Fearless

by Jennifer Jenkins

  Everything that had happened since they’d arrived—the fire, the sabotaged spears, the poisonings—it was all her. Taunting them. Wanting Zo and Gryphon to know they hadn’t truly escaped her. That they never would.

  Zo shattered the bottle against the rocks and sprinted back to camp, taking the smell of the Seer’s victims with her.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Ram never retreat.

  It was a philosophy drilled into him as a child and reinforced in every training session since. In drills, he never slackened when his body wanted to surrender. In the few skirmishes he’d survived, even when outnumbered, he’d never backed down. When he finally made the decision to get Zo out of the Gate, he’d followed that dangerous course to the end and beyond.

  Ram never retreat.

  But now, running back to the Commander and away from Zo and the glaring omission that stood between them, the forbidden word retreat alternated with coward in his mind. Not only did his self-respect demand he turn around and face her, but the knowledge that Zo deserved his honesty screamed he return and explain everything.

  He didn’t turn around. The taste of her lips shamed him all the way to the Commander’s tent.

  By dusk, most of the camp was in chaos. Men barked orders, boys ran messages, and animals bellowed the occasional complaint as heavy packs were secured to their backs. Gryphon walked among the throng of confused soldiers who’d been given orders to pack. Families of both the Raven and the few Wolf women and children who’d lingered after the Ostara were given the same instructions. All questions would be answered in only a few short hours when Commander Laden addressed the Allies.

  Gryphon had arrived at Laden’s tent at the same time as the Raven scouts. Murtog, the Wolf Alpha, and Chief Naat were already in council with Laden. The scouts not only confirmed that the Ram had begun their march from Ram’s Gate to the Valley of Wolves, but that a massive caravan of Nameless traveled with them.

  Laden and the others agreed that it was time to evacuate the camp in the morning. No one would rest easy tonight after the announcement.

  If it were Gryphon’s decision, he would have waited until the morning to give orders. There was no sense letting his men lose valuable sleep when tomorrow they could march away that nervous energy. It was unreasonable to ask a man to wait till morning when his family’s safety hung in the balance.

  He certainly wouldn’t have waited a night, not even an hour, before journeying to protect the people he loved. He winced under the weight of his own thoughts. He didn’t want to think about Joshua or Zo or even Tess. Too painful.

  As if the kid could sense his thoughts, Joshua stumbled out from behind one of the many tents scattered across the camp.

  “Gryph!” He tripped over his feet and flopped into Gryphon’s side.

  Gryphon reached out to help him gain his balance. Like any half-grown pup, the kid’s feet had always seemed too big for his body.

  “Where have you been?” Joshua leaned into Gryphon. His breath reeked of yeast and barley.

  “What have you been doing?” Gryphon shook his shoulders.

  “Looking for you,” he said, breathing a particularly foul mouthful of air onto Gryphon with that last you.

  “Where, in the bottom of a mug?” Gryphon hooked Joshua’s upper arm and hauled him through the camp. Men darted out of his path, likely seeing the crazed glint in his eyes. Joshua did his best to keep his feet beneath him as they moved.

  Gryphon ripped open their tent and sat Joshua down on the cot. “I leave you alone for five hours and come back to find you drunk?” Of all the timing.

  Joshua covered his ears. “Why are you yelling?” he moaned, and fell face first into his bedroll. Without Sani, the tent was too large for just two people. The thought made Gryphon ill.

  “They didn’t think I was brave enough to try it, Gryph,” he spoke into his pillow. “I had no choice.” After a few long, sleepy breaths he added, “I should have been the one to follow you that night.” A few more breaths. “I’ll never be great. Never prove myself.” His chest rose and fell in sleep.

  Gryphon sighed. Is this what would happen when he was gone? Who would be here to punish Joshua for being an idiot? Who would guide him into manhood and complete his training? Zo loved the boy, sure, but there were just some things a woman couldn’t teach.

  Joshua’s snoring officially ended any lecture that Gryphon felt welling up inside of him. Words would have to wait until morning.

