Visor asked, “Really?”
Athian asked, “You trust him?”
“Not really, but he’s earned his keep. We’re close enough to Xandria to get there before Talon catches us, even if he does warn Talon.” Visor turned to Cespenar. “You know what? You’re free now.” He untied Cespenar. “We need to know now what you’re going to do. It doesn’t help us to send you with Burke if we can’t trust you. You’re free to go.”
Cespenar said, “I’d do this for you.”
“Why?”
“You’re nicer than Talon. Your siren is nicer than his. She went banshee, you know. She’s not a prisoner—anymore, anyway.”
Athian asked, “Went banshee?”
Rapture said, “It usually means she’s attacked someone sonically. It’s not something we want to be called.”
Cespenar said, “She did. Have you ever heard a banshee wail?”
Visor said, “I’ve been screamed at by sirens on occasion. What kind of pay are you looking for?”
Cespenar said, “Just letting me go.”
“That would be fine with me—your freedom for scouting services. But I still don’t know that I can wait on you. How long would we wait if you don’t come right back?” He stepped back, giving Cespenar the opportunity to fly away. “Would you be willing to wait for the cat? Could you fly slowly enough so that he can see you? That way we can confirm that you have or haven’t made contact—even come get you if you get hurt, possibly.”
“If you’re going to send the cat, I might as well save my energy and ride. Flying isn’t as easy as you think. I’m not a bird. Err, Godiva, do you have control of him?”
Rapture said, “I think I can get him to follow the sound and show me what’s there.”
Visor untied Cespenar. “I think Cespenar’s wondering if he would be safe.”
“Would he eat me?”
“Oh.” Rapture laughed. “Sorry. Yeah, he won’t eat you.”
Visor said, “We’re going to continue toward Xandria. Then depending on what you find, that might change.”
“Gotcha.” Cespenar saluted and mounted Burke. His little body bounced up and down with the snow leopard's bounding stride. “Wohooo!”
Chapter 21
Naiad Rangers
Rapture shut her eyes and scrunched up her face. She looked so cute. “All I see are vardal. They’re moving toward us. They're mounted—well, a couple of them. They have wolves. The images are weird ... distorted.” Rapture’s hair flowed in the cold breeze off Keening Lake, wafting her scent.
Visor breathed in deeply. “It’s your siren brain interpreting cat vision. It’s going to be weird. Anyway, maybe they’re trackers. Are they after us?”
“I don't think so. They are chasing someone, though. They have a captive—a woman. They have her mounted, and covered with a cloak. She’s small.” She tensed up. “Blond hair—golden blond, or at least that’s the way he sees it. He thinks my hair is gray.”
“He has a different range of color vision. Blond probably is blond, though.”
“She wears insignia. Oh, no!”
“What is it?”
“She’s a Xandrian. They're hunting the Naiad Rangers.”
Athian asked, “The military sirens?”
“Yeah.” Visor touched Rapture’s hair. “Rap, do you know where they are?”
“They're heading west, toward Keening Lake. Trees are to the left. It may be a forest. I don’t know. I can’t see very well.”
Visor said, “Once they get to the Lake, they have an escape. How far ahead are the Naiads?”
“I don’t know. Cespenar said a few minutes ago he was going ahead to find them, so at least that far.”
“You mean flying?”
“Yes.”
“And the horses are staying with the infantry? Do you know if they have any scouts?”
“It seems like they’re all together.”
Athian asked, “Should we go meet the Naiads half way? Or we could send Sorana on the horse to slow the vardal down.”
Visor said, “No, that would leave Rap immobile. We’ll wait where our paths would cross. Let’s find a defensible position and assume that the Naiads can get to us unless we find out otherwise. I think Cespenar will let us know.”
***************
Burke plodded around a bend at the base of a sandy slope, carrying Cespenar on his back. A troop of women soon followed, armed with bows, spears, leather armor and an aura of grace. In total, there were three Godivas, two Xandrians, a minor strain, and four Marigolds.
