by KS Villoso
“I heard you were commanding the mercenary army the Tribune fought against,” Daro said.
“I didn’t know she was there.” Kefier made one sweep across Daro’s belly. Daro drew back. Even with the limp, he was fast.
“Would it have made a difference if you did?”
“I suppose not,” Kefier said, countering Daro’s next strike. “My hands were tied.”
“So Sume has tried to explain to me.”
Kefier paused. “I’m sorry for what happened to her.”
Daro stood up. “You don’t have to be. You’re a decent enough fellow, from what I’ve seen—someone who’s just trying to do right by your family. I can’t fault you for that.”
“Still, if not for what Mahe did, Rosha would be lost to us all.” He dropped his hands to his sides. “Thank you. I owe you everything.”
“I have a hard time believing you’re related to Enosh,” Daro said, scratching his head. “And I did nothing. I’m not sure if I would’ve done the same thing, knowing the stakes.”
“You would have,” Kefier said. “I have a feeling you’re a decent fellow, too. You haven’t even tried to arrest me again.”
Daro laughed. “Believe it or not, I don’t like doing that.”
“Then why join the military?”
“It’s one of the few options available to you when you’re a second-class Dageian citizen. The life of a head servant or a scribe isn’t much for me, either. And my hands are too wobbly to be of any use as a clockmaker.” He held them out to show Kefier before he sheathed his sword, sweat pouring from his face. “As far as I see it, we’re all on the same side, despite what appeared to have been a terrible misjudgement on your part.”
“I couldn’t have left Rosha all alone with Yn Garr,” Kefier said.
“I know. I understand that. I might have done the same thing, if…” His face tightened. “I’m sorry. Up until a few days ago, I didn’t think I’ve ever seriously thought about being a father. Even just the very idea changes you, doesn’t it?”
“It does.”
“Of course, it’s not like I actually had the child. I’m just being sentimental. They tried to beat it out of me in the military, but what can you do? I’ve always been stubborn.” Daro tried to grin.
“And here I thought I’m the only one who gets told these things,” Kefier said. He paused. “Do you want me to show you where Ishir buried your son?”
Daro’s eyes flickered. “A son?”
Kefier nodded. He led him down the main path, taking a side lane that led to a large field. The builders had cleared it when they had first arrived, using it as a worker’s camp during construction. The flat area extended deeper into the woods. With some work, they could set up a few more houses and perhaps even a stable or barn. At the edge of the clearing was a cliff overlooking the sea.
“We were going to build a garden here at some point,” Kefier said, pointing at the rockpile. One was clearly marked with a Gorenten word.
“Shiar,” Daro read. He cleared his throat. “I have forgotten that our people share more roots than we dare admit. What does this word mean to you now?”
“It is what we call one who fights to their dying breath.”
“Apt,” Daro said. He was struggling to keep his composure.
“We can move him, if you’d like.”
“No. Keep him here.” Daro gazed out at the water. “It is a beautiful grave. Mahe will like it. Thank you.”
“Ishir did it all. We…we’re trying to rebuild here. Enosh must have told you.”
“He hasn’t.”
“That’s surprising. It’s all he could talk about when we were boys.”
Daro smirked. “Considering everything, I have to admit that I’m sometimes more than tempted to just step aside and let Yn Garr do what he will. I know the ramifications—the mages at Eheldeth have done nothing but argue about it for the past few years—but one can’t help but think that Dageis somehow deserves all of it.” He shook his head. “Too bad we’re both decent fellows and have to play at being heroes. Fight for the bloody bastards who didn’t think twice about chewing up and spitting out our people.”
“I’m not exactly trying to play hero, Daro. I’m just doing this for my family.”
“Ah. The family your brother conveniently abandoned for a while?”
“Yes. Let’s do nothing but talk about him. It fills my heart with such joy when we do.”
Daro tapped his shoulder. “I admire you, Kefier, mostly for having stopped yourself from killing him after all these years.”
“I actually tried to once. Did I tell you about that?”
