by Jensine Odom
“I’ll stay behind with Madelaine,” Allicyn offers. She’s not a fighter.
Robert glances at his sisters, contemplation in his eyes, then nods to me, deciding something. “I’ll stay as well, to ensure the camp’s safety while you’re away.” He’s a fighter, but he’s not ready. He might have to be before this war is over, though.
“Alright,” I agree, pushing the anxious thoughts of the future out of my mind as we continue to get our teams together.
The last five Outcasts split up; two coming with me and three with Baldure, leaving just my brothers. Zebulon looks at Tristin, and with a nod they choose Baldure.
“Wow! I see how it is,” I say in mock betrayal, and laugh. “Alright.” I look over the teams, nodding with approval. “We move at dark. Now, tell me about Calder.”
“His clan is one of the oldest. He has led it for a very long time,” Kalos begins.
“He’s stubborn,” Baldure adds.
“Indeed,” Kalos agrees. “He may think you’re trying to take his clan, like Drustana had, and will probably fight you.”
“He has a weak hip on his left side,” Alivia helps.
“If you can, speak with Brigid, his soulbound and the other Chieftain.” Kalos takes over the explanation again. “She is more level headed. If you can turn her you can turn Calder, and with them the entire clan.”
“First, I need to win over the Esper, so he doesn’t alert Drustana the moment we walk into camp,” I point out.
“How do you plan to turn Jethran?” Kalos asks.
“I’ll make him feel like he belongs. If not to Calder’s clan, then to mine, but first I’ll need you and the others to distract Calder.”
Kalos nods. “This will work. We’ll prove Drustana’s lies while you speak with Jethran.”
“They’ll never see us coming.” I can’t help the smile that takes over my face.
✽✽✽
Dark comes sooner than I thought, on account of the black smoke that fills the western sky, blotting out the setting sun. Fires glow bright as we fly low across the burning oil fields, and the world has fallen into complete darkness when we reach the edge of the ghost forest.
After establishing a base camp, our two teams split up, saying a quick goodbye and good luck before heading in separate directions. Sylaena stays behind with Epona, Robert, Allicyn, and Madelaine, looking quite unhappy as she watches her kids and soulbound leave on my command.
A stiff breeze has kicked up, clearing the smog that had enshrouded the dead trees earlier, bringing with it the sweet scent of fresh water. It’s a refreshing change from burning oil, but the lack of cover is inconvenient, letting the firelight spill far into night filled forest, making us have to dart between trees as we get closer to the camp.
Not much has changed since my reconnaissance earlier. Calder still sits with his entourage by the fire in the center of the camp. A few less decorated dragons have joined them, and with the log benches full, Jethran has moved to the far side of the camp, watching with sad eyes from the shadows. This couldn’t be set up better for us.
“Alright, it’s showtime,” I whisper to my team, not wanting to risk speaking telepathically. “Wait here while Alarr and I sneak around behind the camp. I’ll have Alarr give you a signal when we’re ready.” I turn my attention to Volpe now. “You can follow me, but you’ll have to stay out of sight until it’s safe.” The little creature actually nods. “Good. Let’s go.”
Drawing me quickly into his arms, Caedryn holds me tight for a moment, brushing his lips against mine. With a smile and a silent promise that we’ll make it through at least this part, I turn and leap onto Alarr’s back, a quick tingling sensation washing over me as he cloaks us.
Caedryn waits with Kalos and the others in the shadows while Alarr moves us quietly around camp, getting us into position behind Jethran. Volpe suddenly darts into the shadows just as a man appears from out of nowhere, nearly running into Alarr and I as he tucks his dick back into his pants.
“Hoping to get a glimpse?” The man taunts Jethran, shoulder checking him with a stupid laugh before wandering back to the fire.
I wait for another moment, checking the area for any more surprises, something I should have thought to do before. Finding no one else, I have Alarr give the signal.
A split second later, Kalos saunters confidently into the camp, followed by the rest of my team, the Knights having changed to the rough leathers and fabrics of the Outcasts to better blend in. All eyes are on them, some curious, some wary, and Calder stands quickly from his place at the fire, peering at the men invading his camp.
