by L. E. Horn
Lianndra led Andrea away from Hannah and Carla, choosing a spot where they could sit. Hannah took the hint and began chatting the older woman up, or at least tried to. The Healer didn’t look like much of a talker.
Lianndra laid a hand on Andrea’s arm. Still smiling, she whispered, “Andrea, don’t react to what I’m saying. We’re part of a rebel group of freed slaves working in partnership with the Gryphon. We have a Gryphon troop standing by to extricate you and whoever is willing or able to join us. Is Carla on board?”
Andrea had always been quick. She laughed to keep up the ruse of a casual chat but followed it up with quiet, clipped words in a serious tone. “My first Healer partner died two weeks ago. Carla is the replacement. Her collar is active. Our unit is”—she paused and Lianndra saw her face spasm—“not rebel material. Three of our own men were responsible for the previous Healer’s death.” Andrea closed her eyes. “The bastards ambushed and raped her. Then the Fang, whom she just healed, finished her off while our captain watched. I tried to stop them and he knocked me out cold. I was out for a few minutes, but when I came to, it was all over.” She shook her head, opened her eyes, but kept the smile in place, although Lianndra could see it become rather more akin to baring teeth. “Things are becoming chaotic, as if the Fang are lacking discipline. Even a short time ago they would never have got away with the loss of an asset like us. I think the captain told Fang headquarters a Razorback killed her, and they believed it.”
Lianndra experienced a surge of gratitude for Drake. She could so easily have shared Andrea’s partner’s fate. “Should we get Carla out?”
Andrea gave Lianndra a gentle push as if enjoying a good joke. “Honestly? She’s barely Healer material. They’re scraping the bottom of the barrel to send her out here. I have to help her with the worst injuries.” She hesitated. “I’d love to say yes, but she’s allied herself with the FHR captain. He’s a real bastard. If you try to take her into the rebel fold, you’d have to watch she didn’t defect back to the Fang at every turn and take a bunch of secrets with her.”
Hmm. I’m so happy we found Andrea, but we’ve risked a lot to gain one Healer. First things first. Lianndra turned to Hannah and Carla. “Andrea wants to check out what we saw north of here.” She nodded to Carla. “Can you hold this position until the three of us return? It won’t take long.”
Carla looked as though she wanted to object, but before she could speak, all three Healers swung into the canopy. A quick glance back showed her still staring as they disappeared.
Lianndra pulled her cape tight and increased her speed, eager to put as much distance as she could between the older Healer and them. They proceeded until Andrea indicated her collar tingled, a sign she was at the edge of her designated containment area. Lianndra halted and worked on the tall woman’s collar, disabling the remaining links to her division. Then they returned to the trees—twisting, turning, and changing direction until they were certain they couldn’t be followed.
Hannah filled Andrea in on their association with the Gryphon as they traveled. Andrea listened, her raised eyebrows showing her astonishment.
When they next paused to rest, Hannah said, “We should contact Zar.”
I don’t want to return with only one person. “How many local Fang units have you worked on?” Lianndra asked.
The tall woman sighed. “It’s been difficult since I lost my partner. The nearest units have anywhere from a quarter to a half of their collars disabled.”
That will help. Lianndra schemed while they were on the move. She had an idea. Now, I just have to sell it. “I’ll contact Zar and tell her two Healers are coming out.”
“What the hell? What do you mean by two?” It was Andrea, although she beat Hannah by only a second.
“Once you guys are safely back to the extrication group, have Drake send word to Kesar. We need Kesar’s troops to move away from this area. The fighting units here will use the respite to get their wounded to Healers. Then I can move in and disable collars. If I bump into any FHR groups, I’ll see if I can get the Healers out.” She met Hannah’s gaze, ignoring Andrea’s smoldering eyes. “You need to go back, Hannah. Kesar’s warriors will need a Healer. You know this gamble will not have been worth it for the Gryphon unless I can get more people out.”
