by K. F. Breene
“I don’t know.” Rohnan looked around at the Honor Guard. “Don’t you usually disperse and try to sneak up on her later?”
“Yes. Go hide.” Shanti shooed them away.
They took off at a run, Alexa almost dragged by Maggie, having no idea what was happening.
“How long will it take them to realize I don’t intend to stay out for them to find me?” she asked with a smile.
“Not long. They’ve learned that lesson.”
Shanti let her Gift settle more heavily over the city, trying to locate any groups of people displaying a flash of fear or irritation. The Bastard would already be roaming the streets, stomping and trying to bite anyone who got close.
“He has always been secretive, Burson.” Rohnan looked down a side street. “Remember, in the Hunter’s camp, he was tortured and still didn’t talk. If he means to keep his silence, he will.”
“I’m half inclined just to let him go, if that’s what he wants. He’s only helpful if he’s speaking.”
“I would imagine the captain feels the same way, don’t you? I think he is uncertain why he has kept him as long as he has.”
Shanti nodded, knowing that was true. “Where is that blasted animal?” She started to jog, just to get this underway faster. The presence of Xavier came up on the left, his body completely hidden. If she hadn’t felt him, she would’ve passed by without a second glance.
“Well done, Xavier.” She felt a flash of fear across the city, followed by an emotion that seemed like opportunity. “I think we have him.”
She turned the corner and increased her speed, aiming straight for her horse. It wasn’t long before she heard loud neighs and the clattering of hooves. “I have him. He’s running east.”
“Should I go behind him and shoo him your way?” Rohnan hefted his staff, as if he was going into battle.
“Probably wise. Branch off in two blocks. He’s slowing in an area without many humans. I don’t feel another animal near him, either. He’s just out for a pleasure ride.”
“He has been tied up a lot. Made to be with horses he despises, and has had no one to battle with. He’s probably going a little insane.”
“Now I know why people think I sound crazy when I talk about that horse.” Shanti motioned Rohnan right, and she continued straight on. Leilius hid just ahead of her, somehow choosing the right path though he couldn’t feel her target. Impressive.
“I can see your arm and hand, Leilius,” she said as she jogged by. “Those things will give you away as a person.”
The arm pulled in.
“Too late.” She reached the corner and slowed, registering another void inside the city. Frowning, she glanced back in that direction, one slightly north of the inn. Cayan must’ve acted on the conclusion she and Rohnan had come to. Hopefully he’d also set someone to tail Burson. That, more than anything, could reveal what the man would say under duress.
Another neigh rolled through the night.
Someone ran into the street up ahead of her, carrying a net.
A net for a horse? She shook her head and slowed, curious about how that was going to work out for the man.
The Bastard came into view, eating something out of a plant box in someone’s front yard. The man, his net held out wide, walked toward the horse with his body hunched just a little, making himself smaller so as not to spook the horse.
Little did he know that that particular horse didn’t spook.
The void took a new path, headed her way.
The Bastard looked up as the man walked toward him. The man said something, though Shanti couldn’t hear the words.
Leilius’ presence crept closer as well, with the other Honor Guard members all converging on her. Maybe they would try and overtake her. They hadn’t tried that method in a while.
The Bastard shifted position, turning to face his stealthy attacker. The horse stamped a foot and huffed. The man said something again. His net wiggled.
A blast of alarm surged through the city, Cayan reacting to something. As the horse let out his strange equine growl, Shanti straightened up, terror dripping down her middle.
A small void was still near Cayan, covering a tiny area. One head, she bet. If she hadn’t focused in on Cayan, she could easily have missed it. Had almost missed it. In the size of the city, one tiny void was nothing.
The larger void had almost reached her, someone that must’ve been covering a group of people. Someone that wasn’t Burson.
Horse forgotten, she faced the void that was coming, scanning the area and looking up. They would be able to feel her mind, and she was a long way from the inn, but if she could stall, and lead them on a chase, it would give Cayan and the others time to reach her.
