Adira gawked at her. “You’re trusting the princess to do the delicate part and I get the heavy lifting? Did you get smashed in the head on the battlefield?”
Ashni scoffed. “Princess can handle it. Do you honestly think you’re the only person here who can do the light work?” Does Adira really think the whole damn thing would fall apart if she wasn’t here? Well, she knew the answer to that and just how serious and not Adira was with her concern.
“You two aren’t known for your ‘light work.’ In fact, I’ve seen you handle the light work. It’s not with a delicate hand and she is you, is she not?”
“Yes, she is me, but she’s also herself. Give her a chance to show she can do things. She is young and has to learn sometime. Besides, I have to trust her because she is me. Wouldn’t you trust yourself more than anyone else?”
Adira groaned more, her shoulders slumping. “I can only wonder how the gods made two of you and then allowed you to find each other.”
Ashni snickered and her golden eyes shone. “There you go worrying, again. Come on. We’re in the West, we’re moving forward, and we’re doing something even my father couldn’t do.” Ashni couldn’t help throwing out her arms and spreading her hands. “The gods are on our side, Adira. Join me and Princess in their grace.”
Adira looked like she ate something sour, a constant with her face. Ashni wanted to tease her mercilessly, but they didn’t have time for that. There was conquest to be had. Ashni enjoyed the sound of her cape fluttering behind her as she marched down the hill. Adira lingered behind for a moment before chasing after her. She fell into step next to Ashni, who held in a snicker. They mounted their horses and made their way back to camp.
“After this, do we return home?” Adira asked.
“I’ve got to get you back there eventually. Saniyah has probably already come up with some ridiculous torture device for me just for keeping you out this long.”
“Probably.”
“Besides, it is cold and we promised the troops they’d get to go home to be treated like the heroes they are. So, we’ll do this one last town, if only for the treasures.” They would be able to get everything else later. They would stick to the plan and it would work out. Adira nodded.
In a few short moments, they were back in camp. Guards watched as they went through the palisades. They passed tents where soldiers were gambling, fighting, or just relaxing. Despite the soldiers being rambunctious, there was no din. They knew better than to attract attention to the camp. The subtle scent of food wafted by them, but was overpowered by the horses and dogs roaming the camp, as well as the livestock pen.
Her tent was identical to her troops’ lodgings in appearance. Of course, she didn’t share her tent with anyone while her soldiers tended to have five to a tent. She had a few slaves and servants to attend to her, but many others had that as well. Her father had taught her to live off the bare necessities, not that it was useful at the moment. Her tent had many comforts, as her father had also taught her to enjoy the things she could.
“What the hell are you doing in here?” Ashni barked, finding Naren in her tent, curled up with her food. The little bastard was always stuffing his face.
“Layla said it was fine…” Naren replied with his mouth packed with mutton and flat bread. Gravy from the stew dotted his puffy, copper cheek.
Ashni groaned and gazed at the ceiling. She didn’t want to see this guy, but he was her sister’s spouse and she’d put up with him. Hopefully, he’d be gone soon or she’d lose her patience with him.
Grabbing a pillow, Ashni flopped down on a larger cushion near the table of food. She put the other pillow behind her back, rolling her shoulders to get comfortable. Adira sat down on a pillow beside her. Ashni waved a servant over.
“Go fetch the princess for me,” Ashni ordered before reaching for some flat bread from the low table. Naren had the nerve to look at her. “Hey, it’s my food, so don’t act like I’m stealing from you. I’ll throw you out on your ass and tell your spouse I did it.”
Naren made a face, but he knew better than to say anything. Ashni broke off a piece of bread and dipped it into the mutton stew. Adira made no move to partake of the food while they waited for Layla to enter the tent. When she arrived, Layla sat next to Naren, making herself comfortable on a giant pillow.
“So, what’s this all about?” Layla scanned the food and took a handful of mixed nuts and popped a couple in her mouth.
