by T R Kerby
"Deal with that before it bites us," Tegedir said.
Randir nodded. "I will."
"Tonight."
"Yes, sir."
They rode until dark. Sentries were posted. Snores and mutterings became the only sounds as sleep overtook the camp. Randir waited on the extremity of the firelight until Aric drifted into view and walked straight to him.
"Nothing trails us far as I can tell," Aric said. "Checked our flanks, too. Unless he's a bird, he's not there."
"Good."
Aric started to leave.
"Aric."
"What? Want to dismiss me properly? Fling your rank around a bit more?"
Randir's jaw tightened and he reined in his anger. "What is your issue with me?"
Aric raised his eyebrows and peered at him, his face divided by firelight and shadow. "You have to ask, Randir Traitorson."
Randir crushed his fists against his thighs. Cracking Aric's nose wasn't a decision a leader would make, but it sure would be satisfying.
"I will never trust you," Aric said.
"You used to, even if you didn't like me."
"Before half your family went rogue. I'm Badger Company to the core. My Commander is Lalaith and your traitor bloodline almost got her killed. She's the reason I'm here. Orders from you don't mean squat."
"Fine, but ask yourself if my order would benefit her. If so, try to carry it out with less resistance. She's safer if we work together."
Aric glanced toward Lalaith, curled in Tegedir's protective embrace, then stalked away into the darkness.
Randir sighed. A footstep fell behind him and he reached for his sword.
"That went well," Trinn said.
"He's impossible."
She wrapped her arms around his waist. "He's damaged and jealous."
He rested his chin on her head. Woodsmoke and jasmine scented her hair. "How can you be friends with him?" Her cheek pressed against his chest as she smiled.
"I have practice dealing with impossible men."
He held her away to see her face. "Oh really?"
"Mmhmm. Have you met my mate?"
"He's a lucky man."
"He's about to be." She led him to their sleeping place among some sheltering rocks.
The next morning, Tegedir called Randir and Aric to him. He opened Murdoc's book to the map. "I'm splitting our forces. Aric, you take the main body here." He pointed to a shallow bay bit into the coastline. "You'll meet us there in three days. Lalaith will stay with you."
Aric seemed to have a difficult time speaking.
"You can do it, can't you?" Tegedir asked. "If you can't, I'll —”
"I can do it."
"I have no doubt. See you in three days."
Aric saluted and left.
"Splitting us?" Randir asked. "Why?"
"An opportunity presents itself, and we're taking advantage."
Chapter 7
Sweat plastered Tegedir's tunic to his back beneath his armor. Rocks and pine needles dug into this thighs as he lay on the ridge overlooking the sea. Salt scented air cooled his face. The boom of breaking waves on the rocks behind them vibrated through his breastplate.
The port town of Rysha Cove bustled between the two rocky prominences which encircled it and extended into the sea. Merchants, sailors, and thieves populated the streets. It was impossible to tell which was which. Anchored offshore, a single masted ship rocked with the tamed waves of the harbor, sails tucked away and no one visible on her decks. The vessel was smaller than he expected.
Randir squinted against the mid-day glare off the water. "The Advantage? That's your plan?"
Tegedir grinned. He couldn't help himself. Something about stealing the ship thrilled him like a kid getting a new toy. "Ever been on the sea?"
"No." Randir didn't seem excited about the prospect. "Even if we can take her, who's going to sail it? We're not exactly a sea-faring race."
"Our new pet."
"Caeth? You trust him to not run us aground?"
"We have a common goal, survival being top of the list."
"What makes you think he's even got the skills?"
"Hunch."
Randir's brow furrowed and he turned his gaze back to the ship. Three men rowed a boat toward it. They bobbed against its steep sides and climbed a rope ladder over the railing, which they hoisted to the deck.
"Now we know there's at least three men," Tegedir said. "Probably more."
"And what about them?" Randir asked. "Kill them?"
