by Linda Mooney
“This is no ordinary map.” Yulen traced a finger over several drawings incorporated in the diagrams. “There are compounds on this I’ve never heard of. And places I’m not familiar with.” He snorted with amusement. “Atty, what have you brought me?”
Liam fingered the edge of the paper. “This is made from some kind of thick plant fiber. Much more durable than anything our maps are drawn on. She must have gotten it from one of the council members. Dear God, Yulen. Have you ever seen such detail?”
Although the writing was tiny, it was readable. A compass rose in the bottom right-hand corner gave the directions. The legend distinguished Normal compounds from Mutah. Yulen smiled to see the double sword depicted for Alta Novis, with a single sword representing New Bearinger.
“This map is recent.” He pointed to the newly rebuilt compound to their south. “The number and size of the swords give an indication of the size.”
“Mutah compounds are signified by arrows. Wallis gets one large arrow,” the physician said.
They followed the thin ribbon of road connecting the major Normal compounds. Liam checked its northern route. Yulen payed attention to its southern course. It wasn’t long before Yulen found what he was seeking.
“Alta Seran. Here it is.” He mentally calculated the distance. “Rafe was telling the truth when he said it was quite a journey.” Tapping the location, he also noted, “It bears one sword. No…wait. What is that? A dagger?”
“It’s a dagger.” Atty walked into the kitchen. No one had heard her enter the lodge. Mattox sat on her hip as he happily teethed on what had been a hard roll. “The weapons don’t represent the size of the compound. It represents their military presence.” She tapped the double sword on Alta Novis. “Each sword is equivalent to five hundred men.”
Yulen gave her a narrow look. “How do they know my compliment of men?”
She grinned back. “Oh, come on, Yulen. We’re hunters. It would be child’s play to find a tree somewhere and take reckoning for a week or so.”
Liam peer closer at the legend. “A dagger is a hundred men. Alta Seran has only a hundred men guarding it?”
“Two daggers would be two hundred. If our map makers feel the number angles closer to the higher number, they designate the higher number. If that compound shows one dagger, then he might have a hundred and fifty men, tops. But nowhere near two hundred.”
“How recent is this map?” Liam asked.
She handed Mattox over to Madigan, then pointed to the compass rose. “See what looks like snow on it? That means it was updated this past winter.”
“Why aren’t the Mutah compounds labeled with anything?”
She gave him a mischievous smile. “Oh, they are. Look closely. See what surrounds Wallis.”
Both men peered at the diagram. “It’s a fence, or a wall,” Yulen noted.
“The size of the wall shows our population.”
“Why isn’t it noted in the legend?” her husband asked.
“Why should we? As long as this map shows us where we need to go, and warns us where our enemies are, it serves its purpose.”
“Where to go, and what to avoid.” Liam chuckled. He glanced up to see a pensive look on his wife’s face. He knew that look well. Yulen also had that expression whenever he was planning something. “Is something bothering you, Maddy?”
She seemed to mull over what she wanted to say for a few more moments. “Remember what I said earlier about how much he was like Rory?”
Everyone gave her their undivided attention. She looked over at Atty. “Rory hated Mutah, but you have to remember that this was before we got to know you, and learned the truth.”
“I know,” Atty whispered.
“When you came into the lodge, I glanced over at Rafe, and he had that look of disgust I’d seen countless times on Rory’s face. It came and went so quickly, it could have easily been missed. But I saw it.”
“I saw it, too,” Yulen added, but hesitated from mentioning the emotion that came before it.
Madigan turned to her son. “I think he’s here to sabotage the summit.”
“How?” Atty asked.
Yulen nodded. “The thought had also crossed my mind. How difficult would it be to sway most of those Battle Lords, considering the fact that many of them still harbor feelings of anger and disgust and mistrust? This summit is just a scratch on the surface of a very mangy beast we Battle Lords have fed and kept alive for decades. If Rafe’s the type of dynamic man I believe he is, it wouldn’t be hard to destroy everything we’ve worked for.”
“Why don’t we eject him?” Atty suggested.
Yulen smiled. “I would love to, but then we would have to deal with the fallout. There’s no telling how far his reach extends, or how many allies he’s cultivated. Besides, a long time ago, a great philosopher once said to keep your friends close, but your enemies closer. He’s my half-brother, whether I like it or not. I’ll treat him like family, even if I end up biting my tongue in two. At the same time, though, I want him and his entourage’s every movement watched and noted.”
A knock at the door signaled Mastin arriving. The Second let himself in and hurried over to the kitchen. Yulen quickly filled him in on what had been discussed.
“I want D’Jacques and every person in his party watched, but keep it discreet. If he speaks to anyone for any length of time other than a hello, I want to know who and what was said.”
Cole nodded. “The woman, too?”
“Especially the woman,” Madigan answered.
The Second nodded. “All right. I have some men and women already dressed as merchants and moving among the tents. I’ll put my best on him.” Giving a quick salute, Mastin left the lodge.
“All right. Now what?” Liam asked to break the silence.
“Now we wait,” Yulen answered.