“Tomorrow, me and General Malcontent…” Ashni held in a laugh as Adira scowled. “Yeah, General Pouty, over here, and I are going to take formation. I’ll send word to Dorian and see if he’s willing to negotiate. If he is, you’re going in.”
Layla shrugged. “I am a royal messenger.”
Ashni snorted. “You don’t say.”
“Don’t take this so lightly,” Adira said, wagging her finger at them. “This could mean the difference between peacefully taking a city or having another battle and losing thousands of soldiers.”
“Yeah, because that’s what I’m trying to do, get thousands of people killed.” Layla huffed, waving Adira off before focusing back on Ashni. “I could just challenge a champion from the city and we can take it that way.”
Ashni waved that idea off. “We know that won’t work anymore. Word has spread not to fight us one-on-one.” They had won a handful of battles using the champion tactic. The fighting was brutal and news traveled fast about what they had done to their opponents in single combat.
“Well, maybe if you hadn’t kicked that guy’s head off of his shoulders, we could’ve gotten away with it a little longer,” Layla said.
“I’m fairly certain that when you literally walked through a man, it ended any chance we had at facing champions in battle,” Adira said.
Layla gasped, daring to look affronted with her mouth agape and her hand pressed to her chest. “How was I supposed to know they’d never seen anything like that? If I walked through one of our soldiers, they’d giggle and then try to cut me in half. Besides, what about you and your…” She came up short because out of the few champion battles they had, Adira had not bothered with stepping up. Their fun had been short-lived, considering after four fights, no enemy engaged them one-on-one.
“Princess, this is the pay for most of our troops, so be sure to do this right,” Ashni said. Most of their battles had been for strategic reasons, giving them a foothold in the West. The troops deserved to be showered in wealth for their accomplishments. Only a few conquered cities had that sort of bounty. Phyllida would help with that.
“Is there any other way I do things?” Layla gave her a smug look with pursed lips.
Ashni gave her a flat stare. “Do you really want me to answer that, Miss-I’m-Going-Over-The-Wall-First-Before-Every-damn-body?” Her sister’s recklessness showed a lack of thought all too often when she was in a stressful situation. Most of the time, Layla’s instincts carried her well, but other times—Ashni could feel her guts twist just thinking about those moments.
“It worked, didn’t it?” Layla had the nerve to say that with a smile.
Adira sucked her teeth. “So, they’ve changed the definition of ‘worked,’ did they?”
“Anyway, let’s work out the details for this,” Ashni said. If they got off task, they would have a hell of a time getting back on it.
***
Princess Nakia Lysand was confined to her rooms in the palace, which told her something was up. She was always forced to stay in her rooms whenever something interesting was going on. She was curious. Who wouldn’t be, especially when even the servants taking her to her rooms seemed so frantic?
Slipping out was easy, as she had plenty of practice. She made sure to remove any jewelry that might make noise and even took off her sandals before sneaking into the main sections of the palace. Nobles and servants hurried through the halls; heavy footsteps slapped the tiled floor. She pressed her body against the cold, stone wall and hid behind a maroon column as she came to a group of m
en talking.
“Those damned dirty barbarians have made it to us.”
“They’ve wiped out at least a dozen cities already and stolen everything they could move.”
“Wiped out doesn’t even cover it. Those cities don’t even exist anymore. They’ve been beyond burned to the ground. How could they bring down such ruin in a matter of months?”
“They’re led by some demon who controls the darkness itself and slays dragons as well as men.”
“I’ve heard they take the survivors as well as the dead and tie them to posts and hang them from trees, leaving them for animals to devour. The unharmed survivors, they cut them open, just enough to entice animals and insects to them. They call it a Bloody Orchard because blood and organs look like fruit on trees.”
All the others gasped, their eyes wide and their mouths fell open. “Savages.”
