Steel and Sorrow (47 page)

For four straight days, the storm mercilessly pounded the fleet. Crews worked around the clock, making repairs and doing all they could to keep their ships afloat. Like everyone else suffering through the weather, Nareash barely slept.

He stood on the sterncastle, next to the captain at the wheel. The High Mage could not trust anyone to maintain the proper course alone in such weather. He squinted into the wind and whipping rain as men fought with a flapping, loose sail. A large gust caused one of the crew to slip. A wave came over the side and washed the man over.

The crew shouted. “Man overboard!”

Others ran over to throw a rope out, but Nareash saw their efforts were useless. The man had disappeared beneath the rolling waves and had yet to surface.

The captain cursed and wheeled on Nareash. “How many more days before we’re out of this?”

“There’s no way to know. One day. Maybe another four.”

“We can’t survive that. The crew is running themselves ragged.”

“What do you suggest?”

“Turn around and go home. I’m not saying for good,” said the captain defensively. Fear tickled his eyes. “But perhaps we should try again in a different part of the year when the waters are better.”

Nareash laughed. “So you want to turn around and travel the same amount of time as it will likely take us to push on? No. We succeed now or we fail and die. It’s that simple.”

The captain sighed. “Can you help us?”

“What do you need?”

“Well, I know you can’t quiet the storm. Can you do something to give the crew more energy?”

Nareash thought for a moment. “Yes. It isn’t much, but they’ll be able to manage on less sleep.”

“Please. Anything is better than nothing.”

Nareash nodded. “I’ll go below and take care of it before sending word to the shamans on the other ships.”

Chapter 33

Tomalt was dead.

Kaz received word that Jeldor had defeated him. Jeldor immediately headed south but Markus had destroyed bridges along the way, which slowed his arrival. Kaz sent word back to Jeldor on a new meeting point. The commander demanded a brutal pace to ensure all went as planned.

Elyse rode alongside Kaz, surrounded by her three surviving guardsmen as well as several new additions. The guardsmen had made it back with the remaining members of Olasi’s family shortly before Kaz broke camp.

He spared a glance at the queen as she scanned the land before them, head high, auburn hair cascading down her shoulders. He quickly looked away.

A lone horseman appeared ahead, exiting the thick forest that bordered the side of the road. The rider leaned forward on his mount and the hobbled animal edged toward Kaz with a limp.

Kaz called for a halt and bid the queen to stay with the army as he took off to meet the scout. Behind him, captains prepared their units for the possibility of an attack.

Kaz dismounted and took the reins of the injured animal. Rygar groaned and fell off his saddle into Kaz’s arms. Blood soaked his side. He set the scout down on the ground and lifted his shirt.

“I thought I told you to wear your mail when scouting,” Kaz hissed. He grabbed a rag and pressed it hard against the wound to staunch the flow of blood.

Rygar opened his eyes and coughed. “Too cumbersome,” he whispered before passing out.

* * *

Kaz issued an order that anyone who caught Rygar not wearing his mail was to tell Yanasi immediately. Based on the tongue-lashing she gave him after Wiqua saved his life, Kaz couldn’t think of a better punishment.

An hour later, Kaz had Rygar tell his story in front of the Hell Patrol’s old crew, a larger group than what he usually entertained when discussing strategy.

“So after we realized a force waited just on the other side of the bridge, we went down and scouted them from the southeast. But they expected it and ambushed us. Since you said no one else has returned, it looks like I’m the only one who made it out alive.” Rygar finished up in a somber tone.

“What the heck are we just sittin’ around for then?” called out Raker. A sense of urgency filled his voice. “I know I ain’t used to being part of these things, but c’mon Kaz, do you really need someone to tell you we need to get ready for an attack. Rygar said they were half a day’s ride away. They could be here any moment and we’ll be caught with our trousers around our ankles.”

Kaz leaned over a map and looked at the bridge in question. “We won’t have to worry about that.”

“What do you mean?” asked Raker.

“Because we have to take this road to meet up with Jeldor. They know what our intentions are.”

“And they have the better position too,” said Drake.

Kaz looked up and eyed the boy. “Yes, they do.”

“According to Rygar’s report, we seem to be pretty evenly matched in numbers. We should be able to come up with a strategy to beat them,” said Krytien.

