by Auryn Hadley
Geoni laughed. "It kinda carries." He turned to Zep. "Think of it like smelling pastries and then running into the man covered in flour who smells like pies. Pretty easy to figure out who is the chef. You smell like her, too."
"Is there something I should know?" Blaec asked, chuckling.
"No," Zep said.
"The maast," Sal breathed.
"Ok." Zep shrugged. "That makes sense."
Blaec nodded. "That, and she's always with one of the three of us. Well, I think we just got our way to explain this. Razor, you get those pips?"
"Put in a requisition. Will have them by the morning. I think their blacks will do well enough until then."
"Ok. Shift, lock the doors. Both of them."
The room waited in silence while Shift secured the suite. When he was done, Blaec turned to the new guys and rested his hand on Sal's leg beside him.
"Your papers aren't final yet, so this is your last chance to back out. The Blades don't work like other units. We're a pack. What I'm about to tell all of you is well above your clearance level. If that makes you feel uncomfortable, then this is not the place for you."
"It'd leak out anyway," Audgan said.
"That's why we don't try to hide it. Geoni?"
"Believe it or not, sir, I can keep my mouth shut."
Blaec nodded, accepting that. "There's a fourth load of ore. It's just been reclassified as first level clearance. Sal already found it, though. In three days, it should enter the mountains, heading through Echo Gap."
Sal leaned forward to get their attention. "According to Ran Sturmgren – yes, he's on our side – the Blue Party in Parliament thinks that this will make a perfect example of how unfit the iliri are as elites. Our mission today was to secure three loads of metal headed to Anglia to bribe the king to join with Terric. Blaec was given the assignment."
"Without being given command of any other units," Arctic added, anger in his voice.
"I called in a few favors," Blaec continued, "which is how we got the elites here. Most will return tomorrow and Azure should be back shortly after that. Star Fall is our problem."
Sal nodded. "Representative Toth has been seeking a way to discredit us."
"He's head of the Blue Party," Geoni said.
"Makes sense then," she admitted. "He informed General Sturmgren of the load, and that Star Fall will make sure it's brought back. They're supposed to hit it south of Ryass, well out of the mountains."
"So we need to intercept it before then?" Zep asked.
"Right," Blaec answered. "But Geoni there just gave me a bit of interesting information. Star Fall thinks the Devil Dogs are in allegiance with them."
"You sure they aren't?" Geoni asked.
"Yes," Sal, Zep, Arctic, and Blaec answered in unison.
"Ok, then."
"The Dogs are passing us intel," Sal said.
"And their commander is a former Black Blade. He only left because I recommended him for the position. If he'd been with us a bit longer, he'd be like Zep," Blaec explained.
"I ain't leavin', LT," Zep told him. "Not even for a unit."
"I know, man. That's the only reason I never recommended you. I know better." The two men shared a long look of understanding, then Blaec went on, "It's the 112th I'm worried about, but Sal is pretty confident that they're with us."
"They don't play those games, Blaec," Sal said. "Not a one of them smell of anything but human when they're around me. I've only met one man who can hide that. Well, besides Zep."
Blaec nodded. "Ran. Yeah, I taught him that."
"He fucking had a blade for me and I didn't know because you taught him that!"
"He needed proof you weren't feral, love. He got it, and you're in one piece."
"Ok, fair point."
"So," Blaec tried again, "Devil Dogs, and the 112th, I'm considering neutral right now. Star Fall is aggressive, and we need to be extra careful around them. We have three days, then we deploy. We need to slip out of here quietly, without warning, so that we have a head start. Geoni, Audgan, you have two days to get used to riding again. I'm sorry, but this is a crash course. Sal, you tell Cyno yet?"
She nodded.
"Ok. Sal and Cyno will not be returning with us."
"What?" Zep asked, pushing himself away from the wall.
"We got orders, big brother," she told him. "It's a long embed."
Zep swallowed and nodded. "How long?"
"Year?"
Blaec sighed. "This is first level, Zep. We're removing the King of Anglia and putting Valmere in his place. We talked about it in Stonewater."
