Resurrected Soldiers: The Tyrus Chronicle - Book Three (20 page)

They deserved my time remembering them.

I turned at the sound of footsteps behind me. Hamath came to a stop on my right. That was a surprise.

During the Geneshan War we both spent a great deal of time at the bonfires. Given the changes in Hamath, I didn’t think he would care enough to show up—not so much about the soldiers who died, though I did wonder, but about me. Instead of giving me a report on the battle today, he had sent one of the men in his unit to take his place.

I still hadn’t figured out how best to handle that situation.

“Thought I’d find you here,” he said.

“Old habits.”

“You mean the one where you slap on another layer of guilt over something you had no control over.”

I grunted. “I had full control this time. More than four hundred died under my orders.”

“How many more would have died had someone else commanded? You didn’t strike the killing blows.”

“But I put them in the places to receive them, didn’t I?”

Hamath sighed and shook his head. “I’m tired of arguing with you, Tyrus. Truly.”

“I never wanted to argue with you. Just seems like we can barely talk to each other anymore without doing so.”

“Maybe we shouldn’t say anything to each other then. At least for a while.”

“That’s an idea,” I grunted. I was ready to try nearly anything to bring peace between us.

Side by side, we stared into the flames of the dead.

CHAPTER 20

Hamath and I never spoke another word that night, but we must have stood there for hours. I think something passed between us then. Not everything was made right. Everything definitely wasn’t back to how it used to be. It probably never would be. However, we at least came to what felt like an understanding.

We spoke with each other the next day only about the battle, working together rather than against each other about what went wrong and what worked, making notes for our next confrontation with the Geneshans.

Without saying so, I think we decided to ignore the unanswered questions about our time apart. We’d never see eye-to-eye on certain matters so why push the issue? It pained me knowing that I had lost my best friend in that way, and that I’d never be able to talk to him as I once had. That being said, it was good to know that we had at least gotten to the point where we could maintain a working relationship.

Sadly, I had been holding onto a memory. The man I once knew was gone. I had to accept that and realize that at best we were casual friends. We had become acquaintances who respected what each brought to their positions in the army.

* * *

Later that evening, a large force became visible over the horizon. If not for Balak’s advanced warning, as well as reports from our scouts, I’d have been worried. Seeing three thousand soldiers moving with discipline the army we fought the previous day lacked was a bit unnerving.

“They look impressive,” said Dekar.

I had moved to the top of a hill near our camp to watch the approaching force. Besides, my ever-present shadow of Etan, I brought Dekar along as well. I kept Ira at camp to oversee afternoon drills and nurse his injuries.

“According to Balak, they haven’t had much to worry about except drilling over the past year. I’d expect them to look impressive on the march.”

“How does Balak know so much about an army half way across Turine?”

The High Mages were the only answer. He had them working several tasks, I knew. I presumed they were also able to communicate with someone in that army. After all, Balak had mentioned transfer portals. Our scouts certainly weren’t ranging hundreds of miles away and back.

“Can’t say.”

“Can’t or won’t?”

“Pretty much the same thing in this instance.”

He bobbed his head. “Have you figured out how to incorporate the two armies together?”

I grunted. “That’s mostly all I’ve thought about since yesterday. However, I can’t reach any conclusions until I get a measure of them and speak with their officers, especially Captain Urion. He’s their commander. I’m a bit worried about that first discussion with him.”

“Yeah, I can’t imagine it’s going to sit well with him for you to take over an army he’s commanded for quite some time.”

“Especially as I move things around. That’s a lot of power to give up.”

I looked at Etan. “Ready to meet them?”

He shrugged. He and I seemed to be on better terms, but he still had little opinion on what to do, just so long as I didn’t try to do something that might defy one of Balak’s few commands.

“All right then,” I said. “Let’s go.”

As we led our mounts down the hill and over the rough land toward the three thousand soldiers, I asked Dekar. “I saw you talking to Zev, earlier. Have you been staying in touch with everyone from the outpost?”

“Been trying to.”

“How are they all doing? I made sure they weren’t being mistreated, but I’ve barely spoken to any of them.”

I winced a bit, admitting that.

“They’re all doing pretty well. They’ve more or less learned what’s expected of them, and they’re just biding their time until this is over, I guess. Head down and taking it one step at a time.”

“Good.”

“Caleb is the exception though. His platoon leader was talking about promoting him to sergeant after they lost two lower officers.”

