Steel and Sorrow (49 page)

The gesture of peace also helped Kroke realize that he no longer harbored any ill feelings toward Kaz in regards to Elyse. He knew they shared something he could never hope to have with the queen.

He grunted.
And that doesn’t bother me any longer.

It wasn’t fair to compare her to my family anyway. I just wanted something I’ve never had. Now I gotta work on mending the rift I put between me and her.

His thoughts drifted back to Kaz.
At least I did something for him.

Kroke felt a tingle in the tips of fingers. He calmed himself, knowing he could not interfere with this fight even if he wanted to. Still, the sudden shouting from Kaz shook him. A raw pain filled the voice of the normally stone-faced commander. He sounded almost hysterical.

What’s going on?

Kroke would have to wait for his answers. The two warriors strapped on their helms. Kaz snatched up the long spear and charged with an uncharacteristic recklessness.

That’s about as stupid as something Glacar would have done.

The Ghal moved with surprising speed and evaded the spear with an upswing of his massive axe. Kaz pivoted and ducked under the giant’s sweeping counter. The consecutive strikes settled Kaz into a more methodical approach—prodding with the long spear, searching for an opening to slip the point through.

Unfortunately, the spear still looked about six feet too short as Grin’s long axe only extended the giant’s ridiculous reach. He easily turned away each stab and Kaz spent much of his time rolling and turning away from the giant’s counters.

Grin definitely isn’t a slouch.

With feet more nimble than anyone could have imagined, Grin stutter-stepped and deflected a quick thrust. The giant swept out a free hand and swatted at Kaz like a misbehaving child. The meaty hand of the Ghal sent him flying backward. The commander hit the bridge hard, but recovered quickly and rose to his feet. Rather than following through with his strike, Grin stood motionless, mocking.

“He could have had him there. Grin was always cocky.”

Kroke turned at the sound of the deep voice. Crusher and Elyse had moved up beside him, her royal guards just a step behind. The rest of the onlookers, including the Hell Patrol, had moved up and clumped together as well.

Kroke grunted, “It must run in the family.”

“It does,” said Crusher in a tone more serious than Kroke expected.

Kaz hurried over to the weapons he had left behind. He put the spear down, strapped on his shield and picked up Raker’s mace. He stood there for a moment with arms at his side, shoulders heaving. To some, it must have looked like the commander was already winded, but Kroke knew better.

He’s seething in anger. What could Grin have told him?

A guttural bellow sounded from the commander as he pointed the mace at the giant. Grin hadn’t moved the entire time. Repeating his reckless charge, Kaz raced toward his opponent. The giant shifted his stance and raised his axe. Kaz gave no indication he planned to turn away from the eventual path of the massive weapon.

“What is he doing?” said Crusher, sounding frantic. “Is he trying to die?”

Yeah, what
are
you doing?

Kaz flung his right arm forward and Raker’s mace sailed through the air spinning toward the giant. Grin’s axe crashed into Kaz’s raised shield just as the mace collided with the Ghal’s knee. Both opponents fell to the wooden bridge.

Elyse’s hand flew to her face. Kroke noticed the tears forming in her eyes, lips faintly moving in a silent prayer.

Grin held his knee in pain while trying to stand. He eyed Kaz warily as he too staggered to his feet.

Kaz glanced back at Grin while working the remains of his shield from his arm. The left arm of the commander hung uselessly from his side.

Crap.

“What’s wrong?” asked the queen.

“Shoulder looks like it came out of its socket,” said Kroke.

“I’m surprised he still has an arm at all after that blow,” said Raker from the back. “I can’t believe that big ox threw my mace like a stick,” he added, voice filled with wonder.

“Save the commentary for later,” said Hag.

Surprisingly Raker obeyed and everyone watched as Kaz stumbled back toward his spear, cocking his head back to watch the giant. Grin pulled himself to his feet, leaning heavily on his axe. Kroke’s eyes went to the giant’s twisted back leg.

“Looks like Kaz traded his arm for your brother’s leg,” said Krytien.

“I don’t know if that’s enough,” said Crusher.

“You make it sound like the man’s invincible,” said Krytien.