Cespenar waved the sirens onward as they climbed up the slope to Visor’s location. They moved cautiously until Rapture revealed herself.
Visor asked, “Who is your officer?”
A Xandrian said, “Captured. We split up, somewhere south of Skarholt, so that some of us might escape.”
Rapture and the other Xandrian stepped close and smelled each other’s hair. Rapture asked, “Crysalus? Is this all of the Naiads?”
Crysalus nodded. “We started with more. Oh Natalia, they killed Sylvanis—an ogre did. We've been on the run ever since. So many have been captured.”
Visor asked, “How far are they behind you? Any ogres?”
Two Godivas looked at each other. One said, “Minutes?”
The other said, “No ogres.”
Cespenar said, “Maybe a mile, or two.”
“Pixie, you’re with Sorana. Keep her camouflaged as well as you can until she attacks.” Visor turned to the sirens. “Naiads, take position and prepare for incoming.”
The sirens stared at him.
“All right, this will be a feint and skirmish strategy. We break into three groups in dispersed, defensible positions—here, and over here, and on that side.” Visor gestured to some rock formations. “You shoot as other the other positions are attacked. If you are attacked, you run. We have an advantage in extended skirmish with all the healers. We can afford friendly fire, so keep shooting even as the enemies close on the other groups.”
The Naiads looked at each other uneasily.
Visor said, “The main thing is to stay controlled and keep your head. Your job is distraction. You want them to chase you. Sorana is positioned below and will do most of the killing.” Visor signaled Sorana.
She waved back at the group.
“She wears modified vardal armor, but she’s easily distinguishable by her cloak and weaponry. Okay ... who's your best hand-to-hand fighter?”
A couple of Godivas pointed at a Marigold.
She stepped forward. “Tillie, short for Matilda.”
Visor assigned groups. “You two, and you—you are with Athian. You are with Rap and me. The rest of you are with Tillie. Each group has one melee fighter. The rest make sure you are further from the vardal than your melee.”
A Xandrian handed Athian a rapier. Athian held the sword awkwardly and looked at it sideways. “Visor, do you realize I don't actually know how to use this.”
“I know, but it doesn't matter. They shouldn’t even make it up the slope. We have archers, and they have to climb a sandy slope, pinned in from both sides. The point is, if they come after you, just run. Try to lead them past Sorana.”
The Fist of Mercy and Naiads took positions.
A squad of Vardal rounded the bend. A male and a female vardal infantry each held the reigns of a pair of wolves. The wolves became agitated at the site of their prey. One howled.
Two cavalry followed, one in a red cloak and the other with a banner.
A blindfolded Xandrian rode a third horse. Her hands were behind her back.
Several infantry trailed the cavalry.
The Naiad rangers took defensive positions and notched their bows.
Red Cloak surveyed the scene and shouted an order.
The infantry and the female wolf trainer charged up the slope.
The Naia
d rangers fired. Some rocks and brush were worse for the volley, but no vardal were hit. The Naiads fired again, striking one vardal in the shoulder plate.
Some of the vardal equipped range weapons and returned fire. One shot Athian in the gut with a crossbow bolt and another caught a Marigold’s calves with a bolas. The vardal were purposely aiming low at the sirens.
A Godiva healed Athian.
Sorana had yet to reveal herself.
The wolf trainer was near her position.
Visor took the bow from the Marigold in his group.
She only had two arrows left.
The bannerman, wielding a net and trident, started up the most gradual portion of the slope.
The infantry crested the slope.
Athian’s group ran.
So did Tillie’s group, prematurely.
Two infantry closed on Visor’s group.
Visor shot the more lightly armored one in the chest, and he fell.
The Marigold stood beside Visor and readied her spear.
Visor’s last shot his last arrow. It broke on a melodic plate of the other Vardal’s armor.
The vardal knocked the Marigold’s spear aside with an offhand short sword and swung his flail at Visor.
