The Warriors of Valishna (Cartharia Book 1)

by Spencer Reaves McCoy

  "That sounds terrible," Matilyn said.

  "That was life," Cori said, "It was no different for many families in Lamonte. We are a poor nation. That is why so many people flocked to the ideas of Richard Sullivan."

  "He offered a solution," Cori said, "He offered what felt like salvation to many."

  "He provided education from what I've heard," Matilyn said.

  Cori nodded, "He did," she said, "He made it readily available for all citizens. But what he gave, he also took away. When families did not support his claim for world domination, he had them killed as examples. He tore apart mothers and children, husband and wives. Siblings turned against each other. My brother, he still fights for Lamonte."

  "I'm sorry to hear that," Matilyn said.

  "So am I," Cori said, "And my parents and sisters, they died. My youngest sisters both died of the yellow fever when it swept through the land. My oldest sister was killed alongside my parents when they disagreed with Sullivan's decisions. His soldiers slaughtered them."

  Matilyn swallowed, squeezing Cori's hand.

  "But enough of this," Cori said, "I do not want to speak of things that were. I would rather focus on things that are. You are a capable leader and a woman of great strength, Matilyn. I have the highest regard for you."

  "And I have the highest respect for you," Matilyn said, "You are a capable leader as well, Cori. Without your leadership and help, I would never be bale to lead the men here."

  Cori waved a hand dismissively, "You would," she declared, "But it matters little. I am not searching for praise, nor am I handing it out without reason. I am telling you that I have high respect for you so know that when you came to my tent, it was not only comfort that I offered. I care for you."

  Matilyn swallowed. Once again, she thought of Penny.

  "I know you have someone at home," Cori said, "But you wear no ring, and when I kissed you, you kissed me back."

  "We're not together any longer," Matilyn said.

  Cori twisted, lifting Matilyn's chin with her hand. "Good," she whispered. Then she kissed Matilyn. Once again, Matilyn kissed her back.

  Janice approached Matilyn later that night. "Commander, how are you?"

  "I'm fine," Matilyn said, and for the first time in days, it didn't feel like a lie. She'd spent most of the afternoon in Cori's tent, letting out some of her pent up, anxious energy. She smiled at Janice.

  Janice gave her a knowing look, "I see."

  Matilyn's face flooded with color. Before she could speak, Janice held up a hand, "It's fine," she assured her. "I'm not judging. None of the men here would. You're under enormous pressure and after what happened with Penelope, I can only imagine that someone like Cori is a welcome comfort."

  Matilyn said nothing.

  "Anyway," Janice said, "I'm happy for you, but that's not why I'm here. I'm here because one of the scouts in my squadron discovered something."

  Matilyn was immediately more alert, "What is it?"

  Janice smiled, "We found out that Commander Samuel Frien's base isn't far from here, and it looks as though we vastly out number him. If we were to take four charges, we could take him out. I'm sure of it."

  "That's great," Matilyn said. She got to her feet and beckoned Janice to follow her, "Show me on the map."

  "Okay," Janice said. Sean joined them as they made their way towards the command table.

  "What is it?" he asked.

  "Samuel Frien," Matilyn said. They'd all heard of him; he was the commander of the men that took Prince William and stabbed Rafinnel. If they were able to kill him, it would be a huge boost to morale. It went without saying though, so Matilyn left it at that.

  When they entered the command tent, Stini was already present, staring down at the maps.

  "Have you heard?" Matilyn asked him.

  "Yes," Stini said shortly. He continued to stare at the maps. "When are we going after him?"

  Matilyn turned to Janice.

  Janice stepped up to the large map, and moved a few of the wooden soldiers around. "This is where they're camped," she said, gesturing at a large valley not far from them. "I'd say it's a days' march away. We outnumber them. Four Charges, that's all it'd take."

  "We'll take five to be sure," Matilyn said, "Samuel Frien is an extraordinary commander. We don't want to underestimate him."

  "I'm ready," Stini said. "My men will be one of the Charges going."

  Matilyn glanced at his face. There was something in it she didn't want to argue with, "Alright," she agreed. "We'll take yours and four others. Pick out which lieutenants you'll go with."

