Instinctual (Rise of the Iliri Book 2)
Page 34
The two men made their way back to the officers, checking in. Kolton stepped up and saluted Tharp sharply. "Eastern side of the pass appears to be clear, sir," he reported. "Emen is still on the ridge. Will take him a bit to get down, I expect, and Lieutenant Luxx and Sergeant Cyno are securing the back trail. They will be with us shortly."
Shift glanced at him, trying to hide his shock.
"You let them out of your sight?" Tharp asked.
Kolton shrugged. "Sir, they only ever stayed in it because they chose to. I'd only hinder their efficacy, and I thought you'd prefer the report."
"Gonna need to up your game then, Kolton," the Captain said.
Kolton shook his head. "I can't match that shit, sir. Replace me if you need to. I'm not about to pull a damned bolt from my own arm and keep fighting. Can't do it, sir. Had enough hits to know."
Blaec caught Shift's shoulder. "It's clean?" he asked, meaning Sal's wound.
Shift nodded. "Yeah, bandaged her up a bit ago. Her and Cyno were adamant that they finish the check, so haven't loaded her up yet. She took it for Kolton, saw it from the hill."
"Understood. See Razor. He took a graze to the hip from one of the Terrans."
"Sal took a bolt for Kolton?" Tharp asked, looking between Shift and Blaec.
"Yeah," Kolton said. "Pulled me out of the line of fire before I even saw him and got hit in the bicep."
Tharp sighed and turned to Blaec. "Give her my thanks, would ya?" Blaec nodded.
Shift turned to the assassin beside him. "Did you want to escort me, Kolton, so Tharp won't be concerned?"
"Sure," Kolton said, laughing under his breath.
When the two of them were far enough away, Shift stopped and looked up at the man from Star Fall. "Why'd you cover for them?"
"Yeah," Kolton said, drawing the word out. "Two reasons. First, she saved my life."
"Mhm," Shift said, waiting.
"You won't believe the second," he said, turning away.
Shift refused to budge. "Try me."
"I can read Cyno's tattoos."
"You're human, though," Shift said. "I can smell it."
He shrugged. "My wife is half. My boy's more. She looks like Major Doll so my unit doesn't know. I'd prefer it stays like that."
"Fair enough," Shift said. This time he turned away, but Kolton stopped him.
"What did the boy do in the bathhouse?" he asked. "I know it's not an evolved response."
Shift glanced over his shoulder and smiled. "Ask your wife what a real Kaisae is. When you can answer that, I'll tell you. Until then, you're just a damned human."
"Fair enough, man. Fair enough." A sly smile played on Kolton's face. "And so you know, the plan really is to just take the shipment back to Prin. Sturmgren threatened Tharp pretty good."
"Still don't trust ya."
"Didn't say ya should. Just thought you'd like to know that we'll all make it back in one piece."
"Yeah, and you might like to know that LT's planning to pull a few strings to keep Star Fall whole. We'll be putting on a damned good show when we enter Prin."
"Why?"
Shift grinned. "Because people love military heroes, and if anyone knows how to put on a nice spectacle, it's LT."
"No, man. Why you helping us?"
"Well," Shift said, "It's the tactically sound move. We may hate your fucking human asses as much as you hate our iliran ones, but we're not quite ready to be mounted on a wall yet."
"Not good enough," Kolton said.
Shift chuckled ironically. "Ok, but the other reason won't make any more sense to you."
"Try me."
"We're going to need your help in the future."
Kolton forced out a laugh, his head nodding. "Yeah. Ok. You're right. That sounds like crazy talk."
Shift just shrugged and continued on his way. It was the truth, though. All of it. Blaec had seen something on their way up the ridge, but all he said was that Star Fall would be important later. Shift wasn't as optimistic, but he sure hoped he was right, and that this wasn't a serious mistake. For all of their sakes.
Chapter 47
Sal and Cyno returned to the camp doing little more than smirking at the stares from the men of Star Fall. While Sal looked for Blaec, Cyno sat casually by the fire. Zep moved beside the little assassin and tugged his collar up, making Cyno chuckle, but he nodded in appreciation.
