Senald leaned. “You think we should pull Raker back here? This seems like the sort of conversation he’d be an expert on.”
Drake followed Senald’s gaze to where Raker and Krytien talked as they moved through the city. Their morose demeanors stood out.
“No. Let him be.” He recalled some of the stories he’d heard regarding Asantia. “I’m sure they’re talking about things far more important than what we are.”
* * *
Asantia’s central bell tower loomed high over the rest of the city, standing sentinel over a forgotten era. The architecture of the city was supposedly reminiscent of the Quoron Empire whose dominance had extended far into Thurum. Even after thousands of years, the buildings held a sense of visual wonder with their decorated columns and nods to the past.
But not to Krytien.
Everywhere he looked, he saw only bitter reminders. The rolling knots in his stomach had started when they first reached the wooded area surrounding the city. He recalled the exact location the Hell Patrol used to plan their escape from Hezen and his army. Since then, the knots had grown grandiose in size.
Over a decade ago, and it still feels like yesterday.
“You alright?” came a garbled voice to his left.
He turned. “Not really. You?”
“I’ve been better,” said Raker. “It just occurred to me that you and I are the only ones who even remember what the Hell Patrol went through here.”
“Yeah. Kroke and Yanasi are still in Cadonia. Cassus is One Above-knows-where. Jonrell, Hag, and Glacar, are all dead. So are the few others who were alive then,” his voice faded.
That’s not counting all the ones we lost in the fighting to get out.
“Depressing, ain’t it?”
“Among other things.”
The army turned down a side street, making their way toward the docks. People hung out their windows, staring with a curious fear of the strange soldiers making their way through the city. Krytien ignored them, too busy concentrating on not heaving up the meager food he managed to choke down several hours before.
“You know we’re getting closer to the spot?”
“I know,” said Krytien.
“You going to be able to keep it together?” Raker asked.
“I’ll be fine.”
“Good. I was worried I might have to knock some sense into you if you started blubbering about it. We can’t be looking weak in front of all them Kifzo. You never know what might happen.”
“Thanks,” said Krytien, voice thick with sarcasm.
“No problem. But just in case, if you feel like you’re going to lose it, remember how I looked getting out of those sewers. Everyone else seems to find humor in that.”
Krytien started to chuckle. “I guess it’s time to admit the truth about that. I’m the one who convinced Ronav that you should take point that day.”
Raker spat. “I’ve always known that. And don’t think I won’t get even for it.”
“It’s been over twelve years now.”
Raker grinned. “So, imagine what I have in store for you.”
Krytien laughed. “Fair enough.”
They made it through most of the devastated area of Asantia. Krytien couldn’t believe how little of it had changed. He was thankful to see some rebuilding finally under way. Even still, if it hadn’t been for Raker cracking obscene jokes, it might have been worse getting through it all.
They followed the Kifzo onto the docks where the army broke off and boarded the Heshan ships.
Raker pulled Krytien off to the side. “We need to talk.”
“I’m listening.”
“I’ve been willing to give Kaz the benefit of the doubt about this, but we’re almost ready to leave, and he still hasn’t told us what’s going on with Hezen. What if we’re not satisfied?”
Krytien’s eyes narrowed as he turned his attention back to the edge of the city where Kaz and Hezen spoke. “Then we’ll just have to take matters into our own hands.”
“Glad to see we’re in agreement.”
* * *
Kaz stood at the edge of the dock near the entrance to the city. Warehouses sat on one side amidst destruction over a decade old. On the other side, vast open waters rippled in the bright sunlight.
I’m coming, Lucia.
His eyes left the water, gravitating toward the ships gently rocking against the docks. The last of his Kifzo had gone safely aboard minutes before, and each vessel’s captain signaled their readiness to set sail.
While he took in his surroundings, Hezen continued to ramble. Kaz swore he never heard a man who liked the sound of his voice so much.
