Trial and Glory (31 page)

“So, he’s pretending to sit the throne.”

Elyse chuckled. “I wonder how much pretending is truly involved.”

“I can see why you’re troubled, but you’re traveling with an experienced force. Gauge can’t possibly hold on to any power he’s trying to cull if that’s what’s going on.”

“Don’t you think Gauge would realize that? So, he either thinks that he can talk me into agreeing with his decisions or—”

“Or he has a means to stop you.”

She nodded. “I’ve gotten word that he’s managed to bring remnants of Bronn’s and Tomalt’s armies to his cause, those Kaz chose not to fold into our ranks.”

“So, what are you going to do?”

“I haven’t worked out all the details. I’ve been trying to increase the size of our army with those not already conscripted into service in case it comes down to another confrontation.” She paused. “It hasn’t been easy. Some have agreed to join our forces, mostly minor lords, or those close to our current position. However, Gauge’s influence has already been felt. Many have either feigned ignorance in their responses, or in a couple of rare instances, ignored my orders all together. That’s why I sent Jeldor out yesterday. Hopefully, a show of force will encourage others into action.”

“Can I do anything to help?”

“Not yet.” Elyse bit her lip. “But soon, yes.”

Chapter 21

Drake paused at the top of a small rise. A warm breeze blew into his face, messing his hair. He scanned the land before him, still finding it hard to believe he strode the ground of yet another country. A couple years ago, he had only known a small tract of farmland on Slum Isle. Since then, he’d traveled most of Cadonia, seeing sights he once only dreamed about. Thurum lay ahead.

And Hesh after that. Well, I did want to see the world.

He shook his head and glanced back at the Cataric Mountain range. The large mounds of rock visible on the horizon blurred into one solid mass rising over the land.

“What’re you daydreaming about, kid?” asked Raker, walking up.

“I know we’ve only been on the road for a week, but it seems like what we just went through occurred half a lifetime ago.”

“That’s good. In this line of work, it helps to remember your past, but you sure don’t want to dwell on it. Putting distance between you and the bad memories makes it easier to focus on the good ones.” He spat. “And with the pace Kaz is keeping, we’ll have so much distance between us and that fortress, I won’t remember much about it by the end of the week. A man my age shouldn’t be forced to march like this.”

Drake smiled, started walking again. “It is pretty impressive watching those Kifzo in action,” he said, gesturing to the ranks in front. Each step fell in an effortless unison. A thin fog of dirt danced around their feet.

“I ain’t afraid to say it’s a bit scary too.”

Drake blinked. “Really?”

“Yeah. I thought Kaz was an anomaly, but seeing them Kifzo up close, and after watching them fight, well, I’m just glad Krytien’s starting to heal up.”

“Definitely wouldn’t want to face them in a fight.”

“Nope.”

“It makes me respect Kaz even more.”

“How so?”

“Because as good as the Kifzo are, he had to be the best of them.”

Raker nodded. “I know he’s a different man, and they got some understanding worked out between them, but . . .”

Drake cocked his head. “But what?”

“I can tell that many still hold a grudge against him. I think some of their fear of him from when he was their warleader is keeping the worst of those grudges from surfacing.”

“What happens if they do surface?”

Raker tapped the mace at his side. “Well, then I guess we take up a spot next to him and go down swinging.” He paused. “The good thing is that at least we won’t have to worry about that until we leave here.”

“Why?”

Raker nodded to Hezen’s forces marching behind the army of Kifzo. “Watch the way them Kifzo eye the others. They got no love for them. These last couple months have been an insult, watching the army fail over and over against us. Kaz might have given them a chance to gain back some pride at the end, but for some I don’t think they had their fill.”

Drake had noted the tension between the groups as well. Neither side seemed comfortable with the alliance Kaz, Hezen, and Elyse had negotiated.

“Well, I just hope that if something does happen, they wait until we reach Asantia. That way we’d be able to just retreat to the ships.”

Raker cleared his throat. “Kid, you make it sound easy.” He spat. “I hope that’s the last thing that happens.”

Raker walked off, shoulders hunched.

What did I say?