Pulling in her Gift, focusing just on a two-block radius, more tiny voids popped into awareness. Tiny bits of nothing she could barely feel. She was surrounded.
Flak, she silently swore, feeling Rohnan more than a block away, on the other side of the Bastard. Her Gift cut off.
“That’s not good,” she said in her language, eyeing the wall next to her. Unlike before, this was a double-story residence. Not as easy to climb.
As she stepped toward it, hellbent on trying, a man dressed all in black stepped into the mouth of the street. A glance behind revealed the same picture. Xander’s Inner Circle. If she tried to climb, they’d catch her easily.
Neither could she fight both. One would give her enough trouble.
She ripped out her sword, turning toward the man at her back, away from the direction the void had come. She ran straight at him. Footfalls she barely heard sounded behind her. The chase was on.
The man now in front, his sword in hand, slightly bent his knees. Calm and cool, he waited patiently for Shanti to reach him.
She did, battering at him with a coarse swing and ramming him with her body. He fell away easily, by design, and grabbed her arm. She turned back and slashed, wasting valuable time, making him flinch.
Breathing calmly, knowing she had to keep her head, and more importantly, get out of there, she ran again. A group of three black-clad fighters turned the corner at a sprint, cutting her off. The one behind stepped diagonally, blocking her way to her horse and Rohnan. The last, whom she’d initially run away from, slowed up to complete the circle.
She was surrounded by excellent, lethal fighters. One she could take. Two she could stall. Five would kill her easily.
“You’ve outsmarted me,” she said, speaking their language. “Where are your Inkna?”
The face of the fighter in front of her turned down in disgust. “We do not need Inkna.”
“Oh. Interesting. You’re not fond of your other half? I’ve heard that is a problem among many matings. You should sever the tie, really. You’ll be happier. Reconciling is also an option, though it would take feelings, and, correct me if I’m wrong, those have been tortured out of you.”
Almost as one, they stepped closer, reducing the size of the circle. Two of them put their swords away. They did not intend to kill her.
“Ah shit, you’re trying to capture me. I was hoping for a clean kill.” She whistled, a piercing sound that worked one time in ten.
“We are under orders not to hurt you.” The fighter who’d showed disgust stepped forward slowly. He must’ve been their leader. “I do not want to break my orders.”
“That’s comforting.”
Clattering hooves echoed behind them. A man screamed, no doubt the one with the net, and the Bastard neighed as he ran around the corner, a sight for sore eyes. It took one moment for the horse to size up the problem, and then he shot forward like an arrow, running right at them.
“Do you recognize him? He’s one of yours. Was one, I should say.” Shanti slashed at the fighter closest. Her strike was blocked. The fighter behind swung. She pivoted, the blade just missing, as her horse reared. His hooves kicked out, aiming for their leader.
Fast as hell, the leader dodged to the side. The Bastard neighed, coming back down b
efore trying again.
“Grab her and let’s go. Another of her brethren is coming!”
Stinging pain cut through Shanti’s calf. A good strike. She kicked out, cracking a knee and bending it the wrong way. Her sword missed a face, but she continued with her body, knocking him with her forearm as it passed, and pulling it back to crack him on the temple with her sharp elbow. He fell like a stone.
More pain blossomed along her other leg, making her stumble. Someone pulled her hair, exposing her throat. Strong hands grabbed her throat as the Bastard turned. He kicked out, catching one of the fighters in the back. The fighter’s spine snapped. The man screamed and fell to the ground.
Something hard knocked Shanti’s head, dazing her. A fist rapped her arm. Metal sang on cobblestone, her sword falling from a suddenly limp hand. She needed to remember that move—that was a good one.
Rohnan yelled in the distance, an anguished sound of pure pain—emotional, thankfully, and not physical.
Another hard knock to the head and Shanti saw stars. Her limbs feeling like lead, she couldn’t land punches. She flailed as she went weightless, carried in strong arms. Her ride started to run.
“Get the horses,” her carrier said. “We must hurry.”
