by Katie Roman
“It doesn’t have to come to this. If only Drake and-”
Kay held up a hand for silence. “Not another word. Drake, Katherine, even Frederick, they are beyond talking. When the king of Cesernan sent an assassin after his son, the time for diplomatic words and talks of peace were done. Whether you and I fight today is irrelevant. Blood will be shed, by your blade or not. Marcus is waiting for us. Quinn is waiting for us. Let Drake and Katherine rescue their precious duke if they want, but we have friends of our own to bring home too. Or do you want to return to Glenbard and explain to Ridley and Thom why you abandoned Marcus?”
Grace stuck her chin out. “You don’t understand.”
“You think you’re the only one who’s had to end a man’s life? It is not an enjoyable thing. I do not relish it, but I have done it when the need arose. You may think I live for backstabbing and murder, but I am not so hardened that I wish to kill someone else. However, if a guard stands between me and my men I will cut them down.” Grace looked away to avoid eye contact. “You do not become the captain of the Dawn and you do not become the Death Dealer without sullying your soul first.”
“I never wanted this. I just wanted to help people.”
“Then shut up and do it.” Kay left the cabin without another word.
Eleven
The Fearless Dawn moved steadily across the water toward the prison dock. They would land soon, and when they did they would be expected to storm the rice farms immediately.
Grace was outfitted, courtesy of Drake and Katherine, with a shirt of chain mail, a conical helmet, and a leather gorget. She was also given a buckler and short sword. Donald was given similar weapons and armor. Kay arrived on the deck wearing her own shirt of mail and gorget, carrying two swords and no shield. She stood apart from Grace with only three of her men.
“She looks rather fearsome,” Donald whispered as he came to stand beside Grace. “Why has she only brought a few of her men? Her crew is full of men who itch for a fight; surely they’ll want to join in the melee.”
Kay whipped her head around as though she had heard Donald. She narrowed her eyes at him and turned back to look out over the ocean.
Grace shook her head. “Perhaps she didn’t want to drag them into this.”
Donald shrugged. “Are you going to be alright?” Grace nodded. “I know Marcus is your friend, but you don’t have to fight.”
Grace looked up at Donald. He looked earnest standing there in his armor, ready to head into the fray. “Neither do you,” she said at last.
“I go because you do. I have long served your family and will continue to do so now.” He took Grace’s hand and kissed the top of it.
She withdrew her hand and smiled up at Donald. “Would you believe me if I said I was tasked by Diggery with helping Glenbard?”
“Cassandra said you were god-touched, but I thought she was spinning a tale. If Glenbard is your destination, then why do you tarry here?”
“Marcus is the only one who can bring balance back.”
“But he’ll only be able to unite Rogue’s Lane. The merchants won’t be happy of his return, nor will the guards.”
“If Rogue’s Lane can be moved to action against the Duke of Escion, that force alone can drive him out. But I’m going to need help.”
“I have many friends on Seafarer’s Way. I will speak to them upon our return. As long as I may, I will aid you.” He cracked a lopsided smile and added, “Oh, god-touched one.”
Grace shoved him lightly as Drake and Tristan came onto the deck, wearing plate mail and bearing shields free of their house sigils. These two certainly didn’t look like the brigands they were supposed to be playing.
No one was supposed to know Sera was involved in the taking of the prison, but even without sigils on his shield Aeron had the bearing of a knight. Aeron strode up behind Drake and Tristan, with Elanor and Katherine coming last. Both women were in chain shirts and helmets similar to Grace’s. She couldn’t believe either would be joining the attack, but there were a great many things she never would have believed of Katherine before. The Serish soldiers gathered around.
“We have precious little time,” Drake said. “Once we reach the docks we must disembark without hesitation. If Captain Lansa’s first mate and Lord Jestin have done their duty, the prisoners will be rioting already. We are counting on this. If they have been unsuccessful, we will be outnumbered and can only hope to bring some of the prisoners to our side as we fight toward the prison.” Drake stepped aside to allow Elanor forward.
