by T. A. White
"Update me on what's been going on in my absence," Caden said. He had no intention of going into the complex emotions that had led to him giving her that dagger. He only partially understood it himself.
There was something about Eva that called to the protector in him, and he found himself trying to safeguard her, while also looking forward to the soft look in her eyes anytime she came across one of the small items he left in her bag—items from his own gear.
The accusation of traitor disturbed him.
Darius's expression sobered, the previous playfulness falling by the wayside. "When she took off and you followed her—thanks for the notice by the way—things escalated and the blame fell on her."
Caden shrugged. There hadn't been time to warn Darius of his intentions. Keeping the mythological in sight had been his main priority. He knew Darius and the rest would likely be able to take care of themselves. Given Eva's propensity for finding trouble, he hadn't been as sure of her. Good thing too, if the scene he'd pulled her out of was anything to judge by.
"As soon as she left, the creatures sank back into their lake," Darius said. "It wasn't until then we discovered there was another prong of attack. We only caught a handful of them, and when questioned they seemed to indicate there was a traitor in our midst."
"And you assumed that person was Eva," Caden finished for him.
Darius nodded. "It did seem like a convenient explanation given her disappearance."
A sinking feeling filled Caden. Eva might seem strong, but there were cracks in her mental defenses. Betrayal would be a hot button for her. No wonder she had snapped when he'd stepped in.
He had a feeling any progress he’d made into her affections had been set back because of his actions.
Caden rubbed his forehead. "How much did you learn about the real traitor?"
"Enough to know he's not the only one," Darius said.
"Have you confronted him yet?" Caden asked.
Darius shook his head. "I'm waiting for him to hang himself for me."
"And you used the confrontation and bad blood with Eva to lull him into a sense of safety," Caden guessed.
Darius lifted a shoulder. The motion confirmation enough.
Caden shook his head. And they called him and Fallon ruthless. They had nothing on the general. Darius used everything and everyone around him in pursuit of his goals. Eva was just his latest tool.
In the past, Caden would have admired him for the simplicity and brilliance of his plan. Now, he had to fight the urge to plant his fist in Darius's face and pour some of this aggression filling him into his friend.
Caden locked down on the impulse with an iron control. Violence hovered just beneath the surface—a fact Darius was too smart not to pick up on, as he gave Caden an assessing look.
"The information you've gleaned from the enemy makes this task even more important," Darius said. "By journey's end, we'll know just how deep the rot goes."
Caden grunted. That was the sole silver lining in this situation.
"Tomorrow we push on," Caden said.
Darius hesitated as his attention went to the camp. "I'm not sure that will be possible with how many are injured. They might not be ready to move, and splitting up in this situation could have devastating consequences for those we leave behind."
"Staying still isn't the answer either," Caden said.
"You've killed their forward advance team. That's bought us a little time," Darius pointed out. "We can afford a day or two before we move on."
"Unless they send another mythological after us," Hanna said with a sweet smile.
"Sure would be nice if the Kyren could call some of its buddies to come get us," Ghost mused softly.
"That's not likely to happen," Fiona said. "Wishing and dreaming is for Lowlanders. Not us. We make the best of the circumstances we encounter."
There were several low-voiced assents to that statement.
Everyone looked to Darius and Caden for their orders.
"If anybody is interested in my opinion, I think moving would be wise." Reece's sour voice drifted on the air.
They all glanced around, looking for the pathfinder and not immediately locating him. It wasn't until Caden spotted the faintest movement when Reece shifted, that he saw the man.
Reece had lain down in a small depression, his drab pathfinder garb blending in with the longer grasses, making him difficult to see until he moved.
"That is what I'm here for, after all," Reece continued acerbically.
"Are you spying on us now?" Darius asked.
Reece snorted. "As if I care about the inner workings of Trateri politics. I was here first. You lot were the ones who decided to have an important conversation next to my napping spot."
Fiona made a small sound of amusement as they watched the other man rise, dusting stray pieces of grass and dirt off his clothes before aiming his eerie colored eyes at the rest of them.
"Since you've inserted yourself into the conversation, what is your advice?" Darius challenged.
Reece tilted his head. "I shouldn't have to insert myself anywhere, general. You should be setting a good example for your warriors and consulting me on these types of decisions. Unless you care nothing for the alliance your warlord struck with my people."
"Your people agreed to lead us to Highland villages," Roscoe pointed out. "Nothing was said about being up your ass on every little thing."
Reece fixed the man with a long stare. "Yes, we agreed to provide our services so that you lot wouldn't stumble into one of the many dangerous places up here and unleash more mayhem on the Highlands than absolutely necessary. We can't very well do our job if you won't let us." His stare moved to Darius. "I'm surprised at you. My cousin spoke highly of you. She seemed to think you made good use of the tools in your arsenal."
Darius lifted an eyebrow at the implication Reece was being ignored because he was an outsider. "The difference is, I trust these people. You—not so much."
Reece shrugged. "Fair enough, but it's an oversight that's bound to get you killed one day."
Hanna stiffened, her face going cold as her hand gripped the hilt of her sword.
