by Linda Mooney
Thrasher frowned slightly. “No. What is it?”
Chuckling, Yulen put an arm around the young man’s shoulders and began walking him toward the center of the compound. “Come on. Let me show you. You’re in for a treat. But I warn you, it’ll knock you on your ass before you know it.”
The doctor laughed. "Sounds like my kind of brew."
* * *
Paas watched from the shadows as the Battle Lord led the physician over to where people were lined up to buy a mug of what she learned was a very potent drink. Although she liked her mead as much as the next man, tonight she needed to keep a clear head.
Once the men were far enough away to where she could leave without being noticed, she hurried over to where Mastin was talking to a couple of Mutah warriors. From what she could tell, he was giving them pointers on the use of a sword.
Mastin noticed her coming toward him. She could tell by the expression on his face that he realized she had something urgent to discuss with him, and he quickly dismissed the men to confront her.
Coming to halt in front of her husband, she wasted no time getting to the point. “Is it true you are leaving with Yulen to try and make a run for Alta Novis?”
“Yes.”
“Without me?”
Mastin bowed his head as he sought the right words to convey, without success. Paas would not be reconciled on this matter.
“I just listened to the Battle Lord tell Thrasher that he’s taking only a handful of men and leaving the doctor and Atty behind!”
Mastin met her eye to eye. “That’s true.”
“Why haven’t you told me of his decision?”
“I haven’t had the chance to.”
“Coon shit!”
“All right. I was planning on telling you later,” he admitted.
Her eyes narrowed. “How much later?” Her brows lowered a fraction of an inch lower. “When are you leaving?”
“We’re leaving tonight…”
He was keeping something from her. She could feel it in her bones. But instead of becoming angrier, fear began to form a tight knot inside her belly.
“Paas—”
She threw up a hand to stop him. “No. Wait. Let me get this off my chest first. I…” She pointed to herself. “I am a damn good warrior. I can fend for myself. You’ve seen me in battle. Am I correct?”
He gave a single nod, allowing her to continue.
“I want to come with you. I need to come with you.”
“It was not my decision to exclude you,” Mastin finally replied.
“Maybe not, but you have Yulen’s ear. Ask him to let me accompany you. I heard what he told Thrasher. He said he couldn’t take him along because the man didn’t know how to wield a weapon, and that would make him a liability. I am a warrior! I am not, and will never be, a liability!”
Her husband crossed his arms over his chest, the way he always did when he chose to stand his ground. “You are a great warrior, my love. In fact, you’re better than any of these Mutah hunters, which is why you must stay behind.”
“Why?” she challenged him. “Give me one reason!”
“I will give you three. First of all, the number of D’Jacques’ men is already low. Taking even the small few to try and make this journey will deplete the ranks further. With the Bloods in the area, the Mutah need our help more than ever. These people are hunters, not warriors. They’re among the best hunters and gatherers we’ve ever known, but when it comes to combat, or even hand-to-hand combat, they lack the skills. Because you are a trained and seasoned veteran, your expertise is crucially needed.
“My second point is this. There are less than a handful of people Yulen and Atty trust to protect them. And, more importantly, protect their new daughter. I know for a fact that you will aid her in defending not just her home compound, but her and the babe as well. She can depend on you.”
“And your third reason?”
He dropped his arms to hook his thumbs into his weapons belt. “Because, like Yulen, if you accompany us, my thoughts will be on you. On protecting you and keeping you safe.” He shook his head as he finally allowed her to see the ghost of anguish cross his dark features. “Yulen often said that with Atty safely ensconced away, it enables him to fully concentrate on the job at hand. I understood what he meant, but it has a whole new meaning for me now. Paas, I can’t risk your life. Neither can I risk my life, Yulen’s life, or the lives of those other men because of worrying about your safety. You’re staying behind. That is my final word.”
Within the short time they’d been married, Mastin had never set his foot down like this. She couldn’t decide if she liked this side of him or not, but one thing was certain. He was right about his third reason. There was no way she could argue it. No matter how skilled she was, he would be handicapping himself by watching over her. And she knew from experience that one slight misstep could mean the difference between life and death.
Rather than acquiesce outright, she remarked on his previous comment. “You said you were leaving tonight but you hesitated. Why?”
He sighed, releasing the breath he’d been holding in anticipation. Knowing she wouldn’t fight him any further on the issue, he allowed himself to drop his defensive posture.
“We’re anticipating another attack.”
“Because of the celebration going on?”
“Yes.”
Paas grimaced. “I’ve been thinking the same thing. So what is the plan?”
“We’ll leave as soon as they retreat.”
She gave him a surprised look. “That’s ingenious. When they retreat, they’ll be expecting everyone in the compound to take a breath. Evaluate the damage. Count the losses.”
“And anticipate the next attack. Not leave the protection of the fortress.”
He made the first move toward her, holding out his arms to draw her into his embrace. She pressed herself against him and rested her face on his shoulder.
“Cole, I need to tell you something before you go.”
“That you love me?” he chuckled. The vibration she felt against her breasts made her smile.