“Lianndra,” Hannah said, “the primary goal was to get more Healers to join the rebellion. Freeing slaves would be useful, but I think we should regroup and discuss this. It is far too risky for you to do this alone!”
“We need to convert more slaves to the rebel cause. The Gryphon have gone to a lot of trouble to get us in behind the front lines. We have to capitalize on being here, like I’m trying to do.” Lianndra gestured to Andrea. “You’ve got to get back to our people.”
Andrea raised her hand. “Forget it. I’m not going anywhere. I have waited a long time for this, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to have my ass hauled out of here just when it’s getting interesting.”
Lianndra considered her for a moment. Then Hannah spoke up. “I’m in too. We can cover more ground with the three of us.”
“No.” Lianndra overrode her friend’s protest. “Hannah, I need you to go back. Tell Zar and Drake to shadow our activities as much as possible. We’ll send them as many slaves as we can.” She reached out to touch Hannah’s hand. “You are an amazing Healer and Kesar’s injured Gryphon will need you. Let us do this.” Hannah was the perfect Healer—gentle, caring and strong to the core. And she has Drake. And I promised him.
Hannah surrendered, her eyes full of angry tears. “Drake is going to be so pissed!” She groaned. “He hates last-minute changes in plans. He says they often lead to disaster.”
As her hand squeezed Hannah’s arm, Michael flashed through Lianndra’s mind. She knew he would be furious and worried. Lianndra would have to trust Drake to keep him from doing anything stupid. This could be the most important initiative of the rebellion as Lianndra and Andrea were in place to do real damage.
They hashed out a plan. Hannah would return to the Gryphon, and Drake could relay the message to Kesar to move his troops farther along. Meanwhile, Andrea and Lianndra would move deeper into enemy territory. Once the Gryphon army withdrew from this area, the two Healers would approach the Fang fighting units as they camped and disable as many collars as possible. The tricky part would be telling the freed slaves they could rebel and escape their Fang units. In some cases, they might need Drake and the Gryphon to help overthrow the Fang commanders. Then they would have to act fast to get the freed slaves to safety before the other Fang units found them. Lianndra held onto her communicator, so she could contact Drake once they had liberated enough slaves.
For now, it’s easier to beg forgiveness than permission. What is life without a challenge?
Lianndra embraced Hannah and watched the red-haired woman move off in the trees. Then she and Andrea headed off toward the front line. Once the fighting moved on, they must reach the units before any other Healer division could. If they ran into other FHR divisions, they would assess each Healer as to whether they were, or could be turned, rebel. All the while, they would have to deceive the Fang commanders.
And hope communications are still in a confused, battle-frantic stage, and no one figures out what we’re up to, she thought.
Andrea flashed a smile as they moved. Hannah gave her Vloxx cape to the tall Healer as a parting gift. Unlike Lianndra’s mottled blonde hair, Andrea looked like a living shadow for her hair was solid black all over. Great for hiding in shadows but she stands out against the foliage. The Vloxx cape is a must for her, Lianndra thought.
Lianndra swung through the trees in the fading light of day, feeling free alongside her old friend. I guess if this fails, there are worse ways to die.
WITH A GRUNT OF EFFORT, Michael swung the battle-axe at the tree stump. The razor-sharp blade sliced clean through the rotten wood. He exhaled and let the axe drop until it touched the ground. Winded and sweating, he paused to lean on it, his musc
les burning with effort. Before the Vloxx attack, he could have swung this thing all day. Now, a few hours’ effort left him weak and shaky.
Six agonizing days. Six days without a word of Lianndra. Six days of worrying and fretting over her fate.
Michael hefted the axe again, feeling the pull of newly developed muscles in his shoulders and arms. Six days of pushing himself, eating, training, and sometimes catching a few hours’ sleep when exhaustion made anything else impossible.
“Well, I do see some progress.” The voice startled Michael, and he barely stopped himself from swinging the axe at the speaker. Wilf walked forward out of the shadows. The old miniGryph had become a friend, more through persistence than anything else. Michael hadn’t been good company as of late.
