Trial and Glory (30 page)

* * *

Jober sat in the corner of his cell, palms in his eyes. His body ached. His mind swam after his conversation with Lucia.

All I ever tried to do was the right thing.

He had turned his back on Kaz to save his family, and when his guilt could no longer tolerate it, he tried to right his mistake by killing Tobin.

Not only did I fail, but I made matters worse. I betrayed Kaz again.

He thought of that night in the palace’s lower level when he and Tobin had fought. And Kaz disappeared.

Tobin wanted to kill me then, but Nachun wouldn’t let him. It would have been better for everyone if he had. My family would be safe, and Lucia would be oblivious to the truth.
He chuckled.
The truth? She doesn’t even know the half of it.

He rubbed his face thinking about what he would say if he ever saw her again.

* * *

Tobin stood at the top of Juanoq’s wide walls, looking over the moat and past the defensive towers scattered in the cleared land outside the city. A hundred feet up, a warm breeze danced across the ramparts. He took in the scene before him without having to turn his head. Thousands of warriors from other tribes set up camp just past the range of the city’s towers. He noted members from the Orange Desert Clan and Yellow Plain Clan. However, the bulk of the warriors consisted of the Gray Marsh Clan.

Just when I thought I could do some good.

“Have we had contact with them yet?” he asked.

“We’re working on that now, Warleader,” answered one of his captains.

Messengers ran between the towers, working their way slowly toward the city’s gates. They lowered the drawbridge to allow a man entrance. A short while later, the messenger came to halt beside Tobin, huffing for air.

He bowed. “Warleader, I have been inside the army’s camp.”

“Who commands?”

“Mawkuk.”

Tobin’s eyes widened. He had not expected men to follow him again.

Though with Soyjid dead, who else would they turn to?

“What does he want?”

“We are to open the city’s gates and allow them entrance. We are to pay restitution for the lives lost by all three clans due to the aggressions of the Blue Island Clan. Afterward, you are to surrender your life to Mawkuk.”

Shouts of outrage erupted along the wall.

Tobin silenced them with a raised hand. “What else?”

“Durahn is allied with Mawkuk. He is to immediately take control of both the Blue and Orange Clans as part of the condition of our surrender.”

Durahn. I ended up repeating Kaz’s mistake anyway. I waited too long to deal with him.

“And I assume that if we deny their terms, they plan to take the city from us by force.”

“Yes, Warleader.” The messenger bowed.

More shouts of anger rang in Tobin’s ears.

“Attack, Warleader. We can take them.”

Tobin glanced around at the men. Most were either members of the watch or part of the regular army. Few Kifzo were among them, his best having gone off with Nachun, and the remainder with Walor’s army.

He sorely missed Walor.
A good leader and more importantly a good friend. Both of which I could use right now. Where are you?

Tobin hadn’t received an update in months.

Surely Mawkuk couldn’t have defeated him. He must have cut them off or at least delayed them. Is he betting everything on one chance to take the city before Walor flanks him?

Tobin laughed as he thought about the city’s defenses. Though he had a weakened force manning the walls, Mawkuk did not have the time, manpower, or weapons necessary to take Juanoq.

The challenge ahead lifted his spirits. His blood began to race with excitement as he forgot about the stresses of his earlier conversation with Lucia.

“We will not attack. There is no need to waste lives. My father built Juanoq’s defenses for a reason. We‘ll watch them die throwing themselves at us.”

A turmoil of emotions coursed through his body—the want of peace, and the desire for war.

“Warleader, should I send a response back to Mawkuk?”

He grinned. “No. Return to your tower. He’ll figure things out. In the meantime, we have work to do.”

Chapter 20

Yanasi smiled as the private saluted her and left. With the war over and her resignation handed in, she no longer commanded the hundreds of men she once had. Yet, they still treated her as their captain, saluting, asking for advice, and even bringing her meals as she waited at the edge of camp for Rygar scouting ahead as they returned to Lyrosene.

She took a bite of hard cheese as Rygar cut through a copse of pines, entering the wide road. He galloped toward camp with such urgency she thought something wrong until she noticed his bright smile.

