Resurrected Soldiers: The Tyrus Chronicle - Book Three (12 page)

“I did tell him more, but not about the High Mages. And I don’t plan on it.”

“My mistake. It won’t happen again. That being said, I was serious about having the High Mages work on something.”

“They’re already busy with other tasks. One of which is finding a way to better replenish our food supply. I’ve been having them bring in food stores they come across in abandoned towns when out scouting via transfer portals, but it isn’t enough.”

“I understand, but again, I think we should use squads against this Geneshan force. However, the only way that would work is if we had something sorcerous to use against them.”

“Like?”

I thought about my recent dreams, one in particular that kept repeating itself. “A destruction globe.”

“Those aren’t easy to make. In fact, I’m not sure if enough of their power has returned for them to even construct one.”

“I don’t know the ins and outs of sorcery, but it seems that if they can create a transfer portal, they could figure out a destruction globe too. If they could create one powerful enough, then we could probably knock out most of this Geneshan force at once.”

“The work might hinder my other plans.”

He made the statement in a way that it sounded as if he was trying to convince himself rather than me.

“Nothing comes without a price. Better to pay with tardiness than a large number of casualties. Think about it overnight. Recall your mages wherever they are and get their opinion. Then decide. If it won’t work, I’ll split the army like you wanted to go after that small Geneshan force. However, this would be a much better course. It wouldn’t interrupt the training of the main body and we’d have fewer men at risk. Plus, if we fail, no one will be surprised. But if we succeed, we can spin it as a huge confidence builder. Look what two squads did. Imagine what we’ll all be able to accomplish the next time we face the Geneshans.”

“Why only two?” he asked.

“Because the two I have in mind are the only ones I think capable enough to carry out a mission with those odds and not crap themselves. They’re my best.”

Balak rubbed is jaw in thought. That was a good thing. I had a chance of turning him around.

* * *

I left Balak in thought, exiting the tent as my stomach growled. I was reminded I should eat before settling in to sleep.

Hamath looked put out as he waited outside out of earshot from the command tent. Based on the glare he gave Etan, I assumed Balak’s guards had not let him any closer.

“What was that about sending me away like that?” he asked.

He acted like he wanted to pick a fight. I kept walking and forced him to follow. It was one thing for people to catch snippets of a passing conversation and make assumptions. It was another thing entirely for them to hear the full of it, especially those guarding Balak’s tent. I wanted the rift between us kept as private as possible.

“There are things Balak wants to keep just between a couple of people.”

“And you’re one of them?”

“It would seem so.”

He swore. “Same old Tyrus. I bust my tail for Balak these last couple months, willingly mind you. Yet, he shares information with you and not me. Unbelievable.”

I shrugged, not understanding what he wanted of me. It was Balak he should be mad at, not me.

“That’s it?”

“What do you want me to say? You got an issue with Balak, take it up with him. I tried to get him to tell you what was going on. He said no.”

Hamath eyed me. “And what was that about, you throwing my name out there like that?”

“The squads aren’t completely trained so I need to have another leader in place with experience, intelligence, and the ability to hold men together. Someone I can trust to get the job done. Balak already said you had wanted your own unit, so it seemed like now was a good time to make that happen.”

“I don’t like you volunteering me for things, Tyrus.”

“Why? Didn’t you tell me that this life is the one you want? The one you’re good at.”

“Maybe. But I want to be the one to make those decisions.”

I stopped, bewildered. “Wait a minute. You want to be a soldier, but you want to make your own choices? How does that work? Every soldier follows orders.”

“Not everyone,” he snapped while giving me a cross look.

“What does that mean? I answer to Balak.”

“No, you don’t. The words might come out of Balak’s mouth, but the orders are from you. Because if you disagree with something, you always convince him to change his mind.”

“Gods, Hamath. I don’t understand you one bit. Where is all this animosity coming from? Isn’t that what I’ve always done with Balak? Why are you getting so upset now?”

“Did he say we’re using squads?”

He had ignored my questions entirely, but I decided to let it go. Gods, I wished he would open up to me. But then I wondered if he even fully understood his issue with me.

