Barros grunted: there was nothing to say.
Walpish frowned at him for a moment, and then rose. “Very well, Barros, you’ve been a great service.” He gestured toward the cook’s tent. “If you’ve need of any supplies, feel free.”
“Thankee, sir,” Barros said. He turned his head toward the armory. “It’s more arrows, I need.” He turned back to Walpish, smiling murderously, as he said, “Arrows and poison. It’s the poison that does the job, as it were.”
“I’m sure our armorer will give you all the help he has in the past,” Walpish allowed, turning back to the lieutenant and dismissing the spy from his sight. “Now, Marless, we must see about sending some scouts eastward, just to extend our perimeter. And then we have to set a detail hold the town until the soldiers arrive.”
“You’re thinking of starting westwards, sir?”
“I am,” Walpish replied. “I believe we’re safe enough now to send a troop or more down the road some miles, just to keep an eye on things.”
“I see, sir,” Marless replied. “Shall I get Captain Lewis, sir?”
“Yes,” Walpish said. “He will do excellently!’
Barros ignored the colonel just as thoroughly as the colonel now ignored him. He moved quickly to the armorer’s tent, got his supplies and left the camp as silently as he’d entered. There were more things to kill. He liked killing.
#
“Gold?” General Tashigg roared. “I don’t care a fig about gold! We’ve a war to win!”
The young ensign riding beside him wilted. “Sir, it’s just that’s what I’d heard, sir. About those two who left the horses.”
“General Diggory and I will be talking about that, just as soon as we —” he broke off, pointing to lights in the distance. “We’ll be meeting him shortly.”
It had taken the better part of the day to form the division and set on the road to Korin’s Pass. He expected to join the first brigade to the rest of his division, meet up with scouts from Walpish, the cavalry commander, and move immediately through the pass to secure the town of Korin’s Pass.
Then he’d be ready to start his part of the trap that would destroy the Sorian army completely. After that, there would be plenty of gold.
The King’s spymaster, Hewlitt, had sworn that the Sorians only had five divisions at the ready and most of them would be waiting for Gergen’s two divisions at South Pass. Everyone knew that Korin’s Pass was unbreachable — because of the fort that guarded it.
And that had been true. No canon shot could hope to reach the height of the fort — until airships were built that could fly above it and fire down.
General Tashigg smiled to himself. He knew some of the Sorian generals. They were smug and thought that, since their triumph in the Pinch, no one would dare assault them. They were about to find out that they were wrong.
#
“Captain of the guard!” a private called from the darkness. Captain Welless jerked in his cot and jumped out of it. Now what? “I’ve got someone here claiming to be General Tashigg — oh, wait! First Division approaching!”
Whew, Welless thought to himself as he raced from his tent. The rest of the division has arrived.
He caught a glimpse of a large party of officers entering the command tent and decided that he might as well rest up. It’s not as if —
“Captain Welless!” a voice shouted. “Report to General Tashigg!”
Welless suppressed a groan and turned sharply back to his tent, gathering his helmet and sword before rushing off to the command tent.
Inside, he found Colonel Marchant, newly-promoted Major Baker, and other officers he didn’t recognize all gathered around the small figure of General Tashigg.
“Captain Welless reports!” he said as he entered, saluting toward the general.
“You are the captain of the watch?” General Tashigg said, beckoning for him to approach.
“Yes, sir,” Welless replied.
“And you had the watch when these… unpleasantries occured?” Tashigg asked.
“Sir?”
“I believe the general is referring to General Filbert, captain,” Colonel Marchant told him.
“And his missing horses, too,” General Tashigg added tartly.
“Yes sir,” Welless admittedly glumly.
General Tashigg beckoned him forward with a wave of his fingers and gestured toward a seat opposite him. He gave the captain a probing look then turned to the rest of the room. “Gentlemen, you may leave.”
“Sir?”
“The captain and I are going to have a long talk,” General Tashigg said frostily. “We do not require company.”