  Janice cleared her throat, "I'd like to go," she said.

  Matilyn frowned, "Lieutenant Mason is out with four of your squadrons," she pointed out. Mason was the lieutenant that Matilyn put in charge of the squadrons she'd led into the base.

  "My squadron can ride alongside one of the others," Janice said.

  "Lieutenant Mason is expecting you when he returns," Matilyn said. "I don't think he'd be pleased if I ordered you out. You know I try to let each lieutenant lead his men. Chain of command."

  Janice's mouth settled in a firm line, "My squadron discovered him," she said.

  Matilyn hesitated. As much as she'd like to give in and allow Janice to go, she knew how upset it would make the other officer when he returned, expecting all of his men present. "I need you to stay and take the report from Lieutenant Mason," she said, "He could have valuable information."

  "I see," Janice said. She turned away from the small group.

  "When are we going?" Stini repeated.

  "Get your men," Matilyn said, "We'll leave at first light."

  Sean frowned as Janice took off. He didn't need his amulet to tell that she was in an upset mood. He glanced at Matilyn, "Can I?" She nodded her consent and Sean took off after her.

  "Janice, wait," he said.

  Janice slowed down as Sean approached her. He could see that her hands were balled into fists. He reached out for one of them, "It's alright," he said.

  "It's not alright," Janice told him. "It's not. It's not fair. My squadron found him. We should be going after him, not stuck here in camp waiting for Lieutenant Mason's return."

  "Matilyn did what she thought was right," Sean said, "It's not an easy position that she's in right now. The other officers have to keep their command, Janice, or chaos will ensue. You know that."

  Janice's shoulders sagged a little as her anger deflated, "I know," she said, "I just don't want to be left out. This is going to be one of our biggest victories and I'm missing out on it."

  "At least you'll be safe," Sean offered, "Everyone believes Samuel Frien to be one of the toughest military commanders that Lamonte has. You really don't want to be out there against him. There's a good chance that a lot of the people who go aren't going to make it back."

  "I would," Janice said defiantly. Then she sighed, "Besides, I can't let fear rule my action. I could die on any of the missions, Sean. I know I shouldn't hold it against Matilyn but--"

  "Then don't," Sean said, interrupting her. "She's got enough on her plate without you being angry with her. She can't take much more right now, Janice."

  Janice looked surprised at the rebuff. "Alright," she said after a moment. Then she hesitated before asking, "How do you know that? Does she talk to you?"

  "No more than you," Sean assured her. He thought about Matilyn's dream. He absently reached up to touch his amulet and then let his hand fall away, "But I know how she's feeling."

  "How can you?" Janice asked.

  Sean squeezed the hand he was still holding. "Janice, I have to talk to you about something."

  He saw the way her expression tightened. He knew how nervous the words made her, but he had to tell someone. It was time. "Please, Janice."

  "Alright," Janice said. "Let's go back to your tent."

  Sean nodded, leading the way there. He waited until they were both sitting inside with it zipped before speaking, "I know things."

 
"Okay," Janice said. She looked a bit skeptical.

  "I know things," Sean repeated. He swallowed. It was harder than he thought to speak of it. It felt wrong. He forced himself to go on anyway, "I know things that I shouldn't know. About people. About what they're thinking, what they're feeling."

  "What are you talking about?" Janice asked. Now she sounded concerned.

  Sean hesitated before sliding a hand up to his amulet. He held it out, "This thing," he said, "This started it all. It sucks in energy, Janice."

  Janice nodded, "I know that. That's why we made it for you."

  "No," Sean said, "That's not it. It doesn't just suck in the energy from willing people. It draws from everyone, whether they know it or not."

  "I see," Janice said, "How do you know that? Is it just always giving energy?"

  "Sort of," Sean said. He dropped the amulet back around his neck. "It's more than that, though. I never told anyone this. I'm not sure I want to talk about it still."

  This time it was Janice who reached out, taking Sean's hand. "It's alright," she told him. "You're going to be fine. Whatever it is, you can tell me."

