The Mercenary's Marriage

by Rachel Rossano

  “But would he hurt me?” After the question was out, Brice wished it back. She sounded pathetic. It must be the sleep and drug induced haze closing in on her.

  “All done,” the healer announced and began to help her back into her clothing. As he reached for the lantern, he paused and looked back over at her. “Darius would rather die than strike you, child.” Then he was gone.

  Brice lay back across the cot. The medicine was strong. She did not even have the strength to lift her legs over the edge of the bed. As the darkness consumed her, she thought, but what if he is wrong?

  “The enemy has shown itself.” Trenar announced to the five other men present inside the largest tent in camp, the king’s.

  Darius surveyed his comrades-in-arms from his place sitting on an empty water barrel to the left of King Jenran. Koram, the head of the mercenaries and Darius’ previous commander, leaned on the walking staff he used daily. Regan, the captain of the guard, stood in the classic ‘at ease’ position to Darius’ left. He had just come off watch duty. Trenar met Darius’ eyes briefly from his position in the center of the room. He was the chief of the King’s intelligence and also a former slave. Ewian stood on the opposite side of the King, watching as well. Darius had served with or under these men and respected each. If anything could be said for King Jenran, he knew how to choose the men at his back.

  “I received word an hour ago that a group of about fifty men deserted the main company earlier today, roughly four hours after we left them. The men that ambushed us were not of that company, but we believe them to be in league with the deserters. For how else would they know we were coming this way?”

  “So, what is to be our next move?” Koram asked.

  “We are going to keep pressing onward,” the king said. “If our sources are correct, Kiylin is in the control of rebels. They have taken my family hostage in the castle and are waiting for us to return.”

  “Do they know that we are aware they have taken Kiylin?” Regan asked.

  The king looked to Trenar. “Not as far as we know, but once the deserters reach them, they will know we are suspicious.”

  “The reason I have called you here,” Jenran explained as he straightened in his chair, “is we need to get inside the city walls. Once within, there is a chance we can wage warfare in the streets. If the citizens are willing to assist us, we can cripple the enemy until the army gets here.” He left the alternative unspoken, but each of them understood the risk.

  Koram readjusted his grip on his staff and leaned his head against his hands. Trenar took a seat and Ewian began to pace the small space in the center of the room.

  Ewian suddenly stopped pacing. “If we ride up to the gates without acting suspiciously they might let us into the city, thinking we don’t know that the city has been taken. Of course, we cannot be sure that they will. We may lose the battle before it has begun.”

  “Darius,” Jenran said suddenly, calling everyone’s attention to Darius. Even Ewian stopped his pacing to raise an eyebrow at him. “You have said nothing this evening.”

  “Yes,” Regan smiled. “We all know you are sparing with words, but nothing? This is extreme, even for you. What is brewing?”

  “I have just been thinking,” Darius answered.

  “That is obvious,” Koram pointed out leaning forward on his stick. “Are you going to share your conclusions?”

  “If we don’t know our enemy,” Darius said slowly, glancing pointedly in Trenar’s direction. “Then I recommend we prepare for the worst and hope for the best.”

  Koram immediately protested. “If we approach our own gates armed to the teeth, we will be attacked first. They will know we are prepared to fight them and they will take the initiative.”

  Regan nodded. “Attack first; ask questions later.”

  Before Darius could even open his mouth to clarify, Ewian did it for him. “But they don’t have to know we are armed for battle. If we just cover our weapons and keep out of any recognizable formation, they will not know we are expecting attack until after we are through the gates.”

  “Very good idea, but…” The king dropped off into thoughtful silence. All the rest respectfully broke off their voices. After a moment, the king said, “Darius, how is your wife doing?”

  Startled at the apparent jump of topics, Darius blinked and the other men looked at the king in confusion. “Fine, Sire.” Darius shrugged. “It will take time, but she will heal. Why?”