“What of her brethren, One?” another of the fighters said.
“Take him out with the bow. Must I tell you everything?”
Shanti barely saw one of the fighters peel away. The Bastard neighed. The clattering of the hooves sounded off to the side, the horse running away. He must’ve seen the bow. He was crazy, not stupid.
Rohnan, however…
Vaguely, up ahead a little, she saw the fearful eyes of Leilius staring at her. A tiny flick of his knife and she knew what he was asking: Should I try to save you?
He must’ve known he would die trying. She shook her head, then exaggerated it so the movement seemed like a loll.
“Tac, is there anyone else?” One asked. The man was good, she’d give him that. Not easily fooled.
“Not with power.”
That voice was familiar somehow, but she couldn’t place it. Or maybe she just couldn’t think anymore. Her head pounded and her body throbbed in pain. She’d received more than a couple of slices.
“Anyone that could follow us?” One asked, his pace not flagging through he was carrying a limp woman. She wasn’t the lightest person she could think of. Muscle was heavy.
After a pause, Tac said, “No. City folk, I think. They won’t follow.”
Pounding hooves echoed against the walls before the sound multiplied, one horse joined by another. The Bastard must’ve found Marc’s horse.
Thinking of Marc, as her carrier slowed, putting her down only to quickly tie her up, Shanti saw a strange shape sticking out of a shadow. As she focused a little harder, she realized it was the side of a boot with worn tread.
Her body was pulled from the ground, her thoughts and vision both fuzzy. A familiar face stared at her, silent and serious. No fear showed in his expression. Instead, his eyebrows were drawn tightly over his eyes in determination and his hand clutched a knife.
Marc mouthed, “She said to follow—” He lightly jerked his head to the right.
Alexa blinked in confusion and looked around, her body mostly obscured by a large trash bin.
Shanti was hoisted up by the same strong hands. Another fighter jogged to them, a bow clutched by his side. “I got her brethren, but only a flesh wound. The horse ran off. Should I stay and finish the job?”
“You’d be captured by the Westwood man. No. Stay with us. We go.”
Shanti grunted as she was handed off, then hoisted up again and draped over One’s lap.
“Can I just ride?” she said, wheezing. “Because I’ve been in this position before, and it is extremely uncomfortable. Not to mention your pants smell like piss. Is it that short that you dribble down your front?”
Was she mistaken, or did One sigh? Clearly he hadn’t signed up for the job he was currently doing. The jobs of killer and kidnapper demanded very different patience thresholds.
As the horse turned, she caught the scarred face of Tac, a name she hadn’t known when he had been their prisoner. His gaze was rooted to something, in Marc’s direction.
“What is it?” One demanded, turning his horse so he could follow the man’s gaze.
“Who helped you escape?” Shanti said as a white-hot surge of pain pierced her heart. She struggled, trying to get off the horse. “Did you kill Daniels, you disgusting vermin?”
The man’s eyes met hers. A spark of fire lit them, but he said nothing. Instead, he spat, and pulled himself onto his horse. “Let’s go. The captain must know Shanti is in danger, and soon he’ll be on our tail. We don’t want him to catch up with us.”
One’s huff was probably accompanied by a sneer. He would think he was the best in the land, having been elevated to what was probably the best position in all of the Graygual. Shanti intended to give him a rude awakening before they killed her. Or worse, tried to breed her and made her kill herself.
10
“Hurry! We have to tell the captain!” Leilius hopped from one foot to the other. The Bloody Bastard stood behind them, stomping one of his hooves repeatedly.
Marc stared at Alexa for a moment. The attractive woman stared back with absolutely no recollection of saying, “If you do not follow her, she will die, and the world will blacken with death.”
At least, he thought that was what she’d said. It was in her language, and he’d been somewhat terrified at the time that a group of people could kidnap S’am—he wasn’t exactly thinking clearly.
