“Try not to wear a path in the ground, Captain. We cannot have these men thinking we tend toward nervous habits.”
Leyna paused, realizing only then that she’d even been pacing. “I apologize, General,” she sighed, dropping down into a chair next to the mapping table. “I am not entirely certain what to expect of these people. How do I know what is appropriate etiquette toward them when I know nothing of their kind?”
“I trust you will know what to do when the time comes. Just – try to avoid staring. Both cultures can be a shock to the senses to witness for the first time. For you to see them both simultaneously, I would hate to see you look like a fool.” Cadell chuckled to himself at the thought. “If it makes it any easier, consider it like a meeting with foreign royalty. Treat them the same as you would Queen Vorsila, and there should be no issues.”
“I have seen many disturbing things. I doubt a pair of men will throw me off my senses to such an extreme.”
“You really haven’t seen these people before then, have you?” Cadell’s brow raised in her direction. A glint of amusement could be seen there, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “Let me tell you about the first time I ever laid eyes on one of the Ovatai. I was a young man, not yet old enough to serve in the military myself, and my father was at court with Queen Nalashi. Though the reason for their presence escapes me now, two Ovatai warriors were guests of the Queen. I nearly soiled myself at the mere sight of them.”
Covering her mouth with her hand, she tried not to laugh out loud at the mental image of Cadell wetting himself over something so seemingly trivial. “I find that hard to believe,” she grinned, unable to contain it.
“Just don’t let them see any change in your face when you meet them,” he replied, his tone stern, no hint of the humor from only moments ago. “The Ovatai are fierce warriors. Very primal. Some believe them to be an ancient line of Vor’shai, though it is hard to know whether there is fact to the claim. The only thing which gives it any merit is their ability to utilize a form of magic very similar to ours, but in a far different manner. Their agreement to assist us comes as a surprise to me, really. They do not involve themselves in the affairs of other countries. I suspect they only do so because of our dire predicament, and our defeat would only lead to an inevitable war between the Ven’shal and their people anyway. Better to take the enemy out before the blood spills on their own soil… or ice.”
“And the Tunirons? What is so intimidating about them?”
“They are human, but more fierce than any you have ever seen. Much like the Ovatai, their lives are a constant struggle for survival. The wildlife in the jungles is unforgiving and merciless, and they rarely leave it. Many of their fighters won’t speak our language. Any directions will have to be given to their General, whose name I loathe to say I cannot completely enunciate in the correct fashion. Uttae?”
“That’s not a name, it is a grunt,” Leyna chortled. “I just enjoy hearing you say it.”
Cadell laughed, a cough escaping him at the sound of someone approaching outside the tent. Stiffly he rose to his feet, snapping for Leyna to do the same, his hands sliding over his uniform jacket to make sure it was free of any wrinkles or dust. The flap of the tent came open, Zander’s face appearing before motioning two men inside; or at least what Leyna thought to be men.
The person on the left held an animalistic appearance, his arms long and lanky, yet muscular, the tone of his body revealing his impeccable strength and agility without requiring any motion. His hands were large, Leyna’s eyes staring at the long digits on each, similar to those visible on his bare feet. His complexion was unblemished ebony, the only color coming from the stark white of his eyes against his skin, their rich, deep, almost black irises staring hard at Leyna as he entered. The smooth surface of his bald head shone as if waxed, catching the light of the torches set up throughout the room.
The man on the right couldn’t be more opposite. He stood erect, his posture flawless and proud. Long, snowy white hair hung like a mane down from his head to his waist, blending in with his porcelain-fine skin. His eyes were like icy blue lakes, vibrant in their glow. Just below his piercing gaze, a soft layer of hair resembling fur covered the skin on the rest of his face, down his neck, and all over the remainder of his body. Longer tufts dangled from his forearms and calves, protruding out from his white gloves and boots made of some animal hide unfamiliar to Leyna’s eyes. He was tall. Several inches stood between the top of Leyna’s head to his chin. His body was lean and muscular, sharply pointed wolf-like ears twitching like a cat with every sound.