The question burned into Tegedir's mind. What indeed? He knew nothing about them. They could be simple sailors. Chances were good they weren't, but he wasn't there to judge their crimes or lack thereof. If he killed to take what he wanted, he'd become what he hated, what he'd sworn his life to fight. The slope of his morality shifted the night his children disappeared. He needed to post a guard on his own decisions and Randir was the perfect choice.
"We take it without bloodshed if possible," Tegedir said. "Maybe we can lure them off?"
"Or throw them off." Randir looked at him and they both laughed. So much for his moral compass.
They crawled away from the edge and ran down the hill toward their camp. Trinn stood on the cliff mesmerized by the hammering waves. They stopped next to her.
"It's loud," she said. "I never dreamed it would be this powerful. And this vast." She tucked a strand of wind-blown hair behind her ear. "It goes on forever."
"It's the fastest route north, and we're taking it," Tegedir said. "Should cut our travel time in half."
"If we don't sink," Randir said as he walked away.
"He's skeptical," Tegedir whispered.
"Heard that."
They followed him to camp where Aric's sister, Erien, sat on a log chewing a piece of jerky. Caeth was tied to the tree in front of her.
Tegedir sat and stared at Caeth until he fidgeted and averted his gaze. "How many men on the ship?" Tegedir asked.
"If you take her, Murdoc will know."
No doubt she would. "We're borrowing it to achieve a common goal. Your Captain will cope. How many?"
Caeth appeared pained. "She'll kill me."
"Or I will. Take your pick."
Caeth's adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed. "Five."
"Why those five?"
"What?"
"Why did Murdoc select those five men to stay behind?"
"Oh. They're seamen, not fighters. The best with a ship, but can barely walk on land."
"Can you sail it?"
Caeth's eyes widened. "What? Me? Gods no!"
"Lying won't benefit you."
"I'm a cabin boy, nothing else. I scrub the floors and I can run up the sail, but that's it, I swear. Captain sent me to bring the egg back. What would I gain by betraying you?"
"Your freedom?"
"You don't get it. I'm not a slave. She saved my life. I owe her."
Tegedir cocked his head and studied the rangy young man. Caeth's one eye that was visible beneath his swag of hair darted from Tegedir's face to the ground. "Okay, Caeth. I believe you." Tegedir stuck the gag in the boy's mouth.
He summoned Randir, Trinn, and Erien to the precipice where the thundering sea would mask their words. They faced the water with their backs to their prisoner.
"He claims five on board. Probably the truth," Tegedir said. "Says they're seamen and not fighters. We should assume it's a lie. He also says he can't sail it. Also a lie although I'm not sure why. Getting there and back quickly would benefit Murdoc. I believe it's why he told us about the ship in the first place."
"They knew we'd take it," Trinn said.
"Maybe."
"Why not offer it to us then?" Randir asked.
"I don't know. Maybe she wants us to fail."
"That makes no sense," Erien said. "Her daughter will die."
"Her daughter is dying anyway," Tegedir said. "Something more is happening here, but I'm not sure what it is yet. For now, we need a way on that ship."
They broke camp a
t dusk. Tegedir sent a man home to Aernan with the horses and word of their progress. He swung a cloak over Caeth to conceal his gagged mouth and bound wrists, then draped his stumped arm across his shoulders. "Not a peep. Understand?"
The hooded head waggled.
The group separated as they entered the town. Tegedir slumped to disguise his height and hung on Caeth like they'd shared too much whiskey. He kept his cloak hood far over his face and peered from under its hem. His sword hilt pressed comfortably into his palm.
Loud singing spilled into the street from the inn and Tegedir veered away from the entry. A woman scooted from the wall and latched onto his cloak. "Two coppers for you and your friend." Stale ale and sweat wafted off her skin and she licked her upper lip, her tongue darting between her missing top teeth. Tegedir used his elbow to shove her away.
She threw a string of curses after him and he picked up the pace. A shadow passed his peripheral vision and Randir fell into place behind him, covering his back.
Every alleyway they crossed reeked of garbage and shit. Shapes writhed in the dark, huddled into moaning blobs against the walls. How could anyone live in such a place? If there had been another approach to the docks, Tegedir never would have come this way. But they needed a boat, and to get a boat, they needed the dock.