Atty twirled her Ballock as she smiled. “Wait and prepare.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Lies
Janelle noticed how her son took in everything around them as they were escorted to the location where their tents were being pitched. She would almost swear she could hear his brain working, sorting, evaluating, conniving.
She knew he was smart. She also knew he sometimes let his power go to his head. Diplomacy was not a word in his personal dictionary, and there were times she wished she could slap him up-side the head whenever his ego overrode his mouth.
Like it did a few minutes ago.
She held her tongue, but she would let him know what an idiot he was once they were alone. He’d almost ruined any chance they had of taking over Alta Novis before they’d even settled in.
Unlike her son, who tried to be as observant as possible without letting on that he was rubbernecking, she gawked at the things that both surprised, angered, and delighted her. Among all that she saw, several things disturbed her the most. And at the top of the list was the freedom the Mutah were able to move among the villagers and guests. One little boy with a chicken-like crest of skin atop his bald head brushed past her. The child was laughing and cavorting with others, both Mutah and Normal, and she jerked her arm away in disgust. However, the damage was done. She made a note to have the dress burned, now that it was tainted.
“Lies. All lies.” The barely audible words were muttered under Rafe’s breath. Ahead of them, one of Yulen’s men led them toward their encampment. Rafe called out to him. “Yo, soldier.”
The man paused and glanced over his shoulder. “Sir?”
“How old is D’Jacques’ heir?”
The man smiled. “Only a few months, but Mutah children grow more rapidly than Normals do. You’d swear he was at least a year or more.”
“I can imagine. Oh, you wouldn’t know how many Battle Lords are in attendance for this meeting, would you?”
“Initially, there were twelve Battle Lords, plus representatives from six Mutah compounds. But there have more recent arrivals. I think the count is thirteen Battle Lords and eight Mutah councils.”
So Yulen’s mother had lied. In fact, all of them had by letting her carry on about not having any grandchildren. Janelle frowned. Of course, Rafe had seen through their deception. Which begged to ask, what else were they hiding? What other lies were they telling.
Atty. The image of the woman with the blue hair and dressed as a hunter came back to her. Had the hair been a normal shade, Janelle could see why Yulen had fallen for her. The female was very attractive in both face and body. Maybe he makes her cover the hair when he wants to take her. Or maybe he simply takes her when it’s dark so he doesn’t notice her aberration.
“Here, Sir, madam.”
They had reached the outer wall of the compound, but the guard opened a gate leading outward. Rafe stopped.
“What’s this? Are we being made to sleep outside the compound walls?”
The soldier smiled politely. “This leads to the second courtyard, where the other Battle Lords are being accommodated. The summit is also being held there.”
“Second courtyard?” Moiven Sees, Rafe’s Second, spoke out for the first time since their arrival. “Since when do compounds have more than one courtyard?”
This time, Rafe did not try to hide his scrutiny of the structure. “I hate to admit it, but it’s a brilliant concept. Guard the outermost wall. In the event the enemy manages to punch through, retreat to the inner wall. The chances of the enemy getting through a second time are slimmer. Sees, do you have those numbers for me?”
The short little man nodded but remained mute. The rest of the group remained silent as they continued to maneuver around tents and campsites, until they reached their own. Their guide bowed to them and left. Rafe gestured for Sees to accompany him and Janelle inside the largest tent. He whirled to accost the man the moment they were out of sight from spying eyes.
“All right. Report.”
“Four hundred eighty-three, according to our sources.”
“That many?” Janelle whispered.
“Of course he has that many troops. He’d have to have that many, just to maintain this compound. What can you tell me of his woman, the Mutah?”
“The people here look up to her. There are stories about her putting her life on the line for them and her husband. I’ve also been told that she can make nearly miraculous shots with her bow.”
“What about dissidents?”
“There are some, but they’re very few in number.”
“Or course, there’d be. Those who were vocal would be put outside the gates.” Rafe strode to the other side of the tent and back. “That means our best shot is to get the other Battle Lords on our side. We need to crush this summit, and especially those Normal supporters of all things Mutah, and we need to be swift, before D’Jacques has the chance to change the minds of the doubters.”
“How do you plan to do that?” Janelle inquired, curious to know what her son would do. He had given her little indication of what he conspired.
“First, we need to get D’Jacques away from the compound.”
She raised an eyebrow at him to continue. Rafe grinned, his eyes narrowing as he continued.
“I’ve got a little trap ready to spring. Once it does, and D’Jacques is gone, then I can easily sway the other Battle Lords, and they’ll help me to take control of this place.”
“How, when D’Jacques has nearly five hundred soldiers at his command?”
“Easy. He’s bound to take a percentage of them with him when he leaves. The guard said there were at least thirteen Battle Lords here. I would estimate that they arrived with a compliment of at least ten men each, which would make a small army of nearly a hundred and fifty men. If those men were placed in strategic positions, and with D’Jacques not around to lead his own soldiers, it shouldn’t be too difficult to claim my right.”
“What of the men loyal to Yulen?” she asked.
