Trial and Glory (47 page)

“No. Some of the fighting is pushing toward the palace. I’ll do my best to make sure it doesn’t get there, but I can’t promise you anything. I need you to find my wife. I don’t care where you go, or how you do it, but get Lucia away from the palace where the looting will be worst. Stay with her and keep her safe. I’ll find you when this is all done.”

“Me? But—”

“I don’t have time to argue, Drake. Not now. You and Wiqua speak Heshan better than anyone in the Hell Patrol. I’m trusting both of you to explain to her what’s going on.”

“Alright, but how do I find the palace?”

“Harq!” Kaz shouted.

A Kifzo came running. “Warleader?”

“You and your squad are attached to Drake.”

The Kifzo’s face soured.

Kaz ignored it. “Do as he says. You may think I have changed for the better, but fail me in this and I will remind you what I was like. Is that understood?”

Harq’s eyes widened. “Yes, Warleader.”

Kaz turned back to Drake. “Harq and his squad are some of the most skilled Kifzo. They will keep you safe.”

The boy nodded.

Kaz wanted to say more, but each moment he stood there was a moment wasted. “Go.”

He shouted for the remaining Kifzo and Hell Patrol to follow him, sprinting through the main thoroughfare, deeper into the city.

While he ran, he couldn’t help but think how foreign the sights of his home felt to him.

This was not the homecoming I had in mind.

* * *

A hand wrapped around Lucia’s arm, yanking her away from the window. The covering fell back over the opening.

“Get away from there.”

Lucia’s head whipped around. Her aunt stared back at her.

“A woman grown and you still don’t have any sense.”

“I wanted to see what was going on. Uncle’s been gone for some time.”

“You don’t think I know that? He’s as bad as you. I told him to stay off the streets. But what does he do? He leaves to see how bad the fighting is. When is fighting ever good?”

“Well, it’s important to know how close it is. We may have to leave—”

“And go where?” her aunt snapped. “I’m too old to go running through the streets.” She gestured to Lucia’s stomach. “And you,” she shook her head, “you aren’t much better. Now, start thinking about that child and stay away from the window. The last thing we need to do is draw attention to ourselves. You may have gotten yourself pregnant, but that won’t stop a warrior with his blood racing from having his fun.”

Lucia put her head down, blushing. Her aunt had never been one to mince words, especially under duress. It had been the cause of many arguments in Lucia’s youth. She wanted to start one of those arguments, but saw the wisdom in her aunt’s words.

Besides, she’s worried about uncle. As am I.
She felt a hard kick from her child.
Though my worries aren’t doing my child any good.

She moved farther from the window, watching her aunt open and close cupboards, taking foodstuffs and other valuables, tossing them into open sacks.

“I’m sorry.” She paused. “If we aren’t going anywhere, then why are you packing?”

Her aunt stopped, letting out a sigh. “Help me fill these bags as best as you can manage. We can’t go running through the city. However,” she walked over to a rug. She lifted it, and revealed a hidden door. “We can hide here and hope we’re overlooked.”

The old woman’s hands trembled as she eyed the door at her feet and glanced at the window.

What has Uncle gotten himself into?

A brief thought of Tobin crossed her mind. Though they parted on bad terms, she still wished that no harm came to him. Her stomach squeezed in a way that made her wince. She covered the pain by coughing and taking her aunt’s hands in her own.

All this stress is giving me an ulcer.

“Let’s keep working. That way Uncle will have less to concern himself with when he returns.”

Her aunt nodded, and they got to work.

* * *

Harq’s squad of Kifzo kept a brutal pace as they sprinted through the city. Not once did they look back to see if Drake and Wiqua followed.

Because they expect us to be there.

Wiqua ran next to Drake with an effortless stride that he envied. He had rarely seen the old man do anything physical, yet Wiqua moved as nimbly as an alley cat. Drake, on the other hand, wished he had spent more time exercising and less time looking at books with Mizak.

One of the trailing Kifzo grunted something Drake couldn’t make out because the heavy pounding of his pulse had muffled the words in his ears.