Rygar jumped down as the horse came to a halt.

“What’s going on?” she asked.

“I have some potentially great news that I think you’ll be interested in. Kroke, and probably Elyse too.”

“What is it?”

“Well, I’m kind of hungry. Some of that cheese might do me some good before—”

Yanasi punched him in the arm.

“Alright. It’s about Cassus.”

Her breath caught in her throat. “What is it?”

“There’s this story that came in from the coast a few weeks back that’s spreading like fire, almost as fast as news of the war.”

“What happened?”

“Well, it’s hard to get the full story since it’s already grown to legendary proportions . . .”

“Just tell me what you know.”

“Essentially, the Byzernians staged an uprising on a slave ship owned by a big-time trader named Melchizan.”

Yanasi’s eyes widened.

“Yes, that one. But don’t worry, all reports say he’s dead for sure this time. The Byzernians actually won. And from what I’ve heard, their plan is to free every slave still residing on Mytarcis.”

“What does that have to do with Cassus?”

“The Byzernians are calling the man who led the revolt the Hero of Slaves.”

Yanasi’s eyes widened more. “Jonrell called Cassus that as a joke.”

Rygar nodded. “I know. Apparently, it stuck. They speak about Cassus like he’s their savior.”

Yanasi’s head swam with a hundred questions. “Wait. Stop. Go back and start over. I need to hear the details.”

“Captain!” a voice called from behind.

Yanasi turned instinctively at the title. “Yes?”

“Her Majesty wishes to see you right away.”

Rygar held out his hand. “Then I guess you won’t mind me starting on that cheese.”

“That’s what you think.” She grabbed him by the arm. “C’mon. You can recount the tale as we walk.”

* * *

“You’re progressing well,” said Nora. “How do you feel?”

Kroke lowered his shirt gingerly, doing his best to downplay the pain he felt. “Better. But not as good as I would like.”

“Well, I told you the risks of traveling so soon after the injury. Come see me after dinner, and I’ll work on it a bit more.”

Kroke nodded. “How much longer before you think I’m at full strength?”

“A couple of weeks or so.”

“I had hoped for sooner.”

Nora shrugged. “Then when we’re not traveling, stay still. That’s all I can tell you.”

The mage gathered her things and left Kroke leaning against a tree. With Wiqua gone, Nora had become the lead medical advisor for the army. Janik, Lufflin, and others deferred to her when it came to treating most injuries.

The queen kept constant pressure on the mages to fully heal those soldiers she had not left to defend the High Pass. Elyse would not explain her reasons for pushing so hard to return to the capital.

He pulled out a whetstone, ready to work on his blades when Yanasi appeared in the corner of his vision. She walked in a daze. Without a word, she plopped next to him beside the tree.

“What’s eating you? I thought you’d be happy. Rygar told me the news about Cassus.”

“I am. About that anyway.” She paused. “The queen just offered me Grayer’s old position.”

Kroke raised an eyebrow. “General? I thought she had Jeldor in charge of her army.”

“She said that was only temporary until she could ask me. He has his own lands and responsibilities.”

“Well, she’s a smart woman.”

“Really?”

“Of course. You’d make a fine general. It’s sometimes hard for me to see it, but you ain’t the skinny little girl Jonrell found anymore. You’ve been Kaz’s second in command for over a year now whether you realize it or not.”

She blinked. “I never thought of it that way.” She paused. “But I don’t want to fight. The whole reason why Rygar and I left the Hell Patrol was to get away from war.”

“All the more reason for you to take the job. Elyse needs stability and someone with a head on their shoulders running her army. Not to mention someone she can trust. The last thing she wants is a commander bent on glory in the next conflict. She needs someone who’ll promote peace.”

“Elyse told me she wants her private forces so well-trained that no one will dare start another uprising out of fear alone.”

“That’s the way to do it.”

“But what if fighting breaks out anyway? You know there is always some idiot out there who is too stupid to be scared.”

