“Check it out, I want to know if he’s lying,” Barnin barked to his men.
There was a rustle of fabric as his men checked the carts. He heard Ankle’s heavy footsteps approach.
“Sir, we have won the war. Without salt and pepper they will kneel at our feet,” he said in mock triumph.
Barnin let go of the man and spun. “It’s really only spices?”
“Yeah, but don’t let that fool you sir, this is a win. Have you ever had bland meat?” Ankle faked a gag.
“Oh shut it, orders are orders. Burn it unless we need anything.”
He turned back to the man who started to speak again, “Wh…what war?”
“You work for the Empire, right?”
“Yes, but we aren’t at war with anyone other than the resistance, and that’s far to the south.”
“Yeah, about a day’s ride from here,” Barnin explained.
The man’s face hardened, all confusion gone. “Rebel idiots. You won’t get far. I hope this was worth it for you.”
“Oh, it was now we know where the rest of your chain is. Thanks a million,” Barnin said, patting the man on the shoulder without an arrow in it.
The man’s eyes widened, realizing his mistake. He didn’t have to worry long. Barnin gave Heath a nod and the man’s body went limp.
Ankle was back at his side. “What now sir? If there are guards they will see the fire. Should we light the carts and wait for the other train’s guards if they have any and ambush them and then make for the train once it’s unguarded?”
“Yeah, that’s what I’m thinking. From what we’ve just seen, we aren’t expected, so the guard probably won’t even be from the army. Let’s set up just up the road.”
They reset and waited like before, letting the burning carts do their job. It smelled like a restaurant was on fire with all the spices burning. It was a solid plan. Soon they heard what sounded like six horses racing to the flames.
Barnin glanced at Heath. “I’m on it already. There’s no Venefica here, I’m absolutely positive,” Heath said.
“Ok, didn’t think there would be,” Barnin said, almost bored. “Ride up to the convoy out of sight and disable the rear cart, I don’t want them running away. If it looks like it’s guarded, head back here.”
Heath turned his horse and disappeared into the dark. The men looked uneasy but stayed focused. They could see the horses now—it was go time. As the horsemen passed they didn’t even take the time to look around, they were obviously hired help. Barnin’s men didn’t need the order when it was time to attack, they had this part down. They closed in on all sides, hemming the horsemen in and cutting off their retreat. The horsemen realized too late what was about to happen. They spun, trying to go back the way they came. Barnin and his men flowed out from the dense forest, quickly surrounding the horses. The horsemen were shouting at one another, giving conflicting commands and losing all semblance of order. Barnin gave no command. The air rang with blades being drawn. He felt his own sword sliding out of its sheath on its own accord. A wooly man in a dark tunic and pants pulled his reigns, causing his mount to rear. Poison slammed into the opposing animal, sending the rider sprawling. As the man lifted himself from the ground, Barnin swung, removing his head in a shower of scarlet. As he looked up, Barnin saw the rest of the horsemen go down. Like before, it was too easy, and it would be for a while. He needed to keep from getting cocky. Sooner or later there would be Venefica and real soldiers.
“Cut the saddles from the horses and scatter them,” he commanded. “Two groups— one with Ankle up the left side of the trail, the other on me. Move quietly and in the shadows, wait until you get the order to attack.”
They moved up alongside the road, trying to keep silent. He could hear yelling and arguing in the distance—Heath had done his job.
Soon he could hear the words being exchanged. A worried voice rang out, “Robbers! It’s a band of robbers, see the fire!” then another, “Stop this stupidity! The guard will take them! Look at what you’ve done! Craig broke his wagon! Calm down, calm down!”
Barnin could see the convoy now, which looked like ten wagons and around thirty men. He whistled sharply and spurred Poison out of the trees and into the convoy. His men yelled as they slashed their way through the wagons. All of the men in the party were on foot. Barnin downed two before the others could start to collect themselves. An arrow hissed by his head and he turned to see the remnants of a yellow flick, one of Heath’s wards deflecting the projectile. The man in question rode by, holding up one finger, showing Barnin how many times tonight he’d saved his life. Barnin snorted and moved along, not finding much in the way of resistance. Ankle sounded the all-clear and ordered men to search the wagons.
