Steel and Sorrow (27 page)

He turned his gaze away from his friend’s lifeless form and took in the destruction around him as survivors dragged the dead to burning pyres.

It wasn’t supposed to be like this.

Yanasi had angered him at the time for pulling him away from Yorn. But in the battle’s aftermath, he realized how right she had been. He had managed to pull himself together long enough to help the army’s lines hold firm until Krytien and several other mages came to their aid.

He shook his head when he thought about how quickly Krytien had taken over the situation.
He’s more powerful than I realized.

“One Above, Nora was right! Yorn is dead.”

Janik turned to Lufflin as the mage approached. He wore a look of dread that turned into anger as he spoke. “We’ve got to get out of here, Janik. Forget those stupid books. Forget this war and forget this country. Now is the perfect time for you, me, and Nora to sneak off. They won’t realize we’ve gone until it’s too late.”

“No,” said Janik.

“What do you mean, no? We can go to Thurum or even Mytarcis and have some fun there. Their mages aren’t as well trained as we are. We can probably be rich in just a few years.”

“No. You go if you want those things. I won’t ever again see this as fun. Not after today.”

“Listen to yourself. You’re letting Krytien and all the others change you.”

“Yes. And for the better. Yorn died. I can’t just walk away while others share his fate. I’m staying.”

“This isn’t our fight,” said Lufflin in a pleading tone.

Janik shook his head. “You’re wrong. This is the sort of thing Amcaro had hoped to avoid, yet trained us for all along.” Janik met his friend’s eyes and for the briefest of moments saw what appeared to be sorrow. But it disappeared and disappointment took its place.

“You’re an idiot,” said Lufflin. “And before it’s done, I’ll show you how wrong you are.”

Janik watched Lufflin storm off.

I can’t believe I ever looked up to you.
His eyes drifted down to Yorn’s body.
We all did.

The tears came again as he grabbed the robes of his friend at the shoulders. With a grunt he lifted his torso and walked backward, dragging his best friend toward the blazing fires.

* * *

Krytien breathed heavily as he made it atop the first rise. He spotted Drake and said a quick prayer of thanks if only because he didn’t have to climb any higher. Like everyone else, he needed a hot meal and a good night’s rest. But also like everyone else, there would be none of that immediately with so much still to do in the battle’s aftermath. Kaz had given Krytien permission to check in on the Hell Patrol members before receiving his next set of orders.

Hopefully, I won’t be out scouting with Rygar again.

Drake and Senald were wrapping up a conversation. From what Krytien overheard, Drake impressed him. The boy spoke like a veteran, issuing orders after dishing out praise for a job well done.

Drake dismissed Senald and faced Krytien. The mage saw his fatigue went beyond physical. It was stress. Krytien hated to see Drake starting to lose that youthful exuberance others found so infectious.

War will make you grow up faster than you should.

“How are things?” asked Krytien, trying not to let his thoughts show.

“Good. As you probably overheard, Senald did great and the new trebuchets worked. Everyone banded together after an initial misstep, and when the fighting reached us, we kept our heads, made use of the high ground, and defended our position.”

Krytien cleared his throat. “About that misstep. Raker?”

Without any further prodding, Drake spilled everything to Krytien. He finished with a heavy sigh. “I just don’t know what to do with him anymore.”

“Where is he? I was hoping to talk to him.”

“He ran off. One Above knows where. He even left his mace behind,” said Drake.

His mace? That’s bad.
“Nothing personal, but I don’t think anything you say or do is going to get through to him. Someone from the old crew needs to set him straight. I’ll try to talk to him first.” He paused. “Who knows, maybe today was the kick he needed to get his mind right.”

Drake shook his head. “I hope so.”

* * *

The brief moment of security Yanasi and Rygar shared after finding each other at the battle’s conclusion ended with the howls of a woman wailing. Other than herself and a few mages, few women populated the army and the cries didn’t sound as hard as a soldier’s might, but instead seemed frantic with despair.

They followed the sounds and found a pregnant woman on the ground holding the hand of a dead officer in Tomalt’s army. Yanasi learned that the man had been her husband.

How did she even find him among all this carnage?