Reluctantly the others left, Colonel Marchant lingering long enough to give Welless a warning look.
When they were all gone, General Tashigg heaved a deep sigh and turned to the luckless captain. “If you ever repeat this, I’ll break down to private,” the general warned.
“Sir?”
“General Filbert was an ass, and I’m neither surprised he tried the stunt I’ve heard about or got his justly deserved reward,” General Tashigg told the bewildered captain quickly. “But I want to know everything you can recall about the events up to and after his demise.”
“Sir?”
“Off the record, captain,” the general affirmed. “Just talk, answer my questions, and you’ll do fine.”
“Very well, sir,” Welless replied slowly. “Where would you like me to start?”
“Tell me when you first had difficulties on your watch,” the general said, leaning back in his chair and tenting his hands attentively. “Don’t leave out any detail. There will be reports to write, and I want to know where to start.”
Chapter Five
“My orders are no one is to enter,” Dermon, the injured zwerg guard insisted staunchly when Imay asked him to open the door. Imay opened her mouth to protest but he cut her off. “Miss Lissy told me herself. No one can counter that order, except the queen.”
“How about a god?” Ophidian asked, raising his claws up to his chest and buffing them idly as he leaned against the corridor in the back of the group.
“Well,” Dermon allowed, “I suppose I’d have to defer to a god but, really, do you expect Geros or Granna to come give me orders?”
“No,” Ophidian replied, stepping forward so that Dermon could get a good look at his face. “I’m pretty sure I can do it myself.”
Dermon’s eyes bugged out of his head and he dropped his sword before dropping to his knees. “God Ophidian! I didn’t know — I’m terribly —”
“Just open the door, please,” Ophidian said, gesturing for the guard to rise. “I want to see my son.”
Dermon rose, grabbed the keys but paused and turned back. “I’m not sure that’s wise, your greatness.”
“What?”
“Miss Lissy and her friend seemed very firm that they were the only ones who could stay with him,” Dermon went on quickly. “He’s in his dragon form —”
“Well, he’s in a room full of gold,” Imay said, “isn’t that the sort of thing that dragons adore?”
“Ellen!” Rabel called through the doorway. “Ophidian is here! We need to speak with Jarin.”
After a moment, they heard the sounds of feet dislodging coins and other trinkets. The feet stopped just before the door. Her voice muffled by the thick door, Ellen said with a sniffle, “I don’t think you can.”
“Oh,” Ophidian said. He turned to Rabel with a look that combined anger and sorrow. After a moment he turned back to the door. “Are you going to be all right?”
“He swore he would never harm me,” Ellen said softly. “And I think he loves Lissy the same way.”
“We will be back,” Ophidian said, gesturing to the others to follow him. He turned his head back to Dermon, ordering, “No one enters or leaves tha
t room.”
“The queen —”
“No one,” Ophidian said, his voice full of menace.
“As you say,” Dermon replied.
#
“Is my sister in danger?” Imay asked as they walked back down the corridor.
“We all are,” Rabel said. He turned his head toward Ophidian. “They were coming for me.”
Ophidian his head twitched in the merest nod.
“We must find my mother,” Imay declared. “She has to be warned.”
“Yes,” Ophidian agreed. “Please take us to her.”
They found her just outside the infirmary, consulting with Molle and Granno. Another zwerg was with them, dressed for combat, looking grimey, injured, and sorrowful.
“This is Colonel Kavim,” Diam said, waving a hand to introduce him to the rest. She raised an eyebrow as she took in the others. “God Ophidian, you grace our halls.”
“I do,” Ophidian agreed. “My son is in your treasury and one of my oath-sworn and your youngest are refusing entry.”
“What?” Diam exclaimed. “Great god, I cannot understand —”
“I can,” Ophidian cut through her nascent apology. He waved a hand toward the others. “These are mage Reedis, formerly of the airship Spite, and the witch, Annabelle, also from same.”