“No, but please—” He stopped, his eyes hardening. Kefier followed his gaze. There were figures marching up the path. “Perhaps another time,” Daro murmured. “Those are mercenaries, are they not?”
“Boarshind,” Kefier replied. He pushed Daro aside and stepped down to meet Caiso. “What are you doing here?”
Caiso’s face was sombre. “King Agartes wants you back.”
“I’m not surprised,” Kefier said. He looked behind him, noting about ten other soldiers in his group. “You remember when I told you I preferred to keep the location of this place a secret.”
“Commander,” Caiso said. “The king ordered us to fetch you.”
“And I suppose a king’s orders have more weight than a friend’s request,” Kefier said.
Caiso’s face twitched, but he refrained from smiling. “You’ve guessed right.”
“You’re saying this. You, Caiso, who ran away from his father’s lands and abandoned the Hafed nobility to join a mercenary army so he can claim to be his own man.”
Caiso swallowed. “Fuck, don’t make this more difficult than it has to be, Kefier. The man has us all by the balls.” His eyes flickered towards the men. “There’s a list with the names and locations of their families and close friends up at the headquarters. King Agartes all but indicated what would happen if we dared defy him. The Hafed lords have all accepted him. They think of Elrend as nothing but a usurper now, yesterday’s news. He hasn’t even been gone two weeks.”
“What will you do if I resist?”
“What needs to be done,” Caiso said, placing his hand on his sword.
Kefier smiled at him. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“I know how you fight, Kefier. I’m confident I can defeat you.”
“Is this how it plays out? You betray me to get a shot at becoming commander?”
Caiso shook his head. “I don’t have to. It’s all but promised to me, Kefier. Robaz died during the last battle.”
Kefier clenched his fists.
“It doesn’t have to be this way,” Caiso continued. “Not if you come back with me. He hasn’t stripped the title from you yet—he simply ordered us to fetch our wayward commander back into our ranks.” He looked up at Daro. “I remember this man. Wasn’t he in Shi-uin?”
Daro smiled. His hand flew to his sword hilt. “The way you are now, he’ll kill you in two strikes,” Kefier told Daro. “Go back to the house.”
Daro pressed his lips together. “Maybe I’ll ask Ishir to brew us a pot of coffee,” he said after a moment. He pulled away and began to limp up the path. As he moved, Kefier stepped behind him, blocking the way.
“I don’t care what you do in your spare time,” Caiso snorted. “If you’re consorting with Dageians now, that’s King Agartes’ problem, not mine. Fuck, Kefier, don’t tell me I don’t know where my loyalties lie—I’m just a sensible man who knows what little power he has. I just need you to come back with us to the fort, preferably willingly. It’s been a long ride.”
Kefier swallowed. “All right.”
“See, that wasn’t so hard…” Caiso began. He stopped. “You look awfully bright.”
“I’ve had a good rest,” Kefier said.
Caiso shook his head. “No, that just can’t be it. The last time I saw you, you were a walking dead man. Something’s changed.” He gestured at the soldi
ers. “Search the house.”
Kefier drew his sword. “You said all I needed to do was come with you, Caiso.”
“Do you think he’ll let us off the hook on a technicality? I think you know the King better than that, Kefier.” Kefier saw Caiso’s sword flash and barely had time to avoid the blade. He struck back. The force of the blow sent Caiso reeling to the side.
“There’s only one reason for you to fight back,” Caiso said through gritted teeth. His next blow was too slow, and uncharacteristic of him. But in the time it took for Kefier to respond, he realized the soldiers had slid past him and were now running up the path to the house.
Kefier turned to sprint after them.
The soldiers were there by the time he arrived. One had Sume by the elbow and was dragging Rosha behind him. “We found these two in a room. There’s another woman, guarded by the Dageian. He won’t let us through. Do you want us to kill him?”
“No. Be gentle with them,” Caiso said, stepping towards them with his sword still drawn. “We’re not here to manhandle the Commander’s family.”
He turned to Kefier. “So she’s alive. I suspected as much. You know the King will want her back too, right?”
“He doesn’t have to know,” Kefier said.