“They are required to be loyal to the reigning Battle Lord. Once my army takes control of this place, anyone claiming allegiance to D’Jacques will be put to the sword. It will only take one or two beheadings to put the rest in their places.”
“Don’t forget the Mutah,” Sees added. “You know the Mutah are loyal to D’Jacques.”
“They won’t be for long.” Rafe chuckled ominously. “I’ll give them over to my men as reward. My soldiers will have great fun with them.”
“Including the Mutah bitch sitting as the lady of the compound?” she smiled prettily.
“Especially her. In fact, I’m saving her for myself.”
A wave of disgust washed over her, and Janelle made sure he knew it. “That’s sick, Rafe!”
“No more than the feelings I get when I think of my dear half-brother bedding her. And speaking of bedding, I need to find out which brat is his.” The man waved his hand as if temporarily dismissing the thought. “First things first. Sees, I need you to leave immediately to meet up with my army. The two of you should meet at New Bearinger about the same time.”
“Your army!” Janelle gasped. “You brought your army with us?”
“They are a day behind following us,” Rafe admitted.
“How many men?”
“Nearly a hundred and eighty.”
She felt the blood drain from her face, and her skin went tight with cold. “That’s nearly the entire force! How many did you leave behind at Alta Seran, if any?”
“A dozen. Just enough to be a presence. If anyone should try to approach the compound, they’ll believe it’s fully armed.”
“But what if the Mutah try to attack? What then? What if they attack and overrun it? Or burn it to the ground? Where will we call home if that happens?”
Rafe smiled broadly, swept his arms outward, and stepped back. “Why, Mother! Why would you want to go back to that stuffy little compound, when you are about to have a brand new one, four times the size of Alta Seran, placed at your feet?”
He winked at her. He looked so earnest and sincere, she couldn’t help but laugh.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Attempt
To the casual observer, she appeared to be intent on honing her dagger. To those who knew her well, they could see Atty was deep in thought, as well as keeping a sharp eye out for anything unusual. If anyone approached her who wasn’t written on her very short list, she’d listen to their complaint or concern, give them a brief answer, and continue with her cleaning.
Since meeting Rafe D’ Jacques and his mother, every warning flag in her system had gone up where it remained waving in the evil breeze the man created by his presence. But because he was Yulen’s legitimate half-brother, and older brother, she kept her weapons close by and at-the-ready, rather than take action against the visitor.
“Anything?”
She glanced over her shoulder to see her husband nervously fingering the hilt of his sword. It was the only telltale sign of his agitation. Atty gave a brief shake of her head.
“I sense nothing new. Then again, black clouds sometime gather and wait until they’re least expected to let go with the storm.” She tested the edge of the Ballock, found it suitable, and deftly sheathed it at her hip without looking. She was aware of Yulen watching the movement. More than once he’d commented on her ability to handle the weapon without fear of cutting herself.
“Any sign of Blood activity?”
“No one has reported anything suspicious to me. You?”
“No.” He sighed heavily. “Atty, was this summit a mistake?”
It was the first time she’d heard him express any doubt. This summit was part of the mission they had acknowledged as being their goal in life. Their legacy. Their gift of peace to their children, and the generations to come.
“How’s the summit going?”
“I think everyone who planned to attend is here.”
“That doesn’t answer my question.”
Yulen dropped his voice. They were outside their lodge, with no one with
in eavesdropping range. Yet, they couldn’t take the chance of being overheard.
“My men have heard nothing. I’m heading over to the tables now to begin discussion about the Bloods. Care to join me?”
“Janelle Callaghan is not with her son.”
Yulen lifted an eyebrow in surprise. “I thought she was as eager as he was to attend.”
“He’s gone ahead to the tables, but she’s drifting about the marketplace.” Getting to her feet, Atty slipped the bow over her head, resting it slant-wise against her body. “I think I’ll stroll along and see if anything catches my eye.”
Instead of turning to leave, Yulen stepped forward and grabbed her elbow. She looked up at him.
“Be careful. At the first sign of danger, send for me.”
She flashed him a grin. “Don’t I always? Mattox is safe with Madigan.” Getting up on tiptoe, she met him halfway for a soft kiss. An instant later, she hurried away, headed for the rear of the main courtyard where the shops were located.
Curious, she climbed the nearest ladder leading up to the catwalk, and peered over the wall at the secondary courtyard. The array of tents was impressive. If one didn’t know the intent behind them being there, it would appear as if some sort of festival was taking place.
Presently, she caught a glimpse of her husband striding toward the tables that had been set up at the far end. His reddish-gold hair was a beacon, singling him out amid the other nondescript browns and blacks. The other Battle Lords were already gathered, and the remains of breakfast were being brought back by Berta’s kitchen staff. Atty felt a twinge of hunger. In her haste to feed Mattox and get him over to the clinic, she’d forgotten to eat.
Not a problem.
Snatching an arrow from her quiver, she pulled a thin filament line from a separate compartment, and attached it to the shaft. It was a trick she rarely used since the least little weight greatly affected an arrow’s trajectory. But, in this case, since she was shooting downward, the line wouldn’t cause much distortion.