“Said he needed to think about it.”

He snorted and his sneer returned. “All a formality. You won.”

“It’s not about me winning. It’s about us beating the enemy.”

“No. You’ve always got to be right. You always have to be the one with the final say.”

What was he going on about? Sure I was confident in my decisions, but it wasn’t like I didn’t listen to others. I just refused to follow bad advice.

“That’s not true at all.”

“Sure. Look at you. Within a matter of days you’ve taken control of the entire army. And yet you supposedly don’t even want it.”

“What’s gotten into you? When did this become about me? We were talking about how boneheaded it would be to split our forces right now.”

Hamath shook his head, then spat. “Xank curse you, Tyrus.”

That gave me serious pause. He and I had words many times before, but never did we say something like that to the other. Especially not Hamath. Though he seemed not to have his same faith in the gods that he once had, he never was one to just use their names so willingly, especially not the god of death.

I forced myself to remain calm. “We still haven’t finished our conversation from before. Tell me what’s going on with you. Why are you acting like this?” I played a hunch. “Regardless of what you might think, I’m not trying to take this life you want from you or push you out of your role under Balak.”

He shook his head. “I’m done right now.” He spun away. “See you tomorrow when Balak gives us our new orders.”

I could have gone after him. I should have pulled rank to make him stay, but that would have only made things worse, contradicting my last statement.

I hoped he’d be in a more forthcoming mood come morning. Having him so closed off to me stung in ways I never imagined.

CHAPTER 9

“Two squads it is,” said Balak.

Hamath stood off to the side where the general couldn’t see him. He flashed me an “I told you so” look.

Balak had called both of us into his tent at first light. He looked like he had barely slept.

“Is everything in place?” I asked, hinting at the destruction globe.

“It will be by tomorrow morning.”

Hamath scowled at how cryptic we were being.

“The units will need to leave right afterward,” Balak continued.

I nodded in agreement. That should give us more than enough time to meet the enemy. “I’ll assign someone to train the rest of the army while I’m gone.”

“You’re not going.”

I blinked. “What?”

“You’re too valuable here. And the mission is not without risk. Appoint someone else to lead the second unit.”

“But sir, that’s ridiculous.”

“That’s an order. Are you going to comply with it or do I need to call in Etan and have you in chains?”

My jaw tightened. It seemed Balak had already forgotten our previous conversation. But then again, he agreed to show me respect in private only. With Hamath here, he had reverted back to his old self. And I couldn’t challenge him without undermining his authority.

I looked over to Hamath who didn’t even try to hide his grin. What in the name of Molak had gotten into him?

“I’ll comply,” I said through a clenched jaw.

“Good. Dismissed. Go train my army and get your squad ready.” He turned to Hamath. “Hang back for a moment. I want to discuss a few more things with you in private.”

“Yes, sir.” Hamath gave me a smug look out of the corner of his eye.

I turned and left without another word. What had just happened? Had I crossed the line yesterday and now Balak was going to favor Hamath?

I shook my head while walking through camp. I had to stop thinking like that. Even if Balak put a caveat on my idea, he had still chosen it.

That’s all I cared about. The best course of action to take care of the enemy and return to my family.

It didn’t matter to me what Hamath discussed with the general.

It really didn’t.

* * *

I got to my unit’s fire and did my best to wipe the pissed-off look from my face. It was hard. Did I want to go off on a mission that might get me killed? No. But I also didn’t want my unit to do that either. At least not without me to help. If something were to happen to them. . . .

I didn’t want to think about it.

My unit looked at me. Any light-hearted expression fell when they made eye contact. Obviously, my attempt to hide my emotions wasn’t going so well.

Several started to speak. I held up a hand for silence.

“We’ve got our first mission.”

That got them interested.

Boaz asked, voice nearly cracking, “Are we ready for our first mission?”

“Of course,” I answered with confidence despite having my own share of doubts.

Lowt, a veteran from the Geneshan War I’d recently transferred over to my unit, asked, “What is it?”

