by Tora Moon
“You wouldn’t happen to have an herbal mixture that will put people to sleep, do you?”
“Of course I do. The children have needed something to relax them, and the healers aren’t allowed in the crèche, so they’ve created an herbal tea for us to give the little ones.” A corner of her mouth lifted. “But for your purposes—I’m supposing it’s to knock out the blasted guards—you’d need something stronger.”
Histrun nodded.
“I can get the healers to wrap a sleep spell on the taevo strong enough to put even the burliest man to sleep for several hours. When do you need it, and which guards are you targeting?”
“Tomorrow. I have a plan to get some of them out of the keep, so it shouldn’t be too difficult.”
Helvia snorted. “Things are never easy. I’ll plan on serving all of them. What time tomorrow?”
“An octar after Mendehan and I leave the keep.”
“We’ll be ready.” She stood up and motioned to a young woman, who hurried over and handed Histrun a fresh pot of taevo.
He nodded to her as he took it, and returned to the dining hall. A guard scowled at him but didn’t bother to move from where he slouched at his table. Histrun sat back down and poured taevo into his and Zehala’s cups.
“You have a plan,” Zehala said in a low voice.
He gave her a small nod. *I’ll tell you later,* he said in mind-speech, tipping his head toward the guards. Out loud he said, “Did Salloreen join you in your practice?”
“Yes. She’s quite impressed with our method and can’t wait to share it with her fighting-packs. That is, if Mendehan would release them to do their jobs.” Zehala’s mouth pursed in disapproval.
“Since we can’t teach them, why don’t we adjourn to the keep-house’s recreation room and relax?” Histrun made a show of stretching and yawning. “I could use the rest after our long journey.”
Zehala rolled her eyes at him as she stood up. Norvela and Tedehan looked up at them in confusion, then glanced over at the guards lolling across the room and nodded. They also vacated their seats.
“How about a game of keshe?” Norvela asked in an innocent voice. “We could invite Salloreen. I’m sure she could use an afternoon to relax too.”
Histrun and Zehala left the dining hall, their people trailing along behind them. As they walked through the doors, Histrun glanced behind them at the Black Guards, who were also leaving the dining hall and following them. He’d have to find a way to stop them from eavesdropping so he could explain his plan to the others. When they arrived in the keep-house, Zehala and Norvela turned to the left, toward the alpha’s offices, while he and Tedehan went right.
Inside the recreation room, Histrun and Tedehan chose a table in the back corner. Tedehan went to the cupboard and pulled out a keshe board and pieces. While he set it up, the room slowly filled with their people. A few groups also pulled out keshe boards, while others found cards to play, and on the far side of the room a group of younger people started a jelehan game. Histrun smiled. It would be noisy as the sticks were thrown around the circle and people encouraged the players.
He looked toward the door, motioning for Zehala and her companions to join them. Unsurprisingly, the same guards took up positions near the door and stared at Histrun. The jelehan game would drown out most of their discussion, but he could use something else to distract them. As the three women settled into chairs at the table and chose their keshe game pieces, his youngest pack member caught his eye. He’d seen Maheli start arguments—debates, she called them—with Lestrun and Lorstriel that lasted hours and usually involved raised voices and wild gestures.
*Maheli,* Histrun called in mind-speech. *I need a loud, boisterous distraction. Can you do that?*
*Yes, sir!* Maheli grinned. A few moments later, a debate about the merits of multiple partners raged. Soon, she had a large crowd involved. Histrun smirked at Maheli’s choice of topic. He glanced over at the guards and saw them leaning forward, mouths open, no longer observing Histrun. Sex always caught men’s attention. He watched, impressed as Maheli adroitly guided the crowd so that they stood between the doors and Histrun’s table. He’d have to remember to praise her later.
While playing keshe, he filled in Zehala, Naila, Norvela, and Tedehan in on what he’d learned from Wylara and Helvia. When he told them about the young girl, Zehala’s face contorted with fury.
“Did you know he was molesting children?” Zehala hissed at Salloreen.