They took a sharp turn and Drake almost had his head taken off by a low beam. He ducked in time to avoid the blow. However, the quick maneuver caused him to stumble, armor scraping against the stone wall.

The trailing Kifzo turned back wearing a look of disgust.

I guess that had been a warning to duck.

Drake glanced back to Wiqua. The old man had the nerve to smile.

Getting shown up by a man four times my age.

Kaz had placed him in charge, but so far Drake had felt like the one holding everyone back.

Get your act together. Kaz is counting on you.

He put his head down and pushed on.

* * *

Krytien’s foot slid after appearing on the gray-slated roof. His hand snapped out, grabbing a ledge near him.

He swore.

Lesson learned, teleport only to flat surfaces.

A quick glance at the looming towers standing tall to his right told him he had reached the city’s center.

Halfway there.

Finding his next mark several blocks away, he closed his eyes. A moment later he vanished, wondering what he’d find when he finally reached his goal.

* * *

Wheels screeched and clattered as Raker’s team dragged the portable ballista through the streets.

“What in the name of the One Above is wrong with those people?” asked Raker, huffing along.

As each minute passed, the Kifzo led by Itken separated themselves further from the group of engineers.

Senald looked over, running beside him. “What do you mean?”

“It’s like they ain’t human to keep up this pace.” Raker adjusted the rope on his shoulder. “Besides, don’t they realize how hard it is to drag all this stuff around?”

Senald gestured to a trailing Kifzo who flashed a smile. “I don’t think they care. And if anything, it’s probably a point of pride that we don’t help them.”

“Well, forget them,” spat Raker. He called for a stop.

“What are you doing?” asked Senald.

“Change of plans. Kaz wants us to stop the invaders from flanking him. So long as we do that then I don’t see any problem with doing our own thing.” He pointed. “We’ll turn up this street and make our way back up to the main thoroughfare.”

“Are you sure that’s where this road will lead us?”

No. But the man in charge should always seem like he’s in charge.
“Of course I’m sure. Let’s go.”

And if I’m wrong, then I’ll just have to improvise.

* * *

Durahn’s sword hammered into his opponent. With each blow the man buckled. He brought his heavy boot down on the man’s instep. A screech of pain pierced the din of battle. This time the Kifzo’s defense faltered and Durahn’s blade sliced into the warrior’s armor, shearing the man’s shoulder from his torso.

Durahn pushed forward, angry at killing another Kifzo, yet not angry enough to stop.

By the time the sun rises, all will call me Warleader.
He thought of Mawkuk.
And you will kneel before me, old man.

Mawkuk had succeeded where Durahn had failed. At least that was how it appeared. He could have broken into Juanoq sooner with shamans too, but he had sworn to himself that he wouldn’t rely on sorcery as heavily as Tobin had.

Given time, Durahn knew he would’ve made it inside.

No matter. I’m here now. And where is Mawkuk when the real fighting begins? Watching.

He looked to his sides as the Gray Marsh Clan warriors under his command continued to press against Tobin’s meager forces.

They will follow me when the time comes. I’m sure of it. They understand that only a warrior can truly lead them. Someone willing to get his blade wet.

Another opponent stepped in Durahn’s path. The man did not wear the blue and gray of the Kifzo or even of the regular military. Colored in a dull brown, the man represented the city’s watch.

I can’t believe this is who Tobin managed to hold with,
he thought in disgust.

His fist lashed out, crunching into the man’s face. Blood sprayed. The man fell. Durahn stepped on his neck to finish him.

A part of him regretted killing a Kifzo, but he had no qualms about ending the life of someone as pathetic as a city watchman.

Three more approached in a tight formation.

He grinned.

* * *

Tobin pulled a man into position. “Stand your ground!”

The city watchman shouted something back, but Tobin missed it, already moving to the next weak point in his lines. Pushing and prodding others into position, he maneuvered his way through the mass of warriors.

He had always known it might be possible for Mawkuk and Durahn to breach his defenses. Yet, he had never imagined it would be so easy for the invaders once that breach occurred. His men fought hard, but with so much inexperience, they gave ground too quickly.

