“A fair deal. I can help in finding this spy.”
“We’ll find out soon enough if my suspicions are correct. Men like that act differently when they’re under attack.”
“Do you plan on being attacked?”
It was Bahr’s turn to smile. “It wouldn’t be any fun otherwise.”
Boen made his way down the boarding ramp with Dorl and Nothol on his heels. Several guards blanched at the sight. They hadn’t followed Harnin down to the docks with the expectations of getting into a fight. The men from the Dragon’s Bane clearly had. They shuffled and moved back. Even Harnin found himself shifting away.
“What do you want?” he asked accusingly.
Boen flashed his teeth. It was a singular look. One that warned, “come and test me.”
“We’ve come for the lady’s belongings,” Dorl answered. “She’s coming with us.”
“I trust this isn’t a problem?” Boen added in a deep voice.
Harnin struggled to maintain his composure. “No problem at all. I trust she will benefit the mission greatly if Bahr has deemed her worthy.”
The Gaimosian shrugged. “That’s his business.”
Dorl and Nothol stripped the saddle bags and weapons from her horse and marched back to the Bane under Boen’s watchful gaze. None of the guards so much as flinched. The last thing any of them wanted was a brawl with a handful of mercenaries on the docks. All of their order and discipline meant nothing in a close fight. The men aboard the Bane were selected for one reason: they were dangerous. Harnin knew that all of his guards, and quite possibly himself, would be dead from such an encounter.
He swallowed what little pride remained and called out, “Inform Captain Bahr he is cleared to depart at his convenience.”
Boen looked back over his shoulder. “I suppose he’ll leave when he’s good and ready.”
He boarded the Dragon’s Bane, glad to be done with it.
Dorl dropped the bags and told Nothol, “I rather enjoyed that.”
“It could become habit-forming.”
“Let’s get her kit stored. I wouldn’t mind taking another peek at her myself. Did you see that silver hair?”
Nothol shook his head ruefully. “Yes I did and you’d best stop thinking with your trousers. That’s the quick-fire way to get killed.”
Dorl grinned. “It might just be worth it.”
TEN
Maleela stared down at the frost-covered ground and wondered again if she had made the right decision. Her father wasn’t necessarily a bad man. His temper was often frightening and he had a penchant for conquest, but he loved his people after a fashion. Maleela had never felt that love. All Badron wanted was sons. Rialla had given him one, but only one. The shame of going through life knowing that her mother died giving birth often caused Maleela great pain.
There was a time when a father’s love was all that mattered, needed. It was the one thing he refused to give. He blamed her for Rialla’s death and made no secret about it. Nothing she did was good enough. Every idea or thought she had was either dumb or a waste of time. He was overly critical and rarely showed good will towards her publicly. Maleela knew she was a stain upon his honor. The combination of all of that was unbearable.
Then she met Aurec. The pair took an instant liking to each other. Love seemed inevitable. The kings celebrated their relationship with a grand celebration many still talked about. Joy faded quickly. Maleela learned through her own spies that her father had designs on conquering Rogscroft. That knowledge would eventually force their love underground. She and Aurec were all but forbidden to follow the paths of their hearts, leaving one alternative. The pair kept their love a secret until Aurec was finally prepared to rescue her. She waited until the night came when her prince stole her from Chadra Keep.
A twig snapping startled her. Her hand dropped, uncomfortably, to the hilt of her short dagger.
“I’m unarmed,” Aurec said with a sheepish grin. His hands were held up.
She blushed. “You startled me.”
“I’m sorry,” he replied. “What are you doing out here all alone? It’s not safe for any of us these days.”
“I was just thinking.” She turned back to the rolling hills stretching out before them.
Aurec moved beside her and tenderly reached for her hand. “About your father.”
She nodded.
“Winter is closing in. No army is equipped to cross the mountains and wage a war a hundred leagues from home in the dead of winter, not even the Wolfsreik. We still have some time.”
Maleela gave him a sad look. “You don’t know my father.”
“He’s just one man.”
“One man who will stop at nothing to keep me from warning your father. He will kill us if he catches us.”
Aurec’s face twisted in a stricken look. “He wouldn’t hurt his own daughter.”
“Oh Aurec, why can’t you see? He has no love for me, none at all. He wanted sons. Strong heirs to carry on his name and ideals. I was, and am, unwanted in that house.”
“And we killed his only son,” he whispered.
It was more of an admission of guilt than a realization. He hadn’t wanted to kill anyone at all, but there was little choice in it. The house guard responded fiercely and did their jobs well. They also paid for it dearly in lives. Telling Maleela was the hardest thing he had ever done. The decision tormented him from the moment it happened. Her anger quickly faded, though not before beating deep bruises into his chest. Aurec was surprised with how easily she put that anger aside and focused on the present. He began to doubt her sincerity towards all of her family.
“Badron’s vengeance will be terrible.”
He looked at her and felt his heart grow weak. The woman he loved had just given up everything she’d ever known for an uncertain life with him. There was no going back and he was still unsure if he deserved it. He certainly couldn’t ask for such sacrifice. Aurec winced at the fear emanating off of her. Worse, he had no idea how to make it better.
