The Great Game (The Way to Freedom Series Book 9)

by H. M. Clarke

  The Great Game

  The Way to Freedom

  Book 9

  H.M. Clarke

  Sentinel Publishing

  Copyright © H. M. Clarke 2018

  All rights reserved; no part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner

  First published in The United States of America in 2018

  Sentinel Publishing, Dayton, Ohio

  Cover design by Deranged Doctor Design

  The moral right of the author has been asserted

  Also by H.M.Clarke

  The Way to Freedom Series

  1: The Kalarthri

  1.1: The Cavern of Sethi

  2: The Dream Thief

  3. The Awakening

  4. The Enemy Within

  5. The Unknown Queen

  6. The Searchers

  7. The Whisperer

  8. The Deceiver

  9. The Great Game

  The Complete Season One – Books 1-5

  Coming soon

  10. The Gathering

  John McCall Mysteries

  1: Howling Vengeance

  The Verge

  1: The Enclave

  Coming Soon

  2: Citizen Erased

  The Order/Ravensdale

  1: Winter’s Magic

  Marion: An ‘Order’ Short Story

  DEDICATION

  As always, this book is dedicated to my two beautiful children, Keith and Ariadne.

  CONTENTS

  Acknowledgments

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Others Books by H.M. Clarke

  About the Author

  “Don’t trust yourself until the day you die.”

  -A Saying of the Suenese

  CHAPTER ONE

  FORT FOXTERN WAS IN turmoil.

  And Captain Jerant, as the nominal commander did nothing to still it. Colonel Oded was furious and had sent numerous letters off to Hered in an effort to hurry the issue of the order to select the head of the Northern Army. It should have been given to Prince Garrick straight off, but for some unknown reason, the Emperor was delaying the appointment.

  Oded and Harada had a very good idea as to what might be the reason for that delay.

  The Emperor’s Mistress. Felian.

  She and her cronies were undoubtedly working to turn this conflict into something that they can use to their advantage.

  It also did not help matters that the returning scouts had reported large numbers of men massing along the Arranian side of the border and that signs of passing Arranian groups had been seen in the forests and mountains around them.

  It was early morning and Harada and Oded stood on the large open plain before the main gates of Fort Foxtern. Red Samar stood with them, her large form blocking the two men from view from any unfriendly eyes looking on them from the fort. Around them mustered the rest of the Wing. Hatar’le’margarten stood patiently as their riders placed the lightweight riding tack over their shoulders and made sure that the harness and straps were secure.

  “We should have heard something back by now,” Harada quietly said as he adjusted the girth strap on Samar’s double saddle.

  “I know. But the decision cannot be delayed for too much longer,” Oded replied standing back a few steps as Harada flung the neck strap around Samar.

  “I was talking about Garrick. He should have sent us news about what he’s seen going on at the Capital. He or Malchance must have some idea of what exactly She is doing or saying to delay the announcement.”

  “It may be unsafe for him to send messengers Harada. He and his movements will undoubtedly be watched and reported back to Her.”

  Harada stood up and began to make a show of adjusting Samar’s chest strap.

  “I know. But Garrick’s a resourceful fellow. He would work out a way to get word to us.” Under his breath, he muttered, “I want to know how he feels about Kalena being missing.” Harada leaned his head against Samar’s broad chest and he soaked up her silent strength as he tried to still his whirling thoughts. All of Garrick’s plans hinged around that girl. Harada’s niece had better come back to them safe and sound. A blast of air on the back of his head caused him to smile as a moment later he felt the reassuring touch of a feathered nose just above his ear.

  Harada stood back from Samar and then reached up to give her a scratch under her chin.

  “I just hope he is still safe. I don’t trust Felian as far as I can throw her.”

  Oded nodded and looked over his shoulder at the great arm of the Bhaligier ranges. Harada followed his gaze until his eyes alighted on the towering peak of Daegourouf. Unlike the rest of the ranges, the skirts of the mountain did not hold snow. Only its utmost peak had a small cap of white that made it blend into the clouds behind it. This made the mountain stand out amongst its fellows.

  “The scouts came back in last night, and after reporting to Jerant and Inman, the lead scout came to report to me.”

  “Jerant still is not sharing information with you?”

  Oded smiled, his white teeth bright against his dark olive skin. “He shares what he thinks I won’t be interested in. But most of the men here know that command will eventually be given to Prince Garrick and so to me. They know which side to butter their bread.”

  Harada pulled his eyes away from the mountain. “And just what did the scout have to say?”

  “They have not seen any sign of Ice Tiger activity around the immediate area of Foxtern. They have seen signs of Arranian troops moving through, but the enemy was long gone before the scouts saw their signs. The only troop movements they have seen with their own eyes is that of Jerant’s men who the scout says looks to be following the trail of the Arranians.”

  “Jerant’s men following the Arranians? Don’t tell me he’s actually doing something sensible and is keeping an eye on the enemy,” Harada said.