"Relax, warrior. I'm not going to do anything to your precious general," Reece said, his sardonic smile not quite reaching his eyes. "The main thing you lot should know about pathfinders is we take an oath not to cause intentional harm to those we guide. Until I return you to your people, you're in my care. I take my vows rather seriously. All of us do. We're not going to compromise our honor on the likes of you. Besides, my cousin would strangle me if anything happened to the herd mistress. She's taken a liking to the woman for some reason."
"Why is that?" Caden asked, finding his interest engaged.
Reece's frown was thoughtful as he studied Caden. "Who knows? But if I had to guess, it's because she finds her honorable, even when it's to her own personal detriment. It's a trait I'm sure Shea would empathize with since she carries the same weakness."
Caden made a considering sound. Was that what it was? He could definitely see the basis of such a statement. Eva was quiet and unassuming until one of those she considered hers was threatened. Then she became as dangerous as the small, fire-breathing fox she'd rescued.
Reece regarded the rest. "So, until we make it to our destination and back again, consider yourselves safe."
"What do you suggest?" Caden asked.
Reece stared at him for several tense seconds as he debated whether to pick up the gauntlet Caden had thrown.
Caden waited. Impress us, pathfinder. If you can.
Reece's lips widened, his smile containing a hard edge. "Moving on would be best. There's a plateau to the west that would be a good place to rest. It just so happens there's a small city called Slig that should have several healers to help with your injured."
"How far?" Darius asked.
Reece shook his head. "A day or two, at most."
"How do we know if we can trust these people?" Hanna asked.
&n
bsp; Reece shrugged. "You don't, but it would take a brave group indeed to challenge a hundred of Fallon's best warriors, even if a quarter of them are wounded."
Darius considered. "Very well. We'll take today to rest and then tomorrow we'll head out." He cast a glance at the pathfinder. "That satisfy you?"
Reece shrugged. "It'll do."
Ghost snickered. "At least you have balls, I'll give you that."
Reece sent the man a wicked smile. "We're not like the Lowlanders you're used to. You've seen the winters we endure."
There was a collective groan as the others moved out. No one liked to be reminded of the hell of a Highland winter. Caden had never tasted cold of the sort the Highlands survived on a yearly basis.
All the fires and furs in the world hadn't managed to chase the entirety of its grip from his bones.
Darius lingered after the others were gone. "Why do I get the feeling this is just the first salvo?"
"Because it is," Caden said. "This will get much worse before it’s done."
The men he'd taken out last night hadn't been simple Highland folk. They'd been organized and trained. Not as well-trained as he was, but disciplined enough that he'd been glad he'd sent Eva to safety before engaging.
He hadn't shared how close he'd come to death. He probably wouldn't have made it if not for the fox she'd left with him. The creature had interfered at the exact moment Caden had needed him.
"Brace yourself, my friend," Caden advised. "A storm is coming with enough power to reshape the Broken Lands if we're not careful."
*
We'd get there faster if we were flying, Sebastian said for the third time that morning. He was still irritated Eva had chosen to ride Caia instead of him and had no qualms about making his feelings known. It had led to a frustrating morning.
"I've already told you, that's not happening after the last time," Eva muttered, careful to keep her voice down. She didn't want the Trateri knowing her abilities had increased and she could now hear Sebastian's thoughts. Especially not with the whole traitor thing barely behind her.
The fox sat on Caia's shoulders; his nose lifted as the wind ruffled his fur. He seemed content and happy, balancing perfectly, no matter how rambunctious Caia's gait got.
Eva had thought he'd take off by now and seek out the call of the wild, like so many other creatures she'd rescued. Instead, he seemed determined to stick to her. She wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not.
"Did you say something?" Jason asked, spurring his horse to ride at her side.
"No."
"But I thought—"
The sharp sound of hoof beats drowned out the rest of what he'd been about to say as Caden cantered toward them.
Eva bit back the oath she wanted to let loose. Judging by the knowing, satisfied look on the Anateri commander's face, she needn't have bothered. Sometime in the past weeks he'd learned to read her like a book.
"What do you want?" she ground out, still angry about the way he'd ignored her yesterday and forced the issue.
Stupid her, she'd thought they'd cultivated an understanding based on mutual respect during their little adventure. Guess not, if his actions were anything to judge by.
Caden didn't immediately answer, lifting his chin to Drake, her guard dog and jailer, depending on how Eva was feeling at the time.
The Anateri offered a small smile of consolation, a secret humor glittering in his eyes before he cantered away.
"Traitor," Eva muttered under her breath.
Not entirely true, since Caden owned their unquestioning loyalty.
"Commander, uh—Caden, how are you?" Jason stammered, his voice squeaking toward the end. He flushed as they glanced at him briefly.
Caden ignored him, directing his attention at Eva. "Stay beside me from now on. I don't want to have to chase you down again."
Eva forgot her preoccupation with Jason's unexpected hero worship of Caden as she was reminded of why she spent so much time avoiding the commander in the first place.
"Are you afraid I'm going to fly off?" she asked in an arch tone.
"That's exactly what I'm afraid of," he said in his completely rational voice. "You do have a history."
