Bete nodded, saluted, and turned back to her work.
“What was that about?” Jason asked as they walked alongside the wrecked railcars, the smoldering ruin of their own car still burning in places.
“That’s between me and Bete.” Kira could see the locomotive resting at an angle, both drive and leading wheels off the bent rails just beyond where a bomb set under the tracks had exploded to wreck the line. But even though Betsy had gone off the rails she was still upright, and appeared in fairly good shape. None of the dragon-killers had been aimed at the locomotive. “Gari! Are you all right?”
She sagged momentarily with relief when Gari stuck his head out of the cab. “Hey, Kira. Yeah, I’m fine. A little beat up and some big bruises, but nothing bad.”
“What about the Apprentices? Silene and Yuri?”
“Also beat up but fine. Silene looks to have a sprained wrist and Yuri a sprained ankle. I’m letting them sleep for a few hours. Maybe our mothers are right when they complain that Apprentices these days aren’t as tough as they used to be.”
“Oh, please,” Kira scoffed. “I don’t want to hear that junk about how great people were in the old days again. I’m amazed that you guys managed to keep everything upright when we derailed.”
Gari pointed back down the track. “Whoever set that charge in the track blew it too early, so we were able to slow down a lot before we derailed. They probably thought we’d be going faster. But Yuri was at the controls when it happened and he did everything he should’ve, which also helped. These Apprentices must actually be listening to me! I guess you’re responsible for all this?”
“I just got lectured about that, so not funny. I’m glad you and the Apprentices are all right. How’s Betsy?”
“Off the rails, which you’ve probably noticed, and took a few hits, but nothing that can’t be fixed.” Gari ran one hand over the side of the locomotive. “Betsy now has the distinction of having survived both you and your mother.”
“Maybe we’ll manage to destroy her next time. Has anybody told you that you get your sense of humor from your mother? Aunt Alli must be so proud.”
“She is,” Gari said. “Seriously, I’m glad you and Jason are all right. That’s probably why they didn’t try to hit Betsy after she left the rails. They seemed totally intent on killing you.”
“It happens.”
“It happens? That’s your reaction?”
“Gari, I can’t afford to freak out every time someone blows up a train to try to kill me,” Kira said, still feeling depressed and very tired as well.
He slid down out of the cab and looked closely at her. “How often has this kind of thing happened to you?”
“Too often,” Kira said.
“You hear about it and you think it sounds bad, but actually being in it is… well, it’s worse. Now I’m going to worry a lot more about you, Kira.” Gari looked at Jason. “I’m glad you’re sticking with her.”
Jason hefted the carbine in his hands. “Tell your mom thanks from me for teaching me how to shoot. It came in handy.”
“She’ll be happy to hear that. I don’t think I could handle this kind of thing too often. I’m not the hero type.”
Kira shook her head at Gari. “I’ve heard your father say the same thing a hundred times. But Mother says when things got tough, Uncle Calu could always be counted on to stick in there and do what was needed. Aunt Alli, too. At Edinton your father led the rear guard even after he got wounded so everyone could get clear safely. Did he ever tell you that? And you know your mother’s a dragon slayer, too, right? Also at Edinton. Both your parents were heroes in the war, and I bet you’d be one if you ever needed to be.”
Gari grinned. “Thanks, Kira. But I knew I’d be all right. The daughterness of the daughterness wouldn’t let anything happen to her honorary big brother.”
“Do not start that daughterness stuff on me,” Kira warned. She suddenly grabbed him in a tight hug. “I’m so glad you’re all right. I tried to get up here during the fight but… couldn’t.”
“I told you, I was fine. If you had come up here they would’ve attacked this spot and I’d have been in more danger!” Gari rubbed his neck as he looked down the track at the broken railcars. “The Tiae and Confederation Rail Company is not going to be happy about this.”
“Gari, our car was hit by I think five dragon-killers. If your mother looked at the remnants of the warheads could she tell if they’d been manufactured by her workshop or if they were knock-offs made somewhere else?”
