Honor Bound

by Michelle Howard

  Marin snorted. “There is no Overlord.”

  He had all their attention with that statement. “What say you?”

  Marin reached over and slapped a hand on Vaan’s shoulder. “None will call Thenl, Overlord. They respected you too much to disgrace the title. And it burns the hapfe dung. It burns deep that none will address him as other than Warlord Thenl.”

  Vaan could only think of his men. Friends he’d commanded. Warriors who’d followed him through faith and honor alone. “Where are the others?”

  Marina swallowed and his eyes dropped. “Some have died, Overlord. Thenl sent them on pointless battles with little warriors for support. A year ago, he launched an attack against the Desani and the Queen was killed. King Tarik raged and his army decimated dozens in retaliation. It caused the alliance to be irrefutably closed. Tarik has sworn to kill all warriors who hail from Kaban soil.”

  “Blessed One,” someone murmured.

  Vaan stood to his feet abruptly and paced away. He’d met the Queen once during one of his numerous talks with Tarik. She had a pleasant way about her and it was clear theirs was a love match. Tarik would suffer her loss greatly.

  Vaan’s hands fisted at his side but still his anger soared. Thenl took much from him with his greed. Vaan returned to the table, his blood hot. Reaching out with a shout, Vaan upended the entire frame and tossed the large table to the floor. His men jumped out of the way and the servants cried out before running to the kitchen. Dishes shattered and food spilled. “This is why he wants Mikayla. He needs to get on Raasa land to place him closer to the Desani to continue this pointless war.”

  Mikayla. Vaan searched the hall in need of his mate. He had to touch her to reassure himself that she was safe behind the walls he’d fortified. His gaze drifted over familiar faces but no Mikayla. He faced Argan. “Where is she?”

  His Warlords, already on their feet, searched the hall. They all knew whose presence he sought.

  Impatient for answers, he headed for the kitchen and burst through the doors. More screams and broken dishes. Startled glances flew in his direction. Vaan cared not. “Where is Mikayla?” Vaan narrowed his gaze on the ones he knew. “Sera, Vesa.” He singled each of them out, his breath coming in pants. “Where is your Su-Su?”

  Sera and Vesa wrapped their arms around one another, tears streaming down their cheeks in the face of his anger. Vaan had no time for this. He turned away with a vicious curse and went back to the hall. “Find Balal and Kavan, now!” he roared. His Warlords leaped to obey. Vaan stood at the center of the room, his heart thumping against his chest. He cared not for the stares. This did not feel right. Mikayla loved being at his side. The evening meals were their time, she’d once declared.

  His hand went to the dagger on his thigh and the familiar grip couldn’t calm him. Why had he not noticed her absence and her kisses? Her noan watched with worried eyes. “Have you seen her, Eran?” Vaan forced his voice to remain calm. The old man shook his head in the negative.

  Vaan’s men returned, Balal walking slowly down the stairs with Tolan holding his arm and Assa curled to his side. Vaan remained rooted to the spot. A linen bandage lined Balal’s torso. “What happened?” Had someone attacked his Warlord?

  Balal flushed and tightened his hold on the small female. “It is a minor wound, Overlord. Your mate wanted to learn how to use a sword.”

  Vaan pinched his nose and steadied his breathing. Those questions he’d deal with later. He could not relax. “Where is Mikayla?”

  Now his Warlord frowned, sensing the serious nature of Vaan’s inquiry. “She asked Kavan to take her to Luall. They should be back.” Balal looked worried and well he should. Vaan’s only task for him involved keeping his mate safe and instead she was missing.

  Vaan paced. Anything to keep him from throwing the young Warlord to the floor. The others gathered around, seeking a means to calm him.

  It was Argan who asked. “What is Luall?”

  “A nearby village where we purchase goods. Miki likes riding there.”

  The quiet voice had Vaan spinning. Assa stood at his side, worrying her bottom lip with her fangs and wringing her hands but she continued. “She told Warlord Kavan that you promised to have someone accompany her.”

  Vaan had ordered no such thing. “Ready the hapfe. Argan stay here.” Vaan trusted no one but his top commander to guard their home with Thenl planning to return. “Tolan and Ramar are with me. We ride tonight.” Kavan had a lot of explaining to do and Mikayla was in for a severe punishment.

