Kingmaker

by Eric Zawadzki

CHAPTER 32

  “Tell us what you and Beker were doing alone in the shanjin,” Blay said.

  They had slept, or kept watch, most of the night. The sun had just risen and the darkness entirely left the sky now. A breeze blew from the north, bringing some sand. Lujo and Jani scouted — an idea Tirud suggested since the area was more crowded than expected.

  Amber looked rested and healthier for the food and water. A plate of food was on her lap. She gazed at Blay with crystal eyes.

  “Clanless raided one of our towns, and our company was sent to chase them down.” The story was the same as she had told Butu and Nolen. “The platoons split up, and then there was the sandstorm. Our squad got separated. We found a group of Clanless, and only Beker and I escaped. The rest is your sordenus’ fault.”

  Blay put a hand on Nolen’s knee as he bridled.

  “Nolen says Beker was a sergeant.”

  “So?” she said with a shrug. “Growing up, we had a dog named Sergeant, and ...”

  “You said your platoon was nearby,” Blay interrupted.

  “Probably. Then. It probably moved since then. It might be closer. It might be farther away. Do you want me to go look for it?”

  Tirud snorted. “You’re not going to learn anything from her,” he said. “We might as well kill her and get moving.”

  Blay stiffened, and Amber’s face became three large circles. Nolen’s face almost matched Amber’s.

  “We’re not going to kill her!” Butu blurted. He cleared his throat and turned to Amber. “We’re not going to kill you.”

  She looked slightly less alarmed as she held up her tied hands. “Why don’t you just let me go? I’m no threat to you.”

  Blay looked thoughtful. “She doesn’t know anything that can help us, but she knows the Ahjea are nearby.”

  “All eight of you, and all children.” She rolled her eyes. “Big threat, right?”

  Blay glared at her, forcing Butu to smother a smile. I wouldn’t mind having her in our squad, except she’s an Akdren, and the Akdren are our enemies. She reminds me of Nolen on that first day with Kira.

  Except Kira hadn’t threatened to kill any of them. Butu was torn between grudging respect and pity. She’s been very brave even though we killed her clansman. She’s just like us, making the most of being used by someone else.

  “Tirud, how close are we to Urgaruna?” Blay asked.

  “Not far,” he said, glaring at Amber. “Maybe two days’ march north of it.”

  Amber said nothing, but the flicker of recognition followed by confusion betrayed her. Tirud looked smugly satisfied, and even Blay’s expression showed some pleasure.

  “You were headed to Urgaruna, then?”

  Frustration played across her face, followed by worry. Then she sighed. “Which one of you is going to be made the king?”

  Butu didn’t know what he would do in this circumstance. Talking seems to make it worse. I’ll just answer yes or no if I get caught.

  “What are you talking about?” Nolen blurted.

  She rounded on him, tears in her eyes. “Beker was chosen to be our king. When we got to the rock, I’d steal the sword and make him king. And now he’s dead, and I’m captured. We failed our clan.”

  Butu held himself back from reaching out to touch her. I don’t know what you’ve been through, but I don’t want to hurt you anymore.

  “The Akdren wouldn’t send out one pair like this,” Tirud commented. “Amber and Beker were not alone.”

  Blay nodded. “She’s lying to us. Again.” He smiled at her shock. “Well, I think that’s all you know, truthfully. I’d like to know how you and your sergeant got lost in the shanjin, but we’ve got more pressing concerns.” He stood and nodded at Tirud. “Go round everyone up. It’s decision time.”

  “Yes, sir,” Tirud said, and Butu thought he sounded surprised.

  “What’s going on, sir?” Butu asked. “What are you going to do to her?”

  “Amber will stay with us, for now. Maybe we can use her to save ourselves if the Akdren catch us. Of course, if the Zhekara do, she’s on her own.” Blay smiled again at her again as Butu helped her to her feet. “Do you know if any of the other clans are around?”

  “The Nankek, of course,” she said. “It’s their rock.”

  “How about the Zatkuka or the Kanjea?”

  “I wouldn’t know one of them from an Ahjea.”

  Blay searched her face again. He nodded. Butu wondered what the last comment really meant. It sounded like she didn’t know, but then again, she didn’t know any Ahjea were around until just now.

  Tirud arrived with everyone else, the camp stowed behind them. They had three tents and five packs. The flight from the Zhekara horsemen had cost them all the camels and most of the provisions, Butu noted.

  We’re not going to get back to Jasper with this amount of provisions.

  “Tirud. You and Jani and, um, Lujo,” Blay said. “You will go to Urgaruna and reconnoiter. Do not attempt to obtain Pisor. Find out, if possible, who has it and where it is.” He lifted Amber’s sword and gave it to Tirud, who took it, handing over his own. “You can usually get away with leaving rank insignia covered, in the desert, and most soldiers will only glance at your pommels to determine your clan. Lujo, can you make yours and Jani’s look like Tirud’s?”

  Lujo nodded.

  “Good. As long as you’re passing through a camp, you’re not likely to cause comment, but if you spend too much time around the same group, someone will ask. Jani, Lujo, stick close to Tirud and do exactly what he does. If anyone can lead you safely through this, he can.”

  Lujo and Jani nodded, looking nervous.

  They probably feel the same way I did when Nolen and I were alone in the desert, Butu thought. He frowned at the back of Blay’s head. I don’t think anything Amber said prompted this decision.

  “Don’t use magic unless you absolutely have to, and that means only use it to save your life,” Blay advised. “If you have to use magic, use it to escape. Once the Akdren suspect an enemy clan has violated the Treaty, they’ll tear up the whole desert looking for the culprit so they can make an example of him.”

  “That goes double for you, Jani.” Butu blurted.

  Jani looked irritated, but Butu knew her well enough to spot the fear in her eyes.

  “Butu’s right,” Tirud said. “Soldiers treat treaty-breakers bad enough when they’re men. They’re even … harsher to ku women.”

  Jani’s lips were pressed together so hard they were almost white. She nodded mutely.

  “You get two packs, and no tents,” Blay said. “Try to come back with everything.”

  “Let’s get going before it gets any hotter,” Lujo grumbled, strapping a pack to his shoulders.

  “Sands and sun willing, we’ll be back in a few days,” Tirud said.

  “Good hunting, and come back safely,” Blay told them. “We’ll be following your trail until the first time we find a good camp.”

  Jani nodded in silence. She glanced once at Butu, and then, as if by magic, she vanished into the shanjin. Butu stared after her for a long time and with growing unease.