"So it's official," Zep groaned. "Sucks."
"Fuck," Razor whispered. "That's not easy. Pretty sure Valmere isn't even in contention."
"He will be," Cyno said. "Bysno, Eriwald, Lord Jensen Idele and his son – and of course, the king. I got stuff on Valmere too, kitten."
"Thanks, killer."
"So," Audgan said, bringing them back to the subject, "We need to stop a fourth load of ore, from Terric, I'm guessing?"
Sal nodded. "The Emperor is using metal swords to buy Escea. We shut that down with the Warlords there. He's also trying to buy Anglia's support. King Jensen has made signs to Terric that he's interested, and this would seal the deal. We just shut down three of them today, but there's a fourth load."
"How can you be sure?" Geoni asked.
"Ok," Zep chuckled. "I like him. We can keep him."
Sal grinned, but answered. "It's the only reasonable answer, that's how we found it. You tell me how to get two thousand kilos of metal moved in three shipments? Two of which are traveling close together, and with a blatant military diversion, while the third is making a break south of Ft. Landing."
"Yeah, that is odd."
"So, two diversions, and two strategically placed to insure their delivery?" Audgan asked.
Sal nodded. "Exactly."
"That means, while we're saving the country, we're also tip-toeing around the politics?" Arctic asked.
Blaec nodded. "Exactly. Star Fall is trying to have me court-martialed for an inappropriate relationship with Sal. Any human would call it off with just that threat, so that's kinda how we're playing this. One of the men from the 112th owes Sal a favor, and he's playing a diversion. No, he isn't sure why, and yes, it was his idea."
"Eason," Razor said. "Yeah, he's the type. He'd figure he owes Jeisa's memory."
Sal's head snapped around to stare at him, her ears locked on his every move. "You're familiar with the 112th?"
Razor nodded. "And Eason. Jiesa was my – I think humans would have called her my cousin. Our mothers were second sisters."
"Second cousin," Zep corrected.
"Whatever. We grew up in the same family but weren't all that close. She took a bad injury a year ago or so and didn't live through it. Eason was devoted to her. The 112th all knew, too. It wasn't a secret."
"Didn't know you had family in the elites," Arctic said.
Razor just chuckled. "LT did. It's how I got into my trials."
"And why I decided to spar with him," Blaec admitted. "He impressed me when he never played on it. But I didn't realize who it was. Thing is, I don't want to know any more about what's going on with Sal and Eason. It will make all of our reactions a bit more real. Cyno, you are allowed to react, since your relationship with Sal is known. We also need a reason to publicly end it."
"Why?" Zep demanded.
"Officially he's about to report to me," Sal explained. "Yes, Parliament is trying to make my love life into a weapon."
"That rarely works," Audgan muttered. "They don't understand iliri at all."
"No," she agreed. "And I don't expect either of you to get tangled in this."
The pale boy looked up at her and smiled. "Too late, Lieutenant. We weren't raised by humans."
"Well, it's not a universal thing," Sal told them. "Specialist Wyra is proof enough of that."
"Some of us regret our ancestry," Arctic admitted, "and go aga
inst what is natural for us. It's easier. It really is, but it isn't right."
"Fair enough, and I know I've thought the same thing before." Sal cast a glance to Cyno. He just smiled.
Chapter 29
"Ok," Blaec said, calling attention back to him. "I have two days to get my assassins kitted out for a three month trip. We're going to deplete the unit's annual budget for this, but we don't have any other choice. I can get it replaced, I'm sure, but the Blades will be counting pennies for a few weeks at least. Shit, I wish Tilso was here."
"Whatcha need?" Zep asked.
"To move their gear from here to Anglia with minimal problems. Mules won't work for this. They're going to be doing hit and runs, and dragging a mule after them?" Blaec rubbed at his head, seeking the answer.
"I'll grab Tilso tonight and get him thinking about it," Zep promised. "Worst case, can any of our horses pack?"
"Cookie can," Razor admitted.
"Cookie?" Geoni asked.
"My gelding. He's the color of a cookie." Razor just shrugged.
