The Book of Never: Volumes 1-5

by Ashley Capes

  Never relayed an order to his prisoners and noted the slight change in both Luis and Tsolde’s shoulders – but he couldn’t relax yet, not even a little. Any misstep could land him in Sacha’s lap. And not in a pleasant way.

  She’d probably throttle him as soon as invite him back into her bed.

  Hard to blame her.

  The pavilion appeared ahead. Two Steelhawks were posted before the large tent, which also possessed an awning over the entry flap to provide shelter for the Lady – who was hardly dainty, but had obviously not given up her luxuries.

  It was also well-lit, unlike the bridge itself, which was mostly dark. But all he had to do was walk his prisoners right by, as if he had every right to do so. As he directed Luis and Tsolde, he angled himself to use Luis’s taller frame as a screen, a shadow cast upon him.

  At the bridge, another pair of guards. One raised a hand. “No-one crosses the bridge at night. You should know that.”

  “Lady Sacha’s orders,” Never snapped. “You want to be the one to contradict her?”

  The man frowned. “I haven’t been told –”

  Never folded his arms. The fellow bore a bull as his insignia. Lofaner family – well-regarded but not powerful. The man had probably fought hard to earn such a posting. “Some things are above your rank. You think every decision she makes is going to be passed down to a Bull?”

  The man flushed.

  Never pressed on, doing his best Harstas impersonation. “The last man that interfered with her was cut to pieces and fed to his commanding officer. I assume you don’t want that to be you, yes?” The claim was a lie of course – he’d heard the same rumour about Sacha years ago but when he asked her, she’d only laughed, saying, “It’s just another way to control them.”

  The second guard’s eyes had widened. “Just let him go, Muthis, don’t be a fool.”

  “Go and check with the Captain, he’ll know,” the first said.

  “Fine.”

  Never glanced after the fellow, who didn’t have far to go. Time to move. He gave Luis a prod and they started forward. The sentry moved to block them. Never sighed. “Don’t do it, Muthis. I’ve seen what she can do.”

  Still the man hesitated.

  “Look, I’m not going to let you stop me. It’s my head on the line too, you know,” Never said.

  The fellow stood aside with a glare.

  “Wise choice, old sport.”

  Into the darkness they went. Never strode after his prisoners, keeping control of his limbs. The urge to run was strong – just as was turning back. But that wasn’t going to happen. Why spoil the bluff? So far, everything had worked out wonderfully, aside from the little surprise with Sacha.

  The giant’s bridge was broad and it stretched into the dark. A smaller guard post with a single torch fluttering in the wind waited ahead, a pool of yellow light.

  “This is working,” Luis said softly. “Keep it up, Never.”

  “I will.”

  Only a single guard stood within the light. He straightened from his slouch when Never appeared. “Hold it, what’s happening here. Off for a stroll, then?”

  “Just taking the prisoners to the mine,” Never said. “Stuck with a thankless task. Would rather be in my bedroll.”

  The man grinned. “Tell me about it, friend.”

  “Well, I’d better get these jenaek up there,” he said. “You know what Lady Isajan is like.”

  A figure wrapped in a crimson cloak stepped into the pool of light, flanked by hulking Steelhawks.

  “And what is that exactly, soldier?”

  Sacha.

  Chapter 13.

  She had barely aged – only slight crinkles of smile lines at her eyes, her feathery eyebrows – now raised – still a faint blonde. Short hair had been cut close to her head, somehow drawing more attention to the vivid blue of her eyes.

  The archetypical Vadiya woman.

  A sword hung from her belt, knives too, yet she was under-armed for a Steelhawk. Though from the new insignia on her breastplate, the old Vadiya rune for ‘one’, she was now a First Hawk – the camp was hers, just as he’d suspected from the pavilion.

  Never fell to one knee, pulling Luis and Tsolde down with him. “I apologise for running my mouth, My Lady,” he said, lowering his voice. Would it be enough to disguise his voice from her? “I humbly request that you punish me but allow my family to be protected from my shame.”

