by R. S. Ford
Josten Cade was a surly man. When he wasn’t sullenly watching the northern horizon he was barking at her to keep up, to sit down, to go to sleep. She obeyed him without question. There was no doubt Josten was intimidating, but there was something else about him… a sadness behind his eyes. Occasionally she would catch him staring with a haunted look, as though he was plagued with regret. It was a sorrow she would have deeply liked to ask him about, but she knew better than that. The last thing she wanted to do was make him any angrier.
If not for Mullen, she would most likely have tried to escape. For all his bluster and vulgarity, she could tell Mullen had a big heart in that broad chest. Yes, he talked of bedding wenches and cracking skulls, but beneath it all he was like a child. A bad-tempered child on occasion, but Livia was able to soften him. A sweet smile in reply to his scowl always brought a huge grin to that ugly face of his.
‘Another day in the beautiful Arethusan countryside,’ said Mullen, inhaling deeply through his nose.
The countryside was anything but beautiful. In another time perhaps the rolling hills and sparse copses might have been considered striking, but not now. The further north they travelled the more the signs of war became apparent. Carts were overturned beside their slaughtered owners. Men stripped down to their socks and left dead at the side of the road. Women and children strung up from trees, seemingly for no reason. The more they had travelled the more horror they had seen. Livia thought her heart might eventually harden to the sights but it didn’t. With every new mile a new revulsion, and she felt her stomach lurch at the prospect of what lay ahead.
‘Carrot?’ asked Mullen, holding one out to her.
Livia never ceased to be amazed by his thick skin. No matter what they encountered Mullen took it all in his stride.
‘No thanks,’ said Livia.
‘Suit yourself.’ Mullen took a big bite and began to crunch loudly.
‘We’re not far,’ said Josten. ‘Just over that rise I reckon.’
‘You’ve been saying that for miles,’ Mullen replied with a mouth full of chewed vegetable.
‘I recognise that tree. I’m sure of it.’ He gestured to a windswept oak standing atop the hill ahead of them.
‘You’ve been saying that too,’ ventured Livia. She had to say it before Mullen. The threat of prodding Josten’s ire was far less intimidating than seeing what Mullen had in his mouth for a second time.
Josten gave her that look of his. She smiled back and after a short pause he shook his head and wandered off.
‘Why is he always so dour?’ she asked Mullen quietly, as Josten forged ahead.
Mullen watched his friend walking up the hill as though reminiscing. ‘You wouldn’t think it to look at him, but Josten Cade was once an important man. Respected. Admired. Feared.’
Livia looked at the muddy, bedraggled man ahead of them. ‘Really?’
‘I know, it’s hard to believe,’ laughed Mullen.
When he reached the oak, Josten turned and flashed a rare smile.
‘See,’ he said, pointing down the other side of the hill.
There was a small town lying in a wooded valley. It wasn’t much to look at but it appeared more hospitable than anything they’d found in the past five days. The town was alive with movement and a large encampment had been erected to its eastern side. Even from this distance she could see troops moving among the range of tents; men in armour marched in regimented drills, soldiers cleaned and sharpened their weapons.
‘Who do we think?’ asked Mullen.
‘Canio Delloch,’ Josten replied, gesturing to a flag with a burning wheel upon it, which fluttered from one of the tents.
‘Just remind me, does Canio like us right now or not?’
Josten cocked his head, as though he was unsure. ‘After last time? I doubt it.’
‘So, should we steer clear, or try and make amends?’
‘Only one way to find out,’ said Josten, before leading them down the hill towards the town.
No one paid the three of them much mind as they wandered into the close grouping of shacks. With so many people coming and going they went unnoticed among the constant train of tinkers, whores and mercenaries. The ground beneath Livia’s feet had been churned up and her shoes were caked in mud as they plodded along.
As they made their way through, Livia caught sight of a young man with close-shorn hair moving parallel to them down an adjacent street. He limped heavily on his left leg and his face bore livid scars. She was unnerved by his stare and it became obvious he was following, but before she could tell Josten or Mullen the man disappeared.
