One Battle Lord’s Fate (11 page)

“Hey, hey, hey. Keep the lovey dovey small talk for the bedroom. You two have guests to entertain.” Fortune playfully admonished the couple. The others grinned. Yulen smiled.

“I want to personally thank you for attending today. Fortune, Tory, you being here means a lot to us. I wish I could say this celebration will proceed without any hiccups, but you all know I have over a hundred guests gathering in the secondary area of the compound. What happens within the next few days won’t be without its trials.”

Zane Batuset approached their table, unheard over the din in the hall in spite of his heavy footfall. His Second, Dardin Tabb, accompanied him, along with Mastin. Yulen got to his feet, and the two men embraced arms.

Zane glanced at the people present at the table while they moved around to make room for three more people. “What I have to say must stay among us for the present,” the Battle Lord said, looking around the crowded hall. Fortunately, the appearance of the Battle Lord in the main hall was not considered out of the ordinary. The noise in the dining hall remained constant, and the group at the head table were able to talk without fear of being overheard.

Yulen got to the point. “Does this have anything to do with the skirmishes between the other Battle Lords and the Mutah?”

Batuset’s eyes widened slightly, but the man shook his head. “I was going to ask you about those, but, no. My concern is a lot more serious.”

“How serious?” Atty questioned.

“Bloods,” the man stated flatly.

The single word made everyone pause. It was Liam who stood and voiced what Yulen was thinking.

“Let’s take this over to your place, Yulen, where we can discuss this in private. We don’t need to have someone accidentally overhear us, and possibly cause a panic.”

They all silently agreed, and rose from the table to exit through the side door, into Liam’s clinic. Except for Atty, who went through the kitchen to retrieve the battle prince. Yulen glanced over at the two men intently waiting for his signal. When he gave it, they stood and followed.

Once inside the lodge, Batuset continued before everyone was comfortably settled.

“One of my merchants returning from Wallis was attacked by Bloods. One of the guards riding with them managed to make it back to Foster City.”

“Approximately where were they attacked?” Yulen asked.

“Three miles north of the compound, but that’s not what I’m worried about.” The Battle Lord of Foster City wasn’t sitting. He was agitated and pale.

Yulen walked over to his friend. “What’s wrong? How can we help?”

“My troops managed to capture one of the Bloods and questioned it. Most of what it babbled made no sense, except for two words: ‘You’re gone’.

Yulen turned to see Atty staring at him. Their son was asleep on her shoulder as she slowly rocked from side to side. Mastin voiced what they were all thinking.

“The Bloods know the Battle Lords are converging here.”

“And leaving their compounds leaderless,” Fortune added.

“Not completely leaderless,” Yulen corrected. “A trusted high-ranking officer is always left in charge to carry out the Battle Lord’s orders.”

“But it’s not the same thing, and you know that,” Atty pointed out. “You could leave Cole here in charge, but he wouldn’t react the same way you would to certain situations. His reasoning isn’t always your reasoning.”

“She’s right,” Mastin agreed.

Yulen referred back to his friend. “So what are you thinking?”

“I think the Bloods are getting ready to attack the compounds who are minus their Battle Lords.”

Liam spoke up. “In mass?”

“We know they’re capable of intelligent thinking,” Fortune reminded them. “If they’re aware that we’re gathering here, and how long, it’s very possible they could make a coordinated effort to strike at selected sights the same time.”

Yulen frowned. “Then you believe the group that attacked your merchant was either scouting your compound, or waiting for the rest of their army to join them?”

“It doesn’t matter. Either way, I don’t like being away from my compound.”

“Zane, you know that any time you leave your compound, you leave it to the mercy of whatever might attack,” Yulen quickly replied. “Hell, you used to go on those yearly cleaning sweeps just like I did, and our compounds are still thriving.”

“If they have their eyes on Foster City, how many more compounds are in their sights?” Dardin Tabb wondered aloud. “How many Bloods are there?”

“Numbers are unimportant,” Atty said. “It’s the number of Blood leaders we have to worry about.”

