by B N Miles
She’d been the one to come to him in the night and offered to take away his pain. In the darkness, as the fire died down, she rode him slow, stared into his eyes, kissed his lips, whispered into his ears. He released his magic inside of her tight, sweating body, and although her moans woke everyone up, at least he collapsed back onto the ground with the Need washed away.
She pulled on her tunic, buttoned it up, then crawled from under the covers and came to him. She crouched down next to the fire, her palms out, shivering slightly in the cool morning dew. She didn’t speak until her eyes moved up and met Cam’s gaze.
“I’ve been thinking about what we need to do all night,” she said.
Cam let out a breath. “Me too.”
“Didn’t get much sleep.”
“I figured. Although I was better after we… you know.”
She blushed a little. “Me too.”
“I want to leave in a few hours,” Cam said. “Make up as much time as we can today.”
“How many do you think will come?” she asked.
Cam shook his head. “I don’t know. I won’t force anyone to follow me that doesn’t want to. It’s going to be dangerous.”
“I know,” Key said. She put four bowls on the ground and broke apart some hard, crusty bread to place at the bottom of each. When the porridge was finished, Cam would spoon it over the bread. “But it’s necessary. Nothing is safe right now, not even going back to the Mansion.”
“I wish that weren’t true,” he said, stirring the meal. “But you’re right. Key, if we can get through and reach the army, we might have a chance.”
“I hope so.” She took a deep breath and shook her head. “I only hope people will follow, Cam.”
He nodded and went back to cooking. As the meal finished, Miuri and Felin stirred and woke. Miuri stood first and stretched her lean body, her back arched and palms up toward the morning sun. Felin snugged deeper into the blankets with a growl, her dark hair a tangled mess, her eyes peering out from between the strands. Key jumped on Felin and shook her until the wolf girl groaned and rolled onto her back. Miuri watched Key tease Felin and laughed as the porridge finished cooking.
Cam spooned four portions into the bowls and over the bread and handed it out. He pushed Key off Felin and moved the wolf girl’s hair back from her eyes. He kissed her mouth and she smiled at him as he placed her bowl down next to her. They sat back and ate, talking quietly about what they’d need for the next few days.
When Cam finished, he stood and stretched. He took up his sword and belted it around his waist. He sent Key and Felin to speak with Theus and the other Medlar warriors then strode off in search of Elder Dagan and the scout Isrit.
Miuri joined him, walking close. The camp woke around them, people crawling out from under the hastily erected pavilions, out from under tents and boxes and heavy furs. More fires sprouted along the grass and several of the warriors were already beginning to cook large vats of porridge with root vegetables, lentils, dried beef, and small cups of beer.
Cam found Dagan sitting next to the tent from the night before, splashing water over his face and head, his own breakfast untouched on the ground. Dagan looked up as Cam and Miuri approached and shook his head with a grave look.
“Good morning, Elder,” Cam said. “We need to talk.”
“I know what you’re going to say,” Dagan said.
“Then I don’t need to convince you.” Cam crouched down beside the Elder. “How many will come?”
“I don’t know,” he said.
“I want the Medlar men,” Cam said. “All of them, if we can get them to follow. But I want Frew to escort these prisoners back to the Mansion.”
Dagan rubbed his face. “We need everyone we can get,” he said. “If Frew and his people want to come throw away their lives like we are, I think we should let them.”
“You really think that’s what we’re doing?”
He gave Cam a look then reached down and pulled up a clump of grass from the dirt, letting it drop and get blown away by the soft breeze.
“No,” he said. “No, I don’t, and only because you have so much magic now. Maybe before you found it, but now? There’s a chance.”
“And if there’s a chance, even a small one, we have to take it,” Cam said.
Dagan grunted and looked at Miuri. She lingered a few feet away, arms crossed over her chest, eyes scanning the camp.
“And what do you think, Princess?” Dagan asked. “Is your boyfriend here suicidal?”
