Ties of Blood

by D. W. Jackson

  Sitting down next to her two friends she let out a loud yawn causing both men to grab their head in pain. “You two know we’re on a time limit but you insist on sleeping way past sunrise. Next time I will bring a bucket of water to your rooms and wake you up the old fashioned way. In fact that might not be a bad idea it might even help with the rank smell you two put off.”

  “Can we skip the lecture this morning captain? I don’t know what was in that ale but I swear I would have rather picked a fight with Ballard than do that again.” Darryl replied, his face turning slightly green.

  “While you two finish your meals I am going to get the horses ready. I expect you two to be out there before I’m ready to ride or I will leave you two behind.” Eloen said, rising from her chair.

  The two soldiers never answered her but the speed at which they were shoveling food in their mouths picked up speed. Covering her mouth with her hand she let out a small laugh. They knew full well she wouldn’t leave them but they played along most likely to keep her from getting too annoyed with them.

  The horses were stabled in a rickety lean-to that hardly sheltered them from the weather. As she cinched down straps of her saddle she noticed that the hay that had been given the horses was old and wet. It was of such a poor quality that she would have been ashamed to feed it too mules. Her ire raised Eloen searched for the person who was in charge of the stables. What she found was a young boy who was scrubbing down one of the horses of a newly arrived patron.

  “Who is in charge around here?” Eloen half shouted as she gripped the rotten hay in her clenched fist.

  The young boy looked at her first with slight confusion until her noticed what she held in her hand. “I....I” The boy stuttered, his face withering.

  Seeing the boy troubled by her tone she felt ashamed of herself for yelling. Taking a deep breath Eloen forced a smile to her face. “I didn’t mean to scare you. I was just a little upset about the quality of hay my horse was being fed. If you tell me where the stable master is and I’ll let you get back to work.”

  The boy looked down at Eloen's feet his shoulders trembling. Though she couldn’t see his eyes it was impossible not to notice the tears as they dropped to the ground. The quiet sobs of the boy were like a knife to her heart each one stabbing and wrenching at her. Unconsciously Eloen stretched out her hand and place it on the boys shoulder. Kneeling down she brought her face even to the boys. “Now you’re supposed to be a strong boy.”

  “But if the master finds out I let your horses eat bad hay he’s going to fire me and then my papa is going to get mad again.” The boy said the fear event in his voice.

  Eloen tentatively reached out her hand and patted the boy on the head. His hair was rough and sandy on her fingers as if he hadn’t washed it in weeks and light puffs of dust rose into the hair as her hand tussled the boy’s hair. “I didn’t think men were supposed to cry.” Eloen made her voice calming but she couldn’t help but give the kid a slightly mocking smile as he looked up at her.

  The boy studied her face for a few moments then a small thin smile crept onto his face. Eloen gave him a small wink. “Next time make sure to check the hay first before you feed it to the horses.” she quickly turned and walked back to finish saddling her horse.

  As she cinched the straps down tight and waited for the horse to exhale so she could finish tightening everything up her mind was raging. She still wanted to save Thad but every moment she spent in Abla made her feel like she should be doing something else. She had grown up in comfort and even the orphans she had known had lived fresh food and clothing. It was true that many worked on farms to earn money but it was required it was more so they could afford treats and other pleasantries. In Abla that didn’t seem to be the case many of the children looked half-starved and clothed in things not fit for scrap rags.

  She was startled from her reverie when Ballard placed his hand on her shoulder. His face showed his concern but he remained silent. That was one of the good things about Ballard he knew when to speak and when to simply let her know he knew something was bothering her.

  After her horse was ready she quickly mounted and waited on her two companions to finish their preparations. Darryl looked slightly different than normal but she couldn’t put her finger on it. Then her eyes were drawn to the blood red piece of cloth that was tied around his left arm. The red cloth was nothing new he always wore one but it was always around his right arm. She wasn’t sure what the change mean and it bugged her but she was unsure about how to approach the matter.

  A few of the members of her unit she knew well and spent time with them when they were otherwise unoccupied but she had to admit Darryl wasn’t one of them. She had known him for years but besides their little fireside stories she hadn’t talked to him much. It was embarrassing for her to admit but she wasn’t even sure if he was married or if he had a family at all.

  CHAPTER VIII

  The first few hours of travel was busy as they passed many caravans both headed to and away from the town. It made riding slow as there was little room on the dirt packed road for them to move. More than once she thought of moving off the path and riding on the grass but with the rocky terrain one misstep could be bad for their horses. She doubt that their trained mounts would make such a mistake but it wasn’t worth the risk in unfamiliar territory.

  Half way through the day they stopped to have a quick meal and relax their sore muscles. Not long after they stopped they were joined by a group of marching soldiers. It wasn’t a large group no more than a platoon but more than enough to give them trouble should they decide to be unfriendly.

  Eloen's stomach clenched and unclenched as she watched Ballard meet with the enemy force’s captain. She had the urge to rush over and find out what was being said but she knew that in Abla that it would look suspicious if she dared to interfere. A lingering thought crossed her mind if the others in her group felt this way when they were in Farlan. No it had to be worse in Farlan here while women were looked down on they were not as discriminated against as males were in Farlan.

