Steel and Sorrow (50 page)

His face soured when he saw that only Guwan and Colan welcomed him. If word had reached them about the strange fleet arriving in the harbor, it should have reached others just as easily.

Ignoring formalities, Nareash asked. “Where’s Hezen?”

Colan cleared his throat. “One of the tribal leaders is trying to throw his weight around and undermine the current authority. Hezen didn’t feel comfortable leaving the palace while the man continued to politick with other leaders. He hoped you would understand.”

Nareash turned to Guwan. “Why did you let this happen?”

Guwan scowled. “I wanted to kill him, but Hezen said he wanted to take care of it himself. He was meeting with the main instigators when we left.”

“I still would have killed him. But good for Hezen,” said Nareash.

Kifzo had begun to form ranks on the dock, fully armed and wearing a look of disgust for everything around them. As their gaze settled on Nareash, their loathing only deepened. He turned back to Guwan. “They have been ordered to listen to no one but you or me. They know many of the basic commands in Thurum’s common tongue for now. I’ll make sure they become more adept at the language when we’re on the march. Are you ready to lead them?”

Guwan stood straighter and nodded.

“Good. Then let’s get moving.”

Nareash walked past Guwan and Colan without waiting for them to respond.

Within minutes they entered the city. The pounding steps of soldiers followed at his heels. Citizens and local soldiers stopped to stare at the passing army making their way through the narrow streets.

Nareash thought that the people of Asantia would be accustomed to soldiers traversing their streets with tens of thousands camped outside their gates. Yet, he forgot just how unique the Kifzo warriors appeared. The black warriors stood out as much from their clean lines and armor as they did from the color of their skin.

Nareash leaned over to Guwan. “What are our most recent numbers?”

“Two hundred forty-five thousand as of yesterday. Others came in this morning with more still on their way.”

Nareash smiled in satisfaction.

Guwan led them quickly through the city and to the palace. He settled the Kifzo in Hezen’s personal barracks. The general selected a half dozen Kifzo immediately to act as his next ranking officers. They joined Nareash, Colan, Guwan, around a large map of Thurum and Cadonia. Hezen met them shortly afterward. The map focused on the land around the Cataric Mountains, the mountain range itself, and the High Pass.

Hezen first explained that the issue with the disgruntled tribal leader had been handled. He then explained the route he had plotted to move their massive force and how he planned to supply such numbers.

Nareash pointed to a spot suggested by Hezen for the army to make camp. It bordered a lake. Yet, the rest of land seemed barren. “How plentiful are the trees in this area? We’ll need them for siege equipment.”

“Not good,” said Hezen. “We’ll need to bring logs with us. Guwan and I sent a group of men ahead to begin clearing trees. We’ll meet them along the road and pick up their work along the way.” He sighed. “Too bad you couldn’t just transport the army by sea and skip the High Pass.”

Nareash shook his head. “We don’t have enough ships.”

Hezen shrugged.

Nareash looked at the map. “You’ve done well. Tell me about Cadonia.”

Hezen grunted. “It looks as though you’ll be conquering a land already ravaged by war. The good news is that the casualties have been high and it’s likely the High Pass will be undermanned by the time we arrive.”

“So Elyse has not lost the throne yet?”

“No. K—”

Nareash cleared his throat as Hezen started to utter Kaz’s name. “Her commander,” he said. If this Kaz was indeed Tobin’s brother, he would deal with him at the appropriate time. Until then, he didn’t want rumors to spread that the Kifzo’s former warleader lived.

Hezen gave a confused look, but continued. “Yes. Her Commander is as skilled a strategist as he is a fighter. No one has been able to defeat him yet.”

Hezen described the queen’s forces and the strategies employed by Kaz. He also commented on the numbers of Conroy’s men. None were of substantial size, yet Cadonia didn’t need to have two hundred thousand men to meet Nareash’s army. The High Pass could be held with far fewer if led by a competent man.

Nareash adjourned the meeting. They still had much to do before leaving in two days.

Guwan followed at Nareash’s heels. “We need to talk.”

“I thought you’d want to start integrating your men.”

“This won’t take but a moment.”