Nakia wasn’t sure what to make of this. She didn’t know what barbarians the noblemen referred to. These sounded like nasty, terrible people. She wanted to know more, but the men continued telling horror stories about whoever the barbarians were. They spoke of magic and spirits as well as terror, destruction, and murder. She was certain they had no real idea about the threat, especially considering one kept insisting the barbarian leader killed a dragon. Dragons were rare and only gods or true heroes could defeat them. Quietly, she moved away in search of more information.
From the rush of people, it was easy to assume these barbarians were a big deal. Clinging to the wall, Nakia skulked around for more people to eavesdrop on. They weren’t hard to find, wringing their hands and whispering to each other.
“These barbarians…it’s said they eat people.”
“They’re from the East, right? They can’t even talk, just grunt.”
“They have tails like wild beasts.”
“How can we even begin to defeat animals then?”
“Even the women supposedly engage in savagery.”
Nakia couldn’t imagine women fighting. Surely, they meant something else. She wasn’t sure what they meant about the barbarians being from the East. Did they make the different from other barbarians somehow? Worse? Of course, they didn’t explain because they already knew. She was about to sneak off again, but a couple of guards got to her first.
“My Lady, you should be in your rooms. It’s not safe here,” one guard said.
“The King has ordered it,” the other said.
Nakia had no way to protest. The guards wouldn’t listen to her. So, she returned to her rooms. For the moment anyway.
***
The sky was clear, a perfect blue with only wisps of white bands streaking through it. The sun was high. There was a chill in the air, but the day still clung to the autumn’s drifting warmth. It wasn’t a good day to die, yet the Roshan army was lined up outside the walls as if it was. Or maybe it was a good day for barbarians to kill innocent people.
King Dorian Lysand stroked his umber beard and took a deep breath. He rubbed his massive hands together and his muscles jumped every time his sandals struck against the marble floor of his palace as he paced. He looked down from the heart of the city, past the market, past the square, past the thick walls, and to the green meadow holding the city’s imminent demise. The damned Roshan army was right there.
“I thought they were myths.” He punched a nearby column. Pain shot through his arm, tingling through the thick muscles. His tunic sleeves slapped against the air as he shook his hand, trying to make the agony stop. “Damn.”
Reports told Dorian there were over thirty thousand soldiers at the gates. He couldn’t fathom those numbers for a single army. For every four people in the city, there was a Roshan soldier who’d have no problem killing all of them and savaging their corpses. By this time tomorrow, over a hundred thousand people could be dead, or worse. And he was responsible for them all and needed to prevent that from happening. It was hard considering he could probably rally about ten thousand troops right now, and that would probably take more effort than humanly possible.
“What do they want?” he growled and shook his head. The answer was simple—blood. They only wanted to slaughter everyone, as they had been doing since showing up on the coast over five months ago. They came in like a swarm, devouring all in their path, but Phyllida shouldn’t have been in their warpath.
All of the reports he had received about the Roshan army indicated they were staying near the coast. Honestly, he hadn’t thought much of them. A woman led them. How much of a threat could she be? Then, he heard tales of this damned Daughter of the Death raising Hell all over the land, breathing fire on all that was holy and bathing in the blood of innocents.
“My Lord, what are we to do about the barbarians at the gates?” Owen demanded, marching in with a quartet of nobles in his wake. They reminded Dorian of busy bees, constantly flitting about. Once within ten feet of Dorian, Owen stopped and bowed his head.
“I’m considering our options,” Dorian said.
“Surely you mean to field our army and show those barbarians and their woman what for.” Owen waved a hand toward the balcony.
Dorian ground his teeth together. “I’m considering all options. They may be barbarians led by a woman, but there are still thousands of them.” His voice had a slight edge to it, needing to remind this young man who was in charge.
“Then what are we to do? Open the gates and let them ravage the city?” Owen asked.
“Of course not.”
“It’s said their demon Queen is petting a huge, black bull she plans to sacrifice to their demon gods before she lays siege to the city. You know what happened to the last city they attacked?”