The emotional shock of losing her husband sent the woman into labor. Yanasi sent Rygar off for help, telling him to grab Wiqua if possible. She knew the old man would be busy with their injured and probably exhausted, but if anyone could help, he would be the best choice.

Yanasi knelt at the woman’s side while they waited for Rygar to return. The sobs of the woman’s physical and emotional suffering brought back Yanasi’s own painful memories. She recalled the closeness she once shared with her own mother in Thurum before she died in the plague. Memories of her father’s abandonment followed and then finally, the night Jonrell saved her life and brought her into the Hell Patrol.

Rygar galloped up with Wiqua behind him in the saddle. The old man dismounted and hurried over despite his obvious fatigue.

“Rygar told me what happened,” said Wiqua as he took a knee beside them.

Sweat beaded on the woman’s pale skin and she arched her back with the next scream.

“Please,” Yanasi begged after thinking about her mother. “You have to help her.”

Wiqua tried to smile. “I will do all that I can. Give me a moment.”

Wiqua moved his hands over the woman, pausing at her belly before then lifting the woman’s dress. After finishing his examination, he covered the woman’s legs and reached out to squeeze her hand. His mouth silently moved and his eyes tightened. The woman’s breathing calmed and her pain seemed to subside. Wiqua opened his eyes.

“What’s wrong?” asked the woman.

Wiqua spoke in a soft tone. “Your body isn’t handling this well and your child’s heartbeat is faint from the stress on your body. I’ve done my best to ease your pain.”

The woman began to cry. “Can you help us?”

“Yes. But,” he paused, “since you’re pregnant and both of you are in poor condition, the situation is complicated. If I attempt to heal you and the baby, it’s possible that you may both live, but it’s also possible that neither of you will.” Yanasi heard the sorrow in Wiqua’s voice.

“And what if you heal only one of us?” the woman croaked.

“Then I’m certain that the one I focus on will live.”

Without pausing, the woman answered back. “Save my baby.”

Wiqua nodded and Yanasi saw a tear run down his cheek. “Of course. A mother will always choose her child. As it should be,” he whispered.

Suddenly finding her voice during the exchange, Yanasi blurted out. “Wait. There has to be another way. I’ve seen you do such amazing things.”

Wiqua bowed his head. “It’s hard to explain, but the healing process is much more complicated when two are essentially sharing the same body.”

Yanasi thought about all the death around her and the anguish the poor woman had already gone through. “It’s not fair.” She felt Rygar wrap his arms around her.

The pregnant woman smiled at Yanasi. “It’s for the best.” She reached her hand out and grabbed Yanasi’s. “Please, do something for me.”

“Alright,” said Yanasi in a hoarse whisper.

“I was told by a seer that my baby’s a girl. I don’t have any other family. Please see that she finds a good home.”

“I will.”

The woman’s body suddenly arched back in pain.

“I have to start now before it’s too late,” said Wiqua in an urgent tone.

The woman nodded weakly and Wiqua coached her on what to do as Yanasi and Rygar helped where they could. A short while later a baby’s cry greeted them.

Wiqua held the baby to the woman. “She’ll be just fine.”

The woman smiled and whispered, “Thank you,” as the light faded from her eyes.

All three figures sat with their heads down, huddled and sobbing, as the baby’s cry echoed ominously over the battleground.

* * *

Kaz stared over the flowing river, his back to the field. He had seen enough of it. He had met with his captains, issued orders for the short term, looked over the prisoners, and visited his army’s wounded. He thought of those suffering in the infirmary, and those that died.

There will only be more fighting to come. I’m glad Elyse isn’t here to see this.

The memories of his past often focused on the heart racing thrill of battle, never on the depressing aftermath. He wondered if those things ever bothered him then.

Fighting with only himself to worry about was one thing, but now that he commanded so many others, he found the feeling of excitement had diminished. Perhaps Crusher’s injuries had put him in a foul mood. Kaz had stayed with him until his condition stabilized, only then moving on to his other duties.

Is that how Jonrell felt when I was injured at Cathyrium?

He sighed.
The longer I’m in command, the more I understand him.

Kaz looked to the sky.

