Read Out of Mischief: World of Change Book 1 Page 7

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  In the dim, early dawn, Raif didn’t look much better than he had in the flickering light of torches and burning houses. His hair was shaggy, his moustache too long, dragging into the corners of his mouth. His fingernails were filthy, and as he lay on his back, the foul sound and smell of his snoring denied her the chance to get back to sleep. Finally, he opened his eyes. He seemed to come instantly awake.

  He stretched and yawned, showing yellowed teeth. “Another day of the ongoing struggle for the freedom of the common man.”

  She glanced at him, suspicious of the irony in his tone. He jumped from the cot, fully clothed, and looked down at her.

  “I was doing some thinking. I want to show you a trick I learned from some actors who visited while I was at school.” He reached down, enclosed her neck with his huge, grimy hand. “When I grab your throat, like this, you grab my wrist with both hands. Yes. Like that. Now if you throw yourself around, it will look like I’m shaking you, but you’re the one making the movements, so you can control them.”

  He lifted her up with surprising strength, and she found that she could support her weight on his wrist, with no pressure on her throat at all. “A pleasant way to wake a lady up in the morning. Why am I learning this?”

  “Because most of the men here treat their women like that sometimes, and I’m going to have to act normal.”

  “Don’t overdo it on my account.”

  “I’ll try not to, but you realize that if I don’t treat you normally, people will begin to get suspicious, or jealous, or see a chance for an advantage.”

  “So we’ll just act normal, will we?”

  “I thought you’d agree.”

  What he called ‘normal’ seemed to involve a lot of work. He set her to taking the tent down while he went to the common fire to get breakfast, which was a huge bowl of porridge.

  “Don’t eat it all. We only have one bowl, so I’ll have what you leave.”

  She stuck the big iron spoon into the gluey mixture, withdrew it with difficulty, then jammed it back in and passed him the bowl.

  He shoved it back. “Eat. You’re going to need it.”

  She met his eyes, realized that he was in deadly earnest. She took the bowl back, forced herself to eat. After she had crammed down a few mouthfuls, it was impossible to tell whether she was full or her stomach had reached the end of its endurance. But she really felt she could eat no more, so she handed ‘breakfast’ to him. He nodded, dug in himself, seeming to relish the glutinous mass. The bowl was soon empty, and he shoved it at her.

  “Washup’s over there.” He motioned with his chin.

  She was about to ask what she was supposed to do when he abruptly rose and walked away, tossing a comment over his shoulder about having the tent packed in double-quick time.

  She looked around, realized that most of the camp was disappearing into packs and decided she had better hurry. Remembering to keep her shoulders rounded and her head down, she scurried over, jammed the bowl and spoon into the greasy, lukewarm water in the big metal pot and wiped the remaining porridge off with her fingers. She looked around, found nothing to dry them with, so she wiped them on the hem of her dress as she had seen another woman do.

  Then she went back to fight with the stiff canvas. No matter how she made the folds, it seemed to end up twice as big as would fit in her pack. She was just about to quit and was sitting on it thinking what to do next when Raif came striding up, shouting before he even reached her.

  “What are you doing, sitting around? Can’t you see everyone else is packed? Do you want to be left on the road?”

  Her instant response – that she would be quite happy to be left behind – was cut off by a slap that, while it used most of its power on her shoulder, caught the top of her ear painfully. She toppled to the ground, then scrambled up, ready to give him a piece of her mind, but the look in his eye and his raised hand gave her pause. She stood there, chest heaving for a moment, then remembered where she was. They had an audience. She dropped her shoulders.

  “I can’t get it in my pack.”

  He tossed the tent open. “Of course not. You’ve done it all wrong. I’ll show you once.” He folded the tent and she paid attention, even though her mind was seething. When he was finished the tent was a neat package that slid straight to the bottom of her pack, landing with an ominous thump.

  “I expect it done properly from now on. Get the rest of my stuff in there, and let’s get moving.”

  “The rest…?” But he was already handing her a frying pan, various kitchen utensils and the folded cot.

  She stowed the cooking materials without comment, but paused at the cot. “You sleep on it, you carry it.”

