"Then we get off the road here," Danica said, turning off the Tyborian Way and making for a dirt road leading into the hardwood forest.
"How much is in the three purses?" Danica said.
Helene pulled the stolen purses out of her boots and together they two women counted the coins as they rode. Cat and Claudia followed, shaking their heads.
"Helene, how much is left from that purse I got off the merchant?"
"A lot," she said, untying her purse off her belt. She had disposed of the merchant's purse back inside the hotel. "We'll have to stop to count it properly."
"Enough to buy us all warhawks?" she said.
Screwing up her face as she stared into the opened purse, "Probably not."
"At least two?"
"Sure, all of the purses together are plenty for two, maybe three old ones even."
"If we sell the horses?"
Helene smiled, "I know just the place, and its only about three hours ride from here. She'll buy our horses and sell us four birds and saddles. No questions."
Danica grinned at Cat, "You wanted out of the saddle, babe. We'll be in Dahlys in a matter of days."
Chapter 11
Dame Falen scowled at the sight before them. She thought her problems past when Sorceress Maeve failed to show at the gate this morning. She was leading her troop south on the Tyborian Way. They were about an hour out from the next Way Station, where she planned to acquire fresh mounts and continue on to Dahlys. She had all but given up hope of catching Danica and Cat before they reached the capital.
Up ahead, she could see a troop of Way Station Guards chasing a troop of mercenaries. Puma Troop's charter demanded they assist any Amazon armed forces requiring help. Duty and honor wouldn't let her ignore this, as much as necessity needed her to look the other way.
"TROOP!" she cried at the top of her lungs, raising her right hand high. The guidon bearer lifted the troop colors high to indicate an order was forthcoming as the bugler sounded attention to orders. "TO ARMS! SPREAD ACROSS THE WAY, TWO RANKS!"
Puma Troop moved without hesitation. They pulled their swords as they maneuvered into position. The Tyborian Way passed between two steep hills at their location, allowing them to easily cut off that route. Thick hardwood forests would force the running mercenaries to stay on the road. They were now effectively surrounded, trapped. Dame Falen, her four platoon leaders, guidon bearer, and bugler moved to the forefront of Puma Troop.
The caravans and travelers on the Way, seeing them, quickly scurried off the pavement and into the edge of the trees. Dame Falen watched the approaching mercenaries with growing anger. They were costing her time. And if it came to a fight, she could lose good troops for nothing.
"Be alert," Dame Falen commanded as the fleeing mercenaries spotted them.
The mercenary troop slowed to a stop twenty feet before Puma Troop. They were confused and seemed in disarray. Most were casting nervous glances back at the approaching Way Station Guards.
"Stand aside!" one cried. "We've no fight with you."
"My charter forbids it," Dame Falen said simply.
"We've done nothing wrong," the mercenary said, desperation creeping into her voice.
"Then why are they chasing you?"
"Ashtar as my witness, I don't know!"
"Then we will find out," Dame Falen said.
It was too late for arguments. The Way Station Guards arrived. The mercenaries pulled their swords and prepared to fight. As did the Guards.
"Hold!" Dame Falen cried. Everyone stopped to look at her. "Captain, why are you pursuing these women?"
"They are wanted for robbery back at the Way Station," the Guard captain said, glaring at the astonished mercenaries. "They robbed a merchant and a Vikon witch."
"Robbed a witch? How's that possible?" Dame Falen said. Several of the harried mercenaries shouted their agreement.
Hesitantly, "Well, as I understand it, she didn't have a ward on her purse."
"And how would these women have known that? Who but a professional cutpurse could, or would, even attempt such a stunt?"
"They ran!"
"I don't blame them," Dame Falen said. "Mercenaries aren't the most welcome lot in any land."
The Captain, a short, thick-bodied woman with gray-streaked brown hair, stared angrily at Dame Falen. Falen wanted to smile, despite the situation, for she understood the Captain's frustration. She wasn't used to anyone questioning her.
"And just who might you be?" the Guard Captain said.
