* * *
Aris growled and fretted while he dressed for bed. He'd been afraid to open his mouth—all kinds of endearments wanted to fly out. He couldn't let that happen. But his silence might make Reah think he didn't care. Aris eventually had to shut his mind off and go to bed—he had a meeting with the High Commander in the morning.
* * *
"That's new." Dane examined the black and purple flesh around my eye.
"Compliments of our good friends," I blew out a breath after sitting at our regular table with my dinner tray.
"Nods did that?" Gin was leaning halfway across the table to take a look. Dory just stared.
"Yes. I was thinking about something else and wasn't paying attention. He jumped me between the officers' barracks and the wizards' wing."
"Did Commander Aris see that?" Dory asked.
"Commander Aris, Bel and the others all saw it." I dipped into the chopped pork we were served for dinner. They'd butchered it in many ways.
"Did they say anything?" Dane asked. By that time, I was hoping my eye would lose its novelty soon. If Nods came by, I would have to keep myself under control—I wanted to hit him.
"Only that they hoped it didn't interfere with my duties, and Commander Aris sent a physician who brought an ice and herb pack."
"As black eyes go—it's impressive," Dane nodded, stuffing a forkful of pork into his mouth.
"It isn't my intention to stand out," I said. "I'd prefer to not have the bruises, I assure you."
"Where is Nods, anyway?" Gin quietly looked around us.
"He's at his usual table, with his horde," Dory said, purposely not looking in that direction.
"You mean they didn't stop and gloat?" Dane couldn't believe it.
"Maybe he thought he'd get in trouble—gloating might be an admission of guilt," Gin smiled. "And you know he won't admit any of his misdeeds. That would mean taking responsibility."
"Nods and responsibility have never been in the same room together, have you noticed?" Dane was snickering. We made it through dinner without a single word or even a glance from Nods. I wasn't foolish enough to think that he was through with us, though.
* * *
"How's the eye?" Bel looked it over carefully.
"Sore." That word said everything. It was tender, too, and I could barely touch it without wincing. The ice pack had helped and made me wish for more ice on subsequent days.
"Can you see all right?" Now we came to the real question Bel wanted answered.
"I can see."
"Good. We're going out again tonight, so the afternoon will be spent resting. Max will move us again, so dress as lightly as possible. Your shoes will be the most important thing—make sure to wear your sturdy boots."
"Yes, Ranger Bel."
"Re, this won't be forever." Aris had walked up and I'd failed to hear him. I wanted to argue with him. Ask him how long, then. Would it be days, moon-turns, full turns?
"Tired of taking my orders so soon?" Bel tousled my short hair affectionately. I was reminded of my place every time I looked in the mirror at my haircut. Likely, it would have to be cut again soon—it was growing out quickly.
"Ranger Bel, if you had ever worked with my brother Edan, you would know what a silly question that was." I gave him a quick nod and went to deliver reports to the Station Commander's office.
"I don't think her brother treated her very well." Aris sipped tea from the mug he held. The mug looked small in his large hand.
"You think that's where that timid manner came from?" Bel sent Aris a questioning look.
"She's better now, but yes. And the military training didn't help much, I imagine. My guess is that they tried to get her to wash out because of her size. I think they discovered she's tougher than she looks."
"Definitely that. She hasn't slowed us down when we take our trips into the desert. Even with that shiner she's wearing." Aris growled at Bel's assessment. He growled every time he thought of that idiot recruit who'd hit her. Bel could almost read Aris' mind on this. Nods Whitlin had better watch out if he ever touched Reah again.
* * *
"It may have begun as a practical joke, but you are no longer a young recruit, too stupid to know better." The military tribunal stared across his desk at master cook Vyn Bralnon. "Although the last word we had from the ASD is that recruit Desh is still alive on Mandil, that could change at any time. You sentenced her when you allowed her to get inside that pod. Didn't you? Over what? Jealousy?"