  He picked up the cot and shoved it into her chest, knocking the wind out of her. As she lay on the ground gasping, she could hear laughter and looked up to see several of the soldiers and camp followers, all with their packs ready, entertained by her problems. With a vicious look at Raif she slammed the cot on the top of her pack and tied the flap over it. The time this took allowed her to regain her senses and she stood, her hair hiding her burning face, refusing to look at any of them.

  Then orders were called, and they all slung their packs and started out. Hers was abominably heavy. She knew that she would not be able to carry it all day. Raif, carrying only a smaller pack and his weapons, walked beside her for a while. As the ‘army’ strung out along the road he adjusted their pace so that there was no one close enough to overhear.

  “You have to learn different reactions, Aleria. Here, your pride is going to get you into trouble.”

  “My pride is all that’s keeping me going.”

  “Then turn it inside. Don’t let it show. Every time you show a spark of life, there’s a chance that someone else will take an interest. I won’t be here to guard you all the time. Your best safety is invisibility.”

  “Sort of hard when you make me the laughingstock of the whole camp.”

  “I had to do something, Aleria. I can’t allow you to stand up to me. Having you here puts me at a higher risk, you realize.”

  “I realize that. Whatever you’re doing here.”

  “Something important. That’s all the information you need. I don’t dare tell you anything you might be forced to reveal. That’s safer for you, as well.”

  “Safety seems a relative term, the way you use it.”

  “Aleria, even back in your father’s mansion in the Capital, your safety was only a relative thing.”

  “I suppose.”

  “I think that was one of the things your little Quest was supposed to teach you. It obviously failed in your case.”

  The weight of her pack helped her restrain the urge to whirl on him. “Nobody knew this was going to happen. The Dukedom of anCanah is supposed to be one of the safer areas of the kingdom.”

  “Which goes again to prove that safety is only relative. At home, your safety goes up or down a percentage point or two, it means nothing. Here it might mean your life. Think about that before you let your temper get the better of you.” He glanced around. “We’re pretty well set in our marching order now, and it will look strange if I stay back with the camp followers when I should be out scouting. I’ll see you at noon if I’m around, otherwise in camp tonight.”

  “But…but wait!”

  “What?”

  “What do I do?”

  “Stay invisible. Watch what the others do and act like them. I’ve never taken any interest in the followers, so you’ll have to figure it out for yourself.”

  Before she could protest further he was gone, striding ahead at a much faster pace, leaving her with her aching shoulders and her nightmare imagination.

  17. Dance!

  Slathe’s army moved slowly, at least. There were few draught animals, and most of the materiel was carried on the backs of the soldiers and their women. By gritting her teeth and enduring, Aleria was able to keep up. She watched the other women, noted how they acted, wha
t they did, how they talked to the men.

  When the noon halt was called she was dismayed to realize that no food was being provided. The women around her dug into their packs and pulled out an assortment of supplies, eating where they sat. She remembered a soft sack that Raif had given her, and pawed through it. A hunk of smelly, hard cheese and a likewise-stale crust of bread was all that she could find, but she wolfed them down. She realized that the others were filling their canteens at a nearby stream. It seemed that it was safe enough to leave her pack while she did so. Once that task was done she huddled down and rested. She had chosen her spot well, just far enough from the others to discourage talking, but she hoped not so far as to be singled out for any reason.

  Soon enough the order to march was relayed down the line, and she groaned aloud as the pack straps cut into her sore shoulders. As she rose, all the stiffened muscles of her legs and back complained. Her eyes grimly focused on the pack of the woman in front of her, she trudged through the heat of the afternoon.

  In the end, what saved her was the indecision of the leadership. After about two hours, the line slowed, and soon those in front of her stopped. Everyone took advantage of the break to down packs, although no one left the line of march.

  After a while, shouts were relayed along the line and they were off again, but only for a few minutes. Now it was an actual order, delivered by a mounted rider, that set them on a break. Aleria had figured it out by this time and scrambled for a shady spot under a small tree. She was forced to share it with a large older woman who pushed in without ceremony and proceeded to take up as much space as she could. Aleria used her stubborn obstinacy and the weight of her pack to keep her position. The woman sat mopping her brow, not the least put out.

  “Hot day.”

  Aleria considered that no response would be worse than answering. “It is.”

