“I would have come over sooner, but I wanted to see the legion settled first,” Stiger said, then half turned. “Thane Braddock, you know Taha’Leeth, Salt, Eli, and Therik.”
Braddock gave a nod. “I do. I welcome you as well.”
“I would like to introduce you to Tenya’Far,” Stiger said, “commander of the elven contingent the Elantric Warden sent us.”
Braddock eyed Tenya’Far for a long moment. The thane’s gaze became almost frosty. He took a half step toward the elf. Stiger knew that Braddock harbored an intense dislike for elves, as did most other dwarves he’d met. The thane’s jaw flexed.
“We are pleased you are with us, Tenya’Far,” Braddock said in Common. “I understand from the legate you brought a small army with you.”
“I did and I am most gratified to be here, your majesty.” Tenya’Far gave a short bow. The elf spoke in Common.
“You may call me Braddock,” the thane said, though his tone was icy cold.
“You show me great honor,” Tenya’Far said. “Perhaps…this will be the first step toward restoring faith and friendship between our two peoples.”
Braddock did not immediately respond. He ran a hand through the tight braids of his beard and seemed to consider Tenya’Far for several heartbeats. Stiger thought about interceding, to help smooth things out, for they all needed to work together. But he understood it was not his place to do so. Braddock and Tenya’Far needed to sort out their own differences, no matter how painful that might be. Only then would their little coalition work. And for it to work, each needed to trust the other.
“Time will tell,” Braddock finally said, “and we both know it all boils down to time with your people.”
Tenya’Far inclined his head slightly, as if acknowledging Braddock’s assertion, and then glanced to Stiger. “I had thought I was coming to the rescue of Legate Stiger and his men. You cannot imagine how surprised I was to find out he needed no such rescuing.”
“It was no less a shock,” Braddock said, “when he showed up with an entire legion from the time of my father. The legate is remarkable for a human.”
“It seems he’s just full of surprises,” Tenya’Far said.
Taha’Leeth shifted slightly, as if suddenly uncomfortable. Had that been a dig intended for her?
“Your reinforcement, Tenya’Far,” Stiger said, deciding to ignore the comment, “is no less welcome. I fear, before this is over, we will need the warriors you brought with you. Tough days lie ahead for all of us. That is a certainty.”
“No doubt,” Tenya’Far said.
Braddock looked between the two of them, then turned and gestured toward the other dwarf. “May I introduce Kiello, Chieftain of the Bloody Axe. He is my advisor. His great-grandfather fought alongside Karus and, I believe, you as well, Tenya’Far. If I understand my history, that would have been under the First Compact.”
Tenya’Far turned his gaze to Kiello and was silent for several heartbeats. When he spoke, his voice was firm. “I knew your great-grandfather, Kenso, well. He was one I named a friend. Kenso was a warrior with great Legend. You should feel honored to be his descendent.”
“I know him only by name and through the stories told by my father and mother,” Kiello said, in a voice that was raspy, almost harsh, as if he did a lot of shouting. “I thank you for your kind words, Tenya’Far, even if in the end, you and the rest of your kind abandoned him, along with the rest of my people, during our greatest need.”
Eli stiffened as the tent went still. Stiger closed his eyes. His good mood evaporated in an instant.
“What you say is true,” Tenya’Far said. “I will not deny it. We did walk away from the First Compact and for our own reasons.” He held up both hands. “I will not go into it nor debate our actions. What I will say is that, given hindsight and reflection, our decision might not have been the wisest.”
Kiello said nothing to that.
“I trust you will not walk away a second time?” Braddock asked. “Because if there is a chance you will, I would ask that you and your warriors leave us now. If we cannot rely upon you, I don’t want you.”
Stiger felt his scar pull tight as he gave a scowl. This was not at all going how he’d thought. Why couldn’t things ever go smoothly?
“You dwarves have always been a direct people,” Tenya’Far said. Eli’s father had not lost his composure. Tenya’Far seemed as if he were having a simple conversation about the weather. There was no hint whatsoever that he had taken offense to anything Braddock or Kiello had said.