A voice from the corner of the room spoke out. “If you’re thinking there’s going to be a coordinated attack, you’re going to have to think hierarchy.” Renken stepped further into the room. “Atty’s right. The Bloods will need a leader for each group attacking a compound. But what I haven’t heard anyone take into accord yet is that there will have to be one main Blood who is controlling all the leaders.” He held up a finger. “One bigwig who’s running this whole thing from a centralized location.”

Several moments of silence followed as everyone mentally digested his remark. Paxton finally commented. “How would they know which compounds are leaderless? I mean, how would they know which compounds to watch to see if the Battle Lords leave?”

“It wouldn’t be that difficult a task,” said Batuset. “All they’d need to do is keep a few scouts watching this place to see who arrives, and relay that information to their superiors.”

Yulen addressed his wife. “Atty, when you went out to rescue Case, did you see anything or feel anything that gave you a sense of unease or warning?”

She shook her head. “No.”

Liam added, “But the Battle Lords weren’t gathering here at that time.”

“No, but they were on their way,” Yulen pointed out. He glanced at his wife again. “Atty, can you and Fortune, and a couple of the other Mutah hunters take a quick look around? See if there are any signs we’ve been under watch?”

Fortune was instantly on his feet. “Want someone to help with reconnaissance?”

“It won’t hurt. The soldiers brought by each Battle Lord are here to protect their own interests. I must guarantee the safety of all.”

Atty got to her feet to hand their son over to Yulen.

“You be careful,” he whispered. “Watch your back.”

Smiling, she nodded. She still wasn’t in perfect health. But with Fortune and the other Mutah hunters accompanying her, it shouldn’t be too dangerous for her to be outside the compound.

He watched her hurry upstairs to change into more appropriate garb. Fortune stopped on his way out the door. “Tell Atty we’ll meet her over by the south entrance.”

“Shall I accompany her?” Paxton asked Yulen. Although he was Atty’s Second, it was firmly understood that Yulen’s commands would supersede hers, especially when it came to Atty’s safety.

“Yes. I’ll feel better knowing she has extra backup.”

Paxton nodded and hurried out the door. Yulen noticed Renken slipped outside as well, but didn’t question the man’s intent.

“I’m feeling a bit useless at the moment,” Batuset admitted.

“What would you be doing if you were at Foster City?”

“Stepping up reinforcements.”

“Exactly my call,” Yulen admitted. “Cole, take the Battle Lord and his Second over to the barracks, and start with the reinforcements.”

Liam helped Madigan to her feet. “Are you planning to let the other Battle Lords know about this?”

“Not yet. Not until I get more information. The last thing I want to do is cause a massive panic over something that may not exist.” Yulen frowned as he laid his sleeping son over his shoulder. “Let’s see what Atty and the others discover. We’ll keep this close to the vest. If and when we find out the Bloods are preparing a coordinated strike to multiple targets, then we’ll let the other Battle Lords know. At that point, they can decide if they want to stay here under my protection, or risk venturing back to their own compounds.”

“This whole thing is unheard of,” Madigan whispered. “Whoever heard of Bloods making and carrying out such elaborate plans?”

“Careful, Mother,” Yulen warned with a touch of sarcasm. “Or you’ll go back to thinking they’re mindless hoards again, the way Dad did. We have to stop believing in the old way, and start giving these creatures a lot more credit. After all, they’ve managed to survive as long as we have, and they don’t have the safety of a compound to hide behind.”

“That we know of,” Tory murmured.

Everyone looked at her, but didn’t reply. There was no need to. At this point in time, anything was possible when it came to the Bloods.

Chapter Sixteen

Precaution

Atty, Fortune, and three other Mutah hunters, along with a select handful of Yulen’s soldiers, scoured the forest for any signs the Bloods might have Alta Novis under surveillance, but no evidence was found. Neither did any of the Mutah feel the presence of the creatures. Still, after rethinking his original intent, Yulen decided to go ahead and let the other Battle Lords know of the possible threat.

“Tomorrow, when we gather for the first time,” he told his wife as he nuzzled a velvety earlobe.

They were standing under a bright red canopy and watching a group of four Mutah musicians perform from an impromptu stage. Apparently the foursome’s tunes were becoming quite popular, as there wasn’t a single seat available, and the area was ringed with those having to stand. Currently, they were singing a slow love ballad about a love lost, then found. Although no names were mentioned, Yulen felt the song closely resembled his and Atty’s own past history.