  “You’re new.”

  “I am.”

  “Picked you up in town last night, did they?”

  “One of them did.”

  The woman turned with new interest. “Only one?”

  “His name’s Raif.”

  “Oh. Him. Aye, I can understand that. Thinks a lot of himself, that one. What’s he like in bed?”

  “What’s he like?” It was easy to let the heat rise to her face. “He raped me! What do you think that was like?”

  The woman laughed. “Don’t worry, dearie. It’s better the second time. Soon you’ll get to like it.”

  Aleria glared and shut her lips tight. The woman laughed again, and leaned back against the trunk of the tree, stretching her legs out and wriggling her toes in her sandals. “Don’t look like we’re goin’ too far today.”

  “You don’t think so?”

  “Naw, you can tell. When they can’t make up their minds and the troops start complainin’ they always stop early. Keeps everybody happy.”

  “I don’t understand. Aren’t we going somewhere?”

  The huge shoulders heaved once. “I don’t know. Probably. Ask your friend Raif. He’s one of the scouts.”

  “I guess I’ll do that.”

  The woman glanced over at her. “You watch that one, missy.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I dunno. There’s somethin’ about him. He’s holdin’ back. I think he’s a lot tougher than he looks.”

  “Oh, great. Just what I wanted to hear. What can I do about it?”

  Again the mountainous shrug. “Sorry. Just don’t rile him. He could be a mean one. Some of them are. Oh, I know, they’re all rough. They try to slap you around, show how manly they are. Don’t work with me, of course, ‘cause I slap back, but a little, young thing like you, you can’t do that. No, you take my advice, missy, and play it real small with that Raif. Whatever he says, you do it, and quick-like. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be surprised if you don’t just disappear some night, and nobody the wiser in the mornin’.”

  “You think he’d…”

  “Who’s to stop him?”

  “But, isn’t there some kind of rule, some law?”

  “You’d better catch on quick, girlie. You’re in the middle of a rebel army. The laws don’t apply. Whatever Slathe wants, he takes. Him and his friends. He decides you’re better dead, then you’re dead. We may not like it, but that’s the way it works.”

  “But…but… why are you here, then?”

  The woman’s eyes took on a flat stare, as if she was seeing something far away. “Because it’s better than where I was.”

  “Oh.” There didn’t seem to be any other response, and the two sat, sharing the shade of the tiny tree, while the sun beat down on the rocks around them. After a mercifully long time, the order to move came again, and they descended from the mountain trail to a campsite in a grove of trees. She found a spot for their tent, in that halfway area that put her at the edge of camp but not too far out, and got it to stand without assistance. She was staring at the tent with a certain amount of pride when his voice startled her.

  “Don’t just stand there. Where’s my supper?”

  She turned. He slung his pack to the ground, winked at her, and flopped against the nearest tree. “I need some beer.”

  “Where do I get that?”

  He waved a hand negligently. “They’re doling it out at the supply tent. Go get me some.”

  She was about to retort when she noticed his posture. When she looked closer, it was obvious that he was spent. His body moulded to the shape of the tree root and the ground and his hand, splayed on the pine needles beside him, shook. His eyes were half-closed already and his head sagged.

  Changing her mind, she hastened to dig the big mug out of her pack and rushed to the supply tent before the beer was all gone. A stern glare made sure the cook’s flunky filled her cup to the brim, and she stopped a few paces away to drink enough that it wouldn’t spill. It was sour and warm, but it cut the dust in her throat, and she stopped twice more on the way back to sample it.

  There was still plenty left for him, although he roused when she approached, enough to glance down into the mug before he drank. “Had your share, did you?”

  “I did.”

  “Hot day.” He swilled the beer in huge gulps, emptying half the mug before he set it down. A long sigh eased from his lips, and he smiled, the first real smile she had seen. “Now, that feels good.” He sipped again, slower, looking up at her over the rim of the mug. “You do all right today?”

  “I’m here.”

  “That you are. All that counts.”

  She could see that his eyes were drooping again. “There’s someone coming.”

  His eyes flew open, registering the two figures approaching. Then he relaxed again. Or seemed to. She could see an alert glint under his lashes. The two men approached and stood for a moment, looking down on him.