“My mother could probably answer that by looking at a single metal splinter,” Gari said. “Five? I thought I heard that many hit but didn’t believe it. Those things are expensive.”
“Not expensive enough, apparently!”
Gari leaned closer to Kira and Jason, lowering his voice. “My mother’s working on new armor that she says should be able to stop a dragon-killer. It’s not ready yet, though, so don’t tell anyone.”
“She should tell my mother,” Kira said. “I have a feeling the daughter of Jules and Queen Sien will be eager customers for that armor.”
“I’ll pass that on,” Gari promised. “So what are you guys going to do?”
“That’s up to Colonel Anders,” Kira said. “He’s getting more transport arranged.”
“Are you going back to Tiae?”
“No. Jason and I have a job to do at Altis. We’re going to do it.”
* * *
The morning was half gone, Kira leaning against a derailed railcar chewing on a jerky ration, when the first Bakre Confederation troops arrived, a column of cavalry on tired horses who had clearly been pushed hard. The Confederation cavalry’s scarlet uniforms were dulled by the dust of the road, contrasting with the green of Tiae’s Lancers.
She and Jason straightened up as Colonel Anders and the major in command of the Confederation cavalry joined them. The major saluted Kira, his movements stiff with shame. “Lady, my apologies on behalf of the Bakre Confederation.”
Kira returned the salute and shook her head. “No apology is necessary. The Confederation can’t guard every lance of train track.”
“No. But we still bear responsibility for the safety of those in the Confederation. Do you know who carried out the attack?”
That was the sort of question usually directed at her mother, who was somehow expected to know everything. Kira shook her head once more. “I know Mechanics and Mages were involved. Most of the attackers seem to have been common mercenaries, though.”
The major studied the holes in the armor of what had been Kira and Jason’s railcar. “What did that?”
“Dragon-killers. We’ve collected some pieces of the warheads. If you get them to Master Mechanic Alli in Danalee she might be able to identify who made them.”
The major walked over to where several of the dead attackers were laid out. Crouching, he studied them closely. “From their clothing they look like they could have come from anywhere.” Spotting something, he reached down toward one of the bodies, pulling out a necklace with an ornamented disc on it. “I’ve seen something like this before.”
Colonel Anders, Kira, and Jason came closer, looking at the angular design punched into the face of the disc. “I haven’t seen that sort of thing,” Kira said.
“Ah,” the major said, nodding as he straightened up. “Of course you wouldn’t have. I remember now. That’s the sort of design they use in and around Ringhmon.”
“Ringhmon,” Jason said. “Haven’t I heard Lady Mari talking about that place?”
“Yeah,” Kira said. “She and Father have a long and unhappy history with that city. I’ve never been near there. It’s just the sort of place to hire out mercenaries, no questions asked.” Rogue Mechanics, Mages, and mercenaries out of Ringhmon. Remembering her mother’s current worries, Kira spoke to both Colonel Anders and the Confederation major. “There are very likely similar groups, maybe even those who attacked us here, heading south toward Pacta Servanda.”
&nbs
p; She saw the skeptical glances the other two officers exchanged. “There are a number of possible targets that could be speculated, but there’s no reason to believe more groups like this are in the field,” the major began.
“I’m speaking for my mother,” Kira said, drawing immediate reactions from the others. “The daughter of Jules is concerned about exactly that threat at this time. So is Queen Sien,” Kira added to Colonel Anders. “The Bakre Confederation should—" Kira paused, realizing that she’d been about to say something that could have been construed as an order to the Confederation. Her mother always avoided doing that sort of thing except in the worst crisis. Better to change the wording. “The Bakre Confederation might want to consider increasing security around the border and in coastal waters to try to find and stop such groups. Tiae needs to be told the details of this attack so it can take the defensive measures it feels appropriate.” There. That sounded like the sort of thing her mother would say.
