by Auryn Hadley
"Maast, Blaec," she whispered. "I'm sorry. Anglia's here, and that's good, but Sturmgren just gave me a warning."
"Ho, slow down there, demon," Zep said. "So, you're free?"
"Charges are dropped. Free is not the word you want. Dominik arrived and sat through half my trial. Story is the archer got the King," she said catching Jase's eye.
"I un'erstand," he said, with a jerky nod.
"The grauori and Shields did a nice display for the General and gave him a reason to speak with me. We're all getting orders tonight."
"You know the mission?" Risk asked, looking over his tattoo equipment.
"No mission. We're being reassigned. Blaec, I know you're going to Lightning Brigade. I know I got Azure. That's all I know, guys. Sturmgren said he tried to make sure it was at least a match."
"What now, Sal?" Geo asked.
"Now," she growled softly, "we show them we don't play fair. Two weeks, men. Alliance meeting is in two weeks. As soon as those papers are signed, I'm done with this shit."
They all grumbled their agreement.
"Jase, got anything to write with?" she asked.
"Na on me."
"I do," Audgan said, pulling out a small book and flipping past sketches. He found a blank page and offered her the pencil. Sal waved it over to Jase.
"Black Blades, killer. Make it clear, neat, and large enough for Risk to copy."
Without a word, Jase began to scrawl the symbol across the page. The men looked over his shoulder, watching.
"That's Iliran for Black Blades?" Arctic asked.
Jase nodded, filling in the lines.
"It looks kinda like a rider with a grauori beside him," Arctic said softly.
Sal thought so too. "And Hwa should be back with silver ink soon, Risk."
"Oh, that isn't cheap," he said.
She shrugged. "It has to be silver."
"Why," Razor asked.
It was Zep who answered. "Symbols of power are done in silver. Black means death. White means love, and yeah, it'd work, but silver is the symbol of power."
Shift stood up and pulled off his shirt. "Where are we putting this?" he asked.
Sal and Jase shared a look, and she nodded.
Jase pointed to the right side of his neck, just under his jaw. "Mind, heart, teeth, and sword. It goes against the right jugular. Ya can handle that Risk?"
The pale man chuckled. "Yeah. I nick something, I'll heal it. It'll just hurt like hell."
Sal felt a brush against her mind and stood, opening the door for the silent request. Hwa cantered inside, a bottle held gently in his mouth. He sat down, and grabbed it, rubbing it against his belly.
Sorry, I drooled on it a bit. Seems the General mutters when he knew I could understand. He said they're reassigning us. Where are we going, Sal?
"With the Shields, for now, Hwa. It's the only way to keep the girls out of trouble. This is just temporary. Tell Dom that he'd better get those papers signed fast, though."
Hwa nodded.
"This is gonna be hardest on ya, kitten," Jase said. "Azure?"
Sal sighed. "Yeah. Wyra."
"What's wrong with him?" Audgan asked. "Isn't that the Azure iliri?"
"You knew about him?" Zep asked.
Audgan ducked his head with a wry chuckle. "Yeah. I applied to them after he got in. Them and the Blades."
"He challenged Sal," Blaec said. "I claimed her, but he sure didn't like it. I'm not sure if he has a clue what his instincts are telling him."
"Me either," she said. "I'll be ok guys. I can submit if I have to."
"All right," Risk said, pulling their attention back. "How big am I doing this?"
"Big enough it can't be hidden. Iliran peeking over the collar? Well, there's no regulation against tattoos." Sal smiled, but it wasn't nice. "They want to make us an example, then we'll be examples. Loud, examples. I go last. Jase? Risk? I hope you two have some colors in there. We're doing the whole thing."
Chapter 7
Sal lay on the bed naked, a corner of the blanket thrown across her hip when the knock came at the door. Blaec stood and looked through the window before turning to the door. He opened it and a Conglomerate soldier stood outside.
"Major Doll, sir. I have orders for your unit. Please be sure they receive them."
"Thank you, Private," Blaec replied, grabbing the cluster of envelopes from his hand and closing the door in his face. He called out their names then passed each of them an envelope. One by one, the Blades cracked the seal and sighed.
