“She’s shaken but fine.”
“Where’s Gypsy?”
“She’s around. I just saw her a few minutes ago,” Desmond replied.
“Find her and have her ensure everyone is equipped and ready to ride. We need to make up for lost time,” Gavin said.
“Yes, Excellency.”
* * * *
Desmond found Gypsy sitting under a large water tree about fifteen feet from the riverbank. Her elbows were resting on her knees and her head bowed forward causing her long, dark chocolate hair to spill on the ground between her boots. She was surrounded by empty canteens and most definitely asleep. She reminded him of a drunk surrounded by whiskey bottles after a bender.
Desmond glanced over his shoulder. No one had spotted her yet and he breathed a sigh of relief. If the mercenaries saw her like this, they’d see her fatigue as a sign of weakness and probably start challenging her more. Crouching down, he quietly picked up the canteens and moved down the bank to fill them. He knew she had been far too stressed to sleep and decided to give her a few more minutes before waking her. As he crouched letting the water fill each canteen, his mind wandered over to the possibility that Scarlet would leave the planet at her first opportunity. If she managed to survive this mission or for that matter if any of them survived, she would probably be on the first shuttle to anywhere, her contract be damned. The idea of her leaving left him with a strange feeling of loss, even if he didn’t blame her. This entire situation was a lot to ask of a civilian, especially an alien foreigner who’d only been on AEssyria a few weeks.
Just then Gavin rode up. “What’s going on? Are those canteens still empty?”
Desmond stood and squinted up at him. “I’m almost done with them.”
Gavin looked past Desmond and his eye narrowed. “What the fuck is the matter with her? Is she taking a nap?” He urged his hyperia toward Gypsy but Desmond made no motion to move out of the way and the animal pawed the ground in agitation.
Desmond stayed out of biting range and glared at Gavin. “Let her be.”
“Are you going to fight with me?” he snarled, squaring his shoulders and locking that evil eye on his son.
“I’m not trying to pick a fight with you, Gavin, but you are going to leave her alone. I’ll wake her when I’m finished and she’ll be ready to ride.”
“Who the hell do you think you are? You don’t give me orders, especially when it comes to my lieutenant and my daughter.”
Desmond glanced back at Gypsy who hadn’t stirred. “Keep your voice down. I’ve got a few things to say to you before this goes any further and then you can do what you want. Let’s go over there.” He mounted up and gestured to a cluster of fallen trees that could have served as a small pier out to the center of the river.
“Alright, Desmond. Since you speak so infrequently, I can hardly wait to hear what you’ve got to say,” Gavin said, watching Gypsy with a blade of sarcasm in his tone.
They rode downstream to the fallen trees and Desmond took a position closer to Gavin than he was comfortable with. He needed to keep his voice as low as possible. Gavin studied him cautiously.
“You’re pushing Gypsy too hard,” Desmond said. “She’s at the point of collapse because she doesn’t have the experience to know how to delegate her responsibilities.”
“You think I should coddle her? It is her desire to have a military career and this is what a soldier’s life is all about. If she can’t handle it that’s her failure,” Gavin said, stabbing his gloved finger in the air at Desmond with each word he spoke.
“You crazy old bastard. I wish you could hear yourself. You can’t even see what you’re doing to her. That’s her mother out there not just your wife, but you are so engaged in your pity party that you don’t even notice how much she’s struggling. All she wants is to find her mother and please you, but you’re so ignorant of anybody’s pain but your own that you aren’t even aware that she hasn’t slept nor eaten since we left the empire. She is going to crack under the strain unless you do something.”
“So what are you suggesting? Do you want me to switch the two of you?” Gavin asked.
“Not on your life,” Desmond recoiled. “I want you to be her commanding officer and help her succeed. So far the only support and direction that she’s gotten during her first commission is from Trajan, a mercenary, and myself, an enlisted, when she should be getting it from you. No one, yourself included, would have ever given a new officer the kind of responsibilities you’ve charged her with. She would have had to serve under and be mentored by a senior officer for at least a year before taking the second-in-command slot. You’ve stuck her with all the responsibility of running this outfit and given her no guidance at all. Despite that fact she is doing a damn good job, it’s not sustainable if she doesn’t take care of herself. She’s doing everything and suffering the same as you are, only she doesn’t have a tent to hide in so her emotions have to stay locked up at all times and the pressure is building. Now I’ve said my piece. You do what you want.”
To his astonishment, Gavin nodded and placed his hand on Desmond’s shoulder. “You’re right, Desmond,” he said. “Distribute the canteens and I’ll go wake her. We’ll be along shortly.”
Chapter 13
Gypsy couldn’t remember where she was or what she was doing. Her mind a miasma of violent, sad images weaving their way through a dense fog. She tried to follow the images because she was looking for something but a force was holding her back. Struggling to gain her freedom she jerked and was pulled into the afternoon sun feeling a grip on her shoulder. As she fought to associate with her surroundings she slowly looked up at the offending force and saw Gavin crouching near her. Dread washed over her and she jumped to her feet. Her eyes burned like someone had set them on fire and left them to smolder. Who would have thought a ten-minute nap would leave her more tired than when she’d first closed her eyes. Boy was he going to be pissed at her for sleeping on duty. She braced herself for his angry tirade.
