by Callie Kanno
L’iam’s armor was very similar to Adesina’s. The etchings and golden accents were a slightly different design, and his cloak was blue with the royal insignia embroidered in gold thread—much like the tunic he had been wearing when she had first seen him.
“You cannot avoid it forever,” L’iam reminded her teasingly from across the tent.
He was still lying in bed, watching her as she dressed. Adesina made a face at him, but moved to put on the breastplate.
The L’avan blacksmiths had made the armor lighter than normal, but still strong. Even so, it was cumbersome to wear.
“I doubt you will find this armor so amusing when you have training exercises with the infantry today,” she shot back at him.
It was his turn to make a face. “You are right.”
They laughed together.
Adesina finished by checking to make sure that her hair was still tightly pinned back in a braided knot. She gave a girlish twirl and batted her eyes. “How do I look?”
L’iam’s eyes were soft. “You are beautiful.”
Adesina laughed again and leaned down to kiss him. “Get out of bed. You have work to do.”
She ignored his theatrical groan and walked out of the tent.
The early morning air was fresh and invigorating, especially after the slightly stuffy atmosphere of the tent. Adesina breathed deeply, admiring the rosy colors of the dawn. It was difficult for her to focus on the beauties of nature, though. Signs of war were everywhere, and her mind snapped into her military training.
A month ago, just after Hestia had made a claim to the Seharan throne, the Ojuri leader had suggested taking the army and traveling south to set up base. There had been some concerns about leaving the refugees on their own, but it had all worked out in the end. Some of the former High City citizens had been left in charge of the camp itself, and Than’os had been instructed to stay and continue training new recruits until they were ready to join the main army. The refugees were not without defense, thanks to the forest of protective spirits, and it gave the main army the opportunity to move into a better strategic position.
Adesina had been reluctant to leave Wren’na when she was so close to delivering her baby, but nothing could be done about that. No non-military people had been allowed to travel with the army, and the army couldn’t have left without one of their most senior leaders.
Adesina had done some careful scouting to find a piece of land that would give them an advantage over their enemies. When she had found the ideal spot, the army moved out. After marching for a week, they arrived at the place where they were to meet the Scepter of Cha-sak and had set up camp.
Now the camp was a bustle of activity from the earliest signs of dawn until well after night had fallen. Defenses around the camp were being built and fortified. There were walls and trenches and spikes. Adesina was taking no chances with the safety of her soldiers. It was a spacious camp, and the fortification was taking up a large portion of their time.
The blacksmiths were working as hard and as fast as possible, trying to make enough weapons and armor for those who were going to fight. After a long debate about the ethics of war, it had been decided that several of the L’avan would use their vyala to aid the blacksmiths. The armor was being tempered by magic to be stronger and lighter, and the weapons were being treated so that they would be easier to wield. Adesina firmly believed that such details could make the difference between victory and defeat.
The section of the camp closest to the battlefield was being turned into a healing ward. Preparations were being made for a large intake. The healers were carefully setting up triage, organizing medical supplies, and building as many beds as possible.
Training was also continuing for all of the volunteers whenever there was a moment to spare. Adesina wanted the soldiers to be so well trained that they could fight with muscle memory.
Everywhere Adesina looked there was movement and preparation. Her chest swelled with pride at the hard work of those who followed her to battle. The Shimat would be relying heavily on mercenaries, and Adesina doubted that they would be as disciplined or dedicated as her army.
Adesina had not gotten far from her tent before she was joined by Ravi. He was very busy now that he was the leader of the Rashad, and he often left her side when she returned to her tent each night. Adesina could follow his movements through their Joining, and she knew of his tireless efforts.
The Rashad were just as busy as the L’avan were. They had set up a perimeter and were constantly scouting for any signs of approaching enemies. They were also hunting to bring in fresh supplies—not just food, but also things like medicinal herbs. And beyond that, they, too, were lending their vyala to all of the battle preparations.
Adesina placed her hand on Ravi’s back as they walked. “Good morning, my friend.”
His voice belied the weariness she could feel in him. “Good morning, dear one.”
They walked past the pitched tents and the cold remains of the previous night’s fires until they came to the open common area of the camp. There they found Sitara, Riel, and Ruon waiting.
Adesina had been expecting to see Sitara and Riel, but Ruon’s presence was a surprise. Adesina and Ravi had been receiving training from them, because Adesina needed to know how to use her new abilities if she was going to be as effective as possible in the upcoming battle. The four companions met every morning, and Adesina and Ravi were given a series of exercises to improve their teamwork and to expand their individual uses of vyala. Adesina thought this new education was just as exhausting as when she was training to be a Shimat, but she was grateful to Sitara for taking the time to teach her.
Ruon, however, had never joined them before. He hated the stares that he received from the humans, and he avoided them as much as possible. The Laithur tended to stay in his tent during the day and then walk on the intended battlefield by himself each night. His presence that morning was something of a shock.
Adesina was about to make a comment about how she did not usually see him during the day, but she was cut off.