"Dame Falen Rysnour of Jagstau, Captain of Puma Troop, and under Imperial Charter and contract," Dame Falen said. "And you?"
"Captain Lacy Kranour of Lynstau, Her Imperial Majesty's Constabulary, commanding Wolf Troop, Second Squadron, Tenth Regiment of Dragoons," Captain Lacy said. "Good enough for you?"
"Quite," Dame Falen said. She stifled a need to fidget in the saddle. The Noble House of Kranour was one of the Empire's Greathouses. Captain Lacy could very well be in line to the throne. Such a woman would only respect strength though. "Who charges these women with robbery? My experience shows that mercenaries don't usually engage in common thievery."
"A merchant of Glysa, Janna, and four Vikon witches," Captain Lacy said. "Dame Helene, a Peeress, Dame Claudia, Dame Brandi, and Catina, I believe."
The whole of Puma Troop started at the names given. Dame Falen's breath caught. She only recognized Dame Helene's name, and the fact she was a peeress confirmed it.
"The Peeress was a redhead in all black?"
"Yes."
"Why did they leave their group?" Falen frowned. She had a bad feeling about that. "Describe them."
"I didn't see them..." Captain Lacy said, taken aback by their reaction. Turning to her troop, "Sergeant Perissa. Describe the Vikon witches to the Captain."
A tall, strong looking woman rode forward.
"Lady Captain," she said, bowing slightly. "The two Vikon you are interested in were two redheads, a blonde, and a black-haired warrior?"
"Yes."
Sergeant Perissa frowned in concentration a moment, "You already know Dame Helene, apparently. Dame Brandi was very pretty, average height, hot-tempered, dressed in all blue, long blonde hair..."
"And the one called 'Catina' was extraordinarily tall and muscle-bound, with long blue-black hair and black skin?"
"Well...not really," Sergeant Perissa said. "The one called Catina was everything you described, except she had a fine alabaster complexion and blue eyes."
Dame Falen screwed up her face at that.
Lieutenant Olivia, Puma Troop's First Platoon Leader and second in command, rode up close. "Captain, maybe the Vikon witches put one of those glamour spells on her."
"Perhaps," she said thoughtfully. "Not like we have a choice, it's the only lead we have."
"Do these Vikon have some significance to these proceedings," Captain Lacy said. She looked quite put out. "I don't have time for all of this nonsense, Captain."
"Quite possibly. We are in pursuit of two known criminals and assassins. They have already attempted to murder the Duchess of Taanur, and we suspect they are heading to Dahlys to kill the Empress," she said. Captain Lacy and her troop all looked shocked. "Two of the Vikon sound like them. And they would be short on funds."
"And have to steal to pay their way," Captain Lacy said, but still eyed the mercenaries with suspicion.
The leader of the mercenaries, the blonde that spoke earlier, began, "We are willing to return to the Way Station to prove our innocence."
"That solves your problem, Captain Lacy," Dame Falen said. "Now tell me, where are these Vikon now?"
"They rode south on the Way," Sergeant Perissa said. "About an hour ago."
"Tuunar take their souls!" Falen cried. "They're two hours ahead of us." Turning in the saddle, "Troop! Column of fours!" Saluting Captain Lacy, "I trust you have no further need of us?"
"None," she said, returning the salute.
"Peace be with you," Dame Falen said.
After about half an hour Dame Olivia caught up with her.
"Captain, I was thinking," Dame Olivia said. "It could take up to an hour to change mounts at the Way Station. And we've no assurances the criminals are still on the Way."
"Your point?"
"Three hours south of the Way Station is a warhawk farm. We could send one platoon down the Way, with the other three scouring the countryside from above," Dame Olivia said, grinning. "The criminals could never hope to escape us then."
"Excellent thinking, Olivia!" she said, her confidence in capturing Danica and Cat rising. "We'll forgo the Way Station and head straight for the farm. Tell Dame Vanni and her platoon to stop at the Way Station, though. I want her leading the ground troops."