"I have no excuse," Vyn mouthed the proper response. Master cook Vyn hated Reah Desh. He'd been jealous of her from the beginning, and he'd allowed Leetha and Morane to convince him to get back at her for imagined slights. He hated them and he hated Reah. Had she not come into his life, he would still be enjoying his comfort as the master cook in the Governor's kitchen. Now he would be sent to prison. The military tribunal would set the sentence today. Leetha and Morane, as accomplices, had already been sentenced to three turns each in the military holding facility and forced to work there, laundering new recruits' clothing.
"Don't lay the blame on anyone except yourself." Someone new walked into the room.
"Who are you?" Vyn snarled as the brown-haired man approached. Vyn realized immediately that he'd spoken rudely and out of turn. It wouldn't help him at all when the sentencing came.
"I am Norian Keef." Vyn cringed at the announcement. The Director of the ASD had come. "I can see you wonder why I came," Norian glared at Vyn. "You might have caused us all sorts of problems, sending that pod to Mandil. Oh, I know it was unintentional," Director Keef held up a hand to ward off Vyn's attempt at an explanation. "Our treaty with Mandil is shaky at best. They have ranos technology and a cannon built large enough can destroy an entire planet. You should know that. Yet you decided to reprogram the pod without checking to see where it might land. You are sixty turns in age, Vyn Bralnon. You attack a nineteen-turn kitchen helper. Someone barely out of childhood, by our standards. Defend yourself against that, Master Vyn."
"He can't, and there is no remorse in him," the military tribunal said. "Therefore, unless you have other evidence to offer, Director Keef, I am prepared to pass sentence."
"I don't—you have what I sent," Norian nodded at the tribunal.
"Very well. Vyn Bralnon, I sentence you to fifteen turns in the state prison. You will not be allowed inside a kitchen during that time. I can only imagine that you would attempt your petty revenge there, if allowed. I think cleaning the facilities and doing laundry for that length of time might better serve the government you betrayed." Former master cook Vyn was led away by military guards.
"What will happen to that poor girl?" The tribunal turned to Norian Keef.
"No idea—they're using her at the moment, if my sources are correct. The ones surrounding her are keeping her secrets for now, but who knows if that will change?" Norian shrugged.
* * *
"Walk for three clicks—I did the locating spell and the spawn that still lived last time are heading in this direction." Aris looked at all of us as we sat in front of him in the gathering room.
"Don't miss them when you shoot," Bel added, turning in his seat at the opposite end to look at us as well. "They're headed this way because they're hungry—Aris and I figure they've taken the outlying villages and Crown City is now the nearest food source. They'll attack the walls. The Prince's Wizards assure us that they have things well in hand, but we still don't know how many village wizards are with them, or how strong they are together. In the past, they never associated with any other tribes and refused to combine power. That no longer holds true. Aris and I are worried that they might breach the wards around the walls. Even a single demon can cause havoc if he bites anyone inside the city. They turn quickly, as you know, and can bite someone else in less than half a click."
"How many do you think are coming?" My question sounded timid to my ears. I wasn't used to asking questions, forcing myself to be content with what the others asked or offe
red.
"The numbers are blocked. We don't have good intelligence on this," Aris replied. "Max will come back for more ranos rifles if they're needed. Bel is prepared to keep all of you there past daylight if necessary. You'll carry extra water, foodpacks and an extra weapon each."
This sounded more serious than any of our previous missions. Were the monsters amassing to attack Crown City? It worried me that they always came at night, when only the wizards and I could see to kill them. I still had no idea how I could see them as well. "Stand," Aris ordered. We all stood simultaneously, as good troopers should. "Protect your brothers and protect yourselves. You are the Crown's best troops against the enemy. Do not allow them to win this battle."
Bel led us out of the gathering room, Aris' words still ringing in our ears. We slipped backpacks on and shouldered two ranos rifles each. Following Bel and Aris, we headed toward the small hidden door that would send us into the night air of the desert outside the city walls.