“Beat them? Yes. But at what cost?” asked General Grayer. “We aren’t facing just the remainder of Bronn’s forces. Rygar said they’ve got nearly eight thousand Ghals with them.” The General paled. “Those aren’t regular soldiers. They’re twice the size of us. Does anyone really want to stand toe-to-toe against an army of people his size?” The General nodded over to Crusher.

Crusher grinned. “Actually, I’m on the smaller side. Most in my clan alone are over ten feet tall.”

“Big or small, we all die the same,” muttered Kroke.

Grayer bristled further. “If you want to face the army, then be my guest.”

“C’mon. Me and the kid got this,” said Raker, slapping Drake on the back.

“We do?” gulped Drake.

“Ain’t no sweat. We just hit them with a few boulders and they’ll be good and dead.”

“It’ll take more than a few boulders,” said Yanasi. “We’re talking about eight thousand. And remember, we still got the other ten thousand of Bronn’s forces to contend with.”

“So it seems that we can win, but our losses are likely to be extensive,” said Elyse.

Kaz nodded. “That’s the problem. I had hoped that our sorcery might play an advantage. But according to Crusher, an army of Ghals that size would field their own spellcasters. They shy away from using sorcery to attack with since they find it cowardly, but apparently Ghals are very effective in negating the attacks of others.”

“I want to know what in the world an army of your people are doing in Cadonia anyway,” said Hag to Crusher. “I thought Ghals stayed too busy warring with themselves to bother getting involved in the battles of others.”

“Yeah,” added Raker. “Don’t your people hate our kind?”

“Typically. But, if the price is right, they might be swayed into going against our general beliefs, especially for the right man.”

“What does that mean?” asked Grayer.

Crusher shrugged. “Conroy is on good terms with my people. He saved the life of a chieftain’s daughter once.”

“So this is Conroy’s doing?” asked Grayer.

“It would make sense,” said Elyse. “We’ll be much weaker by the time we meet up with Jeldor. Conroy and Markus’s forces would be well manned and better rested than ours.”

“Glad you made us a part of this,
Boss
,” Kroke said sarcastically. “Better to get all this bad news out of the way now.”

Kaz’s shoulders bunched at the comment and he saw the glare Elyse cast Kroke. Kaz chose not to respond.

“Well, unless anyone has a better solution, this fight is going to be soldier against soldier. Now, this is what I want . . . .” Kaz began as he went back to his map. Others stepped in closer to see his distribution of forces until a voice cut him off.

“There might be another way.”

Kaz looked up and all eyes turn to Drake. “What do you mean?”

“Well, it’s something I read the other day on a book I got about foreign cultures.”

“What the heck are you reading about that for, kid?” asked Raker.

Drake ignored him. “An ancient custom of the Ghals called a
rihulask
allows for the chief warrior from each side to fight the battle by themselves in place of the armies.”

Kaz turned to Crusher. “How come you never told me this?”

Crusher shook his head. “That’s not a good idea.”

“Even if our side wins, we still have to worry about Bronn’s remaining forces,” pointed out Grayer.

“They won’t dare attack after a battle has concluded,” said Drake. “The Ghals take the ritual very seriously and would likely turn on them.”

“Sounds like a win-win situation,” said Krytien, “assuming we want to go that route.”

“I’ll do it,” chimed in Kroke.

Kaz shook his head. “No, it has to be me.”

“No,” said Crusher. “You don’t want to do this.”

Kaz gave the giant a confused look. “What’s the matter with you? I have to do this. It will save countless lives. If I had this option on every other battle we’ve fought, I would have done it then too.”

“This isn’t like those battles!” he boomed in a giant voice.

The tent grew silent.

Elyse cleared her throat. “These are his people, Kaz. He would know better than us. Maybe we should reconsider. If you lose . . .”

“I won’t lose,” said Kaz in a curt tone as he stared at the Ghal.

“Don’t do this,” said Crusher.

“Why?”

Crusher eyed the others in the room. “Just don’t.”

“That’s not good enough.”

Crusher swore something incoherent in his native tongue and stalked out of the tent.

“Grayer, get with Drake and send the proper notification to the Ghal army since it seems Crusher won’t help.

