by Jeri Baird
They both jumped to their feet and faced off. Blood dripped down Zander’s cheek, Del flexed the hand he’d fallen on. Del stabbed, Zander stepped back. Zander rushed Del, and they locked blades. Shoving the blade up and off, Zander stared at Del and nodded. He pushed forward and Del stepped back, throwing them both off balance. They crashed to the ground, Del’s blade inches from slicing Zander’s neck. Zander lunged at Del, but he rolled to the left. Zander’s blade sank into the earth.
More agile, Zander beat Del to his feet. As Del scrambled to rise, Zander kicked him back to the ground. He placed his boot across Del’s back and held him down. When Del reached back and tried to stab him, Zander slashed at Del’s hand, and the blade skidded across the dirt.
Zander looked up and grinned. He held up one hand for quiet and the warriors obeyed immediately. He sneered down at Del. “Ready to crawl home to mama?”
The Protector spat. “You cheated. An honorable fighter would never kick a man in the back.”
Zander gave a final shove with his boot and turned to his men. “Good thing we’re not honorable fighters then, isn’t it? We’re warriors.” Blood dripped down his cheek, but he pumped his fist in the air. “This is why we can’t depend on the Protectors to defend the village.”
He motioned for Greydon to join him and said to the others, “Now, back to your practices. Remember, we fight to win.”
Most of the warriors slapped each other on their backs and chattered as they returned to their groups, but as Del slunk away, Zander lost twelve men. The ones who stayed had witnessed their leader beat a Protector. Their loyalty would never be questioned. They were no longer second-rate warriors—they were training to be the best. But would the men who remained be enough to beat back an invasion? Zander may have won the fight, but the cost was lost men. He’d already alienated the women warriors. Zeph had to agree with Terrec. Zander didn’t know what he was doing.
Zander looked Zeph’s way as he talked with Greydon and Fulk. His eyebrows drew down. The other two men walked away, and Zander called out, “Zeph? I need to talk to you.”
This was it. He was getting thrown out of the warriors.
Chapter THIRTY-EIGHT
Zander
High from his win over Del, a grin split Zander’s face. He couldn’t hide his satisfaction at having beaten a Protector. Even with his gift helping him see Del’s every move, it wasn’t as easy as he hoped it looked. Del thought he had a sure win, and his next move wasn’t always the top thing on his mind. That man had secrets. Zander had almost dropped his blade when he saw that Terrec was Del’s father, and that Terrec had ordered Del to attack Zander the night at the stable.
He’d used his gift to win, the same way he’d taken the championship in the wrestling tournament last year. Then, he’d earned a black panther omen for cheating. Moira had delivered it herself. He’d earn no more omens, but was it wrong to use a gift that way? It seemed a subtle difference between using it to win money and using it to reclaim what Moira had given him—leadership of the warriors. In war, he’d have to use every advantage to defeat the Odwans.
He wiped the blood from his cheek and studied Zeph, who looked like he’d swallowed a bug. He’d seen in Del’s eyes that Terrec was also Zeph’s father and that Zeph knew. And Greydon had told him about Zeph’s lie. Just where did Zeph’s loyalties lie?
He motioned for Zeph to join him. “Zeph? I need to talk to you.”
Zeph stared at the ground, but came without hesitation. When he looked up, the tears were real, but with Zander’s guard still down, what he saw in Zeph’s eyes chilled him.
Before he could stop himself, Zander blurted, “Hell, Zeph! You know when someone’s lying?”
Damn. How could he explain how he knew that? Could he trust Zeph? He was Terrec’s son, and so far Lash and Del hadn’t turned out to be so honorable.
He grabbed Zeph’s shoulder. “Come with me. We need some privacy.” He marched Zeph into the stable where Shadow practically attacked Zander. “Hoy, I missed you, too.” After Shadow quit dancing circles around him, Zander sat with Zeph in the kitchen. So many thoughts flitted through his head, he couldn’t choose where to begin. They sat for several minutes with Zeph staring miserably at the floor.
Zander took a deep breath. “You lied to Greydon. I told you I didn’t want Del with the warriors.”