Josher rode up to him, not looking nearly as smug as he did back home. “Sir, I found these.”
Josher handed Barnin a stack of paper that at a glance showed shipping routes. “Where did you find this?”
“The second to last wagon. The man I killed was trying to burn them.”
“Good work.”
“What are they sir?” Josher asked.
Barnin called for Ankle to come over. When Josher looked like he was going to leave he held out his hand stopping him. “Wait a moment.”
“What is it?” Ankle asked when he arrived. Barnin didn’t fail to notice the gore splattered all over him; the kid wasn’t afraid of anything, that was for sure.
“Look at this.” He held out the documents. “I think this is shipping information, convoy routes and such. Josher here saved them. If they are what I think they are, then this will make our job a lot simpler.”
“May I, sir?” Ankle asked, holding out a hand.
Barnin handed over the paperwork. “Good work, Josher.” Then to Ankle he went on, “I want to get on this. If they are routes and manifests then we will only have a few days to take advantage of the information.”
Barnin turned to the sound of one of his men approaching. It was one of the new guys. He didn’t have a clue what his name was, but he was a transfer from another group.
“What is it?”
The man stopped, winded. “Sir, sorry, but I think we’ve found something.”
Found something? They weren’t supposed to find anything .They weren’t given any intel that something of interest was on the move. “Ok, what is it?”
“Black armor and cloth, sir. It’s of the same kind some of the army was wearing during the battle, a whole wagonload of it.”
“Ok, I guess I don’t see what’s so big about that.” He didn’t, either. He heard a few stories about some group of soldiers in black armor during the fight, but he didn’t see any of them. He figured it was just tall tales, people looking to justify getting hurt.
“Sir, I fought some of these myself, they’re just men, but…” he paused, shaking his head, “Sir, I’ve never fought men like that before. I’ve seen men that have been trained to that level, of course, but never a whole unit of them.”
Barnin thought for a moment. He’d trained with this man. He wasn’t a terrible fighter and he’d been in the services for a while.
“Do you want me to check it out?” Heath asked.
“No, call it in to the Precipice. We’re out here trying something new, so it’s fair to assume the enemy is doing likewise.”
“What do you want me to say?”
“Take a look at the wagon in question. Send back everything you see. Tell them we think it could be some new elite unit.”
Heath ran off and Ankle drew in, “Elite unit?”
Barnin lowered his voice. “Think about it Ankle. Are we so different? We have been using guerilla tactics for some time now and we have units that are the best of the best, right.”
“Yeah, but they don’t…”
“Don’t have special equipment and armor, yeah, I get that, but why not? You’ve heard the stories the men are telling… these could be their best men sewing mayhem and shaking our confidence.”
Ankle didn’t look convinced, but didn’t push the point either. Heath sent in his report and they moved up the road toward the next target.
* * * * *
Telunone scowled at the report on his desk. Enrich was across from him reading his copy of the same report.
Enrich spoke first. “So, what do you think this is? Just the men getting jumpy out in the field?”
Telunone huffed and rubbed his face with his hand. “I honestly don’t know. It makes sense that the Empire has elite units. They’ve been claiming the human royal guard has been that for years. Maybe they just put it into practice.”
“Yes, but the human guard is just show. It’s a mind game.”
“Exactly, and that might be what this is too, and if it’s not, why make the men stick out in your ranks?”
Enrich leaned back, making the chair creek. “Well my friend, you’re the one that has been fighting these pricks for hundreds of years, what do you think?”
Telunone smiled; he liked Enrich. He was a good leader and knew how to use humor to break a mood. “I wish I knew. The problem is Parkas has more than enough resources to do something like this and he is more than capable of doing something new. It was he who planned much of Hoelaria’s take over. I think for the time being we need to watch and wait. Plus, house Evindass trusts Barnin and his command, so I do as well. ”
Enrich straightened. “I would agree, but still, if it’s possible I would like to broaden our patrols if the Empire is planning on sending in special… well, what are we going to call these types of units?”
