The World of Samar Box Set 3

by M. L. Hamilton

  “Do you think the Nazar knew about the bounty, Kendrick?”

  Kendrick glanced at him, then turned away. Jarrett could only see the rain-darkened side of his hood. “I’ve been wondering the same thing. He never warned me about it.”

  “I’m beginning to feel like we’ve been set up. What if we don’t find what we’re looking for?”

  “What do you mean?”

  Jarrett exhaled. “I mean, what if she isn’t there? What if it was a hoax?”

  “The King sent the request himself,” argued the Nazarien.

  Jarrett nodded. “My point exactly. What if it’s a trap?”

  Kendrick’s head swiveled around and he pinned Jarrett with a stare. “What would be the purpose of that? Even if they intended to kill us, what would that accomplish?”

  Jarrett didn’t really want to voice what he was beginning to fear, but he felt Kendrick ought to be forewarned. “Think about it. If they killed the emissaries sent at the request of the Adishian King, they might pull both of our people into this war.”

  Kendrick faced forward again. “Do you really think Rarick wants to fight both the Nazarien and Terra Antiguo? You think he doesn’t remember the connection between your land and Loden?”

  Jarrett considered his companion’s words. Kendrick was right. That didn’t make much sense, but nothing that had happened since they met Davo made sense.

  The wind whipped the rain into his face and he bowed his head, trying to keep the worst of it out. His head ached miserably and he wanted to ask Kendrick for some Stamerian. He knew well that no Stravad traveled anywhere without the pain-killing herb, but pride wouldn’t let him make the request. They rode in silence for a couple of hours, then left the road around noon to give the horses a rest and to eat a cold lunch.

  They found a stunted tree to sit beneath and while Jarrett watered both horses and checked for saddle sores, Kendrick put together a couple of cheese sandwiches. The rain continued to pelt them, even under the tree where the over-laden branches dumped huge drops of water on the ground.

  “How much longer do you think this can continue?” asked the Nazarien, handing Jarrett a sandwich.

  Jarrett accepted it and pulled it within the cover of his hood, taking a bite. He grimaced. If he wasn’t so hungry, he didn’t know if he’d be able to eat the soggy mess. “No idea. It’ll be miserable if we can’t find shelter by nightfall.”

  Kendrick stopped eating and looked at him. “You don’t think we can find an inn?”

  “I don’t think we’d better. I think we’d better stay on the road or out in the open. I’m not looking to repeat Cambia any too soon.”

  “I’m exhausted,” muttered the Nazarien. “If you remember, I didn’t get much sleep last night.”

  Jarrett gave a bark of laughter. “Neither did I.” He touched the wound on his temple and grimaced at the shot of pain that speared through his head. “Anyway, do you agree with me?”

  “I guess I do, but we can’t even light a fire in this.”

  Jarrett shifted so he could glare at the Nazarien. Kendrick wasn’t stupid. Didn’t he understand how much danger they were in? “Even if the rain stops, Kendrick, we can’t have a fire.”

  The Nazarien’s face fell and he looked down. “Gods, what have we gotten ourselves into?”

  Jarrett took another bite and chewed. “Don’t know,” he said around a mouthful.

  * * *

  They’d been riding for a few more hours when a strange feeling came over Jarrett. He shifted in the saddle and looked back through the driving rain. As he moved, his horse sidestepped and gave a whicker of protest.

  At first he didn’t see anything, then he realized that there were at least five indistinct shapes following at some distance behind them. By the outline and the size, he guessed they were horse riders.

  “We’re being followed,” he said to the Nazarien.

  Kendrick glanced over his shoulder. “Maybe they’re also traveling to Adishian.”

  “I hope you’re right,” he said, but he couldn’t shake the anxious feeling he had. “Let’s bring the horses up to a trot and see if they keep pace.”

  Kendrick nodded and they both kneed their mounts into an easy lope. After a few minutes, Jarrett glanced over his shoulder again. The riders had gained ground on them. He could almost make out more than just an outline.

  “They’re closing in fast,” he said.