  Had she really been so unaware of what had been going on around her for so many years? She had always prided herself in treating her soldiers equally. She had done her best to make sure both the female and males were treated as close to the same as was possible, but she knew that it was impossible in most cases. Men and women had different inns and while the ones for the females had always been well taken care of in the males case they were forced to either camp out, or sleep on straw mattresses crawling with bugs and seldom washed.

  Watching Ballard now she tried to think back to one time any of her soldiers had complained about their lot in life. There had been a few minor complaints over the years but it was usually to do with isolated cases on how an individual treated them and in those few cases it was an extreme treatment. Such as the time the woman refused to thank the men after they had saved her and her caravan from a bandit attack simply because they were men. But she couldn’t recall a time where any of them complained about being treated like nothing more than a bothersome pet.

  The tension that had been mounting in her as she watched the two men converse drifted away as Ballard turned around a large smile on his face headed straight in her direction. She wasn’t sure what he was happy about but that didn’t keep her from being eager to hear what he had to say. In fact it was all she could do not to yell at him to hurry his pace. Ballard must have got the hint from the way she was looking at him because no sooner had she thought about yelling at him that he increased his pace from a slow walk to a near jog. It wasn’t so fast to draw attention but did carry him along to where she sat in a matter of moments that still seemed agonizingly long.

  Ballard sat down next to her keeping the large smile plastered on his face but remained silent. She tried to wait for him to speak knowing that he was gaining a small amount of satisfaction from his little game. He knew something and was waiting for her to ask. It was a childish game she knew but one that they had playe
d often throughout the years. It was always a challenge to see if they person with the news or waiting on the news would give in first. She liked to believe that she won more often than not and she wanted to win again but today she was no match for him. “What?” she asked her voice between angry annoyance and overflowing curiosity.

  Though he didn’t say it the look on his face gloried in his triumph. “Seems our friends over there have seen our little mage. It looks like we will not be able to catch them at our current speed. They bought fresh horses and are moving faster. From what information I gathered we won’t be able to catch them before they reach their destination. From what we learned I would suggest we turn back, but knowing you I doubt I will be heard.”

  Though his face stayed light she could tell that he was worried. She didn’t want to put her friends in needless danger for a personal issue but she didn’t want to give up on Thad before she had tried everything. If they reached the fort and count find a way to get him out she would simply have to beg her aunt to lend her an entire army. Though trying to get an army this deep into Abla would be impossible. Maybe she could talk to the queen and trade Thad for a lessening of the fees on trade to Abla. That would solve more than one thing at a time, though she wasn’t sure how long Thad had. Abla didn’t have the best history when it came to prisoners.

  The long she didn’t speak the more concerned the look on Ballard’s face became. Seeing the worry on his face made her feel better for some reason. “There is no reason to worry I don’t plan on dying senselessly. If it doesn’t look like we can get Thad out safely I’ll just have to think of another way to free him.”

  “What are we whispering about over here?” Darryl said as he sat down on Eloen's other side. “I know you two are friends but can you try not to leave me out too much.”

  “Our little princess here was just reassuring me that she wasn’t going to take unnecessary risks to free our little friend.” Ballard said his voice showing that he didn’t completely believe her.

  “That’s good to know I would hate to think of one of your sisters becoming the duchess after your aunt, or gods forbid your mother. Honestly I would be happy if you and Ballard would turn around and head home now.”

  It wasn’t often that Darryl was serious but it was obvious he felt strongly about what he had said. Though she knew he had her best interest at heart it still touched a nerve. He was willing to give up on Thad without even trying. “Why did you come with us if you were just going to turn back before even trying to save Thad?” She knew he voice carried far more ire than Darryl deserved but she couldn’t keep herself from being angry.

  Darryl let out a slight laugh. “You have me all wrong captain. I don’t plan to turn back. No matter what you decide I will continue on until either my death or Thad's freedom.”

  Eloen knew that Darryl had gotten close to Thad over the time they had spent together but she didn’t think he would throw his life away needlessly.

  “I was wondering why you changed the position of your blood cloth.” Ballad said calmly with only the barest hint of curiosity in his voice.

  Eloen had heard the term Blood cloth before but she couldn’t place where. “Darryl I don’t mean to sound clueless, but what is this about?”

  “Ballard I have told you countless times not to call it a blood cloth it's a tellaren.” Darryl said his voice showing his displeasure.

  “Ok, someone tell me what I am missing. What is a tellaren or blood cloth? Why does it matter that you changed where you wore it, and what does all this have to do with Thad?”

  “Do you know who the Katanaga mercenaries are?”

  “They are a famous group of fighters who sell their swords to whoever is willing to pay. I remember my aunt saying that there was a time that whoever was able to hire them was sure to win any war they joined.”