“There’s no chance if we can’t make contact with that army,” she said as she tilted her head and took a deep breath. She squinted up at the sky. “Suicidal or not, he’s right.”
Cam laughed. “I’m not suicidal.”
Dagan made a dismissive gesture and pushed himself up to his feet. The Elder grunted and let out a sigh as he stooped to pick up his spear and then straightened himself, hand on his lower back, a grimace on his face.
“Getting old,” he said. “Can’t fight all day anymore. Gods damned sore all over.”
“I saw you out there. You keep up with the young boys,” Cam said.
“Only because I have to.” Dagan gripped his spear and leaned against it. “I’ll speak with Frew. I think he’ll go along with this. I doubt he has much interest in your suicide mission anyway, and we both know you’re not his favorite at the moment.”
Cam nodded and looked away. He clasped his hands behind his back and nodded. “Thank you, Elder.”
“Don’t get all formal with me,” Dagan said. “I said Frew is pissed, not me. I know burning those tents was a mistake and you alerted every damn wolf in the region, and definitely made Frew’s march with all these people back to the Mansion a lot more dangerous than it needed to be, but it felt good to watch those fuckers burn.”
A small smile broke at the corners of Cam’s mouth. He shook his head and shoved the smile way.
“Felt good, yes, but it was stupid. I need to be more careful.”
“You will.” Dagan moved toward Cam and put a hand on his shoulder. “You’re doing well, Cam. Your father would be proud.” He nodded and moved off, his legs stiff, a hand on his lower back. “I’ll find Frew and talk with the old bastard.”
Cam watched Dagan go and felt a strange pang of longing. He hadn’t thought about his father much the last few days. There hadn’t been time to sit back and remember, but all at once he wondered what things would be like if his father Galerick the Great were still alive.
“He’s right, you know,” Miuri said.
Cam looked back at her and she slipped up next to him and put a hand through his arm, clutching his wrist.
“I’m not so sure,” he said. “It was stupid yesterday. Impulsive. I should know better. My father would’ve given me hell for it.”
“Oh, true,” she said and smiled. “It was a very stupid thing to do. But it felt good to watch the wolves burn, and you’re learning.” She kissed his cheek. “Don’t hold it against yourself, Cam. You’re trying. And I’m sure your father would’ve been proud.”
“I need to try harder,” he said and looked away.
She reached out and pulled his chin. He let her turn his face, and he stared into her emerald green eyes.
“You’re doing more for your people than anyone else. Don’t forget that.” She kissed him and he held her there, tasting her lips, before he pulled back.
“Okay, you convinced me,” he said. “I’m incredible and everyone would be lost without me.”
She laughed and pushed him away.
“Come on. We need to gather some supplies and speak with that scout again.”
Cam nodded and followed her toward the main tent. Marap was inside with a piece of white scrap cloth wrapped around his waist as he stirred an enormous pot of something sticky and white. Cam made a face and sniffed the air.
“What in the Urspirit is that?” he asked.
“Rice and fish,” Marap said. “You don’t think it smells good?”
“I think it smells like my feet,” Cam said.
Marap scoffed at him and made a dismissive gesture. “That’s just the fermented fish,” he said. “This stuff’ll be amazing when it’s done. I added a bit of beer in there too, for some flavoring.”
“Humans,” Miuri said, shaking her head. “You’re all insane.”
Cam laughed at her as she stalked off, heading toward the back of the tent. More Nevins and Medlar warriors were going through the supplies, shifting around sacks of grain and large clay jars of fish.
“I can handle this,” Miuri said, frowning at the piles stacked in haphazard rows. “You go find that scout.”
“Are you sure?” Cam asked. “I’m afraid you’re going to be buried under all this.”
She shook her head. “Humans,” she said, and strode forward, running her fingers along a stack of wooden boxes.
Cam smiled to himself and turned around. He passed Marap again, who waved and called out, “Don’t forget to try some of my porridge!” as he passed, and Cam pretended like he didn’t hear as he ducked out the smoke-stained front flap.
