Forever Soldiers: The Tyrus Chronicle - Book Four

by Joshua P. Simon

  Damaris frowned. “Why did you volunteer?”

  Ava didn’t answer the question directly, asking instead, “Have either of you noticed his tremors?”

  Ira gave a look of surprise and swore. That was as good as a no from him.

  Damaris furrowed her brow. “Once I thought I saw his hand shake, but he put it in his pocket and acted like he was fishing for something. Then I wasn’t so sure.”

  Ava smiled. She thought that if anyone else had noticed something, it would be Damaris. It was no secret the woman had feelings for her brother, and regardless of how often Tyrus tried to pretend those feelings weren’t mutual, it could not be denied that there was something deeper than friendship between them. Besides her and the kids, Tyrus spent more time with Damaris than anyone.

  Probably doesn’t even realize how much time they spend together. Wish he would though. It would do him some good.

  Ava let out a sigh. “I think he’s been dealing with the aftereffects of so much war for a while now. I want you both to keep an eye on him for me. Maybe all it will take is to just pay attention to how he reacts to people talking of war or old friends we lost. See if he wants to share what’s on his mind.”

  Ira snorted. “I’ll try, but you know better than anyone how tight-lipped Ty can be with that sort of stuff.”

  “Unfortunately.” She turned to Damaris. “I do have something more specific to ask from you. Tyrus and I will reenter the city soon to offer an outsider’s perspective about the war. I expect it to be unbelievably long and boring, but I’d like you to invite yourself along.”

  Damaris snorted. “Why would I want to miss such excitement?”

  Ava grinned. She would miss Damaris. They had grown close after Tyrus ran off with Balak’s army. Ava hadn’t known many people in her life that she would call a friend, but Damaris was among them.

  “I’m worried these discussions might dredge up some bad memories. I think you being there will help him as much as me being with him.”

  Damaris blinked. “You think so?”

  “He cares for you more than he admits. He’s with you more than anyone other than me and the kids.”

  “Even I can see that,” added Ira.

  Damaris allowed herself a small smile. “Do you think me coming will help him realize his feelings?”

  “Probably not.”

  Damaris’s smile faded. “Talk about an honest answer. But I’ll do it.”

  Ava knew she asked a lot of Damaris, but she worried too much about Tyrus. If she could have backed out of her commitment to fight for the Southern Kingdoms, she would, if only to watch over her brother herself.

  “Thank you. The tremors and the bad dreams he’s hinted at having . . . I’ve seen others suffer through them. Ira has too. They don’t go away overnight and in some cases, they can get worse.”

  Damaris held her head high before declaring, “I promise I’ll be there for him.”

  CHAPTER 7

  I tasked Ira, Reuma, and Myra with overseeing the purchasing and trading of supplies we needed to resettle and rebuild Kasala. The council didn’t have much information on the town’s current state so I made some general assumptions. Using our share of the loot pilfered from the Geneshan army outside of Hol, we had more than enough to cover our purchases. A writ from the council ensuring no one swindled us on price left us with plenty for the future.

  Ava and I spent the better part of two days analyzing the details of the war with Bozrath and Kartan. There seemed to be no driving force behind the invasion except greed. Bozrath and Kartan, who apparently hadn’t suffered the losses the Southern Kingdoms had, looked to increase their holdings simply because the opportunity existed. Wars rarely made sense to me when considering the costs, but seeing how well the Southern Kingdoms had historically treated their neighbors, the reasoning in this case seemed doubly asinine.

  Our discussions on the war were not without our own conflict. We argued philosophies, experiences, and knowledge that didn’t always translate well between cultures, particularly when it came to religion.

  However, the biggest conflict for me was internal. Several times when I conveyed a personal experience to get a point across about a particular idea I had, images sprang to mind that had me practically reliving those ugly moments again.

  It was hard not to get lost in those memories, but I think I managed well enough. Several times a touch from Damaris helped me refocus. The comfort her presence brought dampened any aggravation I had at Ava bringing her along without speaking to me first.

  Notes taken from our discussions would be relayed to their Jumla, the Southern Kingdom title for a general or commander. I wondered what he would say or think when he saw ideas from a foreigner contradicting his own. I tried to soften that reaction by writing a bit of encouragement in my own hand. However, I suspected he would likely just burn everything over a brazier in the end. And I wouldn’t blame him if he did.

  We had spent hours hypothesizing and building plans on information that was weeks old and filled with dozens of “what-ifs.” Likely none of it would have an immediate impact because the enemy’s entire plans could have changed by the time our notes reached Jumla Danso. At best, I told Ava that maybe some of our reasoning would spark a more applicable idea or two that Danso could later put into practice. It had happened when Balak and I received a letter from the king about how best to run the army he had barely seen during the Geneshan War. Even a clueless leader could sometimes stumble upon a good idea occasionally.

  The more I thought I about it, the more certain that I became Danso would not take our suggestions well.

  At least I lived up to my end of the deal with the council.

