Tobin knew Mawkuk wanted revenge for the deaths of his children, but the Gray Clan leader would need to learn the lesson that Tobin figured out long ago.
How much someone wants something has little to do with whether they get it.
He let out a long sigh while finishing his descent. Lucia and their child dominated his thoughts as he drifted through the city.
* * *
Mawkuk stood at the back of his tent, thin hands clasped behind his back and tired eyes focusing on the flaps at the entrance. He had summoned Durahn some time ago. The large Kifzo had not responded to his call.
Durahn’s delay spoke volumes.
He still thinks that this is his siege, his moment. Mawkuk scowled. He will not take this from me. No one will.
Just as Mawkuk took a step forward, ready to send his personal guards out to recall Durahn, a meaty hand pushed aside the tent flaps. Durahn strode inside, a mixture of sweat and dirt covered his armor. The pungent smell of the Kifzo’s musk permeated the space. The Kifzo wore a grin, thick lips parting to reveal a row of bright teeth.
“I expected you some time ago,” said Mawkuk, once again taking up his stoic stance.
“I was celebrating with the men. You should be doing the same. Your men fought hard today, and we took a huge step forward as I told you we would.” Durahn grabbed a skin of wine without being offered. He tilted his head back and squeezed.
“Now isn’t the time to celebrate,” Mawkuk snapped. “We took too many losses today. We cannot afford to keep throwing bodies at each obstacle we face. We don’t have the numbers to be so wasteful.”
It wasn’t easy for a man his size to look or sound threatening, and he doubted he did. Still, Mawkuk would not let Durahn control their meeting.
Durahn lowered the wineskin, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “Calm yourself. We’ll be fine.”
“You said the same thing before we began our attack on the towers.”
“And we took them.”
“Weeks behind schedule. We need to do better than merely taking something.”
“What is it you want from me, old man?”
Mawkuk leaned forward. “I want answers. We have a moat to cross and walls to scale. You haven’t told me how you plan on doing those things.”
Durahn threw the wineskin down. “You put me in charge of your forces, and we succeeded. That’s all you need to know.” He turned his back, and left the tent without another word.
Larnak slipped from behind a curtain in the far corner. Mawkuk had the Yellow Clan leader hidden, hoping Durahn would be more forthright if he thought they were alone.
“Well?” Mawkuk asked.
Larnak shook his head. “I don’t know. I can’t tell if he’s holding something back or if he’s delusional.”
“I guess we’ll find out soon enough. The towers pale in comparison to the challenges before him now.”
* * *
Durahn left the tent irritated, though not as upset as he made it seem to Mawkuk. He knew Mawkuk expected such behavior from him, so he kept up appearances.
Let him continue to underestimate me.
His plan had worked better than expected. Durahn had exaggerated being overwhelmed in the first several assaults against the city’s towers. After managing to convince Mawkuk that the problems stemmed from a lack of complete control over their armies, the Gray Clan leader had given him more to work with.
And greater control means that I’ll be able to nurture more influence.
Durahn ensured many of Mawkuk’s biggest supporters had been the ones who had faced the greatest danger in their last assault. Many died. Officers as well as soldiers.
He grinned. Now, without so many reporting my every move to Mawkuk, I can more easily put the rest of my plan into place. There’s no way Tobin can stop what I have in mind.
* * *
“I was wondering if you would ever return.”
The voice startled Tobin as he entered his room. Silhouetted against the evening sky, Lucia stood with her back to an open window. She leaned against the sill, hands over her stomach. Though Tobin could not see the details of her face in the dim light, he felt her piercing gaze all the same. He closed the door and threw his things on the floor near his bed.
“I didn’t expect to find you here,” he said.
Tobin had made no effort to speak with Lucia since their last conversation. He had been too caught up in the enemy on his lands. War was at least something he knew. He still could not figure out women, especially the one in his room.
Lucia pushed herself away from the window, walking toward Tobin as he began to light candles.