“Kaz isn’t holding back, and he ain’t dead yet. That’s got to count for something,” Kroke added.

The mage grunted.

Kaz reached the spear. His injured arm did nothing more than steady the long shaft while his right arm bore the weight and balance of the weapon. Grin worked his way over to his morning star and snatched it up. The giant looked far less confident, using his axe like a cane—head rammed into the wooden bridge, hand clasped over the end of the shaft. Grin started spinning the morning star with his free arm as Kaz slowly approached.

Kroke heard them shout at each other again. A lull in the roaring wind and crashing water allowed him to pick up a few words.

What is a Hesh? And why would that mean anything to Kaz?

Kroke swore he heard the giant laugh as the morning star whipped at Kaz. Kaz danced away from the strike and the momentum of the swing staggered Grin’s balance over his injured leg.

Kaz jabbed repeatedly with the spear, the volume of his voice rising with each stab. The giant struggled to avoid the darting movements.

“What’s got Kaz so angry?” asked Drake.

“My brother has that effect on people,” grunted Crusher.

Kaz lunged and the chain of Grin’s morning star wrapped around the spear’s shaft. The giant pulled his arm back, ripping the weapon free from Kaz’s grip. Rather than stepping back, Kaz drew his sword and jammed it through an opening in the giant’s leg guard. Grin immediately fell to his knees, letting go of both morning star and axe. He grabbed Kaz by the throat with one hand and ripped the sword free from the commander’s grip with the other, flinging it aside. Blood poured from the giant’s leg, but still his massive hands worked to squeeze the life out of Kaz, covering not only the commander’s throat, but his entire head.

Lifted off the ground, Kaz kicked at the giant but could not reach him. His arms came up to try and work themselves between Grin’s hold.

Crusher took a knee and bowed his head. “It’s over.”

“What? No,” Elyse choked. Kroke heard the anxiety in her voice. “This is ridiculous. I’ve had enough of this. Someone has to save him.” She looked around. “Krytien? Crusher? Kroke? Please, help him,” she said staring into Kroke’s eyes.

He shook his head. “This was the risk.”

Elyse wore a look of betrayal. “How can you be so cold?”

“No. He’s right,” said Krytien.

“Yes, this is
rihulask
. One dies so others can live and fight again,” said Crusher

“One Above, I’ve had enough of this! Guards . . . .” Elyse started.

“Look!” Kroke pointed.

Grin dropped to the ground and clutched at his wrist. Blood squirted into the air. Kaz fell and rolled. He held a dagger in his hand.

‘Bout time he used the thing
, though Kroke, relieved.

Kaz rushed in one last time and after a flurry of quick slashes and stabs, slammed Grin backward.

Better with a knife than I thought. He cut the tendons on the Ghal’s arms.

Kaz sat on top the giant, mere inches from his face, yelling once again. Kroke saw him work the dagger under the Ghal’s armor. Grin screamed.

“What’s he doing?” asked Elyse. Kroke heard the strain in her voice. It reminded him of her reaction in Markus’ dungeons.

“I’m pretty sure he has to kill him to win,” said Krytien.

“That sounds like more than just killing,” said Raker.

“You don’t have to kill your opponent to win,” said Crusher. “Death is an option, but if either combatant is unable to continue, the battle is considered over. By
rihulask
standards Kaz has won.”

Kroke heard the sorrow in the Ghal’s voice as Grin’s agony sent a shiver up the killer’s spine.

Regardless of their relationship, that’s still Crusher’s brother. What has gotten into you, Kaz?

Another scream echoed out over the span of the bridge and Kroke caught another look of horror on Elyse’s face. Kroke whipped around and pulled Drake by the collar in close. He whispered. “Is it alright to interfere now?”

“What do you mean?” asked Drake.

“Can I go out there or will it disqualify Kaz?”

“Like Crusher said. It’s over. The Ghals aren’t doing anything because it’s the right of the victor to do as he pleases,” he said with a hard swallow.

Kroke let the boy go and sprinted across the bridge. As he approached he heard the questions Kaz asked, but their meaning still meant nothing to him.

