“Sir?” Harold was perplexed.
“Yes. You’re coming with me. I’m a merchant, those ships out there are mine, and I’ve come to Sidnie personally because I want to start a favorable relationship with them.” Rendal smiled and looked at Harold. “You’re my accountant.”
“Accountant?” Harold asked.
“How are you with numbers?”
“I’m better with my sword.”
Rendal laughed. “Indeed you are! Tell me, Harold, do you think you could kill William? The other Right Hand?”
“I believe I could, yes,” Harold answered.
Rendal turned again, his smile fading. “That’s what I wanted to hear. I hope you’ll get a chance to prove yourself right soon. Be ready, Harold, because that man is dangerous. If you fail, I don’t think you’ll have to answer to me.”
He smiled once again.
“Because you’ll be dead.”
Worth wore a large pack on his back.
Riley had almost throttled the bald man when she found out what was in it, but then she’d just started laughing.
She hadn’t been able to help it.
Rather than packing provisions and weapons and other survival gear, the man had lined the pack with leather and filled it to the brim with wine.
“Twocut’s wine good. Too good to leave. Worth take.”
The pirate had let him have it, saying “I stole it off some merchant. Pirates don’t drink the shit.”
Worth was happy with that, and to his credit, he wasn’t stone-drunk as they crossed through the desert.
Riley and Eric were both clothed from head to toe to keep the sun from blistering them. Worth looked the same as always, his bald head deep brown and needing very little protection from the elements.
This is his home, Riley thought.
William and the crew had dropped them off a day ago. No tears, but lots of hugs and handshakes, nearly everyone unsure if they would see each other again.
They’d traveled in silence for a long time today, and it was nearing noon. Worth walked in front, stopping briefly to refill his chalice from time to time but otherwise forging onward.
Riley was impressed that Worth never spilled the wine, walking in all this sand.
She followed him, and Eric followed her.
Riley was tired of not knowing what the hell was going on, though, so she jogged forward and caught up with Worth.
“Who are these people?”
The bald man didn’t turn as he spoke, his eyes narrow and staring straight forward. “Underground people.”
“You keep saying that, Worth, but I don’t know what the hell that means. Do they actually live underground or is that a metaphor?”
“Worth no know metaphor,” he answered.
“Do they live beneath the sand? Is that what you’re telling me?”
“Yes. That what Worth telling you.” He grinned, and Riley understood he was mocking her.
She grinned back. “Hush. How do they live underground? Is that even possible?”
Worth shrugged. “I never ask.”
“How do you know them?” Riley said.
“Everyone in Badlands know of ‘em.”
It was a delicate difference, but Riley caught it. “Wait, you don’t actually know them?”
Worth shook his head. “They underground. Worth above ground. When we meet?” He sounded as if this should be apparent.
“Well, where are they?”
Another shrug. “Worth no know.”
“Worth! How are we supposed to get there if you don’t know them or where they are?” Riley could hardly believe what he was saying.
“They know we here. They contact.” He spoke as if he had no concerns at all.
“How?”
“Too many questions. Know that?” Worth glanced at her, clearly annoyed.
Riley glanced behind her at Eric. The young man’s face was covered so she couldn’t tell if he had heard anything, but she doubted Eric missed much.
“How will they know we’re here?” she asked, turning back to Worth.
“You not so quick in desert, aye?”
“Huh?” Riley asked, right before she smelled them. Her head whipped up, looking toward the new scent.
“Out here, my place.” Worth smiled. “You smell them, betcha.”
She did. The wind was blowing toward them, and she was shocked that Worth had known these strangers were here before she did. Her senses were always first in class.
She scanned the desert, and she thought she could just see something in the distance, although it was hard to tell. The sun caused everything to waver like a mirage.
“Is it the underground people?” she asked. She hadn’t drawn her sword yet; they were too far away for that.
“No. What come before underground people.”
“And who the hell is that, Worth?” Riley snapped.
Worth smiled wide. “Raiders.”
“Oh, great,” Riley responded, shaking her head. “Ya know, Worth, it might have helped me make my decision if you’d told me everything we would be facing before we faced it. I might have just decided to chase Rendal.”
“Then where fun at?” He laughed.
She grinned. In reality, she was itching for a fight, especially after what had happened with Rendal. She didn’t like losing, and while she hadn’t technically lost against the mage, she hadn’t won either.
Riley wasn’t scared of Badlands raiders. On the coast they were called bandits, and Riley had regularly cut them down like a blade does wheat.
“What do we do?”
Worth shook his head. “You simple, Riley. Magic, yes, but simple. We wait. They come to us.”
Riley opened her mouth to say something, but Worth shook his head. “Enough question. Let Worth have peace!”
He walked faster, and Riley couldn’t help but laugh at the man.
They went on for another hour, and Riley caught the raiders’ scent every now and then. She was surprised to be able to smell them, especially at such a distance, but she knew it was true.
It wasn’t a bad smell per se, but an odd one.
Something she hadn’t smelled before.
Finally, Worth came to a stop without saying anything. Both Riley and Eric walked to him and then halted.
“One, we protect wine. Raider no get wine, understand?”