Caiso grimaced. “He will. How are you going to stop any of these bastards from talking?”
“He knows where our families are,” the soldier holding Sume and Rosha choked out. “Commander, we’re not doing this out of spite.”
“You might as well stab me in the back, Caiso.”
“And here I thought I was being a good friend. You do know who’s at the fort now, right? Apparently, he sent for him days ago. Dai what’s-his-face.” Caiso nodded towards Sume. “Her nephew, if I’m willing to guess.”
Silence followed. Kefier found himself glancing at Sume for direction. Her eyes met his before she flicked them towards the ocean. A moment later, she twisted herself from the soldier’s grasp and sank a dagger into his thigh.
The soldier roared, releasing Rosha. Kefier jumped to grab the child and plunged downhill into the woods. He heard cries as the men tore after him, but he knew the forest better than they, including the quickest route towards the ocean. Half-clinging to the base of thick tree roots to avoid slipping to his death, he gestured to Rosha and made his way around the cliff. Rosha followed him without a word.
~~~
They encountered Enosh halfway down the beach, a basket of oysters by his feet. In any other circumstances, watching him stomping around the sand with his trousers folded up to his knees would have been comical. Before he could utter a word of greeting, Kefier pushed Rosha into his arms.
“What’s this?” Enosh asked. He looked confused and uncomfortable.
“The Boarshind’s caught up to me,” Kefier said, wiping sweat with the back of his hand.
Enosh frowned. “I thought you said Yn Garr didn’t know about this place.”
“I’ve been betrayed. It’s not important. You need to get her to safety.”
At his words, Rosha grabbed his arm. “I don’t like this, Papa,” she said. “Those men…”
“They’re Boarshind. It’s nothing to worry about,” Kefier said, pushing her away.
She slunk back. Enosh began to put his boots back on. “What are you going to do?”
“I may have to kill one of the captains,” Kefier said.
“May have to? That sort of attitude isn’t going to get you anywhere. Either do it or don’t. Aim true…”
“Fuck you. Since when did you start talking like Father?”
“Since I learned I’m going to be judged no matter what I do or say around this blasted family. Kefier—”
“Just don’t forget your own priorities.” As Kefier turned to go, he felt Enosh’s hand on his shoulder.
“Try not to get Sume killed.”
He felt himself bristle at the words. “I won’t.”
“And you try to stay alive, either,” Enosh added.
Kefier snorted.
“What?” Enosh asked. “I won’t get credit for that one, either?”
“I just can’t tell when you’re sincere and when you’re not.”
“I’m here, aren’t I? I’ve had the Forrehs idea years ago, but I stayed.”
Kefier turned to meet his brother’s eyes. “Stop trying to do things for credit,” he said. “Just do them because they have to get done. Take Rosha to the valley and get help from Ailat.”
“Shit. Maybe we should trade places. I’m not sure if I know the way.”
“I don’t have time for this, Enosh.” He pointed. “There’s another trail at the end of this beach. Follow it southeast once you’ve gone a little inland.”
“I think I know which one,” Rosha spoke up.
“I’m talking to the wrong person. Try not to lose him in the woods, Rosha. But don’t try too hard.” He turned.
Kefier saw no one on the way back to the main path. He could hear yelling by the time the house was back in his sights. He saw Caiso turn at the sound of his footsteps. The hand that had been holding his sword hilt the whole time fell to his side.
“I don’t want to hurt you, Caiso,” he said as his friend bore down on him, blade drawn. It stopped a hair’s breadth from his throat. He felt a trickle of blood run down his collarbone.
“Where is she?” Caiso breathed.
“Gone,” Kefier said. He fixed Caiso with a look. “Have we sunk so low, Caiso?”
Caiso pulled back. His face softened, but the steely glint remained in his eyes. “We’ll find her, Kefier.” He waved his sword, forcing Kefier to lead him back to the house. In the main hall, Kefier caught sight of Sume. A long bruise marked the side of her face.
Kefier turned away from her and noticed Mahe in the corner. He pointed at her. “She doesn’t have to be here.”