  “I want her to ride in our midst tomorrow as we approach the gates. The presence of a woman among us will make us less threatening.”

  “Perfect,” Trenar agreed. Even as the others were agreeing to the plan, Darius rose and stepped forward.

  “Sire,” he said. The king turned his attention back to Darius now standing conspicuously in the center of their circle.

  “Yes.”

  “I request that Brice not be included in the approach tomorrow.” Darius looked straight into his king’s eyes, ignoring the other men in the room. “She was injured in the ambush because I had split responsibilities and had to choose between her and you, my king. I cannot have that happen again. Because of my lax performance, you and she almost died.” Silence fell.

  With trepidation, Darius watched the king think. He could be dismissed on the spot for unwillingness to perform his duties. On top of that, he was almost accepting blame for the King’s close brush with death. The king could order him to go with the plan against his will. The many possible outcomes of his impulsive move rolled through Darius’ thoughts as the king also pondered. None of the results were positive.

  “What alternative would you suggest?” King Jenran finally asked.

  Darius lowered his head to hide his surprise. “I was planning on sending her into the city ahead of us with Kurt, but if Trenar could spare a man, she could have a different companion.” He regarded the king again. “Whoever went could also assess the situation and return to camp with the more information. Brice’s presence would make the man appear more harmless and overlookable on the trip through the gates.”

  Trenar stepped forward. “I will take her, sire.”

  The king’s dark eyes moved to the head of his intelligence. “Do you really think it will work?”

  “My man has not tried to enter the gates because he would be known by the watch on duty, on the other hand.” He jerked his chin toward Darius. “I could get in with the help of his wife. A peasant and his wife entering the city to visit relatives would be beneath any scrutiny.”

  Slowly the king nodded and it was settled. The rest of the meeting was brief and Darius wished it over. He was worried about Brice. She had been very pale and slow to respond when he had left her. It could have been the tonic the healer had given her, but….

  “You are not falling asleep on us, are you?” Regan commented in a tone that made Darius wonder what he had missed. The meeting was obviously over and the group was breaking up. The King was speaking in lowered tones with Larer. The others were about to go to their separate tents.

  “Leave him be,” Ewian said, coming up to Darius’ other side. “We are all tired and want to be home in our own beds.”

  “If all goes well, tomorrow night we will be.” Trenar pointed out. Then easing onto his feet, he announced he was heading for his tent.

  After they had taken their leave of the King, Ewian followed Darius out into the night. “When they get into the city, have Trenar leave Brice with my wife.” Ewian suggested the moment the two of them had walked beyond the hearing of the others. “Karyn will keep her safe and you will know where to find her when everything is finished.”

  “Thank you.” Darius slowed his pace. “I must check on Brice. She was not doing very well when I left.” He turned and offered his hand.

  He could not see Ewian’s face in the darkness, but his voice sounded understanding. Taking the offered hand, Ewian said, “We will talk tomorrow.”

  At about three in the morning, it began to pour rain over the camp.
Dawn was just a lightening of the gray that could be seen through the steady rain. Darius peered through the tent flap at the drab morning breaking. Then he heard a sound from behind him.

  Brice awoke to the steady sound of water dripping into a puddle and the drumming of rain on the oil canvas roof. The temperature of the evening before had dropped drastically. Shivering, she pulled the blanket closer to her chin. That one motion brought on a chorus of pain so loud Brice’s breath caught in her chest.

  She must have made a noise, for suddenly Darius was looming over her. “Brice, are you all right?” His face was in the shadow, but she could still feel the dark gray gaze fixed on her face.

  Not sure she could manage to speak, she carefully nodded. The world swam, her stomach clenched, and an acidic burn bit the back of her throat. Almost as if he knew that she was not telling him the whole story, Darius moved. The sound of him rummaging came from the far corner of the tent. Brice decided it was too risky for her to follow his actions with her head. Instead she closed her eyes and wished she was dead. Just as the partial oblivion of pain laced sleep started to creep upon her, Darius was back.