  Oded shook his head. “I don’t know. The Infantry scout didn’t say as much, but I get the impression that the man did not like what he saw.”

  Harada’s shrewd gaze centered on Oded who was now looking intently at him.

  “Are you inferring that Jerant has something to do with the Arranians?”

  Oded shrugged.

  “I’m not inferring anything. At least not without hard proof.”

  Harada released the breath he had been holding. “If he is really in league with the enemy, it would mean a death sentence for him.”

  “And it couldn’t happen to a nicer man.”

  ‘Harada, men are coming through the gate.’

  Samar’s warning made Harada turn to see a small group of Jerant’s cronies walking slowly out from the main gate towards the flying field. Undoubtedly coming to spy on them.

  ‘Samar, pass a message on to Holm through Motta. Tell them to do a high attitude search for any signs of either Jerant’s men, or the Arranians that the scout group had seen signs of. If he sees them, he is to observe to see what their interactions are. Any signs of collusion between the two groups and Holm is to report back to either Me or Colonel Oded.’

  ‘Yes, Harada.’ After a pause. ‘Holm and Motta acknowledge the order and they are on their way.’

  Looking over Samar’s shoulder, Harada saw Holm mount Motta and the two quickly launched into the clear morning sky and flew off tow
ards the main arch of the Bhaligers and Daegourouf.

  “Oded, we have company coming in our direction,” Harada said.

  The Colonel turned and looked towards the gate. “I see Jerant is sending his eyes out.”

  “I’d say it was Inman who has. Jerant prefers not to think about us so much.” Harada let a smile tug at his lips. “It doesn’t matter though, I’ve lived my life under the gaze of the Justicars.”

  “They only have the authority they currently have because of Felian. If they didn’t need her, the Justicars would hang her to the wind.”

  Harada tightened his lips but said nothing in reply. He and Garrick should have moved quicker to stop Felian from gaining the foothold she currently has. The current situation is as much their fault as hers.

  “We’d better move the wing out otherwise they will wonder why we are waiting.” Harada turned away from the gate and in one swift movement swung himself up into the first seat of Samar’s double saddle. He deftly tied the security straps before leaning down to give Oded a hand to mount behind him.

  Upon seeing their Wing Commander mount, the rest of the wing did themselves and then waited for the signal to fly.

  Once Oded had secured his straps, Harada and Samar checked the readiness of the wing. Everyone was mounted and waiting. Harada noted that the group of cronies was still walking towards the Flying Field. He waited until the first man was about to set foot past the white washed rocks that bordered the Flying Field. He and Samar then gave the order.

  ‘Rise.’

  As one, the entire wing leaped from the field, leaving the ground below swirling in sand and wind from the powerful down beats of the launching Hatar’le’margarten.

  Harada saw the group of men rock back in surprise and begin to cough and splutter before using their coats to protect their faces from the stinging dust and wind.

  It was a childish thing to do, but it gave Harada a perverse satisfaction. Any act of resistance no matter how small was good for a person’s soul.

  He felt Oded grab the back of his jacket as Samar ascended at a steep rise to reach patrol attitude. The Colonel hated to fly, but this was the only space they had where they could be sure not to be overheard.

  After what seemed an age but would only have been a dozen heart beats at most, Samar began to level out and around them, Harada watched as the rest of the wing slipped into standard diamond formations.

  “We are going to have to come up with a story about why Wing Second’s Tayme and Trar and Adhamh are missing. Jerant seems to have a special interest in them, and would love to have a reason to mark them as deserters.”

  “It’s none of his business where they are. The Flyers are placed under my command. If I say they are out on official business then that should be enough for Jerant.”

  Oded eased the hold on Harada’s jacket as he talked. The morning was a good one for flying. A pristine blue sky, high altitude wind currents strong enough to give the Hatar lift to help them conserve energy, but light enough not to buffet the riders strapped to their necks. The air Harada breathed still held a hint of winter and the day already felt good.

  “Jerant might still try something. Or maybe stir Inman up to look into it. As I said, Jerant has a special interest in those three, especially Kral Tayme. He and Kalena are the two who he blames for his removal out here.”

  “Brock should have worked harder to have had him discharged from the service. It might have saved us the headache we have now.”

  Harada shrugged but gave no reply. He was loyal to the Provost Marshall and did not like to hear him criticized, even by someone else whom he respected.

  The flight was now soaring over the skirts of the mountain range and Harada asked Samar to give the order for the flight to follow them along the border down the Suenese side of the Ranges.

  Samar banked in a leisurely turn and then settled in the new direction.

  Oded leaned forward a little to look down past Samar’s shoulder. “How can you see anything from up here? The forest down below just looks like green dyed wool.”

  “The Hatar can see what lies below. As you very well know. They have very sharp eyes, but even they will miss something if they are not looking in the right direction.”