“I believe you told me I could come and go as I liked.”
A flame took life. The glow from the flickering light caught Lucia at just the right moment, and Tobin forgot himself. Knowing that she carried their child, the beautiful lines of her face and body seemed even more vibrant than ever. He wanted to reach out, and take her in his arms, but refrained from doing so. He knew from the expression she wore that reconciliation was not the reason for her visit.
“I did. And I meant it.”
Lucia nodded. “Good.” She sat in a chair, crossed her legs and folded her arms. “I have questions.”
Tobin looked around the room, his eyes stopping on the thick bed against the back wall. “I had hoped to sleep. Perhaps in the morning . . .”
“No. I demand answers.”
Tobin’s eyes widened briefly. Rarely had he ever seen Lucia so terse. He shrugged. “What do you want to know?” he asked as he began to remove his weapons and armor.
Lucia closed her eyes as if collecting her thoughts. “Jober knew Kaz better than I thought he did. Apparently they were friends during Kifzo training. He didn’t deny what you told me.”
Tobin grunted.
“That’s it? No, ‘I told you so?’”
Tobin sat after removing the armor. He loosened his boots. “There’s no need to say that.”
“I figured you would want to gloat about the fact that I could be so blind to what Kaz did when he wasn’t around me.”
Tobin chuckled. “At one point, I probably would have done just that. Now,” he paused and laughed. “I understand.”
“Understand what?”
“Why he led the life he lived. Why he kept so much from you. He and I aren’t so different after all.” The words fell out of Tobin’s mouth before he had time to think about them. Yet, as soon as he spoke them, he knew they were true. “We both allowed awful things to happen. It’s hard to be warleader and not get caught up in the base desires of those around you. Thanks to the precedents our father started, it’s expected of someone in the position. With you, Kaz tried to keep a part of his life separated from that.” Tobin thought of his own efforts in the Old District, and how everything was now on hold thanks to Mawkuk. “I’m trying to do the same. At least until I can figure out a way to ensure my men don’t affect my behavior.”
“Do you still hate Kaz?”
“Yes,” he answered, again without thinking.
“If you understand him so much better, then why?”
Tobin shook his head, staring at the floor. “I understand his decisions as warleader. I don’t understand his choices as my brother. Obviously, my mother had something to do with it. He believed I killed her. I know I was a horrible child. But for how many years was I something else? Something better? If he would have opened his eyes and seen that, perhaps we could have reconciled our differences. If he would have just come to me and made some effort, I believe I could have forgiven him for what he put me through.”
A phantom pain in his ankle caused him to shift in his seat. He turned his gaze to Lucia’s stomach where his child grew. He met her eyes. “What I won’t forgive, what I can’t forgive, is him taking you away from me.”
Lucia blinked. “What do you mean? We never—”
Tobin cut her off. “Tell me of the day you and Kaz met.”
“Why?”
<
br /> “Just do it. Please.”
A smile formed on her lips while recalling the story. “It was the day the new market first opened. I went to the very first booth I saw to purchase material for a dress I intended to make for a friend. I plopped my money on the counter and before the merchant could sweep it up, Kaz came in. He placed his hand over the coins, insistent the merchant was trying to cheat me. He had watched the man sell the same material earlier for half the amount. The merchant reduced the price immediately. Kaz walked me home afterward.”
“And you were together from that moment on.”
Lucia nodded.
Tobin’s voice grew cold. “Let me tell you what happened before that.” He opened and closed his hands, taking a deep breath to calm himself.
“I remember that day well. Father had given the Kifzo a rare day off for the market’s opening. I almost didn’t go, but at the last moment, I changed my mind. I got there early and took up a spot near the entrance where one of the side streets intersected it. I had money with me, but other than breakfast, had no intention of buying anything. I was ready to leave, having given up on anything interesting happening when you turned a corner. You were the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen.” He paused and smiled. “And you still are.”
Lucia blushed.
