by Ashley Capes
“How do you know so much about Vadiya war camps?” Tsolde asked without turning from the road.
“I was held prisoner in Vadiya for over a year,” Never said.
“Truly?”
He started on the greaves. “One of my fonder memories.”
“How?”
“I got into trouble trying to steal a horse. The owner of the horse was creative enough to want a foreign slave.” He looked to Luis. “I’ll have to carry your spear and Tsolde’s knife.”
“Shouldn’t one of us at least conceal a weapon?” Tsolde asked.
“If you’re found with a knife we’re finished.”
“I don’t like it.”
Luis frowned too, but handed his spear over. “He’s right, Tsolde.”
“Fine.” She gave her blade to Never.
“Good.” Never switched boots, stashing his own behind a trunk with a shrug. He’d never see them again but that didn’t really matter, did it? “Vadiya have two sets of sentries, pairs close to camp and outliers like this one.” He lifted a horn. “Outliers will be spread along the back-trail and before the camp; they sound an alarm for advance warning, giving the camp more time to prepare. It’s only a few men more than many other armies, in truth. The same men also serve as advance scouts.”
“And this one?” Tsolde asked.
“We were lucky to surprise him – I imagine he wasn’t expecting trouble from the direction of the Bridge, too focused on the King’s Road.” Never had completed most of the transformation. When he started to strap on all the weapons, he swore. “This is ridiculous.” He dumped the bow and hatchet. Sword, daggers and spear was enough.
“And you really think you can fool them?” Tsolde asked.
“My Vadiyem is perfect,” he said.
“Keep your hood raised then,” she said. “You’re not pale enough for this.”
“It’s getting darker,” he said. “If we hit the camp before they light too many torches, we’ll be fine. Probably. Now tie the rope like I showed you, remember to keep enough hidden in your palm to tug the slipknot free if –”
“We get it, Never,” Tsolde said.
“Good.” He pulled on the gauntlets with a snap. “How do I look?”
She gave him a nod. “Not bad.”
“Ready then?” he asked.
Luis hesitated. “You’re sure about this, Never? We’re risking a lot – if we’re caught...”
“I know,” he said. “They won’t take prisoners if they’re trying to cover up what they’re doing here.” He flexed his hands in and out of fists. “Everything will be fine if you follow my lead. I’ve bluffed my way out of worse.” And if the Gods were kind for a change, he’d be able to do so once more.
“Yeah?”
“I once convinced the King of the Lappodi Islands that I was his long lost nephew.”
Tsolde frowned. “Is that true?”
“I’ll tell you once we reach the Iron Pass,” he said. “Now, I’m leading you so take it slow. Don’t speak to anyone, even if you’re asked a direct question. The first trick will be the camp sentries.”
Never directed them up the road as darkness continued to fall. Luis still limped a little, but appeared to be holding up well enough. “Ready now,” Never whispered. Adrenaline surged through his body and he grinned before scolding himself. Idiot – he was on a tightrope and others depended on him.
Ahead, two men rose from where they’d been sitting on the roadside.
“That you, Hedyk?” one asked. His hand rested on his sword hilt and the second man had an arrow set to his string.
“Synav,” Never answered in Vadiyem, choosing a common name. “We traded shifts.”
The man grunted but turned his gaze to the ‘prisoners’. “What you got there?”
“Found them trying to sneak up the road,” Never said. He nudged Luis, who did not react. “This one said something about looking for work in the mines.”
“And the girl?” the second sentry said.
“Same story,” Never said. “Look, I’m cold and hungry, friends. Best if I take them to see the captain, yes?”
The bowman snickered. “Think he’ll make time for you?”
“Doubtful.”
The first man motioned for Never to enter the camp and the second called after. “Bring us back something hot, will you?”
Never waved a hand in acknowledgement. He lowered his voice. “See, easy enough.”
Neither of his ‘prisoners’ answered, which was for the best.
