Steel and Sorrow (36 page)

In the early evening, the trees thinned and a small, but fast moving stream came into view. On the other side of the stream, just past another line of trees, smoke from cook fires rose into the air. Nareash’s stomach growled at the smell of dripping fat.

Blue Island Clan scouts materialized from the brush near the path and folded themselves into the group. Conversations broke out among the scouts and the warriors in Nareash’s party of some three dozen men. The High Mage remained quiet as he separated himself from the group, allowing a scout to lead him to Tobin’s command tent.

He walked through the camp, aware of the hateful and curious stares cast his way.

Ah, as warm a welcome as I expected.

Nareash felt a difference in the mood in the camp since last time he was among them. The level of malice and intensity that Tobin had dampened since becoming warleader had almost returned to levels from Kaz’s command.

The High Mage strode through the opening of the command tent. Heads turned his way. Nareash noticed that all but Walor and Tobin looked surprised.

Good. He convinced Tobin to keep the information quiet.

A scowl formed on Ufer’s lips, but Nareash paid it little mind as his attention drifted to the thin boy who looked grossly out of place among the powerful warriors. Soyjid’s eyes widened only slightly, but enough to betray that Nareash’s presence had rattled the boy.

“Everyone out. I want to speak with Nachun in private,” said Tobin.

Soyjid cleared his throat. “But Warleader. We haven’t finalized our strategy. I’m sure Nachun wouldn’t mind waiting a bit longer while we finish.”

Tobin’s hand rubbed at his temple. “Well . . .”

Nareash spoke in a hard tone. “Actually, I do mind.” He looked to Walor. “Perhaps, you and Ufer can work with Soyjid while I speak with Tobin.”

Walor nodded and rolled the map up quickly. “Let’s go.”

The others filed out of the tent and Tobin blinked his eyes while massaging the bridge of his nose. Nareash poured a cup of water and sprinkled a mixture he pulled from a pouch in his robes before handing it to Tobin. “Drink.”

“What is it?”

“Something for your headache.”

“How did you know?” Tobin downed the contents. After a moment, he relaxed. “Thank you. I feel better already.”

“How long have the headaches been plaguing you?”

“Hmm?”

“How long, Tobin?”

“They started a couple weeks after you left Juanoq. Speaking of, was the trip successful?”

“There are more pressing matters than my trip. When do the headaches generally start and how long do they last?”

Tobin laughed. “It depends, but usually during strategy sessions. Sometimes it’s only for a few seconds, other times it can last up to an hour.”

“Have they been getting more painful?”

“Yes. Why?”

Nareash walked over and grabbed his head. He pulled back Tobin’s eyelids.

Tobin shrugged him away. “What’s the matter with you?” he hissed. “I’m fine. I’m sure it’s just stress.”

“You’re not fine. You’ve had stress your entire life. More than most. When has it ever caused headaches?”

“I’ve never had this kind of stress before.”

“So? You’re a more than capable leader. I’ve proven it to you and you’ve proven it to yourself and your men. Walor came to me with his concerns. He suspected something was wrong and I think he’s right.”

“What does he suspect?” said Tobin through clenched teeth.

“That Soyjid’s been manipulating you.”

Tobin laughed. “Come on.”

“With sorcery. That’s what the headaches are. He’s been pushing on your mind. Poorly, I might add.”

“What?”

“I’m serious. Think about it. If he had the means, why wouldn’t he? Before I left, you never would have placed so much weight on the words of a boy. Especially over Walor and Ufer.”

Tobin stared at the floor. The High Mage knew his friend needed to work things out for himself. Nareash remained quiet, pacing the room and examining other maps where plans had changed several times over. He saw Soyjid’s influence as Tobin had always been quick and decisive with his military decisions.

“All this time, my strategy wasn’t wrong, was it?” asked Tobin.

Nareash flipped over a map. “Probably not.”

Tobin drew his sword and marched toward the tent flap.

“Stop!”

“Stop? I can’t let him continue this.”

“Kill him now and we won’t have the full story. We need to know whether anyone else is involved.”

Tobin sheathed his weapon. “What do you suggest?”

“Call everyone back in. Go with his plans and end the meeting quickly. I’ll handle the rest.”