Stars were sprinkled across the night sky like bits of sugar on a pastry. They twinkled and smiled down on us, just as they did upon the ones we were sent to kill. Only now was I beginning to wonder where the enemy had come from—how they'd gotten to Mandil. I'd never read anything about them in my studies, either in dayschool or while training with the Alliance troops. Surely, something would have been mentioned if the Alliance knew of their existence. It was too late to raise my hand and ask questions of my instructors now. Aris spoke as if he expected that some of us might not make it back. He was sending us out anyway.
Our footsteps were as silent as we could make them as we followed in a close knot behind Bel. We were all conscious of how much ground was safe around me. Hish had come, but Bel had instructed him to save his shields for now and only use them if there was no other recourse. To me, that meant a physical attack that we couldn't overcome.
Everything was happening so fast—did the commanders do this purposely? Not telling us beforehand, so we wouldn't have time to fret over it? I had no idea. Bel gave the signal to pay attention and not lag behind; perhaps I wasn't the only one thinking these thoughts. Now I concentrated on staying near the center and watching the others—I was their protection as long as they stayed within fifteen hands in a circle around me. Unsure whether I'd ever felt such weight on my shoulders, I trudged along, hoping we'd all make it home again.
* * *
Aris had sweated over this; his desire to have someone come to get Reah warring with the knowledge that she was the hope the Rangers had of coming back. If they didn't go out and meet the enemy tonight, taking as many of them as they could, then the spawn would reach Crown City by nightfall the following evening. The Post had enough ranos rifles to equip about a third of the troops and only the best shots would get them, but they'd be firing blind.
Only the wizards (and for some unknown reason Reah) could see the enemy at night. That is why the spawn attacked then—they had more chances of survival with the limited number of wizard Rangers available to fight them. It was a wrench, making the decision to send Reah into such peril, but the fate of Mandil might depend on it. Aris was risking his heart and he knew it.
Aris watched from the back of the large assembly hall as the Station Commander walked up the steps leading to a low stage. All the troops and recruits had been called to assemble there after the Rangers went out. The High Commander was coming as well, but the Station Commander would make the announcement. Aris turned his head; the High Commander and his guards had just arrived. The High Commander and his guards followed the Station Commander up the steps and sat down behind him. Station Commander Evlif Gorth stepped up to the podium. Everyone became quiet.
"The enemy is coming this way, and in numbers we cannot fully assess—they have a blocking wizard working with them," Commander Gorth announced immediately. If his troops hadn't been so well trained, they might have burst out in whispers. As it is, they kept their silence during the rest of the announcement. "They may have other wizards from the outlying villages working with them," the Station Commander went on. "The numbers could be in the thousands. I know many of you have not seen the enemy before, having merely heard about them or had them described by another. Tonight, when this announcement is over, you will each go with your section leaders and a full description of the enemy in all its forms will be given to you. Our Rangers have gone out again tonight, to see if the number of enemy troops might be pared down before they reach Crown City tomorrow at nightfall. Bear in mind that only the wizards can see them well enough at night so their shots will not be wasted. We will bend our thoughts in the Rangers' direction tonight, with hope that their mission is a success. Should that not be, we will be waiting at the gate tomorrow morning to mourn our losses and prepare for the coming attack."
* * *
"Where's Re?" Dane hadn't found their friend anywhere, although he'd seen Commander Aris at the back of the room during the assembly. The new recruits were shuffling behind their section leader, who would be giving them information inside the barracks.
"I didn't see him, either." Gin swore softly, and he never swore. "I wish I had enough nerve to approach Commander Aris."
"I'm going." Dory, smallest of the three, swerved away from his place in line, heading straight for Commander Aris, who watched with hooded eyes as the troops broke into groups and filed out of the large hall.
"My apologies, Commander Aris," Dory ducked his head respectfully to the Commander. Dane and Gin came up behind, almost breathless from bucking the crowd to follow Dory.