Warm glows spread across the camp as braziers were lit. One near a line of stores and another at the crossroad he passed through, turning his face away from the light. Most of the men, regular soldiers rather than Steelhawks, gave them glances only before returning to card games or idle chatter – about the weather or their commanding officer or home – suggesting that a couple of new prisoners was nothing noteworthy.
The bridge towered over them, a black hulking thing in darkening sky, close now yet if they were caught it might as well be on the other side of the world. And beneath the bridge, difficult to discern in the poor light, a large pavilion for whoever had been given command. He squinted... slowing his step.
A red talon flew over the pavilion.
Never resumed a smooth gait. The Red Talon of the Isajan family. Sacha. Was she actually here? He could have screamed a curse. Of all the hideous luck. If she saw him... everything would be ruined. Sacha; her name hadn’t crossed his mind for years.
He clenched his jaw and set a new pace, brisk but not too much so, as if hurrying to meet orders, as they passed an infirmary. Several men lay on stretchers within open tents, sleeping or dead he could not tell. A healer held one man’s arm across a bench as he sewed the wound, the soldier’s expression stoic.
“Halt.”
Never stopped, barking an order at Luis and Tsolde, who froze, before turning to the voice, keeping out of the light.
A Steelhawk with a Captain’s striped insignia resting over the heart of his breastplate. The man stood expectantly, helm under his arm. His red cloak was covered in dust, as if he’d just returned to camp.
“Captain?” Never asked, keeping his tone respectful.
“Rank and Family.”
“Synav, Captain. Second Ranger,” he said, again, choosing a common standing for an advance sentry, not too lowly, but not a First Ranger, either, who’d have been equivalent to a Lieutenant.
“And these prisoners?”
Never repeated his story. Then played his gamble. “I have orders to take them to Lady Isajan.”
He frowned. “I have just come from her tent and I was not aware of any such orders.”
Never affected a look of apology, hoping to convey embarrassment that a Captain had not been kept in the loop. “I see, Captain.”
The Steelhawk swore, as if realising he was losing face before a sentry. “Get on with you then,” he said and strode away.
Never relayed an order to his prisoners and noted the slight change in both Luis and Tsolde’s shoulders – but he couldn’t relax yet, not even a little. Any misstep could land him in Sacha’s lap. And not in a pleasant way.
She’d probably throttle him as soon as invite him back into her bed.
Hard to blame her.
The pavilion appeared ahead. Two Steelhawks were posted before the large tent, which also possessed an awning over the entry flap to provide shelter for the Lady – who was hardly dainty, but had obviously not given up her luxuries.
It was also well-lit, unlike the bridge itself, which was mostly dark. But all he had to do was walk his prisoners right by, as if he had every right to do so. As he directed Luis and Tsolde, he angled himself to use Luis’s taller frame as a screen, a shadow cast upon him.
At the bridge, another pair of guards. One raised a hand. “No-one crosses the bridge at night. You should know that.”
“Lady Sacha’s orders,” Never snapped. “You want to be the one to contradict her?”
&
nbsp; The man frowned. “I haven’t been told –”
Never folded his arms. The fellow bore a bull as his insignia. Lofaner family – well-regarded but not powerful. The man had probably fought hard to earn such a posting. “Some things are above your rank. You think every decision she makes is going to be passed down to a Bull?”
The man flushed.
Never pressed on, doing his best Harstas impersonation. “The last man that interfered with her was cut to pieces and fed to his commanding officer. I assume you don’t want that to be you, yes?” The claim was a lie of course – he’d heard the same rumour about Sacha years ago but when he asked her, she’d only laughed, saying, “It’s just another way to control them.”
The second guard’s eyes had widened. “Just let him go, Muthis, don’t be a fool.”
“Go and check with the Captain, he’ll know,” the first said.
“Fine.”
Never glanced after the fellow, who didn’t have far to go. Time to move. He gave Luis a prod and they started forward. The sentry moved to block them. Never sighed. “Don’t do it, Muthis. I’ve seen what she can do.”