  Kendrick looked behind him, then his gaze met Jarrett’s. “Only one way to find out for sure.” He kicked his horse in the sides and bent over the animal’s neck. The gelding gathered his strength and jumped forward, immediately falling into the long strides of a running mount.

  Jarrett followed him, his own mare stretching forward and quickly coming alongside her companion. Loosening his hold on the reins, Jarrett let the mare have her head and she sped down the muddy road as if it presented no obstacle.

  However, when Jarrett chanced a look behind, he noticed their pursuers had gained even more ground. Their horses were in an all-out pursuit. There was no mistaking their motives now.

  Jarrett brought his mare down to a jog and motioned for Kendrick to do the same. The Nazarien dropped back beside his companion. “We can’t keep the horses to this pace. We’re going to have to make a stand.”

  Kendrick’s eyes widened, but after glancing over his shoulder, he nodded. “Maybe they just want to talk? Maybe they just want to get past?”

  Jarrett slowed his mare even further and gradually brought her to a halt. He didn’t bother to answer the Nazarien. His clueless prattle was one of the things Jarrett found most annoying.

  As he swung out of the saddle, Kendrick stopped his horse beside him. Jarrett moved beyond the mare, stepping into the center of the road and curling his fingers around the hilt of his sword. Kendrick came to his side.

  “Better get ready,” Jarrett said, nodding at the sword strapped to the Nazarien’s side.

  Kendrick looked a little apprehensive, but Jarrett knew he was a trained warrior. That training would kick in when it was needed.

  The riders were upon them within moments. They also brought their horses to a halt and sat regarding the two men. Kendrick sucked in a startled breath as they both took in the five men, three bearing the symbol of the Sarkisian Front Guard and two with strange, reptilian faces.

  “Orahim,” said Jarrett with a grimace of distaste. He’d seen pictures of them in books and he’d heard stories, but he’d never seen one this close before.

  “Good afternoon, gentlemen,” said one of the Front Guard. By the yellow braids looped over his shoulder, Jarrett knew he was a commander. “Would you mind telling us why you’re on Sarkisian land?”

  “We’re not,” answered Kendrick. “This is Adishian. Why are you following us?”

  “Because this road’s closed by order of the Sarkisian King. Where are you headed?”

  “Adishian,” said Kendrick.

  The commander shook his head. “Ah, well, there we have a problem. Your kind’s not allowed in the kingdom of Adishian.”

  “Our kind?”

  Jarrett’s fingers flexed on his sword hilt. This was not going to end well. He wished Kendrick would shut up.

  “Nazarien.”

  “Forbidden, you mean.”

  Jarrett winced.

  “That’s a term the Lawries use.”

  “And the bounty?”

  “Kendrick,” hissed Jarrett, but Kendrick ignored him.

  “Is the bounty real?”

  The commander considered the question for a moment, then he shifted in the saddle. “Yes, that’s real.” He motioned at the Orahim.

  They scrambled out of their saddles and dropped into the mud, advancing before the horses and facing the two men. Jarrett drew his sword and dropped into a crouch.

  “Really, that’ll do you less than no good,” said the commander in a bored tone. “You’ve violated so many Sarkisian laws that we have to take you in. It would be easier if you didn’t fight
us, but either way, we outnumber you.”

  “Take us in, or kill us?” asked Kendrick defiantly. Jarrett noted that he hadn’t drawn his blade yet, but both Orahim had removed nasty looking daggers from their belts.

  “It really doesn’t matter,” said the commander and he barked a command at the Orahim in a guttural tongue.

  The two serpents started forward, intent on their targets. Jarrett shot a glance at Kendrick, but the Nazarien was still staring in fascination at the creature that was bearing down on him.

  “Kendrick!” Jarrett warned, moving to keep his muscles from tensing. Then the creature feinted at him and he danced back, the swipe of its blade passing within inches of his abdomen.

  He heard the rush of Kendrick’s blade as he whipped it from its sheath, but he didn’t have time to worry about his companion as the Orahim closed with him, its reptilian tongue flicking in and out of its mouth.

  It lunged for him and Jarrett swung up with his sword, catching the jab of its dagger on the hilt. He threw his weight into it, hoping to knock it off-balance, but it was heavier than he’d expected and it careened into him, its breath panting cold and stale against his face.

