The Way to Freedom: The Complete Season Two (Books 6-10) (The Way to Freedom Collection Book 2)

by H. M. Clarke

  ‘The council did not send you or your friends to us. They had given no promise of military aid against anyone.’ Raga’s words matched the bristling fur that was rising on his hackles.

  “They knew nothing of the words you spoke to the Dymarki. They know nothing of any promises or warriors,” Dearen continued straight after Raga finished. “Asnar, if the council did not send you, why did you come? Why did you tell us all those falsehoods about aid and soldiers? Why?” Her voice was full of restrained anger and her finger was pressed hard into his chest, though Dearen did not remember putting it there.

  Asnar took an immediate step back as if he was going to turn and run back the way he came. But he did not. He settled his weight on that back foot and looked Dearen, Hauga and Raga square in the eyes. He stayed silent.

  ‘Asnar. We do not like to be made fools of. We deserve the truth. Or an answer at least.’ Hauga was more contained than Raga, though there was no anger in his voice, Dearen could still feel it radiating from him.

  Still, the Pydarki’s lips remained shut. In spite of this Dearen had the impression that the man wanted to speak, but was trying to formulate the right way to tell them. Dearen felt no sympathy for him.

  Then, quicker than the eye could blink, Raga reached forward and grabbed Asnar by the front of his tunic and lifted him from his feet towards the cat.

  Asnar’s hands moved to grip tightly to Raga’s wrists in an effort to pull himself up to stop being choked by the material of his shirt.

  Dearen made no move to stop Raga. She just watched and waited.

  ‘You will tell us what we need to know otherwise I will show you first-hand what Dymarki claws can do.’ As Raga poke, his claws began to extend from his fingers. The sight of their length and sharpness would be enough to put the fear of The One into anybody. But from the way he was held, Asnar could not see them. He was more concerned with stopping the suede of this shirt from pressing into his windpipe.

  “Alright. Put me down. I’ll tell you, I’ll tell you,” Asnar finally gasped out.

  Dearen saw Raga look to her and she gave him a nod to putting the Pydarki back on his feet.

  Raga frowned but did as she allowed. He opened his fists and released his hold of the shirt. Asnar dropped unceremoniously to the ground, causing him to grunt in pain. He lay there a moment, rubbing a hand around his neck where his tunic had cut into the skin, before levering himself up on his arm.

  “I’ll tell you. Just give me a moment to get up.”

  Dearen, Hauga, and Raga made no move to help Asnar as he slowly used the wall to help him get to his feet. The three stood, immobile with arms crossed across their chests watching.

  “Well?” Dearen eventually asked once Asnar was upright and had recovered his breath.

  “Dearen, I promise that we meant the Dymarki no wrong-“ Asnar started but Dearen interrupted him.

  “We? What do you mean ‘we’?”

  “Give me a moment to explain,” Asnar said rubbing at his throat again.

  Dearen could see the angry red mark where the suede had pressed into the flesh of his neck.

  “Go on. Explain.”

  Asnar drew a deep breath. “I am part of a small group of Pydarki who want us to go back to what we once were. Free and unhindered and not governed by a foreign power.” Asnar paused, waiting for someone to speak, but no one did, so he continued.

  “When the Dymarki came back we took it as a sign that The One wanted us to act now. So when the council elected to send emissaries to the Dymarki to give help with food and shelter, our group made sure that most of the people sent were of our way of thinking.”

  “So, you want to be free of the Suenese?”

  Asnar nodded at Dearen’s question.

  “The Pydarki as a whole will not openly support the Dymarki because of the original war the Dymarki had with Arran and Hadria.”

  “But Hadria does not exist anymore,” Dearen said.

  “Hadria became the Suene Empire. The family ruling now is descendants of the King that Dearen Hardclaw fought in one on one combat.”

  ‘The Hadrian King died saving Dearen Hardclaw though,’ Hauga said.

  “Yes, he did because of the treachery of one of his own.” Asnar sighed. “Our group took the reappearance of the war like Dymarki as an opportunity to help our break away from the Empire.”

  “So, you used us. You decided not to tell us the truth and you used us to your own ends,” Dearen spat at him.

  “Yes. Our leader commanded us not to.”

  “Well, your leader is a fool.”

  ‘We respect the truth. If you had given us the choice, we might have considered helping you,’ Hauga said.

  ‘The Pydarki are not what they once were. We thought you honorable people. But during the years of the Great Exile you have diminished into something weak and spineless,’ Raga said. ‘No wonder the rest of the Pydarki seem not to like you Asnar.’

  “The council thought agreeing to send our members away would keep us from mischief but… You are right Raga. The others do not agree with our ideas and wants. They are content with the status Quo.”

  “It doesn’t matter what your reasons were or who ordered who. You are still a liar, which makes me think that everything you did was a lie. You have lost my trust Asnar and that is your loss.”

  With that Dearen turned on her heel, pushed past Hauga and Raga and walked away back to their room.

  The Great Game

  The Way to Freedom

  Book 9

  H.M. Clarke

  CONTENTS

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  “Don’t trust yourself until the day you die.”