"Who'd you get, Jase?" Sal asked.
"Did na look, yet." He was still scribbling furiously. "I have a large white canvas tha’ needs more ink on it, kitten. I'll look when Risk does the next round."
"Shit, Sal," Zep said, trying to avoid opening his. "What does that say?" His eyes were on her lower back.
Jase answered. "Short story, that she changed the world. Long story, that we love her."
"Yeah, that's not what I meant, and you know it, little brother."
"Still what it says, big brother." Jase glanced up at Zep. "It's true iliri, so there's more than just the words ta it."
Zep couldn't pull his eyes from Sal's bare back and the lines of pale colors seared into her skin. "I don't know which I like more, Sal. The white was nice. The art is amazing."
"Tattooing is an old skill of the iliri," Risk said, taking the next page from Jase before bending over Sal. She closed her eyes against the pinch of the needles. "Our language and our skin are made for it. It’s also the best way to keep our history. This is the last bit, Sal."
She nodded, listening to the sound of Jase opening his envelope.
"Fuck," he whispered. "Did they try ta keep us as far apart as possible?"
"Who," Sal asked.
"Blue Eagles."
"Jase, open mine?" Risk asked.
"Yeh." Jase grabbed the envelope from the bed and peeled it open slowly. Taking a deep breath, he pulled the orders from it. "Dark Hart. Could be worse, I guess. Least we know they have some tolerance fer yer preferences."
Risk nodded, but it looked more like he didn't agree. "Someone's going to have to tell Tilso or he'll freak when he gets here."
"Ilija's watching for him," Sal assured him. "I already took care of that, Risk."
"Ok, Sal. That's it. And thanks," Risk said stepping back.
"Close your eyes," Shift warned her, grabbing the ankle closest to him.
Sal felt her world spin, and the lines across her body tingled as the ink healed into her skin in seconds.
"Now do we get story time?" Zep asked.
"You just want to see her naked," Blaec teased.
"Yes and no," Zep admitted. "She's nice to look at - none of us can deny that - but I really want to know what the story is."
Jase leaned closer, dropping his voice. "Ya wanna show ‘em, kitten?"
With the vertigo gone, she pulled herself from the bed and stood naked before the men of her unit. White lines swirled across every inch of her pale, hairless body. Deep red, pale blue, and hints of green mixed through them. Along her neck, the Iliran symbol for the Black Blades screamed defiance against her skin in shimmering silver. In the center of her back was another symbol that shined the same way. It marked her as a Kaisae.
"I can na read it, kitten," Jase said softly. "It is na my story ta tell."
"No, and I'm not reading it either," she told the room. "You can all learn it the way everyone else has. A line at a time." Then she turned to the mirror, admiring her body. "It's perfect, Jase. Thank you. Risk, you and Shift, too." When she dropped back onto the bed, Zep passed her the clothes she'd worn earlier.
"So who goes where," Blaec asked. "Lightning Brigade for me. Sal, you check your orders yet?"
She shook her head, and Jase passed the envelope to her. "Azure. He was right."
"Ok. Cyno's with the Eagles, Risk with Dark Hart."
"I got Magnus Legio," Geo said.
"Ghost Recon." Audgan held his up.
"112th Mounted," Razor said.
"Star Fall, and I'll be damned if I patch those dumb fucks up," Shift nearly growled.
Arctic and Zep looked at each other. "You first," Arctic said.
"Devil Dogs," Zep admitted.
"Shadow Team for me," Arctic told them.
"Least there's that," Blaec said. "Zep, Devil Dogs are good people. Shouldn't be any problems - and if there are, tell Pig I'll skin him." He paused, chewing on his lip. "They're also the only unit besides Azure still inside the base. Keep an eye on Sal, ok?"
"Yeah." Zep flipped the small page in his hand. "LT, I'm gonna get court-martialed before the week's up, ya know that, right? Not even Pig will be able to stop that."