“You are the General of Vor’shai, no?” The white haired man inquired, his words like silk in a very formal Vor’shai dialect, distracting Leyna from her own awe while trying to decipher the accent. She felt lost in her own language, amazed that anyone still spoke in such a way.
“Chief Okivra. We are in your debt for your assistance,” Cadell stated calmly, yet genuine, utilizing the modern Vor’shai structure while bowing low to each of the men in turn. At the curious raise of the other man’s brow, Cadell switched to the language spoken between Carpaen and Siscal, finding it better suited for the man’s ears. “General Uttae. We are honored by your presence. I am General Cadell, and this is Captain Leyna, one of our most skilled soldiers.”
“She is woman,” Okivra said in his broken language, his nose wrinkled in what Leyna could only interpret as disgust.
Her expression fell, struggling to maintain her composure at the sexist remark. There was nothing wrong with being a woman, and she wasn’t afraid to tell him so. It was her promise to Cadell to treat them with respect which stayed her tongue.
“Do not let her gender fool you. Her combat prowess rivals that of any man amongst our troops.”
“No wonder you lose.” Okivra turned to face Cadell, ignoring Leyna’s presence entirely. “My warriors are instructed to take orders from no one but me. I trust our battle methods over yours.”
As Okivra continued to speak, the flow of his language began to catch on in Leyna’s mind, becoming less broken with every tiny nuance she discovered. She would’ve been impressed were it not for the disrespect he showed to her, and now Cadell. How could they organize an attack with a man unwilling to hear their plan? The Vor’shai were familiar with the terrain and the enemy. It was foolish for these people to push forward without any understanding of what they were up against.
“I trust you will lead them to victory. We will do our best to follow your example,” Cadell bowed low to Okivra, his eyes cast to the floor, the white of the Chief’s boots turning to move swiftly out of the tent without any other word. Straightening his shoulders, Cadell nodded politely to Uttae, returning to the southern language once again. “I apologize, General. If you like, I can review our attack plan with you. Modifications can be made if you disagree on any points. We are not here to give you or your men orders.”
Uttae grunted, white teeth shining from under the dark color of his lips. The way he stared at her left Leyna uneasy, unsure of how to react to his strange mannerisms. It was hard to focus on anything with his abnormal form distracting her from her own thoughts. “General,” she cut in. “I think it may be best if I start rallying the men together and making sure the commanders are aware of the details. In case there are any last minute questions.”
Cadell looked surprised, his expression easing to one of understanding. “Very well. Do not stray far. You know my orders. I will find you momentarily.”
With a polite bow to Uttae, Leyna hurried from the tent, hoping her departure didn’t appear too desperate. These men were crazy. Unnatural. In her mind, Uttae couldn’t look more out of place among their people. He was like a starved ghereac sizing her up for a meal while Okivra was willing to write her off as useless simply because of her gender. Her? A female Vor’shai? The foundation of their race? Could the Ovatai really be so ancient in their views as well as their language?
“Hold up there, Captain.”
Spinning around quickly, Leyna’s fists clenched, her breath drawn in sharply at the sight of Zander coming up from behind. She released the tension in her hands, extending her fingers long at her side. “I need to calm down.”
“I thought you and the General were meeting with the foreign powers?” Zander smirked. “Did things not go well?”
“The General failed to mention anything about the Ovatai Chief being a pig. The nerve of that man! No wonder his people live in seclusion. I cannot imagine anyone ever wanting to associate with someone as pompous and self-centered.”
“Well, as the Chief, he is guaranteed to have a wife, which means he will or has already been breeding. There are most likely little chiefs running amok. You’ll just have to prove that you’re better than him. What did he do?” Zander looked her over carefully, content to see a smile form on her lips at his comments.
“He doubts my ability to fight based solely on the fact that I am a woman.”