They stopped, alone in the hallway. “Yes?”

“It is Kaz, isn’t it?”

“What do you mean?” asked Nareash, trying to feign indifference.

“I saw you wave off Hezen from saying his name. You think he’s alive, don’t you?”

“The similarities are remarkable. Do you think it’s him?”

Guwan nodded. “I know it is.”

Chapter 36

The wagon bounced along at a brisk pace and each bump jarred Drake from his attempts at sleep. The army was on the move once again, making their final push toward Conroy and Markus.

Grayer and Elyse said the duke’s intelligence could rival only his patience. Drake understood the truth in that. Conroy had allowed others to take the most risks and do all of the work up to this point.

It feels like we’re marching into a lion’s den.

Drake rubbed his eyes and sat up. There would be no chance at a nap with such thoughts on his mind. He eyed Raker who examined rope for the siege equipment.

It’s good to have him back. A few weeks ago, he’d have a bottle in each hand.

Drake swallowed as he eyed his friend’s stump.

“Quit staring, kid. I already know it’s not there,” said Raker, looking up.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it.”

“Yeah, I know. It’s just driving me crazy. Thing won’t stop itching.”

“Maybe Wiqua can help?”

“Nah, just gotta stay busy with something to keep my mind off it. That’s why this is the third time I’ve checked over this same rope.”

“We’ve got time to kill. We could do something else.”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know. Talk.”

Raker shrugged and put the rope down. He leaned back. “Alright, kid. Talk.”

“About?”

“You’re the one who brought it up. Something’s gotta be bugging you.”

Drake didn’t want to talk about Conroy. They had covered him enough.

Just like we argued enough about whether Kaz should have allowed Bronn’s remaining forces to disband after the
rihulask
and return to their lands so easily.

Drake had supported Kaz’s decision to allow the soldiers to go home after disarming them. Though they could have used the numbers, too many would wonder whether they could trust them in a battle with Conroy.

A thought struck him. “We never talked about what happened during the
rihulask
?”

“There ain’t much to talk about. We both watched the thing happen. Great fight and Kaz won.”

“Well, I meant more about what happened after the fight. What Kroke did.”

“What about it? You were next to me when Kroke came back and told us what happened. Kaz had been trying to save Grin’s life for whatever reason, but couldn’t get his armor off and ended up making things worse. Kroke saw the Ghal nearing death and put him out of his misery. What else is there to say?”

“Lots. I’ve heard some people talk about how shocked they were when they learned about the brutality of it.”

“Like who?”

“Not any of the Hell Patrol,” said Drake, lying about his own discomfort. “I heard a couple of Elyse’s royal guards talking about it. I can understand what they’re saying. I mean, Kroke just stabbed him right in the throat in front of everyone, including Crusher and Elyse.”

“Death ain’t ever pretty. You know that. And few know the nuances of it better than Kroke. It may have looked ugly, but he put an end to the Ghal’s suffering rather than drag it out as Kaz had been doing.”

“But Wiqua was right there with us. He could have done something to heal him.”

“Maybe. But the old man said he lost more blood than I did when I got this,” said Raker raising his stump. “And I barely made it. Wiqua might have just prolonged the inevitable too.”

“We don’t know that.”

“No, we don’t. But it’s in the past and although Kroke can be a killer with ice in his veins, there ain’t many men better than him. He rarely loses his head and he’s more loyal than an old dog. Crusher is upset because it was his brother, even though a few minutes before he would have killed the man himself. And Elyse is upset because she doesn’t understand this sort of thing like we do. But me, I trust Kroke’s decision completely and if anyone has a problem with it, they can come see me about it,” said Raker, tapping the hilt of his mace next to him.

“One arm is going to make it difficult to use that thing,” said Drake.

“Nonsense. It just means I have to hit everyone twice now.” Raker’s mouth widened into a yellowed grin.

* * *

“You wanted to see me, Boss?”

Kaz turned in the saddle as Kroke came in next to him. He had wanted to see the man, but once alone, Kaz found himself struggling with what to say. He hadn’t spoken to the assassin once since the
rihulask
, yet those moments had occupied nearly all of his free thoughts.

“Yes,” said Kaz finally.