  “I would ride with you, Overlord. This is my fault.” Balal straightened and ignored Assa’s tentative touch to the bandages.

  “No,” Vaan snarled, “the blame lies with Mikayla.”

  “Who opened the outer gate?” Balal asked.

  Vaan’s abrupt halt caused Tolan and Ramar to stumble.

  “Tesai is on the gate tonight.”

  Vaan growled. He’d deal with the Raasa later.

  ***

  Miki huddled down in the bushes where Kavan stashed her. Insects croaked and buzzed around her head. Every creak or moan from the trees increased her worry. Fear coated her tongue and she wished she’d never left home. Going to Luall had seemed simple. Vaan was distracted with his men and she hoped to return before he noticed her absence. But nothing had turned out the way she wanted.

  Earlier in the evening, after much begging, Balal agreed to teach her to fight. She’d accidently cut him with his own sword when the weapon proved much heavier than she expected. Kavan had begrudgingly decided to escort her alone to the village to shop. In her excitement, she’d let the hapfe, they rode on, run off. The trip home would take twice as long on foot.

  Everything took a decided turn for the worst when Kavan grabbed her arm while she admired a leather tanned necklace dyed a dark shade of blue and told her they had to leave. The shopkeeper had no time to talk prices with her as Miki hastily handed it back. She still didn’t understand Kavan’s sense of urgency but his brief orders and short commands scared her as he hustled her on the path for home.

  Now she hid in the woods where he told her not to move under the threat of death. Sounds came from her right and she stiffened. Her hands clutched tight to the dagger she carried. Vaan wasn’t the only one who could be cautious.

  A large palm covered her mouth and Miki jerked upright. “Silence. Warriors approach.”

  Her eyes brightened. “Is it Vaan?”

  Kavan pushed away from her and went to one knee. “If it was the Overlord, we’d never hear him.”

  Miki shivered. “Why do we hide? They might help us.”

  Kavan stared at her and growled. “Are you that lacking in wit? First you stab Balal in your clumsy efforts with the sword, then you lie to me about the Overlord’s approval for this trip and to make it worse, you forget to tie down the hapfe, leaving us to walk home.”

  A lump clogged in Miki’s throat. She blinked at the burning sensation in her eyes. “I’m sorry.” They’d already been gone half the day and then some.

  Kavan stood. “Your apologies matter not to me. Come. They already follow our trail. We must keep moving.”

  Miki got to her feet and tried to move as quietly as he did through the trees. “Do you know who they are?”

  “Yes.” He put his hand at the small of her back and hurried her along. Miki didn’t like it. He wouldn’t face her and now she picked up on the fear that directed his movements.

  Kavan was the Warlord least likely to show fear and this elevated Miki’s panic until she couldn’t control her steps. He cursed when she stumbled for the third time.

  Miki swallowed thickly. “Sorry. It’s dark and I can’t see well.”

  “Stay on the path and keep your head down.” He pushed on her shoulder blades and Miki picked up her pace.

  If she didn’t need Kavan to find her way home, she’d stab the rude Warlord in the back. He made his feelings of dislike very clear. She tried hard to like him since Vaan assigned him as her guard bu
t Kavan resisted her every overture. Even Balal told her to let it go.

  Kavan stopped suddenly and Miki walked into his back. His left arm came behind to wrap around her.

  “Well what do we have here?”

  Miki peered around and saw the cause for Kavan’s abrupt halt. Six large men blocked the path they’d been following.

  “Raasa,” one of the men glared and came closer. Kavan half stepped backward with her.

  The man squinted in disbelief. “Warlord Kavan?”

  Kavan nodded and released Miki. “Morid.”

  “Blessed One, how is this possible?”

  The others closed in, forming a half circle. Miki did not like the leering glances sent her way. Kavan seemed to relax with the recognition. Now that they stood in a shaft of light, Miki identified them as Kabanian warriors. Long dark hair in varying shades, chest bared and swords visible over their shoulder.

  “The Blessed One favors me,” Kavan said.

  The warriors all nodded. “You speak truth. We thought you dead with the Overlord.”