“Kaz! Stop! It’s over,” said Kroke, finding it almost ironic to be so worried over one man taking another’s life.

Under any other circumstance, no one, including me, would even care. But Grin is Crusher’s brother and Elyse knows it. Kaz has too much to lose to continue this.

Kaz wheeled around and through the panther’s mouth of his helm, Kroke saw a pair of crazed eyes. Kroke’s hands went to his daggers, worried what Kaz might do next. The commander blinked and Kroke saw recognition return to him.

He looked down at his blood soaked hand and Grin’s motionless frame. “I didn’t mean to go that far . . . I just wanted answers.”

Kroke frowned. He looked over his shoulder as the others made their way toward them. “And so will they,” he whispered.

The Ghals on the other side of the bridge had no desire to come near their former champion.

Kaz slowly stood, dizzy on his feet. “What will the others think? Crusher and Elyse . . .” his voice trailed off.

Kroke put out his hand, eyeing the dagger Kaz held.

Kaz extended his arm. Kroke snatched Jonrell’s old blade and immediately plummeted the knife into Grin’s throat. The giant’s body arched back and went still. Shouts of shock from Elyse and her guards erupted. Kroke looked up to Kaz. “They’ll think I’m the same cold, heartless killer I’ve always been and that I ended the life of a man you granted mercy to and had tried to save. I do the talking and you just nod.”

Kroke wheeled about and put on a crooked grin as he headed toward the group. He headed straight for Elyse, certain that convincing her would be easiest of all.

So much for mending our relationship.

Chapter 34

Conroy threw his glass across the room where it shattered against the stone wall.

“I’m sorry, my lord,” said Ventrin, head bowed. “Lord Markus feels awful for his error.”

“He feels awful?” said Conroy, his voice rising. He began pacing his study. “He should feel like an idiot. The queen was foolish enough to walk right into his home and he let her and his entire family slip through his fingers. This entire war could have ended all the sooner. Think of the lives that could have been saved.” He took a deep breath. “How far away is he?”

“Lord Markus should arrive within the week.”

“We’ll leave the moment he gets here, day or night. He needs to pass this way before we meet at the place of battle anyway and I want our forces together when we do so. See that word gets out.”

“Of course.”

“Go. I want to be with my thoughts,” said Conroy as he walked to a window.

“Yes, my lord.”

The door clicked shut.

Conroy gazed out over the courtyard and into the clear horizon where the Cataric Mountains loomed. A fortress stood out guarding the High Pass. Strange reports of activity in Thurum had come in recently, armies on the move.

More petty leaders squabbling over the same tracts of land. Let them kill each other down to the last man as long as they stay away from Cadonia.

Conroy went back to his table and opened the book he had been reading before Ventrin disturbed him. He flipped to a bookmarked page and compared it to the details in the letter received earlier that morning. He had heard rumors about the beastly armor that Kaz wore, but now he had a more detailed description after the commander’s battle with Grin.

He beat a Ghal in
rihulask
and I’ve lost their support because of it.

That thought alone caused his stomach to tighten. He would have thought it impossible if not for receiving the news from a trusted source. As startling as that news had been, the armor’s appearance troubled him most. He looked down at the faded image of General Victas of the ancient Quoron Empire.

One Above, they are almost identical.

He broke out in a cold sweat and for the first time doubt crept into his mind.

Victas never lost a battle in his life.

Chapter 35

Though they had spotted land days before, the captain didn’t express his wonder until the ships neared the docks of Asantia.

“All this time, there was a whole other world.”

Nareash nodded. “Many would say the same if they saw Hesh.”

“Good point.” The captain’s words hung in the air. The destruction near the docks distracted him. “What happened to this place?”

“Some natural disaster. Do we have enough room for all twenty-five ships?”

The captain eyed the harbor with a hand over his eyes. “It looks like we do.”

“Then lead the way.”

Nareash glanced back at the ships gliding along in their wake. He had to give the Blue Island Clan people credit. They had become masters of their craft at an alarming pace. The journey had been hard, but every ship made it safely, only two dozen men died from disease or drowning.

Nareash left the captain. He wanted to enjoy the moment of docking in Asantia alone.

* * *