“My brother was a good man. He might have been a fine king were it not for my father’s influences,” she quietly said.
“I promise you this will work itself out.”
“At what cost?”
He had no answer. Thankfully Venten approached.
“My lord, the camp is struck. We are ready to move.”
“Thank you, Venten. We’ll be along shortly. Tell Mahn and Raste to push out.”
The aged veteran nodded gruffly and returned to the rest of the group. He didn’t say it, but he was still unsure about their present course of action, and that bothered the prince. Venten was a professional soldier with unshakable loyalties. Wherever the prince went he would follow. Still, he’d been troubled since they entered Delranan. The old veteran prayed love did not get in the way before this affair was sorted.
“How long do you think it will be before your father sends his hunters?” Aurec asked once they were alone again.
“He already has,” came her reply.
He nodded glumly. “We knew it was a risk. The Pell Darga was good cover, but their kingdom lies along the same road as Rogscroft. We must hurry if we are to warn my father in time.”
They rode hard. Aurec was determined to put as much ground as possible between them and Badron’s hunters. Rogscroft was still far enough away to keep him comfortable. The Murdes Mountains loomed ever higher despite being far. Fortunately the road was an easy one. They could make great speed. Unfortunately their enemies could do the same. Aurec pushed them hard, driving across the grasslands and into the first foothills. All told, they rode fifteen leagues before the sun set.
Aurec decided to risk a small fire once they made camp. Satisfied that food was cooking and they could all find some warmth, he summoned his two best scouts to him. Mahn and Raste stood before their prince, awaiting their orders.
“I have a feeling we are being followed,” Aurec told them. “I want you to sweep back about a league. Don’t make contac
t though.”
Mahn, a longtime sergeant and veteran of almost twenty years, cocked his head. He had shoulder-length jet black hair and a barrel chest. Tattoos decorated his cheeks just below the eyes. “If it is only one man he’ll never see us coming. We should eliminate him before we lose the advantage.”
“No. Killing him will only let our enemy know they are on the right path. We can’t afford to take that risk.”
“They might be Pell scouts,” the younger Raste offered.
His golden hair and lighter frame was in sharp contrast to his counterpart. He still held a youthful lightheartedness in his pale blue eyes.
“The Pell would have made themselves known, besides they hardly come this far down from the mountains,” Mahn countered. His natural mistrust of the Pell dripped with every word.
“Just get close enough to see who it is and report back. Nothing fancy. I’m actually going to need you two before this ends,” Aurec cautioned.
“Fair enough. We will pass on the heroics for now,” Mahn smiled.
The scouts left without another word and saddled their mounts, taking time to strip everything that might give them away at night. Neither was particularly enthused about their task, but they were scouts and had no room for complaints. Still, they’d been riding point for almost a month and bordered on exhaustion. Loyal sons of Rogscroft, Mahn and Raste wearily climbed back into the saddle. They slipped into the growing darkness and were lost to the evening.
“They are two of my best,” Aurec told Maleela after he noticed the odd look she gave him. “If your father’s men are on us, they will find out.”
“What happens when they do? How much farther until we are safe?” she asked.
He lacked the nerve to tell her the truth. Never. We will never be safe again, my love. Badron would hound them into the grave.
“It will take us a week to cross the mountains, providing that the weather holds. Another week and we’ll be at Rogscroft. My father is going to give you a warm welcome. What better way to welcome winter than with the coming of a princess?”
His smile was warm and genuine, but not enough to shake the cold feeling in her bones. Something terrible was creeping upon them and she felt helpless to prevent it. Maleela hoped nothing ill befell them before gaining the security of the city-kingdom.
Then a thought dawned on her. She gave Aurec a sly look and asked, “He doesn’t know, does he?”
Aurec betrayed no emotion. “I don’t know what you are talking about.”
He watched her for a few moments before looking in the direction of his scouts. The world had suddenly grown more complicated.
*****
Raste stifled a yawn. The moon was slowing, cresting the lip of the western mountains. It was already cold with temperatures dropping close to freezing. The young scout considered how good being in a goose down bed with a warm woman or two would feel then admonished himself for drifting off. That kind of thinking would get both of them killed. They’d been through the drill more times than either cared to remember. Alertness was the key to their continued success, and survival, although Raste liked to credit a little bit of good luck as well.
Mahn led them into a small copse of white birch. The site of their last encampment was only a few hundred meters away. If Aurec’s suspicions were accurate, this was the perfect place to await their mystery stalker. Mahn wrapped his travelling cloak a little tighter around him and settled down for the wait. Experience taught him that it wouldn’t be long. No one in their right mind wanted to be out in this weather.
He glanced over at his younger partner. Raste was almost too young to be a good scout, but the lad did have natural ability. He was good, but not quite good enough. More so, Raste was experienced. He’d been pulled from the ranks of infantry after a handful of battles to salt him. Three years ago command had assigned them together. They’d formed a tenuous bond barely days before running into a Goblin patrol. Both did their share of killing during the escape. The lesson would prove invaluable should Raste decide to pursue a career in the military. Mahn had every expectation that the lad would grow to be a fine soldier with a little time and training.