Diam nodded warily to the newcomers. Reedis bowed deeply and Annabelle gave the queen a deep, respectful curtsy.
“Are they also your oath-sworn, great god?” Diam asked.
“Annabelle is,” Ophidian allowed. He gave Reedis a measuring look. “The mage has not declared himself one way or the other.”
“Although I am most interested in why I’m here,” Reedis told the god. He nodded toward Annabelle. “I understand that Annabelle owes you service but —”
“Consider it a courtesy,” Ophidian cut across him with a warning tone. “How else would you have returned from such a great distance?”
“Where did you come from?” Diam asked with sudden interest, glancing between Reedis and Annabelle.
“They came from the bitter north,” Ophidian answered with a tone of finality, his eyes briefly catching those of Reedis in warning.
Reedis swallowed quickly and nodded. “As the dragon-god says.”
“Indeed,” Diam agreed, her eyes bright. She swayed on her feet.
“Ophidian, the queen has suffered several long and tiring days,” Rabel warned.
“Perhaps we should find a better place to converse,” Ophidian allowed. “One with food.”
“My office is at your disposal,” Molle said to the queen. She added, “Although it might be cramped.”
“Perhaps the barracks?” Kavim suggested.
“I am a queen,” Diam replied haughtily, “I have a court and a throne.”
“Does it have a table and chairs for others?” Ophidian asked smugly.
“I keep a council room next door,” Diam replied quickly. “It is well suited to consultations.”
“Then, by all means, let us retire there,” Ophidian allowed. “We have much to speak about.”
#
Diam left Colonel Kavim go about his duties and gave her thanks to Molle and Rabel for their efforts. She gave Imay a thoughtful look, trying to determine what was different about her daughter but was too tired and too worried to tackle the issue before they were assembled in the council room.
Servants brought in two trolleys loaded with a hastily assembled assortment of sustenance: cold meats, breads, fruits, pastries, tea, and coffee.
There was a long silence while everyone filled plates and found seats. Ophidian delighted the others by acquiring several large slices of meat and roasting them with his breath.
Imay turned to Rabel and asked in a whisper, “Can I learn to do that?”
Rabel grinned at her.
Diam noticed the byplay from where she sat at the head of the table and inquired acerbically, “Daughter, what were you joking about with our friend?”
Imay blushed bright red and ducked her head, not willing to meet her mother’s eyes.
“Please, your majesty, let us eat first, and then we’ll answer all questions,” Ophidian implored.
“As you wish, god Ophidian,” Diam replied with a tilt of her head. But she kept her eyes on Rabel and Imay whenever she could.
Plates emptied, were refilled, cups were topped off, and finally everyone was sated.
Ophidian coughed politely and all eyes turned to him. “Queen Diam, thank you for your hospitality,” he said. He gestured toward Reedis and Annabelle. “I thank you for allowing me to bring guests, uninvited into your underground kingdom.”
Beside the queen, Granno frowned darkly.
Ophidian noticed and said to him, “I would only have done this under the direst of circumstances.”
“Worse than an invasion by humans?” Granno asked.
“I think so,” the dragon-god replied. He glanced to Diam. “Please, has my son been any help to you?”
“Yes,” Diam replied, her eyes clearly showing her surprise at the question and the rapid calculations that it inspired. “In fact, all four have been most helpful.”
“I am glad,” Ophidian replied. He sighed and dropped his eyes in a manner most uncharacteristic of the always-cocky dragon god. “Jarin is special to me.”
Rabel glanced at him and then away.
“All my children are special to me,” Ophidian continued. “But some manage to find a special place in my affections.”
“I understand,” Diam said quietly. “I feel the same about my girls.” She glanced sharply toward Imay. “I would be most upset if anything were to affect them unexpectedly.”
“Imay asked for the gift of burn healing,” Rabel spoke up, meeting Diam’s eyes directly. He glanced toward Ophidian who was watching him with a smoldering look. “Ophidian has accepted her oath.” He tapped Imay’s shoulder. “Your daughter saved half the burn victims in your infirmary.” Imay turned her eyes toward her mother. “She is going to be a great healer.”