  Miki looked up at the sound of Vaan’s name and met the eerie stare of one of the other men. Morid appeared to be the leader since the others deferred to him when he spoke.

  “What are you doing so this far from Kaban?” Kavan walked toward Morid and extended his forearm. They gripped arms and the others joined in the greeting with broad smiles.

  “We seek to take the Raasa.”

  “What news is this?” Kavan asked. “We have never made war with them.”

  Morid’s gaze strolled to Miki. “Thenl has a plan to force the King to bow down to us if we rule the land that borders Kaban and Desani. Raasa land.”

  Another warrior spit on the ground. “Who do you have with you, Kavan?”

  Kavan turned cold eyes on the new speaker. “Warlord Kavan to you, Thorin, or have you forgotten all your warrior training in the Overlord’s absence?”

  The offender flushed. “I thought I had leave to call you by name.”

  “Are you Warlord? Did you make status while I was away?”

  The others laughed. “No. Only Morid is Warlord among us. Thenl holds not with the ways of Overlord Vaan. Until he is acknowledged as Overlord, Thenl will grant no one else Warlord status.”

  Morid waved his hand around them in an expansive gesture. “Sit, Kavan. You will tell us your story.”

  The men opened the packs on their backs and spread mats on the ground. Morid tossed a spare one Kavan’s way. He accepted and dragged Miki to sit at his side. She aimed a frown in his direction but his focus remained on the warriors.

  “Why do you travel with a Raasa?” Morid asked. He propped an elbow on his leather clad knee and gave them a long stare. Miki curled inward and avoided his gaze. He made her skin crawl.

  Kavan shrugged, his shoulders bunching with the motion. “Not by choice. She is ever a thorn in my side.”

  Morid’s laughter this time rolled with menace. The pit in Miki’s stomach widened. Kavan and these men knew one another. She sensed the easy camaraderie among them. Would he betray her?

  “Thorin, start the fire. While my old friend tells us how the Blessed One smiled upon him.” The atmosphere lightened after that announcement.

  The disheveled warrior Thorin grumbled but did Morid’s bidding. Miki slid her knife in her lap, folding the hem of her tunic over the edge. Their seating formed a loose circle. A large blaze sparked in the middle causing Miki to flinch. Someone pulled wine from a pouch and passed it. To her horror, Kavan drunk heavily before handing the container off.

  No one offered it to Miki and though she thirsted, a part of her rejoiced to not have their attention on her.

  “I’ve never had a Raasa female.” Thorin rubbed his crotch. “Is she yours?”

  Miki held her breath.

  “No.”

  Kavan’s one word answer ruined whatever hope she had of counting on his help. Would he so easily ignore Vaan’s wishes for her protection?

  They chatted and laughed, sharing stories of past battles. After finishing the first bottle, another appeared to take its place. At one point Kavan stood. “I must piss.”

  His statement made them laugh uproariously.

  “Good. When you return, we will all enjoy her toque this night.”

  Miki could wait no longer. Deciding to take her chances, she got to her heels knife in hand and took off. She had no idea which direction she ran. Only that she had to get away from these men. Away from Kavan. Branches smacked at her face but she put her arm up and kept going. Her feet slipped and slid across the rocky ground as her breath huffed out. Loud shouts and stomping feet immediately followed. She heard them catching up.

  A large body tackled her to the ground. Miki cried out.

  “Hold. Trust me.” Kavan’s harsh whisper grated in her ear. “Trust me,” he repeated.

  Miki struggled beneath him, swiping out at him with her knife. He cursed and pressed his hand to her throat. A slight pressure constricted her breathing. Her fight increased but he held firm. A sharp pain pierced her neck followed by an unimaginable burn. Had he cut her throat? “Vaan will kill you,” she shrieked.

  “And I will let him.” He released her and the metallic clang of his sword unsheathing, filled her ears.

  Miki rolled to her back, prepared to meet his sword thrust.

  The thud of running feet closed in. Kavan got to his feet. Miki scrambled up as well when the men burst through the trees.

  They all had their swords drawn. “Come now. You have said she is not yours.” Laughter ensued. “Share.”

