The Enemy's Triumph

by Kristen Banet

  It was beautiful and elicited nothing but images of rolling hills and the freshness of spring—dancing, laughter, fun.

  Females like me will like the flute. Females who lived so long without any of those things.

  She didn’t stop between songs as her drink was put down next to her. She went straight into a third song, ignoring a door opening up and closing again. Someone giggled, obviously a child, and was shushed by its mother.

  When Mave was finished with the third song, she opened her eyes again and lowered the flute.

  “Ah, I haven’t heard those songs in so long,” someone said, sounding both elated and tired. “And to hear you play them is something I never thought would come to pass.”

  Mave turned slowly and found herself looking at the old female from the palace, leaning on a cane. Grey hair and with a tired, wrinkled face, she was older than Leshaun.

  “You made it out,” Mave gasped.

  “Obviously,” the old female said with a wry tone, walking slowly to the table. She looked at Yenni and bowed her head in respect, then looked back to Mave. “I didn’t think I would ever see you again.”

  “You two know each other?” Yenni frowned, looking between them before settling on the old female. “You never mentioned Mave being in your community.”

  “I wasn’t.” Mave narrowed her eyes on the familiar face. “Are you a mativa?”

  “I was before the war, long before the war,” she answered. “As a slave? No. I was a simple household servant who had the displeasure of making sure you were clean and presentable.”

  Mave’s face heated as she turned to Yenni to explain that. “She worked in the palace. We barely spoke, and it was never personal. When I was summoned, she would be waiting with whatever outfit I was required to wear and make sure I was bathed for whatever performance I was required to perform. She was the only female Andinna I really ever saw.”

  “Oh.” Yenni leaned back.

  “King’s Champion now, is it?” the old female asked. “No longer claiming the Colosseum?”

  “I never wanted the Colosseum.”

  “Then why did you work so hard for it?”

  “It kept me alive,” Mave answered with total honesty. “If I was the strongest, they would fear me, and I was less likely to be raped or beaten by those in the pits with me, the other gladiators.”

  “Ah. I figured as much but could never bring myself to ask.”

  “Please sit down,” Mave said, gesturing to an empty chair. “I’m here to see what I can do to help everyone from Elliar and Myrsten. Maybe you can help me.”

  “If it’s not too much to ask…” The old female waved around, and Mave followed the gesture, seeing females and children now standing around, staring at her with wide eyes. Mave had been right. Music, soft and innocent, something from centuries past, would bring her together with these new faces. “A bit more music would be nice.”

  “I can do that,” Mave agreed, bringing the flute up again. She decided to play a fun little shepherd’s tune and smiled as the children giggled at the lighthearted melody.

  She had failed with the newly freed slaves in the summer and fall, failed to understand them well enough, and failed to relate to them. She had been hard on them when some of them had needed softness. She wouldn’t fail with these. A different approach because this time she admitted she had more in common with these scared women and acted accordingly. She didn’t want them to be scared of her. She wanted them to know she understood their pain, had lived through it as well and knew what their souls craved.

  Elliar was a cold city, colorless in its own way, and the people who resided in it were cruel and distant.

  Mave had picked the flute because it was pretty and useless, but its light sound brought such joy, and now, she had a place to share it.

  When Mave lowered the flute again, smiling as she realized she had finally done the right thing, the old female clapped.

  “Will you come back and play for us again?” she asked, reaching out and touching Mave’s hand gently.

  “I will,” she promised.

  “It’s good to see you like this, Mave Lorren.” The old female reached up and patted her cheek. “If you, who suffered great cruelties and abuses in Elliar, could come this far, you give me hope I can see the rest of our people do it.”

  “I don’t know your name,” Mave said softly as the old female stood up again.

  With a sigh, her smile turned sad.

  “My name is Rhinia. Now, this cold is a bit too much for my old bones. I’m going to head inside.” She patted Mave’s hand with the same sad smile. “Thank you for this. It really is good to see you here.”