Michael lifted a corner of his mouth to smile at Wilf. From the disheveled burnt orange and blue mane to his lopsided simile of a human smile, there was something comical about the miniGryph. Wilf tilted his head at the tall human and pointed to where he’d set a tray down in the shade of a tree.
The big man’s mouth watered as the smell of roasted meat and baked bread wafted toward him. Wilf recognized the human’s preference for meat and brought him as much as he could consume. Most recovered muscle on Michael was due to Wilf’s efforts.
The miniGryph chatted about the latest rumors as Michael sat and ate the meal. The big man just finished the last bite when the ground vibrated. He twisted around to see the valley full of Gryphon. Most newcomers showed signs of injury and he noticed a few carried on stretchers between massive males.
Michael had no memory of running to the group, but he found himself pushing back and forth through the milling aliens. The males topped him by over a foot, making him feel as though he wound through a forest of furry stripes and spots. Most Gryphon present were injured warriors from Kesar’s army. Michael was desperate for news, but they couldn’t tell him in a language he understood. He turned to find Wilf not far behind. The miniGryph looked diminutive in the company of the large males, who stepped aside to allow him to progress forward unhindered.
“Wilf!” Michael’s heart pounded. “What’s going on? Where are the Healers?”
Wilf looked at him. “It seems the plan has deviated.” His expression remained stoic. “There are two Healers still behind the front lines. Healer Hannah is with our scouts. She has done what she could for the injured. Healer Lianndra has joined with another rebel Healer and is at work behind the enemy lines to free more slaves.”
Michael’s heart froze. Behind enemy lines. That wasn’t the plan. In and out, fast and safe, that was what they agreed. Now, except for one other Healer, Lianndra is alone. Just the two of them against the hundreds of soldiers in the region.
Wilf continued, seemingly oblivious to Michael’s distress. “Leader Kesar has sent his troops farther north to keep the Fang units distracted and give the Healers a chance to complete their mission. Scout Zar and the rebels sent with them are shadowing the Healers, waiting for orders from Healer Lianndra for extrication.”
Extrication. Extrication would not be easy now, with the Healers deep into the enemy’s camp. Disabling the collars was only part of the equation. The soldiers still needed convincing they could rebel. Some would want to side with the Fang, their masters for so long. For the newly freed slaves to stand a chance at rebellion, someone had to take out the Fang commanders before they could call for help. Then the slaves and Healers will have to get the hell out of occupied territory.
Michael straightened. He knew what he was going to do. He looked down at Wilf and said in a tone brooking no argument, “I’m going out there. Is there someone who will carry me?”
Wilf said nothing, tilting his narrow head at the taller human. Then he flicked his tufted ears once and turned to disappear into the melee. Michael followed in his tracks, an easy endeavor as the big warriors moved aside for their smaller compatriot. The miniGryph stopped at a huge, grizzled warrior who still impressed despite his age; Michael recognized Kesar from the meeting he’d attended. They conversed in their musical language for a moment, then the big Gryph turned to contemplate Michael. The tattered, long ears were forward and his mane erect. Michael thought he detected approval in the expression on the long face.
The old warrior called out, and a deep younger voice answered. A large male trotted up, his muscles bunching and flexing under his golden coat of striped fur. Just entering his prime and not yet fully muscled, the statuesque newcomer possessed a thick mane of white-tipped black and turquoise feathers. The old warrior spoke to him, and the younger Gryph turned to Michael to bow his upper torso.
Wilf spun to face the tall human. “This is Karn, Kesar’s son. Given the escalation of the Healer mission, he is assuming command over the extraction group. He will carry you.”
Michael bowed to Kesar. “Tell him thank you,” Michael said to Wilf, “I will arm myself and meet Karn back here.” At his words, the young male Gryph made a sound like a snort and nodded.
Wilf smiled. “He understands human English but regrets he cannot speak it well. He will meet you here.”
Michael turned and jogged back through the group. A surge of new energy coursed through his body. He would find Lianndra. They would free more rebels. And then we’ll tear every Fang we come across a new orifice or two!