“Kalos? Is that you, boy?” he asks, incredulous.
And that’s my que. While Alarr moves us closer to Jethran, I reach out with my mind.
“Aye, it is. Mara, Ranya, Cedrick, and Haelyn as well,” Kalos’s reply barely registers as I find my target.
Who is this?! Jethran’s voice sounds in my mind, deeper sounding than his youth implies.
Xerxia, I answer simply. Please, don’t be alarmed. I only wish to speak.
Then speak. His tone holds no animosity, but it’s not exactly friendly either. I don’t think he’s contacted Drustana yet, but that could change.
Why do you serve Drustana? I get right to the point.
My question gets a spark of surprise. The Royals will kill me if I don’t.
Why would I kill you? That’d mean I’d have to kill myself. I can’t help the humorous tone that sneaks into my voice.
More surprise floods our link. How can this be?
Drustana didn’t mention I’m an Esper?
No. Jethran’s confession comes with a wave of anger. She had said you killed Kalos and the others, but were also killed in the skirmish.
Well, of course! She couldn’t have you knowing Kalos and the others willingly defected, or that I’m an Esper! What would that do for her army?
Jethran chuckles at my sarcasm. It would not do well at all for us to have a choice.
What do you choose, Jethran, now that you do have a choice? I ask, almost holding my breath. Could it be this easy?
What will happen to me?
You can rejoin your clan, if you still have one, or you can join mine if you don’t. Just when he thought I couldn’t surprise him anymore, I do.
Before Jethran can give his answer, a commotion pulls my mind away from his. Hoping he’s chosen to not alert Drustana, I return my attention to my surroundings just in time to see Calder draw his massive sword.
“What is the meaning of this, Kalos?!” he asks, enraged, looking at the Knights.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” I call, making Calder spin around in surprise. Uncloak us, I tell Alarr, and leap from his back, landing right in front of the Chieftain.
“You are supposed to be dead,” Calder gasps, eyes wide.
“To be fair, I was mostly dead when Drustana quit the field, so she more or less assumed I was dead.” I shrug.
“We were told she killed you herself, severing your head from your body,” Jethran points out, walking calmly up to the group by the fire; my group.
“Oh. Well, then she definitely lied. Meirana stabbed me from behind when I wasn’t aware she was a bad guy.”
“Cowards,” Calder mumbles.
“Exactly.” I nod.
“That includes you,” he snarls.
“Hey! How am I a coward?!”
“Sneaking into my camp, intending to kill me and take my clan for your own.”
“I’ll give you the sneaking part, but I’m not here to kill you, and I don’t want to take your clan from you, only unite us all against a common enemy.”
“I will not give up my clan without a fight this time,” Calder rages, stepping over the log he was using as a seat to come at me.
Drawing Eltanin and Arrakis in the blink of an eye, I deflect the swing aimed for my chest, throwing Calder’s massive weapon towards the ground and hopping back out of his range.
“Were you not liste
ning to a word I just said?!” I scream, quickly losing my temper, and throw my daggers down in the dirt. “I don’t want to fight you!”
“If you want control of this clan, you will fight me,” Calder yells back, readying his weapon again.
I give up! With a growl, I throw my hands in the air, then get ready to fight this idiot, making sure none of my people interfere.
“Bring it, old man,” I taunt, my daggers still protruding from the parched earth at my feet.
Caedryn’s anxiety surges into me, but it only feeds my adrenaline as Calder charges, closing the gap between us in one step, swinging his sword wildly. Ducking his attack, I throw myself into a slide, grabbing my daggers along the way. Calder’s forced to step hard on his left leg, pivoting to keep his guard up, and the pain is evident in his eyes as he falters.
A quick feint to the right and a swift kick to his left leg finishes the job, dropping Calder to the ground. Following up, I drive my knee into his chest, stabbing my daggers in the dirt on either side of his bald head.
“Yield!”
“You will have to kill me, girl,” Calder spits through the pain.