He was a huge man who lumbered when he walked, but the raw strength the man possessed and the ease with which he used it made him someone I wanted around. Maybe it was the recent dreams I had of facing off against D’engiti, but I figured a man like Lowt would be an asset to have if Geneshans managed to field more of them.

“There’s a small force just southwest of us. At their current pace, they’ll be on our backs within two days. I have orders for two units to engage the enemy and end their advance.”

“Just two units?” asked Boaz. “Must be a really small force then.”

I made a face. “Depends on how you look at it.”

Ira snorted a laugh, then spat. “Which means it ain’t small in how we’ll be looking at it. How many, Ty?”

“About three hundred infantry.”

Dead silence.

“That’s crazy,” said Boaz.

“I know,” said Ira. He winked at me. “Barely seems fair for them to have so few.”

I could have kissed the man. He knew the odds sucked, but he also knew there were better times to complain about it. Not before our first mission, and not with Boaz worried out of his mind.

“You got something special planned?” asked Dekar.

“I do.”

He stood and stretched. “That’s what I figured. Good enough for me. When do we leave?”

“Early tomorrow morning after I meet with Balak.”

“Who’s leading the other squad?” asked Reuma.

“Hamath.”

“He’s back?”

“Saw him just a few minutes ago. Look, I know you all have more questions, but now isn’t the time to get into them. We really will be leaving early and had I known we had this mission coming, I’d not have pushed everyone so hard yesterday. So we’ll tuck in early and in the meantime I’ll go over more of the details with you on the march. By the way, keep this under wraps. No one is to discuss this with anyone. Understand?”

Nods followed.

“Good.”

Several men walked off to the latrines for one last emptying of their bladders. A couple just lay down and closed their eyes. I turned and left in the hopes I might be able to get to the dredges of the last batch of stew before the cooks tossed them.

Footsteps came up behind me, then Dekar was at my side.

“What’s on your mind?” I asked.

“A better question is what’s on yours?”

I blinked.

“Something’s bothering you. You saw Hamath again?” he prodded.

“Yeah.”

“Finished your conversation finally?”

“Hardly. He was there when Balak issued his orders. We kind of got into it a bit last night as it related to strategy.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know. But he’s definitely mad at me. It’s like he’d rather I wasn’t around, messing things up for him. He’s even taking Balak’s side now.”

“Weird.”

“I know. I even suggested he take the other squad tomorrow figuring that was what he wanted. But that only made him angrier. At least at first.”

“Why only at first?”

“Because he perked up when Balak told me I couldn’t lead the other unit.”

Dekar halted. “What?”

I stopped with him. “He said that I was too valuable to his plans and I had to find someone else.”

“Who?”

“My first choice would be you. And for Balak’s sake, you are leading the unit.”

“But?”

“But I can’t sit this one out.”

“You sure about defying Balak?”

“This is the first mission. I want to be there. I’ll find a way to smooth it out with the general later. Besides, you didn’t see Hamath. I worry that he wants me gone so he can do things his way rather than the right way.”

“Doesn’t sound like Hamath.”

“None of what he’s done has sounded like Hamath.”

His voice went flat. “If you’re worried, I can handle him.”

That was true. Hamath had been my second back when, but if I had to put my money on anyone in a straight up fight, Dekar would get the bet every time. Everyone knew that, even Ira, which I think is partly why it took so long for him to stand up to his brother.

Still, I knew Hamath well enough that anything Dekar started with him, Dekar would have to finish. A quick punch or even a beating would not be enough for Hamath to fall into line. It would only make him angrier, and he’d keep coming. Dekar would have to kill him. I shivered at the thought. I couldn’t have that happen.

“I know you can. But there’s no telling how Hamath will react or what he’ll order his unit to do. The mission won’t be successful with everyone trying to kill each other.”

“Then what do you need from me?”

“Just act normal. I’ll tell everyone the news tomorrow morning about you being in charge. I’ll sneak off a little after everyone leaves and after I set someone in charge of training while I’m gone. I should catch up after a couple hours.”

“What are you going to tell Hamath?”

“I’m still working on that part.”