Grace wondered if Kay and her crew had yet guessed that the Queen of Sera was among them. It was hard not to know. Elanor stood straight and tall, and her very presence demanded attention. She cleared her throat and thanked Drake.
Kay stood beside Grace and whispered, “Who let the old bitty into armor?” Obviously she really didn’t know who Elanor really was.
“I think she’s some general,” Grace quietly responded.
“We have split our forces into three parties,” Queen Elanor continued. “His Highness will lead one group straight for the warden’s rooms with my Lord Aeron’s men helping to clear the way. Sir Tristan will sweep through the prison’s work detail, helping them fight back the guards. Our men know where they are positioned. Captain Lansa, I have put you with Sir Tristan, a fact you would already know if you had bothered to answer our summons last night.” Elanor glared at Kay, but Kay merely shrugged. “Your men will join Lord Aeron’s group.”
“My men fight with me,” Kay blurted out. “I told you if I supplied my men, they would have to fight by my side.”
Elanor’s cheeks grew red with every second. Discipline and respect were hallmarks of a good soldier, and the queen’s annoyance was a clear indication that she expected these things of any who served under her. Grace wanted to speak up and point out that Kay was a mercenary at best but she kept quiet, not wanting to make matters worse.
“Answer my summons,” Elanor said coolly. “Grace and her manservant, Donald, will also be with Sir Tristan. May the Divine Twins bless you all.”
There were a few murmurs as each group broke off to stand with their commander. Kay hissed a few words to her men before settling next to Grace and Donald.
Tristan came to stand near them, the Serish soldiers under his command flocking around. He glared at Grace and Donald but held his tongue. There was no time for animosity when battle loomed over them.
~*~*~
Upon docking, the harbor master demanded the appropriate papers from the Fearless Dawn. The gangplank went down with a crash and soldiers overwhelmed the man. He jumped from the dock to avoid injury.
Tristan led his group out first; the smallest group, with only fifteen men altogether. They headed from the dock toward the farms at a gentle pace. Grace stayed in the center of the group, Donald was beside her, and Kay ran along near the back. Grace wondered if Kay planned to abandon the battle, but the thought was fleeting. As they ran along, they heard shouts and the beginning sounds of battle.
The rice field was about an acre wide and the prisoners were already fighting against the guards. The shallow waters were red in places where people fell and did not get back up. The prisoners had a few makeshift weapons, long poles, hoes, bricks, anything they could use to hit the guards. The guards had batons and daggers and hit anything that moved.
With their swords drawn, Tristan’s group plunged into the fracas. Grace caught a guard in the gut with her buckler. He fell back into the water and Grace knocked him over the head with her hilt, making sure he stayed down. Next to her, Tristan slashed open the chest of a man, his blood splattering out and hitting Grace.
“Don’t coddle them!” Tristan yelled over the din.
Near her, Grace saw a guard bearing down on a woman who struggled to get up. Grace slogged through the water, trying to reach them. As the guard’s sword came down, Grace knocked him from the side, then cut him down his arm and knocked him into the water. Red spread out from where he landed.
She turned to help the woman up.
“As I live and breathe,” Sal attempted a laugh. “I thought the jungle claimed you for sure!”
“No time to explain!” Grace unhooked a knife from her belt and pressed it into Sal’s hand. Sal required no urging and threw herself headlong into the fray.
Grace fought through the guards. She used her buckler as often as possible, knocking guards in the face and over the head, but one thick-skulled brute didn’t take the hint to just fall and stay down.
He used all his weight and slammed Grace backwards. She barely stayed upright against his assault, but when he came at her again, she let him run into her sword. As she withdrew her blade, he fell back with a gurgle and a groan. Her mind was a fog of noise and blood, but she knew she couldn’t spare a thought for the fallen guard now.
The guards began to fall back as the soldiers and prisoners gained control of the rice field. Near her, Grace caught sight of Kay engaged against two men. Her blades moved fast, but she looked to be losing steam as she deflected blows from both sides.
