* * *
Novokai paced the camp slowly, rubbing his chin as he thought. It would not be long until he would erase the Queen's mind. Then he could begin working on Christill. He just needed to learn a few more things from the Queen before he disposed of her. He glanced to his left and saw Christill staring vacantly into the forest and frowned slightly. He would have to talk with Rhucia about the severity of his torture. Although the assassin's work delighted Novokai, he wanted Christill alive, and at this rate there would not be much of him left by the time they reached Vladistov. As though summoned, Rhucia approached and greeted his master.
"When are we moving on?" he asked in a tone that clearly portrayed his displeasure of this place.
"Sunrise," replied Novokai blankly. "We are quite safe here and there is no need to risk losing more men by pushing them too hard."
"We are Primals, Master," said Rhucia proudly. "We require no special treatment. We will march without rest if need be, and those who would fall along the way are not worthy of their title."
Novokai closed his eyes. "Spare me your inanity, Rhucia. You are men just like all others and require rest to function. We are in the middle of Dargon. You can sleep with your eyes closed tonight."
Rhucia seemed ready to reply then stopped when he saw Novokai's face change. The disciple turned his head to the south, then to the north and suddenly his face grew fierce. "How could this be," he said angrily.
"What is it?" asked Rhucia, sensing the distress in his master's words.
Novokai raised his hand to silence Rhucia then closed his eyes. Rhucia could feel the magic pulsating out of Novokai's body as he concentrated. After several moments of silence, Novokai opened his eyes and the look of anger was replaced with one of pure hatred. "Mandigal!" spat Novokai furiously.
"What about him?" asked Rhucia.
"He is in the forest with the Thaldun Blades to the east of here. There are Feldonian soldiers lying in wait to the south and even more Karmanians readying an attack from the north."
Rhucia's face betrayed his sudden panic. "Are you sure?"
"Yes I am sure! I just heard a message from one of the Karmanians. He instructed the Feldonian commander to attack once the moon hits the tree line," replied Novokai. He then paused and closed his eyes again. "Curse them all!" he yelled.
"What?"
"Errollan Dune and that infernal Hammerfell are here as well. The assassination was a failure," roared Novokai. He cursed himself for failing to notice their approach. He had been so preoccupied with his plans to claim the throne from Zephra that he had let something so important slip. His overconfidence had betrayed him.
Rhucia turned and was about to alert the rest of the assassins when Novokai grabbed his arm. "No! Do not let them know we are aware of their presence," he said softly. "If you want to get out of here alive, follow my orders." Rhucia nodded and Novokai continued. "The moon will not reach the tree line for at least ten minutes. This gives us some time to set up a counter attack. Make your way through the camp and ensure that your men know what is about to happen. Nobody is to signal our knowledge of their presence. Have your men ready a strong defence for the south wall and then send half of them north. They are to keep the attackers outside of this temple."
"What of the east?" asked Rhucia.
"I will take care of Mandigal and his men," said Novokai, his voice full of hate.
Rhucia nodded and walked towards the nearest Primal as fast as he could without drawing too much attention. He passed by Christill and kicked him to make his passing look authentic. Christill fell forwards from the impact to his stomach and looked up and spat at Rhucia. Rhucia stopped with a snarl as the spit struck his face.
Novokai sat down on the broken remnants of a wall and tried to calm his mind. He would need to prepare himself to face the Thaldun Blades. He was certain that most of the Primals would die in this fight, but that was unimportant. All he needed to do was plan his own escape and take Triel with him. But first he would finish what the Dargonian elites could not and kill the Honour Guard. He thanked Gushkall that he still had a few minutes before they would attack. As he devised his plan, Novokai thought that he could hear the crack of a whip.
Dawn of the Valiant (The Valerious Chronicles: Book One) Page 82