“. . . so, as you can see from my design, this section of the city will not only match the rest of Asantia’s grandeur, but dare I say, exceed it.” He stopped. “Ah, it looks like you’re ready to set sail. I guess this is where we part.”
Kaz noticed Raker and Krytien waiting on the dock alone. He turned back to Hezen. “Not yet.”
“We had an agreement, Commander.” Hezen’s tone changed.
“Yes. You led us safely through your lands and through your city. However, I was hoping you would be so good as to escort me to my ship. Queen Elyse asked me to give you something in parting. She was adamant that I not do so until the last possible moment.”
Hezen rubbed at his hands.
“If trust is the issue, then please, bring several of your guards with you,” urged Kaz.
“Well, it’s not trust. . . .”
Kaz started walking, not waiting for Hezen to finish his thought. He knew the man’s curiosity would not let him leave well enough alone.
The sound of several sets of footsteps echoed behind him.
* * *
“Easy,” Krytien whispered.
Raker flicked his gaze away from Hezen. “Huh?”
“You’re grinding your teeth. Let’s see what happens.”
“Funny how I was the one to calm you before.”
Kaz stopped a few feet from them. Hezen and his guards halted a step behind. The man’s fearful eyes focused on Krytien before flicking a quick glance Raker’s way.
You remember, you—
Kaz patted Hezen on the shoulder. The man flinched. “I promised these men that I would let them have a word or two with you. And I’m not one to go back on my word. Isn’t that so, Raker?”
Raker grinned.
Hezen sputtered. “But you said that the queen asked you to give me something.”
“She did. She heard the story of your betrayal of the Hell Patrol. It was important that you were given exactly what you deserved as a result of it.”
Hezen’s eyes widened. “That was half a lifetime ago! And we have a treaty!”
“Yes. Strange how the queen signed another shortly afterward with one of your contemporaries. Her Majesty found he offered a much more beneficial alliance. However, you did ensure us safe passage and for that we are grateful.”
“Just like her brother,” Hezen hissed.
Raker spat. “I reckon she is. What do you think, Krytien?”
“I’d say he’d be proud.”
“Guards! Seize them!” Hezen whipped his head around only to see the backs of his men walking away.
Kaz whispered. “I bought them off. Very cheaply I might add.” He slapped Hezen on the arm, and moved past Raker and Krytien. “You can take your time. We’re ahead of schedule.”
“I appreciate that,” Raker called out as he pulled free his mace.
Hezen took off back toward the city. Sorcery bolted out of Krytien’s hands, catching the man mid-stride. Slowly, he drifted back toward them.
“So, who goes first?” asked Krytien.
Raker pulled out a coin. “Flip you for it?”
Krytien nodded.
He flipped the coin into the air. “Call it.”
* * *
Raker finally managed to clean the last of the gore from his clothes. Unfortunately, he still smelled thanks to the tight confin
es of the ship.
But at least I don’t smell like Hezen anymore.
He set his mace down and winced as his shoulder rolled. Something had popped when the last of his blows struck Hezen across the face. Raker had been sure the man was already dead when the blow found its mark, but he hadn’t cared. The man’s treachery had been responsible for the deaths of too many friends.
And even in death that piece of garbage managed to get one more jab at me, he thought while trying to stretch his shoulder.
Krytien approached, his new black robes absent of blood or pieces of flesh.
“I didn’t realize there was a cleaning spell,” Raker quipped.
“There isn’t really,” shrugged the mage. “I just managed to be more careful than you.”
“Do you feel better about Asantia now?”
“Not unless you know a way to bring people back from the dead. However, there is a bit more closure for me.”
“Me too.”
“I heard something that might brighten your mood.”
“What’s that?”
“Cassus is alive.”
Raker’s eyes widened. “What? How do you know?”
“Well, while you and I were reminiscing about the hell we went through when getting through Asantia the last time, others had their ears open to the latest gossip. Crusher just told me a story about a man who managed to persuade the Byzernian slaves to revolt. He’s become their hero. They even call him the Hero of Slaves. Sound familiar?”