Still the man hesitated.
“Look, I’m not going to let you stop me. It’s my head on the line too, you know,” Never said.
The fellow stood aside with a glare.
“Wise choice, old sport.”
Into the darkness they went. Never strode after his prisoners, keeping control of his limbs. The urge to run was strong – just as was turning back. But that wasn’t going to happen. Why spoil the bluff? So far, everything had worked out wonderfully, aside from the little surprise with Sacha.
The giant’s bridge was broad and it stretched into the dark. A smaller guard post with a single torch fluttering in the wind waited ahead, a pool of yellow light.
“This is working,” Luis said softly. “Keep it up, Never.”
“I will.”
Only a single guard stood within the light. He straightened from his slouch when Never appeared. “Hold it, what’s happening here. Off for a stroll, then?”
“Just taking the prisoners to the mine,” Never said. “Stuck with a thankless task. Would rather be in my bedroll.”
The man grinned. “Tell me about it, friend.”
“Well, I’d better get these jenaek up there,” he said. “You know what Lady Isajan is like.”
A figure wrapped in a crimson cloak stepped into the pool of light, flanked by hulking Steelhawks.
“And what is that exactly, soldier?”
Sacha.
Chapter 13.
She had barely aged – only slight crinkles of smile lines at her eyes, her feathery eyebrows – now raised – still a faint blonde. Short hair had been cut close to her head, somehow drawing more attention to the vivid blue of her eyes.
The archetypical Vadiya woman.
A sword hung from her belt, knives too, yet she was under-armed for a Steelhawk. Though from the new insignia on her breastplate, the old Vadiya rune for ‘one’, she was now a First Hawk – the camp was hers, just as he’d suspected from the pavilion.
Never fell to one knee, pulling Luis and Tsolde down with him. “I apologise for running my mouth, My Lady,” he said, lowering his voice. Would it be enough to disguise his voice from her? “I humbly request that you punish me but allow my family to be protected from my shame.”
A moment’s silence.
“Speak again, soldier,” Sacha said. Her voice held a note of curiosity mixed in with the disapproval.
He cleared his throat. “What would you have me to say, My Lady?”
“My name.”
“Lady?”
“Speak my full name and title.”
She knew. Never swallowed a curse. He was trapped – no way to fight free, nowhere to flee to and no chance of using his blood, encased in steel as he was. And anything he tried would get Luis and Tsolde killed. “Lady Sacha, First Hawk of Family Isajan, daughter of Lady Natasiv and Lord Dakan.”
Another pause. “Stand. Show me your face.”
Never rose, then drew back his hood.
Gasps from the men but her eyes only widened just enough to reveal that she’d recognised him; beyond that she did not react. She turned to her bodyguards. “Take him to my tent and the others to the cells,” she said.
“Shall I call for the Interrogator? They may be spies,” one of the Steelhawks said.
“No, Fernov. I think I’d like to get to the bottom of this myself. Search and bind them all.”
The fellow grinned as he set to work. Never didn’t resist and exhaled in relief when Luis and Tsolde kept their cool, though both wore expressions of deep concern. As well they ought to – and yet, Sacha’s reaction had been if not promising... enough to give him a touch of hope.
Of course, the Gods were wont to stamp his hopes into dust for decades now.
Fernov started Never toward the camp. He glanced over his shoulder, Sacha was following, eyes upon him but the other Steelhawk was taking Luis and Tsolde up into the darkness, toward the mine.
Cells? Were the miners and other Hanik imprisoned at the silver mine?
Never opened his mouth to demand they stay together but Sacha met his eyes and shook her head.
He said nothing, looking ahead without seeing until he was shoved into the warm pavilion, knees striking a heavy rug. More of her luxuries. A brazier burnt in the corner, partially blocked by a table spread with maps in the centre of the room. Opposite lay a wide cot, heaped with heavy blankets and soft pillows.