Visor ducked and jabbed with the bow.
Burke pounced on the vardal’s off hand, knocking him to the ground. Burke dug in his claws and searched for vardal’s neck with his gaping jaw.
Visor grabbed the vardal’s flail.
Cespenar landed on Visor’s shoulder. “Sorana is froze. She won’t fight.”
Tillie’s group had been overwhelmed. Most scattered, pursued by wolves and vardal.
A vardal straddled a prone Godiva, binding her wrists.
Another vardal delivered subduing blows to a pinned, supine Xandrian.
The Naiads were so overmatched that the vardal didn’t even resort to lethal force.
Being careful to avoid Burke, Visor butted the vardal in the gut with the flail’s handle. He found Rapture behind them, concealed between a bush and boulder. She kneeled with her eyes closed, communicating with Burke. “Rap, I’m going for Sorana.”
The Marigold stabbed the vardal in the leg.
“Just watch her!” Visor made his way down to Sorana.
Sorana cowered and protected her neck as a wolf growled and snipped at her.
Cespenar flashed a flickering red and orange light in the wolf’s eyes.
The wolf recoiled from the fire image.
Visor slammed the wolf’s flank with the flail.
The wolf recovered and attacked. It was too agile for Visor, and bit into Visor calf.
Burke tackled the wolf. It let go of Visor’s leg.
The two animals rolled away, a tangle of fur and growls.
“Sorana!” Visor shook her. “We need you!” He smacked the side of her helmet. “Velsignet!” A wave of confusion rolled over him, followed by deja-vu. Not now!
There was a sound behind him. Red Cloak was charging, holding a trident tucked under his arm.
Visor flung Sorana out of the horse’s path. He had time to dodge the trident, but the horse crashed into him. Visor was falling, or flying, unable to breathe, when everything faded to black.
Chapter 22
Armaan
Visor opened his eyes. Everything was blurry. Only one eye worked. A Godiva and a Xandrian hovered over him. “Rap?”
The Godiva held his hand. “I'm here, Don. Drink this.”
He took a sip. “What happened?” He could now see a blur with the second eye.
“We have the field, and four prisoners.” That was Crysalus’ voice. “We are still healing the wounded and collecting gear.” Crysalus laid her hands on Visor.
Visor felt the sirenic healing flow into him. He sat up, still feeling light-headed.
The two sirens supported him. He breathed deeply as his vision cleared. He looked around.
Four vardal were lined up on their knees.
Two sirens stood behind them, weapons at the ready.
A Xandrian rode onto the battlefield, mounted on one horse and guiding another. She pulled it up beside two other horses. “That’s all of them.”
Visor asked. “How long was I out?”
Rapture said, “A few minutes.”
Visor felt better now. He stood up. “That was weird. I had a weird dream before I woke up.”
“You died,” said Crysalus. “At least your heart stopped beating. You weren’t breathing.”
“What?” He tried to refocus on Crysalus. “Then how did you bring me back?”
“He revived you.” Crysalus pointed to one of the vardal prisoners. “He's a vampire. We allowed him to bring back one of his companions in exchange for resuscitating you. The other bodies were too damaged.”
Rapture said, “We also promised to let him go.”
Visor made his way to the vampire. “I'm Visor Mourning. I understand you have earned your freedom.”
The vardal spoke in common. “Armaan. Yes, I was promised freedom.”
Visor nodded. “Be gone, then. We will retain all mounts and gear, though.”
Armaan said, “I would like to negotiate. My freedom for hers.” Armaan gestured toward the only female vardal prisoner.
Visor asked, “Is she royalty?”
“No.”
“Fine—she’s free.”
The woman moved to Armaan. Their faces were close.
He spoke softly in vardal. “Get a message to the queen. Tell her what happened here this day. The SaSade Mirror has been found. I chose to stay to be in proximity to the Mirror. My dear Josephine, find your way home.” He held her hands and stroked them.
She gave a faint smile.
Visor asked, “Where's Sorana.”