  He yawned and stretched before he seemed to open his eyes. “Whataya say, boys? Want I should get Sweetheart to bring you some beer?”

  The two glanced at each other and moved back half a step. “No, Raif, that’s fine. We was just sent to get you. Slathe’s havin’ a meetin’.”

  Raif opened his eyes. “Well, that’s right polite of you, comin’ and givin’ me the word.” He seemed to glide to his feet, towering over the two. “Let’s drop by the supply tent and make sure they send some of this beer to the meetin’. And you,” he turned to Aleria, “make sure there’s some food for me when I get back. Put a fire there.”

  He turned away, a hand on each man’s shoulder. Aleria noted with appreciation that he had left the mug. She cradled it a moment, checking to see if anyone was watching, then drank, enjoying the liquid as it swirled down her throat. Then she looked around again, thinking. If he said to light a fire, she was probably supposed to cook. If she was supposed to cook, that meant that someone was giving out food. She stowed the rest of the mug of beer in the tent, grabbed the pot, and headed back towards the supply tent.

  She returned with a despairingly small amount of rice and beef in the bottom
of the pot. She was so busy wondering how she was going to make this into a meal for two people that at first she didn’t realize that there was someone near her tent. It was a small man, about her height, and he had his hand inside the tent flap. She stepped forward, anger surging.

  “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

  He jumped as if she had struck him and turned. It was one of the soldiers, smaller and younger than most. “You got beer in there.”

  “Raif has beer in there.”

  “He’ll be gettin’ more. I didn’t get any.”

  “I don’t give a damn what you got. That beer’s Raif’s, and you steal from him, you know what you’re gettin’ into?”

  The little man stumbled back, tripped on a tent peg, then recovered himself, his hands held up. “No, no, I wouldn’t steal Raif’s beer. I just thought…”

  “You just thought Raif was busy and you could sneak some, and he wouldn’t notice. Well, now he’s gonna notice.”

  “No, no, don’t tell him! I’m sorry! I wasn’t really gonna…”

  “Yes, you were. You were gonna steal his beer, an’ the only reason you’re sorry is because you got caught.” She stared down at the poor wretch, realizing how pitiful he was. She dropped her hands in disgust. “Aw, get outa here.”

  He scuttled sideways, his eyes never leaving her face. “Yeah. Yeah. I’m goin’. Don’t tell Raif, will ya?”

  “Don’t tell Raif? You want me to lie to Raif to protect you? You got dreams, boy. Your best hope is to stay away from our part of the camp for the next few days. You got that?”

  “Yeah. Yeah. Thanks, thanks…” He turned and scurried off, glancing back over his shoulder as he ran.

  She stood there, watching him out of sight. Then she glanced around to see if she had any audience. There were soldiers and women within hearing, but they all seemed busy with their own affairs. She opened the tent flap and took out the beer. She drank the rest down, but the pleasure was gone. Setting the mug aside, she began to gather wood for the fire.

  In spite of her fatigue and fear, she worked hard, and by the time Raif returned, her campsite looked as good as any of the others nearby.

  He grinned. “Well, isn’t this nice. What’s for supper?”

  “What they gave me.”

  “That’s all?”

  “Was I supposed to get something else?”

  He sniffed at the plate in front of him. “Would have been nice.” Then he snickered. “Might have been some left for you.”

  He dug into his meal, ignoring her.

  She glanced around, saw that there was no one near, spoke quietly. “Is there any way I can get more food?”

  “Some do, but maybe you shouldn’t. We don’t want you getting noticed.” He passed her the half-full plate. “I’ll see what I can pick up tomorrow. You did fine, tonight. How are you?”

  “Tired, sore, afraid.”

  He nodded. “That sounds pretty normal.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “These people, especially the women, spend most of their lives that way.”

  “Well, let’s not try too hard to keep things normal, then.”

  “Sorry, the more normal you act and look, the less likely you’ll be to attract attention.”

  “Great.”

  “Normal” also seemed to be a steady stream of orders, jokes, and lewd suggestions. Whenever any of the other soldiers were listening, he abused her, to their great entertainment. Sometimes he would find the chance to give her a wink to tell her it was all pretending, but usually he couldn’t. Or didn’t. Aleria gritted her teeth and bore it all, cramming her fear and humiliation off into a corner of her soul where they didn’t interfere with the simple necessities of survival.