We aren’t making them suffer enough for each step.

Looking through a narrow alley barely wide enough for a man to walk through, he cursed. He watched the enemy move behind his position by way of a side street. It would only be a matter of time before they flanked him.

And then I will lose.

The wide, main thoroughfare Tobin attempted to defend had once impressed him. But lacking in troops, he could only think about how the layout frustrated him.

“Warleader!” a familiar voice shouted. “News from the docks.”

Tobin whipped around, ignoring the crashing stained-glass windows breaking around him.

Teznak ran up, gasping.

“What are you doing here? I told you to see to Lucia’s safety.”

“I couldn’t find her. The servants said that she left the palace two days ago.”

“To go where?”

“They don’t know.”

Probably family.

Lucia didn’t speak of her family often, but Tobin recalled that a few relatives resided in the Warehouse District.

“I’m sorry. I can—”

“No. It’s fine. What about the palace?”

“It’s fine for now. A large force was headed that way, but Kerek managed to hold them off long enough for reinforcements to arrive.”

“Reinforcements?”

“Yes. That’s what I was trying to tell you. The Kifzo you sent with Nachun have returned.”

Tobin blinked. “Is Nachun with them?”

“No. And neither is Guwan.”

What? Did Nachun actually hold to his promise and release them back to me?
“Who leads them?”

Teznak swallowed. “Your brother.”

Tobin’s nostrils flared. He grabbed Teznak by the shoulder, and dragged him closer until their faces were less than an inch apart. “You joke like that now?”

“There is no joke, Warleader,” Teznak yelped. “I didn’t see Kaz myself, but the Kifzo under Kerek all swore that he had returned. They apparently found him in the land Nachun sought.”

Nachun, you swore he was dead and that I would never see him again.
He cursed. If the news was true, he couldn’t think of a worse time for his brother to return.
Lucia. She will never want me now. But will Kaz want her since she carries my child?

Teznak’s head jerked to the side. A shaft protruded from the man’s skull. Tobin let go of the guard’s arm, and he fell, dead.

I need to get to her.
He looked at his collapsing lines. Despite his desire to be with the woman he loved, a stronger pull to remain at the side of his men encouraged him to stay.
Father may have started this, but it was I who put them in this situation. I can’t abandon them.

He scanned the streets.

Knowing Kaz, he will likely come up the main thoroughfare. With a couple thousand Kifzo, he could easily turn the battle.

He saw more Yellow and Gray Clan warriors slip by through the side street.

If I don’t change strategy, it won’t be long before they encircle me.

Tobin barked orders, turning his lines down one of the dead-end streets crossing the main thoroughfare. Only one small alley intersected it.

The appropriate place to make a stand. Durahn will know the city well enough to think us trapped. He’ll push harder to finish us. We just need to hold off until the reinforcements arrive, whether Kaz is with them or not.

Then I’ll see about Lucia.

* * *

Without breaking stride, Kaz bowled over the Gray Clan warrior charging him. The warrior crashed against the cobbled path. He heard the men trailing him finish the Gray Clan warrior off.

Kaz sliced at the next warrior, penetrating armor and into flesh. He paused only long enough to pull his weapon free.

Having quickly dispensed the small cluster of invaders he continued on. Passing by the large watchtowers overlooking Juanoq, Kaz grimaced. Small portions of the enemy had made it farther into the city than he had expected. His mind raced at the implications.

What does the rest of the city look like? Is Tobin redistributing the men? Is he still holding?

He shook away the panic, focusing instead on his next footfall. It would do him no good to worry, at least not until he reached the main conflict and fully assessed the situation.

Besides, Tobin is not an idiot.

Though he never gave his brother credit for any success or display of competency in the past, Kaz recognized Tobin’s skills.

Focus.

A stray Yellow Clan warrior came into view. The man quickly showed Kaz his backside after a look at the horde stomping forward. Kaz bellowed a war cry, somehow finding the strength to increase his already brutal pace.