“That was because he got to do something I always dreamed of doing myself. But since you had more of a hand in it than he did, it doesn’t bother me as much.”
“Why is that?”
Crusher slapped his wide hand on Kaz’s arm. “Because you’ve been a better brother to me than he ever was. Blood doesn’t mean much in the end. It’s what’s said and how you’re treated that matters.” He changed subjects before Kaz could respond. “Now, when do you think I’ll get a chance to test Cisod’s modifications out?”
“Soon enough.”
* * *
Elyse reread the letter for the third time. The news Lady Arine and her uncle had been trying to get to her for weeks sat plainly on the parchment.
The rumors are true.
In her absence, Elyse’s council had begun to redistribute wealth to certain lords while trying and hanging others found guilty of treason. To make matters worse, taxes on certain goods had been increased to further benefit the nobility while the commoner, the ones the war had affected most, had been given nothing.
Her head spun. No one on her council had the power to make such decisions in her stead. Not even the edict she gave to Gauge would have given him the right to do all that had been done.
Months before, she never would have imagined her advisor capable of such treachery. Her eyes were open, and she would not close them again.
She reexamined all the man had done for her in the past in a different light than before.
All his help was just a way to nurture his own power. To keep me in the dark about what he had been doing behind my back. What does he have planned when the battle at the High Pass is done? He must know I won’t let these things stand. One Above, how does he expect to hold onto the power he’s cultivating? He must have something prepared. Why else would he make such blatant decisions?
A knock sounded. “Your Majesty, it’s me. May I come in?”
Lobella. When did Gauge turn you?
Elyse had sent her servant away on an errand before reading the letter in private.
“One moment.”
Elyse hid the letter, and picked up another filled with useless information from Segavona instead. She walked to the door and opened it.
Lobella wore a look of concern. “Is everything alright, Elyse?”
Elyse? I told you to call me that when I thought us friends. Who better to spy on me?
She smiled. “Yes. Everything’s fine. I didn’t expect you back so soon.”
She looked at the letter in Elyse’s hand. “I thought I should hurry back in case you needed me.”
How considerate.
Elyse continued the charade so Lobella would not expect her intentions. “Oh, this? It’s nothing. Just some boring news about minor lords vying for Conroy’s old seat.” She handed the letter over. “You can read it, if you like. I’m sure you could do as good a job picking between that lot. I mean who’s really thinking about Conroy’s seat with that horde outside.”
Lobella grabbed the letter and read, noticeably relaxing. “Well, at least it isn’t bad news.”
Elyse narrowed her eyes. “Yes, there is that.” She stared at her servant. “What do you say you turn in for the night? I know it’s early, but it looks as though you’ve had a rough day.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure. I may do the same after I wrap up a few things on my desk.”
“Shall I help you undress first?”
Elyse looked down. “Yes, of course.”
Lobella came over, helping Elyse into her nightclothes. She allowed her servant to ramble on about things inconsequential as though nothing had changed between them, when in fact, everything had.
A part of Elyse wanted to scream at the woman for betraying her, but another part kept her calm. That part of her found her friend’s betrayal just one more lesson from which to learn. Elyse would not fail to take full advantage of the betrayal. She would keep playing the game and use their ruse of a friendship for her own means.
Jonrell, I hope you’re looking down on me somewhere, proud that all your lessons have finally sunk in.
Chapter 10
Nareash paced the tent, listening to Mizak summarize his latest findings. With each step, he rubbed his hands more vigorously than the last.
The old man’s voice stopped. Nareash waited impatiently. His feet pounded the earth beneath him, doing anything to drown out the annoying sound of shuffling parchment as Mizak shifted to his next series of notes.
“I’m waiting.”
Mizak’s throat cleared. “Actually . . . I believe that’s it.”
Nareash halted mid-stride. “What do you mean, you believe that’s it?”
“I mean that’s it. I’ve been talking for over an hour with barely a breath between each statement.”
“You said you made a breakthrough.”
“I did. I found the second key in the language.” Mizak gestured to the books and papers spilling over the side of the desk and onto the floor.
“So, you found this key and brought me nothing. I knew most everything you mentioned from my studies on Estul Island.”
“That’s not true. We hadn’t known the scepter could—”
“I already know what the scepter can do! I need to know how to stop it. And in that area, you gave me nothing.”
Mizak didn’t seem bothered by Nareash’s tone. “Perhaps if you helped me as you were supposed to.”
Nareash cursed. He did promise he would help more, but his suspicions that Hezen, Colan, and Guwan would cross him caused him to spend more time looking over their shoulders than researching with Mizak.
One Above, why do you try me at every turn? It’s like Amcaro placed a curse on me before he died. Can nothing I do be easy?
He sighed. “I’ll try to make time.”
“How about now?”
“I can’t. I need to—”
“Then go,” said Mizak, cutting him off with a wave of his hand. “I’ll get back to work.”
Nareash wanted to strangle the old man for showing him such disrespect, but he couldn’t.
Not while I need him. After this is over though . . . His thoughts trailed off as he exited the tent.