“Nor would you,” Ruon said with a trace of bitterness, “had I not grown tired of Sitara’s pestering.”
Adesina gave him a frustrated glare. “I did not say anything.”
Ruon’s expression became rather smug. “You would have.”
“I wish you would stop responding before I have a chance to actually speak,” Adesina said in exasperation.
The Laithur shrugged indifferently. “I can See what you are going to say, so why not save you the time of saying it?”
“By responding, you prevent her from ever saying the words,” commented Ravi. “Are there not rules about altering the future for those who are able to See?”
Ruon looked supremely unconcerned. “For minor matters such as conversation it does not make a difference.”
“Meaning you just do it to show off,” stated Sitara archly.
Ruon pointedly ignored her. “My presence here does not matter, though. None of you will have the opportunity to annoy me much today.”
Adesina felt something in the air. It was almost like a pulse of energy that emanated from the bump on Ruon’s forehead. A flash of intuition told her that he was in the process of looking into the future.
“What do you See?” asked Ravi.
The Laithur didn’t answer, but turned toward the main encampment. Adesina did the same. She saw two L’avan hurrying in their direction.
“Your Majesty,” gasped the first messenger, “The king has asked us to bring you to him.”
The second messenger was less winded, and offered an explanation. “The Rashad have spotted a large body of soldiers headed this way. The king needs you to join him at the southern wall of the camp.”
Adesina wasted no time. She sprinted toward the southern wall with Ravi at her side.
The Shimat have arrived sooner than anticipated.
Ravi’s thoughts came back with a soothing tone, but Adesina could stil
l sense an edge of anxiety. You do not know that it is the Shimat. It could be more refugees.
Adesina shook her head. L’iam can tell the difference. If they were refugees he would not have sent for me so urgently.
They arrived quickly, and Adesina climbed the ladder that led up to the top of the wall where her husband and a few others stood. The wall was only deep enough for two people to stand shoulder-to-shoulder, so Adesina had to walk carefully around those who were looking over the wall.
L’iam saw her arrive and gestured for her to stand next to him. He offered her his spyglass, but she shook her head. Instead, she used her vyala to magnify what she could see with her eyes.
It certainly couldn’t be the full army of the Shimat. Reports had told them that Cha-sak’s forces were more than ten thousand bodies, while this group was less than two thousand. There were many different uniforms and weapons, as one would expect of an army of mercenaries, but they marched with surprising order.
Hestia borrowed L’iam’s spyglass and peered at the approaching force. “How long until they arrive?”
Adesina’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “I would guess in about two hours.”
“How did they get so close without our advance scouts warning us?” asked Ravi.
“They did not approach from the direction we anticipated,” answered L’iam. “As soon as the eastern guard spotted them, they sent a runner to warn us.”
“They came from the east?” mused Adesina.
She studied the advancing army more carefully and took note of something strange. They were marching faster than she would have expected. Armies that travelled over large distances tended to keep a pace that was easy to maintain over a period of several weeks. The approaching army was moving at a brisk trot that could barely be maintained for a day.
“Adesina, look at the center formation,” urged Hestia.
Adesina did so, and she saw three of the soldiers unfurl white flags and raise them on poles.
“White flags,” she told L’iam. “They mean to indicate that they mean us no harm.”
“Could it be a trick?” asked the L’avan king.
Adesina pursed her lips thoughtfully. “It seems unlikely. We already know that the Shimat are coming, so I doubt they would waste time with such a ruse. Even so, I would rather be cautious.”
“I agree,” said L’iam.
“I could go disguised as a messenger,” suggested Ri’sel.
L’iam glanced at Ri’sel’s dark orange and purple eyes and shook his head. “We need someone who can read their intentions.”
“I can do that,” Adesina volunteered, “and I can fly to them in a matter of minutes. We can know their intentions long before they arrive.”
The king shook his head. “Absolutely not. I am not sending you into that kind of danger.”
“They might be friendly,” Adesina reminded her husband.
“And they might be our enemies,” retorted L’iam. “You are too important to this war for me to let you walk up to an enemy army by yourself.”
“I am quite able to protect myself,” reasoned Adesina. “I can get the information the fastest, as well. I know you want me to be safe, but I am the most logical choice—unless you want to send Sitara instead.”
L’iam was clearly frustrated with his wife’s insistence, and he frowned fiercely as he considered their options. After a moment he sighed. “Very well, but I want you to do everything in your power to protect yourself, even before you leave this camp.”
Adesina smiled at him fondly. “Of course.”
I will be at your side at the first sign of trouble, promised Ravi.
Thank you, dear friend.
Adesina brought her vyala to bear, using it to harden her skin and to increase her agility. She also wove an illusion around herself, making her body appear to be slightly to the left of where she was actually standing. Before she had begun training with Sitara, doing all of those things at once would have been almost impossible for her to achieve. Sitara had taught Adesina how to split her vyala to accomplish several things at once, and the training was incredibly valuable.