  Mave watched the old female get up and slowly make her way inside, her heart aching for reasons beyond her.

  “Are you going to be okay?” Yenni asked. “Should I send for anyone?”

  “I’ll be okay,” Mave answered, staring at the door. “There’s still stuff I want to do here.”

  “Okay.”

  Mave took a deep breath and looked around at everyone.

  “Does anyone have any questions for me?” she said loud enough for the crowd to hear.

  “Do you know any games?” someone asked in a tiny voice. Mave looked around at the adults, then one pointed at a small boy. He had wide pale green eyes, and he seemed to have more courage than the rest of them.

  “I don’t,” she admitted. “But I know who I can ask for some fun games.”

  Zayden knows children. Maybe he’ll be willing to help with them. Or Kian. He would love playing with them in his free time.

  “Thank you!” The child’s smile was bright as if all his worries and fears disappeared.

  “When are we leaving Kerit? Are we leaving Kerit?” an adult female asked.

  “We are. All of you will be coming with our war group to our central village in the Dragon Spine. It’s more secure than Kerit. We took this city, and we’re leaving some to defend it, but the likelihood it can be attacked again is high. We’re not leaving any potential and avoidable casualties.”

  She nodded, backing off again. Mave looked at Yenni and made a decision.

  “You’ll receive basic training with the morok if you don’t have it yet. If you remember the skills, you’ll be required to brush up on them. Many days, the female warriors here with you will lead the training. Some days, I’ll visit. There are many like you at our home village who will be more than willing to help you catch up. You aren’t required to fight, though. This is so you can defend yourselves if the need arises.”

  “And if we’re not warriors? What if learning the ways of combat don’t appeal to us?” someone asked.

  “There’s a secondary community. The mativa there will still require you to learn basic defense, but she’ll also help you find your place as crafters or community workers if that pleases you. I know this is hard. It’s hard to come to freedom and hear you must pick up a sword. Violence has marked all of us in different ways. Elliar is renowned for treating the Andinna crueler than any other city. Myrsten holds a very close second. One of my husbands was once a slave there.”

  “You have husbands?” someone asked with surprise.

  “I do.” Mave grinned. “I have three, and I hope one day all of you find the families you want. For now, we’re maintaining distance between you and the males for security purposes, but once we’re in the village, you’ll be allowed to mingle as you wish once your training times are done.”

  “Are they strong?” someone whispered.

  They want to know me.

  “My husbands? Yes, they are and all members of the Royal Guard, the Ivory Shadows. One is a warrior named Matesh. He and I met in the pits under the Colosseum and escaped together with our king’s nemari, Rainev. My second is a male named Brynec. He’s the leader of our scouts. My third is Luykas Andini, our king’s half-brother, and one of the generals of our rebellion.” There was murmuring. Mave caught none of it, but a female she didn’t recognize stepped forward. />
  “We hope you come back tomorrow and tell us more,” she declared, other females around her nodding. “Last night, we spoke about you on the pier, the…fear you elicited in us. We didn’t know who you have become since you escaped Elliar, but I think we would all like to meet you, Mave Lorren, King’s Champion.”

  Mave lowered her head in respect for this obvious leader. Straightening, she caught a glimpse of a window to the home in front of her and saw Rhinia standing there.

  “I’ll be back tomorrow,” Mave promised. “In the meantime, Yenni is in charge, and she only wants what’s best for all of you. She’ll have news this evening about rations and travel plans in the coming days. Have a nice day.”

  She turned and walked out of the courtyard, her heart racing. Yenni followed behind her, grabbing her before she could make it out the front door to leave.

  “How did you know the flute would bring them out?”

  “Because we’re the same,” Mave answered, looking down at the unwanted hand on her.