  The fourth night she collapsed on Raif’s cot, aching in every limb. There was a certain grim satisfaction in the fact that she had survived the day. Neither the heat of the trail, the weight of her pack nor the constant fear and bullying had beaten her down. She lay back, idly watching the flickering shadows on the tent wall, allowing her fatigue to wash over her, listening to the sound of a fiddle and drums. She felt a vague respect for the woman who, after all that work all day, still had the energy to entertain the men by dancing.

  As her mind ranged away from her pain and fatigue, she realized that someone was walking towards her tent. A rasping voice laughed. “Say, Raif, can she dance?”

  Raif’s chuckle chilled her. “I don’t know. Let’s find out.”

  She couldn’t believe it. After all he had drilled into her about staying invisible! A level of quiet of anticipation fell among those around the fire. She could hear his footsteps approach, and her anger grew. When she saw him framed in the light, she hissed out. “What are you doing?”

  He winced, shrugged. “No choice, Aleria. If I ducked, they might get suspicious. Now listen. Whatever you do, don’t dance.”

  “What?”

  “Don’t dance. Whatever I do, whatever I say out there, don’t dance. We don’t want any of them lusting after you.” His voice rose. “Come on, Sweetheart. Dance time.”

  He grabbed her by the arm, and his voice hissed in her ear. “Think of something, but don’t dance if you value your life.”

  She began to resist, making him drag her, but not too much. It was a relief to be able to fight.

  The ring of outcasts laughed as they approached, throwing catcalls and lewd comments.

  “What’s wrong, Raif? Is she modest?”

  “I hear she dances nice enough in your tent at night.”

  “Hey, girl, show us your stuff.”

  He tossed her into the firelight, a hateful grin on his face. “All right, Sweetheart. Show us what you can do.” He motioned with his hand, and the musicians struck up a tune.

  She stood, her head bowed, shoulders slumped, trying to think how to look unappealing. Watching him through the fringe of her hair, she could see his expression change.

  “Come on, girl. Dance!”

  Still she refused to move, her pleasure in the defiance drowning her fears as to where this scene might lead.

  The crowd waited, chuckles and soft jibes circulating.

  “You heard them, girl. Entertain us.”

  Again, she did not move, partly because it seemed easiest. His face changed again, anger pulling his brow down. He strode to her, grabbed her arm, and pushed his bristling moustache in her face. “Dance, girl, or you’ll regret it.”

  “He’s sure got a way with the women, ain’t he?” The voice cut through the murmurs. The crowd laughed.

  “Dance, you slut!” He shoved her, spinning her around. She stumbled and sank to the ground, cowering before him. As the crowd laughed again, he hauled her up. She hung limp in his hands, ignoring the way his fingers dug into her arms.

  As the jeering increased, she could see his breath come faster, his colour rise. He held her up to his face and shouted curses and insults. Still she refused to respond, cringing, trying to remind herself that he really didn’t mean this, he was only trying to save her life.

  With a final curse, he flung her again. Again, she collapsed, this time huddling in a ball, her head protected. He rained blows on her arms and knees, missing her head most of the time. Finally he calmed and stopped, looking around him at the crowd. She peered up and realized with a shock that he was grinning.

  “Well, I guess she can’t dance!”

  They roared with approval. She was disgusted to see that the women were as loud as the men in condemning her.

  He entwined his fingers in her hair. She shrieked and grabbed his hand as he had shown her, allowing him to drag her to her feet, her weight supported by her own arms. Spinning her to face his tent, he booted her, none too gently, through the door. The force of the blow propelled her accurately so that she landed on her blankets, cushioning her fall somewhat. Another jest, this one that she couldn’t hear, brought another cheer from the crowd. He slapped the tent flaps closed and strode back to the fire.

>   She lay in the smelly blankets, her head spinning, her face hot, sobbing in anger, humiliation, and fear. The music rose again, and the noise of the camp swarmed over her like greasy fingers.