“I will not!” I stand abruptly, snarling. “I didn’t come here to kill anyone, nor take control of the clans! I simply came here to unite us!” Turning now, I address the rest of the dragons standing around us. “Drustana has lied to you. The Royals that came before lied to you. I will not lie to you!”
Caedryn’s eyes go wide for a fraction of a second, his mind sending the warning faster than anything. I turn to face Calder just as he strikes me with a vicious backhand, splitting my lip and sending me spiraling to the ground, my head landing conveniently between my daggers.
“Foolish girl,” Calder calls.
I roll away just in time to miss getting a greatsword between the shoulders, pulling my daggers into my hands and preparing for the next blow. Volpe darts from out of the shadows, flying impossibly fast, and lays protectively on my chest with a threatening snarl.
Calder’s surprised, but only for a moment, then raises his sword high over his head.
“Calder, stop,” a clear, feminine voice suddenly rings out across the camp.
Looking simultaneously like a cat caught in the cream and like I’m the luckiest bitch in the world, he does as the woman commands, letting his sword drop to his side. Surprisingly, he then offers me a hand up.
Volpe snaps at him, but I reassure my drox with a pat on the head. Volpe jumps off me, still keeping a wary eye on Calder, and I take his proffered hand with a curt nod, dusting myself off once I’m on my feet.
“I’m terribly sorry, dearie,” the woman says, and I look up to meet her twinkling purple eyes. “Calder can sometimes be very crass.”
“It’s no problem. Kalos told me to expect such a thing. Brigid, I assume?”
“You would be correct.” Brigid smiles warmly, bobbing her head. “Xerxia, is it?”
“Yes, pleased to meet you.” I return her smile, forgetting about my lip, and wince in pain. Brigid looks concerned and hands me a small strip of cloth.
“Thank you.” I nod, and dab at the wound until it clots. “As I was saying, I won’t lie to you,” I resume my speech, taking care not to reopen the split in my lip, and turn to address everyone. “You’re not Honorless. You never were. It was a lie created by the Royals of old, perpetuated across the centuries, and used by Drustana to control you. The Royals were killed, and with them, so were the old ways. No longer will we have this division, for we are all the same.”
“You sound like Drustana,” Calder sneers.
“I assure you, Xerxia’s intentions are nothing like Drustana’s,” Kalos speaks up, moving to my side. “Drustana wishes to dominate the world, Xerxia simply wishes to truly unite our kind.”
“Why should we believe you, girl?” Calder asks bluntly, his blue eyes boring into mine.
A small, lopsided grin finds its way to my lips, and I let my mind brush against everyone’s. Because I’m not like any of the other Royals. The looks of shock popping up around the crowd nearly make me split my lip open. “I’m going to change everything, and I need your help to do it. Will you join me?” I direct the question to Calder and Brigid, acknowledging their authority.
The entire clan holds its breath as assent ripples through their ranks, all eyes on their Chieftains for the official word. Calder furrows his brow, but Brigid smiles, then kneels, her long blonde braid falling over one shoulder as she folds one arm across her chest.
“We would be fools to deny your offer. We will join you,” Brigid vows.
Releasing their collective breath, the rest of the clan kneels in much the same manner, with a few dragons stopped only by old wounds. Calder still stands defiantly, glaring.
“And what about you, Calder?” I ask. “Your clan still needs their Chieftain.”
Calder looks at everyone kneeling around me, including his soulbound, and huffs, his shoulders falling in defeat. “I accept.” He tries to kneel beside Brigid, but our duel has aggravated his hip and he falters. I reach out automatically, catching him by his arm, but he pulls away. “I don’t need your pity, girl!”
“It’s not pity. I can feel your pain. How did you come by that injury?”
Calder just glares.
“He was injured by an older dragon when he was young,” Brigid answers for him, standing to rest a calming hand on her soulbound’s arm.
“If you’ll let me, I can heal you,” I offer.
Once again Calder glares, unwilling to give an inch until Brigid squeezes his arm. “Very well,” he grunts, looking away.
I move closer to him, lifting his thick cotton shirt to lay my hands on either side of his hip. Calder gasps, startled, and frowns at me.