“I would not have it any other way,” Braddock said. “Unlike you elves, we wear our passions openly. So, tell us, Tenya’Far…will you fight at our side and remain there no matter how difficult things become? Or will you cut and run like the last time?”
The tension in the tent increased.
“We will fight at your side,” Tenya’Far said, “as if the First Compact was still in effect. The warden asked that I pass along her promise to fight to the bitter end. You have my personal and most solemn vow on that, as well. I will be there with you…until this is over, or the life has left my body.”
“Those are certainly fine words,” Braddock said.
“Words I will back up by deed,” Tenya’Far replied.
Braddock paused. “Perhaps this will truly become the start at mending what was sundered.”
“Indeed,” Kiello said with a look to his thane. “I pray it is such a beginning.”
“As do I,” Tenya’Far said.
“And you, my lady,” Braddock said, looking to Taha’Leeth, “I understand your people are on their way. Though they had nothing to do with sundering of the First Compact, will you and they fight at our side?”
“I have pledged it so,” Taha’Leeth said. “My people will come. We will fight with you against the Cyphan Confederacy, our enslavers.”
“How can we be certain?” Kiello rasped. “We have been betrayed by elves before. You were their slaves. How can we know your coming is not a ploy to get us to lower our guard?”
Tenya’Far stiffened ever so slightly.
“Do you dispute that account?” Kiello asked Tenya’Far, having noticed the break in composure. “Do you dispute your people broke the Compact and betrayed us? For that is what you did.”
“No,” Eli’s father said, locking gazes with the dwarf. “I do not dispute we left the alliance.”
“Well?” Kiello asked, swinging his heated gaze back to Taha’Leeth. “How can we trust you?”
Stiger was growing angry. All sense of good humor and feeling was gone. He did not like the tone this meeting had taken, especially with the hostility Kiello was now directing at Taha’Leeth. He was about to put this upstart of a chieftain in his place, when he felt a touch on his forearm. It startled him. Stiger saw it was Eli. His friend simply shook his head slightly and flashed a sign with his fingers. No. Then Eli looked meaningfully at Taha’Leeth. Stiger followed his gaze.
Taha’Leeth’s eyes flashed as she looked first at Kiello and then Braddock. “You both dare insult me? I come willingly to your side and yet you throw bile upon my doorstep. My mate fights with you. Yet you do not question his integrity. So, why am I different? Because I hail from elfkind?”
“Your mate?” Braddock asked, confused, and looked to Eli in question. “Him?”
“No,” Taha’Leeth said, heat plain in her tone, “Ben.”
“What?” Braddock exclaimed. Shock was written across his face, turning to Stiger. “Elf and human? Surely you are not serious?”
“She is thoroughly sincere.” Tenya’Far’s tone was hard. “She has taken him as mate.”
“You have?” Kiello asked.
“And I have taken her,” Stiger confirmed.
“I’ve never heard of such a thing happening,” Braddock said. “Of course, other than those present, we have not had much contact with the elves of late.”
“This is a first,” Eli said, “for us as well.”
Braddock’s
gaze shifted shrewdly from Taha’Leeth to Stiger. He snapped his fingers. “You have sealed your alliance by marriage? Is that it?”
“I guess,” Stiger said, looking over at Taha’Leeth. Their eyes met and he found himself captured by her gaze. In them he saw love, caring, and comfort. It almost took effort to break away and turn back to Braddock. “I guess in a way we have. Though there was no formal ceremony.”
“Well then,” Braddock said, having recovered from his shock, “I congratulate the both of you and wish you well.”
“Thank you, Thane Braddock,” Taha’Leeth said, her tone softening as the heat left it.
“I apologize for questioning your commitment,” Kiello said. “It was unwarranted, my lady.”
“Think nothing of it,” Taha’Leeth said, as if the chieftain’s challenge had never happened. Then she added more, her tone hardening again. “But never challenge me again, for next time, I will not tolerate such disrespect.”