* * *

Soyjid wheeled around quickly. He concealed most of his surprise, but not his discomfort. “Nachun. I didn’t hear my guards announce you.”

Nareash secured the tent flap and smiled. “I asked them not to. I hope I’m not intruding on anything of importance?”

Soyjid casually moved a book over a piece of paper and left the small table it rested on. “No. Just preparing for our next battle. We’re lucky you could rejoin us for it.”

“Lucky indeed.” Nareash gestured to a chair. “May I?”

Soyjid nodded and joined him. “What brings you here?”

“I wanted to congratulate you. Prisoner, then assistant to Tobin, and now ruler of your clan. Your father must be proud.”

“You’d have to ask him. Is there something specific I can do for you?”

Nareash heard the frustration in Soyjid’s tone. “I hoped you could tell me how you did it? How did you turn things around for yourself?”

Soyjid shrugged. “I worked hard. It was no different than how you achieved your own accomplishments.”

“Odd that you would make such a comparison. I didn’t realize you had become adept with sorcery.”

Soyjid blinked. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Sure you do.”

“No, I do not.” Soyjid said each word deliberately and Nareash felt the slightest of pushes against his mind. Soyjid recoiled hastily and tried to hide his intentions.

Nareash laughed. “Really? You thought to control me? You don’t even realize how insignificant you are to me. Don’t get me wrong, I’m impressed you hid yourself for so long and even at the most basic levels, mind control is no easy thing. Perhaps after some training you could have been something more. I’m curious, how did you learn how to do it?”

Soyjid shook his head in defeat. “I knew the basics of sorcery from overhearing the shamans of our clan discuss it. My mother hated the arts so I could never study sorcery openly. I practiced on my own and through a lot of trial and error did my best in piecing things together.”

“Interesting.”

Soyjid narrowed his eyes. “How did you find out?”

“One, you tried to push Tobin too quickly. Those around him grew suspicious.”

“Walor?”

“Two, the headaches. Mind control is something that requires a great deal of finesse and if it isn’t done subtlety enough, it can cause irreversible damage to the person who you’re using it on. Trust me, I know.”

“And now you’re going to kill me?”

“After I get some answers. If you’re not cooperative, I promise the process will be far more unpleasant than a mere headache.”

Soyjid worked his tongue around his mouth and let out a heavy sigh as his body relaxed. “Sure, why not? What do I care? I obviously can’t stop you.”

“Have you been feeding information to Charu?”

“Of course. He is already aware of the strategy we decided upon tonight, though I’m sure that will now change.” Soyjid inclined his head toward the small table. “I was just sending off one more message with a few minor tweaks.”

Nareash watched Soyjid’s hand slide down his leg where it dangled above the dirt floor. “What was in it for you?”

“Respect and power. Tobin embarrassed my clan.”

Nareash felt the slightest shift in the air around him. He seized Soyjid by the wrist as the boy’s glowing hand slowly dissipated. “Fool.” Nareash’s grip tightened and Soyjid screamed. The High Mage’s fingers seared the skin on the boy’s arm. “Who else knows?”

Soyjid spoke in ragged breaths, as Nareash refused to lessen his hold. “Those Blue Island Clan guards that were assigned to me have acted as runners to Charu.”

“And the rest of the Gray Marsh Clan?”

“They don’t know any details.”

Nareash squeezed harder. “There’s someone else.”

“Odala. She manipulated Tobin emotionally and physically long before I had the opportunity to work on his mind.”

Nareash pushed the boy to the floor.

“You can come in, now,” Nareash called out over his shoulder.

Tobin pushed aside the canvas and entered. His face held a plethora of emotions, starting with a depressing sadness nearing misery before shifting to an intense anger bordering on uncontrollable fury.

“Did you hear it all?”

Tobin breathed deep through his nose. “Every word.”

He gestured to Soyjid. “Make sure you set an example.”

A knife appeared in Tobin’s hand. “That won’t be a problem.” Tobin seethed as he eyed the boy. To Soyjid’s credit, he continued to wear a look of defiance.

I have a feeling that won’t last much longer. “
And the guards who acted as runners?”

“I already called for Ufer to take them away. He’ll finish them at my command.”

That was fast.

