I’m still your go-to source for intelligence?” Dak asked.

  “Does that meandering answer mean you don’t know?” Yanko asked.

  “Correct. I haven’t been here any longer than you have.”

  “You had that extra two hours when you were planting explosives.”

  “I didn’t chat with a lot of informants during that time.”

  “Hm, I guess I’m expecting too much of you.”

  Dak’s eyebrows twitched.

  Yanko patted Dak on the shoulder to let him know he was joking. And then he debated who to ask for the information. Wake Zirabo? Zirabo might try to talk Yanko out of risking his life this way. He wondered where Falcon was. He and his partner had been assigned to one of the generals, so they were probably out scouting the city or making sure another faction’s troops didn’t march up the highway and take them by surprise.

  Lakeo poked Yanko in the shoulder. “How come you can slay a dragon, but you can’t find a mage?”

  “Dragons are larger than mages. They’re easier to find.”

  Yanko closed his eyes, intending to scour the city with his senses, in the hope of locating Luy Hano Sun Dragon by his aura. His aura shouldn’t be doing anything special since he was likely asleep, but maybe, since the man had telepathically contacted him earlier…

  Yanko, Pey Lu spoke into his mind. You’re up. Good.

  Yes. Yanko wondered if his mother knew where the Sun Dragons were.

  You have a lot of restless pirates in the harbor staring across the water at a lot of nervous Nurian fleet vessels. Their captains and admirals are having a meeting and debating whether or not to attack us. I’d prefer to attack preemptively if a battle is inevitable.

  Maybe nobody intended to sleep that night.

  Are you willing to do that? Yanko asked. I know I told you and the Kendorian pirates that you just had to loom threateningly from the mouth of the harbor.

  I can’t speak for them, but I’m ready to fight. I understand you’ve made your desire to claim the dais official.

  Yanko winced. Word got out fast, didn’t it?

  It’s official, he reluctantly admitted. We’ve taken the palace from the Swift Wolves. The Sun Dragons are my main opponents now.

  So I gathered. Most of these ships are theirs.

  I intend to find the Sun Dragon leaders and deal with them tonight. If you were to attack their ships, that could be helpful. I imagine it would draw them out. Maybe Luy Hano Sun Dragon would fling a few fireballs into the harbor, so I could find him more easily.

  Give me a moment, Pey Lu said. I think I know where he is, but I’ll double-check.

  Thank you.

  Yanko opened his eyes and found that Dak and Arayevo had moved down the hall and waited by an exit. Lakeo and Jhali stood in front of him, Lakeo glaring at Jhali and Jhali ignoring her.

  “May I have a moment to talk to Lakeo, please?” Yanko asked.

  Jhali twitched a shoulder and joined the others.

  Lakeo folded her arms over her chest and frowned at Yanko.

  “Are you going to be all right with her tonight?” Yanko asked quietly. “If we all end up going into battle together?” He hoped it didn’t come to that, but he didn’t want conflict among his own ranks.

  “I’m fine.”

  He hesitated at her clipped response. Should he accept it and leave it at that? He sensed suspicion and discontent from her. Did she think Jhali would lead them into a tr
ap?

  “Lakeo… I’m sorry if—I didn’t realize earlier that you, uhm, felt something for me.”

  Lakeo rolled her eyes at him. “I’m over that.”

  Yanko blinked. “Oh?”

  “You didn’t respond to my flirting, so I moved on. Or I will. Once the world isn’t all crazy, and I can find myself someone to sheet wrestle with.”

  “You were flirting with me?”

  Which time that she’d punched him or teased him had she considered flirting?

  She rolled her eyes again. “Men are so dense.”

  “Yes.” It seemed like a safe response. “Yes, we are.”

  “I just don’t think she’s right for you.” Lakeo glanced at Jhali. “You met her as she was trying to kill you, and I’m not convinced that isn’t still her goal. You can’t read her mind, right?”

  Yanko sighed, tired of being asked that. “No, but she’s proven to me through her actions that she doesn’t want me dead. She was ordered to kill me tonight, and she changed out of her mage-hunter uniform to cut ties with her people forever.”

  Admittedly, she hadn’t said exactly that, but that was his interpretation of the symbolism.

  “I’m just afraid you’re being…”

  “Naive?” Yanko smiled ruefully.

  “Typical. Lots of men throughout history have been taken advantage of by wily women.” Lakeo looked at Jhali again. “And probably two or three have been taken advantage of by grumpy, glaring women with knives.”

  “Just so I have company.”

  “You should strive to be atypical, Yanko.”

  “You don’t think I already am?”

  “Not when it comes to women. But don’t worry. I’ll watch your back tonight.” Lakeo thumped him on the shoulder and walked off to join the group.

  “Thank you,” he called softly after her.

  Yanko knew he was right about Jhali, but it couldn’t hurt to have friends watching his back, especially now.

  He’s in the coliseum, Pey Lu told Yanko as he joined the others. It’s large enough to house several battalions and overlooks the waterfront. I assume that’s why he chose it.