While Dame Olivia dropped back to relay her instructions, Falen allowed herself the luxury of contemplating what she'd do to Danica, Cat, and their Vikon comrades once she caught them. She might not be allowed to properly express her rage on Danica and Cat, but was sure Rebecca would give the two Vikon to her, if that was what they truly were. She would just have to ensure that word of the torments and tortures the Vikon endured reached their outland friends before they in turn died.
She smiled at the myriad of perverted and sadistic possibilities her fertile mind conjured. Torture was a favorite hobby of hers. Nothing thrilled her like the screams of her victims, except their pathetic begging for mercy.
Puma Troop rode hard the rest of the morning, alternating between riding and walking their mounts to reduce the number of rest stops. They arrived at the warhawk farm just before midday. It proved to be a rundown affair on the side of a hill. Except for a small stone house, every structure looked fragile and rotten. Even the perches the warhawks roosted on were gray and cracked with age. But they had birds enough to mount a regiment. More than enough for her reduced troop.
They were met at the gate by a tall, whip thin woman. She was dressed in the faded red uniform of a Rider. Her confident, ramrod straight stance belied her advanced years. Marisha's waist length snow white hair was pulled back into a single braid, and her startling blue eyes shown with vigor and defiance.
"You are Lady Marisha? Owner of this farm?" Dame Falen said, stopping before her and glaring down as arrogantly as she could muster after so long in the saddle.
"That I am, and you?"
Her voice was strong and piercing. Not the crackly voice of an old woman.
"I am Dame Falen, Captain of Puma Troop, and an agent of Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Serena," she said.
"An Imperial agent, no less," Marisha said, not looking particularly impressed. Falen thought she noted a hint of mirth tugging at the corners of her lips. Or was is scorn. "And how may this humble subject of the Divine Empress assist you?"
Falen smiled. She had thought the old wretch would be trouble at first. Swinging out of the saddle, and grateful for the chance, she turned to face Marisha.
"We require warhawks. Enough to mount my troop."
"And you'll pay with..."
Dame Falen scowled. "I have the power to requisition what I need."
"Ah...So Her Most Divine Majesty has sent you here to rob me blind? What's the matter? Taxes not high enough? Is she in need of a new villa?"
"Your attitude is most disturbing, citizen," Dame Falen said, eyes narrowing to slits.
"Not as disturbing as this legalized plunder of honest citizens! Have you ever tried to collect on an Imperial Requisition? I did, once. It took me five years, and I had to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that I deserved it!" Marisha declared, face turning crimson. "And you're disturbed by my attitude?"
"On my honor..."
"Tuunar take your honor! I want silver."
Dame Falen glared at Marisha, jaw set tightly. She fought an overwhelming desire to gut the arrogant warhawk breeder. If the two of them were alone, and her troops weren't watching, she'd probably have done it. The last thing she wanted was an argument with this old woman.
"We'll be leaving our mounts as collateral," she said. "That and my word of honor will have to suffice."
"So, you wish to charter some warhawks? Is that what you are saying?"
Falen gritted her teeth. If I thought I'd have half a chance of getting away with it, I'd hang you from the clouds.
The thought of the old woman kicking her life away at the end of a rope hanging from a soaring warhawk brought a smile to Dame Falen's face. Marisha misunderstood, and began smiling herself.
"I want to charter enough birds to mount my troop. They will be returned within the month."
"With the remainder of what's owed to me," Marisha added.
"Of course."
Nodding, "Very good. We'll start preparing your birds." Pointing to a long, L-shaped structure, "You can stable your mounts over there." She gave Falen an appraising look. "You realize, don't you, that I'll have to charge you stabling fees in addition to the warhawk rentals."
You realize, of course, that I'll probably skin you alive upon my return? Then nail your dried up old hide to the barn.
"Of course," Dame Falen said aloud.
Tossing her reins to the guidon bearer, she turned to Dame Olivia.
"Ensure the stables will remain standing until our return, before placing our horses in stalls," she said, eyeing the building with some doubt. "If need be, we'll leave a few troopers back to tend them."
