Nakia blew out a long breath. “I’ve never had a chance to think about it.”
Ashni ran her fingers through Nakia’s hair before her hand settled on the small of Nakia’s back. “You should. Think about it, I mean. Think about it and get it done.”
Nakia pursed her lips. “What if my goal takes me from you?”
“Just come back to me whenever you can. The best relationships I’ve ever seen involve two independent partners who always find their way back to each other after a while. I’ll miss you, but I wouldn’t mind. Your life should be fulfilling for you. I’ve always believed that.” Maybe she was taught that. She wasn’t sure, but she meant the words.
Nakia’s face scrunched up. “What life did you live growing up? I’ve never been told my life should be fulfilling for me, rather that I should fit into my role and be happy with that. Did no one ever tell you that you had to be a certain way because you were born into something?”
Ashni rubbed her forehead. “No. I’ve never been told that, and you shouldn’t listen to that either. Inside of you, there’s something crying out for you to do…well, something. Listen to whatever that is and you’ll figure it out. Hell, it led a poor fisherwoman to become a general.”
Nakia’s mouth dropped open. “She was a fisherwoman?”
“Lowest of the low. A bastard child of a poor fisherman. This is how I know society can’t tell you what you are. Because society told one of the most brilliant military minds I’ve ever met that she was a damn fisherwoman. I’ll tell you this, though, you put a spear in her hand and she’s a monster thanks to fishing.”
“But, she doesn’t use a spear.”
“No, a sword is a weapon of high status, regardless of what society you’re in. My father used to talk about when he went into her village how Adira laid waste to a row of soldiers with just her spear. When she agreed to march with him, he had a spear specially made for her and she cherished it, but felt like she earned a sword after a while. Beyond that, she doesn’t want to give people more fuel to talk about her behind her back. I’m sure you remember dear Amal.”
Nakia frowned at the mention of his name. “He talks about her?”
“All the time. Our father preferred her company to Amal’s, but then, who wouldn’t?” Ashni would rather be tortured than spend time with Amal, and more often felt like it was one and the same.
Nakia’s scowl deepened. “Are your other brothers like him?”
“They all have their pros and cons. I’m more partial to the younger ones. But, the younger ones might respect me more, making them easier to deal with. You should think of what you want in life. I’ve got a battle to win.” Ashni smiled. One step closer to her goal. Stay with me, Father. I never know when the gods might decide it’s time to show me why I’ve displeased them.
Nakia nodded. “I have to think about it, but I’ll tell you after the battle. This way you have to win to know what I want in this life.”
Ashni’s smile grew. “Well, if that isn’t incentive to win, I don’t know what is. I’d come back from the dead to find out what you want in life and to help you make it happen.” This statement earned her a kiss. “I’d do even more to have another one of those.”
Nakia winked. “More, after you win.”
“Then I better win.” Not that she planned to do anything else.
***
Ashni had gone to sleep wrapped around Nakia and she was reluctant to leave, but it was time for the battle. The worry was still in her stomach, but small and easy to put away. It was overpowered by the buzz of battle in her blood. She could feel a charge all around her, making her nerves twitch. Time to go win.
She planted a kiss to Nakia’s cheek. Nakia mewled in her sleep and then turned, eyes still closed. Ashni gave into temptation and kissed her again. Nakia angled her face so the kiss landed on her lips, and she threw her arms around Ashni’s neck, pulling Ashni closer, deeper. Ashni didn’t resist, but she was the one who eventually pulled back.
“I have to go.”
“Now?” Nakia glanced at the tent flap. “The sun isn’t even up yet.”
“I know, but we have to set the battlefield. If this goes wrong…” Ashni didn’t finish. Most of the time, she wouldn’t even think about something going wrong. There was nothing to fear when the gods had favored her. She knew her father was always with her, but even he wasn’t always victorious in his endeavors.
“Nothing will go wrong.” Nakia reached up, caressing Ashni’s cheek. “You’ll do as you have been. You’ll come back to me, and we’ll pick this up from there.”