  “Sit up.”

  He has to be jesting. The thought of movement made the throbbing in her head crescendo.

  “Brice.” His voice was lower and if she was not so preoccupied, Brice would have been concerned about his temper. “You need to take this. Kurt ordered me to give it to you as soon as you woke.” A large hand gripped her shoulder and Brice instinctively recoiled. “No.” Darius’ other hand prevented her from moving farther. Picking her up like she was a child, he sat on the edge of the bed and cradled her against him. Brice suddenly found her eyes open and watching him trying to open a small vial one-handed. Before she had completely registered the meaning of his words, he was pressing the cold container to her lips.

  “Open, little bird,” he said. His breath brushed her cheek. “It will help, I promise.” Reluctantly she parted her lips. Bitter liquid filled her mouth and then a large warm hand massaged her throat. The moment she swallowed, the rim of a wider container was pressed to her lips. Obediently, she opened her mouth without prompting. Cool water flowed across her tongue carrying away some of the bitter residue.

  “More?” Darius asked after she had swallowed the first mouthful.

  “Yes.” The thin edge returned to her lips. This time it washed away the traces.

  “More?” He asked again.

  Weakly, Brice tried to shake her head.

  “I understand.” Darius immediately stopped her attempts by catching her head beneath his chin. Setting down the container, he put her back in the bed. The now familiar fog was clouding her senses, but she was aware enough to make note of his return to bed. He tucked the covers around them both before settling against her back. She was not sure, but he might have whispered, “Goodnight, little one.”

  ~~~

  Part IV

  The rain had stopped, but the air was heavy with the threat of more. Darius felt the moisture that had been collecting on his skin and clothes despite the cold. Surveying the edge of the clearing, he wiped his forehead with the back of his glove. He despised this weather. Wishing it would just rain and get it done, he spotted movement among the trees. After another moment, Brice began to come into view.

  Darius cringed inwardly as he watched Brice’s slow progress back up the path from the woods. Being the only woman in camp, she had the eastern side of the encampment to herself as long as she gave the sentry ample notice. As much as it bothered him, Darius found he also admired her spunk. She insisted on walking, unaided, on her own two feet. She fetched her own breakfast and returned the dishes on her own. She did not complain or even wince unless she thought no one was looking. Only last night, vulnerable and exhausted, had he seen the true extent of her trial.

  She reached a fallen log on the edge of camp and sank onto it gratefully. Darius had yet to tell her the plans made the night before. She would probably be happy to leave him behind. He, on the other hand, was growing attached to his little brown bird and was not sure he wanted to have her out of his sight. Breathing deeply, he began his approach. She looked up almost immediately.

  “Hello.” A wobbly smile flitted across her lips but did not reach her eyes before it disappeared.

  “How are you doing?” Darius was not sure he would get an honest answer, but it was worth a try.

  She shrugged. “Kurt said it is going to be really hard for a few days. My ribs alone will be tender for a very long time.”

  Nodding, Darius glanced at the ground and crossed his arms in front of him. “There has been a change in plans since yesterday.” Looking down at her, Darius met green eyes. Immediately they dropped their gaze to the ground at his feet. “I want you out of danger and the king needs to know what will be greeting us on the other side of the city walls, so we decided that you and a scout are going to enter the city this morning. He will be leaving you inside and returning with news tonight.” He could see she was fidgeting with her skirt. “Ewian’s wife will give you a bed until I can join you.”

  She said something that he did not catch. Squatting so that their heads were level, he asked, “What did you say?”

  “How long will it be before you return?”

  “If all is well, it might be only a day.”

  “And if not…” he felt her gaze again on his face.

  “I honestly don’t know,” he reluctantly admitted. This time, when he met her eyes, she kept them on his face. “Karyn will supply you with anything you will need and Timothy should be arriving in a few days. I promise I will send news as soon as I can, all right?” The concern in her eyes was encouraging, but she still shied away from his hand when he reached up to stroke her cheek.