When Zeph looked up at him, it didn’t take Zander’s gift to see the pain that wracked him. He softened. He’d give Zeph a chance to explain, but he’d better have a damn good reason.
“I–I . . . ” Zeph swallowed hard. When he spoke again, Zander barely heard him. “Elder Terrec threatened my mother.”
“He threatened your mother?” Zander leaped to his feet and began to pace. “I heard Terrec is your father. Is that true?” When he saw Zeph’s startled eyes, he swore. He’d just lied, and Zeph could tell. Zander hadn’t heard anything, he’d seen it in Del’s eyes. He sat hard in the chair. “How can you tell when someone’s lying?”
Zeph looked confused at the change in topic. “I see a black shimmer over their head. The bigger the lie, the bigger the shimmer.” He looked away. “But if I share their blood, I see nothing. Lash is my half-brother. I can’t tell when he lies.”
Zander rubbed his neck. “Let me get this straight. You lied about Del because Terrec wanted him in charge and threatened your mother?” Zeph nodded. “And you kept your favor a secret, why?”
“Not my favor. I’ve always had it.”
No wonder Zeph was a strange one. “You didn’t think it would be helpful for me to know about it?” Zeph’s face turned impassive, and Zander continued. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Zeph exhaled a long breath. “For the same reason you don’t share your favor. People don’t like to think their secrets are seen or their lies known. Do they, Zander?”
So Zeph had guessed his secret. What was he to do with a boy who lied to protect his mother and had a gift that would be very handy? “It seems we’ve reached an impasse.” Zander spread his hands out across the table. “What do we do now?”
Zeph hung his head. “I’ll leave.” He looked up with tear-filled eyes. “I won’t tell your secret.”
A knife twisted in Zander’s gut, and he impulsively said, “You can stay.” When Zeph’s eyes lit, Zander held up one hand. “But you have to earn my trust back.” After Zeph nodded, Zander said, “And from now on, if Terrec or anyone threatens your mother, you tell me, all right?”
Zeph nodded again. He whispered, “You’re more like my family than Terrec or Del could ever be.”
The knife twisted deeper. “Go muck out the stalls. I’ll talk to Greydon and Fulk before you go back to training.” When Zeph reached the door, Zander added, “Zeph? Most of the time I shield against a person’s secrets. I only see them when I need to.”
“I wish I could do that, but I don’t know how to un-see the shimmer.” He gave an impish grin. “You’d be surprised how often people lie.”
With a start, Zander thought back. How many times had he lied around Zeph? He tried to be truthful, but sometimes a small lie was needed. Or maybe it wasn’t. Maybe it was just easier. He’d be more careful of his words, especially around Zeph. It was an awful gift to have, but one that could be handy.
After Zeph left, Zander cleaned the cut on his cheek. Greydon had insisted on sending for a healer. His mind wandered to Kaiya. Would she find his new scar repulsive? Or did she care anymore?
Greydon appeared at the door. “Healer Eva’s here with apprentice Cobie.”
Cobie. Zander had hardly seen him since their quest. Eva, who was Mother’s best friend, swept in and examined his face. “It’s a nice clean cut. Knives will do that.”
Zander tried not to grin at her disapproval, but the grin disappeared when she dabbed on a clear liquid that burned like fire. “Hells, Eva! That hurts.”
Her droll response was
, “Men who fight with knives can surely stand a little sting. You need stitches. Shall I call Lark to hold your hand?”
He reddened and muttered, “Leave Mother out of it.” He rolled his eyes at Cobie’s muffled laughter.
Then Eva threaded a needle, and Zander felt the blood drain from his face. “I need to sit.” It didn’t help when Eva and Cobie burst out laughing.
She handed the needle to Cobie. “Let’s see how you do.”
The next twenty minutes were almost unbearable. Cobie was slow and Eva kept stopping him to explain how to stitch without leaving a scar. More than once, Zander felt the room closing in. It was only sheer will that kept him from fainting. That and deep breathing.