  He reeled back, repulsed, and swiped with the sword, but the creature was agile and leaped out of the way, the sword cutting through rain and nothing more. With a roll, it came up on Jarrett’s other side and dove at him with the dagger. He dropped, swinging under it with his blade, but it jumped over him and fell into a somersault that brought it to its feet again.

  Jarrett’s eyes widened in grudging admiration. He was known for his speed and agility in Terra Antiguo, but this thing was even quicker. He was going to have to outthink it. He feinted to the left and it took the bait, but at the last minute, he threw himself to the right, slicing across its body with his sword. He felt the blade bite through yielding flesh and the rope of its intestines spilled out into the muddy road, but he didn’t escape unscathed.

  As it crumpled, it lunged toward him, swiping with its dagger. He felt the dagger slice through his left shirt sleeve, then he landed on his right side, his sword caught beneath him. He threw himself to his feet, but the creature was already dying, its amber eyes rolling back in its head.

  Jarrett whirled and saw that Kendrick had disarmed his Orahim. The creature had scrambled behind the horses and was trying to avoid the Nazarien who stalked it. Jarrett tightened his hold on his sword, prepared for the next round of battle, but the commander’s attention seemed to be divided between his two assailants and the road behind.

  Jarrett squinted into the distance and saw a large number of horses approaching at a dead run. His heart fell as he moved to Kendrick’s side. The Nazarien was breathing heavily, but he didn’t seem to be hurt. His gaze shifted from the Front Guard to Jarrett.

  “You’re bleeding,” he said, nodding at Jarrett’s arm.

  Jarrett glanced down. Through the rend in his shirt, he could see a gash across his forearm. He placed his hand over it and grimaced. It had just begun to hurt. Still, it wasn’t life threatening, but the new riders likely were.

  He and Kendrick might be able to take these four, but not the number he could see coming toward them. And yet, the commander and his soldiers didn’t seem to be greeting these newcomers with anything resembling welcome.

  Then to Jarrett’s surprise, the commander and his men wheeled their horses around and drew their weapons, preparing themselves for battle. Jarrett nodded at Kendrick and motioned to the horses.

  They took a step backward, but suddenly the Orahim darted at them with a strangled cry. Jarrett whipped his sword up, but the Orahim wasn’t looking at them. A blur of motion streaked through the air and landed on the creature’s back. Jarrett and Kendrick threw themselves out of the way as both bodies slammed into the mud on the road. The Orahim let out an unholy scream and thrashed as the grey body of a dog snapped its fangs into the creature’s throat and shook it.

  Blood spurted and Jarrett turned away, his eyes coming to rest on the figure of Muzik Andrada. He was dressed in a military uniform with a blue crest in the middle of his chest. The men with him were all in similar attire.

  “Damn it, Muzik, that was my last Orahim!” shouted the commander.

  Muzik surveyed the scene, then turned to the commander, his small eyes narrowing. “What are you doing out here, Lex?”

  “Sarkisian has taken jurisdiction over all the roads leading to the capital. These men were caught trespassing.”

  “Trespassing?”

  Jarrett pushed himself to his feet and circled around the dog, who lifted its head and regarded the Terrian with glittering yellow eyes. Blood covered the animal’s muzzle.

  He moved to Kendrick’s side and held out his hand, helping the Nazarien to his feet. The wound in his arm blazed like fire and he felt a flush of heat creeping into his face. Kendrick reached into his pocket and pulled out another clean handkerchief, handing it to the Terrian.

  Jarrett pressed it to the wound and turned to face the strange assembly. “What the hell is going on?” he demanded.

  He was a little alarmed that his vision swam and his heart kicked into an odd rhythm.

  Muzik met his gaze. “I’m captain of the Blue Battalion, a division of the Adishian militia. I was dispensed to Cambia to meet you.”

  “What?” Jarrett shook his head in confusion. Nothing was making sense and a strange buzzing was raging in his ears. He blinked and found that his vision was cloudier than before. “What the hell is going on?” he repeated, but he wasn’t sure whether he meant the situation around them or his own reactions.