“It’s something I hope will give you hope. I hope it makes you more cautious, and gives you strength to survive. Survive so you can come home to me…and our child.”
His arms tightened around her as the word sunk in.
“Child?”
She reared back to look him in the eyes to confirm, but she never got the chance. He bent down to kiss her, obliterating any further thought from her mind.
Chapter 7
Confession
Yulen stepped inside the tent to find Atty sitting amid the pillows, near a brazier that kept the winter chill at bay. The scent of milk hung in the enclosed space, evidence she’d just finished nursing the infant.
He paused inside the door flap as he watched her bend over their daughter, cooing and playing with the infant, and pressing the baby’s hooved feet to her mouth to kiss and tickle them. Mistelle grinned as she reached up toward her mother.
“She has gray eyes, just like us,” Atty commented. Glancing up at her husband, she noticed the intense frown on his face, and her smile faded. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, hopefully. I came to tell you what I have planned.”
He stopped at the edge of the bedding to take a seat on the rug. Atty immediately noticed he didn’t remove his coat or weapons belt and commented on it.
“You’re going back out?” A noise outside the tent drew both their attention. She cast a questioning glance at him. “What’s going on?”
He gestured toward her bow and quiver of arrows propped against a tent pole. “I want you to stay vigilant. Never let your guard down for a moment. When you sleep, always have a soldier assigned to keep guard.”
She stared at him. If he didn’t know any better, he would swear she was trying to read his mind. But after a few brief years of marriage, he wouldn’t be surprised to learn that she could. It seemed that every month he discovered
something new about her unique Mutah abilities. Which was why he wasn’t that surprised at her next remark.
“You’re thinking the Bloods will strike again. Tonight.”
“Yes.”
“You think the celebration will draw them in.” Again, it was a statement, not a question.
“Don’t you?”
Mistelle made a little noise, obviously missing her mother’s undivided attention. Atty picked her up and propped her in the corner of her elbow so the baby could see the both of them.
“I noticed you doubled up the guards along the parapet. When do you think they’ll attack?”
“If it was you, when do you think would be prime?” He loved debating with her. Picking her brain. Seeing how she thought and why. She had no qualms about correcting him when she believed he was wrong or needed to make a slight change of plans. And he had no problem with listening to her because, in most cases, her judgment was sound and her suggestions viable. But the main reason why he needed and looked forward to her opinions was because there was no power struggle between them. There was no need for either of them to try to best each other. He looked upon her as his equal, and she did the same. They both shared identical goals for themselves and their future, including the future of their children, the compounds, and the lives of the people they governed.
Atty didn’t have to think twice before she answered. “I would have them attack after the celebration was over, when everyone is exhausted from the revelries and at their most vulnerable.”
“Exhausted and soused,” Yulen halfway jested.
She flashed him a smile. “Exactly.” She cocked her head as she perused him again. Then, in a softer voice, she surprised him again with her intuition. “You’re going to leave after they’re driven away?”
“That’s my plan. They’ll hit us again. I can almost guarantee it. Once they do, and we drive them back, they won’t be expecting us to make a break for it.”
She gazed down at the baby who was beginning to drift off again and lightly ran her fingers through the golden-red hair. “It might be wise to use the entrance on the west end.”
“That’s exactly what I was thinking,” he admitted. “I’m thinking they’re going to keep the bulk of their lookouts watching the front gates.”
“So you’ll walk the horses out the back gate and then circle round until you hit the road?”
“No. We’ll head south, then cut east to Fullmont. From there we’ll follow the chain of Mutah compounds down to Good Choice, then cross the road to Foster City.”
“And totally avoid using the roadway as much as possible.”
“Yes. And totally avoid using the roadway as much as possible.”
Her smile widened. “Someone’s been studying that map you got from West Crestin.”
He chuckled in reply.
“Who volunteered to go with you?”
“Balinkar, Perrault, and Malso.”
She nodded. “Balinkar is a superb warrior, as is Malso. I’m not that familiar with Perrault, but word is he’s better at hand-to-hand than he is at hunting.”
Mistelle made a little sound. Yulen held out his arms. “Give her to me.”
Atty handed the baby over to him. The Battle Lord cradled his infant daughter in his arms and stared down at her. Memorizing her features. Noting the blue-gray eyes that were the exact same shade as his and Atty’s. She also had Atty’s nose.
Without warning, he was suddenly struck with an overwhelming feeling of loss and fear. Tears burned in his eyes and he couldn’t breathe because of the hard lump in the middle of his chest. He barely managed to bury his face against the baby before a sob escaped him.
Atty was instantly there, enveloping him and their child in her embrace. For several long minutes she held them tightly as he allowed himself this rare release of emotions. Emotions that reflected all they’d been through, and what could still occur. Reaching up, he felt for and found his wife’s face, and kissed her soundly. Atty wiped his wet face with her hands as her own tears rolled down her cheeks.
“I know you’re afraid,” she murmured.
