“I know that. I just hate sentencing my people to death.”
For a brief moment she leaned against him, supporting. She knew what he was going through from experience. Some decisions weren’t easy, but they still needed to be made. Death was inevitable and so was this battle. It might as well happen now as later. It might as well happen far from home, rather than where innocents might get killed.
It was another hour before Shanti and Cayan felt the mind ahead and slightly to the right. They were traveling over hard dirt, making a large dust cloud that billowed out and above the trees. Only someone asleep wouldn’t see them from a great distance. Then, when they got closer, the tromp of hooves and murmur of voices would surely wake the dead.
“We should send someone ahead,” Cayan mumbled to himself. He had realized their predicament.
“Let me go,” she responded quietly. “It will be an easy thing.”
Fear of a different sort swirled through his thoughts. For her. For her safety. He thought of her as one of his, now. She had become his responsibility and he didn’t want to see her hurt any more than Sterling or Lucius. Those fears were tempered with hard logic. He knew it was the best course of action, quick and efficient.
She had no idea why he hated that fact.
“Sterling,” Cayan said in his commanding voice, “take Shanti, Lucius, and Tobias. Cut them down.”
Lucius kicked his horse forward until he was even with Cayan.
“Lucius, I can’t get down when you’re—“ Shanti’s words were cut off by Lucius dragging her over to his saddle. “What am I, a sack of cabbage?”
“You are much louder than a sack of cabbage,” Cayan drawled as Lucius kicked his horse into a trot.
Their small party rode ahead. Tobias, knowing nothing about Shanti, couldn’t contain his displeasure at a woman tagging along. He kept his distaste to huffs, however, being a well versed fighter—he knew better than to piss off the Captain. Shanti, knowing better than to waste time, didn’t punch him in the throat. All in all, they got along.
“Sterling, what is your range?” Shanti asked as they ate away the hard packed earth, closing the distance to the first sentry. It was a well-traversed road though not badly eaten away, indicating there was more foot traffic than heavy animals or carts.
“Dead on for three-hundred spans,” Sterling answered in a flat tone, eyes scouting the foliage and road ahead.
“Tobias?”
“Two-hundred at most, but that is while steady.”
“Then one-hundred on horseback?”
He nodded, eyes swiveling, trying to catch every movement, whether natural or otherwise.
Shanti leaned into Lucius and closed her eyes, drawing power off of Cayan even with the distance. She wasn’t as interested in the sentries as what lay ahead. She wanted to know how hard it would be to get Sanders. She wanted to know what sort of mental capability they had. Even minimal power could still overcome her if there were enough of them.
“Are we close?” Sterling asked in a hush.
Shanti searched, dots of pulsing color laid out before her, sparse at first, then more dense, throbbing points of emotion that signified humans, and other subtler nuances signifying males. She could sense idleness and boredom, no prevailing worries of their troupe, or any other violent group, traversing the road.
“Okay, Sterling, there will be a man to your right. He is off the ground. I’ll know more as we get closer. Behind him will be a man way off to the left. Based on the trees, I am thinking they can both see the road.”
“How do you know?” Tobias was skeptical.
“Because I get my menstrual cycle,” Shanti said in a flat tone.
“Trust her,” Lucius said fiercely. “She knows what she’s saying.”
“How far can you see?” Sterling asked, arrow nocked.
“I can’t see far enough for my taste, even with Cayan feeding me power.”
In another couple minutes Shanti said, “To the right, up ten yards. Male. Bored. Not expecting us. In range.”
Sterling’s eyes followed her directions in perfect trust, waiting patiently for the man she said would be there. Not understanding the nature of her Gift, it was a little too trusting for her taste, but it was how Cayan’s men operated, and since she was correct, she said nothing.
A small wooden circle crouched at the top of a tree in plain view, a man leaning against the edge in utter dullness, asleep while standing up. With a practiced movement that gave Shanti pause, Sterling sighted, pulled, and loosed his arrow in one smooth, clean stroke. The arrow flew true, sticking into the mid-chest and dropping the man out of the tree.