The scent of cedarwood lay about the tent – she was obviously burning it in the brazier.
“Leave us,” Sacha told her guards once they’d removed his stolen armour and weapons, including his knives.
In the quiet that followed she studied him for a long moment, leaning on the table.
“Hello, Sacha. You look like you have something on your mind,” he said from where he knelt.
Her mouth twitched, as if to smile, but she leant down so that she was face to face with him, where she reached out to grab his chin and squeeze. His heart skipped a beat – her skin; there was a faint trace of lilac. Images flashed in his mind, her bare legs in candlelight, entwined with blankets. “Yes, Never. There is something on my mind. I’m trying to decide whether to strip you naked and take you outside for my men to tear to pieces or strip you naked and take you to my bed.”
“I see.”
“Do you?” she let him go, straightening again, eyes flashing.
“Yes,” he said, keeping his voice earnest. “No-one likes to be deserted.”
She narrowed her eyes. “You had better be sincere.”
He would have raised his hands, only they were tied behind his back. “I am. You know I play the fool but I’m not doing so now. I had to escape, Sacha. I know that must have hurt you.”
Now she chuckled. “Don’t you have a high opinion of yourself.”
He grinned. “See how well you know me?”
Sacha began to pace the tent and he relaxed into his bonds a little. If she was chuckling, maybe he’d survive this yet. Tsolde and Luis were still in trouble. At the very least, they were alive, and Sacha had made it clear there was to be no interrogation... for now. Who knew if they were unhurt? Or how long that would remain true.
But he wasn’t willing to risk the fragile peace in the tent with a question. Yet.
Besides, Sacha would be asking enough questions for the both of them soon enough.
“Very well, Never. Time to keep up that refreshing new tendency of yours toward honesty, yes?”
“Yes.”
“Good. First, why are you here? I find it hard to believe your obsessive search for your true name would lead you to my camp.”
“It’s leading me back to Marlosi, actually,” he said. “We just hoped to pass through, you see, I’m on a bit of a deadline.”
“A deadline?”
“The new moon.”
“Why?”
“I’ve learnt th
at something will be revealed to me there, only during the new moon. I must reach the Marlosi side of the Folhan Mountains on that night.”
“And you believe this because you found some manner of sign, directing you as such?” She shook her head. “It sounds thin, Never.”
“I’m driven, not foolish,” he said. “I found murals in the Amber Isle, do you know it?”
“I’ve heard of the place; I’m surprised it exists.”
“Well, deep within, I found clues to my heritage. The murals led me to Hanik and now they’re leading me back home.”
Her interest returned. She’d always been supportive of his search – deep down, even when it came between them, he believed she wanted him to learn the truth. “You have a copy of these murals?”
“No, but I remember enough – and I suspect there will be more at my destination.” Hopefully activated by the moon, as Snow seemed to hint, and just as the symbol on the Amber Isle.
“And your friends?”
“Two who have agreed to help me. Luis is a treasure-hunter and Tsolde a runaway,” he said. All reasonably truthful.
“I see. And the Hanik girl, Never? She might be a spy; you understand I must be sure. When did she join your little party?”
“In Lenan,” he said. “Weeks past.” Inside he frowned. It was a link back to Tsolde’s home that Sacha probably didn’t need to know. And yet, he had to convince his former lover that the young woman was no threat. “She was driven from home by her family,” he said. “Escaping an unwanted marriage.” Again, truthful without revealing too much.
“I will speak with them, you know that. And I will check their stories.”
“No stories, Sacha, just the truth. Luis and Tsolde are who I say they are.” He rolled his shoulders. “Feel like untying me?”
“Not truly.”
“Very well. How about you tell me what you’re doing here?”
“Leading my forces.”
“Indeed. But why?”
She laughed. “Are we talking objectives now, Never? It should be obvious; the silver and the bridge. We control both and we cut off Hanik and Marlosi from aiding each other and open a path for any... further incursions.”