"Once," she hissed.
He acted like she flew off on the backs of Kyren on a regular basis.
"And that wasn't my fault."
He fixed her with a hard stare. "You're the one who climbed onto his back. Correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't you present when Shea left on her expedition to the Badlands?"
Jason's wide eyes swung her way, unable to hide how impressed he was.
She ignored him and the fact that Caden had just announced her part in that. She didn't need others knowing her role that night. It wasn't anything worth talking about.
Her glare was powerful enough to make a sane man flinch. Instead Caden’s lips twitched as if she amused him. The sight was wholly unexpected on the normally inexpressive Caden. Eva's stomach fluttered. She wasn't used to this playful side of him.
Into the silence, Jason threw out, "I'm an orphan too."
Eva sent him a disbelieving look. Why? Why had he felt the need to announce that now? Couldn't he read the atmosphere?
The brief glimpse of a personality beyond that of a killer was wiped clean, as Caden slanted a glance at Jason. "Ask me what you're planning to ask."
Jason took a deep breath. "How did you get them to respect you? I try but it doesn't work."
"Certainly not by making the lives of others difficult—or by posturing and belittling them so you feel better about yourself," Caden said meaningfully.
Jason blushed at the rebuke, his eyes sliding to Eva and away.
"Or by kissing ass and pretending to be something you’re not. I worked hard and I took my place in society. It wasn't given to me. I earned it and when people tried to keep what was mine, I tore them down and then stood on their bloody corpses," Caden shared. "No one owes you anything simply because you had a bad beginning. Be the best you can be and don't hurt those who are trying to help you."
Jason seemed to shrink in on himself, his face falling. Eva hovered on the verge of saying something, but didn’t know what. In the end, she said nothing.
Jason had begun to change, but it didn't make up for his general obnoxiousness at the beginning of his apprenticeship. Sometimes you had to hear hard truths so you could grow into a better, more beautiful version of yourself. It was a painful process, but a necessary one.
She hoped Jason could learn something from this experience and not let the truth crush him. Not everyone could.
The wheels turned behind Jason's expression as he seemed to come to a decision. He nodded at Caden before pulling up abruptly on his reins and dropping back.
"What was that about?" Eva asked.
"I told him something he needed to hear," Caden said.
Her expression remained suspicious.
He sighed. "Jason is an orphan. In our society, that can make it difficult to find your place."
"I thought the Trateri took care of all children," Eva said, not entirely understanding.
Shea had taken in Mist, and Fallon had launched an investigation to find those who'd mistreated her. Eva had seen others who were orphaned, who were well cared for too.
"Yes, children." They rode for several more minutes. "The thing about children is that they grow up. For those whose parents died in battle, they often find a place and a purpose. For those like Jason, like me, lostlings, true orphans who were abandoned to the plains, it's more complicated."
"I don't understand."
"When parentage is known, your history is assumed. For children like us, people believe that if our own parents didn't want us, there must be a reason. Clan and family bonds are important to the Trateri. Not having them can make your opportunities sparse," Caden said. "Your apprentice rides like a warrior. The fact he chose to approach me, tells me he wants something more out of life than being a herd master."
"You think he wants to become
an Anateri," Eva stated.
Caden nodded. "That would be my assumption."
Eva couldn't see it. "He's good with the horses. With time, he'll rival Hardwick."
"As good as you?" he asked, tilting his head.
Eva was quiet as she looked away. No, he wasn't as good as her.
Caden's brief smile appeared again. "He's too old to be accepted as a warrior’s apprentice. Training for them starts shortly after they can walk and no later than ten years."
"Is that when you started?"
Caden's expression became far away. "No, my training was less formal."
Eva could imagine a young Caden practicing in secret until he mastered the moves. He had that type of drive.
Her heart ached for the boy he’d been, even as the man confused her.
"There's nothing wrong with being a herd master," she said, facing forward again. "Positions with Hardwick are considered prestigious. He doesn't take just anyone, only the best."
His look was thoughtful. "No, there isn't. As long as you're the one who chose it. What I'm saying is he might not have had much say in the matter."
This time it was Eva's turn to consider, the words sitting like rocks in her thoughts. She knew what it was like not to have a say. To feel so suffocated that she'd have done anything to escape, even if it meant facing the dark woods on her own, death almost a certainty.
It made her empathize with the younger man.
"Are you going to help him?" she asked.
He tilted his face toward the sun and closed his eyes. "There’s little reward in it for me."
She frowned at him. "Not everything in this life is about rewards. You have the skill. You could help change his fate."
He didn't answer
"You had Fallon. You could be his Fallon," she pressed. He'd either help or he wouldn't. There wasn't much else she could say.
"Ask me nicely," he said, his eyes still closed as the corners of his lips tilted slightly up.
She narrowed her eyes at him. Was this some type of new game?
He waited patiently.
"Why?"
He opened his eyes. "If I'm going to do this, I want it clear I'm doing it for you. I care little whether he succeeds or not. Which means I expect to be asked. Nicely." His smile this time showed his teeth, a smug look settling on his face.