I grunted. “Never would have guessed that. But glad to hear it.” I paused, then joked. “I wonder if he still hates me as much for forcing him to leave the outpost and join the army.”

“He doesn’t.”

I gave him a look. “How do you know that?”

“Came up in conversation after we got back from taking out those three hundred Geneshans with the destruction globe.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, people understand more and more why they had to leave the outpost as time passes. Plus, knowing what you did to join us on that mission, and everything that happened during it, went a long way in increasing their respect for you.” He gestured to my legs. “Especially seeing the chains you now have to wear.”

That information was good to know. I wasn’t exactly trying to make everyone under my command a friend, but I also wanted as few enemies as possible. I had enough with the Geneshans.

I wanted to talk a bit more, but decided against it as we edged closer to the army marching toward us. Closer up, their discipline was beyond impressive. Ideas of what I could do with them blossomed in my mind. Combining their basic skills with the experience I had from the older veterans of the Geneshan War, I actually thought I might be able to pull off a few miracles in the field. At least in theory. Time would tell if my hope would turn into anything substantial.

The three thousand men came to a halt as the man riding out front on horseback raised a hand. He didn’t look back or stop, instead walking his mount to us.

We met some fifty yards from the main body.

He dismounted before I could open my mouth in greeting, stood at attention, and saluted. “The twelfth, thirteenth, and fourteenth regiments reporting for duty, sir.”

He snapped the words out with such efficiency, it took me aback. There didn’t seem to be any trace of bitterness or anger. Just a solider following orders.

“At ease, Captain Urion.”

“Yes, sir,” he snapped, moving into an at-rest position.

I wanted to laugh. This was a man who did everything by the book. He moved, acted, and spoke like everyone did after going through basic training. Most of those lessons we remembered, but trivial things that Captain Urion seemed to cherish usually fell away once in the field.

“Captain?”

“Yes, sir?”

“Relax. Though I appreciate the need to follow protocol, we’re at war, not presenting before the king.”

He looked confused, but slouched slightly.

“General Balak spoke to me about your men. He explained to me the original intent of your forces and that none of you had faced battle as of yet. Is that so?”

He seemed embarrassed. “Yes, sir. We unfortunately haven’t even had so much as a skirmish under our belt. We thought we might have to face a small force from Noval, but that never happened. Though they didn’t suffer as much as we did from the eruptions, I think their casualties partly deterred them from engaging us. I’m sorry.”

“No reason to apologize. Battle is not something to long for. Besides, you’ll have plenty of opportunities going forward. Geneshans are crawling all around us, converging and combining forces.”

“Yes, sir. I heard about your victory yesterday from one of my squad mages. Congratulations.”

I tried not to appear too thrilled at the mention of a squad mage, but I hoped there were more considering how few I had at my disposal.

“In light of the increase in enemy activity, and the fact that we’ll need to fully incorporate our forces, there will be immediate changes. I have some ideas based on what I know of your men, but once we get back to camp, I’d like to sit down with you and really hammer things out. Your input will be valuable.”

He smiled, which took me off guard. “Yes, sir. Of course. It would be an honor.”

I was confused. “An honor?”

Then he looked confused. “Yes, sir. You’re a hero.”

“A hero? Who told you that?”

I hadn’t heard anyone refer to me as a hero except Zadok. I pushed aside thoughts of him to remain focused. I had never felt like a hero, especially after the war.

“My father did,” he said. “You saved his life in the first year of the Geneshan War. He was an old veteran from the Byzan Wars, but was still stationed on the front lines at the battle of Yavne. He took a mace to the knee and couldn’t walk. Two Geneshans were ready to finish him when you came in with a spear and ran both of them through at once. Then you drew your sword and stood over him, protecting him until another soldier managed to carry him out.”

I blinked. Gods, despite my dreams, my nightmares, I barely recalled that first year or so of the war. However, as Urion’s words tumbled out, my mind opened. I could smell the sweat. Taste the spattered blood and dirt. Feel the same fear that drove me to fight. The desperation I had felt to not fail Lasha and the kids by dying.

I didn’t remember the captain’s father, but I remembered Yavne. And like all the other battles that haunted me, I wished I didn’t.

My hands began to shake. I squeezed the reins to steady them.

I blinked again. “Captain, one battle doesn’t make me a hero.”