  Gryphon thought of Zo as he walked to Laden’s tent that evening. He hadn’t seen her since their time by the stream. No matter how enticing Gabe’s idea of taking Zo and fleeing the camp, he’d only ever had one option. He’d march with Laden in the morning and trust the fates to determine the rest. Strange that walking away from Zo could be so much harder than walking to Barnabas.

  One night.

  One night to make sure the people he loved were cared for. One night to tell Zo the truth. It would be hardest on Joshua. Left alone to learn this new life outside of the Gate. Zo would turn to Gabe. They would marry and have children. Gabe would take care of her and Tess. They would be happy.

  Gryphon had to consciously force himself to relax his jaw.

  One night to say goodbye.

  “Ah, Gryphon,” said Commander Laden. He clapped him on the back and led him over to stand with a group of his officers, each with five slashes on his belt. The Ram used a similar method of showing rank. Laden’s Ram heritage was seeping throughout the camp and no one even knew it.

  Gryphon shook his head, marveling at the thought.

  Laden bounded to the training field platform before the gathered Allies awaiting his announcement. He moved with the agility of a young man, though he had to be nearly fifty. He cut an impressive figure with his dark eyes catching the final rays of sun. His cape billowed around him in the wind, but he stood as a boulder of strength, unyielding to man or weather.

  The shifting feet and nervous whispers of the Allies died as Commander Laden’s deep voice carried over the crowd. “Allies! Many of us have lived and trained in this valley for several years in anticipation for a chance to engage our enemy outside Ram’s Gate. We’ve left our families and our homes to fight under the banner of the Allies. Tomorrow our sacrifices and training will be justified. The time for waiting has past.”

  A flurry of voices scattered around the field. Laden held up his hands, and they quieted again. “The Ram have abandoned the Gate to invade the Wolves.” He paused for the shocked reactions of his men. “We knew this day would come and a plan is in place. At dawn we break camp to intercept them.” A chorus of howls broke from the crowd. The volume was staggering, the pitch eerily soft and loud at the same time.

  Laden’s voice softened once the soldiers quieted. “The women and children of camp will take the southern canyon to the Valley of Wolves. A small contingent of men will accompany them to the Wolves’ shelter bunker. It is the safest place for them now.”

  With that one statement, all of the Allies’ vibrato drained, replaced by hard realities. Even though it seemed illogical to send the women and children to the very place the Ram planned to attack, everyone knew it was their only option. The survival of these men’s wives and children now depended entirely on the army’s ability to hold off the Ram at the narrow pass north of the Valley of Wolves.

  “The rest of us—Kodiak, Wolf, and Raven—will march out to intercept our common enemy.” More cheers. More worried glances between family members who would soon have to bid each other farewell. More shifting feet.

  “Say your prayers tonight, boys, for tomorrow we march to meet Barnabas and his Ram.”

  As he spoke, Gryphon could almost hear a familiar cadence in his tone, reminding him strangely of home. But then again, maybe it was just the subject matter.

  War belonged to the Ram.

  Looking out at the sea of stunned men, many who had wives and children to protect, Gryphon couldn’t help but f
eel sorry for them. Many of these soldiers would not live much longer than he. Training to fight for a cause was one thing. Marching out to look death in the face was quite another.

  The troops were dismissed and chaos erupted as everyone spoke at once. Zo pushed past a few men to get to Gryphon’s side. She clutched his arm until her knuckles turned white. After a few moments Gabe appeared, scooping up Zo’s free hand.

  There was no use trying to shout over the chorus of voices. “Come to my tent!” Gryphon said and gestured her to follow. Zo didn’t let go of Gryphon’s arm until he held open the flap for her to enter. Gabe met his eyes in challenge as he too stepped inside the tent under Gryphon’s stern gaze.

  Didn’t the Wolf realize he’d already won the battle for Zo? There was no need for him to be territorial. Gryphon tied the tent shut and turned to find Zo crouching next to Joshua as he slept.