When they reached the tented area at the town’s eastern extent they were stopped by one of Canio’s company.
‘What’s your business?’ the mercenary asked.
‘Josten Cade, come to look up his old friend Canio Delloch,’ Josten said, with as much confidence as he could muster.
The mercenary must have recognised the name, nodding in recognition and pointing them towards the command tent at the centre of the camp.
Josten grinned at Mullen, but the big man didn’t seem to share his confidence.
‘You sure we’re going to be welcome?’ asked Mullen.
‘Canio Delloch’s a reasonable man,’ Josten replied. ‘I’m sure he’ll let bygones be bygones and all that.’
‘What did you do?’ asked Livia.
Mullen laughed as Josten regarded her awkwardly.
‘We might have changed sides during a battle,’ he said.
‘Ah,’ she said. ‘I take it you ended up on the opposite side to this Canio fellow?’
‘Yes,’ Josten replied. ‘But it happens all the time in war. One day you’re watching a man’s back, the next you’re trying to stick a knife in it. Day after that you’re fighting side by side again. It’s the way it’s always been in the mercenary companies. Besides, nobody got killed after we changed sides.’
‘What about the standard bearer?’ asked Mullen. ‘Didn’t he die?’
‘All right,’ said Josten. ‘Almost no one died. Canio never liked that standard bearer anyway.’
‘How very reassuring,’ said Livia.
They continued in silence until they reached the tent with the burning wheel flag atop it. Josten approached and the guard outside seemed to recognise him.
‘Look what the cat dragged in,’ he said. The sentry held a spear but he didn’t appear threatening. That did little to put Livia at ease.
‘Is he here?’ Josten asked.
‘He is. Not sure if he’s gonna want to see Josten Turncoat any time soon though.’
‘Why don’t we let him decide?’
The guard looked the three of them up and down before ducking inside the tent. He reappeared a moment later and held the tent flap open for them.
‘Guess he’s in a good mood,’ said the guard with a sly smile.
Josten led them inside and the guard gave Livia a suggestive look as she passed by.
The inside of the tent was sparse. Dark coloured rugs had been thrown on the floor and weapons hung from the rafters – Livia guessed trophies of war. Two men stood at either side of the tent as the three of them entered, hands not far from the swords at their waists. At the far end sat a handsome man behind a dark wooden table. Scrolls of parchment were laid out before him, one of them a map, though of which region Livia couldn’t tell.
‘Josten,’ said the man, as they entered. ‘And Mullen. Naturally. Not sure I’m familiar with your new companion though.’ The man ran a hand across his stubbly jaw as he regarded her.
‘I pick up friends everywhere, Canio. You know that.’
Josten smiled as he spoke but even Livia could tell it was forced. He was nervous, and by the way Mullen gripped the handle of the axe at his belt, so was the big man.
‘Oh, I know,’ said Canio. ‘Maybe I should warn her about the company she’s keeping. I wonder if she knows about your habit of swapping sides when the mood takes you.’
‘Ab
out that,’ said Josten, looking awkward. ‘I hope there’s no hard feelings.’
‘If you thought I was still sore about that battle you wouldn’t have come here,’ said Canio. ‘Unless you’re about to make me such a good offer that you thought I wouldn’t care about the time you betrayed me and the rest of my company?’
‘Well…’ There was that awkward look again, and for a moment Livia thought she was about to be used as a bargaining chip for the second time. ‘I was about to offer you Mullen and I. At a bargain rate, of course. For old times’ sake.’
Canio rubbed his chin once more, mulling over the offer.
‘Josten Cade and Mullen Bull? In my company? For cheap? I’d be a fool to refuse.’
Josten couldn’t hide his look of relief. ‘I always knew you were a man of sense,’ he said.
The flap opened behind them, and three more men entered. Mullen slowly manoeuvred himself to face them.