“That's another problem.” Crysalus led Visor to a rock outcropping.
Past the outcropping, Sorana cowered in a corner between two rocks and under a bush. There was a lot of blood on her. She did not seem to recognize him.
He slowly moved toward her, holding his empty hands out.
Sorana violently slapped his hand away, scooted further into the nook, gasping for breath. She looked past him—through him.
Visor smelled Rapture move up behind him. “Can you do anything for her?”
Rapture said, “Probably not. I can try.”
Visor said, “No, I have another idea.” He motioned for the sirens to back away. “Just stay at a distance for now. Don't make her feel cornered. I'll be back.”
Visor returned to Armaan. He spoke in vardal. “Josephine, don't leave just yet!”
Armaan raised his eyebrows.
Visor said, “Josephine may want some protection. Either of your other men, but not you, can go with her.”
Armaan asked, “In exchange for?”
Visor said, “Everything you know about SaSade Mirror.”
After a few moments, Armaan pointed at one of the male vardal. “Him.”
Crysalus walked up behind Visor. “That's the one he resuscitated.”
“That's fine.” Visor studied Armaan. “And you were not wounded in the melee? I didn't think vampires could be healed by sirens.”
Crysalus said, “They can't be. Sorana did not attack him.”
Armaan said, “As I did not attack her.”
“Why not?” Visor noticed Armaan was still armed. “I’ll need your weapons.”
Armaan smoothly pulled aside his robe, exposing his sword. He pulled the blade out of the sheaf and handed it to Visor, handle first.
“Crysalus, should a similar situation ever come up, would you please disarm the prisoners?” Visor took the blade and studied it. It was melodic metal, very well balanced and maintained. The handle was encrusted with gems. The blade was covered with intricate etchings of scenery and faces. He recognized one of the symbols as the crest of Zanatos
. “A gift? Or inherited?”
Armaan said, “That is not related to SaSade Mirror.”
They could get further details out of him at a later time. “The scabbard as well. Tell me about SaSade Mirror.”
Armaan unbuckled the scabbard and gave it to Visor. “Queen Europhette has offered a reward for information on and location of the SaSade mirror. That is the name Her Majesty states, and I do not know if there is a further meaning to the name. Her majesty described the Mirror as a female half-human.” He shrugged toward Sorana's location. “Your Sorana is the only half-human I have ever seen.”
“What does Europhette want with Sorana?”
Armaan said, “Her Majesty has not chosen to make that information public.”
Visor tried to look calm. “Do you know Europhette personally?”
“I have met her on occasion. She does not make public appearances. She does not show her face.”
“Why?”
“I don't know. And I don't know if it is odd behavior for the station. She has been queen since before I was born. That is all I know in relation to SaSade Mirror.”
“That wasn't very helpful.”
“So they will be on their way?” Armaan indicated the freed vardal.
Visor studied the vardal. They were all commoners. “I need you to order them not to pursue us, at least for a week.”
Armaan spoke in vardal. “Do not pursue us. Go back to first legion camp. Join the next caravan back to Belle Font.” Armaan switched back to human. “I have another guard. He is of little value to you.”
Visor said, “But of some value to you.” And, of course, monitoring one prisoner would be easier than monitoring two.
Armaan said, “One future question.”
Visor said, “Two—and your promise not to escape, or turn on us.”
“No escape as long as I am in your personal custody.”
“Or in the custody of my companions.”
“Agreed”
“Or sirens.”
“Of course.”
Visor nodded. “Done. Your guards will leave all weapons.”
Armaan spoke in vardal. “Do as he says. Leave.”
Chapter 23
Fracture
Sorana snapped out of her delusion.
The Fist of Mercy traveled for the remainder of the day and made camp on the beach of Keening Lake.
Visor worked on a stallion’s tail, separating and inspecting individual hairs.
Rapture asked, “Should I be jealous?”
“I’m collecting hairs to braid a fishing line. Something from the sea might be nice.”