"Yeah, I won't be shocked if a few of us are. These may be the orders we were given, but I'm about to issue your real orders. Pay attention, men!" Blaec snapped, and out of habit, they all sat up straighter. "We have to make this work for two weeks. I don't care what disciplinary action you accumulate, but you will not cross the line. Each of you will continue to adhere to the principles of the Black Blades, above all else, do you understand me?"
"Yes, sir!"
"They're after Sal. Risk will be the next target, then Audgan. We all will do whatever it takes to protect our own. This, and only this, will be a reason for you to break any standards we have set. When it comes to our pack, no rules apply. We have two weeks, men. If, at any time, you are unable to continue this masquerade, let me know. We will get you out. Risk, Audgan, and Sal, that goes double for you. Do you all understand."
"Yes, sir!"
"Good. Stow your blacks. Collect your new gear. Any personal items you may want to keep? Have them taken to the Anglians. Our link is whole, do not forget that, men. You are not, and you will not be alone."
"Laetus, raergah, arn wohanna e Kaisae," Zep said. "That's all we need."
Jase bowed his head and translated, "Reverence, respect, and honor ta our leader."
"Now get out of my cabin," Blaec told them, forcing a devious smile. "We have a show to put on. I want to see all of you in civilian clothing. Nothing black in the bunch. We'll meet at the pub, and we'll drink until we can't crawl home."
One by one, the men left, the mood somber. Jase and Sal waited until they were alone with Blaec. Before Sal could say anything, Jase spoke up.
"It's na my place, kitten. But I'm good," he said, looking at Blaec.
"No." Blaec slowly shook his head. "I actually have a request. For the first time, Sal is not my soldier. These orders are effective immediately, which means she no longer reports to me. Let me spend the evening with her. You can have time with her tonight. Just let me make a fool of myself over her in public for once?"
Sal smiled at him and nodded. For so long, they'd had to hide their feelings every time they were in public. Now, it no longer mattered. All of Anglia might know, but the Conglomerate had rules against subordinate soldiers dating their superior officer.
"Ya sure, Dernor?" Jase asked. "This has ta be harder on ya than all of us. Make a fool of yerself, I'm ok with that. If ya end up with her tonight as well, I'm ok with that too. Two weeks is na that long a time. Ya a’ready spent near a year without her."
"Nah," Blaec said. "We're good, Ahnor." Then he turned to look at Sal. "I've dreamed of this for a long time, you know that, right? Of finally being able to rub it in the noses of all those officers that I'm not just an iliri-lover or an iliri myself, but I'm the Kaisae's second mate."
"The one I chose first," Sal said softly, pressing against his side.
Jase chuckled. "Ya still have that green and copper dress?"
She hadn't realized it at the time, but Jase had always been able to read thoughts through a touch. For Sal to pass her trials and become a Black Blade, she had to get information about the upcoming test. Where all the other recruits had to use normal means to seek out hints, Sal had used her iliri abilities. She'd taken on the form of a beautiful woman and seduced her commanding officer. Blaec hadn't suspected a thing, but Jase had always known - and hadn't said a word until she did.
"That was a shock you know," Blaec admitted. "Finally found a woman who didn't revolt me, and she was my applicant. Never mind that she ends up being the last Kaisae on the continent. Funny how things work out. Strangest part? This doesn't bother me as much as I thought." He looked down into Sal's eyes. "For the last ten years, I thought my purpose was to keep the Black Blades intact. Now, they're tearing us apart and I'm ok with it. I know it doesn't really matter."
"Yeah," Sal agreed. "We know it's not real, so it doesn't hurt inside. They're disbanding a military unit. They can never tear apart our pack."
Jase growled under his breath. "Speak fer yerself. I know the Blue Eagles. Honor, respect, loyalty. Claim their purpose is ta serve the citizens of the CFC, like they're all heroes or somethan. Never mind that all of us have blood on our hands. Ever' last one of them is as human as it gets, too."
Sal reached over and wiggled her fingers against his scalp. "Shave the hair, killer, and stick to the shadows. You'll scare the shit out of them enough that they'll leave you alone for two weeks."
Jase ducked his head and let the laugh slip out. "Hey, Blaec? Did ya remove that remark from my file?"
