by Dan Decker
She looked around, worried that Tere or Jorad or one of the others would be nearby. There was no doubt her face had paled, and she didn’t want anybody to see her worry. What would she do if Jorad accused her of having the tablet?
Give it up, she mused. Though she wanted to argue with the thought, she realized it was probably accurate. Rather than live with an illusion, it was better to accept the truth about herself. This at least allowed her to consider if she wanted to make some sort of change, rather than blindly move forward.
Unless somebody saw Tere give her the tablet, Jorad would have no reason to suspect her. She had barely ever had a conversation with Tere, let alone been in a position to save him from a tight spot. She knew she wasn’t going to be suspected, but it was difficult to make herself believe it.
The distance between the break in the tree line and the wall was deceptive, but with the greatness of the walls, she had expected it to be a distance smaller than it actually was. The trees here were smaller, so perhaps the more open area might have been far better maintained once upon a time.
When she glanced over her shoulder and saw Tere approaching, she froze. Did the man think to take back the tablet here? That would never do. It was risky enough that he’d passed it to her so openly. No, they needed to wait until they were alone if it could be managed.
The fool’s going to get us both caught!
He wasn’t in his right mind, the ancient artifact had gotten to him. She’d seen how he’d fondled it. Perhaps he believed the stories surrounding it, that it was a great weapon, and he wanted to make sure that he had it back under his control.
Hoping that he hadn’t noticed her looking over his shoulder, she decided to speed up, slowly at first. The road was wide enough here, and the area to the side wasn’t overgrown, making it easy to quickly put distance between herself and Tere. On second thought, she didn’t care if the man figured out what she was doing. He shouldn’t have been so reckless.
The further she got the faster she went until she was almost running. Once she realized what she was doing she forced herself to slow, though it was hard to do.
When she received a strange look from Leron, she realized she was bringing more attention to herself, not less.
She slowed to a pace like that of the rest of the party but still fast enough that she continued to pass by refugees. She wanted to glance over her shoulder to see if Tere was still behind her but refrained from doing so. People were already looking at her enough as it was.
It wasn’t long before she was at the front of the procession, just behind Karn and Jorad who were having a whispered conversation.
She approached as much as she dared, hoping to not appear as if she were listening in. If Jorad looked at her suspiciously, she’d quiver and any doubt he might have would go away.
The man was oblivious when it came to her. She wasn’t as weak as he thought. But she also had a long way to go.
“Did you see his smug smile when he handed over his coat and let us search his pack?” Jorad asked. “He should have been indignant, but instead he looked relieved. He hid it somewhere.”
Karn shook his head. “Perhaps he gave it to Tarner, but it’s unlikely. Despite what you’ve seen, they don’t normally get along. Tarner can be a complicated man. It’s only because they were focused on Adar that they seemed otherwise. No, if Tere had the tablet he wouldn’t have entrusted it to Tarner. Who else could he have given it to?”
Soret’s breath caught in her throat, and she stumbled, only just catching herself.
“Be that as it may, he looked triumphant, like he’d pulled the wool over our eyes.”
The two men walked in silence. Soret held her breath and measured every footstep, not wanting them to discover her and not daring to fall back any further. It didn’t sound like they suspected her, which had been the whole point of the maneuver and the reason why Tere had likely decided to go along with it. He could have easily just seen it as an attempt by Jorad to get the tablet. It was a lucky thing she had the deaths of Gorew and Thon to help convince the man.
The thought stopped her cold. Was she already so callous that she saw men dying as a good thing?
I shouldn’t have become involved with this, she thought. She was tempted to just give Jorad the tablet, trusting to his mercy, perhaps claiming she hadn’t known what it was. He thinks me naive, but even that would be too much for him to swallow.
It felt as though her heart were about to rip open her chest, the fear gripping her like a hawk seizing its prey in its talons.
She took a deep breath, held it and then slowly let it out. They didn’t suspect her. If she didn’t give them a reason to look at her askance, she would be fine. If she stayed by Jorad, Tere wouldn’t dare to retrieve the tablet, giving her time to decide on her next move.
“You need to be careful with Tere,” Karn said. “He’s been a disfavored member of our traveling party, but he’s well-respected here in Rarbon. Keep your suspicions to yourself. If he did do something to Adar, we’ll make him pay but remember the laws here aren’t going to touch Tere.
“Adar had a death order on his head. In fact, if Tere wanted to cause trouble for Xarda, Leron, or me, he could. Technically speaking we should have all arrested and killed Adar. We outnumbered him six to one. Let’s just hope that bit of information doesn’t get around. Tere has as much to lose as we do so he should keep his mouth shut, but these things have a way of getting out.”
“I’ll keep it in mind,” Jorad said. It sounded as though he spoke through gritted teeth.
After several minutes had passed, Jorad looked back and spotted Soret. His face broke into a smile, the awkward one he’d used since leaving the Arches.
It troubled her that she wasn’t able to hide her emotions as she returned it. She would have liked to make him think there was nothing wrong with what he’d done. That she still cared for him as she had before. But it wasn’t within her capabilities. At least not today. His eyes tightened when he recognized she wasn’t anywhere close to forgiving him.