"Recruit, what is it?" Commander Aris gave Dory a stern look.
"Commander, we know that Re is attached to the Rangers. We didn't see him tonight. Is he well?"
Commander Aris breathed a sigh and lowered his eyes briefly. "You are his friends?" he asked, looking up again.
"We are his only friends—among the recruits," Dane declared, then dropped his eyes, ashamed.
"No, we have guessed at this," Commander Aris smiled slightly. "Which one of you helped him clean the bar?"
"I did," Dane blushed.
"Then what I tell you now you may not repeat to another soul, do you understand?" Power was in Aris' voice and the three could only nod in understanding—they had no choice. "Re," Aris went on, "goes out with the Rangers. He is the finest marksman I have ever seen among my troops, and when he fires at the enemy, he does not miss. That is why he is so valuable to Bel and the Rangers. He keeps them safe."
"Re goes into the desert with the wizards?" Gin squeaked. Just the idea of it frightened him.
"Has been since we arrived at the Station," Aris nodded. "Go now, or you will be late for your gathering."
* * *
Bel motioned for us to stand down when the first lights appeared far in the distance. I saw only a few, and none were within firing range as yet. More lights appeared as our steps became more careful and we drew closer together. Bel, Hish and Lin would drop to their knees in front when the time came, I would remain standing right behind them, firing over their heads and Delvin, Jorvis, Max and Pell would be right behind me, firing over my head. That formation was the easiest way to stay in the prescribed circle around me and kill the enemy without harming ourselves. Aris had devised the formation and drawn it up for us before we left.
Bel was still walking forward, but Delvin had crept forward and given Bel a hand signal. Bel gave us the sign to stop. We stopped. And then stared at what lay before us. The enemy knew we were there and now knew that we'd stopped. What looked to be thousands of lights blinked into existence and I went cold.
* * *
"They've found them and the numbers are worse than we feared." Aris' eyes were unfocused for several moments before coming back to the room that held him, the High Commander and Station Commander Gorth. One of Aris' many talents was that of seeing through another's eyes—in this case Bel's eyes. Bel had given permission long ago and Aris used it when needed. It cost him little in the way of effort and gained him and the others much-needed inf
ormation. Aris would have gone out with his Rangers, but the High Commander had insisted he stay behind to feed him information. Aris had argued with him, but the orders had remained the same. Aris held his own opinion of the High Commander and of the Prince Royal, but held those thoughts back—they wouldn't be spoken aloud. At least not while the enemy threatened.
"Do you think any of them will return?" Station Commander Gorth was genuinely worried. He'd been against sending the Rangers out, preferring to keep them inside the walls and forcing the Prince Royal's wizards to aid the military in the fight when it came to them. The Prince had refused, saying that his wizards protected Crown City's walls. Both Aris and Commander Gorth had explained that the enemy, combined with the hedge wizards they'd conscripted, could breach the walls quickly. The enemy would come pouring through, leaving everyone vulnerable to the attack.
The Prince, having listened to the High Commander and some of his cozy, well-fed wizards, had refused to consider Aris and Commander Gorth's suggestion of pooling their strength and taking the enemy down quickly. The hedge wizards had done the same thing and nearly killed the Rangers. If it hadn't been for Reah and her peculiar talent, the Rangers would be dead already. Aris was withholding that information in order to protect Reah and the Rangers.
"I am concerned for the Rangers," Aris turned to Commander Gorth. "If any of them survive this night, it might well be a miracle." Aris rose and stalked from the room. He'd seen what Bel had seen—multitudes of lights blinking in the desert. The eyes of the enemy—that's what they were seeing. Aris wanted desperately to send a mental message to Reah as she lifted her rifle with the others, preparing to shoot on Bel's silent command. Aris climbed one of the many ladders that rose to the top of the wall surrounding the military station and stared out at the darkness in the direction the Rangers had taken. A mental message now would only distract his Reah. Yes, his Reah. He was terrified for her and for himself.
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