"Tense," Kolton said, putting voice to the awkward feeling emanating from the humans.
"Na my problem," Cyno said, shrugging it off.
"No," Zep said, "but it's about to be ours, little brother. You two play it safe out there, ok? None of the stupid shit you both like to try."
"Yeah, man. I'll bring her back in one piece."
"Back from where?" Cheny, the Second Officer for Star Fall, asked.
"That's classified," Blaec said, walking up. "Sal and Cyno have orders. They will be leaving us at the foothills."
"Lieutenant?" Kolton called out, catching Sal's attention. "It's been a pleasure, sir. I owe you one."
"You’re welcome," Sal told him. Her voice no longer held as much animosity as before.
"Ok, let's get this shit packed," Blaec ordered. "Zep, you and Kolton take the mules. Shift, check Sal's wound and fill her supplies back up. The rest of you get the horses tacked and let's get out of here."
"Yes, sir," Star Fall said. The Blades simply nodded.
"Sal?" Shift gestured for her to follow. When they were far enough away, he found a place for her to sit. "None of this while you're away, ok?"
"Yeah," she assured him. "I won't have idiots running between me and a crossbow that I need to keep safe. It's Cyno you need to be warning."
He laughed and made a display of checking her wound, grasping her arm and bending it. "Close your eyes," he whispered.
She did and felt her world shift, sucking in deep breaths to stabilize herself. He released her hand and patted her shoulder. She just nodded, waiting for the vertigo to pass.
"Wrap that shit," she told him. "They'll notice otherwise."
"Good idea." He pulled out a fresh bandage and wrapped her arm just tight enough for it to stay in place. With a final sigh, he pulled her to her feet and hugged her tightly. "Damn, I'm gonna miss you," he said against the top of her head.
"It's just a year," she promised. "Take care of Zep for me?"
"Yeah. I'll even drag him to Tensa's at least once a week. It'll make him feel better."
Sal laughed at that. It would. The closer Zep was to the iliri, the happier he always seemed to be. It was as if he hoped that by immersing himself in their culture his skin would fade to white.
Her heart was heavy when she swung into the saddle and turned Arden beside Blaec to head down the narrow path. Star Fall followed behind them, two of the crates left in their care, but the angst between the units seemed to have lifted. Either that, or Sal was simply too absorbed in her own feelings to notice.
This is going to be ok, right? she asked Blaec.
Yeah, love, he told her, it is. You're going to do great, we're going to stay in the spotlight, and Ran's going to make sure that nothing can stop us. By the time you come home, it'll be that much better.
And us? she asked.
Sal, I'm still iliri. There's a reason the woman at the inn back in Stonewater Stables was shocked to see me with you. There aren't many women who even tempt me, let alone that I'm in love with. I'm going to miss you, but I'll miss you until you come back to me.
I'm going to be alone with Jase, she told him. It's a year, Blaec. Things are going to change.
He nodded. I know. Just promise me something?
Anything.
Don't push him away because you think you should. Don't try to be what you assume I want. Just be little Sal, our demon. He smiled suddenly and caught her eye. I saw you last night. It was different. Not much, but it was.
And? she begged.
He smiled at her proudly. You're right. The army bowing to you was in green. It'
s Anglia, but it didn't look like any Anglian army I've ever heard of. These men were soldiers, not pawns to be set up on a battlefield, and they respected not only an iliri, but a woman. I was on your right, Sal, and you were looking at me like you are now.
And Jase?
On your left. I always see him on your left. Every day that goes by, it seems like the scene gets a bit more clear. The King was there, and he had these massive beasts beside him. They were like wolf hounds, but I couldn't quite make them out. I don't know why, but the details are starting to come into focus. Faces of men and woman are no longer blurred, and the feeling is still there. The Emperor was terrified.
So how do I do it? she asked him.
I don't know. Just do what feels right, sweetness. Whatever is instinctual. That's what seems to work best for you.
Sal sighed, nodding as she released the breath.