A sudden movement broke his thoughts. Mahn smiled. Their quarry moved into view with impunity. Moonlight struck the ground in mottled beams. The scouts watched unbelievably as the man rummaged through rocks and trees for signs of the princess. He was sloppy and careless, making enough noise to be heard a mile away. Mahn cursed the man for his incompetence but made no move. He could almost feel Raste’s contempt rising beside him.
The younger scout thumbed the edge of his blackened dagger impatiently. He’d like nothing more than to charge in and make the kill. Unfortunately that wasn’t his job anymore. He was being paid to sit and watch and report. So Raste sat quietly and observed his enemy. The pair had almost grown bored when the man suddenly froze. His head darted from side to side as if frantically searching for something.
“Damn,” Raste barely whispered.
His first instinct was they’d been discovered and it was time to attack. If they didn’t stop the man now it was all over. He would return to his masters and report their position. That was unacceptable. He glanced over at Mahn to see if the older man’s body language suggested the same intent. It didn’t. Mahn sat still as a tree and watched. Raste, being the junior, resigned himself to the same.
Mahn watched their prey with extreme interest. There was nothing familiar about him. He moved like a normal man with limited field experience. His dress was non-distinct. He wore a thin rapier on his right hip, not the sort of weapon a man in this profession would choose. Mahn suddenly felt as if he was wasting his time. Their stalker was definitely not from Badron’s court. Mahn watched the man bolt back in the direction from which he came.
“Do we follow?” Raste immediately asked.
Mahn shook his head. “No. He’s harmless.”
“He might have friends.”
“Then let us hope they are better at this game than this one. We don’t have anything to fear from him.”
Raste wasn’t so sure. “I don’t like it. We should at least see where he is going.”
“To what purpose? I’d be willing to bet he’s no more than a boy chasing an easy score. Let the wind take him. We have better things to do.”
“Such as?” Raste raised an eyebrow.
They were sitting in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the night. It wasn’t the worst situation Raste had been in but he could think of several better ones. Besides, it was getting too cold to be wandering through the Delranan forests by themselves. He imagined how warm Aurec’s fire must be and stifled a jealous pang. The luxuries of being a prince, he guessed. Fat and warm while all of us soldiers do the dirty work. Just lovely.
“A bit of sleep and some hot food,” Mahn answered.
He’d never admit it, but he was every bit as tired and cold as Raste. Years of military service failed to immunize him to nature despite the hard edge. That edge often made it difficult to make friends or adapt in social situations very well. Mahn wasn’t quite old yet. He was only a few years beyond thirty. The downside was that the military was all he knew. Part of him wished Raste never had to know the same hardships, and a little luxury was most certainly owed them.
Raste cracked a thin smile. “I like the sound of that.”
“Let’s head back to camp. It will be dawn in a few hours and I need some rest.”
“Lead on, oh wise one.”
The scouts wheeled their mounts around and headed back to their small camp. Pale moonlight bathed the ground in an eerie glow. Shadows gave the impression of foul creatures stalking the innocence of the night. Neither scout paid much attention to such. They were accustomed, if not wholly comfortable, with working in the night. Still, both remained ready in the event the darkness turned on them.
Mahn occasionally glanced behind them. He still had the sinking feeling that comes from being watched. Every time he turned he saw nothing. Mahn eventual
ly decided the paranoia was from the lack of sleep and focused on the path ahead. So it was that he failed to see the small figure trailing them from a safe distance.
ELEVEN
The Dragon’s Bane plowed through the open waters. Gulls soared along the prow. Sea spray coated those close to the rails. She made good time though Bahr felt they could do better. He paced the decks with a constant scowl. The northern ice flow had yet to encroach upon the mainland and there were simply too many variable factors to make him comfortable. A dozen different scenarios played over in his mind, none of them with appreciable endings. Weather and family. He almost felt lost.
He let his gaze settle on the wizard and the enigmatic southern girl. He didn’t trust either of them for good reason. They both knew far too much about him and the king than Bahr deemed right. Things that he had long forgotten. Making matters worse, he only knew a handful of the twenty men Harnin had hired. The entire situation chafed him.
Bahr turned back to the ocean. This was where he felt safe, where he felt at home. Still, not even the troubled waters frothing against his hull managed to keep his thoughts straight. The prophetic interpretations of Rekka Jel’s dream masters disturbed him. He’d never been the superstitious sort and didn’t give in to the typical sailor yarn about good fortune. Bahr believed life was what you made of it, nothing more. He exhaled a long breath and rubbed his face with the palms of both hands. There was a brief moment where he felt that he was too old for this nonsense, too old to be gallivanting around Malweir’s northern oceans. Then again, he hadn’t a clue what else there was to do. Destiny was intent on keeping him a traveling adventurer.
“What’s on your mind?” Boen asked in his rumbling voice.
The big man eased alongside and offered a half-empty canteen. Bahr accepted the water and drank deeply.
Hammers in the Wind Page 8