Perhaps with time, she could cover it better, but what would she do if he tried to kiss her again? The thought made her feel filthy, as if she’d just fallen into a pigsty.
“Can you believe we made it so far so fast?” Jorad asked lightly, forcing a jovial tone into his voice that was at odds with his expression. “Most people need months to go from Zecarani to Rarbon.”
Karn turned as if thinking Jorad were speaking to him, he frowned when he saw Soret, his eyes giving her a penetrating stare that made her think he suspected her of eavesdropping. If the thought had crossed Jorad’s mind, it didn’t show on his face.
“Those Arches are magic, just as Wes said.” Soret pulled her hair so that it was all to one side, draping it down her shoulder. “There’s no other explanation.”
Jorad laughed. “It just seems like that. We’ve lost much, when the Arches were built, they probably weren’t thought of as any different than a wagon or a horse. It was just another way to get around.”
That was Adar talking, Soret knew. Jorad was just as much in awe as the rest of them. At least she could still read the man, though she had a hard time explaining and justifying the things he did.
“So, Adar claims,” Soret said walking up beside them. “I saw you with Tere.” She glanced his way. “Did you find anything?” Her voice was higher pitched than she would have liked, but at least she’d spoken without it cracking or breaking. That was an accomplishment in and of itself.
Jorad shook his head. “No, but he was hiding something. Of that, there is no question.” He looked at her, his eyes empty of accusation but she felt accused anyway. She frowned to hide it. “He might have passed it to Tarner.”
Karn shook his head but remained silent.
“You still think he didn’t harm Adar?” Soret asked.
It was Karn who answered. “I haven’t forgotten the look on his face when I caught up with him. He was ready to fight until he realized I hadn’t com
e to attack. He looked over my shoulder as if expecting Adar to be right behind me. Adar is alive. Or at least, Tere didn’t kill him.”
“And Adar’s armed with a blaster,” Jorad said, “he wouldn’t let the Hunwei get the better of him.”
Soret nodded in agreement, hoping for her father’s sake that Adar was indeed alive. Barc wouldn’t dare do the things to Adar that he’d done to Jorad. Hopefully, her father’s sense of self-preservation was enough for him to work with the man if they met up with each other.
Saying a silent prayer, she let her father slip from her mind, he had hidden just before the Hunwei had arrived. With a little luck, they hadn’t seen him.
The massive Rarbon gate was shut. She’d been so busy listening in on Jorad and Karn’s conversation that she hadn’t noticed until now. She’d hoped to sleep in a bed tonight but one more night on the ground would be survivable. At least she didn’t have Jorad’s wounds. It would be worse for him.
It’s no less than he deserves, she thought, feeling a swell of guilt at doing so. The conflict within made her want to vomit. She was done with the man, why couldn’t the rest of her get in line with that?
“We should have been approached by now,” Karn said. “They should have seen us from afar and come to investigate. We’re not a traveling band of merchants. Napael Army is not what it used to be. It’s a good thing Adar isn’t here to see.”
Napael Army?
Jorad didn’t comment, so he was already aware of the designation or didn’t want to show his ignorance. She couldn’t afford the luxury of not knowing.
“What’s Napael Army?” she asked.
“It’s one of the nine Radim armies,” Jorad said. He had known after all. When he saw Soret’s confused look, he went on. “The Radim armies are focused on the protection of Rarbon, have been for centuries. Each army has responsibility for a section of the city and for the lands outside, including the vassal cities.”
“Nine armies. How many soldiers?”
Karn answered carefully. “Some estimates put them above a hundred thousand, but the numbers aren’t talked about for strategic reasons.”
“A hundred thousand?” she said softly. “More than?” Karn made it sound as if he were vastly underestimating the number of soldiers, though she doubted that was his intent.
How could a city have so many people in one place, let alone a hundred thousand troops? She couldn’t wrap her mind around it though the evidence of what Karn said towered in front of her, the walls reaching to the sky. Tiny lights were visible at the top.
Torches?
More likely bonfires, she thought, wondering just how high the walls went. It was amazing, inspiring, and frightening. How could she ever hope to find a place amid so many people?
She glanced at Jorad, his face too reflected the type of awe and fear she felt. For him, it must be different. He’s always known about these things. It’s just his first time experiencing them.
She could relate, though anything that made her feel closer to Jorad made her want to pull away.
Once they came through a small grove of trees, Soret was surprised to see a giant bonfire just to the side of the closed gate. Soldiers stood around it, warming their hands while staring into the fire.
“What is this?” Karn asked sharply, astonished. Soret didn’t understand what he meant. What was wrong with them having a fire?
“This place has forgotten much,” Jorad said. “Adar would never have allowed this.”
“Not all the other armies are this bad. I knew General Kruper was getting lax but this… We could sneak up on them and put blades in their backs before any of them knew what was happening.”
Soret understood now. The fire blinded them to the night. Their role was to stand guard, how could they do that if they couldn’t see?
It seemed a small thing, but in war time there would be dire consequences. And isn’t that exactly what this is? They just don’t know it.