“Then you’ll have to lead them.” He paused. “Besides, if war breaks out in Cadonia again, you don’t think it wouldn’t eventually find you? Wouldn’t you rather be calling the shots than following some incompetent noble who doesn’t know his head from his rear?”

She chuckled. “Rygar said more or less the same thing.”

“Well, there you go.”

They sat in silence for a moment, listening to the movements of camp.

Yanasi cleared her throat. “Have you noticed how much different Elyse is now? She’s stronger. And her eyes . . . She’s reminding me of Jonrell more and more.” She paused. “Almost. She lacks his lightheartedness.”

Kroke grunted. “She’s lost a lot of people she cares for. Family and friends.”
Love.
He thought about Kaz. “That’s bound to change anyone.”

“I think I need more time to consider her offer.”

“Smart.” He rose to his feet.

“Where are you going? I passed Nora on my way over here. She said you needed to rest.”

“I do.”

“Well, sit. Whatever you need to do, can wait.”

He thought of how strained his relationship with Elyse had been since he rescued her from Markus’ dungeons. “Some things can’t wait any longer.”

* * *

Flames danced around Nareash’s body, slowly burning away his power, then his clothes, and finally his flesh. The High Mage screamed in agony as his skin melted and bubbled from his bones.

When the fire dissipated, only a blackened skull remained, mouth gaping in the same frozen manner as those he killed before her eyes in Lyrosene.

Elyse raised her foot, slamming it down on the mage’s bones, pounding each fragment to dust.

Elyse’s eyes popped open. She sat up from her desk, rubbing her face, and blinking away the sleep.

One Above, I nodded off again. That’s the third time this evening.

Her hands cramped from the letters she worked on, yet she refused her bed until each day’s work had been completed.

When she did close her eyes, she dreamed one of two dreams. One involved imagining the High Mage’s agonizing death. The other, Kaz pushing his way through her tent, taking her in his arms and swearing that he would never leave her again.

She stretched her neck, sore from the odd position she had been in. She dipped her quill into the inkwell.

Enough of that.

The tip of the quill had just touched the paper when Niken called from outside her tent. “Your Majesty, Kroke is here to see you.”

She hesitated, torn between getting back to her duties and speaking with someone she had hardly acknowledged over the last several months. She set the quill down and stood.

“Send him in.”

Kroke ducked inside. He had always been thin, but looked worse with his collarbones protruding through his shirt. The injuries he had endured in the High Pass’ final battle had nearly done him in.

At least he has his color back.

“What is it?” she asked, impatient to get back to her work.

“Yanasi told me about your offer to her.”

“Are you here to question—”

“No.” He cut her off. “I think she’s a good choice. A wise choice. I told her she should accept.”

“Will she?”

“I believe so.”

A long breath passed through her lips.
Thank the One Above.

Kroke cocked his head. “What’s wrong?”

She turned away from him, back to her desk. “Nothing. Thank you for letting me know about Yanasi. Unfortunately, I still have much to do.”

“Are you expecting to need her when we return to Lyrosene?”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Elyse laughed, but knew as soon as the sound escaped her that it rang false.

“That would explain why Jeldor left with a company of men yesterday, and you’ve been sending out all these letters. You’re calling in troops. What’s going on?”

“It’s none of your concern. Now—”

“Is it because of Grin that you don’t trust me?”

“No. Crusher actually told me the truth before he left. I understand why you did what you did.”

“Then why not tell me what’s going on? We’ve been through a lot together.”

She sighed.

“Kaz thought you might have been keeping something from him. If you really think something might go down, you can’t keep it from us, least of all Yanasi.”

“I wasn’t going to keep it from Yanasi. I just didn’t want to tell her until she accepted. I know it’s awful to trick her in such a way, but she might not accept if she learned the truth.”

“I doubt it. She looks out for her friends. Just like I do.” He paused and cleared his throat. “And just like I thought you did.”

She grunted. “That’s cold even for you. But you’re right. I received word that Gauge has not only pushed the limits of the power I granted him, but exceeded it. He’s begun trying and sentencing people in my name while redistributing the spoils of war to those of his choosing.”