  As we made our preparations, word spread of our intention to resettle Kasala. It sparked an interest in those eager to return to a semblance of their former lives. The council asked us to take along any Southern Kingdom citizens who desired to go with us. I happily accepted the hundred or so men, women, and children who did. I’d have been a fool not to bolster our experience and knowledge base with locals.

  I hoped I would do them and Lasha’s memory proud.

  CHAPTER 8

  Loaded down with supplies, animals shifted anxiously, snorting and kicking up dust. Wagons full of goods creaked and moaned under their weight. Everyone who was healthy enough to carry a pack, shifted them around to find the most comfortable position. If we failed in settling Kasala, it wouldn’t be because I underestimated the supplies we needed.

  The eighty men who volunteered to join the Southern Kingdom military saw us off as the remainder of our group formed lines on the road leading north. The lack of dry eyes said much about how close we all had become.

  I made it a point to shake hands with each volunteer. I tried to offer a parting word that might carry them through the trying times ahead, but words that accurately conveyed my emotions escaped me. That seemed to be happening too often as of late. I think they understood what was on my mind as several handshakes became brotherly hugs.

  I saved the hardest goodbye for last.

  Ava stood before a small group. Like me, she was never one to have a large circle of friends, though she was even more selective than I. Chadar and Galya doted over her like an uncle and aunt. Ira teased her one last time before giving her an affectionate hug that stunned me even more than Ava. Myra and Zadok lingered the longest, but eventually allowed Damaris, Reuma, Dinah, and Boaz their turn.

  Nason surprised me by waiting until everyone else had spoken to her. He walked up and without a word wrapped my sister in a large embrace. He whispered something for her alone then gave her a light kiss on the cheek that lingered for several breaths.

  My disbelief was nothing compared to the shock Ava wore. Nason left before she recovered enough to speak.

  The stress of the last few days still wore on me, but seeing my sister so dumbfounded
put a wide grin on my face.

  “It’s not often I see you speechless,” I said approaching her.

  She spun on me, “You piece of crap. You put him up to that, didn’t you?”

  “Me? No. That was all him. What did he say?”

  “He—” Then she caught herself. “It is none of your business.”

  I chuckled. “I guess that crush he had on you when we were kids hasn’t gone away.”

  She looked in his direction. “We’re not kids anymore.”

  “But apparently you still have that special something.”

  She gave me a sour look. “You’re enjoying this way too much.”

  “I think I’m enjoying it just about right, actually.”

  “Gods,” she hissed. “What am I supposed to say to him?”

  “I don’t think he expected you to say anything. Looked to me like he just needed to tell you what was on his mind before you left. You should feel flattered.”

  “Flattered? Like I need more stuff to think about. Ao’s teats, if I ever get back from this war, I’m going to kill him.”

  My voice lost all mirth. “If?”

  “You know what I mean.” She narrowed her eyes at Nason’s back. “I hope you do your brotherly duty and at least kick his rear for kissing me like that without asking.”

  “Like you need my help in taking someone down. Because you didn’t, it makes me wonder if I might have a brother-in-law in the future.”

  She scowled. “He took me off guard is all so don’t even joke like that. I’m not the marrying type. And I’m especially not the motherly type. He’s got three kids. That’s three more than I can handle.”

  “You did great with Myra and Zadok while I was away.”

  “Yeah, well Lasha got them started out right.”

  I sighed. “That she did.”

  Silence stretched.

  After a moment, Ava said. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to kill the conversation.”

  “You were always good at that,” I teased.

  “And you were always crappy at goodbyes. How long have we been carrying on?”

  “Too long. Shows you’re not any better.”

  “Yeah,” she nodded to those ready to move out who kept the animals under control. “People are getting impatient.”

  “I don’t want you to go.”

  “I don’t want to either. I have to. Remember, it wasn’t too long ago that our roles were reversed when Balak came calling at the outpost.”

  I grunted in understanding. I was acting like all the worry was mine, but this wasn’t easy for her either.

  “You know, this is the first time I’m on this side of war. Not sure which side is worse to be on.”

  “Easier just to say they’re both crap.”

  I grabbed her in a hug. “You take care of yourself.”

  “You do the same. And don’t be afraid to look to others for support. Myra. Zadok. Ira. Nason. Damaris. A lot of people care about you, Big Brother.”

  I knew what she was getting at, but I chose not to address it.

  “I love you,” I said.

  “Love you too.”

  Gods, I hated goodbyes.

  CHAPTER 9

  Ava hated goodbyes, but many were just unavoidable. After the Geneshan War, she felt despondent when she left her brother for Hol, but the excitement at learning more about sorcery and the anticipation at seeing Turine’s capital had offset her sadness.

  The goodbye at the military outpost had at least one bright spot too, for though she had watched Tyrus, Ira, and Dekar leave her behind, she still had Myra and Zadok for company.

  There weren’t any positives to this farewell. The close friends she had made in the last year were all taking a different path. Even though the diverging choice had been hers, it didn’t make the encroaching loneliness any easier.