“They’re Dageians. If they’re in any way responsible for what happened up at the fort, I think the King would want to know.”
“They’re nobodies,” Kefier said, meeting Daro’s gaze. “I’m told this man attacked his own unit to escape. The woman just had a child, a stillborn. Two runaways engaged in an illicit affair. You would do Dageis a favour if you gave them back.”
Caiso chewed his lip. A moment later, he nodded. Two of the men stepped forward to help Mahe back into her room. She glowered at them, but was wise enough not to say anything.
“We’re all staying here until the Commander comes to his senses,” Caiso said. “So we all better get comfortable. You—” He pointed at the soldier nearest the door. “Go back to camp and fetch more men to assist with the search, in case the Commander becomes too confident with his merry band of misfits. The rest of you, keep guard outside.” He placed his sword on the table and took a seat.
Kefier pulled the chair next to him. “We will drink until they return,” Caiso continued. “Ishir, fetch us some wine.”
The old man goggled at him.
“It’s all right, Ishir,” Kefier said. “Do as he says.”
The man pressed his lips together before withdrawing. He returned with two bottles, which he uncorked on the table.
Kefier glanced at Sume. “Sit,” he said.
She sank into a chair.
Ishir passed cups around.
“You wouldn’t poison me, would you, Kefier?” Caiso asked as Kefier poured. Kefier frowned and switched Caiso’s cup with his. A smile appeared on Caiso’s face. “Or maybe you thought I’d know, and…”
“Shut the fuck up. This was your idea.”
They drank. Kefier stared at the rim of the cup before turning back to Caiso. “How long has Dai been in the fort?” he asked.
“Two days,” Caiso said.
“So he sent for him right around the time of the attack.”
“After we thought we’d lost Rosha, actually,” Caiso replied. “I suppose he thought he needed the leverage against you. He was right.”
“You’d work for a man like that?”
“In
case you’ve forgotten, Kefier, he’s king now. Under Hafed law, you’re technically a criminal, and I can arrest you if you don’t comply.”
“You’re not part of the royal guard.”
“We’ll find ways around that formality.” He glanced at Sume and tipped his head towards her. “You don’t seem to care about your nephew.”
“He’s an adult,” Sume said. “His life, his choices.”
Caiso looked at her and then back at Kefier. He broke into a grin. “Something else is going on here. You…”
They heard banging on the door before it opened. A soldier broke in, bleeding from head to toe. He fell forward. “The child’s with someone else,” the soldier gasped. “A witch. He killed Ior…I ran here to warn…” He coughed. Blood ran from his mouth before he dropped to the ground.
Caiso turned to Kefier. “Who else is with you?” he hissed.
“You all knew him as Ylir yn Garr,” Kefier said, taking another sip of wine. “He’s the girl’s real father.”
The name seemed to mean something to Caiso, whose face grew pale. Without another word, he rushed outside. The body remained motionless on the floor.
Kefier corked the wine before calmly turning to Sume. “Why did you have to tell him?” Sume asked. “He’ll overreact.”
“He’ll take his bloody time to prepare. If Enosh is smart, he would’ve done what I asked and have her out of their way before they catch up to him.” He drained the rest of his cup. “I’ll have Ishir clean up this mess.”
She didn’t move. He walked over to her side of the table.
“We rely too much on that man, don’t we?” Sume murmured.
“Maybe you do,” Kefier said, his eyes searching.
Her face tightened. He wondered if he had gone too far. He wondered if it mattered anymore.
Chapter Six
Like a weary guest overstaying her welcome, the night arrived and seemed to go on forever. Restless, Sume noticed that the Boarshind soldiers that remained behind did not seem to care too much what they did and stole off to the balcony in Rosha’s room.
Kefier was already there. He looked up at the sound of her climbing the ladder, the usual scowl on his face. “No news yet,” she said. “With any luck, they’ll be too far away for anyone to catch up to them.” She took a deep breath, looking around. “I haven’t been up here before. Rosha loves it, though. You know her so well.”