He cleared his throat. “You wore a light blue, ankle-length dress. Your hair was longer then, but you wore it up. My stomach knotted in fear as I watched you glide through the market, moving effortlessly amongst the crowd. I knew right away that you were meant for me. When you reached that first merchant stand, I saw my opportunity and stepped forward. I was so focused on you that I could think of nothing else.”
Tobin grimaced. “Someone slammed into me, and I fell to the ground. By the time I got my bearings again, Kaz was stepping by me. He walked right up to you. You know the rest.”
“So, Kaz pushed you? He admitted that?”
“No, but who else could it have been?”
“Anyone. It could have been an accident that caused you to fall.”
Tobin got up and walked to the window. He gazed out over Juanoq, unable to look at Lucia any longer.
“Your reaction is why I still hate Kaz. Just when I thought you had begun to realize that he was not perfect, that he and I were no different, you make excuses for him. He’s on a pedestal I can never reach. I’ve wondered many times if I had made an effort to talk to you a moment sooner that day, if I had been the one you saw first, would you be so adamant in defending me as you are with him. Would you have loved me as you do him? Would our child be part of our family, rather than a mistake you’re trying to do the best with?”
Silence stretched.
He heard Lucia’s footsteps, the sound of the door opening and then the click of it shutting. He glanced over his shoulder at the empty room and frowned.
I guess she got the answers she was looking for.
And I got mine.
Chapter 23
The sun disappeared over the horizon. Cassus rode staring at the bruised sky, watching wisps of smoke rise above a patch of trees. He tracked the smoke until it dissipated where stars began to twinkle in the late evening. The last moment of each day, when night ushered away the sun’s rays had always been Jonrell’s favorite. A knot formed in his chest.
Word of Cadonia’s victory had reached him several days back. Based on news obtained from travelers, Cassus had changed his course to meet with the returning army.
He eased his mount off the road, following a trail that led into the wooded area. Ducking under low-hanging branches, a sentry stepped into his path with a loaded crossbow trained on him.
“Your name and your business.”
Cassus looked over the sentry’s shoulder where the glows of campfires shone brightly. “Is this the queen’s contingent?”
“I said your name and your business.”
“My name is Cassus, and my business depends on whether or not the queen is with you.”
“It is the queen’s army,” said the sentry proudly. “However, I was given no instruction to allow passage to anyone with your name. Turn your mount around, and go about your way.”
“Her Majesty would not be expecting me. If you could send word to her, I’m sure she would be eager to see me. She and I have a history.”
The sentry stepped forward. “I don’t care what history you think you have with Her Majesty. You will turn your mount—”
“Dereth, what’s going on?” called a voice from the woods.
“Some idiot trying to see the queen. Says he knows her.”
“I’ll bet he does.”
“You want me to just kill him?” the sentry asked.
“Let’s at least have a look at him first before we . . .” A blond young man stepped into the clearing. His blue eyes went wide as he came to a halt.
Cassus nodded, a grin forming. “Rygar. I see you stuck around. I hope that means Yanasi’s doing alright.”
Rygar laughed. “Cassus?” He hurried forward, urging him off the saddle. “It’s good to see you.”
They embraced in a warm hug.
“Seriously. Is Yanasi alright?”
“She’s great.” Rygar turned red. “We’re betrothed.”
Cassus’ mouth fell open.
One Above. Jonrell dead, and Yanasi is to be married. A lot can happen in two years.
“Congratulations,” he said, finding his voice. “You’d be hard pressed to find a better woman.”
“Before you say it, I wouldn’t think of doing her wrong. I know there are plenty who would hunt me down if I did.”
Cassus chuckled. “True. But I don’t think anyone would have to. Yanasi’s more than capable of caring for herself. Just ask Raker.”
“No argument there.”
Cassus looked over Rygar’s shoulder toward camp. “How is Raker? What about the rest of the old crew?” He paused, afraid to ask the question that had been on his mind. How many others have died? “Did everyone make it out?”