"And we can't be sure Arden will come back sound," Zep said.
"Then she takes Scorch," Blaec told him. "We'll figure it out."
"Or Cessa, yeah," Zep agreed reluctantly. "I'm gonna miss ya, little one."
"I know, Zep," Sal told him. "But you know as well as I do what an opportunity this is for us."
"I have a question," Audgan said, looking at them all.
"Yeah?" Blaec asked.
"General Sturmgren. He ordered Sal to put in a king that favors iliri?"
"No," Sal clarified. "He made sure my orders gave me flexibility. There's a lot of phrases like 'to the best of your ability' in them. He told me what Parliament expects from us, and then gave me enough intel to justify another decision. He did not order me to instill Valmere, but he sure made it very easy."
"Why? You dropped his ass to the ground today. Why would he do that?"
"He likes us, Audgan. I'm not sure why, but he likes us," Sal said.
"I know why," Blaec told them. "It's not my story to tell, but we can trust him."
"So what happens when we get back?" This time the question was from Arctic.
"We either become heroes or martyrs," Zep said. "I'm thinking five hundred kilos of ore makes a pretty nice headline, though."
"And then what?" Arctic pressed. "Sal and Cyno gone? We're out of assassins. They won't just let go of wanting to discredit us. What do we do without them?"
"Ran is working on that," Sal said. "He's trying to make life better for us all. He asked me for ideas earlier, and I'm pretty sure he needs to use the Blades to implement them. Quieting the discontent in Guttertown sure won't upset Parliament any, and if you're working for Ran Sturmgren, I think you'll be safe enough."
"Ok," Arctic said. "We have three days. What's first?"
"Sleep," Blaec said. "Most of you are running on nothing. In the morning, I want Zep and Tilso with Geoni and Audgan. Zep, check those horses and make sure Tilso isn't over-mounting them."
"Can do, sir," Zep said.
"Razor, get Sal and Cyno the documents they're going to need. Forge what you can't get legally."
With a chuckle, Razor nodded. "Got it."
"Arctic..." Blaec sighed. "Run this through. Make it clean and tight, with wiggle room."
"Why isn't Sal planning this?" Arctic asked.
"She's got enough on her plate," Blaec replied. "You got this, man?"
"Yeah, not a problem. You willing to look it over when I'm done, Sal?"
"Our tactics for the hit on the fourth load?" When Arctic just nodded, she shrugged. "Sure, but I don't know why."
"You'll catch what he might miss," Blaec told her. "Ok. Shift, you have two days to get Sal and Cyno med kits. Teach her how to do basic medicine, too, since she's less likely to eat someone. We're sending them to Anglia without a healer."
Shift nodded. "Five assassinations and no medic? That's pushing your luck, LT."
"I know, man, but it's what we have."
"K," Shift agreed. "I'll get you some real good shit, Sal. I just hope you don't ever need to use it."
"Me either," she agreed.
Blaec sighed and rested his hand on Sal's leg, then turned to the rest of the men in the room. "Ok, get out of here. I need to talk to Sal."
Shift turned to say something, but Zep shook his head, gesturing for them all to leave the suite. Sal and Blaec's heads were turned together, their conversation silent and private.
You can't stay here tonight. You know that, right? Blaec asked her.
I do, Sal thought. If there were eyes watching me enter Ran's rooms, then there's eyes watching me here.
I may not get to be alone with you again before you leave.
You will, love, she promised. If you have to pick up some floozy in Guttertown, I'll find a way to have at least one more night with you. I swear it.
He smiled. You would too, you minx.
Sal's head cocked to the side and her ears flicked forward. That reminds me. Why does Jase call me kitten?
It's a saying from Guttertown, Blaec told her. There's two types of women, pussies and kittens. One you pay, the other you marry.
But iliri don't marry.
Blaec shrugged, That's a loose translation, Sal. One you use, the other you love. Better?
But he's always called me kitten, even when he barely knew me.
He nodded, waiting for her to make the next obvious realization.
Is this because you all keep saying I'm a Kaisae? Sal couldn't help but roll her eyes. She was tired of everything coming back to that.