  A moment’s silence.

  “Speak again, soldier,” Sacha said. Her voice held a note of curiosity mixed in with the disapproval.

  He cleared his throat. “What would you have me to say, My Lady?”

  “My name.”

  “Lady?”

  “Speak my full name and title.”

  She knew. Never swallowed a curse. He was trapped – no way to fight free, nowhere to flee to and no chance of using his blood, encased in steel as he was. And anything he tried would get Luis and Tsolde killed. “Lady Sacha, First Hawk of Family Isajan, daughter of Lady Natasiv and Lord Dakan.”

  Another pause. “Stand. Show me your face.”

  Never rose, then drew back his hood.

  Gasps from the men but her eyes only widened just enough to reveal that she’d recognised him; beyond that she did not react. She turned to her bodyguards. “Take him to my tent and the others to the cells,” she said.

  “Shall I call for the Interrogator? They may be spies,” one of the Steelhawks said.

  “No, Fernov. I think I’d like to get to the bottom of this myself. Search and bind them all.”

  The fellow grinned as he set to work. Never didn’t resist and exhaled in relief when Luis and Tsolde kept their cool, though both wore expressions of deep concern. As well they ought to – and yet, Sacha’s reaction had been if not promising... enough to give him a touch of hope.

  Of course, the Gods were wont to stamp his hopes into dust for decades now.

  Fernov started Never toward the camp. He glanced over his shoulder, Sacha was following, eyes upon him but the other Steelhawk was taking Luis and Tsolde up into the darkness, toward the mine.

  Cells? Were the miners and other Hanik imprisoned at the silver mine?

  Never opened his mouth to demand they stay together but Sacha met his eyes and shook her head.

  He said nothing, looking ahead without seeing until he was shoved into the warm pavilion, knees striking a heavy rug. More of her luxuries. A brazier burnt in the corner, partially blocked by a table spread with maps in the centre of the room. Opposite lay a wide cot, heaped with heavy blankets and soft pillows.

  The scent of cedarwood lay about the tent – she was obviously burning it in the brazier.

  “Leave us,” Sacha told her guards once they’d removed his stolen armour and weapons, including his knives.

  In the quiet that followed she studied him for a long moment, leaning on the table.

  “Hello, Sacha. You look like you have something on your mind,” he said from where he knelt.

  Her mouth twitched, as if to smile, but she leant down so that she was face to face with him, where she reached out to grab his chin and squeeze. His heart skipped a beat – her skin; there was a faint trace of lilac. Images flashed in his mind, her bare legs in candlelight, entwined with blankets. “Yes, Never. There is something on my mind. I’m trying to decide whether to strip you naked and take you outside for my men to tear to pieces or strip you naked and take you to my bed.”

  “I see.”

  “Do you?” she let him go, straightening again, eyes flashing.

  “Yes,” he said, keeping his voice earnest. “No-one likes to be deserted.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “You had better be sincere.”

  He would have raised his hands, only they were tied behind his back. “I am. You know I play the fool but I’m n
ot doing so now. I had to escape, Sacha. I know that must have hurt you.”

  Now she chuckled. “Don’t you have a high opinion of yourself.”

  He grinned. “See how well you know me?”

  Sacha began to pace the tent and he relaxed into his bonds a little. If she was chuckling, maybe he’d survive this yet. Tsolde and Luis were still in trouble. At the very least, they were alive, and Sacha had made it clear there was to be no interrogation... for now. Who knew if they were unhurt? Or how long that would remain true.

  But he wasn’t willing to risk the fragile peace in the tent with a question. Yet.

  Besides, Sacha would be asking enough questions for the both of them soon enough.

  “Very well, Never. Time to keep up that refreshing new tendency of yours toward honesty, yes?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. First, why are you here? I find it hard to believe your obsessive search for your true name would lead you to my camp.”