  It was some time later and the ruckus of the party had died down when she heard footsteps approaching. She almost hoped it wasn’t him. She would love the chance to tear into someone, anyone, and she didn’t think any of this scum would hold out long against her anger. When the tent opened, she was ready, but it was Raif. She couldn’t hold it back, and all her tortured feelings burst through.

  “You enjoyed that!” She curbed her voice to a whisper, but it hissed through her teeth.

  He seemed taken aback. “What?”

  “You enjoyed that. You made me look a fool, you hit me and insulted me in front of an audience, and you loved every minute of it. What kind of a pervert are you? At least Slathe is honest. If he wants a girl, he takes her. He doesn’t pretend to be a friend and then torture her, mind and body.”

  His face blanked, and he stared at her. She held his gaze, but he continued to stare, until his breath steadied and he had control of himself. She was surprised at how calm his voice was.

  “Are you alive?”

  She stared at him.

  His voice dropped to a harsh whisper. “Is your precious maidenhood still with you? At least as far as I am concerned.”

  She had understood him. She just couldn’t believe what he was saying.

  “So don’t complain.”

  “Don’t complain?” She was just getting started. “After the way you have been treating me? You hit me, you abuse me, you make them all laugh...”

  Her voice was cut short by a calloused hand over her mouth. His whisper came, hot and angry with his foul breath on her face. “Shut up, you little fool. You’ll give us both away!”

  She bit down, not too hard, on his palm. She found herself flying across the tent, her head ringing from his open-handed slap.

  In a leap he was on her, his fierce scowl a warning. “There is something you had better remember. There are three factors that are important here: your life, my life, and my report to Colonel anTetrono. Think very carefully which of the three is most important. Notice that your comfort, your good opinion, and your doubtful virtue are not even mentioned.”

  “What do you mean?”

  His voice dropped again, but lost none of its intensity. “I’m not just out here playing games, girl. I have endured this lot of barbarians for months, working my way into their confidence, learning their plans, watching their contacts, predicting their moves. Soon I must get that information to the King’s army. Slathe has allies spread throughout this area, and he is trying to gather them together. This whole operation is coming to a head, and Colonel anTetrono needs my report.

  “I will tell you one thing. It is absolutely imperative that we keep this army out in the west. Think what could happen if they got as far east as the Chanaan River and grabbed a bunch of anDennal’s coal barges. They could be down at Kingsport in a week.”

  She nodded dumbly, thinking of the Twins, on an innocent holiday drift on their father’s log booms.

  “Now, if by some lucky chance I decide that you are the best way to get that report through, then your existence jumps up the list a bit. But think again. You’re not stupid; I know that. Think what chances there are of that happening. All that information is in my head. To give it to you, I’d have to write it down, and there doesn’t seem to be much in the way of stationery available in this mob. None of them can read. And what if we got caught with it? Solid proof that I’m not who I say I am. So what are your chances of moving up the list? Not great, are they?

  He stared into her face for a moment, then, satisfied, released her with a nod. “Think of all the lives that might be saved if the Colonel has accurate knowledge of the numbers, armament, and deployment of his enemy. The number of guns they have scrounged up really bothers me, and it’s going to bother my superiors as well. That information must reach the Colonel, and soon. I cannot allow anything to deter me from that objective. You do understand, don’t you?”

  Faced with this earnest plea, the rigidity drained from her shoulders, and she gave herself up to the support of the hands crushing her arms. “I know. I understand that I’m just an impediment.”

  He waited a moment, then released her. “Good. I’m glad you understand. Most girls wouldn’t. I will do my best to get you out of here. You must realise that. After all, I’ve taken a lot of risks to get you this far, with small thanks in return. I’m the type of man who sees a project through to the end, no matter how difficult.”

  “But I’m a minor project right now. I see.” She looked up at him, gauging his mood. “But do you really have to be so mean? Oh, I know, in front of the others, I can take that. But here, where no one can see?”

  He shook his head. “I’m sorry. You have no idea the atmosphere in this mob. No one trusts anyone who isn’t in his sight, and preferably within the reach of his sword. There are spies everywhere. The only way to gain power here is to step on someone who has what you want. Can I tell you something?”

  He leaned in closer, spoke even softer. “I’m afraid too. All the time.”

  “You are?”