Zander laughed. The sound echoed through the camp, his head thrown back toward the sky. “Are you serious?”
“Of course I am serious,” Leyna slapped his arm. “When Cadell advised him I was one of the unit’s most skilled soldiers, he insulted him by saying that was the reason we have been losing.”
“Oh, he sounds like a prize,” Zander chuckled. “Leyna – Captain –” he emphasized the title, looking around to make sure no one overheard his blunder. “In my knowledge of his people, the Ovatai have some of the most frightening female warriors of any race on Myatheira. He may think his people better than ours, but he certainly can’t discredit you simply on the basis of your being a girl. To do so would insult every woman in his ranks.”
Leyna folded her arms across her chest. “I can be just as frightening as any of their women.”
“Then show him. He agreed to bring his men to help, so he can’t be all bad.”
“Just mostly bad. The scoundrel,” she scoffed. “I pray all his children to be female.”
As she spoke, the flap of the tent came open, Cadell and Uttae emerging from inside. Uttae moved away, deeper into the camp, Cadell scanning the area, coming to notice Leyna, a look of relief flashing in his eyes. “I was worried you might have wandered off somewhere.”
“I did my duty and kept her in one place, sir,” Zander smiled. “Wasn’t easy, though.”
“Never is, with her,” Cadell nodded, his hand resting firmly on Leyna’s shoulder. “Don’t let that man get to you. He’s not as mean as he comes across.”
“Oh, yes, certainly. He seems absolutely pleasant. We should have him for tea sometime after the war.”
A shiver passed through her with a sudden whip of the icy breeze. She couldn’t imagine living somewhere so bitter cold every day of the year. Maybe it would freeze her heart as well to be that miserable. Constantly fighting for survival against the elements as well as the arctic creatures lurking about – the Ovatai life was not something she could ever understand, nor did she have any desire to. All that mattered was whether or not they could help defeat the Ven’shal.
Rubbing her arms gently for warmth, she sighed in defeat. It was useless to remain angry over a comment which meant nothing to her in the end. They would go into battle, and when all was said and done, the Ovatai would depart and his opinion would no longer matter. She was the Captain of the Vor’shai military. They needed her to be focused on the fight, not her pride.
“The sun will be setting soon. I didn’t have a chance to call together the commanders and go over the plan a final time…”
“Don’t worry about it, Captain. They know their directions,” Cadell said. “You should take this time to get yourself prepared. Empty your thoughts of anything which might distract you from our goal. We need you to be ready. And I need you to be clear-headed and focused on whatever needs to be done to keep yourself alive. And Commander,” he added, turning his attention to Zander. “You know your orders. Protect her at all costs. If all goes well, this will be the last time I put her in this situation.”
“I put myself in this situation, General. I know what I am getting myself into. There is no need to risk the lives of others to protect mine when I am fully aware of the risks.”
“That is enough, Captain,” Cadell interrupted, his tone firm and decisive. “You know where I stand on this. I will accept no arguments from you. Now go. I will finish the briefing with the commanders and then come back for you. Amand is stationed right outside the tent. Do not leave it, and if anything happens, he will make sure word reaches me. Until then, I suggest you get your head on straight. It’s going to be a long night.”
Under the dusky violet sky, Leyna and Cadell directed the troops forward, the crunch of snow under foot louder than either was comfortable with. The Ovatai were already ahead of them, skulking easily through the white landscape, everything about their bodies seamlessly blending in with their surroundings. Sanarik watchmen were stationed all around the enemy camps. Their positions were unknown, hidden amongst the trees, but not well enough to slip past the notice of Okivra’s men who seemed to simply sniff them out.
The air was silent. Leyna could hear nothing of the Ovatai attacks, her eyes blinking with surprise to see a bright flash of light appear up ahead, an indication of a successful approach, the area cleared of any and all enemy scouts. Trees littered the landscape, more densely than the battlefields of so many attacks before. A common strategy of the Sanarik was to maintain camp within the protection of nature. Plenty of places to hide while their arrows could seek their mark.