As Cam angled toward the earthworks, intent on skirting along the outsides of the camp until he found Isrit, he noticed a commotion toward the center of the camp. People gathered around some warriors, and he heard some shouted orders ring out through the morning. Cam slowed and stopped as he watched several of Frew’s men shout for more people to gather up.
Cam walked toward the group and saw Theus leaning up against a fence post, his fingers absently scratching against the burn scars on his neck. Cam walked to his friend and called out for him.
“Theus,” he said.
Theus turned and nodded. “Cam,” he said.
“What’s going on?” Cam stopped next to his friend and watched as more of Frew’s warriors appeared, corralling people into groups.
“They’re getting ready to leave,” he said.
“Already?” Cam shook his head. “They’ve barely woken up.”
“Frew wants to get moving as soon as possible,” Theus said. “And I can’t blame him.”
Cam grunted and crossed his arms. “Even still, half those rations haven’t been accounted for. What are they going to do, just leave it all?”
Theus gave him a look. “I think that’s exactly what he plans on doing.”
Cam shook his head and strode forward. He couldn’t help himself. He spotted Elder Frew standing off to one side, directing some of his warriors. They were gathering more people, getting them into two big groups, and forcing them to pick up and carry as much as they physically could.
“Frew!” Cam said, approaching the Elder. “What’s going on?”
Elder Frew glanced at him then looked away. “I think you can figure that one out yourself, shaman.”
Cam stopped a few feet away. “You don’t have to go so soon,” he said. “There are more supplies unaccounted for. If we wait—”
“If we wait,” Frew said, interrupting him. “Then we give every wolf in the region more time to catch up. No, I plan on taking every single one of these poor wretches back to the Mansion, and I intend on making sure they survive.”
Cam looked at him for a moment and tried to think of an argument, but he had nothing. Frew was right, the people were more important than the supplies. And this meant Cam could take as much as he wanted with himself.
“Okay then,” Cam said. “I wish you the best of luck with your journey.”
Frew gave him a look and grunted. “It wouldn’t be so fraught if it weren’t for you, shaman,” he said. “I know you’re important, and what you can do is incredible, but you’re dangerous. I’d hate to see you on the battlefield.” The Elder shook his head and walked off, shouting at a group of men who were lounging around a tent.
Cam stood and watched the Elder before letting out a breath. He looked up at the early morning sky and watched a single cloud drift across the blue expanse. He deserved that. He deserved worse for what he’d done. He’d lost control too many times, and if he kept it up his magic would become more of a liability than anything else.
“Camrus!”
Cam looked back down and was startled to see Arter pushing his way through a group of men and women. His sons followed him, as did several other men. He didn’t recognize them, but there were ten in all, dressed in tatters and looking tired and hungry, but not as starved as some of the others.
“Arter,” Cam said. “I hope you’re leaving with Elder Frew and the Nevins warriors.”
Arter stopped in front of him. He was a big man, though he used to be bigger. He still retained some of the softness around his edges, and his once-fine tunic retained some of its softness and thickness.
“No, Cam,” he said. “We don’t plan on leaving.”
Cam frowned at him. “But they’re going to the Mansion,” he said. “Anywhere else isn’t safe. You know that.”
Arter stepped closer, his face hard and drawn into a pained expression. He loomed there for a moment, staring into Cam’s eyes, before dropping down to one knee.
Cam took a step back in surprise as Arter bowed his head.
“I have been a coward,” he said. “I have been a fool. I pushed back against you Cam, and I got myself and my boys nearly killed. I didn’t fight when the wolves came the first time, and I loathe my own cowardice. I need a chance to redeem myself, and I need revenge against the wolves for what they did to us here.” Arter picked up his head and stared at Cam, his eyes fierce and determined. “Let me be one of your warriors,” he said. “Let all of us be your warriors. I pledge my life to you, Cam of Medlar Village, right here and now, if you’ll only give me a chance to redeem myself.”