‘Be with you in a moment,’ said Canio, before regarding Josten once more. ‘And what about your friend?’ he asked. ‘What does she have to offer?’
Josten looked a little thrown. ‘Nothing,’ he replied. ‘She’s just with us. You know how it is.’ Livia didn’t appreciate his suggestive wink. But then Josten and Mullen hadn’t laid a finger on her during their whole journey, so she could appreciate the subterfuge.
‘Right.’ Canio smiled. ‘I see. Like that is it?’
‘Yeah. It’s like that.’ Josten fixed Canio with a hard stare and his thumb flicked up the cross-guard of his sword.
‘It’s just that I’ve heard things. From the south. Tales of kidnappings, and money being put on heads, and rewards for safe returns.’ Mullen slowly pulled the axe free of his belt. ‘Please. None of that.’ Canio waved at Mullen to lower the weapon. ‘You’re surrounded. There’s no need for this to get messy.’
‘Messy?’ said Josten. ‘You’ve got no idea how messy this could fucking get.’
‘Josten. Come now.’ Canio reclined in his seat. ‘You think after everything we’ve been through I’d give you up to Gothelm and his boys? Just hand over the girl and you can be on your way. Though where you’ll go I have no idea. Gothelm wants your head something awful, and I hear there’s a crew after you for killing Dirty Beckan. Good job on that bastard, by the way. I never liked him.’
Josten looked at Canio, then glanced over one shoulder, weighing up exactly how much trouble he was in.
‘That seems like a fair offer,’ Josten said, his thumb still pushing his sword out of its sheath an inch. ‘But you know… I’ve got quite fond of the girl. Just wouldn’t seem right handing her over like that. Not without a fight at least.’
‘Always were the mad one,’ said Canio. Josten just stared again. ‘There’s no way she’s worth it, Cade. Look what happened the last time you went all mushy over a woman.’
‘This time it’s different,’ said Josten.
Canio shook his head. ‘I doubt it.’
There was silence. Livia tried to see where might be safe to hide when it all kicked off, but realised there was nowhere to hide from this.
Mullen was the first to move, bellowing as he swung his axe. Josten’s sword was out of its sheath before anyone else could move and Livia thought Canio was done for, but Josten turned away from the mercenary captain, hacking at the wall of the tent and cutting a vertical furrow along its length.
‘Go!’ he said, grabbing Livia’s arm and flinging her through the hole.
She landed on the ground outside, mud spattering her face as she sprawled in the dirt. More of Canio’s men stood outside, looking down in confusion. Clearly they had been expecting Josten or Mullen to come out fighting, not some dishevelled girl.
Inside the tent she heard the quick sharp sound of clashing weapons and men barking in anger. One of the guards ran towards the furrow but was thrown back before he had a chance to enter. Mullen burst out, axe in hand, spit on his lips, teeth gritted in fury.
‘Come on, bastards!’ he screamed, running at Canio’s men.
They looked like veterans, each one tougher than the next, but Mullen was like a bear facing wolves. One went down clutching his head as the flat of Mullen’s axe clanked off his helmet. The next fell back, face full of headbutt, and the third took a kick to the balls so hard he fell squealing.
Mullen grabbed Livia’s arm and pulled her to her feet. It was all she could do to keep up with him as they ran back towards the town.
Men began to take up the chase, but Mullen was faster than he looked.
‘What about Josten?’ she said as they fled.
‘Don’t worry about him,’ said Mullen, jinking through the tents. ‘Worry about us.’
Livia glanced over her shoulder as they entered the tight streets of the town. Canio’s men were almost on their heels. It was all the incentive she needed to keep on running.
They turned down a narrow alley, skidding on the slick ground and running like all the demons of hell were after them, until Mullen came to an abrupt stop at a dead end.
‘Shit,’ he said, turning to face their pursuers and pulling her behind him.
Livia watched the end of the alley, listening to Canio’s men approach. As they advanced, Mullen’s fingers gripped the haft of his axe so tight his knuckles were white.
There was the sound of a scuffle. Someone shouted in surprise. Then nothing.