It's time for us to start winning, love, Blaec told her. She could feel the intensity of his belief. You were right. We can't just keep hiding from them, hoping the humans won't notice us.
A smile slowly found the way to her face, and she looked up at him mischievously. Remember what Tharp said?
No, Blaec admitted, searching his memories for what she meant.
He called us beasts.
And?
Maybe we should stop hiding how much better we are? Maybe we need to make them see what they created? Maybe it really is time, Blaec. Maybe it's time we start being proud of what we are.
He looked at his hands on the reins, thinking about what she said, then glanced back at the men behind him. That's what you've been doing, isn't it?
No, Sal told him. That's what they've been teaching me. Cyno, Risk, Arctic, you. Hell, even Zep! They taught me to be proud of what I am, and to never back down because of it.
Then do it. You're the Emperor's worst nightmare, Sal. The demon he doesn't even know exists. Give our people something to aspire to.
She nodded slowly. I can try. They made me to be this thing, whatever I am. They designed me, and I'm what they wanted. They try to keep me ashamed of what I am to control me.
Then be proud of it, Sal.
I try. You all help.
No, he told her gently. Cyno makes you proud. Every time you start to doubt, he's right there holding you up. It's not me, Sal. All I've done is hold you back.
You haven't! she protested. Blaec, you made me a Blade. You showed me I could be something!
And I tried to make you human. I keep telling you to do the wrong things. No, Sal. I need to listen to you, not the other way around.
She looked at him wide eyed, not knowing what to say. Not knowing even what to think. But I love you.
And I do love you. Don't forget that, but don't think that loving me makes me a good man. He shrugged, a wry smile on his face. There's a lot of good men in the Blades, but that sure doesn't mean we all agree, or that we're all right.
Yeah, she agreed meekly. I guess I can see that.
I hope so, because I'm not going to be around to tell you that you're right. You're going to have to believe in yourself, not just what you're told to do.
I've been acting like I'm still a slave?
Not really, he said, tilting his head to show he was honestly considering her question. A lot less lately. You're ready for this, love. You proved that today. This, he gestured to the line behind them, was all you.
And you.
No. I had almost nothing to do with this. Your plan, your execution, your tactics, your combat skills. That's what made this happen. Cyno's support helped a lot, but this was you.
She just shrugged. It's kinda hard, you know?
What is? he asked.
Accepting that I can do something right.
He laughed, smothering it quickly before glancing at the men behind them. Get used to it. All you need to do to make others follow you is act like you're right. Even when you aren't, just act like you're right and that they want to be a part of what you're doing. If you fail, then fail as proudly as you can.
Thanks, she said. I can actually do that. It's no different than putting on a show, ya know?
Exactly.
Is that what being a Kaisae is? A figurehead that others follow who gives them pride in themselves?
Blaec thought about that, watching her as they rode. She swayed slightly with each step, her hips rocking with the horse beneath her, her chin held high, a brilliance in her eyes that others just didn't have. She always was so open, so honest, that those around her couldn't help but want to protect her. She had no idea how she pulled at people, making them love her just because she existed, but he didn't know how to put that into words.
I guess it's something like that, he said finally. The last Kaisae I saw inspired people by showing them the good in themselves. She made them believe they were worth something. That matters, Sal.
Yeah, she said, biting at her lip as she thought about it. I'll never be anything like that.
He didn't know what else to say. It was her he'd been talking about. She made them all feel like they were worth something, and they fought harder for it. Not just harder, they fought for the right thing now. It mattered. That's what the iliri said. They were words the Blades were starting to live by.
I think you're going to be amazing. It was the best he could think of.
They continued on in silence. The humans chatted softly, aware that the iliri were in no mood to celebrate, but not truly understanding why. Star Fall had never been, and probably would never be, as close as the Black Blades. Maybe it was just their nature.
When they reached the foothills, Blaec pulled Scorch in. "This is it," he said sadly.
"Yeah." Sal sighed, looking to the west.
Zep rode up beside her, and the organized line began to crumple upon itself.