  “Jarrett?” said Kendrick and he felt the Nazarien grip his shoulder. “Are you all right?”

  Jarrett tried to nod, but he swayed dizzily and gripped the Nazarien in return. “I don’t know,” he said, then felt himself sink to the ground. He didn’t remember wanting to sit until now.

  Kendrick dropped down beside him. “Jarrett?” he called in alarm, but Jarrett thought his voice sounded like it was underwater.

  He realized he was breathing rapidly and he tried to tell Kendrick that something was definitely wrong, but he couldn’t form the words. He felt himself sinking, but he couldn’t stop himself, until he was lying on his back and the rain was pounding in his face. The last thing he saw was the bloody muzzle of the dog as it bent over him.

  * * *

  “Help me!” shouted Kendrick, looking up at Muzik Andrada. The huge man made a motion and two of his men dismounted, hurrying to the Terrian’s side.

  Kendrick shoved the dog back as Jarrett’s body went into convulsions. “What’s happening?” he asked as the two soldiers dropped beside Jarrett and tried to constrain him.

  Muzik dismounted, then rounded his horse and reached up, hauling the commander out of the saddle. He dragged the other man over to Jarrett and threw him on the ground. “What did you do?”

  The commander smoothed his uniform and glared up at Muzik. “You’ll pay for manhandling me, Andrada!” he shouted, climbing to his feet. “Rarick will hang you for it.”

  Muzik grabbed the commander by the shirtfront. Kendrick’s attention was divided between Jarrett and the altercation. “You’d better tell me what you did or you won’t live to tell Rarick a damn thing.”

  “I did nothing,” spat the commander.

  Kendrick grabbed Jarrett’s left arm and peeled away the handkerchief. “He was stabbed when he fought the Orahim. What was on the blade?”

  “Nothing,” said the commander.

  Muzik looked around, then located the Orahim’s body. He dragged the commander to it and kicked the dagger out of the dead creature’s hand. “Pick it up,” he ordered, shoving the commander to the ground.

  The commander scrambled away, sliding through the mud. Kendrick didn’t need to see anymore. He jumped to his feet and ran for his horse. He grabbed the saddlebag off the animal’s back and hurried to Jarrett’s side.

  Dropping into the mud again, he tore the pack open and grabbed the tightly bun
dled kit that held his medicinal store. He untied it and reached for the leaves of Stamerian he carried, crushing them, then prying Jarrett’s mouth open and forcing them inside. He crushed more and applied it directly to the wound. Gradually Jarrett’s convulsion eased, but his heart was irregular and his skin was clammy.

  “What’s on the blade?” demanded Muzik.

  The commander smirked. “How the hell should I know? I was just escorting the reptiles to Sarkisian. I don’t know anything about them.” He canted a look at the captain. “So, do you plan on killing us?”

  “That’ll be up to Lord Tarnow,” Muzik said. His eyes shifted to Kendrick. “What are you doing?”

  “I’m going to boil more Stamerian. Get him to drink some and then clean the wound with it.” He glanced down the road. “Then we’ve got to get him to Adishian. I don’t know what’s going on, but you’re going to help me.”

  Muzik hunkered down next to the commander, his hand firmly fixed in the other’s cloak. He stared hard at Kendrick. “You’ve got to trust me. I really was sent to find you. The King of Adishian dispatched me and my men.”

  Kendrick studied him a moment in silence, then he looked down on Jarrett again. The Terrian was shivering, his lips blue. Kendrick motioned to one of the grey clad soldiers. “Get me blankets and hurry.” He turned back to Muzik. “Why would I ever trust you? You haven’t been honest.”

  “I tried to explain it to you this morning, but you wouldn’t listen. I didn’t intend that to happen with Tosa. I never dreamed she’d be after the bounty, but I had to test you. I had to know that you were really the ones they sent.”

  “What?”

  Muzik glanced at the commander. “I couldn’t bring you to her unless I knew you were the right ones. It’s too dangerous.”

  “I don’t understand what you’re talking about,” snapped Kendrick, taking the blankets from the soldier and wrapping them around the Terrian. “Lord Tarnow requested that someone come to Adishian. He sent a message to both Chernow and Terra Antiguo.”