Mullen glanced at Livia in confusion as he edged his way to the entrance of the alley. Peering around the corner, they saw three of Canio’s men lying unconscious on the ground, their weapons strewn about the street. It seemed there were no witnesses to whatever had happened.
‘What’s going on?’ she asked.
‘No idea,’ Mullen replied, glancing down at the men who had been beaten by some unseen phantom. ‘Let’s not hang around to find out.’
He grabbed her arm again and pulled her along the muddy street. Before they turned into another alley, Livia glanced back. For a second she saw the man with the limp who had been following them earlier. He stood watching as they ran, face scarred, his eyes staring intently.
Then he was lost from sight.
27
HIS jaw ached like mad and blood was caked in his hair, but Josten was too angry to let that bother him. All he wanted was to smash Canio’s deceitful face to mush; but his hands were tied behind him. The post he was bound to irritated his back and his shoulder throbbed from an old ailment. If only he had his sword – then there’d be fucking trouble. He loved that sword. It had got him out of more scrapes than he could remember.
Not this particular scrape though. That sword hadn’t been much bloody use at all when he’d been surrounded by half a dozen of Canio’s best. But he was still alive, that was something at least.
‘I didn’t want this to happen,’ said Canio.
They were alone in the tent. Canio sat on his desk picking at his fingernails with a short knife.
‘That makes two of us,’ Josten replied. ‘But here we are.’
Canio placed the knife down beside him. ‘We’re mercenaries, Cade. It’s what we do.’
They stared at each other until Josten started to laugh. Canio joined in and the tent was filled with the sound of them bellowing.
‘Everyone gets what they deserve,’ Josten said.
‘You always say that,’ Canio said, finally stifling his laughter. ‘And you’re right.’
‘Remember that job in Annavale we took?’ Josten asked. ‘That prissy little lord wanted us to sack a village. What was his name?’
‘Lord Borran,’ said Canio.
‘That was it. And when we got there to carry out the contract it was just some old man and his goat.’ Josten laughed. ‘I remember your men wanted to go through with it and kill the poor old fucker. And his goat.’
‘Yeah,’ said Canio. ‘They always were a dedicated bunch. I can’t remember who changed their minds.’
‘That was Mullen. I think he said the first one who hurts the old man gets a taste of the bull�
��s horns.’
‘Ha! I remember,’ said Canio, the memory obviously a good one. ‘That was the first time I thought there might be a heart in that big old chest of his.’
‘He’s full of surprises.’
‘Surprises? He surprised Lord Borran all right. Didn’t he make him eat that contract in front of everyone?’
‘And made them all stay and watch till he shat it out the other end.’
Canio laughed. ‘Yes. Strangely we never got another contract from Borran. I always knew you and Mullen were trouble. Always costing me money.’
‘We were good for some things,’ Josten said with a wink.
Canio nodded at that. ‘Yes you were. And not just to swing that blade of yours.’
Josten realised what Canio was referring to. The mood turned sombre.
‘She was a good girl,’ said Josten. ‘It’s a shame what happened to her.’
Canio nodded. ‘I hated you for the longest time. Just because it was you who introduced us. I needed someone to blame when she went, and if not for you I’d have been spared the pain.’
‘Is that what this is all about? Revenge because your wife died?’
Canio smirked, shaking his head. ‘You seriously think this is because you introduced me to her? Josten, this is all because you’re the stupidest, nastiest cunt I’ve ever met.’
They laughed again and only stopped when one of Canio’s men entered the tent.
‘They’re here,’ he said.
Canio nodded. His look of mirth turned solemn.
‘You understand this is just business, Cade,’ he said.
Before Josten could answer, more men entered the tent. They wore black and Josten recognised the first one immediately. His hawk nose was still flattened but the bruising had gone from his eyes. Randal, he’d said his name was. Randal Wolf, or somesuch. He regarded Josten with a blank expression but the rest of the tallymen looked like they wanted to hack him to pieces.