Finally, he shouted, “I don’t care about a damn scar. Just get it over with.” When Eva took over and finished the final two stitches in about thirty seconds, Zander suspected she’d been teaching him something instead of Cobie.
“There you go, warrior. I’ll check back in a week to take out the stitches.” She gathered her supplies and threw them into a leather bag.
“Eva? Are you mad at me?”
“It’s not you I’m angry at. It’s the threat of war. Do you have any idea what the healers will be asked to do?” She dropped her voice. “I’m frightened, Zander. You’re boys playing at war, and look at the injuries I’ve treated. If we’re invaded, no one can imagine the toll on our village.”
Zander stood and touched her shoulder. “And what will be the toll if we don’t fight? Eva, I didn’t choose this. I hate the thought of fighting as much as you.”
“There’s only four of us, and the apprentices will be hard pressed to be ready for field work.”
“That’s why I sent Kaiya and the other women to help you.”
Eva looked puzzled. “Kaiya? She hasn’t been to see me.”
Lifting an eyebrow, Zander asked himself as much as Eva, “Then what have they been doing?”
Chapter THIRTY-NINE
Alexa
Clutching her cloak against the March wind, Alexa hurried to Elder Rowan’s estate. She hadn’t seen Kaiya since Zander and Lash had fought at the festival, and that was weeks ago. She’d been holed up in her room working at stitching scenes while in a trance. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t. She carried five small squares. Each had taken days.
Within sight of the target field, Kaiya waved her to the group. “Hoy, Alexa. What magic do you have for us today? What else can we do to prove Zander wrong?”
Evidently Kaiya hadn’t heard. “Zander spent a week in jail after the festival.”
Kaiya looked suitably shocked. “What? Why?”
The women surrounded Alexa. “Lash is missing, and based on my embroidery, he’s on the other side of the gulch. Terrec accused Zander of killing him. Del took over the warriors’ training, and when Zander came back, some of the men left with Del. They’re down to twenty men. It’s not about showing Zander anymore. It’s about saving the village.”
“I’ve been so angry at being dismissed from the warriors, I’d forgotten why we’re training.” Kaiya slumped. “What can we do?”
“With God’s help, we’ll each play to our strengths.” Merindah raised her hands, palms out. “I know His will.”
Under her scarf, a knot formed in Alexa’s throat. There was no way to argue with Merindah when she claimed her knowledge came from God.
A group of women and young girls from the village walked across the field toward the warriors. Alexa squinted. Mother was among them. She turned to Merindah. “What’s going on?”
“If we’re to win, we need everyone.” Merindah cocked her head at Alexa. “This is how we unite the village.”
The group drew closer. Every tribe and class was represented. If this worked, Merindah was brilliant. Or . . . Alexa hesitated . . . God was.
Two dozen women and a half-dozen girls surrounded them. In Alexa’s mind, she stitched each one. Using the silver thread from Tshilaba, she imagined a shield that would reflect the light, making the women invisible. Unless they were unlucky and got in a cross fire, the enemy would never see them. What could go wrong with that?
After speaking with each woman and girl, Merindah and Alexa split them into two groups. Kaiya would teach them archery. Gia took a group to the side and handed each a sling.
Standing with Merindah, Alexa felt suddenly shy. Since the quest, she’d felt her calling had been higher than Merindah’s and dismissed her friend as a religious fanatic. Now, she wondered if she’d been wrong. She sucked in a breath. “Merindah, I owe you an apology.” When Merindah’s eyes searched her own, Alexa continued. “I believed being a fortune-teller was more important than being a nun. I’m sorry.”
Merindah took her hand. “Dear friend. I thought the same—that my calling was above your own. It was through prayer I saw my error. Our village is based on the two being equal.”
“It’s not equal now. Melina Odella is gone. I went to her cottage yesterday and found it deserted. She took her spell books and some of her potion ingredients.”
Merindah’s eyes widened. “Alexa, you must take her place.”
“Equal with the priest?” Alexa started to shake. “I’m not ready. The Elders will never accept me.”
“They have no choice.” Merindah pulled her close. “I’ll go now and tell the priest.” She dropped Alexa’s hands and strode down the path to the church.