The color drained from Salloreen’s face, and she shook her head. “No. I swear I didn’t know! He and I aren’t lovers. We never have been. The last lunadar, I suspected he was doing something even worse than the beatings and killings. But what could I do? By then he’d formed the Black Guard and imprisoned the fighting-packs. Even if I had proof, I had no way to stop him.”
Zehala turned on Histrun. “Why didn’t you kill the caitiff?”
“We can’t yet.” Histrun reached across the game board and grasped her hand tightly. “He’ll be punished, I promise. And soon. We need to get the children to safety first, and rescue the fighting-packs. That’s what I want your people to do, Norvela, while we’re out battling the Malvers monsters. The healers and kitchen staff will help.” He told them about the plan to slip a sleeping potion to the guards.
Salloreen’s eyebrows scrunched together. “How do you plan to get Mendehan and his guards to leave the keep and fight monsters with you?”
“Mendehan has requested we go togehter tomorrow morning to fight the monsters.”
“He hasn’t fought for years, and he hasn’t let anyone here fight for the last three lunadars. How did you manage that?”
“I challenged his manhood.” Histrun grinned. “He’s always claimed he was the better warrior than me. This is his chance to prove it.”
“Or kill you,” Zehala said, glaring at him. “Did you think of that?”
“Yes, dear. I did. I don’t plan on allowing him to do that. I have something he doesn’t. You. I trust you and Naila to keep me safe. If we’re lucky, he’ll be injured—or killed—during the battle and no one will have to challenge him. Especially not me.”
“Even so,” Salloreen said, “we need someone strong to take command of the clan until the next Alpha Competitions. I can’t run it by myself. No one is strong enough in this keep. Besides, after what this keep has gone through, it would be best if it was someone outside this keep. My first choice is Rodehan or Wendehan.”
“I have a team ready to leave tonight,” Norvela said. “We thought to keep it small, with just two men going in wolf form. They’ll be faster that way. They’ll bring Rodehan here.”
“It would be safer to send another team to Dehanreen Keep, also,” Salloreen said. “We can’t be sure the one team will make it through.”
“Do we know if that Black Guard, Deldehan, is going to help us?” Tedehan asked. “He seemed ready to grow a backbone.”
“We’ll find out tonight,” Histrun said. “I saw his face when he saw Mendehan molesting that little girl. He was furious. It’s clear he didn’t know it was happening before. I suspect he’ll spread the word to those guards who are working for Mendehan to protect their families, and not because they’re bullies.”
“There are many like that.” Salloreen made a move, taking five of Histrun’s pieces. “At least, I hope there are, and Mendehan’s madness hasn’t infected them all.”
“We can only hope,” Zehala said.
She moved her piece, and Histrun lost another three of his pieces. He’d be out of pieces in a few moves if he didn’t start paying more attention to the game. There wasn’t much more they could do until later that night, when they found out if Deldehan was on their side or not.
Chapter 8
That night at dinner, Histrun sat at the high table next to Mendehan. His stomach clenched at being so close to the sick miscreant. The stench coming off Mendehan he’d noticed earlier was even worse. It interfered with Histrun’s appetite, and he found himself sw
irling his fork through his mashed tubers rather than eating them. His mind went over the plan for getting the teams out of the keep again. If the plan failed, he could end up the Clan Alpha. He sighed in disgust at the thought. He wanted a more active leadership role, but in Strunland Keep, not this place far from home.
While he pretended to eat, he studied the Black Guards stationed around the dining hall as well as those eating. The bullies were easy to spot. They were belligerent and antagonized the kitchen staff. Histrun soon realized all the servers were men. He didn’t blame the women for refusing to serve the ill-behaved men, especially not after Mendehan had beaten that young girl the previous night. The guards standing along the wall wore stony expressions, and helstrablades at their sides.
He caught a whiff of the awful smell of Mendehan’s sickness. His gaze slid across the Black Guards sitting at the high table, and he paused to take a closer look. These were Mendehan’s chosen compatriots, did they have the marks as well?