Chapter 19

Nareash never imagined that the sight of Juanoq would lift his mood so thoroughly. Since coming to Hesh, all he thought about was returning home to Cadonia. Yet, the distant outline of Juanoq’s high walls brought a genuine smile to his face.

He couldn’t wait to check on the progress of his projects and eat a well-cooked meal. Most of all, he looked forward to catching up with Tobin. The High Mage had grown up with few friends and most of those he considered mere acquaintances. But over time, he and Tobin had developed a connection.

Nareash squinted as the ship cut through the low waves. With a better view of Juanoq’s harbor, he gripped the railing tight. His smile vanished.

“Master, is everything alright?”

“What is wrong with the harbor, Colan?” he asked in a strained voice.

“Wrong? Nothing seems wrong . . . except that it’s empty. What does that mean?”

“It means that Tobin grew impatient and has started his campaign early.”

“I don’t understand. Why would he do that?”

Because he doesn’t need me? Or perhaps doesn’t want me?

Nareash shook his head and relaxed his grip.

“His reasons are his own,” said Nareash.

“The ships!” said Guwan from behind. The heavy boots of the Kifzo clodded up beside Colan. He gestured toward the approaching harbor. “They’ve left without us!”

“Yes,” said Nareash. “They have.”

“We need to leave right away to join them.”

“No.”

“No?”

“We will leave only after I see to other matters first. Three to four days should be enough time. Remember what I said about opportunity.”

Guwan took a deep breath. “What am I supposed to do until then?”

Nareash reached into his robes and withdrew a ruby. It was one of many jewels they had harvested in sacks from Quarnoq before leaving the ancient city. He handed it to Guwan. “Get lost in a whorehouse and enjoy yourself. I imagine you could buy a place yourself with that. I’ll send someone for you when you’re needed.”

Guwan eyed the jewel for a moment, then snatched it from Nareash’s hand.

After the Kifzo left, Colan asked. “What was that about, Master?”

“You’ll have to wait and see.”

Nareash gazed over the empty harbor again.

Why, Tobin? Perhaps our connection isn’t what I thought it was.

* * *

Nareash’s return was met with as much fanfare as a fisherman bringing in the day’s catch. The inhabitants of Juanoq apparently could not be bothered with news of the land of their ancestors when life still continued.

Before reaching the palace, Nareash sent word to all of Tobin’s advisors about an impromptu council meeting. Back in his quarters, he quickly took a bath and changed his robes. Then he moved to the war room and ate while waiting for Tobin’s councilors. Each wore a look that crossed between a frown and a scowl

A merchant whose name Nareash couldn’t recall, spoke first. “Nachun, it’s good to see you.” He bowed and his beaded jewelry jingled. “Was your trip as successful as you hoped?”

“Somewhat.”

The merchant smiled. “Please, tell us more.”

Nareash sat in Tobin’s chair and relaxed. After the long trip, his weary body welcomed the soft cushion. He rubbed his eyes lazily. “I didn’t call this meeting for your benefit.” He looked up and pointed at the farmer in the center. Another man whose name he couldn’t recall. He cared little about names. He knew what mattered most—faces, home addresses, and family details—things that could be used against someone. “You. Tell me what Tobin’s last orders were.”

The farmer nervously stepped forward. “We were told to continue our jobs as before.”

“And none of you thought to go against those orders?” Though Tobin’s early departure had upset the High Mage, he still could not ignore their friendship and he wanted to ensure nothing was amiss in the city while Tobin fought, hundreds of miles away. He also needed to minimize any disruptions in the city’s government so that his own plans for the future saw success.

The council’s faces twisted in confusion. A fisherman gave an answer. “Why would we do that? None of us has ever enjoyed the kind of success we’ve had since Tobin took over for Bazraki. We would be fools to act on our own.”

The other advisors nodded in agreement.

I have to hand it to you, Tobin. You managed to find not only the most competent, but also the least ambitious people I’ve ever seen. If Bazraki had recognized your potential, perhaps he’d be alive. I don’t know why I was worried. This meeting was unnecessary.

“Is something funny, Nachun?” asked Teznak, Captain of the City Guard.