They crouched behind a pile of crates and barrels. Fishing craft and rowboats lined the pier’s length. Torches cast gold circles at intervals. Two sentries wandered, talking, but still observant. How to get past them without a scene and more trouble?
Two women staggered toward the dock, singing drunken songs and laughing. Their heads were covered and their cloaks clasped shut around the weapons they carried.
The sentries nudged one another. "Damn whores. Should drown 'em all."
Randir stiffened next to him.
The women tipped their foreheads together and giggled, pointing at the guards. "He'shh cute," Trinn said.
"You can't be on the dock." The sentries approached them.
Randir clenched his sword hilt.
"Have you ever done it in a rowboat?" Erien's cloak hood slid away and revealed her auburn hair. Firelight cast lava highlights in the red and illuminated her face.
The sentry stopped cold.
"The rocking motion." Trinn swung her hips slowly forward and back.
Tegedir almost felt sorry for the poor saps on the dock.
Trinn shrugged her hood away. "Want me to sssshow you?" She hiccuped and Erien kissed her cheek and caressed her hair.
"Gods help us," Randir whispered.
"Ishn't she beautiful?" Erien asked.
The guards leered as the women swayed passed. They followed, grinning like teen boys.
Trinn and Erien sang loudly as they approached a large rowboat tied near the end. They danced in a circle, stomped their feet, and laughed. Trinn hopped into the boat and landed on her butt when the boat rocked. She giggled hysterically and held her hand out to Erien, who managed to get in the boat without falling.
Tegedir and Randir abandoned their hiding place, dragging Caeth with them. They were halfway down the pier when the first sentry noticed them. The drunk act didn't work for the three men. The guards drew their swords and inhaled to yell for help.
Erien swung an oar with everything she had. It cracked across the back of the shorter one's head and dropped him like an empty sack. The second yelled and swung his sword toward her. She blocked with the oar. His voice cut off and he staggered backward. His heels caught in a coil of rope and dumped him off the dock into an empty rowboat.
Tegedir scrutinized the sentry. A dagger hilt protruded from the base of his throat. He gurgled and twitched a few times, then went still.
Trinn stalked across the pier, yanked her dagger free, and wiped it clean on his cloak. "What should I do with him?"
Tegedir passed Caeth to Erien and dragged the other sentry into the rowboat with his dead companion. "We'll take them with us and set them adrift. Should be a while before they float close enough to land for anyone to notice."
"They already have," Erien said.
Torches bobbed along the street toward them. Raised voices and the glint of blades.
Chapter 8
Thera weaved through the brush near the entrance to the cave. Sparrows chirped and darted in the trees. No one limited her excursions or prevented her leaving. Murdoc and her crew had been respectful and many of her fears melted away. If she wanted to walk straight to Narthan's camp, no one would stop her. Right now though, she sought a concealing bush.
A steel-like hand crushed her lips against her teeth. The metallic tang of blood crossed her tongue. Her scream was stifled in her throat. He reeked of dirt and garlic.
The ground disappeared beneath her as he swung her sideways. Earth rose to meet her and knocked the air out of her. His grip shifted to her throat, squeezing. His leather-clad wrist was thick as a sapling as she pushed against it. It wouldn't budge and his face blurred as her body begged for air.
His lips stretched tight in a grimace. The eyes. Determined and animal. Thera jabbed toward them. His head dodged aside. Her palm braced under his chin, his beard prickly. She shoved, but the leverage was all his. Fallen branches and tree roots gouged her back as his weight crushed her into the ground. Her fingernails raked pink lines across his cheek. He winced away and increased the pressure on her throat. She yanked her knee into his side, but she might as well have been dancing with him for all the effect it had.
Blue sky narrowed toward the leafy treetops. Sunlight outlined the shimmering leaves in blazing gold. Their delicate forms swayed to and fro in the light breeze. Her leg grew too heavy, she couldn't lift it anymore. Night was coming early. Wasn't it morning? The shriek of ripping fabric interrupted the quiet and his thick fingers groped her breast. Bruising. Hurting. Her hands slid away from his face and fell to her sides. So tired. His jagged nails scratched stinging trails into her hips as he clawed at her leggings. Fight. Her limbs refused to respond. Tegedir warned her. She hadn't really understood. Thera blinked as cool air brushed her naked thigh.