“She has the gift of fire,” Ophidian agreed. “Healing, burning…” he met Diam’s eyes firmly as he continued, “steel-making.”
“You took Ophidian’s oath?” Diam demanded of her eldest daughter.
“I did,” Imay told her, raising her chin high. “Our people were dying. Rabel was at his last strength —”
“He looks fine now!” Diam interjected.
“Ophidian,” Rabel explained, cocking his head toward the dragon-god.
“I asked for this, mother,” Imay persisted. “And I’m glad I did.”
“You are my daughter, my subject —”
“I am a princess of the realm,” Imay interjected. “Our people were in danger, dying. I did what I felt was right.”
Diam regarded her eldest daughter for a long moment, speechless. A tear slid down her cheek. She wiped it away and nodded. She turned her gaze toward Ophidian and then to Rabel.
“You approved?” she asked them.
“Yes,” Rabel said. “She has a gift, your majesty.” He allowed himself a wry smile. “Along with your… determination… she has all the other gifts you gave her.”
“And, god Ophidian, what is it you demand in return?” Diam asked, glaring at her daughter. “All our gold? Our treasures?”
“I swore this, mother,” Imay said. “‘I, Imay, Princess of the Silver Earth zwerg, do offer you this bargain: for your gift of dragon’s fire and dragon’s healing, I swear to you to guard my people and my friends, to protect them with my life, particularly to protect, aid, and guard Ellen Ford, Rabel Zebala, Ibb the Immortal, Krea Wymarc, and Jarin the dragon.’”
“And I accepted,” Ophidian said. He cocked his head toward Diam. “Although, if you wish, your majesty, I may consider a different bargain.”
Diam lea
ned back in her chair and laughed. Ophidian gave her a surprised look. Beside her, Granno looked from his queen to the dragon-god back in alarm, uncertain what to do. Diam waved his worries aside and recovered. “Imay, my first-born, I am so proud of you!” she said to her daughter. She glanced down the table to Ophidian. “I am pleased, dragon-god, that you will take my daughter under your protection.”
Ophidian gave her a slow nod. “The gifts that Geros has granted my oath-sworn have been reciprocated with your daughter.”
“Geros gave his gifts to three of yours,” Diam observed sharply.
Ophidian accepted her observation with a slight nod of his head. “I would be happy to extend the same to your other daughter and any other of your subjects if you so desire.”
“I shall consider this kind offer,” Diam said politically. Ophidian lidded his eyes in acknowledgement. She took a breath to focus herself and then said, “But, I gather, you also accepted my daughter’s oath as a way to gain access to my kingdom.”
Ophidian nodded.
“Why?” Diam asked. “Is this connected with your son, Jarin?”
“He’s dead, isn’t he?” Reedis said, lifting his eyes up from where he sat, opposite Ophidian, to gaze at the dragon-god directly. “He never had a second name.”
Ophidian nodded slowly. He closed his eyes and said, “All dragons were formed from drops of my blood. Wyverns come from my tears.” He took a deep breath and opened his eyes, meeting and holding Reedis’ eyes with his. “There was a war. Long, long ago. Lost to the memory of men. Perhaps even before men could write. It doesn’t matter. I was wounded, cut with many cuts.
“When I recovered, I discovered that my blood had made dragons, and my tears, wyverns,” Ophidian continued. “I tracked down my children born in this manner but I could not track them all. The ones I found had all found souls to twin with, perhaps for safety or perhaps because it filled the void in them that I had left, I don’t know. I only knew of so many.”
“Like Wymarc?” Rabel asked. The dragon-god nodded.
“She was one of the first I discovered,” Ophidian allowed. He smiled at some distant memory. “She was not the last.”
“Jarin was,” Reedis guessed. Ophidian gave him a piercing look but nodded.
Twin Soul Series Omnibus 2: Books 6-10 Page 33