Kiello stiffened, then forcibly relaxed and gave a curt nod.
Stiger felt a lessening of the tension in the tent. Their challenging Taha’Leeth still bothered him. He could understand being suspicious of Tenya’Far and Eli’s people, but not hers. They had done nothing to violate trust. But she’d handled herself, and well. Stiger suddenly felt foolish. He was being overprotective, and he knew it. She, like he, had her own battles to fight. He had to keep that in mind.
“Elves, humans, and dwarves,” Braddock said, clapping his hands together, “fighting again as allies, just like the last days on Tanis. This calls for a toast. Kiello, pour the wine, will you?” The thane turned back to look on the elves. “I would rather drink spirits, but I know elves prefer wine.”
“I thank you for your consideration,” Taha’Leeth said. “Wine is most preferable and welcome. I too would share drink with you.”
Eli simply inclined his head.
“Wine is quite acceptable,” Tenya’Far said.
“Legate,” Braddock said, as if suddenly remembering Stiger. “You and Salt do not mind wine, do you?”
“I would welcome wine,” Stiger said, “though Brogan did share his love for spirits with me. Some of his favorites could strip leather if given the chance.”
“Hah,” Braddock said and clapped Stiger powerfully on the shoulder. The unexpected blow almost knocked him to the ground. “The fact that you drank with my father as a dear friend just warms my heart. I hope, one day, when time permits, you will share a few stories of your time with him. Sadly, all I have now are my memories.”
“When we have a spare moment or two, I would be pleased to do so,” Stiger said and shared a brief look with Eli. Their recent conversation struck home, for to Stiger Brogan was also now but a memory.
“I like spirits,” Therik said, clearly not content to be left out. “You dwarves make strong drink and Brogan had some of the best.”
“Therik was named a friend by Brogan,” Stiger said. “The two of them could down a small barrel of spirits by themselves and on occasion did.”
“Is true,” Therik said with a huge grin. “Brogan was a good drinker, but I could put him under the table.”
Stiger did not remember it that way but wasn’t about to contradict his friend. Braddock eyed the orc for a long moment and gave a nod. Stiger knew it would take time for Braddock to become comfortable with the former king. He hoped he warmed up to him like Brogan had.
“I will take wine,” Therik said, “since that is what you offer.”
“Good,” Braddock said. “I will have a sampling of some of my best spirits sent over to your camp later tonight. You let me know what you think, eh?”
“I will,” Therik promised, sounding eager.
Kiello had stepped over to a table upon which sat several jars of wine, along with more than a dozen large stone mugs. He poured wine into the mugs and then handed everyone a drink.
“Allow me the honor of making the first toast,” Braddock said, holding up his mug. “To allies.”
“To allies,” everyone repeated and drank.
Stiger found the wine good and smooth. After the day’s march, it tasted wonderful, much better than canteen water. He saw Braddock looking to him expectantly.
“To new friends and old…working together,” Stiger said. They took another drink.
“To new beginnings,” Taha’Leeth said.
They drank again.
“To killing our enemies,” Therik said, “and grinding their bones to dust beneath our boots.”
“I will most certainly drink to that,” Braddock said, and he drank deeply from his mug. He wiped his lips with the back of his arm. “I intend to piss on their graves too, if I can.”
“You remind me of your father,” Therik said. “I am thinking, Thane, we will get along well… I wonder if you can drink as well as he could?”
Braddock gave a hearty laugh and shook his mug at the orc, spilling some of the contents on the rug. “One night you and I shall drink together, yes? We will see if you can back up that big talk, my green friend.”
Therik held up his mug in a mock salute. “Oh, I will, little Dvergr.”
Braddock stilled for a heartbeat, clearly deciding whether to take offense. Then he barked out a laugh.
“To winning it all,” Tenya’Far said, “and being the only ones in control of the World Gate, when it all matters.”
There was a long moment of silence.
“I will drink to that,” Stiger said.
“As will I,” Braddock said.
Everyone drank.