Overhead, the Tunirons found the treetops to be home. An occasional creak from above hinted to their otherwise stealthy presence, easing toward the camp, weapons strapped to their backs, prepared to be drawn at the first opportunity. Leyna was amazed by the ease which they maneuvered through the branches, having never seen anything quite like it before. “Whatever happens, promise me you will take care of yourself. I fear I will not be able to keep my eyes on you as well as I would like,” Cadell whispered.
Leyna nodded, not wanting to respond aloud in fear of exposing their position to the enemy. Hand gripped firmly around the hilt of her sword, she held it up in front of her, a slow count starting in her head. It was almost time. Burnt wood scented the air around them. They were getting closer, voices audible through the trees, though their words too muffled to decipher the conversation. It was still early for the enemy to be positioning themselves for their regular attack. If luck was on Leyna’s side, they would be without armor and weapons upon the initial strike, leaving them vulnerable for the first wave of soldiers to cut through.
Slowly, Leyna lifted her blade into the air, high over her own head, like a beacon to the troops awaiting their command. When the moment felt right, she let a soft wave of energy pulse from her hand to the sword, a gentle blue light coursing over the edges of the blade, giving the signal for them to charge.
In a rush of movement, the first wave cut through the final line of trees leading to the camp. Leyna and Cadell held their ground, anxious, listening intently to the sound of chaos erupting only a few feet ahead. The element of surprise was on their side. Screams of the unprepared Namiren soldiers echoed through the trees. The first wave would be the easiest. Once the soldiers had scattered from the camp, the Ven’shal fighters would be alerted to the impending attack. They would put up more resistance for the next charge.
Once their presence was known, it would be only a matter of time before the fallen enemy would start to reawaken under Arcastus’s control. A special unit of Vor’shai soldiers were in wait of the dead to rise. They were to find their way onto the battlefield and, under cover of the other allied fighters, take to the ground, replenishing the energy into the soil to weaken the animated corpses.
The sky continued to sink into darkness. There was an ominous sensation about it. Thick and unnatural. No matter what came, Leyna was determined to face it honorably. If death found her on the battlefield, her only regret would be for the life she would never li
ve in Thade’s eyes. But there was no other death more respectable than that of a soldier, fighting for their Queen. She couldn’t let her desire for revenge cloud her thoughts. This was about more than that. They were fighting for their freedom and peace. Such things outweighed the festering anguish of an orphan girl.
“The first wave has scattered them. The enemy will regroup and come out swinging.” Cadell drew his sword, tilting the blade from side to side, the light of the moon reflecting off the flawless surface of the metal. “We can do this. We just need to fight smart.”
In a show of respect, Leyna held out her own blade, the sides of their swords meeting with a soft clink of metal against metal in the darkness. “We are Vor’shai,” she smiled. “We always fight intelligently.”
Cadell smirked, raising his sword into the air. It was up to him to give the final signal to disperse into combat. They listened for what felt like hours, when Leyna knew it couldn’t have been more than a few minutes. Several at most. The clambering of footsteps could be heard clearly in the distance, swift in pace, moving directly toward them. Before Cadell gave the signal, a cool chill came suddenly at Leyna’s side, her head turning to find the snowy figure of Okivra next to her.
His gaze met with Cadell’s, a flash of unspoken communication visible in their brightly glowing eyes. With a nod, Cadell’s blade burst to light, his own legs carrying him forward into battle with the roar of the troops. Leyna’s muscles tensed in preparation to follow, her progress halted by Okivra’s strong arm outstretched across her chest, preventing her from moving.
“Wait.”
She couldn’t disobey the command. The way he spoke told her there was reason behind his actions. Reasons he would never take the time to explain to her, nor did they have time for her to even ponder over the possibilities.
The Myatheira Chronicles: The Vor'shai: From the Ashes (Volume 1) Page 93