“Maybe not. But my father kept up on you after he was sent back to Hol to lead the training of new troops on account of his leg never healing right. He told me of your unit and the work they did at places like the Safed Plain and Urtok’s Ridge. Then there was how you helped save Turine from being run over by the Geneshans at Wadlow Hill and, of course, at the last battle where you retrieved the artifact and—”

I raised my hand as if warding off the memories of my past pushing through to the forefront of my mind. “Enough.” Then I shook my head. “Captain, it sounds like you mean well, and I can see how those stories might be important to you. But to me they’re just reminders of men that I lost and people I failed.”

He frowned. “I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t mean anything ill by it. I was just trying to let you know that I look forward to learning from you. I also wanted to say thanks for saving my old man. He died in Hol with the eruptions, but you gave him nine years he wouldn’t have had otherwise.”

I was left speechless at the sincerity of the words.

Eventually, I cleared my throat. “I’ll see you back at camp, Captain. Carry on.”

I turned my horse around and left in silence trying to process all that I had heard.

* * *

It was late, really late when Captain Urion and I finished our conversation. First watch was almost over, and we had settled ourselves to some dried meat that neither of us could quite identify. But, we had successfully reorganized and combined the forces.

My veterans remained in control at a higher level, commanding regiments and companies. After that, I allowed many of his men to take control as platoon leaders. My hope was that the mix would be enough not to upset either side, those who had been with Balak from the beginning would lead, but they would also be teaching Urion’s men in case they needed to step into higher roles over the course of the next couple weeks.

I was rubbing my eyes with the back of my palms as I walked around the outskirts of camp, hoping the short cut would get me to my bedroll all the sooner. I was thinking about how unfounded my worries had been. Urion was a good man and our discussions had not only gone better than planned, but hearing more about his old man, made me feel like my time in the war wasn’t all for nothing.

I thought of my family. I may have done some good, but ultimately, I’d give it all up to have Lasha back and not miss out on that decade of my kids’ lives.

There was a quick shuffling of footsteps, back and to my left. I saw a flash of movement coming from around a dead oak. By the time I moved to defend myself, I was on the ground wondering what horse had hit me.

I opened my mouth to curse, but a boot to the gut took the air from my lungs.

“Heard you coming from a mile away,” hissed a familiar voice. “Getting careless.”

Molak-be-damned, I cursed to myself. Ittay, that tall piece of crud I handled for Boaz over Dinah’s ribbon. He’d probably been watching me for a long time.

I cursed again, because he was right. I knew better than to allow myself to become that distracted.

I rolled up to my hands and knees only to have them kicked out from under me. I fell on my face and another boot caught me in the side.

“Pick him up,” said Ittay.

“What? Why?” came a voice I didn’t recognize, probably someone he had convinced to come along.

“Because we can’t kill him here. You heard Captain Habak.”

Habak. I grit my teeth at the name while rough hands grabbed my arms and pinned them behind my back. Once I got out of this, he’ll have wished that mace that made him ugly all those years ago had finished the job.

“Kill him?” came the second voice. “He never said that. Just said to take care of him.”

“What do you think that means, idiot? We can’t just rough him up and let him go. He’ll make our lives miserable.”

“I didn’t want to do all that. Just get back at him for all the crazy training.”

“Well, it ain’t about what you want, it’s about what he deserves. C’mon and—”

Ittay’s words were cut off by an eloquent oof. The sound distracted the man pinning my arms enough for me to act.

I slammed my head back into the man’s face, then smashed my boot down hard on his instep. He screamed in agony, but the scream didn’t last long. I spun and planted a straight right into his nose. Blood and spit sprayed as the man dropped like a felled tree. I looked over to an unconscious Ittay. Reuma stood over him with her sword in hand. The back of Ittay’s head was bloody from where it looked like her sword hilt had struck.

I was out of breath, and my sides ached from their kicks. They may have cracked a rib.

“Thanks,” I finally managed.

She wore a look of sympathy. “Yes, sir.”

“How did you know I was here?”

“Ira, Dekar, and I have been keeping a watch on you from a distance when you go off on your own.”

I blinked and jerked my head back in surprise. “What? For how long?”

“Since you laid him and Habak out,” she said gesturing to Ittay. “Ira said there was no way they’d just let what you did to them go. He was certain they would try something eventually.” She looked embarrassed. “Sorry, I was late in helping. It had been so long I began to think Ira was wrong and was off taking care of business behind a tree when they attacked.”