No, Blaec said, surprising her. He grinned and tapped her nose. It's because of something not even we understand. The way you smell to us.
Sal chuckled and shook her head. So, now you're trying to say that all iliri are madly in love with me?
No. Just Cyno and I. Maybe a few others, but no, not all iliri. Ask him about it. He'll explain it better than I can.
She clenched her jaw, frustration obvious across her face, and nodded.
We don't choose our lovers the way humans do, Sal. You know that. That's why Shift brings home more women than the others. He can. We can't. This is nothing about you being special, except to us, and you already know that I think you're pretty special, right?
Yeah, she admitted. Yeah, you have a point. I'm just tired of being put on a pedestal, in the spotlight, and set up to fail.
We won't let you fail, Blaec promised. All of the Blades are here with you. We always will be. Even if we're three countries away, we're still with you. Ok?
Sal pressed her head into his chest. I know. I don't want to leave you, though. I belong here, with the Blades. With you.
You'll be with Cyno.
He's not you, she thought, her mind caressing his.
No, he's not, but he loves you quite a bit. What aren't you telling me, sweetness?
What if I like him more than you? she asked. What if I don't want to come back to you? What if I'm wrong, and I'm stuck with him for a year? What if I fall in love with him?
Blaec reached up, and gently touched her face, a sad smile on his lips. Your questions tell me what you're really worried about. If you love him more than me, Sal, then it's meant to be. I won't complain so long as you still love me, ok?
But what if I don't?
Then you don't. I can't make you love me. I can only be the best man to you that I can. I haven't been great about that, either. If you give me up, then I have no one to blame but myself.
But I love you, Blaec. You make me feel safe. You take care of us.
And that's so iliran of you, he interrupted. We will never know what will be, only what is. And right now, that's you learning to stop worrying about what a man wants and start doing something you want. Sal, you seek him out every time the maast hits you. Him, not me.
She nodded.
You kiss him like you've never kissed me. He held up his hand before she could send a thought. I'm not saying better, I
'm saying different. I'll bet there's a lot more between the two of you that is different than between us. He's iliri, Sal. He can handle you in ways I will never be able to. If you tried to bite me like you do him, you'd leave me looking like Zep.
I'd never hurt you!
No, you wouldn't, but I'm pretty sure you don't mind it at all that he bites you back.
Sal looked away, and Blaec laughed.
That's what I thought. Sal, we're matriarchal. Some things just don't feel right to us that you seem to take for granted. Like a man making the first move. Iliri men won't do that. Cyno won't do that. I'm pretty sure he never has.
No, he hasn't.
It's not because he doesn't want to, Blaec assured her. It's because he doesn't know how. Give him a chance, love.
Why do you care? she asked, trying to get the subject back on track.
He smiled and looked away. I never would have expected he and I to share a woman, you know? We're quite different. I've always respected him, though. Cyno's a bit feral, but I think a part of me wishes I could be wild like that. I look at you and I see the potential for you to be like him.
Feral?
Wild, Blaec corrected. I've been tamed, Sal. Arctic, Shift, Razor, and even Risk. We've all been tamed to varying degrees, but not Cyno. I don't like thinking of you stuck in a human cage. That's what they do to us. The bars are made of politics and manners, but it's still a cage.
It feels like it sometimes.
He nodded. A lot of the time. And the more you're with him, the more you learn to love your freedom and not bow down to the rules humans try to impose. A year with him? I can only imagine what you'll be like.
Feral? she asked, worried.
If you are, then I'll learn to be feral, too, ok? Sal nodded, and he wrapped his arms tightly around her, kissing the top of her head. Now get up, sweetness. Let me get your orders, then you have to go. We can't take anything for granted anymore.
I'm going to him. You know that, right?
I do, he said, as he led the way into the office. I just want you to do one thing for me?
Anything, Sal promised.
Talk to him. Don't just lure him into bed. He won't say no to that. Neither of us would! But talk to him, get to know him. You have three days, Sal. I can change the orders in the field if I have to. Figure it out.