  Silence fell and Darius found himself wishing he knew what she was thinking.

  “When do we leave?” Her voice trembled.

  “Immediately.” Pushing up to full height, he offered her his hand. “Trenar is bringing the horses. I am going with you as far as possible. We want to cut the walking distance as much as we safely can.” She accepted his assistance and carefully rose. Drawing her toward the horses, he said, “Come, let me introduce you to Trenar.”

  A large drop of water landed on Brice’s eyelid. She jumped and instantaneously the arm around her waist tightened. The horse plodded on undisturbed. He was getting used to her sudden movements. Ahead of her, past the bobbing head of the horse, she could see Trenar on the back of a second horse. A stray drop must have also hit him for he was carefully lifting the hood of his dark brown cloak. Three more splashes of water and Brice began to think about doing the same. Darius beat her to it.

  “Can you still see?” he asked as the fabric enclosed the back of her head and dipped into her line of vision.

  “Yes, thank you,” she answered.

  The silence broken, Darius seemed encouraged to fill it. “I think you will like Karyn. She is strong and feisty. A lot like you.” Brice was so surprised that Darius thought she was strong she almost missed his next few words. “She will welcome your company. Spending all her time with little ones makes her hunger for adult companionship.”

  “Ewian has children?” Brice tried, but could not manage to picture the large barbaric warrior with one child, let alone more.

  “Yes, three.” There was a smile in his voice. Then, he changed the subject. “You can tell Karyn anything you want, she can be trusted, but do not tell anyone else anything.”

  Solemnly Brice nodded.

  “The deep forest ends soon and I am going to have to leave you and Trenar.” Brice felt panic tighten her throat. As much as she was not completely sure she trusted Darius, he was the only constant thing in her life right now. The arm around her middle was gradually tightening. “Do what he tells you, all right?”

  He is worried, she suddenly realized.

  Again, she nodded. Laying her hand over the arm around her, Brice tried to understand the strange new sensation that overwhelmed her fear. H
e was concerned and it comforted her.

  Almost on cue, Trenar drew back on the reins and came to a stop. Darius followed suit. Dismounting in one clean movement, Trenar turned and caught the bridle of their mount. Darius descended first and turned to help her down. Without being asked, she reached out for his shoulders. He lifted her down as he normally did, but did not immediately release her. Instead, he pulled her closer. Surprised, Brice raised her head to protest but found the words died before they reached her tongue.

  Darius caught her lips with his. What does he think he is doing? The thought was brief and fleeting because before she knew it she was standing breathless and alone. Vaguely she heard Darius’ voice addressing Trenar close by.

  “Tell Karyn that I will send Timothy as soon as I can,” he told Trenar. As she turned toward them and the horse stepped sideways, Brice glimpsed the end of a brief handshake. Walking back toward her, he gathered the horses’ reins as he came. Stopping again before her, he smiled down at her. His eyes were dark beneath the shadow of his hood. “Goodbye, little bird.” Then bowing his head, he strode off into the brush.

  “We should start.” Trenar suggested. Numbly Brice watched him pull his hood down so that only his thick beard showed. “Tuck in your hair and slump your shoulders,” he ordered before starting toward the thinning trees.

  Obediently, she followed.

  Time passed in a blur of pain and a slight fog. As the medications that Kurt had given her worked their way out of her system, Brice’s mind progressively quickened, but at the same rate so did the pain. She was still sore. Vaguely noting that they were following a main road, she kept her eyes on the ground appearing from beneath Trenar’s feet. Darius’ strange actions were more than enough to occupy her mind.

  They reached the gates of the city right as it began to downpour. The soldiers, not wanting to stand out and get soaked, were posted under the shadow of the arch. The entering travelers plodded past them for inspection. Occasionally someone was pulled aside for questioning, but it appeared that no unusual care was being taken. Trenar and Brice trudged past without incident.