  “It’s leading me back to Marlosi, actually,” he said. “We just hoped to pass through, you see, I’m on a bit of a deadline.”

  “A deadline?”

  “The new moon.”

  “Why?”

  “I’ve learnt that something will be revealed to me there, only during the new moon. I must reach the Marlosi side of the Folhan Mountains on that night.”

  “And you believe this because you found some manner of sign, directing you as such?” She shook her head. “It sounds thin, Never.”

  “I’m driven, not foolish,” he said. “I found murals in the Amber Isle, do you know it?”

  “I’ve heard of the place; I’m surprised it exists.”

  “Well, deep within, I found clues to my heritage. The murals led me to Hanik and now they’re leading me back home.”

  Her interest returned. She’d always been supportive of his search – deep down, even when it came between them, he believed she wanted him to learn the truth. “You have a copy of these murals?”

  “No, but I remember enough – and I suspect there will be more at my destination.” Hopefully activated by the moon, as Snow seemed to hint, and just as the symbol on the Amber Isle.

  “And your friends?”

  “Two who have agreed to help me. Luis is a treasure-hunter and Tsolde a runaway,” he said. All reasonably truthful.

  “I see. And the Hanik girl, Never? She might be a spy; you understand I must be sure. When did she join your little party?”

  “In Lenan,” he said. “Weeks past.” Inside he frowned. It was a link back to Tsolde’s home that Sacha probably didn’t need to know. And yet, he had to convince his former lover that the young woman was no threat. “She was driven from home by her family,” he said. “Escaping an unwanted marriage.” Again, truthful without revealing too much.

  “I will speak with them, you know that. And I will check their stories.”

  “No stories, Sacha, just the truth. Luis and Tsolde are who I say they are.” He rolled his shoulders. “Feel like untying me?”

  “Not truly.”

  “Very well. How about you tell me what you’re doing here?”

  “Leading my forces.”

  “Indeed. But why?”

  She laughed. “Are we talking objectives now, Never? It should be obvious; the silver and the bridge. We control both and we cut off Hanik and Marlosi from aiding each other and open a path for any... further incursions.”

  “We?”

  “Since when did you care about things like war and invasions?”

  “Truly spoken. But what I was really asking is ‘why’ Sacha? What do you care about the size of Vadiya’s borders?”

  “Oh, Never.” She moved closer, then placed a foot on his chest. Impossible not to see how shapely her leg was. She gave him a push and he fell back. She loomed over him. “Somehow there’s still something naive about you, beneath all that cockiness.”

  “It’s not charming?”

  “Never, you might have been my father’s prisoner for months but so was I, only all my life,” she said, her brow furrowing and her blue eyes flashing. “Maybe I didn’t run when you did but I soon found the courage to leave. And see now, I’ve already become everything he said I could never become.”

  “Yes, you have.” He met her gaze. “But you had help.”

  “Of course. I’ll spare you too many details but Prince Tendov transformed me from a spirited, angry young woman into a First Hawk. A leader of men.”

  “You were already a brilliant soldier when we met.”

  “True. And now I am more.” She pulled her cloak around her shoulders and strode to the exit. “Stay put, Never. My guards have orders to kill you if you run, and I wouldn’t want that.”

  “Where are you going?”

  “To check on your friends – and when I return, we’ll talk some more and you can convince me that you’re useful. How does that sound?”

  He closed his eyes, in fear or anticipation? “Like old times.”

  Sacha chuckled and the rustle of the tent flap followed.

  Chapter 14.

  Never twisted his legs out from under his body and stretched as he rolled onto his side. With his arms still bound behind his back, he didn’t relish the idea of being the only Marlosi man in Vadiya armour running through a camp of three hundred men.

  Their voices washed over the pavilion, loud in the night, yet it was only those nearest he could make out; Sacha’s guards, both of whom appeared concerned about Prince Tendov’s impending visit.

  “Word is he’ll be here tomorrow,” one said.

