“He received five
lashes from the whip.”
Miki sprang up,
eyes wide and her stomach dropped. He did not say that. “Whip?”
Vaan reached out
and cupped her jaw. His thumb brushed lightly over her bottom lip bumping her
fangs. “I should have killed him for what could have happened to you.”
Miki‘s breath
caught, unable to look away from the sincerity blazing in his eyes. “Vaan?”
He sighed and
stepped back. Miki felt the absence of his touch immediately. “I will not
discuss this further. My actions stand.”
Chapter 19
“You are sure it
is wise to let him return to his post?”
Vaan thought on
Kavan’s words. “I have Tolan watching him.”
Tesai moved
stiffly, preparing for his shift on the gate. His punishment was nothing
compared to what Vaan wanted to do. That one act of defiance could have cost
him his mate’s life.
“Am I to face
punishment for my actions as well, Overlord?”
Vaan shifted,
eyeing the gate and the Raasa patrolling with their bow and arrows. His
Warlords kept watch from various vantage points as they waited for a status
from Argan and his battle party. “What are your actions, Kavan?”
His Warlord’s lips
firmed and the tendons in his neck tightened. “I took her through the gate. I
failed to confirm with you her permission to leave.”
Vaan ran a hand
over his hair. The last two days strained him. Keeping Mikayla in bed while she
fought her rest tasked him. Now the Warlord he entrusted to watch her
questioned him. “You saved Mikayla’s life. You almost sacrificed your own for
her safety. You gave her your coccar, not knowing if the transfer would work.”
Vaan let all that
sink in before continuing. “You made amends for your action in the circle and I
see no cause to discipline you.”
Kavan had no
choice but to accept. “I will stand guard outside her door while she rests.”
“You will return
to your bed Warlord and Balal will cover you this evening tide by keeping an
eye on my mate. My mate who is alive because of you.”
Kavan started to
protest, met Vaan’s scowl and left. Vaan eyed his slow passage to the hall. The
Warlord’s injury, thankfully, was not fatal but his recovery would be slow. It amazed
all of them that he managed to get to his feet and show for the daily meals.
***
Hours later, Vaan
received a summons to the hall. Mikayla was up and determined to come to the
lower level. By the time Vaan entered, his mate sat at the table chatting with
servants, her leg propped on the seat beside her. Vaan bit off a curse and
glared at Balal’s sheepish glance.
“Warlord, explain
your actions.” For no one but Balal would have carried her down. His young
Warlord had a soft spot in his heart for Mikayla. A soft spot, she exploited
every chance she got.
Balal jerked
upright. “Overlord. She…”
“I wanted to come
down to see if there was word from Argan.” Mikayla’s tone dared him to argue.
Enough was enough.
Vaan stormed over
to the table. “No more, Mikayla. Eran stressed that you must rest your knee.”
“I am resting but
I don’t have to lay in the bed to do it.” Her earnest expression appealed to
him. Vaan wanted to be angry but he could not find a valid argument. For two
days, she’d lain in their room miserable. At night, she curled into his side
and cried from the nightmares. Seeing her smile and talking with her people
warmed him. Perhaps sitting around others would improve her mood and speed her
healing.
“I will allow it
on one condition.”
Her head already
nodded, her eyes glowing. Vaan bit his inner cheek. She’d no more listen to him
than follow his directions. Argan had the right of it. His mate did what she
wanted but Vaan found her actions adorable as long as she didn’t endanger
herself.
“No walking and if
you tire, you get in bed.”
“Agreed.”
He crossed his
arms over his chest and lowered his chin. “Mikayla.”
“I vow it, Vaan.
If I’m tired, I’ll return to bed immediately.”
It was the best
he’d get. Now for his Warlord. “Another mistake on your part, Balal and I will
administer a just punishment.”
“Yes, Overlord.”
Balal looked at Mikayla in consternation but she smiled up at him innocently.
“Overlord, a rider
approaches!”
Tolan stood in the
doorway with his announcement. Eyes wide and mouth set in a grim line, Vaan
raced from the hall. Word spread quickly and the courtyard filled with the
curious. In the middle, Hapani pawed the air restlessly. Vaan grasped the reins
of the shaking hapfe, its rider bent over her back.