  “The same, how?” Yenni seemed incredulous. “Look at where you are. Look at the stories told about you. These females didn’t get to sit back like you. They had to survive by shutting their mouths and spreading their legs—”

  “So did I,” Mave cut in, meeting the other female’s eyes. “It wasn’t all blood and glory for me, Yenni. The Andinna were slaves like me, and their lives were worthless like mine, and I could fight them. But what did you think I had to do when an Elvasi wanted my time, wanted to be in my space and in my body? I shut my mouth, I spread my legs, and I took the beating. I know them.” Mave yanked her hand away and touched her chest. “Right here, I know them.”

  Yenni stepped back, looking away.

  “Forgive me,” she said softly, presenting a submissive gesture.

  “Forgiven. I’ll be back tomorrow.” Mave walked out and took to the sky once she was clear to do so.

  If she could help others leave behind the troubled memories she knew haunted them all, she would. Anything to wash away the rot Elliar had given them.

  13

  Luykas

  Luykas was flipping through the current reports of food stores when Matesh walked back into the silent war room. Everyone was quietly making their plans to make sure they were all on the same page. Luykas had only looked up because he hadn’t seen anyone leave the table, and they weren’t expecting anyone. Seeing Matesh walk back in surprised him.

  “I thought you were going to accompany Mave to visit the females,” he said softly as Matesh came to sit beside him. He liked the other male, and falling into a routine with Mave’s two other husbands had proved easier than he could have ever dreamed. They asked him sometimes about his mother, but if he wasn’t in the mood to speak about her, they didn’t pry.

  They’re just trying to understand me. I was their commander for a long time, and now I’m their equal in her bedroom. It only makes sense.

  “She realized she forgot something at home you and Alchan need,” he whispered, revealing a small leather-bound book in his left hand. Luykas narrowed his eyes on it, then looked up at Mat, wondering what this meant. “Our Elvasi noblewoman gave this to Dave before sending him to Myrsten. He gave it to Mave, and she forgot to bring it here. So, I ran home to get it. I think she wanted to see the females alone, anyway. It’s probably better this way.”

  “Thank you.” Luykas slowly took it, nodding. “I’ll begin reviewing it immediately. She might have left a few more hints.”

  “Why would she give it up?”

  “My best guess? She became worried she would get caught and didn’t want to risk failing to destroy it all. Sending it away with Dave must have seemed the safest option.” Luykas turned the book over in his hands. “I’ve been curious about this spy of Leshaun’s since I heard about her. He wouldn’t tell me her name, saying he feared for her safety in case we had spies among us. It was too risky. I can’t say I blame him, even though it’s hard to admit a newly freed slave would spy for the Elvasi.”

  “Yeah, that’s hard,” Mat agreed. “I’ll let you get to it, then. I’ll see if Kian or someone needs me for anything. Don’t work too late tonight.”

  Luykas snorted. He’d lived with them since they started their journey to Kerit, and he was often the last of the family to the bedroom. He didn’t want to admit he was beginning to grow tired of sharing his space in such an intimate setting. He didn’t want to admit it to Matesh and Bryn. He would tell Mave on the journey home he intended to spend some time in his own home once they returned. He didn’t think his new brothers would be alarmed, but he felt guilty. He needed a break after only a month and a half of living with them.

  Mat wandered off. Luykas watched as he checked in with Bryn then moved on to Kian, Nevyn, and Varon. Nevyn launched into something, and Luykas chuckled to himself. If there was one person who was drowning himself in work while in Kerit, it was Nevyn. It was his childhood home, and every male in the Company knew he wanted to leave as quickly as possible.

  Luykas continued his own work, talking down the table to his brother. They were trying to divide the rations up evenly, but it was tricky since they had to leave people behind who could also support themselves.

  “We’ve agreed to supply runs from Leria’s community, right?” he asked, eyeing his brother’s profile.

  “Yes. They should have already sent the first run this direction, but it won’t arrive until after we leave.” Alchan sighed. “I think I have it. Check my work?” Alchan slid over a long sheet of parchment.