Ashni smiled, even though on the inside she lit up beyond any expression her face could pull off. Nakia had faith in her to do this, to defeat Nakia’s own father. The charge in her intensified and jolted down her spine, blazing across her nerves. Ashni felt like she could take on the gods themselves right now. And I might need to if they heard that little bit of blasphemy or sided with the Westerners.
“Wait here for me?” It was meant to be a command, but it came out as a request. She wasn’t meant to command Nakia any more than she was meant to command the sun.
Nakia gave her a sleepy smile. “This is where you’ll find me.”
Ashni’s shoulders straightened and she was so tempted to stay, but she couldn’t. There was too much to do, this battle too tricky to not handle on her own. Besides, what would my troops think of me staying behind to lie close to Nakia? When they were about to face down at least two armies, one with demon dogs and master chariots? I can’t believe I even considered it. With a final glance at Nakia, smiling softly at her with droopy green eyes, yes, she could believe she considered.
Layla and Adira waited for her. The night was like the camp, quiet and dark. The soldiers had been ordered to keep their fires and lights low, not wanting to give away how many people were in the army. The enemy’s spies wouldn’t get an accurate estimation of their numbers until it was too late.
“Are we ready?” Ashni asked.
Layla shrugged. “The Shadow Walkers did what we do, caused a panic inside the walls. It should be enough to lure them out, especially since they should think they have the advantage.”
“They do have the advantage. They have the high ground. They have the sun at their backs. They have chariots, which are pulled by freaking demon dogs,” Adira said, as it wouldn’t be a good meeting without her pointing out all of the faults in their strategy.
“We have a good plan. Has our path been paved?” Ashni asked.
“I took care of that,” Naren said as he walked over.
“Ah, so not completely useless. Gather the troops. Get into position and then show them what we’re made of.” Ashni clapped and marched off, the others following.
***
Ashni sat astride Midnight Thunder, eyes locked on a hill with the rays of the sun peaking over the ridge. Her army was at her back, waiting for her word. At the top of the hill, Dorian and his allies had come out, waiting to push the Roshan back, thanks to Layla and her band of Shadow Walkers causing chaos behind the walls of Valen. The enemy needed to move on the Roshan or risk having Layla in their city. She had yet to meet an enemy who would accept the Shadow Walkers terrorizing their citizens on a nightly basis.
Thanks to their best scouts, Ashni knew Dorian commanded whomever he salvaged from his military. There was also the Prince of Valen, Wicus, commanding a large portion of the Valen’s military. Then, there were the chariots and King Ferox of Tyra.
Nakia briefed them on all she knew about King Ferox and his chariots. Like the Roshan, Ferox was considered a barbarian, even though he was of the Kairon region. His people were wild and fierce. They tattooed themselves everywhere on their bodies, including their faces, for various reasons, battle glory, to praise to the gods, show connections to groups or family, and as declarations to brag. But, that was where the similarities ended. The Tyran wore no armor, coming from a climate that was too humid for it to be comfortable and believing their gods would protect them.
Even on the best of days, Ashni never held that much confidence in her gods, even her father. There were too many times she was sure he blinked, or laughed, knowing him.
This battlefield was perfect for the Tyran chariots and Nakia assured her Ferox was more than cocky enough to assume that meant he’d win the battle. She hoped that was true. Nakia hadn’t seemed quite sure when she delivered the information.
“We’ll do right by you, Dad,” Ashni promised. Beyond that, she’d do right for Nakia. Dorian deserved another personal loss for the way he gave Nakia away, like she was some parcel. That would never happen again.
Ashni doubted she’d ever understand how some people could look down on others as if they were nothing based on simply circumstances of their birth. It was bad enough to know of it with Adira, but to see it firsthand with Nakia and for it to be her own father, it was disgusting. Maybe the other daughters were just as special as Nakia and the world would never know their gifts thanks to him. Now, isn’t the time. Focus.
Ashni glanced around, looking for confirmation everyone was in position. They were. She took a deep breath and stroked Midnight Thunder’s neck. He snorted and leaned into her hand, his way of telling her he was ready for the fight. So was she.
“Midnight Thunder, we have to be careful of the Black Dogs. You’ve seen demons before, so don’t let them get to you. You’re more of a monster than they could ever be,” Ashni whispered into his ear.