It was growing dark. The evening meal was over, and the kiosks were closing down for the day. Servants carried dirty dishes and empty platters back into the main lodge to be scrubbed as lanterns were lit along the main walkway. The Mutah-based menus had been a rousing success. Most of the visiting Battle Lords had no idea what their own compound’s cooks could learn from the people they once considered their enemies. Yulen smiled. It would be interesting to see how much more those men could learn. Every bit of positive reinforcement regarding the Mutah would greatly help him to make his case for an armistice between the peoples.

Yulen had his arms wrapped around Atty, allowing her to lean back against him. Every so often she would lift her face to comment, as she did now, and he would lower his head to turn an ear closer.

“Aren’t you worried there might be an attack on our own outer perimeter?”

“I thought of that, and I’ve ordered double shifts at our most vulnerable points. But, seriously? I doubt they’ll attack us here. We’re too fortified.” He paused to consider her question again, then added, “What makes you think the Bloods might attack us here?”

She shrugged. “They’re too damn unpredictable. We know they harbor some intelligence. Maybe they all do, to some extent. It’s their way of thinking that’s not reasonable.” She flashed him a smile. “Sorry to be such a worry wart at a moment like this.”

He forgave her with a soft kiss. Snuggling together, they listened to the singers. Presently, Yulen caught sight of the giant Battle Lord approaching them. At the same time, Atty noticed Batuset. To avoid being overheard, they moved further away from the main area where they could talk.

Batuset got straight to the point. “I’m going back to Foster City. I hate to do this to you, Yulen, just as you’re starting the conference.” He gave Atty a nod. “And celebrating your wedding anniversary. I need to check on my defenses. Then I’ll head right back.”

“In case you need to stay, take a few of my men who can return to let me know,” Yulen suggested. He waved at the two Seconds standing nearby like bodyguards. Both men hurried over.

“Paxton, I need you to accompany Zane to Foster City. In the event he’s unable to return for the summit, you can come back to tell me.”

Paxton looked questioningly at Atty, who nodded. “I’ll be right here. Yulen needs Cole. I need you to do this for me.”

“Pardon my interruption.” Renken stepped from out of the shadows where he had been listening. If it had been anyone else, Yulen would have reamed the man out, and so would Atty. But the man had been eavesdropping for a reason.

“Permission granted,” Atty immediately replied before the man could explain himself. Renken’s eyes widened. She smiled at his reaction. “You were wanting to go with them, right?”

“That’s correct, but how did you know?”

“How does anyone explain how my wife can do some of the things she does?” Yulen gave her a slight squeeze for a hug, then looked back at Zane. “When are you leaving?”

“Before dawn. I’m also taking all but one of my men with me, but we’re leaving our camp site intact. He’ll guard it until I either return, or order it dismantled and brought home. That way, in case any of the other Battle Lords are keeping count, it’ll look like we’re still maintaining a presence here.”

“You’ll be able to travel faster without the load, too,” Atty pointed out.

Yulen reached out to shake his friend’s hand. “Have a safe trip. I hope all is well, and you can return swiftly. At least in time for the end of the conference.”

“So do I. I’m looking forward to adding my name to the charter.” The big man clapped Yulen on the shoulder before pivoting around and striding away. Renken and Paxton remained with the couple.

“Ready your saddle bags and stay with the Battle Lord,” Yulen ordered them. “Also, keep your eyes and ears open to anything unusual. I’ll have a small company of men waiting to escort you when you’re ready to leave.”

“To certain things not necessarily related to Blood activity?” Paxton questioned with a grin. He gave a little salute, then he and Renken went to catch up with the others.

“Come.” Taking his wife by the hand, Yulen began to stroll down the walkway. Atty remained silent, allowing him this chance to think. She knew he normally liked to be alone when he needed to plan. Until he chose to speak, she would leave him to his mental calculations.

Every so often, someone would hail him, and he would wave in response. In most cases, however, he was always given a wide berth to do his job. Only in extreme cases would someone approach him. Otherwise, problems were dealt by Atty.