“EASY, THIS WILL STING A bit.” Lianndra cradled the young man’s head in her hands while keeping an eye out for the Fang commander. About forty feet to her left, Andrea worked on a wounded Zraph. The two entered the camp as representatives of an FHR unit decimated during the fighting. So far, the commander had been too preoccupied with the state of his soldiers to question them. He needed Healers, and they were the only game in town.
The occasional sounds of distant fighting echoed off the nearby trees. Kesar’s warriors harassed the front line farther north and kept the pressure on while Lianndra and Andrea did their work.
Lianndra closed her eyes and went within the mangled arm. The soldier winced in pain as she healed. She spoke quietly to the young man. “I wish this war would end.”
The soldier nodded, gritting his teeth. He answered hoarsely. “Wish I knew what was so bloody special about this planet. It all seems rather pointless.”
Lianndra opened her eyes and smiled at him. “Things would be easier if they told us what they schemed.”
The soldier snorted. “Yeah. Right.”
Finally, the wound closed and Lianndra rested a hand on his shoulder as she leaned over him. “I have disabled your collar. The Fang no longer have control and you are free to rebel if you wish. We are part of a rebel force allied with the Gryphon. If you escape in the next few days, head for the grasslands and we can get you out.”
The man’s eyes widened in shock. Lianndra frowned at him until he settled, her finger on his lips. This was always the risky part. So far, they’d been lucky. If they guessed wrong, it could be lethal for her and Andrea. All they could do was try to guess where each slave stood on the rebellion and make a snap judgment.
Lianndra patted him on his shoulder before moving on to the next soldier. She didn’t get a good vibe from this one, but she disabled his collar anyway, enabling him to escape the Fang if he so chose. We must protect the rebellion and we are risking enough as it is.
Andrea finished with the Zraph and moved on to another human soldier. Many aliens would remain wild cards because the Healers disabled the collars but didn’t speak of the rebellion. Without the ability to communicate they couldn’t guess where some aliens would stand. They could have grudges against the Gryphon. The Healers had no way of knowing. On the pretense of helping with soldier fatigue, the women also treated the uninjured. It taxed them further, but it meant disabling more collars. Once finished, the two gleaned food and headed into the jungle, swinging high in the canopy before consuming their meal. Their knowledge of the flora proved valuable; the thickened stem of a particular plant served as a water source.
This was their third fighting unit within two days
. They had yet to find another FHR unit to rescue more Healers. Exhaustion loomed, and both women experienced periods of trembling that slowly got worse as their stretched energies reached their limits. At least their luck held, so far the Fang commanders ignored the fact the Healers were unaccompanied.
They’re assuming our FHR division got destroyed in the fighting, Lianndra thought. The women concentrated on fighting units close to the jungle edges where the extraction team waited for slaves fleeing the Fang.
“There’s another unit close by that have some collars already disabled,” Andrea said, drying her mouth with the back of her hand. Andrea knew most Fang units assigned to this region from her time serving in the local FHR division.
Working on another entire unit before dawn seemed impossible, but it needed to be done. Lianndra nodded to her friend and motioned for her to lead the way.
The fighting unit wasn’t far away, licking its wounds at the base of some enormous trees. The Fang commander didn’t even have a tent left. His bedroll was out in the shadows of a fern bank with the ever-present Bernaf guards standing nearby.
The two Healers worked on the soldiers. Everything went smoothly until the real FHR division arrived.
Fate dealt them a bad hand. It was Andrea’s old FHR division.
If the two women hadn’t been so tired, they would have been faster to recognize their danger. Both Healers were so engrossed in their work they didn’t notice what happened. Carla, the division’s remaining Healer, must have seen Lianndra and Andrea working on the slaves. Andrea’s disappearance made it obvious that she worked free from the influence of her collar. Carla informed her captain, who then walked into camp and asked for an audience with the Fang commander.
Lianndra crouched before a large soldier with a minor injury to his chest when all the hair along her spine stood on end. We’re being watched.
