by Linda Mooney
Sitting up, he leaned over his lap, moving his face closer to her. “Very well. We’ll face this journey together. But I’m placing conditions on the trip.”
She lifted her chin. It was clear she was satisfied she’d won this round. Now she was ready to hear him out and make concessions.
Atty was his equal in almost every way, and far superior in the use of a bow and knife. But she didn’t always have the foresight needed to plan ahead. She could lead a platoon. Hell, she could lead his entire army into battle, but she lacked the finesse of strategizing. That’s where the two of them blended perfectly. His know-how, plus her abilities, equaled a synergistic force that was stronger with them together than the both of them were apart.
He had already accepted her coming with him to Corado. It hadn’t even crossed his mind to leave her behind. But he had wanted her to believe it was a possibility in order to make her less resistant to his other demands.
“Point one, Mattox stays here.”
“With Madigan?”
“And Tory. I think between my mother and your adoptive mother, the two of them should be able to handle him while we’re gone.”
A ghost of a smile crossed her lips. Lips he had the sudden urge to kiss. He felt his body tense up with the memory of the past few months. Their wild, uninhibited need to copulate because of Atty’s surging hormones, and the lure of her out-of-control pheromones emitted during that first trimester of her pregnancy, often left them exhausted but elated. Fortunately, with her in her second trimester, that would no longer be an issue.
In addition, since her return from the east, her mental recovery had accelerated. Her memories had clarified and strengthened, until all that was left of her ordeal were a few odd holes remaining in her long term recollections, and a small scar along her temple she kept hidden underneath her hair.
“You’re expecting Liam and Fortune to go with us?”
“I’m pretty sure Fortune will accept my invitation. As for Liam…” He shrugged and made a face.
“I know he told you he wasn’t going on any more missions with you,” Atty noted. “But he still went with you when you came searching for me when I disappeared to the east.”
“True.” Yulen agreed with a nod. “But things have changed. Madigan’s health hasn’t been the same since she gave birth. And I don’t blame him for wanting to remain here to take care of her, and be with his new son.”
“That leaves Dr. Gus.”
Yulen scratched his cheek and took another sip from the mug. “Yep. Guess it’s time for our new doctor to get his feet wet.”
“He’s a good man and a good doctor, but do you think he can handle being on the road?”
“Won’t know until we cross that hurdle.”
“Speaking of being on the road, I wonder if Foster City received an invitation. Since we’ll be heading north, we’ll get to spend the night there, right?”
“Right. And again, we won’t know until we get there,” Yulen responded.
They drank their tea in silence. Watching the flames. Basking in its warmth and each other’s company. When he reached the bottom of his mug, he debated whether to get up and get some more, when Atty spoke again.
“There’s something more you’re not telling me.”
He looked up at her. She knew him too well.
“Does it have to do with Corado?” she asked.
God, how does she do it?
“Have you been there?” She tilted her head as she stared at him.
“No. I haven’t been there, but I’ve heard stories.”
“Stories?”
“From other battle lords. And from my father.”
“Good stories?”
“Not always.”
She didn’t seem surprised. “The world is and always will be a dangerous place.”
“It was a very dangerous place, even before the Great Collision,” he murmured.
“Tell me,” she softly insisted.
The urge to get another mug of tea vanished, replaced by the need to tell her everything he knew. To warn her, and thus make her aware of what they might come across. It would help to prepare her. He stretched out his legs and crossed them at the ankles.
“You’ve probably figured out by now that compounds are arranged in clusters. Yes, many are strung along the main road leading up to Far Troit and down to Mexco. But we’re not evenly spaced out. You may travel for days before reaching the next one in the chain, and then find two or three more scattered around it.”
“Was it planned that way?”
“I don’t believe so. Dad once told me when survivors began to regroup, little pockets of militia popped up and took over. Claiming leadership. Armed demigods assumed control, and the first battle lords were created when they fought each other for domination. It was bloody and far more dangerous than it is now. People struggled to survive, and they didn’t care who was tapped to watch over them as long as they felt protected and had enough to eat.”
“That’s what I was taught in school,” Atty admitted. “Except, when the first Mutah were born, they were killed. Those whose parents managed to hide them survived because they were smuggled away from the compounds, where they met others like themselves. That’s how Mutah compounds came into being.”
“But, in my opinion, the Mutah developed a more democratic governing system, based supposedly on the one that had been in place in this country before the Great Collision,” Yulen pointed out. He laced his fingers together and rested his hands on his stomach. “It’s a shame the Normals couldn’t act with the same amount of wisdom.”
“What do you think we’ll find up in Corado? Did you see those men’s faces when I entered the lodge?”
“I studied them from the moment I was introduced to them,” Yulen told her. “They were also amazed by the fact that you could read.”
Atty snorted. “You caught that, too, huh?”
“Once we pass the outskirts of Wallis, we’ll need to be extra diligent. Although the battle lords up north and west may have heard of the treaties, we can’t assume they agree with them. Neither can we believe they want me there to oversee any peaceful negotiations between Normals and Mutah. The dissidents continue to outnumber us, and we can’t forget that, or let down our guard.”