  -A Saying of the Suenese

  CHAPTER ONE

  Fort Foxtern was in turmoil.

  And Captain Jerant, as the nominal commander did nothing to still it. Colonel Oded was furious and had sent numerous letters off to Hered in an effort to hurry the issue of the order to select the head of the Northern Army. It should have been given to Prince Garrick straight off, but for some unknown reason, the Emperor was delaying the appointment.

  Oded and Harada had a very good idea as to what might be the reason for that delay.

  The Emperor’s Mistress. Felian.

  She and her cronies were undoubtedly working to turn this conflict into something that they can use to their advantage.

  It also did not help matters that the returning scouts had reported large numbers of men massing along the Arranian side of the border and that signs of passing Arranian groups had been seen in the forests and mountains around them.

  It was early morning and Harada and Oded stood on the large open plain before the main gates of Fort Foxtern. Red Samar stood with them, her large form blocking the two men from view from any unfriendly eyes looking on them from the fort. Around them mustered the rest of the Wing. Hatar’le’margarten stood patiently as their riders placed the lightweight riding tack over their shoulders and made sure that the harness and straps were secure.

  “We should have heard something back by now,” Harada quietly said as he adjusted the girth strap on Samar’s double saddle.

  “I know. But the decision cannot be delayed for too much longer,” Oded replied standing back a few steps as Harada flung the neck strap around Samar.

  “I was talking about Garrick. He should have sent us news about what he’s seen going on at the Capital. He or Malchance must have some idea of what exactly She is doing or saying to delay the announcement.”

  “It may be unsafe for him to send messengers Harada. He and his movements will undoubtedly be watched and reported back to Her.”

  Harada stood up and began to make a show of adjusting Samar’s chest strap.

  “I know. But Gar
rick’s a resourceful fellow. He would work out a way to get word to us.” Under his breath, he muttered, “I want to know how he feels about Kalena being missing.” Harada leaned his head against Samar’s broad chest and he soaked up her silent strength as he tried to still his whirling thoughts. All of Garrick’s plans hinged around that girl. Harada’s niece had better come back to them safe and sound. A blast of air on the back of his head caused him to smile as a moment later he felt the reassuring touch of a feathered nose just above his ear.

  Harada stood back from Samar and then reached up to give her a scratch under her chin.

  “I just hope he is still safe. I don’t trust Felian as far as I can throw her.”

  Oded nodded and looked over his shoulder at the great arm of the Bhaligier ranges. Harada followed his gaze until his eyes alighted on the towering peak of Daegourouf. Unlike the rest of the ranges, the skirts of the mountain did not hold snow. Only its utmost peak had a small cap of white that made it blend into the clouds behind it. This made the mountain stand out amongst its fellows.

  “The scouts came back in last night, and after reporting to Jerant and Inman, the lead scout came to report to me.”

  “Jerant still is not sharing information with you?”

  Oded smiled, his white teeth bright against his dark olive skin. “He shares what he thinks I won’t be interested in. But most of the men here know that command will eventually be given to Prince Garrick and so to me. They know which side to butter their bread.”

  Harada pulled his eyes away from the mountain. “And just what did the scout have to say?”

  “They have not seen any sign of Ice Tiger activity around the immediate area of Foxtern. They have seen signs of Arranian troops moving through, but the enemy was long gone before the scouts saw their signs. The only troop movements they have seen with their own eyes is that of Jerant’s men who the scout says looks to be following the trail of the Arranians.”

  “Jerant’s men following the Arranians? Don’t tell me he’s actually doing something sensible and is keeping an eye on the enemy,” Harada said.

  Oded shook his head. “I don’t know. The Infantry scout didn’t say as much, but I get the impression that the man did not like what he saw.”

  Harada’s shrewd gaze centered on Oded who was now looking intently at him.

  “Are you inferring that Jerant has something to do with the Arranians?”

  Oded shrugged.

  “I’m not inferring anything. At least not without hard proof.”

  Harada released the breath he had been holding. “If he is really in league with the enemy, it would mean a death sentence for him.”

  “And it couldn’t happen to a nicer man.”

  ‘Harada, men are coming through the gate.’

  Samar’s warning made Harada turn to see a small group of Jerant’s cronies walking slowly out from the main gate towards the flying field. Undoubtedly coming to spy on them.

  ‘Samar, pass a message on to Holm through Motta. Tell them to do a high attitude search for any signs of either Jerant’s men, or the Arranians that the scout group had seen signs of. If he sees them, he is to observe to see what their interactions are. Any signs of collusion between the two groups and Holm is to report back to either Me or Colonel Oded.’

  ‘Yes, Harada.’ After a pause. ‘Holm and Motta acknowledge the order and they are on their way.’

  Looking over Samar’s shoulder, Harada saw Holm mount Motta and the two quickly launched into the clear morning sky and flew off towards the main arch of the Bhaligers and Daegourouf.

  “Oded, we have company coming in our direction,” Harada said.

  The Colonel turned and looked towards the gate. “I see Jerant is sending his eyes out.”