Fighting against the water, Grace charged forward. She picked up speed and slammed all her weight into her buckler, knocking one of Kay’s attackers down with her on top of him; catching him in the ribs with her sword and plunging them both into the water. Warm liquid surrounded her as his blood poured out over the rice. His comrade fell, throat slit, into the water beside them.
Kay and Grace stood mostly alone now as the soldiers and prisoners charged toward the prison. Grace took in deep breaths and wiped the water from her forehead as best she could.
“Un-blooded, indeed,” Kay said.
“I’d rather not have to replace allies or friends today.” Grace charged forward, and to her surprise, Kay fell in next to her.
The guards fell back, rushing out of the paddy. Tristan called his group to him and many of the prisoners joined him. They advanced on the guards, driving them toward Aeron’s forces which were to hold the road between the rice farms and the prison proper. Many guards, knowing the battle was lost, threw down their weapons and begged for mercy.
~*~*~
Drake's force stormed the prison, finding it open and ready thanks to the help of the prison's kitchen staff. The warden put up a fight, holing himself up in his private quarters. As Drake and Aeron attempted to break down his door, Tristan's men stayed outside to clear away the dead and injured. Jestin led a group down to Traitor's Bay to collect Duke Nicholas.
A healer's tent was set up just outside the prison walls. As the sun beat down, Grace and Kay moved a fallen guard over to the healer. He'd been cut along the shoulder, but it looked like nothing more than a flesh wound…though he dragged his feet along the ground as Kay and Grace tried to lead him to the healer. He grumbled and mumbled about “whores” until Kay jabbed him in the ribs. Once the guard was given over to the healer to complain, Grace and Kay returned to help in the fields.
Overheated, Grace removed her mail shirt and rolled up the sleeves of her linen shirt. Unfortunately it didn't help much since she had already sweated all the way through. Kay stripped down to her breast band and pants and looked much cooler than Grace was. Grace envied her confidence, but couldn’t quite find it in herself to strip down as Kay had done.
The acre of the rice farm was mottled with watery blood. There were only a few dead among the cluster of bodies, but many were grievously injured. Grace looked over the shallow water and sighed, looking down at her feet.
Kay put an arm around her shoulder. “Are you alright?”
“I haven't seen Donald.”
“David!” Kay called out, releasing Grace. One of her crewmen scrambled out of the healer's tent. “David, find Donald.”
The crewman bowed to Kay and rushed out toward the battlefield, carefully inspecting every soldier, guard, and prisoner he passed.
“Come on, Grace.” Kay took Grace by the shoulders and steered her out of the view of the rice fields.
She found them a spot in the shade beneath the prison wall and sat Grace down. It was amazing the difference it made. Grace put her head against the stone, which was surprisingly cool against her scalp. She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath, feeling Kay sit next to her.
“I threw up in the healer's tent,” Grace said.
She opened one eye and looked sidelong at Kay. Kay was resting her head against the stone as well. Her eyes were closed, but she slowly smiled.
“I did too. I was never one for bloodlust.”
Grace opened both her eyes and turned to really look at Kay. Her dark hair was disheveled, she had cuts and bruises on her face and arms, and even her bare stomach had a few. She kept her eyes closed and sat breathing softly.
“It's over for now, though.” Kay opened her eyes and turned to stare at Grace. “Don't think about what comes next.”
“Have you found Quinn yet?”
“No, but I am sure he will turn up somewhere, same as Donald.”
“And if they don’t?”
“Then I am out a first mate and you are out a servant.” Kay kept her tone light, as though she was making a joke, but her eyes were hard. Her brow furrowed even as she tried to hide her own worry over Quinn.
Around them, a few of the prisoners ambled over to the shade. Tristan issued commands to the Serish soldiers before setting his sights on those enjoying a brief respite in the shade. He came over with his chest puffed out and Kay rolled her head over to stare at him.
“There’s no time for sitting about! There’s plenty of work still to be done,” he said.