* * *

Krytien sat at the front of the wagon next to Wiqua. Kaz had insisted that he ride as they traveled, hoping the rest would speed his recovery.

He knew he should be enjoying the time off his feet, taking in sights he hadn’t seen in over a decade. However, the land of Thurum only brought Krytien bad memories.

And we’re heading to the worst memory of all.

The army marched toward one of the darkest periods in the Hell Patrol’s history.

And the man responsible has never paid for that.

Krytien’s hands balled as he stared at Hezen riding confidently on the back of his mount. He spoke with Kaz, laughing and gesturing without a care in the world. Kaz seemed indifferent to the man, but indifference wasn’t enough to satisfy Krytien’s loathing.

He deserves worse. Too many good men died because of his betrayal. A few burn scars is not enough.

A throat cleared, jarring him from his thoughts. He looked to his right where Wiqua stared down at Krytien’s hands. He followed the old Byzernian’s gaze, realizing that small wisps of fire had begun to warp and twist around his fists.

“You’re supposed to be resting.”

Krytien calmed himself and the tiny flames disappeared. “I know,” he snapped, harsher than intended.

“Kaz promised it would all work out.”

“It better. You weren’t there.”

“No, but I heard enough about Asantia from Hag. I understand how you must feel.”

Krytien sighed.

“Just be patient.”

“You know that patience can be a struggle for me.”

Wiqua smiled. “Well, then what a perfect opportunity we have to practice it now.”

He chuckled. “Another lesson?”

“Of course.” Wiqua leaned in. “Besides, you should feel glad you’re learning that lesson from a distance.” He gestured. “Watch Kaz for a few moments. You could be in his position.”

Krytien peeled his eyes from the object of his hate and watched as each annoying laugh of the would-be emperor caused the chords in Kaz’s neck to bunch. The Hell Patrol commander began casually drifting his horse away from Hezen. However, the man seemed oblivious to Kaz’s intentions, steering his mount ever closer.

Krytien grinned.

* * *

A fight broke out among several men under Hezen’s command. Kaz could not be happier as the confrontation allowed him to escape the would-be emperor while his attention diverted.

He flicked the reins of his mount and set off toward the front of his lines where Itken fielded reports from returning Kifzo scouts.

Kaz had lifted Itken in rank, hoping that by doing so, he might further ingratiate himself to his fellow Kifzo. Though they might address him as warleader, Kaz knew it would take more than a promise to earn their trust and support.

I’ve got decades of their memories of me to overcome. And only the word of white foreigners to vouch that I truly am a different person.

He hoped that when the time came, his actions would give credence to his promises.

Itken sent the Kifzo scout back out, then looked up as Kaz slowed his approach. “Warleader.”

Kaz nodded. “Any problems?”

“None. I would let you know if there were.”

“Of course. How long until we reach Asantia?”

“Two weeks.” He looked in disgust toward the fight broken up by Hezen’s captains. “It would be sooner if not for them slowing us down. It was the same on the march to the mountain fortress. I tried to tell Guwan that these pale skins have no skill for war.”

“True in most cases, but there are exceptions.”

“Yes. You did well in training the defenders.”

Kaz grunted. “I didn’t train them all. And I did very little training within the Hell Patrol. If anything, they trained me.”

“I don’t follow.”

Kaz stroked his goatee, trying to think of an example. “What did my uncle teach us in regards to our wounded?”

“That we tend to those who need tending to, and do what we can to move them along.”

“And do we ever leave them behind?”

“If it jeopardizes the mission. You know that.”

Yes, I do
, he thought thinking of a man or two he had left to die.

“Not anymore.”

“So, you mean they would rather fail than leave behind a man destined to die?”

“To them, moving on without every man is the failure. Think about it, Itken. As much time as you and I spent together growing up, we should be close.” He gestured over his shoulder. “We all should. Yet, in the dungeon when I brought up your family, you thought that I only meant ill by it. I don’t blame you. Before I came here I would have thought the same.” He shook his head. “That’s not the way things should be.”

Itken wore a pained expression as if Kaz had spoken the words in Cadonian rather than Heshan. “So, these people have never left men behind?”