Making a split-second decision, he jammed his knife into its holster. “We need to follow her. Rohnan is probably already headed back to the captain, so that will be covered. The Shadow and Shumas are both excellent trackers. Plus, Leilius picked up a rumor last night about a place in the south. They should have what they need. We have to get on their trail now, though.”
“Why?” Xavier stepped closer, still out of breath from running after S’am. He’d arrived as the Graygual were riding away.
Marc quickly told them what Alexa had said as he caught his horse. It wasn’t saddled. Neither was the Bastard. Worse, there were two horses for five of them.
“We need more horses,” Marc said, in a sudden panic. “We have to hurry!”
“Okay. Fine.” Xavier glanced to the right. “The Ha-Ra Inn isn’t far from here. Marc, you take whoever the Bastard will carry, and go. I’ll take everyone else and steal some horses. Hopefully we won’t be far behind you. Leave a trail for us to follow.”
Marc nodded and eyed the Bastard. “Approach him one by one. Usually when S’am’s in danger, he’s more inclined to accept passengers. He won’t let you control him, though. Just know that. He didn’t get his name on a whim.”
“We know.” Leilius hurried over and moved to get on, clearly as eager to go as Marc was. The Bastard reached around and chomped at him, snatching at fabric.
“Someone else. C’mon, c’mon,” Xavier said, pushing Maggie toward the horse. “Be mean with him.”
Maggie scolded at the animal, showing no fear. She dodged a bite and reached his back. The Bastard went after her, kicking and biting, chasing her away.
“That’s a big no, Maggie,” Marc said, climbing on his horse. “Big no.”
“We’ll just steal another horse,” Xavier said, starting to jog away. Everyone but Alexa followed him. “They have plenty from the ones we sold today. Marc, leave that trail.”
Alexa, brow rumpled, ignored the others as they ran into the night. Instead, she stalked toward the horse, head-on. The Bastard bristled and bared his teeth. “I’m not great at horse riding, but the fate of our people rests in Chulan’s hands. It is my destiny to bridge the gap.”
“I’m not sure what that means,” Marc murmured. “But watch out for the—”
The horse chomped at her, his teeth clicking the air, just missing her shoulder. She pivoted and punched him
in the face. He bit for her again before kicking out. She dodged and punched, landing a blow where he couldn’t. Face fierce, she said, “You will carry me, you filthy horse, and we will save the Chosen. That is your job in this world. If you do not do your job, I will kill you, roast you over a spit, and serve you up to my people. I will tell them they are eating cattle. Is that what you want, to be remembered as cattle? Tough cattle, at that.”
The horse neighed. Marc gulped. This girl might be harder than S’am, and that was saying something.
With one last glare, she nodded at the horse and crossed to his side. She jumped up, lithe and graceful, making it onto his back and grabbing his mane. Her next fierce glance was filled with impatience and stuck Marc’s tongue to the roof of his mouth.
She might’ve been about the same age as him, and might not have been in as many battles, but her childhood was clearly very different to his. The hardness in her demeanor, and in her outlook, fit perfectly with the Shumas, and was shocking in a woman so young. He could not relate to her, not even a little.
It made him feel even sadder for their strife.
“Are you going to get moving anytime tonight, or should I leave you to stare?” she asked.
“Crap.” Marc urged his horse forward.
“If I have Sight,” Alexa said as the Bastard lurched to a start, “I will fall off. Leave me if you must.” The horse caught Marc’s immediately, and then took the lead.
It sounded like her teeth were clenched. Marc wondered how long it would take the Bastard to put fear into her.
“I can’t just leave you,” Marc yelled, urging his horse faster. They clattered around a corner, both riders slipping way to the side and nearly falling. “The captain would kill me.”
“Why do your people coddle women? Great, miserable elders, what is this horse doing? Flak!” The Bastard jumped over a hedge and picked up speed again. Marc’s horse struggled faster, galloping through an empty street.
“We take care of our women. It’s a nice thing to do. If we didn’t, they’d poison us, or something else awful. Besides, you’re in the army now. We don’t leave our people behind.”