  Darryl let out a loud sigh. “There is a bit more to it than that. Katanaga means wandering. From what my mother has told me a long time ago the land that belonged to the Katanaga was taken by a powerful army. Instead of bowing down to their new master they left their home and started wandering the lands, taking on any work they could find. As time passed they perfected their fighting by fighting in numerous wars. They also had a very strong set of rules about who they would fight for and what they would fight for.”

  “That’s all very educational Darryl but what does that have to do with Thad?” Eloen said her voice wavering between annoyance and curiosity.

  “I am getting to that captain. We have things we call blood ties. When my people were traveling we met many different people and we always repaid favors given us. My family is dedicated to your ancestors so at least one member of our family has served in the army for generations. The debt is more to the duchy than to your family though my family has found it an honor that I get to serve under you personally. My family has a blood tie to yours because of this debt. I also have a blood tie to each member in the unit because we have shed blood together on the battlefield. The blood tie I have to Thad though is a deeper one. I consider Thad a friend and it was because of my inability that he was allowed to be captured. My duty is to get him back or to offer my life in a chance to do so.” Eloen went to object but Darryl raised his hand silencing her. “I know what you’re going to say. I’m not doing this just out of a sense of honor. Thad is one of the few people I have met that I can say I like without reservation. He is a hope for a new world and I think it is a waste for him to live chained in a dungeon for the rest of his life. Even if there is only a small chance I will do my best to see him free, and no matter what you say I shall not be diverted.”

  “I don’t see why you think you should be the only one to go off on such a mission. And I still don’t understand what that has to do with a blood cloth.” Eloen said her face pinched in annoyance.

  “Captain we have different responsibilities. You have a responsibility to run the duchy once the aunt turns over the title to you. Ballard has a responsibility to guard you and make sure you return safe. I have a responsibility to serve the duchy as well as my own ties. I see rescuing Thad as serving both since there is a chance that one day he could become the next duke.” Darryl gave Eloen a slight wink causing her to blush lightly. “The tellaren, not a blood cloth is the red cloth we wear depending on what we’re doing. If were following a debt of honor we wear it on our left arm. If it’s a debt of revenge it’s on our head. If it’s a debt of friendship it goes on our left arm. If there are no debts then the tellaren is worn around the waist. Any other Katanaga would gladly help us should they not be on their own quest. Is there anything else you wish to know captain?”

  The fact that something about one of her soldiers had skipped her notice for so many years annoyed her. She knew little of the Katanaga or of their traditions but it felt like that she should know more especially if one of them were under her command. “In fact there is much more I would like to know but I don’t think we have time. If it looks nearly impossible to catch up to Thad at our current pace looks like we can’t waste time here. I don’t like the idea of getting to the end of our journey just to watch your death march.” Standing Eloen made her way over to her mount and mounted flawlessly. She didn’t wait for the other to mount but spurred her horse and headed back toward the road.

  She tried to keep ahead of the other two so they couldn’t see the anguished look on her face. She had acted like the news about Thad had only been slightly annoying when in fact it was all she could do not to scream at the world. She had never been one of the crying type and she still felt embarrassed about her actions back at fort when Thad had first fallen over the edge during the battle. It was more fun to make jokes, and see how much she could get the people around her to blush, than being the brunt of the jokes.

  Life was so much easier before she had met Thad. She had been an up and coming Captain in her aunt’s army. Refusing the easy jobs her aunt tried to pawn off on her and forging ahead with her handpicked troops to any fight that seemed like it would b
e interesting. She wanted to build her own name not simply live off of the one she had been given.

  The first time she had met Thad she had been in a small town that had been close to an area a large group of bandits had been attacking. She had been tasked with protecting the surrounding areas and locate the brigands so that when the queen's army arrived they could be wiped out. Instead a young man came bearing news of an impending attack with overwhelming numbers. The young man was handsome there was little doubt of that but the way he carried himself was what had caught her eye. Barely into the first steps of manhood he forged ahead and didn’t worry about his low status. When her army was about to be overrun he showed up and started casting spells that devastated the enemy and pushed them back giving her troops the chance to cut them down as they panicked from the surprise attack.

  She had only spent a few hours with Thad at that time and most of that was him sleeping. He had overworked himself and he had been feverish so she had spent the night next to him. At first it was simply a simply worry over the person who had saved her troops but she couldn’t deny that when he woke flustered and stuttering that she didn’t find it endearing. He had been wanted by the queen so she had helped him escape before the queen's army could capture him. It was only a stalled effort though later he was captured and imprisoned by the queen.

  Eloen had petitioned the queen to free him but many of the other members of the peerage were afraid of his power and what it could mean if he joined the movement to remove the women from power. After nearly a half a year Thad had finally been freed after being branded as a slave of the princess. That was something that Eloen didn’t like at all. The princess was nothing more than a stuck up brat as far as she was concerned and barely left the palace. She knew nothing of the real world and did not deserve the attention Thad gave her. She had to admit to herself that she was more than a little jealous of the princess. When Thad chose to accompany them to the fort to help in the defense of Farlan Eloen had needled him about his relationship with the princess but the more time she spent with the young mage the more he came to mean to her. Now he was on his way to a dungeon and all she could do was follow behind hoping for a chance to save him.