“You misunderstand me. They’ve split their numbers before, but they did it out of selflessness and love for each other.”

Itken grunted. “Strange people.”

“Given time, it won’t seem strange at all.”

“Is there anything else, Warleader?”

Kaz frowned at the question. Itken’s reaction was not what he had hoped for.

Give it time, Kaz. It took you much longer, and you didn’t have the burden of memories pulling you away from a different view of life.

“No. That’s all for now. Carry on.”

He rode off, shamefully eager to be out from under the weight of the Kifzo’s confused stare.

* * *

Kaz quickly checked in with the Hell Patrol. Everyone seemed to be getting along well. When he noticed Hezen looking for him again, he drifted further back where Mizak’s wagon rolled along beside the mobile siege equipment Drake had designed.

Crusher sat next to the old Heshan scholar in the wagon’s bed.

“I don’t care what the text says, it’s wrong.”

“But it’s referenced in a dozen other locations.”

“Make it a hundred for all I care. The authors are documenting legend. Never once in the history of my people did we eat our young.”

The old man pushed. “Perhaps it’s something your ancestors hid from your generation, but it managed to get out to other parts of the world anyway?”

“No.” Crusher’s eyes narrowed. “Though there are stories of my people having a taste for scrawny old men who would not let matters drop.”

Mizak swallowed. “Well. Then I’ll just have to conclude that these texts are inaccurate.” He set them aside.

Sensing the shift in conversation, Kaz cleared his throat. “Is everything alright?”

Mizak looked up. “Crusher is helping me document the history of his people. I plan to write a thesis on the subject as well as many other things I’ve learned once we return to Hesh. Such mysteries of the world shouldn’t be lost to our people.” He turned back to Crusher. “Now about . . .”

The giant slid from the back of the wagon, his great weight causing it to creak and shift. “I need a break.”

Mizak frowned. “I’ll just update my notes then.” He put his head down, dismissing Crusher and Kaz like they no longer existed.

Crusher gestured to Kaz, and the two drifted away from the column. Though the Ghal walked, his massive gait matched Kaz’s horse.

“That’s one crazy old man.”

Kaz shrugged. “His focus is just on different things.”

“He’s so caught up in what he reads that he’s lost sight of all that’s around him. He’d rather read a description of the road we’re traveling than look at the thing.”

“Not completely true. He did have some interesting things to say about Quarnoq, an ancient city of my people’s ancestors. Nareash rediscovered it.”

“I guess the High Mage did one positive thing then.” Crusher shifted subjects. “How are you holding up?”

He shrugged. “The more I’m around the Kifzo, the more detailed some of my memories become. Some even reach to the early years of our training.”

“Is that why you don’t spend much time with them?”

Kaz winced. “Partially. They are a bleak reminder of who I once was. I’ve changed so much I find it hard to identify with them. It’s unsettling.”

“Do you wonder if you’ll be able to identify with Lucia?”

“No. If anything I think I might find myself more comfortable with her.”

“Two years is a long time to be away from someone. Have you thought about how much she might have changed?”

“All the time.”

“Are you worried?”

“Terrified. For all I know she could have moved on with her life. I’d be hurt, but I couldn’t fault her.”

They continued in silence for a few moments. “Are we going to talk about Elyse?” Crusher finally blurted out.

“What is there to talk about?”

“It wasn’t a very warm send off. At least for you.”

“She watched us leave.”

“From the balcony. Shouldn’t there have been more?”

“No. We said our goodbyes the night before. We parted the way we should have. Anything more would have been inappropriate.”

“Inappropriate? Or harder to deal with?”

Both.

“Let’s talk about something else.”

“Alright,” Crusher said after a moment. “How about you tell me what Lucia looks like again?”

“Why?”

“Because it makes you more tolerable to be around,” the giant chuckled.

Kaz grinned. “Fair enough. Her skin is like polished onyx . . .”

Chapter 22

Though Mawkuk no longer had the health of a younger man, his eyesight had not waned in his advancing years. He used to think that such a thing was a blessing. Yet, as he watched his army suffer heavy losses each day, he began to wonder.