“This about the business at the bridge?”

“Yes.”

Kroke grunted. “I figured you wouldn’t be able to just leave it alone.” Kroke flipped the blade in his hand one last time and slipped it into his sheathe. He looked Kaz in the eye. “I’m ready.”

“I wanted to explain my actions.”

“You don’t have to.”

“I feel like I need to.”

“Alright.”

“I don’t like to talk about my memory with anyone except perhaps Hag or Wiqua, but it has started to come back more substantially. It’s still far from complete though.” He paused. “One of the things that bothered me above all else since I woke up on Slum Isle is that I have no idea what family I may have abandoned. On the bridge when I faced Grin, an image sprang into my mind and lingered. I realized I was looking at someone I think was my brother. I felt an intense emotion toward him, almost like he needs me and I need him. Only I don’t know how to return home or even where home is.”

Kaz turned away to stare at the road. “Grin used a word I hadn’t heard since I lost my memory. He called me a Heshan and referenced a lost continent of Hesh. I begged him to tell me more. How did he, of all people, know about the place? Where could I find out more? But he was tight-lipped and taunted me with the knowledge. That’s when I lost it. I’m sure you saw how I fought him. The rage I felt was . . . immense.”

Kaz paused after finding the best word to describe what he felt, knowing it didn’t do his anger justice. He had felt like a completely different person fighting Grin, one built completely on hate.

“So, when you got Grin on the ground, you set to work trying to get the information you needed,” said Kroke.

Kaz hung his head. “Yes. I couldn’t help myself. All I could think about was that he was keeping the truth from me.”

Kroke grunted. “I’d have done the same thing in that situation. I think most of the crew would have also.”

“Would Jonrell have done that?”

Kroke chuckled. “Jonrell did do that.”

Kaz’s eyes widened.

“Are you really surprised?” asked Kroke.

“A little,” admitted Kaz.

“Don’t be. Jonrell was a great man, maybe the best man I ever knew and he held a high set of morals. But, he would do whatever it took to make sure we were cared for. If he needed information that would save our lives, he got it, by any means necessary.”

“But I tortured for selfish reasons. If I had the same mindset that Jonrell had, I wouldn’t have done that, especially to Crusher’s brother.”

Kroke shrugged. “We can’t all be Jonrell. Honestly though, it still wouldn’t matter to the rest of the crew.”

“Then why did you kill Grin and spread the lies about what I was doing?”

“Because I’ve made my own share of mistakes and I could tell you instantly regretted what you did. I saw the look on your face when you realized that Crusher and Elyse would learn what happened. But I don’t care if they hate me.”

“Why would you take the blame though? You always had issues with me.”

“True. But I realized that part of why I didn’t like you was because we’re a lot alike. In many ways we’re both outsiders trying to fit into a world where we don’t belong. The only place I’ve ever felt at home is with this group of people. I didn’t want you to ruin that for yourself by damaging the relationships with your friends. No one needs to know the truth except me and you.”

Kaz shook his head. “I have to tell them, even if Crusher turns his back on me and Elyse never speaks to me again.”

Kroke sighed. “I recommend you don’t. Elyse is a good woman. Don’t lose her.” He flipped out a knife. “Still, the decision is yours.”

* * *

Elyse rode at the back of the army. She had been neglecting Olasi’s family for some time and felt an obligation to ease their fears about the uncertainty of the upcoming battle.

Lobella still shadowed Elyse, but it seemed that her friend had grown more introverted since their capture, regressing back to the shy servant of years ago. Elyse had tried to pry Lobella into talking, but their conversations held little weight. In the end, Elyse decided that Lobella would probably not open up again until she was safely behind the walls of Lyrosene.

Though I rarely got any sleep there, it will be good to lie down in my own bed. A soldier’s life is definitely not for me.

She managed to hide her weariness as she listened to Arine drone on about nothing in particular. Elyse decided that they would have to part ways after lunch. She needed a break from the ridiculousness of their conversation.

“It’s still bothering you, isn’t it, Your Majesty?” asked Arine.

The question caught Elyse off guard as she had been paying little attention to the woman. “I’m sorry, what’s still bothering me?”