Dorian didn’t respond. Of course he knew. He was more informed than every damned noble in the city. The Roshan had attacked Sapphira and lay siege to it for almost a month. In the end, the weakened city walls had been crumbled by a monstrous bolt of lightning. Within days, the city had been annihilated. It was a speck of black sand on the coast now.
In that time, other cities were able to fortify themselves and prepare in case the Roshan showed up at their door next. He hadn’t bothered, believing the blood-thirsty bastards would stick to the coast. Why did they change strategy now? Why did they head up river? Why should they show up at my city, of all places? But, why should I expect anything to make sense from beasts who follow a woman?
A woman he heard breathed fire, that lightning shot from her eyes, and she could wipe out lines of men with a wave of her hand. Her people called her ’the Sky Cutter’ and, supposedly, she commanded the Heavens themselves and could make darkness swallow men whole. He couldn’t fathom this demon woman, but he needed to do something about her and those barbarians.
Before Dorian could come up with an answer, the tap of quick and steady footfalls caught his attention. For a second, he thought it might be Nakia. Damn girl didn’t know how to stay where she was told, but the steps were too heavy. All eyes went to the door as a soldier charged onto the balcony. He halted fifteen feet from the king and immediately bowed his head and placed his fist to his heart.
Dorian eyed the messenger hard, as if he could force the news to be good. “You have word about those savages?” He had soldiers posted all around the wall, keeping a close eye on the Roshan and ready to report any changes. No spies he sent out made it back.
“I do, your highness. Their queen has requested you meet with her messenger and royal official, so you may be able to avoid battle,” the soldier reported.
“My Lord, what if we send out a champion?” Owen said.
The soldier’s eyes went wide and a bead of sweat raced down his cheek as the color drained from his face. “Have you heard what they do to champions, sir? The first champion met that demon woman on the battlefield and they said there wasn’t enough of him to put in a cup.”
“Impossible,” Owen replied.
The soldier continued, “The second supposedly met with some waif covered in black from head to toe, who walked through the secon
d like smoke, and there is nothing left of him.” It was clear Dorian’s military wanted no part of those barbarians. They weren’t ready.
“You fools believe exaggerated tales meant to frighten children,” Owen hissed.
The soldier swallowed loud, his throat moving. “These are tales passed on by people who witnessed the destruction. I think we should heed those tales.”
Owen sucked his teeth. “Well, it’s a good thing you’re not the king.”
With a snarl that backed up everyone around him, Dorian scowled. Who was this woman to dictate terms to me? Still, avoiding battle served him well. He could buy time and speak with his advisors for the best way to deal with these demons from the East. Eventually, I’ll put these dogs in their place.
“Prepare a banquet,” Dorian announced with a flourish of his hand. “Tell the demon queen I will meet with her messenger.”
“My Lord?” Owen’s face melted as his jaw dropped.
“It will serve us well. We can learn more of these…people.” Dorian grimaced. Maybe they were people. He couldn’t be sure, but he doubted it. “We can lull her into a false sense of power and then snap our jaws on her.”
“We’ll outsmart the bitch,” Owen said.
Dorian’s face twitched, but he held in a frown. Owen was predictable, acting as if this was all his idea. For the moment, Dorian let go. He would deal with Owen in due time, but first, the barbarians.
Dorian made a fist. “Exactly. We just have to make the right moves and put her in check.”
Owen nodded and Dorian waved the soldier away. He would entertain this barbarian messenger and learn more of these Roshan. Perhaps they could be useful to him. They had eliminated some of his enemies in their bloodlust across the land. If he could turn them on to other enemies, then it could work out for him. Maybe he could even use them to rid him of some of his more annoying noblemen. Perhaps, they can become my dogs once they’re made to come to heel.
If Dorian could not find a use for the barbarians, he would flex on them and frighten them off. The Roshan seemed to believe in gods of some kind, so he would show them the gods favored him. No one in his right mind would go against the gods, even if they were savages.
Warrior Class_Sky Cutter Page 3