Her status had suddenly shifted. Not Captain Kira. Not Lady Mechanic Kira. But the daughter of the daughter, speaking with the authority of her mother. For the first time, Kira felt that power, the thrill of it and the responsibility it held, as she waited for the two officers to respond.
The major gave Colonel Anders a startled look.
Anders nodded in reply to the unspoken question. “I was informed by Queen Sien personally that Lady Kira now has the power to speak for the daughter of Jules. Lady Kira has never before invoked such authority. She wouldn’t do it without good cause. Lady, can you tell us why those groups would be heading for Pacta Servanda?”
Kira thought, trying not to appear to be hesitating. But she couldn’t tell them the full truth, and she didn’t want to lie. “There is something of great value, and great danger, at Pacta Servanda. Queen Sien knows as much as I do about it. Jason’s and my mission is to learn information at Altis that could help neutralize the danger. That’s probably why we were attacked.”
“If that’s the word of the daughter, it’s good enough for me,” the major said.
Colonel Anders nodded in agreement.
As the two officers rushed off to contact their superiors by far-talker, Kira saw Jason staring at her. “What?”
“You just seemed different for a minute,” he said. “Like… a little like your mom.”
“Sometimes I have to be,” Kira said, looking again toward the wounded and dead Lancers.
Colonel Anders returned first. “I had to relay my message through the Tiae consulate in Debran. Lady… what exactly do I call you when you’re acting in your mother’s name?”
“I’ve always thought Kira was fine,” she said.
“All right. I’m sure you’re aware of this already. The border between Tiae and the Bakre Confederacy has few barriers beyond the Glenca River. Most of the fortifications that existed during the time of the broken kingdom and before have been dismantled. The border posts won’t be able to find or stop a body of determined mercenaries trying to reach Pacta Servanda.”
Kira nodded, looking south. “Yes. I know. Anyone trying to reach Pacta is probably going to be able to get there. That’s why it was important that my mother and Queen Sien be warned.”
“There’s something I don’t understand, though,” Anders continued. “If their priority is getting to what is at Pacta Servanda, why did they devote such resources to trying to kill you and Jason of Urth instead of conserving their strength for that fight?”
“I think—" Jason began.
“Jason, don’t,” Kira said.
“But he might be alive!”
She shook her head at Colonel Anders. “Jason is concerned that… a powerful former enemy of mine is still alive even though we were told he died. I think it’s more likely that those seeking what’s under Pacta are concerned that we’ll learn how to neutralize it before they can make use of it.”
“That’s possible,” Anders agreed.
The sun had just passed noon when more Confederation soldiers arrived, accompanied by an armored, fully enclosed coach drawn by a team of eight large draft horses. Kira stared at the coach, wondering why she was feeling a sudden surge of panic at the idea of riding in it. Her breathing sped up, and looking down she saw that her hands were trembling.
Colonel Anders approached once more. “Your ride, Lady.”
The panicky sensation redoubled. Kira, baffled by the severity of her reaction, tried to talk but couldn’t.
Jason spoke up beside her. “Colonel, can I make a suggestion?”
“Of course,” Anders said.
“That coach is what on Earth we’d call a threat magnet. That is, it’s something that’ll attract danger. If anyone else is planning to attack us, they’ll assume that Kira and I are in that coach and that’s what they’ll hit. If they have any more of those RPGs, I mean, uh, dragon-killers, that coach won’t protect us.”
Anders nodded. “What’s your point?”
“That it’d actually be a lot safer if Kira and I were in the ranks with the Lancers, wearing the uniforms and helms and all, because the attack wouldn’t be aimed at them.”
The colonel frowned in surprise, glancing toward Bete. “Sergeant? What do you think of that?”
“I think Jason of Urth has a very good idea, sir,” Bete said.
“All right. We’ll do that. The coach will serve as a decoy. Get these two into uniforms.”
“Yes, sir.” Sergeant Bete went off to get the uniforms while Anders headed away to carry out more preparations for the ride north.