“You think this could be a trap?” The quiver in her voice betrayed her fear, making him quick to reassure her.
“No, not a trap. At least, I hope not. In any event, we’ll remain well-armed and alert, just in case.”
“Then why are they having a summit if you think they don’t want to bring peace among themselves?”
“I have no idea, Atty, but I think it’s possible Alton Highcliff is calling it a summit to mask his true intentions.”
“Bad intentions?”
“Let’s hope not. But if that’s the case, he needs to be stopped. I hate being used as a scapegoat, or placed in the middle of someone else’s argument.” He caught sight of a shadow peeking over the balcony, and he smiled. “Our little escape artist is watching us.”
Atty let out a loud sigh and started to rise when he waved her to remain where she was.
“Stay put and have another cup of tea, if you want. I’ll go see what he needs and put him back to bed.”
“I need to get to bed myself. Care to join me?” She flashed him a flirtatious grin that made his heart beat faster. He groaned inwardly.
“I’d love to, but I want to check up on our guests. See what they’ve been up to. I won’t be long.”
He leaned over to kiss her. It always amazed him how sweet her lips were. How soft and tantalizing. For a moment, he wished he could forget about his duty and crawl into bed with her. Although those heady, pheromone-fueled days of dizzying passion were gone, the good old-fashioned desires remained. Pulling away, he smiled at her and placed a hand on her belly.
“A girl this time, huh?”
“Yep. A daughter.”
“You’re sure?” When she gave him that look he was hopi
ng for, he grinned widely. “Have the bed warm when I return. I’ll be back before you know it.”
She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah, yeah. Like I haven’t heard that song and dance before.”
Chuckling, he turned toward the spiral staircase and the little figure halfway down the steps. “All right, Mattox. Back to bed, and that’s an order!” he barked in a half-serious tone. When the child ran, laughing, back up the stairs, he growled playfully and chased after his son.
Chapter Three
Meeting
Once Yulen informed Matriman and his party that he and Atty were accepting the invitation to attend the summit in Corado, the brigade left Alta Novis. With their guests on their way home, he called for a meeting of those Atty considered to be in their inner circle of friends and confidants. They met in the battle lord’s lodge. She and Madigan took the comfy chairs, while the others either sat on the floor, or stood around while Yulen took a stance in front of them.
Glancing around the room, Atty observed who was in attendance. Of everyone present, the only person who appeared out of place was the compound’s newest physician, Fergus Thrasher. Already, the villagers had started calling him Dr. Gus. A recent immigrant from a northern compound, the short, stocky man was already proving his worth.
She glanced down at her hands as her thoughts went back to the elderly Dr. Manderly Saxon. Although she hadn’t known the man long, she missed the scholarly physician, who’d succumbed to pneumonia a little over a month ago. Thrasher had been Saxon’s understudy. When the sick man realized he may be lying on his deathbed, he had sent word for Thrasher, requesting the physician relocate to Alta Novis. Luckily, Thrasher arrived shortly before Saxon succumbed. Or, as she would like to think of it, the old man had stubbornly clung to life long enough to say his final goodbyes to his student.
Hopefully, Thrasher would prove the old adage that third time was the charm. Of the two men whom MaGrath had been training to take over his practice, one had been killed, and the other, a Mutah named Benito Filles, had gone to a Mutah compound that was in serious need of a physician.
“Thank you for coming on such short notice.”
Atty glanced up to see her husband addressing the group.
“The reason I’ve asked you here is twofold. I wanted to speak to each of you, but time prohibits me meeting with you individually.” He took a deep breath. “Atty and I have been invited to attend a summit conference in Corado. That’s an eleven-day journey just to get there. The summit is scheduled to begin on May sixth. That means we need to leave in three days to make it on time.”
“A summit usually calls for an armistice,” a voice drawled from the back of the room. Everyone’s eyes looked over to where Garet Renken leaned against the wall, one boot crossed over the other. “I hope you’re planning on packing some heat, anyway. Just in case.”
Yulen grinned. “You’re right. You never know what we’ll encounter along the way. Mastin, Paxton, enlist three dozen men to accompany us. We’ll take two wagons. One with supplies, the other for arms. Also, send word to New Bearinger. Tell Roth and Sy I need one of them back here to oversee the troops in my absence. I don’t care who. Mother and Liam will be in charge, but I want a trained commander to head my army if something should happen.”
“Warren’s going, too?” MaGrath spoke up from where he was standing behind Madigan, who was bouncing their young son on her shoulder.
Yulen glanced at Atty, then back at MaGrath. “If you’re asking if Atty’s leaving with me, the answer is yes.”
Atty leaned forward to address the issue before the man could protest. “Yulen and I have already discussed this, Liam. Our decision stands. I’m going with him.”
“It’s crucial that she does,” Yulen continued. “I believe the only way these treaties will come about, if there are to be more, is because both sides need to see how well we all work together. They need to see me and Atty together.”
“What about Mattox? Is he going with you?” Madigan inquired.
Atty answered. “No. Not this time.”