“Lucius, you want the one on the left or shall I take him?”
“I’ll take him,” Lucius said, using his knees to steer the horse. The beasts were well trained. Probably still bit, though.
“Left, forty-five degrees. Male. Aroused—probably playing with himself. They must not see many people come through this way.”
“How the hell do you know—“
“Silence Tobias,” Sterling barked. “The Captain trusts her. That should be enough.”
Lucius spotted the man, but didn’t have the range Sterling did. They got closer, Lucius looking down the arrow as the distance closed.
“He’s spotted us,” Shanti whispered. She had her own bow nocked just in case Lucius missed.
The arrow pinged into the air. They watched it travel until it slid into the neck of a ducking sentry. Any later and it would’ve missed.
“Lucky. One on the right, Sterling. Close to the road. I’ll take the one way left. There must be another road off that way.”
Shanti leaned back from Lucius, nocked her arrow, sighted, waiting until the man came in range, and released, as Sterling did the same. A second later another arrow flew, traveling a similar path as Shanti’s.
“That was a waste of an arrow, Tobias,” Shanti said evenly. “And a bad shot. Make sure you can improve on me before you try to cover for me. Sterling, to the right. They are denser up ahead.”
Sterling was ready, and as good as everyone said. He made it look effortless as he pulled his mighty bow back and sighted his arrow; his form perfect. He topped Shanti in range with the ability and strength to operate that giant bow. She thanked Cayan for sending him.
“Lucius, left. Two coming on the right, in the same tree. Sterling, I don’t know if you can take them both or split the victory with Tobias. We should stop after that. We’re approaching a busy area.”
Lucius drew; so did the other two. A second later, Shanti did too. There were men in trees and on the ground, all active. The area beyond was a sort of hub. Probably an outcropping of the city where people traded or conversed, away from the castle or city walls. They would be citizens, and she had the feeling the Captain wouldn’t want them killed.
“Hold up, here,” Shanti said softly, patting Lucius on the back.
Sterling looked at Shanti. “Should we take the rest on foot?”
She shook her head and relayed what she thought was coming up. Sterling nodded. “We should wait for the others, then. No one else will see their approach?”
“Not at present, no.”
“And beyond the hub, as you called it?”
“My range wavers. There are a few people and a few large mammals. Probably cows or oxen or something like that. A couple dogs. A horse or donkey. I would imagine farmers are on the road leading to the city. There are men and women and children. All mundane types.”
“What are you, a witch?”
Shanti lazily glanced at Tobias. His eyes were hard as he sneered. Before Sterling could react, she shrugged him off. “I am the one who will keep you alive if someone decides to mind-fuck you, Tobias. If you keep talking like an ignorant simpleton, I won’t bother.”
“I don’t need your help.”
“Fair enough.” To Sterling she said, “Should we ride back to the Captain or wait out of sight?”
“No sense riding back and wearing
out the horses. Let’s duck off to the side.”
They did, waiting quietly, Shanti coating Cayan’s anxiety with tranquility so he knew they were okay. His turmoil dwindled but didn’t disappear. He probably looked calm and relaxed, but his mind whirled and his nerves were strung out. She selfishly hadn’t taught him how to hide his inner emotions. A woman in her position needed a failsafe. Hopefully there’d be no hard feelings if he ever figured that out.
With a slight tremor in the ground, the horses and men following came into sight slowly, the pace slightly picked up since Shanti and crew had left. As they thundered closer, Shanti slid off her horse and stepped closer to Sterling. “Was it discussed to sneak in and ferret Sanders out without raising the alarm?”
Sterling glanced to Lucius and Tobias, watching the approaching mass draw nearer. “The idea was presented, yes.”
“And discarded how quickly?”
A brief smile flashed across Sterling’s lips. “Almost immediately.”
“You don’t take one of ours and get away with it?”