“I’m sorry, Excellency. I just meant to sit for a moment,” she said, looking around for the canteens. She was sure she brought them down here. Had she been so tired that she forgot them? “I came down here to get water and now I don’t know—”
“Your brother took care of it. Come. Walk with me,” he said. Gavin gestured to the river trail, only they were heading away from the others.
Oh I must be in big trouble now. She jogged up alongside and joined her father. They strolled into the woods until they were out of listening distance of any unwanted ears. Gavin turned to her and said, “I’ve put a terrible strain on you, Gypsy, at this very difficult time, but I want you to know I couldn’t be prouder of how you’ve handled it.”
Gypsy was stunned. “Thank you, sir.”
“Selfishly I have been so stricken with my own grief that I have barely given yours a thought. You know my love for your mother is all-consuming. I brought you on this mission because I knew I could depend on you to stay focused and see this through should anything happen to me. Your distress is apparent on your face and I realize that you have had no opportunity to deal with the sorrow of your mother’s abduction, and for that I am sorry.”
At the mention of her mother Gypsy felt her emotions wave just below the surface of her skin, threatening to break through. She couldn’t speak. She couldn’t even look at him because the wall was cracking. So she just stood there staring at the ground, too petrified to move. Her body trembled ever so slightly. Without warning Gavin reached out grabbing her behind the neck. He pulled her forward against him and wrapped his huge arms around her.
An ocean of tears broke free of Gypsy’s eyes and she just let them fall silently onto his armor. Feeling his chin rest on top of her head she squeezed him tightly and felt a little bit of relief. For a brief moment she and her father shared their common anguish before getting back to business. Gypsy pulled up the bottom of her tunic and patted it against her eyes as Gavin launched into his instructions.
/> “The first thing I want you to do is delegate more. It’s not necessary for you to do everything. In fact, you should be doing very little yourself except reporting to me and keeping everyone in line. Before we continue on, I want you to assign the duties you’re currently doing to the mercenaries. If any one of them gives you so much as a strained look, you punish them on the spot. Is that understood?”
“Yes, sir,” she said, hoping she wasn’t going to have to kick someone’s ass in her current condition.
“I also wanted to compliment you on your choice of scouts. Trajan is an excellent tracker, but the maps are horrible. I want you to assign someone else other than you to do them. Surely there must be another mercenary who can read and write in this sorry band of misfits. If not, have Desmond do it,” Gavin said.
“And speaking of your brother,” he continued, “I want you to consult and use him more. He has a lot of valuable experience and he can be a great help to you.” Gavin winced and arched his back. A furious darkness crossed his face and he clenched his fists under the agony of his failing back. Seeing him like this resurrected the fear that he might not be able to complete this mission. Gypsy held her breath and waited for the spell to subside. After several minutes, Gavin relaxed a little. He focused his golden eye on her and said, “I need the doctor so send her out here and have her bring the kit. Inform the rest of the group we’ll resume travel in thirty minutes. You are to eat something during that time. When we break for camp this evening I’m ordering you to put Desmond in charge and get some sleep.”
“Yes, sir.” Gypsy hesitated. She wanted to help him but knew there was nothing she could do. He glared at her and she took her cue, quickly rushing off to get Doctor Jonson.
Chapter 14
Scarlet clutched the medical kit to her chest and approached the small clearing cautiously. As Gypsy had told her, the general was there leaning his back against a tree with his thumbs tucked into his belt. The black eyepatch over his right eye made him look even more devilish than he usually did. A hard wind whipped past them blowing his thick black locks away from his handsome face. Scarlet approached from his blind side and could read in the iron set of his jaw the enormous pain he was in.
“General?” she said softly so as not to startle him.
“Doctor Jonson,” he said.
She paused for a second. Then she said, “Are you alright?”
“I am managing, Doctor,” he replied coolly.
“Let me give you your pain medication,” she said, putting the kit on the ground and popping it open. Gavin came over and sat down on the ground near her. He unfastened his cuirass and placed it in front of him. Then he peeled off his tunic so she could access his back. The moment she came around behind him she was amazed he could still stand. The tissue covering the four lowest vertebras was badly swollen and even showed some dark bruising in the surrounding area.
If he had been any other patient, she would have forced him to stop for a few days to let the swelling subside. But this was Gavin and he didn’t take medical advice well. That she’d learned the hard way. She grabbed a loaded syringe and administered several small injections along his spine. Even though she knew he’d resent it, she felt compelled to tell him the truth about his condition. “Your condition is getting much worse, General,” she said as tactfully as she could. “You’re risking permanent nerve damage here.”
“Be more specific please,” he said.
“If this gets worse, you might not be able to walk again.” She swallowed and continued with the injections, smoothing her hand along the swelling as if she could cure it with sheer will. “You also may not have full use of your…manhood.”
Gavin was silent for a long time. Then he said, “I don’t care what happens to me. All I care about is finding Harlan. She has contributed more to this empire than anyone other than the emperor himself, and I will not rest until she is returned safely.” He rubbed his face hard, letting out an angry hiss through his teeth. Scarlet knew he was having a hard time with the pain. He was starting to build up a tolerance to the drugs she had.