“Easy, old man. I promise I’ll be gentle.” I smirk at him, then return my focus to healing his hip.
After a moment of finding where the malformation is, my hands glow white, the energy coursing from me to Calder. There’s a dull ache deep in my own hip. It dissipates, and my hands stop glowing. I’m getting better at this.
“It’s done.” I nod, removing my hands and stepping back. “How does it feel?”
Calder refuses to move at first. Brigid chuffs, nudging him, and he finally gives in, putting his full weight on his once bad leg. Calder’s eyes go wide with disbelief as he stands straight for the first time in what’s probably been hundreds of years. For the final test, he lifts his right leg, and a smile splits his face as he bobbles, but doesn’t feel pain.
“I thank you, Xerxia,” he says, ducking his head in acknowledgement that maybe he was a bit of an asshole.
“You’re welcome. Perks of joining the winning team.” I pat his arm, letting him know there’s no hard feelings.
With the tension drained, my team splits up, speaking with various groups of dragons. With Volpe at my heels and Brigid and Calder at my side, I make my way around the clan, healing those that need it and speaking to the few I saw treat Jethran poorly.
After I’m done, I seek out Jethran, still sitting on the fringe of the clan, but this time accompanied by Sitrian. By the looks on their faces, they’re having a silent conversation. Jethran’s amber eyes focus at my approach, and he gives a formal bow.
“I take it you decided to join my side?” I ask, trying not to smile too wide.
“Not just that. I wish to join your clan, if the offer is still available,” he answers, afraid to meet my eyes.
“It is, and welcome!” I clasp his lean shoulder, getting a broad smile. “Was your clan one of the one’s dismantled by Drustana?”
“I have never had a clan,” Jethran confesses. “I was born Honorbound, but was discovered to be Esper. On my execution day, a rogue clan intervened, saving me. I would have been one of theirs, had Drustana not been among them. She recruited me, never giving me a chance to belong.”
“Now you do belong,” Sitrian tells him, barely beating me.
“How did you convince him to turn his back on Drustana?”
Calder asks, clearly confused.
“If you had spoken with him, instead of treating him like an unwanted youngling, you would have known he had no real allegiance to Drustana,” Brigid chides.
“And you would have gained a strong clan member, had you simply included him,” I add, not as reproachful.
“When you have led as long as I have, and lived as hard as I have, you trust rarely,” Calder returns, though the shame in his voice takes the edge out of his words.
“I know all too well that desperation and trust are rarely allies, but I didn’t let that make me heartless,” I counter, the spike of surprise from Calder tugging at the corner of my lips.
“The only reason I joined Drustana was to keep my clan. That was when her promises held hope. Then, slowly, she stole our freedoms. I watched as she began to destroy clans, wondering when mine would be next. Can you blame me, then, for not trusting the spy she placed amongst us?”
“I don’t blame you for doing what you thought was right for your clan,” I reply, surprising Calder further. “True unity. That’s what I’m fighting for. I know it won’t be easy, but it’ll be worth it.”
“Well said,” Caedryn praises, appearing beside me with a smile. “We need information on the other clans,” he addresses Brigid and Calder now. “Do you know the placement or layouts?”
“I do,” Jethran speaks up. “I’m assuming you have Baldure and Alivia’s clan.” Jethran waits for my assent. “The nearest clan is beyond theirs. Rogarr leads them. The last clan is the last line of defense before Drustana’s main camp, and is led by the oldest Honorless, Bodrick. His clan is three times that of ours, having absorbed a few others.”
“Do you know the Espers in these other clans?” I ask.
Jethran gives me a cocky half smile. “Yes. If there was anything we bonded to, it was each other. Will you extend the same offer you gave me to the others?”
“Yes.” Now it’s my turn to smile. “Things just got a little easier.”
✽✽✽
On our return trip to base camp, I teach Jethran how to block other Espers from his mind. He’s not as strong as I am, but according to Sitrian there hasn’t ever been an Esper of my strength. They both agree my ability to see energy signatures and track them is unheard of. By the time we reach our destination, Jethran can effectively shut out Sitrian, and can hold back my mind for at least a few seconds.