Midnight Thunder had been with her through tough times and had possibly seen more than she had. He should be fine, but Black Dogs were new to him. She trusted his reactions would be appropriate.
“Time to get this done.” Ashni drew her weapon and pointed forward. “Onward to glory!”
Her troops roared behind her and Midnight Thunder charged forward. The hill was steep, and Midnight Thunder struggled at first, but galloped toward the enemy without fear. Ashni’s army followed. They’d follow her to Hell, she knew, without question. Right now, this plan might be close enough.
Before they were halfway up the mound, a rain of arrows came down on them, thudding into their shields. Behind her, Ashni could hear the clang of arrowheads on bronze shields and the faint screams whenever some unlucky soul was pierced. In the shower of arrows, thin beams of sunlight flickered through as the sun ascended into the sky. Soon, they would need to shield their eyes as well as their bodies. Above, she could hear the enemy soldiers crowing with a victory they thought was in the bag. We better not make it so.
“Come on!” Ashni pushed Midnight Thunder forward, the incline almost too much for him. He snorted and panted, but pressed on, even with the arrows raining down on them. She hated to think how tired her foot soldiers were and they were barely halfway up the hill.
A soldier carrying the Roshan banner came up right behind Ashni, trying to keep pace with Midnight Thunder. The soldier’s face was covered in sweat and determination, but his grip never wavered on the flag. Ashni grinned and couldn’t help the pride that swelled within her. These were her warriors. They never stopped. They grabbed their dreams with both hands, never letting go. So, they moved. They climbed. They stood as death came from above and they stared death in the face with a smirk. They were never defeated.
“Keep it up!” Ashni waved her warriors onward. She’d clash swords with the front lines in a moment as long as Midnight Thunder didn’t lose his footing.
Ahead of her, the shouts of the enemy got louder and the growls of the Black Dogs rose above all else, easy to scare any lesser beings in her lines. Stones rained down on them now, too, pinging against the shields. The music of war, and her side seemed to be getting drowned out by it. The madness of this plan was on full display now. Part of her worried the gods laughed at her, at her foolishness, at her inevitable fail.
Spears rose to greet them, but Midnight Thunder moved forward still, like the blades meant nothing. Ashni unsheathed her other sword, cutting through the spears to keep Midnight Thunder safe. Her army was right with her despite the losses they suffered in what had to seem like a suicide mission now.
The enemy was rows deep; there was no way they’d make headway. The chariots were right there, behind a wall of foot soldiers, pike men and spearmen. The Black Dogs, two to a chariot, the size of bears more than horses, flames bursting a few inches from their maws, eager to tear into her people. Crimson eyes with flashes of yellow burned, set in shadowed faces, and fur crackled like fire pits.
Everything was right there, as they expected. The only problem was, there were too many. Two and a half armies stared her in the face and declared this the end of her journey. Her army seemed like they wanted to counter that statement, but they could barely stand behind her. The pushback even sent her back to the edge of the hill, Midnight Thunder’s hooves sliding in mud created by spilled blood. It was time for the next phase.
“Retreat!” Ashni called over the din of the battle. “Retreat!”
Midnight Thunder reared back, retreat not in his vocabulary. But, Ashni loved her stubborn stead too much to let him stand in the middle of a suicide mission. She gave the reins a yank. Midnight Thunder snorted and tried to pull away. Ashni snarled and clicked her tongue.
“Believe in me,” Ashni told her horse. “You know me. Believe in me.”
Midnight Thunder huffed, difficult like everyone else in her life, but he backed up. She called out the retreat once more as her horse slid down the mound. Horns and flags repeated her message. Her soldiers followed, still clashing with their foes as they tried to get to safety. The steep hill grew slippery with the blood from her fallen troops. Midnight Thunder almost lost his footing, jarring Ashni in her saddle. She nearly took a spear to the neck, thanks to the stumble.
“Shit, this might be too much of a risk,” Ashni mumbled. When they worked out this strategy, she knew it was dangerous, but they seemed to be losing more soldiers than they anticipated. Midnight Thunder’s back legs went out, an arrow in his thigh. Ashni tipped back as his flank slipped into the mud and gore. “Damn it!”