  Luykas looked over it, humming as he checked Alchan’s calculations and his own. They had been passing the parchment back and forth for half the day, and it showed with several areas scratched out completely. In the end, Luykas liked the final divide of resources.

  “It’s the best we can do,” he said, sliding it back to his brother.

  “Rain. Have copies made of this and pass it around to the leaders of each group. Except Kenav. I’ll send Nevyn or Kian to him.”

  Luykas tried not to smirk as Rain raised an eyebrow, his back turned to the rest of the Company. Luykas was only just at the right angle to see it. It was asking if Alchan really wanted to disrespect the young mutt like that.

  “Yes, sir,” Rain finally agreed, probably realizing Alchan wasn’t going to budge on the matter.

  “Nevyn, Kian. Which one of you is free?”

  “I am,” Kian called back down the table.

  “Get with Rain, and he’ll give you a missive to send to the gladiators about the rationing for our trip back to the village. Don’t let them give you any shit. Now, I’m done for the day unless any of you need anything.”

  “I do,” Luykas said quickly, grabbing his brother before he could stand. He reached back down the table and grabbed the book. “I want to use the blood writing in this to discover who our spy was. I would feel more comfortable knowing.”

  “Really? You can just ask Dave.” Alchan gestured to the side of the room, and Luykas turned, realizing the human was still there. He’d been so quiet, taking notes for Mave, Luykas had completely forgotten about him. “I would assume he’s met her.”

  “Good…point,” Luykas said slowly, wondering how the quiet human had disappeared without going anywhere. It took him a moment to remember his life in the Empire. Every servant was taught to stand quietly to the side, so still and so silent, the nobles and merchants would forget they even existed. Luykas was guilty of it on more than one occasion. Dave was just doing what he had been trained to do. “Dave. Come here for me,” he called out.

  The human jumped, cracking a knee against the small table, and barely catching an ink bottle before it spilled all over the floor. His face went red as everyone turned to him.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be,” Luykas said kindly. “I didn’t mean to spook you. I was hoping to ask you about this.” He lifted the book so the human could see it. Dave quickly corrected his stuff, then walked over, sighing.

  “What woul
d you like to know about it?”

  “Who it belonged to,” he explained, putting it back down.

  Dave swallowed, and Luykas watched as he internally debated whether to give that answer. His brown eyes flicked around at the different males in the room.

  “I’ve always been loyal to Mave,” he whispered.

  “We know,” Alchan said with a sternness that reminded Luykas of their grandmother.

  “Okay.” Dave stepped back again. “The leader of our efforts in Elliar and the owner of the spy book was Crowned Princess Nyria of the Elvasi Empire.”

  Luykas’ world tilted in a very strange way. He was still on his feet, but something moved, shifting on him in a way he didn’t appreciate.

  “No,” he said for the second time in as many days. Last night it had been to tell Alchan and Rainev they couldn’t possibly be doing what he thought he saw. Now, he was questioning his reality. Had he been drugged? Had Dave been fooled?

  “Repeat that,” Alchan ordered beside him now.

  “I worked directly for Crowned Princess Nyria of the Elvasi Empire. My job and role has been around longer than she’s been alive, but she came in and began helping with the protection and potential escape of the Andinna…” Dave seemed to count on his fingers. “About four hundred years ago.”

  Luykas stepped back. A large hand touched his back.

  “She would have been barely an adult,” his brother said softly.

  Luykas spun out of Alchan’s touch, grabbing the book. Moving several steps away, he opened it and ran his fingers over the dark writing. He probed it with both sorcery and blood magic, calling on both thanks to his dual heritage. He felt it—a steady thrum of power in the blood as it responded to his silent questions.

  Like calling to like.

  My half-sister wrote these words in her own blood.

  “What’s the problem? This is actually a good thing. We might be able to play this in our favor,” Nevyn said loudly. “Alchan, what the fuck is your brother’s problem? He looks like he’s seen a ghost.”