Ramar leaned over
the animal’s heaving neck and lifted his head. “A trap,” he gasped. “Dakar is
dead and Thenl comes.”
Calm settled over
Vaan. The ending neared. He savored Ramar’s statement searching around for the
others. “Where is Argan?”
“The others fight
valiantly but one of the fallen attackers claimed Thenl comes from the east to
ambush us with a troop of fifty warriors. Argan sent me ahead.”
“Man the gates,
watchers load your arrows!” Vaan shouted.
Raasa ran across
the top of the walkway on the gate to do his bidding. More climbed the ladders
to assist, arrows loaded in the carriers on their back. This was what they
prepared for.
“Incoming,” Tolan
roared right before knocking Vaan to the side.
Flames shot over
the wall on the tips of burning spears. Bundles of straw caught and ignited. Loud
booms sounded and screams surrounded him. Vaan kept his feet and yelled at
Tolan. “The gate. You must hold the gate.”
His Warlord turned
to race back to his post. Both watched in horror as the latch slid down.
Released from the top. The gate swung inward.
“No!”
Vaan wasn’t sure
if it were he or Tolan who roared out the denial. The lone Raasa responsible
scampered across the top, his back hunched and slow gait familiar.
Tolan drew his
sword as warriors poured in and entered the grounds. Vaan unsheathed his sword
and headed forward.
“Breach! We have a
breach at the main gate,” he yelled and charged the nearest enemy to engage.
“Vaan!”
***
Miki managed to
rest for all of five minutes. She started to rise to see if the kitchen needed
help but Balal cocked a brow at her. Lowering her hip and resting her elbows on
the table, Miki stuck her tongue out. He merely rolled his eyes and reached for
the bowl of fruit. After carefully selecting one, he began to peel it one strip
at a time.
“Balal,” she
whined. Miki fluttered her eyes in his direction but he bit the fruit and
licked the juices.
“We can…”
“No,” he calmly
replied.
Miki stared in
amazement. He never refused her. “I only wish to check out front.”
“The Overlord will
handle it.”
They both heard
the loud noise and Vaan’s voice raised in anger at the same time. Miki shot to
her feet and bit her tongue at the searing pain in her knee. She pushed
forward, Balal at her side.
Outside, her eyes
took in the blazing fires and the sight of her mate in battle, his sword
swinging and face covered in a fierce scowl. Another warrior approached him
from behind.
“Vaan!”
“Mikayla, please.”
Balal tried to force her inside.
***
Vaan’s head shot
up to look behind him. Mikayla watched from the outer level stairs, struggling
with Balal.
“Get her back
inside, Balal.” Vaan roared. He needed his focus on fighting. His heart thudded
as his Warlord finally reached to pick Mikayla up. She leaped away, her eyes
widened in horror.
Neck tingling,
Vaan brought his sword up and whirled in time to block the blade aimed for his
head. The warrior grinned, his arm arched back as he attacked again. Vaan
slashed and kicked out with a booted foot. The warrior stumbled but bounced
back to his feet. Another wicked slash, this time aimed low, cutting into the
warrior’s calf.
The scream of pain
rewarded him.
“Behind you,
Overlord.” Ramar’s warning came in time.
Vaan ducked low,
his sword blocking the swing. More of Thenl’s warriors poured in only to be met
by Vaan’s Warlords. Vaan laughed as Fenal began to ramp him up. Tingles of
pleasure arched up his spine.
His adversary
choked and halted sword in hand. “Overlord, you live.”
Vaan twirled his
sword, sending the blade spinning and rocked side to side. “I live, warrior.
Magan, is it not?” Vaan remembered the youth. Weak willed and not fit to fight
with any of his Warlords. Pairing him with Thenl had proved a smart choice.
Magan’s hand
trembled on the hilt but he set his legs apart and braced. “You would be wise
to surrender, Overlord.”
Vaan raised a brow
and circled the warrior. “Why would I do that when even you still recognize me
as the supreme Warlord? I am Overlord to all Kaban and there is no other.”
The youth
hesitated and it became his biggest mistake. Vaan swung his sword, slashed to
the side and spun on his heel. When Vaan turned, Magan dropped to his knees.
Blood dripped from his neck and the deadly wound Vaan served him.
“Hapani!”
Mikayla’s terrified scream distracted Vaan.