“The queen!” Several of her soldiers called.
“Fall back!” Ashni ordered. The first warrior to try to help her would rue the day. “Fall back!” As the words left her mouth, she felt a burning sting in her arm. Hissing, she turned to see an arrow in her bicep. “Fuck. Fall back!”
Her people could only retreat so quick. Ashni gave Midnight Thunder’s reins another tug, encouraging him to get back on his hooves. She clicked her tongue, close to his ear and patted his neck with her free hand.
“Come on, Midnight. We have to stick to the plan as much as everyone else. Come on,” she whispered. “We’ll get them when the time’s right. We’ll get them.” Midnight Thunder was in this just as much as she was, just as much as her troops were, so he needed to know the glory was waiting.
Midnight Thunder gave a whinny and finally did the right thing, getting up to go back down the hill. He marched down the mound, dragging her hardheaded troops down with them. They stumbled by bodies of their fallen comrades, warriors who wouldn’t see their dreams now. She took a look back up, their enemy hadn’t moved from their vantage point. Damn.
“Come on, Ferox. Be as impulsive as they say you are,” Ashni said as she hit the bottom of the hill, soldiers running by her. There were no movements at the top of the hill, though “Come on.”
Her army continued to do the smart thing and retreat, projectiles still raining down on them. She needed at least one enemy to do the dumb thing. An arrow whizzed by her face, scratching her cheek. Come on.
“Ashni!” Adira’s shout could be heard through the noise.
“I know!” Her general wanted her to keep moving, especially if this plan was a failure. But, if this plan was a failure, she wouldn’t be able to move for a while. They’d have to dig in for a siege and who knew how long that would take. “Damn it!” Please, gods, you know I will honor you. Just be with me.
Without waiting for her order, Midnight Thunder spun and rushed away. Traitor. The horse trud
ged through a thin layer of black mud as he charged into the open field where most of her army was spread out. Just as her heart was about to sink, she heard an unfamiliar battle cry mixed in with howls. She turned and a smirk spread onto her face. The chariots had pushed their way to the front lines, in sight at the top of the hill.
A mountain of a man atop a large horse stood at the front of the chariots. He held his straight sword aloft. “Charge!”
Ashni grinned. “Yes!”
The Tyrans were as impulsive as Nakia promised. They charged down the hill on their chariots, thinking they were chasing a fleeing, defeated Roshan. Foot soldiers even came behind them, waving Phyllida’s banner. Dorian seemed to be following his foolhardy son-in-law. He could probably taste the revenge on the tip of his tongue. She wouldn’t mind seeing the look on his face when she snatched another victory from him.
“Positions! Positions!” Ashni waved the Ivory Claw in a circle, the adrenaline pumping through her numbed the pain in her arm from her wound. Her troops darted into their new formations. She looked around for Adira, catching sight of her back as she rushed to set the next phase of their plan in motion.
The chariots hit the bottom of the field and then suddenly slowed to a crawl, the black mud her people had spread out did as promised so far. Roshan flaming arrows covered the sky, landing in the specially designed mud. Flames shot up from the patch of mud like an erupting volcano, blazing up to the charioteers’ shoulders, flashing bright orange with flickers of blue. The Black Dogs snarled and then whimpered as the inferno lapped at their phantom forms. Demons they might be, but they still felt pain.
Ashni grinned. “I have to remember to reward Saniyah for all her amazing work.” Now, she needed to get out of range. She had more than arrows coming soon enough.
The lake of fire was enough to stop the chariots in the mud pit. The enemy foot soldiers paused at the flames, but troops still barreled down the hill, pushing them forward. Some chariots managed to make it out of the mire, dragged by their massive canines back onto the meadow ground. They charged forward again, but new projectiles came from her side and landed between her army and their foes. Seconds later, the Dogs howled and several dropped, whimpering like pups as the barbed caltrops did their jobs. Good to know they work just as well on demon dogs as they do with horses. Ashni threw out a fist and lightning shot from the sky, hitting several Black Dogs, stunning them.
Taming the Wind Page 16