“I fear I won’t ever see you again,” he confessed. He would never show this kind of weakness to anyone else. No one. He couldn’t. He was the Battle Lord, and with the title came the stoicism, bravery, and steadfastness his soldiers and those he protected depended on. But inside this tent, away from prying ears and eyes, he could be a husband and father. He could share his doubts, his stumbles, and his defeats to the one person in the world who completed him, knowing that together they could work everything out.
He kissed her lightly again. “I fear I will never see your beautiful face or hear your voice again. I fear I will never see our children grow up and discover the strength of their Mutah abilities. I f-fear…” His breath caught in his throat. Unable to continue, he kissed her again.
“Have you had another foretelling?” She searched his face.
“No. But I haven’t forgotten how destroyed I felt when I believed you and I had died at Rocky Gorge. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to erase it from my mind.” He kissed her once more, this time to memorize the softness of her lips and her scent.
She pulled away slightly and kissed the scar. “We’ve been through worse, my beloved, and we survived.”
“I know.” He gave a slight nod and sniffed. Atty reached over to the side where a pile of dirty clothing was waiting to be picked up and cleaned, and withdrew a shirt, handing it to him. After wiping his eyes, Yulen blew his nose on it before tossing it back onto the pile. It always surprised him how much her calm reassurance soothed him. “I know we have, but how much longer will our luck hold out?”
Atty pressed her forehead against his. “We will prevail, Yul. We will survive. And we will be able to see our children grow and thrive. This is not the end of us.”
He managed to give a weak chuckle. “Have you had a foretelling to be that positive?”
“No.” Her loving smile trembled slightly. “But I have faith in us. I have faith in our love.” Her arms tightened around his shoulders. “I know this could be our last night together. I know the odds are against us, but I have to believe in us. It’s all I have to cling to. I love you, Yulen. My Yul. My heart. I love you, and nothing will ever make me stop loving you.”
“Not even death?” he teased with a lopsided grin.
She shook her head. “Beyond death, my husband. I know we will continue to love beyond death.”
Yulen silently grasped those words and buried them inside his heart. Hopefully, by keeping them there, they would act as an amulet, and shield him during this endeavor. God knew they could use all the luck and divine help they could muster to help protect them in the days to come.
Drawing her face closer, he searched for her lips, when Mistelle gave a little grunt. In the next moment, a familiar smell wafted up to them. Atty laughed and started to reach for the infant when Yulen stopped her.
“Let me. I think this calls for a stronger stomach,” he remarked.
Atty laughed again and got to her feet to fetch a clean nappie, when someone outside the tent screamed.
“Bloods! North wall!”
Chapter 8
Diversion
Atty snatched up their daughter and grabbed her bow and quiver as Yulen dashed out of the tent. By the time she emerged into the open, there was already organized chaos.
“Atty!”
She turned to see Keelor running toward her. Dropping her weapon, she held out the baby to her sister. “Take Mistelle. Go inside the tent and wait there. Go!” Not waiting for the young woman to reply, she hurried to the center of the compound.
The grounds were rife with controlled chaos. The Mutah were not strangers to outside attacks, and were well-prepared with what to do. As men grabbed their weapons and rushed to defend the walls, everyone else went directly to their homes to bar themselves inside.
Yulen was nowhere to be found, but she sensed him in the immediate area. Another yell cam
e from the northern end of the compound. She paused and nocked an arrow. Her innate sixth sense was working in overdrive. Someone called out again, letting people know the main Blood force was amassing on the north side. Turning around, she ran to the opposite side.
She caught sight of Fleeboss with his sword heading to join in the fray. Waving a hand to catch his attention, she swerved to meet up with him.
“When you see one of Yulen’s men, tell him to tell Yulen to go south. Got that? Tell him to tell the Battle Lord that I said to go south. It’s critical!”
The man gave a quick nod and took off.
When she reached the southern end of the fortress, the first thing she noticed was that many of the men along that section of wall had been pulled away. At the most, there were five, no, six, left to defend the two-hundred meter barricade—four Mutah and two of Yulen’s soldiers. They spotted her when she started climbing the ladder to reach the catwalk. Castalon met her at the top of the wall. “What have you got?” she demanded before he had the chance to speak.
The man motioned to the darkness on the other side of the wall. As per the Battle Lord’s orders, the trees which had bordered the fortress for years had been cut down, until a patch of bare ground twelve meters wide now surrounded the compound. Unless a Blood had the ability to leap the distance either from the ground or from one of the distant trees, the only way the creatures could breach the thirty-foot-tall wall would be to chop through it, burn through it, or climb it. At the moment, the area appeared to be calm.
A cold wind gusted from behind, making her shiver. In her haste to leave the tent, she hadn’t had the chance to snag her jacket. Castalon saw her reaction and shrugged out of his coat, holding it out to her. Atty waved it away. “No, thanks.”
“Put it on,” he almost ordered her. When she gave him a look of surprise, he insisted, shaking the garment at her. “You’re our first line of defense. We can’t have you missing your target because of the cold.”
The man had known her father. She’d known him all her life, so she knew he wouldn’t take such a hard stance unless he felt it was imperative. Thanking him, she drew on the jacket. It swallowed her, but she could still manage her weapon.