Arter’s sons dropped to their knees. “I pledge myself to you,” they said in unison.
The other men dropped down. Cam could feel everyone nearby staring at him. Frew’s men looked shocked, while some of the prisoners seemed like they wanted to join. For a moment, Cam didn’t know what to do, and panic started to steal over him. But just before he opened his mouth and said something stupid, he realized that this wasn’t really about him. This was about Arter and the others getting revenge on the wolves, and Cam just happened to be on his way to fight them.
But even so, he was in a position of responsibility now. If Arter wanted to pledge his life to Cam, then Cam would have to accept him. They needed more warriors, now more than ever, and he couldn’t turn down men willing to fight.
“On your feet,” Cam said. “All of you, on your feet.”
Arter rose, and the others stood with him. Some of them seemed to struggle a bit, and Cam wondered if they were even in good enough physical condition to make the journey, but he could address that later.
“Arter, I’d be happy to have you,” Cam said. “If you all wish to join the Medlar warriors, you’re all more than welcome. But I’ll warn you now, this journey is going to be dangerous. I’m not sure we’ll find the army, let alone come back. If you all choose to join me, you might be choosing death over the safety of the Mansion. Think on that before you decide.”
“I chose safety one too many times,” Arter said. “It’s time to give my life to something that matters.”
Cam nodded and stepped up to Arter. He put a hand on the man’s shoulder, and Arter bowed his head, out of respect or shame Cam couldn’t tell. But when he raised it again, his eyes shone with determination, and Cam smiled.
“Go to the main supply tent,” he said. “Find Miuri. There should be some weapons lying around. We might not be able to find you shields, but we’ll find something. Get yourselves outfitted with whatever you need. We’re leaving soon.”
Arter nodded, stepped away, and turned to the men behind him. He nodded at them and gestured, and the whole group marched off toward the main tent.
Cam watched him go and let out a breath. He felt strange, and as he looked away from the retreating men, his eyes scanned the prisoners standing nearby. They stared at him openly, and he could see more than a few o
f Frew’s men gaping as though they’d seen a ghost rise up from the earth.
“Don’t stand there staring,” Elder Frew shouted. “Get moving, you donkey shits.”
And with that, the world returned to normal, and Frew’s men began corralling the prisoners again.
Cam turned away and saw Theus standing against the fence post, arms crossed and grinning like mad. Cam laughed and rubbed the back of his head as he rejoined his friend.
“That was… odd,” Cam said.
“I know. Arter just pledged loyalty to you.” Theus spit on the ground. “Ever thought that would happen?”
“No,” Cam said. “I figured I’d grow a second head before Arter ever pledged loyalty to anyone.”
“And yet, here we are.”
“Listen, do me a favor. Find the scout Isrit and get as many details out of him as you can.”
Theus nodded. “I’ll do my best, although I’m not sure he’ll talk. He wasn’t happy with you going back there last night.”
“He’ll talk,” Cam said. “Especially when you make it clear that he’s not coming with us.”
Theus pushed up from the fence post and held his spear in the crook of his arm.
“All right then, general.” He grinned at Cam and marched off.
Cam let out a breath and watched his friend go for a moment before shaking his head. Having men pledge their loyalty was a strange feeling. He knew he was moving up into a leadership role in the Mansion, and he knew the Medlar men looked up to him. But he still saw Dagan as the man in charge.
Things were changing, and Cam could sense the shift. He wasn’t sure if he could stop it, even if he wanted to.
And it was all because of his magic, the power locked deep inside of him, yearning to break free.
19
Cam and Dagan marched out from the earthworks with twenty-five men at their backs. Fifteen of them were the Medlar warriors and ten followed Arter. Miuri found some better clothes for the released prisoners to wear and gave them each a pack with rations, some supplies, and a long, sharp copper blade. They were barely longer than daggers, but at least they’d be useful in a fight.