“Thank you,” Kira whispered to Jason, her inexplicable panic subsiding as fast as it had bloomed. “I don’t know what happened to me. Sometimes my reactions seem to go to extremes.”
“I could tell you were having trouble,” Jason said. “This is something new, isn’t it?”
“I think I first noticed it at Pacta, after I told you guys about my vision of that thing going off.”
“But during the attack you didn’t freeze or panic.”
“No. It’s weird. Why would I be able to deal with people shooting at me but freeze in panic at the idea of being inside an armored coach?” Kira glared at the coach as if it were to blame. “This fear of confinement is getting out of hand. I’m going to deal with it.”
* * *
If they’d been riding into Debran, they probably would have made it easily before nightfall. But the Confederation’s local authorities, worried about danger to the daughter of the daughter and perhaps also about danger to the city itself, instead routed the cavalry column around the outskirts of Debran and into the countryside to the north. By the time they stopped, full night had fallen some time ago, and horses and humans were all thoroughly worn out.
Kira dismounted painfully, feeling the ache in her thighs and butt from the long ride. Once on the ground she staggered, wincing as she led her mount to where the horses were being unsaddled and groomed. Once there, she insisted on dealing with her mount just as the other Lancers were.
Jason, working beside her on the horse he’d ridden, couldn’t help an occasional groan of pain as he moved. Knowing he wasn’t as used to long rides as she was, Kira could only imagine how much he hurt.
The Confederation had rushed a field kitchen to the site, which took on the aspect of a sudden military camp with sentries on all sides. Between the surviving Lancers and the Confederation troops, Kira guessed that more than five hundred soldiers were now gathered about her and Jason.
She and Jason were sitting side by side wolfing down blessedly warm food when Colonel Anders and an unfamiliar Confederation officer approached. Kira almost fell as she hastened to her feet to meet them, wishing that whatever this was could have waited for morning.
“Lady Mechanic Kira, this is Colonel Rus of the Bakre Confederation,” Anders introduced the new officer.
“It’s an honor to meet the daughter of the daughter,” Rus said. “My father fought at Dorcastle.”
“Then it’s my honor to meet you,” Kira said. “Please
send my mother’s respects to your father.”
“I would,” Colonel Rus said, “but he died two years ago. The daughter of Jules sent a personal note of condolence which my family treasures. Lady, we’ve received some important news regarding the threat to you. At least one lightning Mage is involved. We had a plan to meet another train northwest of Debran and transfer you to that, but the rail line to Gullhaven would offer a predictable route for another ambush, especially through the mountainous areas south of the city. Even going that way by horse would run through a lot of locations that would be easy sites for more attacks. We think it’d be wiser to head for Larharbor, and meet there the Confederation warship that will take you to Altis. Even if we stay on the roads, there are many alternate routes we can take to Larharbor.”
It was up to her. Lady Mechanic Kira or Captain Kira could be told to go to Larharbor instead, but not the daughter of the daughter.
Mage Nika might be there already. Or not. Mages sometimes wandered a lot if they didn’t have a pressing reason to be somewhere quickly. But even if Nika was in Larharbor, Kira’s parents had both been certain that Nika would no longer pose a threat to Kira. For the moment, at least, Mage Nika shouldn’t be an issue.
Kira looked north, trying to remember the route toward Gullhaven. As she did so, she heard some of the horses blowing as they exchanged greetings. The horses, the cavalry. They could fight through another ambush. At a cost in lives both human and animal.
The thought of that cost decided Kira. “If in your judgment going to Larharbor offers a safer route, I agree we should head for that city instead of Gullhaven.”
“Thank you, Lady,” Colonel Rus said.
Anders glanced toward the armored coach. “There’s another issue. I’m not a Mechanic. Could you tell me, what would happen if lightning struck that coach?”
Kira traced with her hand the movements she described. “The armor on the outside would catch the lightning bolt and conduct it through the metal wheels into the ground. Right, Jason?”