Nareash cleared his throat. “There is one more problem to deal with.”

“I know,” snapped Tobin. “I’ll deal with her later. I have other questions to ask you first. Can he . . .”

“No. I’ve incapacitated him. And don’t worry, I’ll have guards posted around Odala’s tent.”

Tobin rubbed his eyes. “Good. About the campaign. I only meant to take the Green Forest Clan without you. I didn’t know Charu had formed an alliance with them.”

“It’s done. Don’t worry about it.”

“Really?”

“Yes. We can deal with your other concerns later.” He smiled at Soyjid. “You have other matters to attend to first.”

* * *

Odala’s throat felt like tree bark from her constant yelling. She sensed that something dramatic had occurred in camp, but when she went to investigate, she found her way barred. Guardsmen pushed her back into the tent with little respect. Despite her demands for answers, they gave her nothing.

From all of the movement outside, she had worried that Charu might have taken the offensive against Tobin. Then she realized that the guards would not be so calm.

Then she wondered if Tobin had gone out to wreak havoc on another village of innocents. She decided against that scenario as well.

After Tobin had returned from his recent attack on the Green Forest Clan’s village, Soyjid revealed a portion of his plans to her. She knew he kept most of the details hidden, sharing only what he needed her to do. Yet, she didn’t feel slighted. She knew Soyjid stood the best chance of stopping Tobin.

But that was before Nachun returned.

She reasoned that the powerful shaman had somehow discovered Soyjid’s plans.

I need to finish what he started. I allowed myself to fall for the luxuries and attention Tobin offered me, but now I see the truth. Tobin cannot be allowed to conquer Hesh. When would the atrocities stop?

She wiped the poison she had received from her brother on the inside of Tobin’s empty cup. She also hid a slender dagger in the sheets of their bed in case the poison didn’t work. One way or another, she had decided that if Soyjid had died, then Tobin would as well.

And they’ll kill me afterward.

The sobering thought did not disturb her. Death would be better than continuing her relationship with Tobin after seeing who he had become.

Who he had always been. I can’t believe I ever allowed myself to be fooled into thinking otherwise.

Odala went to sleep with those thoughts and dreamed grim dreams.

The light touch of a hand startled her awake. She gasped and recoiled when she saw Tobin leaning over her. He stood and frowned.

Thinking quickly she recovered from her initial shock and sprang out of bed as the sheets fell away from her nude frame. She had gone to bed hoping that when Tobin finally returned, she would be able to distract him long enough to do what she had intended.

Tobin reacted differently than she had expected. For the first time since their relationship began, he did not stare at her with longing. In fact, his gaze shifted only once below her neckline.

He threw a robe at her. “Put this on and sit. We need to talk.” He began pacing the small space.

Odala threw the robe on the bed, choosing to stay unclothed. She could tell she wouldn’t like what Tobin had to say and wanted to make it as hard on him as possible. “It’s Soyjid?”

He looked up and grunted. “Yes.”

“You killed him, didn’t you?”

The comment halted him. “Yes.” He studied her face. “You don’t seem surprised.”

Odala shrugged and walked across the tent to a small table, mindful to brush up against Tobin as she did so. She poured two cups of water, careful to track the cup she had coated with poison. “No. I’m not. I knew he was up to something and I guess he got what was coming to him.”

Tobin snapped in anger. “You knew something, but didn’t tell me?”

She turned around and handed Tobin the cup as nonchalantly as possible. “One, I never thought he would succeed, and two, I haven’t been particularly happy with how you’ve been acting. First neglecting me. And then attacking the village. I was frightened.”

“You don’t seem frightened now.”

She shrugged again and went back to the bed. “I’ve been thinking. I’ve taken you for granted. I should have supported you more. I’m ready to make it up to you. You are more important than my brother. Now, drink your water and come here, so I can properly apologize.”

Tobin eyed the contents of the cup and strode to the side of the bed. He sat lightly next to Odala. It took everything she had not to strike him. He started to laugh.

“What’s so funny?” she asked.

“You know, when your brother ratted you out, I was ready to kill you with my bare hands for having betrayed me. I gave everything to you.” He paused. “Then I calmed. I wanted to hear your side of things, hoping more than anything for you to give me a reason to believe you.”