"What's going on?" Tharp asked from the back.
"We're leavin' ya here," Cyno said. "Wanted ta say good-bye to our brothers."
Zep dismounted and ducked under Cessa's neck, moving to Sal's side. He grinned and pulled her from Arden, embracing her in a strong hug. Her feet dangled well off the ground. "Ah demon, I'm gonna miss ya."
"Yeah, me too, Zep," Sal told him, squeezing him back. "Won't be the same with just two of us."
He laughed. "No, probably not. Be safe, little sister."
"You too, big brother," Sal whispered, pressing her head into his chest one last time and inhaling the scent of him.
Arctic moved to her other side and touched her shoulder gently, asking her to turn. When she did, his pale eyes held hers and Sal smiled as she intentionally looked down, freely giving him rank over her.
"Make us proud, ok?" he said with a shy smile.
"Yeah. And come back alive, and all the rest of it. I'm sure gonna try."
He nodded. "And stop fighting it, Sal. Ayati." He chuckled at himself. "They love you most when you're wild. They really do."
"I have a feeling we'll be more than a little wild before we get back."
Behind her, Zep stood with Cyno, and she glanced over, shocked to see the big man pull the small assassin close. "I mean it, bro. Don't do stupid shit. I know you will try."
"Na more than usual. Read the fuckin' books."
Zep laughed at that. "I'm getting there. Can tell my girl she's beautiful now. It's a pretty good step, right?"
"Yeh, better than the harsh crap yer spewin' at her now."
"Fuck," Zep said softly. "Been two years, man. I'm gonna miss the shit outta both of ya. Closest friends I ever had." He hugged Cyno again and pounded loudly on his back.
The men of Star Fall were starting to look uncomfortable with the display of affection before them. Kolton pushed closer to Enem. "C'mon, let’s give them some space. Ain't our shit to be in."
Emen nodded. "I'll talk to Tharp," he said, not moving. "Damn," he breathed. "They fight like fucking beasts. Did not expect this."
He turned his horse and moved up the line. Captain Tharp sat astride his grey, glaring at the hold-u
p when Lieutenant Emen stopped at his side.
"Sir?" Emen asked.
"Got an idea on how to get them moving?"
"Yeah, let them say good-bye in peace. Let’s give the Blades a bit of space, sir?"
"Not while they're holding three hundred kilos of steel, Lieutenant. Besides," he grumbled, "doesn't look like we're bothering them any."
"Seriously, Brek? You're being a dick," Emen said.
"When did you become a scrubber lover, Foyt?"
"When I watched Sal pull Kolton out of the line of fire, man. She took the hit for one of ours and never even thought twice about it. If she had, he'd be dead."
"We're not leaving. Blades are fucking devious enough, this could all be a ploy to sneak out of here and take all the credit for this."
"Yeah, I'm not buying it, but if that's how you want it, I'll let the men know." Emen turned back to the cluster of humans and shook his head. "We stay," he said softly.
Many of them grumbled at the disrespect. Elites had always been proud of how they treated each other, knowing it would come back to them when they needed it most. None of them were proud of Tharp's paranoia.
Sal moved to Shift next, all too aware of the humans behind them. She grinned, and pounded his back as hard as he did hers, but when he looked at her, she couldn't find the words.
"Yeah," he said, then kissed her cheek gently. "Ayati, demon."
She simply nodded and found Razor beside her next. He smiled shyly and she wrapped her arms tight around his chest. He hugged her back gently.
"Look, we've never been close like the rest," he said, tilting her head up. "Doesn't mean I don't respect you, got it? And if you ever need a dancing partner, I'm in. Was fun in the ruins."
"Yeah," she agreed, patting his bicep. "You're amazing with that thing and easy to follow."
"You led that dance pretty well. Take care of that man, though. He won't do it for himself."
"No," she agreed. "But he'll do it for me."
"Yeah," he said, nodding. "Glad you understand."
And then she was with Risk. He wiped at his eyes and shrugged. "Tilso's going to kick my ass if I don't give you a list of things to do to Arden."