  “I’d say it was Inman who has. Jerant prefers not to think about us so much.” Harada let a smile tug at his lips. “It doesn’t matter though, I’ve lived my life under the gaze of the Justicars.”

  “They only have the authority they currently have because of Felian. If they didn’t need her, the Justicars would hang her to the wind.”

  Harada tightened his lips but said nothing in reply. He and Garrick should have moved quicker to stop Felian from gaining the foothold she currently has. The current situation is as much their fault as hers.

  “We’d better move the wing out otherwise they will wonder why we are waiting.” Harada turned away from the gate and in one swift movement swung himself up into the first seat of Samar’s double saddle. He deftly tied the security straps before leaning down to give Oded a hand to mount behind him.

  Upon seeing their Wing Commander mount, the rest of the wing did themselves and then waited for the signal to fly.

  Once Oded had secured his straps, Harada and Samar checked the readiness of the wing. Everyone was mounted and waiting. Harada noted that the group of cronies was still walking towards the Flying Field. He waited until the first man was about to set foot past the white washed rocks that bordered the Flying Field. He and Samar then gave the order.

  ‘Rise.’

  As one, the entire wing leaped from the field, leaving the ground below swirling in sand and wind from the powerful down beats of the launching Hatar’le’margarten.

  Harada saw the group of men rock back in surprise and begin to cough and splutter before using their coats to protect their faces from the stinging dust and wind.

  It was a childish thing to do, but it gave Harada a perverse satisfaction. Any act of resistance no matter how small was good for a person’s soul.

  He felt Oded grab the back of his jacket as Samar ascended at a steep rise to reach patrol attitude. The Colonel hated to fly, but this was the only space they had where they could be sure not to be overheard.

  After what seemed an age but would only have been a dozen heart beats at most, Samar began to level out and around them, Harada watched as the rest of the wing slipped into standard diamond formations.

  “We are going to have to come up with a story about why Wing Second’s Tayme and Trar and Adhamh are missing. Jerant seems to have a special interest in them, and would love to have a reason to mark them as deserters.”

  “It’s none of his business where they are. The Flyers are placed under my command. If I say they are out on official business then that should be enough for Jerant.”

  Oded eased the hold on Harada’s jacket as he talked. The morning was a good one for flying. A pristine blue sky, high altitude wind currents strong enough to give the Hatar lift to help them conserve energy, but light enough not to buffet the riders strapped to their necks. The air Harada breathed still held a hint of winter and the day already felt good.

  “Jerant might still try something. Or maybe stir Inman up to look into it. As I said, Jerant has a special interest in those three, especially Kral Tayme. He and Kalena are the two who he blames for his removal out here.”

  “Brock should have worked harder to have had him discharged from the service. It might have saved us the headache we have now.”

  Harada shrugged but gave no reply. He was loyal to the Provost Marshall and did not like to hear him criticized, even by someone else whom he respected.

  The flight was now soaring over the skirts of the mountain range and Harada asked Samar to give the order for the flight to follow them along the border down the Suenese side of the Ranges.

  Samar banked in a leisurely turn and then settled in the new direction.

  Oded leaned forward a little to look down past Samar’s shoulder. “How can you see anything from up here? The forest down below just looks like green dyed wool.”

  “The Hatar can see what lies below. As you very well know. They have very sharp eyes, but even they will miss something if they are not looking in the right direction.”

  A rumble from Samar drew a chuckle from Harada. “Samar says that she has never been caught by surprise.”

  ‘Except when you are asleep in a sand bath in the sun.’

  ‘I knew that was you, Harada!�
��

  ‘Sure you did.’

  ‘I didn’t eat you did I?’

  Harada chuckled again and thumped Samar companionably on her neck.

  ‘No. You didn’t and I am very thankful.’

  “How long are we going to patrol for?” Oded asked.

  “About six hours is standard. So we’ll be back at Foxtern about mid afternoon. If we come back earlier it might look suspicious.”

  “So that means I’ll be eating lunch on Hatar back again then.”

  “Yes, it does.”

  “Figures.” The Colonel then settled back in the saddle for a long trip.

  CHAPTER TWO

  “Harada, what’s that?” Oded pointed down to the forest ahead of them.

  Harada was already looking at the location, but as yet could not discern anything. Samar had alerted him that there were a group of men down there heading along the path in the direction of Fort Foxtern. Oded must have good eyes.

  “The Hatar have already seen it Oded,” Harada called back over his shoulder. “There is a group of men on the road and until they can be directly sighted, we can’t be sure if they are ours or not.”

  “Are we going to go down and check?” Oded asked.

  “No need, there is a gap in the trees not far ahead of them along the road they follow, the Hatar will see who they are then.”

  Even though Harada could not see him, the Wing Commander could tell that the colonel was not happy about waiting. He was a man of action and sitting still when the enemy may be below them did not sit well with the man.

  “They may be Pydarki as well-“

  ‘Harada, Motta is coming in ahead of us,’ Samar’s mind speak cut into Harada’s words.