Conversations broke out but Kaz paid them little heed. He moved to the tent entrance and looked out, baffled at his friend’s actions.

* * *

Kaz’s shoulder wrenched back and sweat beaded on his brow. “What are you trying to do to me?” he asked, pivoting toward Cisod.

“I’m trying to get your armor ready.”

“I thought it was ready.”

“It never hurts to make a few minor modifications, especially by the straps. Besides,” he said, looking over at Drake. “We consulted the text again and wanted to make sure we didn’t miss anything.”

“I’m glad you only waited until now to double-check,” said Kaz.

“Better late than never. Especially since everything is riding on you this time,” said Drake.

“Thanks.”

“Quit moving. I’d like to do my job here,” said Cisod.

When the blacksmith finished, Kaz admitted the armor did fit better.

“Your sword and shield are over in the corner next to your helm. You need me for anything else?”

“I can’t think of anything,” said Kaz.

“Good luck then,” Cisod said as he left.

“Man, that thing never ceases to impress. It’s like I see something new each time.” Drake stared at Kaz’s breastplate.

Kaz looked down at the symbols on his chest and then at the serpents etched into his arms and legs.

“Oh, Raker told me to give you his best.”

Kaz blinked. “Really? He said that.”

“Well, not exactly. You know Raker. You have to read between the lines, but I’m pretty sure he would give you his best if he knew how to.”

Kaz smiled. Since Raker had gotten his act together, the change in Drake had been remarkable. The boy no longer appeared weighed down by the stress. “And you, do I get your best?”

“I thought that went without saying, though I doubt you’ll need it.”

“You sound like you aren’t worried about the outcome.”

“Of course not. I can’t imagine anyone defeating you. Besides, you knocked out Crusher before and he’s nine feet tall. What’s another foot or two?” He paused, his demeanor turning serious. “Are you worried?”

Kaz shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m not afraid if that’s what you mean. Dealing with the politics and administrative duties of an army and a kingdom frighten me far more than fighting. Still, I haven’t seen Crusher since yesterday. That’s not like him.”

“I’m sure it will be fine.”

Kaz noticed Drake fidgeting. “You don’t have to stick around, if you don’t want to. I’ll be making my way over to the bridge soon enough.”

“Nah, I’m good.”

“Go.”

“You sure?”

“Yes, all your jumping around is making me dizzy.”

“Well, if you insist. I did want to get a great spot to see it all go down,” called out Drake as he sped from the tent and left Kaz to his thoughts.

Kaz walked over to his sword and strapped it around his waist. He picked up the helm and looked it over. The panther’s head seemed alive as its metal eyes stared back at him.

“Don’t do this,” said a deep voice.

Kaz faced the Ghal who walked toward him. At his side, Elyse wore a look of concern to match Crusher’s.

“Don’t tell me you’ve taken his side?” Kaz asked her.

“He doesn’t think you can win. I don’t want to lose you.”

Kaz heard the raw emotion in the queen’s voice. She met his eyes with an intense look that caused a lump to form in his throat. He swallowed as he looked away to set his helm down, using the moment to gather himself.

Kaz put on a face of stone and eyed Crusher. “I’m assuming you’ve given her reasons for your lack of faith in me.”

Crusher grunted. “It was the only way I could get her to listen to me. She’s grown about as stubborn as you.”

“So you told her, but not me?” He was surprised how much the slight had hurt him. Besides Jonrell and Hag, Crusher had been one of the first to accept him on equal terms. Here his friend not only doubted his ability to win, but also went behind his back to convince him to stand down.

The Ghal wouldn’t meet his gaze. “It ain’t like me to talk about my past. It was hard enough to tell her what I did.”

“You talk about your past all the time. The cities, the culture, the food, the battles. Half the time, I can’t get you to shut up.”

“Yeah, but how often do I talk about the people?”

Kaz nodded in understanding. “So, are you going to tell me now?”

Crusher looked at Elyse for help.

“He needs to know,” she said.

The giant blew out a deep breath. “The Ghal’s champion, the one you’re going to face, he’s my brother.”

I had no idea he had any siblings.

“And you don’t want me to hurt him?” asked Kaz.