  “What happened to him?” She shot Gryphon an accusing look.

  Gryphon sighed. “I’m not sure, but it smelled like mead.”

  “You let him drink?”

  “I found him like this when I came back from … the stream.” Gryphon winced. The morning had been a disaster. He’d spent his time by the stream trying to find a way to say goodbye when she had come upon him. She’d looked the part of an angel as rays of sunlight reflected off her smooth skin. He’d kissed her—more like devoured her—and then unintentionally spit her out. And here she was again, beautiful and tempting in her simple dress. He wanted nothing more than to hold her and trace the smooth lines of her body, but knew that would only make leaving her even more unbearable.

  She deserves better.

  Zo dug through the little satchel strung across her shoulder. She was never very far from the oils and herbs of her trade.

  “Don’t,” said Gryphon. “Let him face the morning headache. Maybe then he’ll think twice before making a drinking bet with a stranger.”

  Zo hesitated, then nodded and closed the satchel.

  Gabe seemed like he might burst. “Have you told her?”

  “Told me what?” Zo asked.

  Before Gabe could say anything, Gryphon said, “Commander Laden is dispatching a group of soldiers to escort all who will not be fighting to the Valley of Wolves. He expects you, Tess, and Joshua to join them.” Gryphon had made sure of it.

  Gabe’s eyes narrowed, the tension in his stance tangible.

  “But the blood oath,” Zo protested.

  “Laden does not need your help in this. There is a plan in place.”

  “Laden needs me at the front. I’m his best healer,” Zo shot back.

  “You’re not well,” Gryphon’s voice was soft yet still somehow commanding. “And Tess is too young to be near the battle. He is taking Millie with him.”

  “One healer? And where will you go?” Zo felt her chin rise, daring him to admit his plans to leave her. He’d said as much before, but she wanted him to own it out loud.

  “I’ll travel with Laden and the men in my command,” he cleared his throat, “and leave before the fighting starts.”

  Color drained from her beautiful face, making her seem more like a child than a fearless spy. “You’re really leaving, then. Just like that.” Her back went rigid as she gathered herself. She clamped her lips together and fought the emotion threatening to spill over in her eyes. She opened her mouth to say something, but closed it again. Finally, she managed, “And Joshua?”

  “Zo.”

  “I fell in love with you as your slave inside Ram’s Gate. But you,” her neck and face flushed hot, “you claim you want me, but … ” She pushed the back of her hand to her mouth, biting back a faint sob, and bolted from the tent.

  “Wait, Zo!” This couldn’t be the last time they spoke. He needed to make things right, somehow.

  Gabe clamped his hand over Gryphon’s shoulder before he could follow Zo into the encroaching night.

  “Let go,” said Gryphon.

  “Not until you tell me why you refuse to tell her about Ajax.” Gabe looked past him to where Zo had been. “Why let her believe you don’t care for her? Why not explain you’re offering yourself as a sacrifice to Barnabas for your mess brothers?”

  “Do you honestly think that would have hurt her less, knowing I’m walking into my own execution? You know how stubborn she can be. She would have marched all the way to Barnabas if she knew the truth.”

  Gabe didn’t speak for several minutes, then finally nodded. “Fine.” Then, not a beat later he said, “But there’s something I have to know—call it payment for my silence with Zo.”

  Gryphon stared at the Wolf. “What is it?”

  “Why tell the Allies about your plan? Why not just go there alone? I know a part of you is still loyal to your clan.”

  Gryphon looked away and spoke through his clenched teeth, “Because I can’t leave this world knowing I could have stopped a slaughter and didn’t.”

  “So you alert both sides, and let fate decide if the Ram prevail or if the Wolves keep their home.” He tilted his head to the side, trying to grasp the logic.

  Gryphon didn’t trust in fate. She was a fickle thing, and in no ways dependable.

  “Now I need something from you, Gabe.” He scratched the back of his head. “A favor.”

  “Anything within my power.”