Alexa stood blinking. She’d seen the power Merindah held over the priest, and Father Chanse would convince the elders.
The card of The Fool flashed in front of her. This was an unexpected opportunity. She could ignore it or leap into it.
Alexa was ready to jump.
Chapter FORTY
Zander
Zander strode to the practice arena to meet with Greydon, Fulk, and Dharien. With the loss of the men to Del, strategy had become a daily affair. Every man, every plan had to be precise. He began to rue dismissing the women.
If Kaiya hadn’t joined the healers, then what was she doing? He knew her well enough to know she hadn’t just quit. And she’d been too happy at the festival. Before he’d apparently insulted her by calling her pretty, that was.
His cheek throbbed and his head ached. Maybe he should have let Del have the warriors. He’d made so many mistakes, and he was beginning to think not trusting Alexa’s magic was among them. The power she’d used to diffuse Melina Odella’s curse had shocked him. If she could harness that for the warriors, they might have a chance.
He rubbed the back of his neck. Lash’s disappearance haunted him. As drunk as he’d been that night, Zander knew he wasn’t at fault, but where was he? Did Dharien know? Whose side was he on?
When he entered the arena, Greydon was speaking tersely, and Fulk was shaking his head. Greydon glanced up at Zander and then away. When Zander reached the table, Greydon wouldn’t meet his eyes. Dharien stood grim, behind Greydon’s chair.
Fulk crossed his arms over his chest and tipped back in his chair. “We have a problem.”
“What now?” With the way Greydon stiffened, Zander braced for the worst.
“The ledgers are missing. The only one with access to them besides us was Lash.” Greydon slapped his hand on the table. “This is my fault.” He finally met Zander’s eyes. “I should have listened to you.” He bit his lip. “I resign my position. I’ll stay on as a warrior, but I don’t deserve your trust.”
Zander exhaled a long breath. “On the walk over, I was counting all the mistakes I’ve made since becoming a leader.” He clasped Greydon’s shoulder. “According to your standards, I should have stepped down a long time ago.” Greydon’s astonished face made Zander laugh. “I need you, Greydon. Now more than ever.” Next to him, Fulk nodded, and Zander continued, “Moira believes in us, even if we doubt. Will you stay?”
“What do we do about the missing accounts?”
Dharien shook his head, started to speak, and stopped. Zander wanted to believe him, but damn it, Dharien had been part of Lash’s little covey. Still, he was Greydon’s brother.
Zander said, “We start fresh then. I promised the guild master I’d lower the contributions. When Greydon set his mouth, Zander asked, “Is there more?”
“Paal told me the women are training at his father’s estate. I was wrong. We need them.”
So that’s where they were. He looked down to hide his grin. No wonder Kaiya had seemed so smug. She meant to prove herself as a warrior without his help, and damn, if he didn’t admire that. Understanding coursed through him. She wasn’t just pretty. The next chance he had, he’d make it clear she was more than that. Much more.
“Are they there now?” At Greydon’s nod, Zander stood. “Let’s go get them.”
Fulk snorted. “I’ll leave that to you two. I’ve got warriors to train.” When he walked out the door, he was chuckling.
A grin tugged at Greydon’s mouth. “Alexa and Merindah are helping them. We’re going to have to ask real nice.”
Dharien looked up, interested. “Merindah says Alexa is key to our survival.”
“I think she’s right.” Zander rubbed the back of his neck. “Maybe if we beg forgiveness?” Had it really come to that—that he’d beg the women to return? Damn right, he’d beg. He’d been obstinate for too long.
After saddling three bays, Zander, Greydon, and Dharien rode south and then east along the edge of the village. While Zander worried over war plans, the villagers went about their daily chores. He ached to think how an invasion would affect them. Within sight of Elder Rowan’s land, Zander swore. “Hells, have they been recruiting?”
A group with slings faced him. A slew of stones flew through the air and pelted him. Star reared and Zander almost fell off, he was so surprised. Next to him, Lady turned in circles as Greydon struggled to bring her under control. Trailing behind, Dharien escaped the onslaught of stones.