Rygar looked around the woods, then back at the sentry who stared dumbly at them. “Dereth. Get someone to cover your post, and then see to Cassus’ mount.”
Cassus paled. “One Above, is it that bad?”
He put his arm around Cassus, leading him into camp. “We didn’t come out completely unscathed. You heard about Jonrell? And Glacar?”
Cassus nodded.
Rygar breathed a sigh. “Good. I mean, not that they’re dead. Just that you’ve heard. That was some time ago.” He paused. “Hag is gone. Died from old age. I guess there’s some comfort in that.”
Cassus’ eyes began to itch. He couldn’t recall a time Hag had not been around. “Yeah,” he croaked.
“Raker lost part of an arm.”
“I should have been here,” Cassus whispered.
Rygar shrugged. “Don’t get me wrong, it would have been nice to have you around. Everyone missed you. But you’re just one man . . .”
“Sometimes all it takes is one man to make a difference.”
“Is that right, Hero of Slaves?”
Cassus smiled. “We can talk about that later.”
“Fair enough. Don’t feel guilty for not being here. You had important business yourself.” He blew out a long breath. “It wasn’t pretty.”
“War never is.”
“Most everyone in the Hell Patrol suffered some sort of injury whether physical, emotional, or mental.”
“But everyone else from the old crew is alive?”
“Yeah.”
Cassus sighed in relief as he entered camp. “It will be good to see everyone then.”
“I know you wanted to see the queen, but it might be helpful if you get caught up a bit more first. Besides, she’s busy talking strategy with Yanasi anyway.”
“Talking strategy with Yanasi?”
“Yeah, a lot has happened.” He pointed. “This way.”
“Where are we going?”
“We’re going to see Kroke. I’ll need some he
lp filling you in.”
* * *
Cassus watched Kroke’s blades dance in his hands. The hypnotic pattern eased his worries.
At least some things have stayed the same.
He and Kroke had always gotten along well, but Cassus hadn’t considered him among his closest of friends. They just thought too differently. The assassin’s reaction to his arrival had taken Cassus completely off guard. He expected a smile and a nod of welcome at best, definitely not the rough embrace he received. It reminded him just how much he considered the Hell Patrol family.
The only family I have now. One Above, how I missed everyone.
Kroke and Rygar took turns filling him in. He marveled at each new detail. His mood soured slightly when they spoke of the rest of the crew following Kaz to the lost continent of Hesh in order to help the man reunite with his wife. The tale seemed so fantastic that Cassus swore if it had all been written in a book, no one would believe it.
“. . . so, what I’m saying is that it might be a while before you get a chance to catch up with everyone else,” said Kroke.
If they make it back.
“It looks that way. Well, it’s good to see you and Rygar at least. And it will be good to see Yanasi, and catch up with Elyse.” He laughed. “The last time I saw her she was still a girl.”
“She’s anything but a girl now,” Kroke said.
Cassus frowned. There seemed to be something more behind the assassin’s words.
“We’ve been talking for hours. Shouldn’t Yanasi and Elyse be done by now?”
“Good point.” Kroke nudged Rygar. “You checked on them not too long ago. What’s going on?”
The scout shrugged. “Niken, told me that several new messages just arrived. He wasn’t sure what they said, but it didn’t seem good.”
Kroke stood. “Well, I say we’ve waited long enough. If she’s in a bad mood, maybe Cassus might brighten it.”
“No pressure,” said Cassus.
Kroke grinned. “And if not, it might do her some good to have another opinion or three.”
Cassus rose. “Then let’s go.”
* * *
Elyse tortured herself by rereading the new letters a third time. Yanasi leaned over several maps in silence, reexamining the army’s current course. As more information came in, Elyse’s original plan of intimidation looked worse and worse. The nobles prospering under Gauge’s edicts no longer danced around whether they would come to her aid. Many outright refused her.
Trial And Glory (Book 3) Page 26