Raker grunted. “I didn’t think he had it in him. And to think we all thought him crazy.”
“No kidding.”
Raker shook his head. “I wish he were here. I’d like to know how the man with the softest soft spot I’ve ever met managed to lead a revolt with a people known to be pacifists. I don’t think even Jonrell could have done that.”
“Jonrell always said he was the best of the group.”
“And we used to laugh about that too.”
“Yeah. Who’s laughing now?”
* * *
Kaz watched the thin line of Thurum’s shoreline fade from sight. Leaving the land behind had a more profound effect on him than his departure from Cadonia. While marching to Asantia, a part of him knew that should the thought move him, he could turn around and forget all about Hesh.
Though he could never do such a thing, not as long as Lucia lived, knowing that an ocean separated him from the land he had spent the last two years in, where he forged relationships that would never leave him, left a hole in his stomach.
It’s strange that leaving Cadonia feels like leaving home. Yet, returning home feels like visiting a strange land.
A throat cleared. “Warleader. Do you have a few moments? I’d like to speak with you about Hezen.”
Kaz inclined his head toward Itken. “You aren’t upset by his fate I hope?”
“No. No one would argue that the man didn’t deserve to die. I saw how much he was spreading discord among Guwan, Colan, and Nareash, even if they didn’t. Everyone underestimated him. When he received his peace treaty, it was a victory for him because he ended stronger than he began.”
“Then what is it?”
“It’s the way he died. You tolerated him far longer than you once would have. I understand why, but when the time came, I’m surprised you let another exact judgment. As warleader, you wouldn’t have done that.”
Kaz shrugged. “Any dislike I had for the man was overshadowed by Raker and Krytien’s hate. Hezen had done the Hell Patrol wrong long ago. Nearly wiped them out. They deserved the chance to exact justice.”
“It was . . . thorough.”
He thought of the wet puddle of bloody flesh left behind on Asantia’s docks. Gulls would be tearing it to pieces. “Yes, it was.”
“And you gave them plenty of time to do it in, despite our rush to return home . . . despite your desire to return to Lucia.”
“I did.”
“Why?”
“Because it was the right thing to do.”
Itken stood silent next to Kaz, then finally nodded. “Thank you, Warleader.”
“For what?”
“For answering my questions.”
Kaz cocked his head. “Were they the answers you were looking for?”
“They were ones I needed to hear.” He paused. “I’m beginning to understand some of what you spoke of before. You have changed more than I thought.”
Kaz grunted. “Will others see that?”
Itken clicked his tongue. “I don’t know.”
Still the uncertainty. I hope I can change that.
Kaz took a deep breath. The last thing he needed to do was dwell on the negative. With weeks of travel on the open waters ahead of him, he realized that now was the perfect time to learn more about the changes in Hesh since his disappearance.
A part of him wanted to ask Itken more about his brother. However, he had already pestered the Kifzo several times about Tobin in their travels to Asantia. Kaz thought it best to address other curiosities he had before revisiting that subject.
“At the High Pass when we spoke in one of the dungeon’s cells, you mentioned that Tobin made Walor his second.”
“Yes.”
“You seemed pleased with the decision.”
Itken shrugged. “He was always a good warrior. Well liked. Never got caught up in the nonsense and backstabbing so common amongst the Kifzo. And he proved himself more than a capable commander with the responsibility Tobin gave him. I’d say making Walor his second might have been your brother’s wisest decision.”
Kaz grunted. He had always respected Walor but never spoke to him much on account of the relationship he had with Tobin. “Tell me more about him.”
“What do you want to know? His tactics? His relationship with the men?”
“Tell me everything.” He stared out at the rolling water. “We have more than enough time.”
Chapter 25
An overcast sky added to Elyse’s sour mood.