When Adesina had finished placing her protections, she flashed L’iam a smile and used her vyala to lift herself into the air. She sped toward the advancing force, covering the distance in the promised amount of time.
She slowed as she drew nearer, and the soldiers in the army stared up at her with wonder. The leaders called for a halt, and as Adesina approached she could feel their trepidation.
Adesina touched down on the ground about twenty feet in front of the soldiers holding the white flags.
“I am the representative sent by the leaders of the Seharan and L’avan armies,” she announced in a magically magnified voice. “We are preparing for war with the Scepter of Cha-sak, and your forces are approaching our camp. Why have you come?”
After a moment of hesitation, a man nudged his horse forward. He had a long, thick beard that was streaked with grey, and his dark eyes glittered beneath a steel helmet.
“I am Arnau, former Chief City Guard of Alahn and elected temporary leader of this army. Is Queen Hestia among your leaders?”
Adesina was startled by his question. Hestia had never referred to herself by that title, and she requested that the other leaders do the same. It was surprising to hear a complete stranger call the Ojuri leader a queen.
“Yes, she is,” acknowledged Adesina.
The old soldier thumped his fist against his breastplate in a proud salute. “Then we request that you take us to her. She sent out the proclamation declaring her right to the throne of Sehar and calling us to war. The claim was verified by our own scholars, and we recognize the threat of the Scepter of Cha-sak. We will follow our queen wherever she leads.”
Adesina was momentarily speechless.
“Are you all from Alahn?” she finally managed to ask.
Arnau shook his head. “We are from all over Sehar—cities and villages alike. We have joined forces and come to offer ourselves to our queen.”
Adesina only needed the briefest touch of vyala to know that the intentions of the soldier were honorable. Her heart swelled with gratitude for these men and women who had come to join their cause.
“I am certain that Queen Hestia will gladly welcome you all.”
Arnau gave a gruff nod. “I hope so, but I would like to speed on our way without further discussion.”
A warning rang in Adesina’s mind, and she immediately frowned. “Why? What has happened?”
Arnau jabbed his thumb in the direction behind them. “For the last day we have been closely followed by another force—and my gut tells me that they are not here to be our allies.”
“How far behind are they?” asked Adesina urgently.
“About a league now.”
Adesina pointed toward the camp. “March on. I will go take a closer look at the following force and then I will go ahead of you to prepare for your arrival.”
Arnau nodded and shouted orders, bringing the army of volunteers back into motion.
The L’avan queen used her vyala to lift herself into the air and sped toward the second mass of bodies that were journeying toward the L’avan and Seharan camp. She amplified her vision and searched the organized chaos for the leaders.
It didn’t take long to spot the figures clothed completely in black, faces hidden by hoods and scarves.
Adesina’s heart dropped sharply and her breath quickened.
The first wave of the Shimat army would arrive before nightfall.
Chapter Twenty-Two: Advance Force
Adesina, Hestia, and L’iam stood together at the head of the L’avan and Seharan armies. Adesina was astride her faithful horse, Torith, with Hestia to her right. The proud and beautiful bay mare that Hestia rode had been a gift to her just after she had made her claim to the Seharan throne. L’iam was seated to Adesina’s left on his steed, Avab. Together, they were a symbol of strength and unity that the army could look to in the mo
ments before battle. Ravi was poised in front of Adesina’s horse. All of the fighting Rashad formed a long row in front of the human army, ready to run first into battle.
As soon as the fighting began, L’iam would take Hestia to a safer location from which they could issue orders to the rest of the army leaders. There had been a heated argument between Adesina and L’iam over who would be in the tent and who would be on the battlefield. All of the royal advisors—military and civic alike—had insisted that the L’avan king and queen never be on the battlefield at the same time. One would fight while the other stayed in relative safety. Adesina and L’iam had both readily agreed to this, each thinking that it would keep the other out of harm’s way.
A compromise had been reached after much debate, leaving neither feeling very satisfied. Adesina would lead the initial charge, and L’iam would take her place on the second day. They agreed to alternate days, no matter what was happening, no matter how weary they became. Only serious injury would change the arrangement.
Adesina’s eyes were fixed on the gathering force on the opposite end of the open field where the L’avan would make their stand. According to her scouts, there were exactly three thousand mercenaries, with one Shimat leading every hundred men. They were strictly organized and well provided with weapons and armor.
Counting the volunteers that had just arrived, the L’avan and Seharan army outnumbered of the opposing force. However, Adesina knew this was only the first wave. The larger problem would begin when the main Shimat force arrived. Not only would the L’avan and Seharan armies be outnumbered two to one, but they would be battling enemies who would be fresh and fairly well-rested. Adesina’s forces would have been fighting for two weeks or more at that point.
Adesina bit back a quiet curse. It was a classic Shimat strategy—one she had been taught in her training. And it was a smart strategy, though being on the receiving end made it a lot more difficult to view its merits calmly.
Daylight was beginning to fade, but the Shimat army made no indication of intending to set up camp. Adesina suspected they would choose to fight through the night in an attempt to exhaust their opponents early in the battle.