* * *
Guwan passed Colan as he entered Hezen’s private tent. Neither acknowledged the other.
What is he doing here? He thought about how Nareash had worried about the shaman working behind his back with Hezen.
Then again, what am I doing here?
Before he could dwell more on the matter, Hezen called out. “Let me guess, he hasn’t said anything to you since we took the outer wall?”
Guwan paused at the entrance. Hezen stared at the deep red coals glowing in the brazier.
The Kifzo grunted and moved further inside.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” Hezen finally looked up, wearing a condescending smile.
“Yes.”
“And you’ve given more thought to what we discussed earlier?”
Guwan hid the sneer wanting to form on his face. “Yes.”
He hated having to lower himself to this man, but he saw no other way. Nareash became more unhinged each day, focusing on little else but his obsession with Krytien.
I need someone who will support me. Not work against me. If I don’t salvage something out of this siege it’s likely the Kifzo will turn their backs on me and chance a trip back to Hesh. Every day wasted is another of humiliation for them.
Hezen extended his hands over the brazier in a relaxed manner. “And?”
Guwan decided Hezen might be the person to support him. He told Hezen all that had been on his mind, including the fact that he had sent several of his men off on a mission to infiltrate the High Pass’ fortress. The would-be emperor listened patiently, interrupting only to ask pointed questions. When Guwan finished, he felt better.
“I think you were wise in how you used the Kifzo. The four you sent will not hurt us if they die. However, if they succeed it will be imp
ossible for the other side to overcome such a loss in leadership. The risk is worth it.” He paused. “I also think you’re safe for now. If Nareash wanted you dead, you’d already be so.”
“Then what should our next step be?”
“Talk to Nareash. We need to convince him to attack.” Hezen walked away from the brazier, and poured himself a cup of wine. “It doesn’t need to be something grand, just enough to keep pressuring the Cadonians. We’re wasting time, money, and goodwill just sitting here. He won’t listen to me since war is not my expertise, but he’ll listen to you. He has to, because he has no one else with your level of skill to rely on.”
“I’ve tried to convince him to attack before.”
“I’m sure you can think of a better way to approach him now that your motives have clarified.”
Hezen flashed a knowing smile that Guwan found little comfort with. A part of him regretted ever leaving Hesh. He struggled to see the worth in it anymore.
Chapter 11
A sheen of sweat covered Kroke’s face. The cool breeze sent a shiver across his body. He shook his limbs, rolled his neck back and forth, and took a deep breath.
The last of the enemy retreated from the killing ground back to the outer wall. Yesterday small sorties chanced the distance, under heavy cover from archers and sorcery. Most of the men died before reaching the middle wall as they maneuvered their way through the maze of hazards Kaz had created.
Medics came up beside him with stretchers to take away the wounded.
Some soldiers without injury threw the corpses of the enemy over the side into the killing ground. Others stacked the lifeless forms into a barrier of flesh along the lone ramp leading up to the middle wall. The enemy would have to climb over the mound of rot to reach the defenders next time. Normally, such an obstacle would have a psychological effect on the enemy, but the people of Thurum seemed completely indifferent to such things.
He smiled. I guess that just makes it more of a challenge.
Kaz came up beside him, quieter than a man his size had any right to be.
“How’re you holding up?”
“This is where I’m best.”
Kaz nodded. Kroke knew he understood.
“You?”
“This is what I was trained to do.”
“But not who you wish to be.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re good at this, and I think you like the challenge, but I’d reckon you’d rather be somewhere else if given the choice. I, on the other hand, am about as comfortable here as I would be in bed.”
Kaz closed his eyes briefly, and sighed. “You’re right. I only want to be doing one thing right now.”
“Which is?”
“Holding my wife.”
Kroke wanted to say he understood, but the truth was he didn’t. Even the feelings he once had for Elyse never consumed him as Kaz’s love for his wife obviously did.
“So I guess we just gotta keep doing what we’ve been doing.”
“Killing every man who steps in front of us until there are none left.”
“How much longer do you think it will be until they come at us in full force?”
“Not long. Tomorrow, likely. The killing ground is void of any real danger now. I can’t see them again waiting weeks between major assaults.”
“So the next one could be it?”
“It’s possible.”
“Maybe the Hell Patrol should get together then. You know, just in case.”
Kaz nodded. “You read my mind.”
* * *
It had been years since Yanasi heard so much laughing.
Too long since everyone had shared a meal together. Too long since she played cards, laughed at dirty jokes, and bonded over the telling of old stories everyone knew by heart, but retold anyway.
Though some of the faces in the Hell Patrol had changed, the close sense of family she once felt with Cassus, Jonrell, and Hag, continued as she looked at Kaz, Wiqua, Drake, Crusher, Senald, and Rygar.
If we ever make it out of this, it will just be me and Rygar. Her smile expanded as she thought about that life. I think I can live with that.
Kroke had surprised her with the suggestion that they all get together. She almost argued against it. She hated relinquishing command to anyone else so she could take a break. But Kaz had already covered everyone’s shifts to make sure it could be done.