Traveling through Tomalt’s land for the first time since the war had begun, she took in the damage with a furrowed brow.
“I don’t recall Kaz taking this path south,” she said.
“He didn’t, Your Majesty,” Yanasi said. “Most of this occurred after the battle near the Ascyium River. Jeldor pursued the remainder of Tomalt’s forces while Kaz took down Bronn.”
“I did not realize the fighting affected so many this far east.”
“It took some time for Jeldor to bring Tomalt down.”
Though she knew of the battles fought against Tomalt and Bronn, she had not fully understood the damage incurred until riding past the trampled earth, scorched fields, and newly-erected mounds of soil covering massive graves.
Even in death, Tomalt’s treasonous actions grated her.
Just like Conroy. Both tried to seize power thinking themselves the better ruler. Yet, if they truly sought to do right by Cadonia, they would have worked with me.
She frowned as farmers in the distance shielded their eyes and looked toward her advancing columns. They sprinted toward a small shack farther away.
“They’re scared of us.”
“The response is not uncommon,” offered Yanasi.
“It doesn’t make it easier to swallow.” Elyse shook her head. “This land lived in relative peace for hundreds of years. And then for over two years, the people tried to tear each other apart. We can call ourselves the victors, but that means little to the commoner. Victory won’t bring them back their loved ones, just as it won’t put money in their pockets, or food on their tables.” She clenched her reins, thinking of the obstacles that still lay ahead. “We need more men. The sooner we wrest control of Lyrosene from Gauge, the sooner the kingdom can begin to heal.”
“We’ve increased our numbers by five hundred since leaving the High Pass, Your Majesty.”
Yanasi had tried to emphasize the positive. However, Elyse dwelled on the negative. “And how many in the last two weeks?”
“Twenty.”
“Precisely. The closer we get to the capital, the greater we see Gauge’s influence. As it is, our supply line is stretched dangerously thin to pull in resources from Conroy’s and Olasi’s old lands. I don’t trust the goods from anyone else. Isolated for months at the High Pass hurt me in more ways than I ever imagined.”
“Jeldor is supposed to meet with us by the time we reach Namaris. There’s still time to increase our strength.”
“I pray you’re right. I had hoped to field more than twice our current number by now.”
* * *
Cassus pressed on with the army for several more days. Remnants of Tomalt’s forces, likely acting under orders from Gauge, tried to raid their baggage train. However, Yanasi secured the ranks before the attacks became a problem. Her archers killed several dumb enough to get within range. The attacks stopped.
But they’re out there.
Rygar spotted several sneaking through underbrush in the distance. Yanasi had him scouting with Lufflin in case the raiders tried to duplicate’s Tomalt’s previous tactics when a small force pestered Kaz’s march south. Lufflin kept them from getting too close, but he could not deter their efforts completely.
Growing frustrated, Lufflin tried to run off in pursuit against Yanasi’s orders. Rygar managed to pull the mage back to camp before he fell into their trap.
Cassus watched Yanasi chew into Lufflin. He thought the mage might puff up, shamed at having a woman berate him. However, Lufflin acknowledged fault, and swore it wouldn’t happen again. Yanasi barked at him once more, then let the matter drop. She reminded Cassus of Jonrell in the way she encouraged Lufflin to use his zealousness to do something more useful after making him realize his error.
The girl’s definitely got her new role down.
Cassus felt a bit out of sorts while trying to find his role among the soldiers. He had never been a person with much of a specialty, alright at many things, great at none. He wasn’t sure why he had expected things to be different upon his return, but after his adventures with the Byzernians, he thought he might be able to contribute in a greater capacity.
He turned his gaze from Yanasi, to Rygar, their best scout. He looked over his shoulder where Kroke rode next to Elyse, eyes flicking about, conscious of every small detail. Cassus knew nothing would get by the assassin while he still breathed. Elyse sat tall in the saddle, stern, regal.
Trial And Glory (Book 3) Page 28