“I liked where you were going with it—‘special forces,’” Telunone offered.
Enrich smiled. “Well, most people like my ideas, but yes, these ‘special forces,’ we need to watch for them. They could be planning raiding parties of their own.”
“I agree, and there might be something to this idea. I will meet with the great houses and see about some special forces of our own.”
“Don’t you already have elite units?”
“We do, but not formalized. It’s something to look into, plus, I think Legon and Sasha were thinking down these lines already. I’ll talk to Iselin when she’s back.”
Enrich’s eyes widened just a bit at the sound of Iselin’s name. She seemed to have that effect on human males. Telunone smiled. “Would you like to deliver our findings?”
Enrich grumbled and got up, giving him a quick fair well. Telunone looked over the report again, waiting for Iselin to return.
Chapter Seven
Spray and Mist
“Power is force and force is power, but what came first? And what holds each in check? Does time? The real question is how did we give power and force so much control?”
-Excerpts from The Diary of the Adopted Sister
Arkin reached up and knocked on Iselin’s door. She answered after a moment in just a robe, obviously not ready for the day.
“A little early, don’t you think?” she said with just the slightest hint of annoyance in her voice.
He smiled. “How do you know Legon and Sasha aren’t in trouble?”
Her eyes went out of focus for the briefest of moments. “He’s asleep and I’m sure Sydin is more than up to the challenge of keeping them safe.” She glanced behind her to a disk on the wall that told time and growled, “Five in the morning. What are you doing up?”
“You know he’s asleep? And are you going to let me in?”
She scowled at him, but Ise was never on top of her game in the morning, so she let him pass. Arkin sat down on one of the cream sofas as Iselin brought him a glass of water and sat down opposite him.
“So, are you going to answer my question?” he prodded.
She raised an eyebrow.
“About how you know?” he explained.
“Oh yes, about that, well, lots of reasons, the least of which is it’s FIVE AM!” She took a sip from her glass, “But he’s not all that far away, is he? I’d sense something major. I think you know how these things work.”
Arkin couldn’t help but smirk. “So it went well last night?”
She laughed. “Really, you came here to ask about my date? You’re like a teenage girl Arkin. Don’t worry, I won’t tell them, they all think you’re some brave warrior.” She winked.
“Well no, I’m also here to say goodbye. I’m leaving this morning and I thought that asking you about last night was polite.” He knew she wouldn’t fall for it.
Of course she saw through him. “Yes, we connected quite well, I must admit.” She shifted in her seat. “But where are you going?”
Most Elves were skilled in concealing their emotions, mostly because everything they did was so fast. But he couldn’t help see her slight smile when she mentioned her slight connection with Legon. She was so much the same and yet so different than he remembered her. She had grown up, there was no denying that. Long gone was the stick-thin tomboy he knew. She was a woman now, and an extremely talented and beautiful Elvin one at that.
“North, but I’m not sure where yet. I have a lot of contacts to build up again, you know.”
She nodded, and silence grew. When she spoke again there wasn’t the usual carefree tone in her voice. “You did good, you know that, don’t you?”
“They are here and that’s what counts. That was the mission. Glad it didn’t go the other way.”
She leaned in. “Stop.”
“What?”
She gave him a stern look. “I know you Arkin. It’s not your fault”
He got up suddenly, not wanting to let this subject start. “I really must be off, Ise. It was good seeing you. I wish you and Legon the best.”
He turned and walked out the door, unable to look at the eyes he felt boring into him.
* * * * *
Legon tried to silently pull on his boots, not wanting to wake anyone on board. As he slipped onto the deck he was greeted by Tuneal, who handed him a hot cup of Socolata.
“How did you know?” Legon smiled, taking the cup. Tuneal just smiled.
At that moment there was the slightest touch of another mind. He focused on it. The connection was weak but felt familiar. He tried to widen the connection.
“Ise?”
“Good morning, how are you?” her thoughts were concerned, but not about him.