Tolan tackled him
from behind and the air whistled above Vaan’s head. His Warlord jumped up and
battled the enemy. Mikayla hobbled down the stairs and gathered the trailing
reigns of her favorite mount. From the side, Tesai approached her. Mikayla
smiled up at her friend in relief. Tesai’s lips curled into a cruel grin. Vaan’s
heart dropped into the pit of his stomach. The Raasa headed directly toward
her.
Terror leaped in
Vaan’s chest. “Mikayla, move. Now!”
She smacked her
hand on the animal’s rump, sending it running away. Tesai raised his arm. Vaan
ran in her direction, knowing he’d be too late.
Kavan arrived and
jerked her back. The dagger in Tesai’s hand slashed empty air. Mikayla
screamed, her leg buckling. Kavan lifted her into his arms and Balal launched
himself at Tesai. Vaan continued toward them as Balal and Tesai fought. His
Warlord easily subdued the Raasa while Kavan rushed inside with Mikayla.
Vaan changed
direction, knowing Mikayla was safe and his Warlords would handle Tesai until
Vaan could see to him.
“Overlord.”
Vaan jerked. Tolan
ran to his side, chest rising with his exerted breath. “It is too late to close
the gate against the invaders. Argan and the others come riding fast from the
west.”
Vaan glanced
around. Warriors littered the ground but Raasa fell as swiftly beneath the
swords of the attackers. Battle worn faces of the enemy wore traces of burns
where Raasa venom melted the flesh. His Warlords did their best to defend
against the masses. The gate stood open and more warriors poured in. The
numbers of those who could fight paled in comparison to the men brought by
Thenl.
Luckily for Vaan,
every other invading warrior received an arrow to the chest. He eyed the
fighting Raasa. They lined the top of the gate, balanced on a knee as they
aimed and fired. All of them held better than he expected. Vaan hefted his
sword. “Death to them all,” he roared drawing attention. “Leave none standing.
Your Overlord commands it.”
***
The battle wore on
and while the Raasa held their own, matters did not look good. Each invading
warrior hoped to gain favor with Thenl in this battle, though the sight of Vaan
produced shocked gasps and awestruck stares.
Vaan fought
unchecked. In a dim part of his mind, he knew he’d succumbed fully to Fenal and
cared not. Warriors dropped beneath his sword and blood soaked the ground. The
only reason he and his Warlords were not overrun was due to the coccar armor.
It provided his Warlords with an added layer of defense since the numbers
outweighed their own.
Balal joined the
fray and Vaan faltered. He dispatched his opponent with a thrust to the gut and
faced his Warlord. Concern for his mate colored his words. “Why are you here?
Mikayla needs you.”
Balal eyed Vaan
without fear. “Your mate is safe behind closed walls and Kavan is by her side.
The battle is shifting, my Overlord. The tide is against us.”
The words held no
meaning for Vaan. The blood pumped heavily through his veins and his heart
pounded in its own rhythm.
Tolan came over
and used his inner elbow to wipe the sweat from his brow. Around them the
sounds of metal striking metal and screams of pain carried on the night. “More
riders spotted, Overlord,” Tolan gasped.
“And Argan?” If
death came to him this day, he preferred it with his best friend by his side,
their swords in hand as they met their fate eagerly.
“Coming through
the gate with the others now.”
Vaan turned and
grinned at his Warlords sliding from the back of the hapfe, their swords
unsheathed and already in motion. Fenal removed any traces of fear in him. He
laughed and faced Tolan and Balal. “How many more riders approach?”
Tolan’s eyes
glowed fiercely. He, too, was in the grips of battle rage. “Twenty.”
Twenty.
Vaan
surveyed the courtyard. There were a good thirty from the first wave of Thenl’s
warriors still fighting. None of Vaan’s Warlords had fallen yet, leaving him
with fourteen strong since Kavan was busy on the inside. “They do not get into
the hall,” Vaan ordered. As long as Mikayla remained safe, he would not be
distracted. “Only I get Thenl.”
Balal and Tolan
smiled slowly. “The men know this. We will raise our cups tonight with victory
on our shoulders.”
Pride filled him.
“Victory on this side or on the other with the Blessed One.”
“Agreed,” they
both replied and each ran off to fight.
Vaan raised his
sword and headed for the center of the fray.