"Yeah, man. Wonder if I can get that back in tonight." He sounded amused.
Sal looked at them confused. "What remark?"
"I was conscripted, right?" Jase said. "The official reason was fer stealing food. There was a remark in the margins, though. Kinda made problems fer me until I became a Blade."
Blaec quoted, "Does not speak Glish. Has been raised as a beast. Was found feeding on sector guards. Should be used for manual labor only."
Sal laughed. "You ate one?"
Jase just shrugged. "Did na know I should na. How do ya think they get rid of half the bodies in Guttertown? Iliri pay well for human meat."
Sal knew how humans tasted, having bitten into enough of them in combat. "Can't say that I blame them, either."
Chapter 8
The Blades celebrated late into the night, the group of them acting like the animals they'd so often been called. They all agreed. If the Conglomerate thought that dividing them would tame them, then they'd become even more feral. Blaec and Sal spent the night pawing and kissing across each other's bodies, while the rest of them started fights - and finished them. In only a few short hours, they'd changed from the well oiled and respectable elite unit into a wild pack of iliri. When the bar eventually closed the doors, the Blades finally divided, making their way to their own beds. Blaec kissed Sal deeply, swearing his love to her before walking away, leaving her alone with Jase.
When the sun rose the next morning, Sal growled. The new day held little promise for her. The last thing she wanted to do was get out of bed.
"How's yer head?" Jase asked, pulling her to him.
"Well enough. Shift hit me before we left."
"Yeh, me too. I think he did all of us. I'm ta report ta the north wall. Ya?"
Sal sighed. "Officer's quarters here in the compound."
He let his fingers slide through the tangles in her hair. "If we do na move out today, I'll find ya tonight."
Sal kissed him. "Deal. No expectations, but deal."
They both crawled from the bed and pulled on their new uniforms. It was strange to see him in anything but black. The royal blue faded his skin to a pallid color but brought out his eyes. When she glanced in the mirror, she snarled at the gold trim on her own navy uniform.
"We're allowed ta be as feral as we want, kitten," he whispered, wrapping his arms around her to nip at her neck. "And I do like the new lines," he said as he drew his finger across the tattoo that stood clearly above her collar.
"Yours reminds me what is under the rest of that," she teased, tapping his chest. "But I'm starting to miss your accent. Kiss me and let's head to the stables. I was told to bring my horse."
"Yeh, me too, and I have na lost my accent."
"Maybe not," Sal
admitted, "but it's fading. Makes you sound almost civilized."
He laughed, twining his fingers with hers. Together, they walked through the military compound like young lovers, smiling at each other for no reason. When they reached the barn, Sal was shocked to find her horse already tacked up and a man in green wiping the dust from her saddle.
"Morning, Kaisae," the soldier said. "Lieutenant Trant of the Grauoran special relations envoy ordered us to have your mounts tacked and ready. Said you were about to have a shitty day and he owed you."
Jase chuckled. "I think ya made an impression," he teased.
"Excuse me?" the soldier asked.
"Nothing," Sal said. "Just tell Dalyr I said thank you. I owe him one."
"Will do, sir. Already sent a few of you out. Just four of ya left." He gestured to the horses.
Sal saw Scorch standing patiently beside Bazya and she chuckled. The top officers of the Blades were about to make a very loud statement.
"Two weeks," Sal reminded Jase, swinging up onto Arden's back.
"Is two weeks too long, kitten. Stay safe fer me?”
"I'll be good. Wyra can't do much to me that someone else hasn't already tried. None of them have managed yet."
With those parting words, she reined Arden around and cantered to the designated meeting place. Once there, she twined the reins around Arden's neck, commanded the mare to stand, then walked inside. She was early.
Sal paced the hall, checking the clock on the wall, then paced some more. Footsteps on the stone floor were the first warning she had. Spinning to face the man, her hand slipped to her weapon.
"Just in from combat?" the soldier asked, glancing at her body. "Didn't know we were getting a recruit."
"Yes, and it's a reassignment."
He raised an eyebrow and looked at her. "Azure doesn't take reassignments."
Sal smiled at him coldly. "You do when Parliament demands it."