“Now that that is done,” Braddock said, returning his empty mug to the table with the jars, “we have a war to plan. Let’s get to business and then afterwards we can eat and drink some more. I have ordered a meal prepared.” The thane gestured toward a large table on the other side of the tent. “Join me, if you will.”
Braddock stepped over to the table, upon which lay a map. Stiger set his mug down on the table with the jars and made his way over to the table. He took the opposite side from Braddock as everyone else gathered around. The map was of the South and covered not only the occupied lands but the southern end of the empire. Stiger recognized the map as a scribe copy, one of his own. Nepturus had likely provided it to the thane.
“Your cavalry commander, Prefect Hux, has been invaluable,” Braddock said, looking to Stiger. “He has worked very well with my own horse soldiers. I understand he will be arriving tonight.”
“He sent me word as well,” Stiger said. “I am looking forward to speaking with him and getting a personal report of his activities.”
Braddock looked around those gathered. “Kiello, if you would…bring them up to date on what we know.”
“Yes, My Thane,” Kiello said. “Legate, you may already know some of this from the letters you exchanged with the thane.”
“I understand,” Stiger said.
“This is our position here,” Kiello said. “This line running north and south is the King’s Highway. This mark here is our encampment.” He ran a wide circular motion around the encampment’s position with his finger. “Our combined cavalry has pushed out a screen of patrols a little more than fifty miles to the north and east. The screen has been extended at least seventy miles to the south. The Sentinel Forest lies to the west and…well, there was no need to patrol more than a dozen miles in that direction, as you destroyed the only viable force located there.”
Kiello paused.
“There are no significant enemy forces within the cavalry screen, only isolated garrisons, the largest of which we destroyed in battle three days ago. Those remaining garrisons hold rebel held cities to the south. The nearest is forty miles distant. We do not think them a serious threat.” He ran his finger on the map, moving it northward. “We have sent mounted scouts in small groups farther afield. What we know for certain is that this city here, to the north, Aeda, was sacked and the population put to the sword.”
Even though he already had that information, Stiger still felt a s
tab of anger. Though Aeda had been an occupied city, a good number of imperials had settled there. The city, for the most part, had not supported the rebellion. That was likely the cause for its sacking.
“I can confirm that as well,” Tenya’Far said. “We passed Aeda on our way south. What was done to the population was quite heinous, barbaric even. You humans can be quite cruel to one another.”
Stiger did not respond to that, for he knew elves could be just as cruel. He’d seen it with his own eyes and been personally on the receiving end.
“Any towns and villages in the surrounding area around Aeda saw similar treatment,” Kiello continued. “The enemy has done a fine job of stripping the countryside bare, taking anything with them that wasn’t nailed down and burning the rest. This includes the destruction of bridges over major rivers to the north.”
Stiger rubbed his jaw and wondered why they would do that. He could understand the foraging, but why destroy the towns, villages, and infrastructure? That would hinder their resupply effort, especially the destruction of the bridges.
“We received a report less than an hour ago,” Kiello said, “that there is an imperial legion or the remnants of several legions—we’re unsure just how many—under siege and holding the city of Lorium to the north of Aeda, here.”
“Lorium?” Stiger asked, recalling the emperor’s letter and looking closer at the map.
Kiello tapped the map with a thick index finger where Lorium was located. Stiger had passed through the city with Eli on their way south. It was around one hundred miles from Aeda.
“How credible is that report?” Stiger asked. “Do we know if the city is still in imperial hands?”
“The report came from people who had fled that area and run into a team of our scouts,” Braddock said. “The scouts looking to investigate were unable to get close to the city to eyeball the siege directly. The area was thick with enemy cavalry patrols. Their standing orders were to avoid a general engagement, so they fell back. However, they did manage to capture prisoners and interrogate them. The prisoners included a low-ranking officer who confirmed the report. From everything we could gather, it seems the city is besieged. The enemy do not hold it or, more correctly, did not a week and a half ago when the dispatch rider was sent back to us.”
The Tiger’s Wrath (Chronicles of An Imperial Legionary Officer Book 5) Page 29