He looked at them with a seriousness Riley rarely saw from the man. She wanted to laugh but thought he might take offense. He wasn’t playing games about his booze.
“Sure, Worth. We’ll both die for the wine if that’s what you want,” she answered. “Why are we stopping, though? I still don’t see anyone.”
“You never make it in Badlands, Right Hand. You too soft.”
“He’s right, little lady.”
The voice came from nowhere. Riley’s sword was out of its sheath and in her hand before the voice finished.
“No move,” Worth said. “Stay.”
Riley saw that Eric’s sword was clear, too, though no fire covered it yet.
“Go ahead and put the weapons down,” the voice spoke again. It was strangely mechanical but sounded like a man’s.
The smell had grown stronger too.
About ten feet in front of her Riley saw green stones, what Erin called amphoralds. They seemed to appear from nowhere and hung right in the middle of the air, attached to nothing.
“What is that?” she whispered harshly.
“No move.” Worth’s face was grim.
More green amphoralds lit up in a circle around them, and Riley was finally able to make sense of the smell.
Something’s burning, she thought.
“Weapons down!” the mechanical voice shouted, though it was more human now.
“I don’t drop my weapon for anyone, let alone a ghost,” Riley shot back.
The world around her shimmered slightly; it made Riley nauseated for a second.
The shimmering grew in intensity, then quit all at once.
Twelve men and women surrounded the three of them.
Worth smiled. “That okay. Not too many.” He looked at Riley. “They no magic. They just pretend.”
“What the hell does that matter, Worth?”
He smiled bigger. “It matter. They no magic. We magic.”
“Enough with the talk,” the man in front commanded. “Put the fuckin’ blades on the ground and give us your packs.”
The one talking was heavily muscled. Riley quickly flashed glances at the others. They were all thinner but looked at be in decent shape. These people weren’t starving to death.
Riley didn’t understand how they had simply appeared, but she also didn’t have time right now. There was ass to be kicked.
“Eric.” Worth was smiling since he could see the raiders. “Put sword down.” The bald man proceeded to sit down in the sand, folding his legs under him. He looked at Eric. The kid wasn’t putting shit down.
Worth sighed. His eyes lit red for a second and the sword flew into the ground, burying itself hilt-deep in the sand.
“What the hell are you doing, Worth?” Riley growled. She didn’t take her eyes from the raiders.
“Eric, come. Sit with Worth.” The bald man sounded actually happy.
Riley swallowed, not sure what in the hell was happening. Was Worth a traitor? Had he made some deal with these raiders to bring them a woman? Some sick vengeance for what happened to his people?
“Eric. Sit, boy. Sit with Worth. This be fun. Lots and lots.” Worth took his pack off and put it in front of him. He opened the top, carefully dipped his chalice, and closed the pack. His smile dropped away, and he looked at Riley. “Remember. No harm to wine.”
He smiled.
“Eric! Sit!”
The young man lost his mask of death, appearing confused instead. He glanced at Riley, wanting for her approval.
“What the fuck?” she said aloud, deciding whether to trust Worth. She supposed she had to. “Go ahead; do what the drunk tells you.”
“ENOUGH!” the raider shouted. “I don’t know what the fuck is going on here, but ya better start listenin’ or we’re just gonna cut ya up! Put the fuckin’ sword down!”
Riley’s mind let go of Worth and his ridiculous behavior. It let go of Eric and everything else. It focused only on the coming carnage, and the killer in her ignited.
“How about I put it down your throat instead?”
The rest of the raiders looked confused. They hadn’t expected the mage sitting in the sand, and now a woman faced them with a sword.
The head raider looked to his right and then his left. “I’m tryin’ to figure out exactly what’s happenin’ here, but I guess it don’t really matter. Since ya won’t put the sword down, I suppose we’ll have a go atcha once we disarm ya. Ladies, any of y’all want either of these two men to bring home?”
“Aye,” one of them said. “I’ll take the young ‘un and add ‘im to my collection.”
“No one wants the drunk?” the raider asked.
“Just kill ‘em,” someone said. “Tired of all this talk.”
“Aye, me too,” the head raider responded.
“Then quit talking,” Riley snapped, “and come get me.”
The ones behind her came first, as Riley had expected. One swung for her head, but she ducked, spun, and drove her sword through his back. One came from her left; she wrenched the sword free and drew it across the woman’s stomach.
Both raiders screamed, but the fighting was only beginning.
Worth smiled broadly and took a sip from his chalice.
More were coming at her now, more than she could see. She dodged their blows, parrying and striking like a possessed serpent. Her reaction time was twice as fast as that of anyone coming for her, but there were too many.
Loud clangs of metal hitting metal mixed with the screams of the dying.
Too many, she thought. Sand kicked up from her heels as she danced around her foes.
Riley felt a sword slash close to her robe—far too close. She swung her blade around and caught the man across the throat.
She barely saw the shield.
It hit her in the back and sent her sprawling across the sand. She quickly tried to regain her feet, but the sand betrayed her and she fell to her knees.