After a brooding silence he continued, “If I were to die tomorrow, a new warlord would take my place. The foundation of my work is built upon brute force and conquest. But Harlan is a true heroine of the empire, for she has done more for my people with her research than anyone before or since. Where I have destroyed families, she has restored them. I owe her the lives of my men, my best friend Caraculla, and myself on numerous occasions. Mark my words, I will not stop until I find her and make the men who took her pay dearly. She is irreplaceable to me and I would gladly lay my life and the lives of all of you down for her safe return. So finish sticking that blasted needle in my back and let’s get the fuck out of here.”
Scarlet felt a little guilty. “I’m sorry. I just thought you should know.” She finished the last injection and closed the kit. “You’re done.”
Gavin struggled to his feet and dressed stiffly. “There is something else I need you to do,” he said.
“Yes, General?”
“I need you to fake your rape,” he said.
Scarlet’s mouth went completely dry and her heart started racing. I sure hope he’s kidding. “What?”
Gavin squinted off in the direction of the mercenaries. “The mercenaries know something is wrong with me. They’ve been watching me carefully, whispering amongst themselves, trying to judge how strong I am.”
“What does that have to do with me?”
“Raping you makes me look stronger—more unpredictable in their eyes. Especially since they’ve guessed at your relationship with my son.”
Scarlet was dumbfounded. “That’s the dumbest thing that I’ve heard,” she snapped. Surely this would cause a huge fight with Desmond. “Won’t Desmond react?”
“I didn’t ask your opinion. And as for your boyfriend’s reaction I’m counting on it. He will attack me and one of the mercenaries will try and take advantage of the situation to kill us both. Then they can steal everything, leave, and report we were accidentally killed on the mission.”
“I’m very uncomfortable with this, General,” she said. “Things may not go the way you’re expecting them to and you could end up dead.”
Gavin nodded grimly. “Then tell Desmond when you’re sure that the two of you can’t be overhead. Tell him the next time you and I are alone together, that’s when we will stage the rape and for him to be ready. Understood?”
“What if he doesn’t want to go along with this plan?” she asked.
“He will. We’re in trouble with these dogs and he knows it. Gypsy and he have done a good job of keeping them under control, but with me obviously ailing, they’re getting ready to strike. We’re just going to push their hand a little.”
“Okay,” she said, feeling like her guts were made of jelly. “I’ll tell Desmond, but I still think this is a horrible idea.”
Chapter 15
Harlan and her kidnappers rode into their home village of Rathara at nightfall. Although she’d lived on AEssyria a long time and was used to riding hyperias, she had never ridden days and days at a time and it was murder. She jumped off her mount and collapsed to one knee. Her legs were cramped and hurting. Sulla came over, grabbed her by the arm and pulled her to a small run-down shack on the edge of what looked like the village center. “My brother’s in here,” he said, thrusting her inside.
Harlan walked into the shack and blinked for a few moments trying to adjust to the poor light. The only illumination in the room was a thick yellow candle on the bedside table. Next to the bed were two women, an older female and another quite young. Their resemblance made Harlan believe they were mother and daughter. The older female wore a ragged peasant dress with a soiled blue shawl over her shoulders and the younger one wore a simple tan dress. Sulla pushed past Harlan with two more candles in his hand. He placed one on a battered dresser and the other on a table by the door. It helped, but not much.
“Who is this?” the older female
said, staring hard at Harlan.
“A doctor,” Sulla answered.
“But she’s human,” the older female persisted.
“That’s right. What of it?”
“Where did you find her?”
Sulla pushed Harlan toward the bed and turned on the woman. “Stop with your questions. It’s enough that I found her,” he snarled at her.
The females moved away from the bed so Harlan could examine the patient. The foul stench of infection had struck her the moment she was pushed into the shack but as she moved closer it increased exponentially. Harlan removed the blanket covering the patient and almost gagged. He was a young male, probably close to Sulla’s two hundred years. He was naked and his dark green skin was ashen and covered in a thick sheen of sweat. Harlan spotted a deep, pus filled stab wound in the man’s abdomen. The smell of necrotic flesh sent her salivary glands into overtime and she suppressed the urge to dry heave. What the hell am I going to do? There’s no way I can save this man in such an advanced stage of infection.
“Well?” Sulla said.
Harlan took a deep breath in but didn’t look at him. “I’ll need my bag,” she said. She’d do the only thing she could; she’d keep him alive as long as she could and make him as comfortable as possible until he died, and he was most definitely going to die. She didn’t need a thermometer to feel the intense fever ravaging him. He was septic for sure, and even if they were in a hospital she didn’t know if she could save him.
Sulla left the shack and came back in with her bag. He was about to close the door when she said, “No. Please leave it open.” The stench of the wound coupled with the heat of the windowless dwelling was almost too much for her. Sulla opened the door wide and made a gesture for the two females to leave. They scurried out casting nervous looks at Harlan. Sulla came over and dropped Harlan’s medical bag at her feet.
“You didn’t answer my question,” he said in a dangerous tone.
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