  Gryphon filled his chest with air and slowly released it, as if the words would come easier if they had wind behind them. “I know you will take care of Zo and Tess. I just … ” The full weight of Gryphon’s situation finally hit him. His voice broke with pain. “Can you help Zo look after Joshua for me? See that he grows into a decent man.” Gryphon didn’t trust himself to breathe. “He’s a good kid … he’ll probably cause you loads of trouble.” He managed a tortured smile that felt wrong.

  Gabe frowned and nodded. “On my honor, I will take Joshua in as one of my family. I’ll fill your role as his mentor and friend. He will have my sword wherever he goes.”

  They shook hands, and Gabe yanked him into a hug. “You’re a good man, Gryphon.”

  “You’re just glad you get Zo to yourself.”

  Gabe clapped him on the arm. “Maybe.” His usual wicked grin was too forced, making the words sad despite his efforts to lighten the mood. He didn’t want to win her like this.

  “Please,” Gryphon said soberly, “tell her the truth after I’m gone.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Gryphon led his band of forty to the slot canyon and allowed himself to look back over the camp one final time. His forty marched at the head of the Allied army. Behind him, a trail of Wolf and Raven followed in single file. They’d take up proper ranks once they left the slot canyon to begin the seven-day journey. The plan was to arrive early so the men would have fresh legs when they faced the Ram.

  The tail of the caravan was comprised of mainly Kodiak and Stone’s Freeman. While Gryphon, the Wolves, and the Raven marched directly toward the Valley of Wolves, following the river south once they exited the suffocating canyon, the rest would set up camp in some abandoned caves northeast of the place where the rivers intersected. Once the Ram army reached the rivers, the plan was to flank them from the rear, freeing the Nameless as well as any women and children who sought refuge from the battle.

  The whole plan hinged upon the Ram army traveling faster than the Nameless and women and children of their clan. Laden suspected that the Ram would anticipate a fight and would not want their families caught in the attack.

  Entering the slot canyon, Gryphon cringed as he approached the narrow gap where he’d blocked the Ram mess’s escape. The place of Sani’s death. Gryphon shrugged off his pack and held his round shield off to the side as he inched sideways between the two walls of rock. He swallowed the bile of guilt and wiped at the sweat of his brow as he reached the other side.

  Shouldering his pack, he turned to continue out of the canyon only to find someone blocking the way.

  “May I walk with you?�
�� Chief Naat gestured that Gryphon should lead.

  Gryphon hesitated a moment before taking to the trail again, the old chief only steps behind him. From the first moment Gryphon had stepped foot on the Nest, Chief Naat had hated him. And now, after Sani, Gryphon couldn’t blame him. He half wondered if the old man would put an arrow through his back, walking behind him as he was.

  “My son died an honorable death. He does not require your guilt or your shame.”

  The sweat on Gryphon’s brow returned. He climbed over a waist-high boulder blocking the trail and thought to offer the old man help, but immediately buried the thought as Chief Naat nimbly scaled the rock on his own.

  “Sani carried the spirit of my grandfather. Wise beyond his years. He understood that this mortal life was only the beginning … a period of probation.” A pause. “I don’t think he ever felt content in this world. His spirit belongs with our ancestors. He is home. My heart is heavy with loss, but I rejoice in knowing he lived an honest life.”

  Gryphon nodded and cleared the tension from his throat. “He was a mighty man trapped in a young body. I … I’m sorry.”

  A hand clamped Gryphon’s shoulder, causing him to freeze in place. “No, Ram. I am the one who should apologize.” He scrunched his wrinkled brown forehead and regarded him with eyes filled with wisdom and years. “I see you clearly now.” Another long pause. He reached out and pushed his withered fist into the skin over Gryphon’s heart. “Your heart is good.” Slowly lowering his hand, he bowed his head to Gryphon. “When this battle is over, know that you will always have a place with the Raven.” He pulled Sani’s beads from a pocket in his sleeve and placed them reverently in Gryphon’s hand.