“We were hoping you and Tory could sort of…watch over him.” Yulen grinned at his mother. “Trade off taking care of him when he gets to be too much of a handful.”
A loud sigh caught their attention. Fortune raised a hand. “I’m hearing myself volunteering for this thing,” he halfway joked.
“We need you, Fortune,” Atty told him.
Tory laid a hand on his shoulder. “You know your feelings would be hurt if they didn’t take you with them. Or at least ask you,” she chided her husband in a loving tone. The man snorted but gave her a warm smile in response.
“Liam.”
MaGrath turned his attention back to the battle lord.
“Liam, you know that Atty and I would be more than grateful if you’d accompany us, but we’re also aware that you need to remain here to take care of Mother and the baby.” Yulen dropped his eyes to the other physician. “That’s why you’ve been included in this gathering, Fergus. The mantle falls on you. We need you to come with us to Corado.”
The young doctor paled slightly, flabbergasted by the order Yulen had disguised as a request. “I’m… All right.” He turned to MaGrath. “I’m going to need some pointers on what to expect. And what to pack.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll help you get ready,” the older physician promised. He turned to Atty. “And, for the record, I don’t think it’s a good idea that you travel in your condition Still…” He gave her a weary smile. “Since when has my opinion changed your mind once you’ve set it? Be safe, bluebell. And that’s an order.”
“Why am I here?” another voice spoke up.
Yulen dropped his eyes on the woman sitting thigh-to-thigh with his second. Paas threw him a bewildered look.
“You were welcomed into our squad of elite hunters,” the battle lord reminded her. “But you are not certified as one of my soldiers. Therefore, I have no right to order you to do anything when it comes to protecting this compound.”
Again, Atty intervened. “Paas? What he’s trying to say is, you are one of our best hunters, and an excellent warrior. Which is why it was my decision to ask you if you would come with us, as well.”
Paas stared at her open-mouthed for a moment before shutting it. The flush in her cheeks faded, and she visibly took an emotional step backwards. Atty smiled, knowing why. “You thought you were expected to remain here?”
“Why else would you tell Cole to have me come here with him?”
“To fight alongside him,” Atty answered. “I remember how it was when Yulen and I were separated. I don’t want to put you and Cole through that. Not after all you’ve done for us. I know you plan to exchange vows come the spring. I want to make sure you get to do that.”
“Then my answer is yes.” The woman smiled warmly.
“Good. Now that we’ve made those decisions, it’s time to pack.” Yulen glanced around the room. “We leave at first light the day after tomorrow. I suggest everyone get as much rest as possible before then, because this could turn out to be a hard, grueling trip.”
Fifteen minutes later, the small crowd had left, leaving the battle lord and his lady alone. Drawing an arm around her, Yulen pulled her close and dropped a kiss to her hair. “Afraid, excited, or both?” he inquired.
She laid her head against his shoulder. “Both.”
“So tell me what worries you.”
When she glanced up at him, he snorted. “You know I can read you as well as you can read me.”
“What worries me? The unknown. That always worries me. As much as it worries you. But I know that we can handle whatever is thrown at us when we’re together. Let’s go and attend this summit with an open mind, my love, and hope we make a difference.”
“We will, Atrilan. We can only hope that we will.”
Chapter Four
Contingency
They made good time those first few hours after leaving Alta Novis. The day was cold and bright, without a cloud ov
erhead to shadow them, or pelt them with frozen rain or snow.
Yulen glanced over where his wife rode even with him. Within the past few minutes, he’d noticed she was lost in thought. Or, more accurately, in grief. Not a soul-burning grief. But the grief of a mother who was feeling the ramifications of leaving behind her only child after he’d cried and begged her not to go away.
Nudging his Palomino closer, he reached out a hand to touch her leg. “I can remember a time when a certain blue-haired woman once confessed to me that she was terrified of becoming a mother.”
She gave him a trembling smile. “Times change. Circumstances change.”
“Bet you never thought you’d suffer from baby withdrawal, did you?” he gently teased.
Atty let out a sigh. “It was so damn hard that time I had to send him away when Rafe took over the compound. It’s just as hard this time, too.”
Yulen bit his lower lip before replying. “You had no choice the first time. You did it to protect him. You saved his life by keeping him out of sight. We had no choice this time, either. Mattox is too headstrong and precocious to take on a trip like this. But I promise you. When we get back, after our daughter is born, we’ll take an honest-to-goodness vacation.”
Atty gave him a surprised look. “A vacation? Where?”
“I was thinking about traveling to a couple of Mutah compounds. See how things are holding up.”
“You mean West Crestin.”
He nodded. “It displays my banner, which means I’m responsible for the compound and its inhabitants.”
“But I thought you get quarterly reports from them and from Wallis.”
“I do. But every so often it’s wise to do an on-site inspection to make sure nothing is amiss. I don’t expect things to run smoothly one hundred percent of the time, but I do expect things to be run my way.”
She smiled, understanding. A good battle lord didn’t sit back and hope the reports he was receiving were the truth, and that everything was going as planned. Once in a while he had to check up on things, to ensure the people he’d left in charge hadn’t staged a silent coup.