The man two seats down from Mendehan lifted his flagon of wine to his lips, his shirtsleeve sliding up to reveal a black spot on his forearm. Another man farther down, leaned back and stretched, and Histrun glimpsed a large black mark on his stomach. Histrun sat back and surveyed the room. Here and there he noticed black splotches peeking out from collars or shirtsleeves. Maybe this is an illness, he thought as he picked at his food. But what could have caused it? Even if it is, it doesn’t excuse them of their crimes.
A young man, carrying a platter of dirty dishes weaved around the tables. A goon reached out and knocked the platter out of his hands. The men Histrun had noted who had splotches roared with laughter; however, there were a few Black Guards who tightened their jaws and clenched their fists. He scrutinized them and noticed they all wore thin blue bands around their right wrists.
He scanned the dining hall again, searching for Deldehan. Histrun hoped his absence didn’t bode ill for their plans. As the server refilled his cup of taevo, Histrun felt a bump on his arm. The server also wore a blue band around his wrist. When he reached for the cup, a small square of paper laid next to it that hadn’t been there before. He palmed it, tucking it into his waistband.
Mendehan’s burst of loud laughter filled the hall. Histrun looked up to see another young server sprawled face down on the floor. A drinking flagon flew through the air and crashed, flinging wine in all directions. A red-faced goon jumped to his feet, bellowing in fury, and slammed a foot into the hapless young man’s side. Before the guard could kick again, Eidelstrun tackled him. The goon swung a fist at Eidelstrun, but the bigger man easily sidestepped the oncoming punch. He slammed his fist into the other man’s face. The people at nearby tables quickly vacated their seats. The guard threw a front kick, which Eidelstrun blocked, his fist coming up to strike the man on bridge of his nose.
“Oh, ho! A fight!” Mendehan chortled. He turned to Histrun. “Want to bet who wins? My fighter against yours?”
Histrun rolled his eyes.
“If my fighter wins,” Mendehan continued, “you and your people leave here tomorrow morning and don’t come back.”
“And if Eidelstrun wins?”
“Why then, I won’t have him killed for interfering. That slave had it coming.”
“Your man tripped him. Eidelstrun is doing what every warrior is taught—to protect the innocent.”
“Innocent, ha! We’re superior. They exist only to serve us. Get him, Meldehan! So, is it a bet?”
“I have no doubt Eidelstrun will win.” Histrun could tell by the men’s movements Eidelstrun had more experience fighting monsters. He doubted the other man had ever fought more than sparring matches or brawls. He leaned back in his chair, affecting unconcern.
“Slave?” Zehala hissed, leaning against him and clenching his arm. “Did he call the server a slave? The kitchen staff aren’t slaves.”
“He did,” Histrun whispered back. “And no, they aren’t.”
“We have to stop this monster.”
“We will, dear.” Histrun patted her hand. While Mendehan avidly watched the fight, Histrun pulled out the note and surreptitiously opened it. “Good news. Our friend is going to help us.” He tucked the note back in his waistband.
Eidelstrun threw a punch into Meldehan’s sternum. As the guard bent over, gasping for breath, Eidelstrun grabbed the man’s head, and smashed his face into Eidelstrun’s knee. A crunch echoed, and blood poured from the man’s broken nose. Meldehan crumpled to the floor, not moving.
“Damn!” Mendehan swore. “Your man won. I guess I can’t kill him, since we had a bet. I can wait. When you’re dead tomorrow, he and everyone else in your party will be executed.” He gave Histrun an evil grin.
“Why wait? Why not now?” Histrun’s face burned with fury. His hand balled into a fist under the table.
“The monster battle competition, of course. It’s time we had it out and proved who is the better warrior—and man.” Mendehan leaned forward to leer at Zehala. “Maybe I’ll show your bond-mate what a real man is like before I have her torn into pieces.”
Histrun felt Zehala’s leg muscles bunch as she sputtered expletives. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw several Black Guards’ reaching for their helstrablades, their eyes hard. He quickly clamped his hand around her thigh, keeping her in her seat. *Not now.* His flicked his eyes at the guards. She sank back in her seat. He could feel her shaking with suppressed anger. He knew how she felt. It was all he could do to keep himself from punching the man.