Sterling answered with a small nod. “It was thought that they would come for us anyway. The Inkna raised the question. The Captain is answering.”
“So Cayan—the Captain—is sending a message. And yet, he is still facing tough odds. Interesting.”
Sterling’s intense, flat stare turned down to Shanti. “The Captain is doing what’s right. Taking our men, as they did, under the guise of trade, must needs an answer. A brutal answer.”
Shanti glanced at him briefly, then returned to mentally checking on the men to come. “Oh yes, I agree. If I were in his shoes, I would’ve planned to devastate this People as well. But then, I know what they are capable of. I know how they operate. I am just surprised by the Captain’s foresight. He is a capable leader.”
“Did you doubt before now?”
Shanti shrugged. When you were near death half the time, and getting into trouble the other half, it was hard to properly assess the leader of a prosperous city. But now, in a time of peril, away from protective walls and early morning raids, she had a chance to take notice.
As Cayan came to rest beside their small party his gaze scanned Shanti’s body, probably looking for wounds. Not seeing any he turned his attention to Sterling. “Report.”
“Shanti thinks there are citizens—“
“He knows what I do,” Shanti interrupted in the interest of time.
The Captain turned to the young man on his right. “Bring up Leilius.” To Shanti he said, “Any reason to believe these people have your coloring?”
“Leilius would stick out like a tree among bushes if so,” she said with a smile. “But no. The Inkna are from near my neck of the woods, but their people wouldn’t be farming out here. They probably moved in and took over, similar to what they are trying to do with you. Whoever was here first still works the land. So…”
The Captain nodded. Apparently the coloring was bronze skin and dark hair, like him. It was a hot climate, so that made sense. Natural sunblock prevented constant sunburns. She should know, she had to be covered most of the time.
Leilius skulked up a few minutes later, looking sheepish and happy to see Shanti. He didn’t feel like he belonged in this battle-hardened crew twice his age. Shanti understood where he was coming from, but he was just about to earn a reputation, whereas she never would. She didn’t know if that was a blessing or a curse.
“Leilius, I need you to change into poor man’s clothes and travel up the road,” the Captain said without preamble. “Blend in. Find out everything you can. If you get into trouble I will know. Go.”
Leilius got changed with a fearful glower and took off at an easy walk, seemingly an average boy going to market. Shanti got caught in a moment of panic as his slouch carried him down the road, away from her protection. His thin body bent like a reed in a gale as he trudged, fearful but observant. He was ready for this—he needed to learn to operate on his own—but he was so young. Shanti still owed him for her life, but more than that, he and her Honor Guard were as close to friends as she had in this strange land. They were shining lights in a year of solitary darkness. Even Sanders, as much as he raged and bickered, was someone she cared for. Was someone she wanted to see safe behind his large stone walls. She was so afraid she’d lose someone else she cared about it choked her, closed her throat until sweat beaded her forehead. She pushed the feelings down, trying to get control, and felt a pulse of relief ping through her body.
It was Cayan trying to ease her mind. He was about as deft as a deaf man learning to sing, but the thought of it did help. She wasn’t a mother bird, and she needed to remember that this was a war. There would be casualties. She needed to stay focused.
If they killed Cayan, though, she would tear that city down around their knees without mercy. If they had killed Sanders, same result. Then she’d beat them bloody with their own limbs.
“Easy mesasha,” Cayan murmured.
Shanti took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Hope and wait.
It was two hours before Leilius came back up the road, a dead bird clutched by the feet hanging at his side. As he approached, his slouch more prominent, he handed up the large fowl in embarrassment. “I was offered this by a woman trying to marry me off to her daughter.” He shrugged. “She was pretty but older.”
Cayan’s gaze was calculating as he motioned for someone to take the wedding bribe. “What did you find out?”
“The Inkna aren’t well liked. I was told to think twice before moving closer. They killed the old government and started making changes right away.” Leilius dug his hands into his pockets. “The farmers are nearly starving, the working man is little more than a slave, and the foreign people are rich. Those that are beautiful, or gifted in a necessary craft, are doing well, though, so no one has tried to kick the Inkna out.”