  She knew a few of the volunteers who would accompany her northeast by name. That was something. It was just that none of them were people she could share her thoughts with like she could with Tyrus, Damaris, or even Nason.

  Nason. You piece of crap. Why did you have to get into my head?

  She had refused to tell Tyrus what he had whispered to her, but that didn’t make the words any easier to comprehend.

  “I’ve always loved you.”

  Thinking on those words tugged at her chest, which made her wonder if she didn’t deep down feel the same and never realized it.

  Or is it just shock?

  He’s a good man. Easy to talk to. Considerate and kind. Not physically imposing, but he does have strength. He helped a lot after Tyrus left the outpost. And when he lost his wife, he continued being a good father. Not too hard on the eyes either.

  She hissed a curse as her thoughts lingered on that last comment. “Ao-be-damned.”

  Don’t let yourself think like that. You don’t need that distraction.

  “What’s wrong?” asked a voice from behind.

  She turned as Eder approached. He ran his hand through thick black hair before scratching at the poor showing of stubble on his neck.

  Of average height and build, Eder had acted as her main scout as she led the remaining people from the military outpost. Even though he was only a couple years out of his teens, he had proven himself capable. He was among the few she could have at least a general conversation with as they journeyed to war.

  “What’s wrong?” she repeated back to him, stalling to find a suitable answer to his question without betraying her thoughts. “I’m hungry. You?”

  He gave her a questioning look. “Yeah, I guess. Didn’t really eat much with everything going on this morning.”

  She turned away from the trailing wagons, stiffening her nerve. “Then let’s remedy that.”

  Ava called over the other eighty volunteers. Most seemed interested in starting the new chapter of their life, but a few wore regret as if they carried second thoughts about their decision.

  That will no doubt get worse over time.

  No. Don’t think like that. Or at least don’t show you’re thinking like that.

  She was determined to not only put herself in the right mindset for the trials that lay ahead, but also help others stay focused too.

  “Everyone back into the city. Let’s get fed and outfitted. I was told we’d have gear and weapons waiting for us.”

  They all regarded her, but only a few immediately reacted to her statement.

  She threw her hands up in exasperation. “By the gods, did I stutter?”

  Ava sent a spark of blue light crawling over her hands to emphasize the order. That got men moving. Quickly everyone filed back into the city, muttering and looking over their shoulders.

  The council had not given Ava any clue on how she and the others would be used in the war. No one had told her she would be in charge of any Turine volunteers. However, she felt a sense of responsibility for each man and doubted that feeling would dissipate even if separated.

  She thought of the emotions shown during their parting from the rest of the group.

  I owe it to everyone to look out for them.

  CHAPTER 10

  I stood atop a small rise in the land, staring south. We were a day’s ride outside of Batna and the great walled city was still visible in the distance. The way the evening sun framed the famous capital only captured my attention more. So far, the Southern Kingdoms had not fulfilled my hopes. However, images like the one I gazed upon made me think that one day it could.

  Footsteps approached to my left.

  “What are you looking at, Pa?” asked Zadok as he stopped at my elbow.

  “Our future.”

  “I thought our future was that way,” he said with a grin, throwing a thumb over his shoulder.

  I snorted. “It is. But everything we do going forward
will be for the kingdoms as a whole. Our survival and our future rest on Batna thriving, the council making wise decisions, and the Southern Kingdoms winning the war.”

  “It seems like the council has pretty smart people so I’m not worried about their decisions. I don’t know much about the war, but you said they were open to your suggestions. Between that and Aunt Ava being there, I feel better about the outcome. And I don’t think Batna will have any issues thriving once we bring in new crops and Chadar and Galya reestablish trade routes.”

  I looked my son over. He had not only grown, but matured so much in the short time since I first returned to Denu Creek. Like his sister, he always sounded much older than his age. He had also begun to look older than his years. I often had to remind myself he had a ways to go before reaching manhood.

  “I’m glad you haven’t lost your optimism.”

  “It’s easier to keep lately.”

  “How so?”

  “Things are finally starting to work out how we want them to. We made it to the Southern Kingdoms. We’ve been given a place to call home. You’re not going off to war again.” He paused. “The only thing that would have made it perfect was if Aunt Ava didn’t have to leave.”

  I nodded. “Yeah.”

  That would have made it closer to perfect under our current set of circumstances. Though to make it truly perfect in my mind, Hamath, Dekar, and other close friends I had lost over the years would exist outside of mere memories. And of course, Lasha would forever be at my side.

  Zadok tried to read my silence. “Don’t worry, Pa. She’ll be back. I saw what she did on top of that mountain after getting her powers back. I wouldn’t be surprised if she wins the whole thing herself and is back in a couple of months.”

  That seemed highly unlikely. True, she had taken on a couple hundred Geneshan soldiers on that day, but that ability had come following an immense surge of power from the artifact’s destruction. Though her control and ability to draw on power had never been better, it would never reach the peak of that day again. She’d be a strong addition to the Southern Kingdom army, but it would take more than her presence alone to end their war. Yet, I didn’t want to burst Zadok’s optimism with a dose of my pessimism.