Dame Olivia led the troop over to the stables while Falen went over to lean on the fence. She alternated between watching her troops tend their mounts, and Marisha and her staff preparing warhawks for flight. She played around with several charges she could use to have Marisha executed or imprisoned, but none would bring her the satisfaction of personally killing her. The idea of staking her out and skinning her alive still held close to Falen's heart. It was her favorite method of execution. Bloody shame the Empire outlawed it for being too barbaric.
"Captain! Over here, quickly!" Dame Olivia called from the stables.
She hurried over. Olivia led her into the stables without a word, and pointed at four horses stabled there. Not understanding the significance, she walked over. The first horse in line had a familiar brand — the brand of Puma Troop! As did one other, with the remaining two bearing Vikon brands.
She cast Olivia a wide-eyed look, then tore out of the stables. She found Marisha supervising the saddling of the warhawks. Seizing the breeder by the collar, Falen threw her against the fence.
"Where did you get those other four horses?"
"What?" she stammered, eyes now filled with fear. "I don't under — "
"There are four horses in the stables," Falen interrupted. "Two bear Vikon brands, and the other two the brand of my troop."
"Four Vikon bought four warhawks about an hour ago, Captain," she said, trying to regain her composure. "I took their mounts as partial payment."
"You're dealing in stolen horses, and aiding fugitives!"
Marisha's face went ashen. For several seconds she was too stunned to speak.
"No! I'm an honest businesswoman. I don't know anything about fugitives or stolen horses."
"We'll see about that," Dame Falen growled, then pushed her away. "See to the birds, and be quick about it. If I even think you're trying to hamper our pursuit, I'll personally see to your punishments."
Marisha rushed off to do her bidding. Dame Falen watched her with undisguised, wicked glee. Now she had what she needed on the cocky breeder. Of course, now she'd have to leave a contingent behind to ensure Marisha didn't attempt to escape.
Seeing Dame Olivia near the stables, she waved her over. She watched her walking over with her rolling gait. Of all her lovers,
tall dark Olivia with the mysterious eyes was her favorite. Olivia also had a devious mind and a sadistic nature she admired. The perfect companion for herself.
Alone, Olivia met her admiring look with a crooked grin. "Put the old crone in her place, did you?"
"I knocked her down a notch, but I'll take care of her properly upon our return," Dame Falen said, her eyes glinting with evil. Taking Olivia's hand, she kissed it hard. "Olivia, my love, we've almost caught them. They are only an hour ahead of us."
"And they're not expecting pursuit in the air," she said, her face shining with excitement. "What are we going to do with them when we catch them? Did Rebecca forbid us from doing anything — painful, or humiliating — to them?"
"No, but I'll not take any chances with Danica and Cat," Falen said, shrugging. The thought of Danica helpless at her feet, sent Falen's heart racing. "As much as I'd love to have personal time with Danica, we'll have to be careful. Maybe Rebecca will let us have one or both for a night or two back in Dahlys." Then her eyes hardened, "But the two Vikon are another story."
Olivia's dark eyes glinted, "I never did like those arrogant Vikon witches, so smug in their magic and sword skills."
"We'll teach them a few things," Falen said. "With fire and honed steel, as they lay staked out at her feet."
* * * * *
"And if you're wrong?" Carl said.
"Then we die." Talar shrugged. "We don't really have a choice in the matter."
So true. As much as Carl hated skulking about in shadows, shamefully hiding from those pathetic little creatures, he definitely didn't want to die in this place for nothing. The plan seemed reckless even to his wild way of thinking. Their covert spying on the Warlord had shown him to be a wizard of unknown abilities, but he could call upon at least two Gods for assistance.
"I still say we should wait until the Warlord sleeps, then sneak in and have a go at the portal," Carl said.
"I do not have the ability to call up the portal, barbarian. We have to wait for the Warlord to call it up, and then charge in before anyone realizes what's happening," Talar said with as much patience as he could muster. "Our surprise has to be complete or..."
Into Lands Forbidden (The Elfmaid Trilogy Book 2) Page 17