“Have a care, Mendehan,” Histrun said through clenched teeth. “Your time is coming to an end, and you’ll have to face the Crone’s fires. You’ll burn for a very long time for all you’ve done and caused to have done. I can’t wait to send you to meet Her.” Histrun pushed to his feet, pulling Zehala up with him. “Until tomorrow.”
“But you’ll miss tonight’s entertainment,” Mendehan pouted.
“The entertainment is over.” Histrun motioned to his people. They all stood up at once and quietly escorted the serving staff and everyone who was not a Black Guard from the dining hall. Once it was cleared, Histrun stiffly marched out.
Zehala waited until they were in the courtyard before she released her pent-up fury. “I can’t believe that caitiff! To believe he could get away with threatening me like that. If he comes near me, I’ll slit his throat.” Sparks flew from her fingertips, forming into a small ball of fire a few feet in front of her.
Histrun stared at it. He couldn’t ever remember a time when Zehala had lost control of her fire magic like that.
“Damn!” Zehala shook her hands and walked in a circle, taking deep breaths as she tried to regain control of her emotions.
“It won’t come to that,” Histrun said, taking her arm and guiding her around the courtyard. The two men tailing them had stepped back and now gave them a wide berth. There was a good reason people avoided upsetting Reds. They were taught from a young age to control their tempers because they could hurt others if they lost control of their fire magic. After a few milcrons, he glanced down at her and grinned. He suspected Zehala wasn’t nearly as out of control as she’d let on. Her outburst was giving them the perfect cover for wandering the streets after dark.
They left the courtyard and strolled down a street. When they passed a side-street, Lestrun and Eidelstrun nodded to them from the darkened doorway of a pack-house. A few moments later, a scuffle sounded behind them. Histrun looked over his shoulder. The two guards following him were slumped on the ground.
The door opened, and a yellow-haired woman leaned out and waved at Eidelstrun. “Hurry, bring them in here,” she whispered. “We’ll hide them.”
As Eidelstrun and Lestrun dragged the men into the house, another woman slipped out and approached Histrun and Zehala.
“I’ll show you to the gate,” she said. “Deldehan is waiting for you.”
“What about Norvela and her teams?” Zehala asked.
“Someone else is guiding them to the appropriate gates.”
<
br /> “Gates?” Histrun asked.
“Yes, gates. This way they have a better chance to get out. Hurry, we don’t have much time.” The woman took off at a jog down the street toward the keep walls.
Histrun and Zehala followed her. His eyes darted from side to side as he watched for more Black Guards.
“Where are all the guards?” Histrun asked when they reached the small gate on the eastern wall without seeing anyone.
“All those on duty are with us,” Deldehan said, holding up his right hand, showing them the blue wristband on it. “After what I saw today, and after your prodding, we’ve decided we can’t continue to turn a blind eye to what’s going on around here. It’s time to fight back. If you don’t see a blue wristband on someone, don’t trust them. Some of our people are still too frightened of Mendehan to go against him.”
“Noted.” Histrun looked around. Norvela stood off to the side, talking quietly to three young, strong men. Histrun recognized two as from her platoon. “Who is that?” He indicated the third man with his chin.
“Nevdehan,” Deldehan said. “He will guide the others through the territory. This team will go to Dehanrolos, while the other group will go to Dehanreen Keep. They’re leaving from the north gate. I’d go, but after today, Mendehan would notice me missing.”
Histrun and Zehala joined Norvela and the men braving the dangerous mission.
“Run swiftly,” he said, gripping each one’s shoulder. “You know how important this is.”
The men nodded.
“Go with the Goddess and may She keep you safe,” Zehala said as she brushed a kiss of blessing on each man’s cheek.
They shifted into their wolf forms. Deldehan eased opened the gate, and the men slipped out, disappearing into the night with a flick of their tails.
“Is everything set for tomorrow?” Histrun asked as soon as Deldehan had shut the gate.
“Yes. We’ll be ready. By then we should have more people with us, and will outnumber the Black Guard rogues.”
Histrun patted Deldehan’s shoulder. “Until tomorrow, then. Stay safe.” Then he and Zehala hurried back to the keep-house, hoping to return before Mendehan could miss them.