  Miki cringed from the lewd glances and hip thrust. Kavan stood between her and the warriors. “She is not mine to share.” He twirled his sword in a taunting manner. “She is the Overlord’s and he would not take kindly to your hands on her person.”

  This stopped them. “You lie.” Morid eyed Miki. “The Overlord would not take a Raasa female to bed.”

  “Agreed.”

  Thorin and the others laughed. “You must get your story right, Kavan.”

  Kavan chuckled and it was not a pleasant sound. “She is not his female. She is his.”

  He placed emphasis on the last word and switched to Kaban. Miki took a step back while they listened. Two of the men with lighter colored hair backed up and lowered their weapons. Their gaze shifted from Miki to Kavan and back again.

  Another bowed slightly in Miki’s direction. “You will give the Overlord my apologies, my lady.”

  “He lies,” Thorin charged. “The Overlord is dead.” He lunged forward and the battle was on.

  Miki pressed her hand to her stomach, not sure what to do. Kavan blocked the swing aimed for his head and met Thorin in the middle. Their swords locked again and again.

  The smell of blood scented the air and Thorin collapsed to the ground. Miki wanted to vomit. Another warrior took his fallen comrades place and the loud sound of the sword meeting with Kavan’s had Miki stumbling back further.

  “Thenl is the rightful leader. You follow a dead man, Warlord Kavan.”

  Kavan danced around his challenger. “I follow the true Overlord.”

  “You speak as if he lives.”

  One of the warriors joined his friend and attacked Kavan. Where was his armor? Why didn’t he protect himself? Miki backed up against a tree and fretted.

  The Warlord only laughed and adjusted his stance. Miki pressed a hand to her racing heart. In the courtyard, she’d witnessed Vaan’s men in practice against two opponents. This differed greatly as these men were not comrades.

  Kavan made a sharp swing and a twist toward the one on the left, and the warrior groaned before toppling over. Kavan laughed, the look on his face one of intense pleasure. He continued to hack until the remaining man fell back. Of the six, four remained standing, though two looked doubtful and shot worried glances in her direction.

  The warrior lunged at Kavan and swiped. Kavan winced and blood welled on his torso from a thin slice across his middle. Miki stuffed a
fist in her mouth to hold in her cry. It didn’t stop Kavan’s momentum. He lunged on one foot and attacked. Each aggressive stroke of Kavan’s blade forced the warrior back.

  Kavan’s arm stretched back then forward in a brutal move and cleaved the grinning head from the warrior’s shoulder. Miki choked and gagged. She couldn’t drag her eyes from the horrific sight. Kavan ran toward her and yanked her by the elbow. The other warriors started to shout but Kavan poured on the speed.

  “You will listen and listen carefully. I will hold them off but not much longer. You must continue to run.”

  Miki stumbled and pressed her hand to the sharp pain in her side. Kavan pulled her up sharply and kept them moving. The slap of branches proved no impediment for him. The shouts behind them turned to roars of rage and she recognized Morid’s voice. “Kill them!”

  Miki began to cry. “I don’t understand.”

  “What is there to understand?” Kavan snapped and blocked her face from a particularly large branch. They entered another small clearing, the path widened and he paused. He grasped Miki by her arms and shook her. “Are you listening?”

  Her stomach roiled. “Y-Yes.”

  His face twisted with anger. This was her fault. Kavan hated her.

  He sighed and his hands gentled on her arms. “I do not hate you, my lady.” She froze at the title of respect he’d never used with her. “You should not have run. I had a plan. Never would I allow harm come to you. You belong to my Overlord and I honor you.”

  Her hand flew to her mouth. “You like me?”

  He rolled his eyes at her as Vaan was want to do when she asked what he considered a foolish question. “I did not say that.” His mouth curled up on one side. “I said I do not hate you.” The smile faded. “We do not have much time. Armor up.”

  Miki stiffened at the warm sensation flowing from her neck and down her belly. When she glanced at her mid-section beneath her tunic, she could see the bright glow of the coccar armor. “Warlord Kavan,” she gasped. When? How had he passed her the armor?

  His dark eyes peered down at her. “The armor will protect you. You are not far from your land but do not turn back for any reason.”