  A grunt. “I heard. And knowing him, he’ll appear tonight, just to keep everyone on edge.”

  “She’ll keep him busy though.”

  “Yeah, well – not long enough, Stasn. He’ll be stalking about the place looking for faults to point out before we know it. And guess who he’ll scrutinise first?”

  “You’re right about that,” Stasn said with a sigh.

  A moment of silence passed between them.

  “Think he’ll have us move on Jenisan soon?” Stasn said.

  “Only if that fool Floriak has done as he claimed. The Prince won’t want to lose the advantage of the twin strike, right?”

  “Right.”

  Another pause, then, “How long you think she’ll be?” Stasn again.

  “Why?”

  “I need to visit the latrines.”

  A snort from the first guard. “You’ve got time, she took her kit and her bodyguards with her. She’s going to be thorough.”

  Never shifted. Powerless. Sacha wouldn’t need to torture them; Luis would know they had nothing to gain by hiding anything. He had to. He had to. Come on, Luis, don’t be a fool. “And Tsolde, you better keep your temper under control,” he murmured.

  “Think they’re spies?” Stasn asked.

  “Who knows.”

  “And the one inside? What did you make of him?”

  “Now that’s curious – maybe she just wants some sport but they seemed to know each other. Had a lot to talk about.”

  “Right. And you know what Prince Tendov will think of that,” Stasn laughed and his fellow joined in. Footsteps receded.

  Never rolled onto his other side with a soft groan. Wonderful. On top of everything else, a jealous boyfriend to contend with. Sacha had better return before Tendov dropped in. Especially if the man was likely to surprise the troops. More, Tendov seemed entirely lacking tolerance, not the kind of fellow who would respond well to finding a man bound in his lover’s tent.

  While he waited, Never rotated his position, sometimes on his side, or his knees, or pacing the tent as the night wore on, he spent a good deal of time glancing over the maps on the table where he noted several planned invasion routes in Hanik. Shading indicated conquered territory in Marlosa, most of
the central but little in the north, where the Empress would hopefully still hold out. The imperial city was shaded too, but the southern reaches had little to reveal of Vadiya movement.

  Quisa.

  Home? Perhaps, but only slightly more so than Marlosa itself. The Quisoan would not have fought long, being a smaller collection of villages and nomadic tribes, rather than a single force. And they possessed no resource the Vadiya would want – except for, perhaps their horses. Quisoan horses were prized.

  A woman’s voice.

  He turned as the tent flap opened. Sacha strode inside, then leant back to speak to her guards, voice lowered. She smiled at Never as she unclasped her cloak and threw it in a corner, her sword belt following. No trace of blood on her body or hands. Either she cleaned up or she didn’t actually hurt them.

  Some of the tension in his body eased. Some.

  Sacha approached and placed her hand on his cheek. “I’m surprised – it seems you really were just caught in the wrong place.”

  “My friends?”

  “Relax, Never. I barely threw a punch – they were very forthcoming, and concerned for you. Which I found touching.”

  “Then they’re alive?”

  “Of course, which is how they’ll stay as long as I will it. Understood?”

  He nodded. It was too soon to smile, to allow relief in, but at least they were alive. “And now?”

  She pushed him toward the bed. “No more talking.”

  Never stumbled, but kept his feet. She grinned and pushed him harder. He crashed into the pillows. Sacha was moments behind, straddling him and pressing her lips against his. He kissed her back, blood surging and his body responding to hers.

  She broke the kiss, pausing to draw a thin knife free from where it had been concealed in the small of her back. “Don’t think this means I’m untying you – try something foolish and I will kill you, Never. Your blood isn’t faster than my knife.”

  “You’re in charge.”

  Her eyes were hard. “I am.”

  She kept the knife in hand but leant in close, her free hand gripping his tunic. She cut through the fabric, exposing his chest and running her lips across his skin, up to his neck where the heat of her breath caused him to shiver.