Cayan ignored the young man’s hands. “Could you see the city walls?”
“I went in. That’s what took me so long. There is a large metal gate. Inside—“
“The gate is up?” Sterling asked.
“Um, yeah. A couple guys are—“
“Details, please,” Shanti said in a low tone.
Leilius straightened and took his hands out of his pockets. He probably thought Shanti was going to kick him. Cayan gave her a brief glance before Leilius focused once again. “Two men on each side, but lazy. Inkna—they are light and small—but they are bored. I don’t think they get much action. And inside there is a large area with traders stalls. If that gate were to close, there are a few places to sneak in, but only for a few at a time. That gate has to be open for us to get through with enough to pose a problem for their guards. They all have wicked looking swords and beady eyes.”
“Are the guards inside our coloring or Shanti’s?” Sterling asked.
“They are all Inkna. Small but maybe fast. Just like the ones that came into our city. A few loiter around the trading stalls, making trouble for the younger girls.” Leilius’s jaw clenched briefly before he went on. “A few dot the walls, and others wander around the inside of the city.”
“Are any outside?” Lucius asked with a focused stare, leaning forward on his mount.
Leilius shook his head. “Only those originally from this land are outside. They would scatter if we came through. Or take up arms with us. They really aren’t happy. Desperate, too. That girl’s mother wanted me to take her daughter away back to my land. I look poor, but she still wanted me to take her.”
“You only look poor for your country. Those rags are made from new fabric with holes cut in them,” Shanti muttered. “Someone actually poor can tell the difference.”
Cayan looked at the sun, deciding.
“Sanders doesn’t have much time,” Leilius said quietly. The Captain let slip a blast of power. When Leilius stopped cowering, he said, “I heard rumors that four soldiers were originally taken, but one died. One captured soldier in particular was giving the guards a hard time, and the guards were g
iving them all they had. It sounded like Commander Sanders. He doesn’t have long, though. The local people are shaken. There’s screaming.”
The Captain’s blue eyes glowed slightly. Power wrapped around him in tight bands, flirting with Shanti’s power, gathering might. “Then we go now. It means we will be running home in the dark, but if we wait until morning, my men might be dead.”
“We won’t need to run home. There won’t be anyone left to chase us,” Shanti said in a voice she hardly recognized.
A few men looked at her with wide eyes. They’d just remembered the girl who laid waste to a tide of Mugdock. She was brimming with power and anger, ready to unleash her wrath and give a town back to the people that rightfully owned it.
At the Captain’s command everyone mounted. He reached a hand down for Shanti.
“No,” she said, meeting his sky blue eyes, hopefully not for the last time. “I need to be first and on foot. When they see us coming they are going to come at us with every Warring mind they have. Or whatever they have that’s similar. I need to be on foot for that. Plus, I am going to inspire some townspeople to take up arms.”
The Captain looked at her a long time before he said, “Stay alive.”
She winked, excitement bubbling. With a manic grin that would make Sanders proud, she turned and started running.
The Inkna had stolen her home and killed those she loved. It was time for revenge.
Chapter XXXVIII
LEILIUS SAW S’AM STARTING TO walk and fell in beside her, caught up in her presence like a small ship in a giant wave. He didn’t want to file back in with everyone else; they snickered at him constantly, wondering if they would have to play nursemaid to the boy in soldier’s clothes.
It must have looked odd, a young man and a woman, walking in front of a team of horses, a small army at their backs. But if she worried, she didn’t show it. Head held high, long braid the color of wheat swinging behind her, S’am drew her sword in one clean, practiced movement. A thrill coursed through Leilius, ending in a tingle at the base of his balls. The adrenaline was kicking in. Soon he would have to fight. Kill people probably. It was necessary, though—he couldn’t have the Inkna ruin his home and turn his friends into slaves—but he hated killing. Even in revenge for what they were doing to Sanders.
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