  A rumble from Samar drew a chuckle from Harada. “Samar says that she has never been caught by surprise.”

  ‘Except when you are asleep in a sand bath in the sun.’

  ‘I knew that was you, Harada!’

  ‘Sure you did.’

  ‘I didn’t eat you did I?’

  Harada chuckled again and thumped Samar companionably on her neck.

  ‘No. You didn’t and I am very thankful.’

  “How long are we going to patrol for?” Oded asked.

  “About six hours is standard. So we’ll be back at Foxtern about mid afternoon. If we come back earlier it might look suspicious.”

  “So that means I’ll be eating lunch on Hatar back again then.”

  “Yes, it does.”

  “Figures.” The Colonel then settled back in the saddle for a long trip.

  CHAPTER TWO

  “HARADA, WHAT’S THAT?” Oded pointed down to the forest ahead of them.

  Harada was already looking at the location, but as yet could not discern anything. Samar had alerted him that there were a group of men down there heading along the path in the direction of Fort Foxtern. Oded must have good eyes.

  “The Hatar have already seen it Oded,” Harada called back over his shoulder. “There is a group of men on the road and until they can be directly sighted, we can’t be sure if they are ours or not.”

  “Are we going to go down and check?” Oded asked.

  “No need, there is a gap in the trees not far ahead of them along the road they follow, the Hatar will see who they are then.”

  Even though Harada could not see him, the Wing Commander could tell that the colonel was not happy about waiting. He was a man of action and sitting still when the enemy may be below them did not sit well with the man.

  “They may be Pydarki as well-“

  ‘Harada, Motta is coming in ahead of us,’ Samar’s mind speak cut into Harada’s words.

  ‘Motta?’

  ‘Yes, she says that she and Holm have some interesting news for us.’

  ‘Interesting? Is that all she said?’

  ‘Yes.’

  “What is wrong Harada?” Oded asked, placing a hand on Harada’s shoulder to get his attention.

  “Hold on a moment,” Harada muttered and pointed by way of explanation ahead of him. He could now see the blue form of Motta flying towards them.

  ‘Samar, ask Motta to report. Is there something we need to know about those men beneath us?’

  After what seemed a very long moment, Samar began to relay Motta’s words.

  ‘The group below are ours. They are under the command of Captain Vosloo. Lieutenant Peana had sent them back to report directly to Colonel Oded. But they did give us some other news. Kral and Peana have found Kalena!’

  ‘They’ve found her? Where is she? Is she with the group below?’

  ‘Holm wants to talk to you in person Harada.’

  ‘I bet he does. That gap in the trees below near the road looks big enough for two Hatar to land. Tell Holm and Motta to meet us there.’

  ‘Yes, Harada.’

  “Oded, we may have some good news for a change. Holm and Motta are ahead of us and they say that Kalena has been found.”

  “She has?” The Colonel’s voice sounded both excited and relieved.

  “The group below us are Captain Vosloo’s men. They have been sent back to report directly to you. I am going to land below so that I can talk with Holm, the group on foot should reach us there and you can take their report.”

  “Thank the One we came across them before they came under the eyes of those at Fort Foxtern,” Colonel Oded said. “Though I have a feeling this will be news that Prince Garrick will not be pleased with.”

  “You c
an count on it.”

  Harada saw Motta begin to descend to the clearing below and he gave the command to Samar to have her land to meet him. He gave orders for the rest of the wing to stay in a holding pattern over their location and to keep an eye out for any unfriendly folk that might be around.

  Samar slowed her descent and landed daintily on her feet in the clearing not far from Motta. Holm was already descending from the blue Hatar’s shoulder and before Samar had settled, both Harada and Oded were already unbuckling their security Straps. Holm stayed back until Samar had tucked in her wings and her riders had dismounted.

  “Holm, what news?” Harada called, waving the flyer towards him. Oded rushed to the road to await the company of men.

  “Wing Commander Harada, you’ll hear this first hand from Vosloo’s men. They have found Kalena, except that she doesn’t know she’s Kalena. She thinks she’s someone else. And she has an Ice Tiger brother. Oh! And she is now the Queen of the Ice Tigers.”

  “Wait, What?” Harada could not help the frown that washed over his face as Holm’s words rushed over him.

  Holm stopped and drew a deep breath as if to calm himself. But Harada could see the restrained excitement held at bay in Holm’s taunt frame.

  “Kalena is found but does not remember who she is,” Holm started again though slower this time. “She was found by the Ice Tigers who took her in and gave her another name, which I can’t remember at the moment. Anyway, something happened and Kalena became the new leader of the Ice Tigers. And now the Ice Tigers and the Arranians are going to war with each other.”

  “The Arranians are fighting with the Ice Tigers?” Harada looked at Samar who just tilted her head in that annoying way that the Hatar’le’margarten had when they did not want to admit that they did not know.

  ‘Motta confirms Holm’s words. We’ll hear the same from the group coming down the road towards us.’