A single leaf became her focus. Dark veins crisscrossed the brilliant green. Brown scars rimmed holes chewed by insects. Black sky closed to a pinpoint as he forced her knees apart. Suddenly the weight lifted from her throat and a hot rain splashed her face. When did it start raining? She sucked in a massive, searing breath, rolled onto her side, and tucked her knees against her body. She coughed until her ribs felt like they'd break. Where was he? Had to get away. Run.
Someone touched her shoulder. She screamed and scrambled against a tree. She covered her head, squeezing away the light, forming a shield against the terror. Any minute he would drag her from her hiding place and finish what he started.
"Thera." The voice was calm, reassuring. "He can't hurt you now. You're safe."
A woman. Murdoc. Thera opened one eye and peered between her forearms. Her whole body trembled and she couldn't stop it.
Murdoc squatted in front of her. "You're okay."
Thera let her arms lower. Blood soaked her chest and she recoiled against the rough bark. "Whose is it?" The words exploded from her in a shrill squeak.
"His."
A numb coldness settled in her guts and her teeth chattered. Tears burned her cheeks. All the bravery she owned was gone. Blown away in a single moment, leaving her huddling like a frightened rabbit before the wolf. She wasn't who she thought she was. Wasn't courageous or bold. She was weak and helpless. A child. Her gaze met Murdoc's.
"You'll get through this. Come on." Murdoc helped Thera up and swung her cloak around her shoulders. The ground tilted and Murdoc caught her waist. The man's headless corpse lay face down in the bracken, his white buttocks like enormous mushrooms among the ferns.
As they stepped around him, Murdoc gathered his severed head. She carried it by the hair with no more concern than Thera carried a water bucket.
Thera hesitated at the cave entrance. Voices and laughter echoed down the tunnel from the breakfas
ting crew. She couldn't go in there. They'd know. She tried to back away.
Murdoc held her fast. "Pick your chin up when you walk through there. You've done nothing wrong. If you hide from this moment now, it'll rule you forever."
The banter ceased when they came into view. Thera studied the cave floor until Murdoc gave her a sharp jolt. She raised her gaze and the men dropped theirs. Murdoc lifted the dead man's head to chest level and let it fall. It landed with a thud, rolled once, and stopped, glazed eyes open to the fire. She led Thera to her room.
Neva looked up from her game and her mouth fell open. She whimpered and skittered behind a trunk.
Thera sat on a stool and clutched the rough woolen cloak tight. She huddled in a bunched knot, shoulders tucked, knees crushed together.
Murdoc dragged Neva from behind the trunk. She stood the girl in front of Thera and knelt next to her. "You see this?"
Neva stared, rooted and mute.
Murdoc gave her a little shake. "Neva? Answer me. Do you see?"
Neva bit her lip and nodded.
"This is what men can do. Do you hear me? You must never trust them. No matter how much you love them. Do you understand?"
Neva's lip quivered and she shook her head before bolting to her safe place.
Thera wanted to argue. Say it wasn't true, but she only managed a fresh flood of silent tears.
"Captain?" Someone thrust a bowl of steaming water around the curtain.
Murdoc got to her feet and took it. She sat it before Thera. "Clean yourself up." She took fresh clothes from a trunk, dropped them at Thera's feet, and stalked out.
Absolute silence filled the cavern. Even Neva's sniffles stopped. Thera hid beneath the cloak and removed the tattered remains of her clothes. She scrubbed until the water turned cold and pink with her attacker's blood. Then she scrubbed until her skin flushed red. She continued until her flesh was raw and a chill pimpled her body. Humiliation and fear clung to her and wouldn't come off. Shame, which logic told her wasn't hers, stained her. Some part of her was broken, irreparable and shattered. You're being silly, she told herself. It could have been worse. Another minute. Another minute... She shuddered.