The great Radim were said to be standing watch for all of mankind, preparing for the return of the Hunwei. She all the sudden had second thoughts about enlisting. If this were how things were, perhaps she’d be better off sticking close to Jorad and trusting her luck to that.
No! I will not stand helplessly by his side. Even if the Radim standards have become lax, it is still better to learn what they can teach me. The fierceness of the thought was a little surprising, but rather than let doubt encroach on her decision she persisted by reinforcing it. I don’t need Jorad. I’m done with the confounded man.
They were almost to the fire before one of the men turned, he must have heard the crunching of gravel underfoot.
“Who goes there?” he called, drawing the attention of the other guards. There was a flurry of activity. One of the men looked at them with wide eyes. The man who’d called out was red in the face, staring at the hilt of Karn’s sword peeking up over his shoulder. As Soret and the others closed the distance, a party of five guards walked out to meet them.
“It’s Karn Bule, of Draer army. I have with me, Tere Huel of Laor, Leron Plater of Draer, and Xarda Huel of Korew. We are escorting refugees from war.”
The lead guard frowned. Soret was surprised Karn hadn’t announced Jorad as well, but perhaps there was a reason. With the people split about Adar, maybe it was best Jorad slipped into the city without anybody knowing.
“Where are the refugees from?” asked the lead guard. He had several slashes of rope hanging from his right shoulder that the others did not. She assumed this meant the man was a leader of some sort, hence the reason why he was asking the questions. Was it her imagination or was he agitated because a sizable group of people had approached him unaware?
“Refugees?” the leader demanded again. “Where from? How many?”
Karn smiled wryly. “About two hundred, from a town called Zecarani.”
“I’m not familiar with such a place.”
“It’s out of Neber.”
Neber? That was a strange thing to say. Once upon a time Neberan, Zecarani, and a bunch of other cities had all been considered part of the Neber kingdom, but it hadn’t been that way for hundreds of years.
“Neber?” the leader asked, not trying to hide his skepticism. “That’s a long way. You’re going to have to stay outside until we get things sorted. I’m not about to let in a bunch of strange people in the middle of the night.”
“Unacceptable. It’s cold, and these people are weary. We fled without proper gear, and some will die from exposure.”
The guard’s back arched, his face going stiff. “That is the way it is. Perhaps if you had arrived before sunset but even then, I wouldn’t let in such a large band of people without orders.”
Jorad stepped up to the man, swinging his pack off his shoulders while trying not to wince.
Was it wrong that seeing him in pain gave Soret a small amount of pleasure? And guilt?
The leader stood his ground while the others beside him looked ready to prod Jorad with their spears. Several lowered them but looked doubtfully to their leader, wanting an order from him.
“You look familiar,” the guard said. “Do I know you?”
“No,” Jorad said, unslinging the bag with the Hunwei head, “but you’ve heard of me.”
Soret stifled a groan. He was going to try that again? The fool was likely to get himself killed because of the smell alone. How many people had he shown that rotting head to in Zecarani? None of them had been even remotely concerned. He pulled it out and held it aloft so that it could be seen in the flickering light of the bonfire. “The Hunwei have returned. We must get word to the Rahar and the Rarbon Council at once.”
The leader frowned, looking at the head, the skepticism plain on his face despite the poor light conditions.
“Hunwei, you say?” he muttered. “Quick, Frand, fetch our head from back in the guard room, let’s compare the two, see if it’s like the one we killed.”
There was a pause before the guards burst into laughter. Some
stamped their spears on the ground while others slapped their legs as if the leader had just told the funniest of jokes.
Jorad turned red in the face.
“He speaks the truth,” Karn said to even more laughter as Jorad put the head back in the bag and slung it over his shoulder.
Why does he insist on keeping that ghastly thing? Soret wondered, wishing he’d just toss it away. Even when it was in the bag, she noticed the smell. Perhaps I ought to mention that, make him think that’s part of why I’ve been staying away.
The refugees were gathering behind, many muttering at the display.
“It’s true,” said an old man with missing front teeth. “Let us inside!” Several others called out as well, but that only made the guards laugh even more.
Jorad grabbed his blaster and appeared to be thinking of lowering it when Karn latched onto to his arm and said something Soret couldn’t make out.
A demonstration of what the blaster could do might have been convincing, but it also risked the guards spearing Jorad to death, surely the fool could see that, couldn’t he?
Xarda and Leron joined them at the front of the refugees. When the guards saw their Radim swords, they didn’t appear to care.
“Perhaps we should try another gate,” Xarda said to Karn in a quiet voice.
“That’s our only option at this point,” Karn whispered back, “or wait through the night.”
Soret’s heart sunk at either prospect. More marching or another night in the cold.
“What is the meaning of this?” cried the old man who’d moved up so that he was beside Soret. He looked—and smelled—familiar, but Soret didn’t know his name. She’d been so focused on everything else that she hadn’t bothered to get to know any of the refugees. “Rarbon is supposed to help people like us.”
“We will,” hooted one of the guards, “in the morning.”
“Tell you what,” said another. “Produce a live Hunwei, and we’ll let you on through. No questions. No problem.”
Soret felt a drop on her face and looked up, growling when it was followed by more. Before long it was coming down hard.