“We’ve secured your fields for His Highness,” Kay drawled, sounding too bored to even be having the conversation. “Once His Highness finds a suitable battering ram, the warden will surrender and the day will be ours.”
Seeing how angry Tristan was, Grace moved to get up and return to clearing the rice field but Kay held her arm over Grace’s chest to stop her. “We are hot and tired and these prisoners deserve a rest, seeing as how it was their riot that helped secure your victory.”
Tristan bent down and hauled Kay roughly to her feet. “I am the commander out here and you will do as I say. Otherwise, I will have you whipped for insubordination.”
This time Grace did get up, as did the prisoners around them. Tristan held Kay by the shoulders, digging his fingers into her bare flesh. Kay didn’t do anything but glare. Grace always assumed that anyone who dared lay hands on Kay would be beaten to within an inch of their lives, but maybe that only went for commoners. Maybe even Kay wouldn’t strike a member of nobility.
Grace remembered Tristan trying to seduce her and then threatening her, and she couldn’t bear to see him bully Kay. Grace moved quickly and pushed Tristan from the side. When he released Kay, she stepped between them. The commotion drew the attention of the Serish soldiers, who began to approach, hands on the hilts of their weapons.
Tristan stared down at her, too stunned to say anything. “We’re not soldiers and we’ve taken no oaths to the army, so you can’t whip her for insubordination,” Grace said with more confidence than she felt.
“You little bitch!” Tristan seethed, raising his fist to strike Grace.
“Sir Tristan!” The voice belonged to Nicholas. “The warden’s quarters have finally been breached. We hold this place. Leave the ladies alone. His Highness calls for you.”
Tristan spat at Kay and Grace before hurrying off to join Nicholas. Kay watched him retreat as she rubbed the feeling back into her shoulders.
“What a pleasant fellow,” she said.
“That’s Jack’s brother,” Grace sighed.
“Him? My word, I never thought I’d say that Jack received the sunniest disposition of the family. Look!” Kay pointed down the road.
Ahead of them, Marcus broke away from Nicholas’s group and headed toward them. Kay actually rushed forward to meet him, but Grace hung back to allow them a private reunion.
As she watched the two embrace, someone tapped her on the shoulder. David stood behind
her, holding the arm of a bloodied Donald. His face was cut up and blood streamed from his nose and down his chain mail shirt. He smiled, showing her that a few teeth had been knocked out as well.
“I found him trying to drag one of the fallen to the healer,” David said. “Wanted to see that everyone who fell got a proper burial.”
“Thank you, David.” Grace hugged Donald tightly. “You should have seen to your own wounds first!” she scolded.
“Got hit in the face with a baton,” Donald said, as though he were proud of this fact. “I figured there’d be time enough to get healed once everyone else was seen to.”
“David, can you please take him to the healer’s tent?”
The pirate looked down at her like she spoke a different language. “But, I found Donald, just as the captain said…”
“Er, yes, you did a fine job. Now please, see him to the healer as well.”
“Captain didn’t say nothing about the healer.”
Kay and Marcus came up to the group. “David, take him to the healer, like a good lad.”
“Yes, Captain.” He led Donald away.
“David will follow a command better than any, but introduce something strange and he just gets confused.” Kay rolled her eyes. “He’d probably make a fine soldier.” A Serish soldier nearby glared at her and continued about his own duties.
Marcus reached out and pulled Grace into a hug. “So good to see you alive after you left us on that beach. We had to take turns pushing the rock cart after that.”
Grace breathed in the smell of sweat and blood, but refused to let him go. “I’m sorry. I saw an opportunity and ran.”
“Can’t say I blame you, especially since I see you found us help.” He released her, but kept an arm around her shoulder. He wrapped an arm around Kay’s as well. “Tell me, now – what sort of trouble have we landed ourselves into now?”
~*~*~
Drake and Elanor were holed up in the warden's quarters, making plans to stay through the winter and await the arrival of more allies. As Grace understood it, more troops would come from Sera, and word had already been sent to Drake's allies in Cesernan to mobilize for a spring offensive against the king.