She looked up. They were nearly on her. Eight of them, their weapons pointed at her. They wouldn’t take any chances with “having a go”; Riley knew that. She was too dangerous. They were going to kill her and take whatever valuables she possessed.
She could kill maybe three, but not all of them. No way.
Just before they fell on her, she looked at Worth.
He smiled broadly and nodded.
Go on. You magic. His voice filled her head.
Red color ripped across Riley’s pupils, the rising tide inside her bursting forth. She shrieked in anger, knowing it was her last chance. They were on her.
A wave rolled out from Riley, although it couldn’t be seen immediately. Wind rushed at the oncoming attackers, ruffling their clothes and hair.
Then it hit them.
All eight flew into the air, ten feet high, then twenty, thirty, fifty, a hundred.
Riley stared up at them as they rose higher and higher.
The red in her eyes died, and they started to drop. She heard their screams, distant as they were.
They fell to the ground, arms and legs flailing as if it might save them.
The ground stopped their screams.
“Good.” Worth clapped his hands. “Now underground people come.”
Riley jumped to her feet holding her sword, rage on her face. “YOU ALMOST GOT ME KILLED! NEITHER OF YOU HELPED!”
Worth looked at Eric. “She worry too much, aye?”
Eric smiled. “Aye, definitely does.”
“Sit,” Worth told her happily. “We wait. Underground people come.”
Riley wanted to hit them on their heads with her hilt, but she slowly got control of her breathing. The people she’d killed were lying in the sand, no longer making noise, and she stepped over them as she came toward Worth.
She didn’t sit down, though. “Why was that necessary?”
“Let underground people know we here. Need big magic. Little no good.”
“I could have…” Her voice trailed off. Worth was simply looking forward and taking a sip of his wine. She could yell at him all she wanted, but he wouldn’t give a damn.
And she was alive.
She turned to Eric, hoping to loose some of her anger on him. “And what about you? You didn’t help either.”
Eric looked away, ashamed. “He was in my head. He said you would be fine. I... I’m sorry.”
“Twelve on one, and I was going to be fine?”
“Well...” Eric grew silent for a moment and looked at the dead bodies. “They’re all dead, and you are fine.”
Riley followed his gaze.
The young man smiled, still staring. “I sorta feel bad for ‘em. They didn’t stand a chance.”
Riley couldn’t hold back her smile either. “Maybe you’re right.”
“‘Course Worth right,” the tent man interrupted. “Worth always right. Now just wait. Always questions.”
He shook his head and took a large swig of his wine.
An hour passed…and nothing changed.
“Worth, this is getting ridicu—” Riley didn’t get the chance to finish her sentence.
The ground beneath her shook, the sand vibrating under her body. In front of her, she saw a wave. It made no sense—none at all—but that was what she saw. A wave, as if she were on the ocean.
And it was growing larger.
Stretching high into the sky, growing taller with each passing second. A hundred feet in the air now.
Riley jumped up, with Eric only moments behind. Worth didn’t move.
“Hey… Hey, Worth, buddy. We gotta go. We gotta go right now.” Riley swallowed. She didn’t think there was any possible chance
of outrunning this thing, but they had to try.
“Sit, sit.” Worth patted the vibrating sand, smiling.
Riley whipped toward him, grabbing him by his arms. She pulled, lifting him easily despite his weight. He was on his feet in only a second, not prepared at all for such action.
Riley started dragging him, but Worth fought back, trying to hold himself in place.
The shaking was growing worse.
“WORTH! IT’S COMING! LET’S GO!”
Worth shook his head and only stared at the oncoming sand tsunami. “Calm, woman. Calm. Everything okay. Too much worry.”
It was hard to hear him because the rumbling ground was making too much noise.
The wave was nearly on them, and there wasn’t anywhere to run.
Riley faced the unstoppable sand. If she weren’t going to survive, she’d meet death honorably.
It reached them in mere seconds, and Riley closed her eyes, bracing for unbelievable pain.
It didn’t come. She didn’t feel the abrasive sand hitting her, nor was she knocked off her feet.
She opened her eyes and found herself staring at a thin man.
Riley didn’t raise her sword to protect her. Didn’t move at all, actually.
The man’s eyes were gray and dim. He was old, much older than anyone Riley had ever seen, except perhaps Rendal.
“Who are you?” he asked, looking at Riley.
“Muh-my name is Riley Trident.” It was the first time she could remember stuttering, if only briefly.
“Well, speak clearly then, Riley Trident,” the man said. “We do not allow stutterers where I come from.”
Worth looked at Riley and grinned. “He funny.”
“And you are?” the old man asked.
“I Worth. That Eric.” Worth tilted his head toward the young man.
“Did you mean to summon me? Answer me true. I’ll be able to tell if not.”
Worth put his bag on the ground, seeming to ignore the man’s question. He opened it, dipped his chalice again, and closed the bag before looking at the old man.
“‘Course Worth did. Need speak to queen.”
The old man’s eyes narrowed. “Why do you think she’ll speak to you?”
“Look.” Worth titled his head to Riley. “See yourself.”
The man did as Worth told him, staring at Riley. The Right Hand was silent.
“You see.” Worth nodded.
Hand of Justice Boxed Set Page 31