  Sean nodded. "The truth is, Janice, I wanted to die. For a long time, after the attack on Valishna, I wished I had. I thought about my family, gone. I didn't think this was a world I wanted to live in. That's why I joined the Guard. It wasn't for noble reasons. I just wanted a way out, and I thought the Guard would provide that. It almost did."

  "Oh Sean," Janice said. She squeezed his hand tightly, "You don't still feel that way, do you?"

  "No," Sean said, "And that's in part because of this amulet. I couldn't feel before, see? It was as though my emotions and everything else died in Valishna. Sorrow, joy, I felt none of it. Everything felt the same. Then I got this."

  "And it gave you more energy," Janice said.

  "In part," Sean said, "That's part of it, yes. But it's more than that. It draws in energy, but it also draws in emotion. I don't know how it works. Maybe the two are linked and can't be separated. I'm not sure. All I know is that when I draw from the energy from it, I get the emotions too."

  "So you feel what everyone else is feeling," Janice said.

  "And I hear what they're thinking sometimes too," Sean admitted.

  Janice said nothing.

  "I know what you're thinking right now," Sean said, "But I never meant to do anything wrong. I needed it at first, and then it became an addiction."

  "I'm not angry," Janice said.

  Sean started to reach for his amulet and then stopped himself. It took a lot of will power. "I would be," he said. "I would be furious. It's eavesdropping. I never meant to do wrong, but I knew it wasn't right. I just couldn't stop myself."

  Janice frowned, "If you know how everyone is feeling and what they think, then you know how I feel about you."

  "I feel the same, if it's any consolation," Sean said, "Janice, it's not just the amulet that's kept me going. When I'm with you, I feel something. I feel alive. I feel like I want to be alive. You give me reason to keep going."

  "Do you mean that?" Janice asked.

  Sean nodded.

  "I'm not sure how I'm supposed to feel right now," Janice said. "It's a lot to take in."

  Janice stared at Sean. "Can I see it?"

  Sean hesitated. "It's addictive," he said again. "I don't know."

  "Sean."

  Sean slipped the chain from around his neck, his fingers brushing against the amulet as he did. He felt a surge of energy. It had mingled emotions in it. Some of them he could understand, others were a garbled mess. He held the amulet out, trying not to dwell on them for now.

  Janice took the amulet holding it tightly in a hand. After a moment, she shook her head, "I don't feel anything," she admitted.

  "Nothing?" Sean asked.

  "Nothing," Janice confirmed.

  Sean reached out, snatching the amulet back. He focused and a secondary rush of emotion filled him. He frowned and offered it back to Janice, "You have to concentrate on drawing the energy."

  Janice took it again. She sighed, as she closed her eyes and focused. "I feel something," she finally said. "I don't know quite what it is..."

  Sean looked at her eagerly, "It's the energy. Do you feel it?"

  "I don't know," Janice said, "I felt something, but it's faint. Sean, this isn't something good. I can tell that much."

  Sean nodded, his eager expression fading. He'd already known that much.

  "You have to get rid of it," Janice said, "It's not fair to use, and it's not... it's not good," she repeated. "I feel as though it might be evil, in fact."

  "That's going a little far," Sean said. "It's not evil. It's just... it's just different. I know it's not a good thing to use. It's not fair to eavesdrop on other peoples' thoughts, but Janice, this saved my life."

  "In more than one way, it would appear," Janice said wryly. Then she clapped a hand over her mouth, "I'm sorry, Sean. That wasn't fair. Of course it saved your life. I'm grateful for that. I love you, but you already know that."

  "For what it's worth," Sean said, "I love you too, and that has nothing to do with the amulet."

  Janice smiled. "I know," she said.

  "You do?" Sean asked.

  "Of course," Janice said, "And I know Matilyn's having a hard time. And I know she's sleeping with Cori. And I know her officers' boy--Rory Remmus--I know he's only here because his family stayed in Valishna and he didn't know it when he left. You're not the only one around here who can keep an eye on things. It just takes a little bit of attention."

  Sean looked down.

  Janice sighed. "I don't know what to tell you," she said, "Other than you have to get rid of it. We should bury it somewhere."