It dawned on her why. They think this is it. Or at least that it’s likely to be it for many of us. She suddenly felt morose when she thought about losing another member of her family.
Her head whipped back and forth, ponytail lashing at her eyes. She stood. “Where’s Krytien?”
Conversations broke off and laughter faded as everyone looked around.
“That’s a pretty low thing to do, Kroke, not inviting him like that,” said Raker.
Kroke threw a blade that landed near the engineer’s foot, causing him to jump back. “Cut it out. You were with me when I talked to him. He said he would be here. He just needed to check something.”
Raker wore a yellow-toothed grin, but said nothing.
Kaz stood next to Yanasi. “I’ll go check on him.”
“I’ll go too,” said Crusher.
“I might as well tag along,” added Wiqua.
“We all don’t need to go,” Kaz huffed.
“What if he’s in trouble though?” Yanasi asked.
“Open your eyes, girl. The enemy’s that way,” Raker pointed with his stump. Drake and Senald snickered next to him.
Yanasi cast the engineer a scathing look, ready to fire back, when a young private ran up to Kaz, interrupting the crew’s conversation.
“Commander! Krytien sent me to find you. He said that he needs you right away.”
“What is it?”
The private shook his head. “He wouldn’t say. Just that I wasn’t to leave until I took you to him.”
“What are we waiting on?” Raker asked, dusting himself as he stood. “Let’s go see what’s so important for him to ditch us.”
The private eyed Raker, and then turned back to Kaz. “He told me that only you should come.”
Drake muttered something that caused Raker to take a swing at him. He missed the boy completely. That warranted a few chuckles from everyone.
Yanasi shook her head.
Kaz faced her. “Make sure no one leaves here.”
Before she could respond, he left.
* * *
“This way, sir,” said the private.
“Where are we?” asked Kaz, ducking as they descended yet another staircase. He never had a need, or the time, to explore the lower levels of the fortress.
“The dungeons.”
“What is Krytien doing down there?”
“Like I said, he didn’t tell me.”
“What were you doing down there?”
Even in the dim light, Kaz saw the youth blush. “Captain Samhan is adamant about maintaining protocol which calls for a guard to be on every level of the fortress at all times. Unfortunately, I’ve been assigned to this level more than others. He thinks I’m not ready to fight because of my age.”
“How old are you?”
“Sixteen.”
I had killed dozens by that age, he thought. Then again look where it got me. “The captain’s a wise man, private. You shouldn’t be in a rush to take part in the fighting. No good comes of it.”
“Yes, sir.” He answered out of respect, his voice absent of conviction.
Kaz tapped the lad’s shoulder as they walked, then pointed down a narrow side corridor. “What’s down there?”
“Oh. Follow that down about fifty feet, descend another staircase, and you’ll reach the door leading to the fortress’ sewer.”
They walked a few more steps. “This is as far as Krytien told me to go, sir.” He pointed. “It’s the last door on the left.”
An uneasy feeling crept over Kaz, but he dismissed the boy anyway. When the private lef
t, he loosened his sword in the scabbard at his waist before continuing. He reached the end of the hall and knocked.
A muffled voice answered. “Who is it?”
“Kaz.”
The door swung open, revealing the gray-robed mage. Before Kaz could step inside, Krytien raised a hand and joined him in the hall.
The mage looked down the hallway. “Good. The boy did his job.”
“You going to tell me what’s going on?”
Krytien thumbed his hand toward the door. “I’ve got two of your friends behind that door. Two more are dead in the sewers.”
“Friends?”
“Kifzo. I caught them trying to sneak into the fortress.”
Kaz blinked. “Explain.”
“I set up a trap soon after we got here. I didn’t think anyone would try the sewers since the entrances face Cadonia, but Raker insisted.” He chuckled. “We used a similar method in Asantia when sneaking into the city. Raker led the way. I meant to tell you about the trap, but it slipped my mind. I only remembered when the spell went off. It was about the time when Kroke told me about the Hell Patrol meeting. After all this time, I thought it just some large animal, but I had to make sure.”
Kaz rubbed his face. “I’m glad someone thought of doing that. I can’t believe I overlooked it.” He nodded toward the door. “Have they given you anything?”
“They speak a little Thurumese, but very poorly. The only Heshan words I’ve been able to make out are the same curses you’re fond of. I did get names though. The one leading the group is named Itken. The other is Hovex.”
“I know Itken but not the other.”
“He’s much younger.”
“Probably became Kifzo after I left.”
“So what’s the plan?”
Kaz had wanted to talk to one of his countrymen since he first spotted them. Finally, he had a chance to get answers.
“Hovex will be too headstrong and pointless to talk to. However, Itken and I have history.”
“Good history?”
Kaz snorted. “No such thing when talking about my time as warleader.”
“I see. I have them incapacitated since I didn’t have anything to tie them up with.”
“Leave Hovex as he is, and make sure he can’t talk. Free Itken, but take away his weapons.”
Trial And Glory (Book 3) Page 13