  "I'm not sure I can," Sean admitted. The idea filled his stomach with dread. He felt as if he might be a little sick. "I'm not sure, Janice."

  "You have to," Janice said. "It's the right thing to do. And you're a good person, Sean. I know that."

  "Can it wait?" Sean asked, "Till I get back from the fight with Samuel Frien? I think I might need all the energy I can get for that battle. Everyone's so worried about it. Except Stini. He's excited."

  Janice considered and then nodded, "Be safe out there," she said.

  Sean leaned forward to kiss her on the cheek, "I will," he promised.

  Janice turned her head so their lips met instead, "You better be."

  THIRTY-FOUR

  Why Then She Lives

  ELDRIN HEADED OUT OF CAMP TO GO collect supplies. They were planning on leave that night. They'd been delayed, which had given Four a couple days' reprieve. Eldrin still didn't think she was ready to move though. It wasn't his choice. He'd started to accept that.

  He hadn't made it far when he caught a glimpse of an arrow fly over his head. Eldrin threw himself to the ground and rolled. Since he'd been jogging, it took a lot of the air from his lungs and left him gasping for arrow. The arrow had missed him only by inches.

  He yanked a dagger from his belt without stopping to consider the dirt on his clothing. He swept his surroundings with a calculated gaze and saw nothing. That meant nothing though. Eldrin rolled to the side, staying down. He came up in a half crouch behind a fallen log.

  A flash of movement to his left caught his attention and he spun in that direction and let his knife go. It cut through the air, spinning as it went. It made a high-pitched whistling sound before he heard a thud and a yelp of pain. He'd hit a target.

  He pulled a longer dagger from his boot sheathe and kept down, moving closer to where he'd heard the cry. He kept checking his surroundings while he did so. He thought he heard a rustle of leaves but he only saw a bird fly up.

  Eldrin scooped up a small close of dirt in his hand and cut his gaze back and forth, forcing himself to stay still. He knew his charge members would hear even a slight twitch. Pulling in a deep breath, he tossed the close of dirt in a quick movement far to his right.

  He saw another arrow fly in that direction. He smirked. He re
cognized that arrow from the ones that Six carried. After all, he'd been hit with one earlier that day. He followed the direction the arrow had come from.

  "Not this time," he said in a barely audible whisper. He knew Four would be proud if he could survive this prearranged attack. Maybe even Three. Making his way through the foliage, he frowned as he heard a small whimper. He kept his knife at the ready as he pushed through a small clearing in the forest.

  "Six!" he cried out, dropping his knife to the ground and hurrying to his comrade.

  Six was laying on the ground, a foot from her bow and arrows, bleeding profusely. His dagger was lodged into her chest and quite deeply from the look of it. He face was pale and she looked as though she were barely on the edge of consciousness.

  "Hang on," Eldrin commanded. He pulled his shirt off and knelt down beside her. He slid an arm under her shoulders and lifted her a bit off the ground. "This is going to hurt. Just hang on."

  Forcing himself not to hesitate, Eldrin yanked the blade out of the wound in one quick pull. He immediately pressed his shirt to the wound to soak up the excess blood that was welling over. Six's eyes blinked open and she let out a moan of pain.

  "What happened?" Eldrin demanded, "How did this happen, Six? Where's that charm that keeps the weaponry from harming you? It should have just bruised."

  Six coughed. Eldrin winced when he saw the small puddles of blood at the corners of her mouth. He realized she'd probably have internal bleeding. He had to lay her back down. "You're going to be fine," he assured her. He lowered her back to the dirt. Once she was there, he began to check her organs by gently pressing on multiple spots across her chest and abdomen. He kept his shirt wadded up against the wound with the other hand.

  When none of the pressure seemed to bother her, he raked a hand back through his hair with a frustrated grimace, spring it up with streaks of red, gory blood.

  She coughed again. This time she seemed to nearly gag on it. Eldrin peered down at her face and frowned. It looked almost as though she were choking. He watched her lips turning blue. He put a hand to her throat, trying to feel for some obstruction but there was no blockage. It didn't make any sense.