  He nodded. “You think what they would do to you would be bad. Think what they would do to a traitor.”

  “Oh.” She shuddered, looking into his face with new sympathy.

  “There are twenty men within the sound of my voice right now who would like to take my position. One of them hearing one wrong word, seeing one kindness, is all it would take. He would go straight to Slathe, to curry favour. Slathe would be suspicious. He would find a way to punish me and test me at the same time. Can you imagine what that would be?”

  She shuddered. She could imagine all too well what her role would be in that scenario. She nodded, mutely.

  He was silent for a moment, listening. Then he leaned closer to her. “I’m sorry. I know it’s rough on you. But I can’t just switch it off and on like that. I’m still new with this lot, and I have risen rapidly in their ranks. There is suspicion, jealousy. I have to be on edge every minute of the day. If I relax with, you, I might not react properly a few minutes later, when it counted. You understand; I can see that.”

  She repressed a shudder at his touch. “I suppose. Do what you have to do. Count on me to do my best to get us and your precious report out of here. I don’t know if my best will be good enough, but I’ll try.”

  He laughed, realized that it had been too loud, then laughed again, more coarsely. “That’s my little Sweetheart. I knew you’d come round!” He winked at her, patted her hand, and swaggered out of the tent.

  She sat for a moment, numbed. Had she made any impression? Had she straightened anything out? He seemed to think so. She would just have to wait and see. She thought back over their conversation, winced at his doubts of her virtue. She knew that she had handled that wrong. Instant indignation would have been the only correct response, and her honesty, and perhaps a bit of guilt, had held her back for that quick moment, and then it was too late. She wondered if he had noticed. Of course he had. He wasn’t stupid either. He wouldn’t be here as a spy if he was. She grinned to herself. On the other hand, maybe he was stupid. What intelligent person would put himself into such a position? Oh, well. Lucky for her that he had. As he so bluntly put it, she was alive and as intact as possible. What did she have to complain about?

  Pressing her arm against her stinging cheek, Aleria curled on her hard bed, fading into a vague sleep where she was chased around and up and over the rocks, by a band of grinning, jeering, men while Raif stood above her, stony faced, and watched.

  18. Battle

  For the next few days the nightmare continued. Slathe seemed to be in a hurry to get somewhere, so they marched for long hours. However, he wasn’t in such a rush that they didn’t stop to destroy two small villages and several isolated farms, killing everyone they found. At least the lucky ones. Aleria
endured it all, kept her head down, her eyes looking nowhere but where her next step would take her.

  Raif seemed to be rising in the leader’s esteem. He knew the roads and paths, and several times he pulled them away on some obscure trail while the king’s army apparently went haring off in the opposite direction. She could never figure out where he got this information, but she didn’t like it. It meant that Raif was often out scouting, and that left her alone. As long as they were travelling it was not a problem, but if he hadn’t returned by the time camp was set up, there were always a few men with nothing to do who would wander by too often. She would have stayed in the tent, but with the coming summer weather it was too hot to endure. Added to this was the worry that between the dangers that he faced and the fact that his report was due, one day Raif might not come back at all.

  Finally, one of the men got so persistent that she had to mention it. He was a short, stocky man, as many of them were. He had stopped to speak to her twice, and when she had refused to answer had made several obscene suggestions. When Raif returned that night she waited until he had eaten, then reluctantly told him.

  Raif sat there for a moment, then sighed. “Is it that blonde-haired one with the torn leather vest?”

  “Yes. That’s him. Fancies himself handsome.”

  Raif sighed again.

  “What should I do, Raif? If he touches me, I’ll tear his face off. But then…”

  Raif nodded. “Then he’ll either kill you, or I’ll have to kill him.” He heaved to his feet, and she saw the fatigue in his movements. “I’ll deal with him now.”

  “No, Raif! You’re too tired! Wait till you’ve rested.”

  His face was set in hard lines, and she realized that he was angry, like she had never seen him before. “No time like the present.” He strode over to where some of the soldiers were seated.

  It was too far away for her to see the details, and for that she was thankful. There was no preliminary, no warning. Raif simply walked up to the man, grabbed him by the hair, and lifted him to his feet. There was a flurry of movement and several meaty smacks. Then Raif was striding away, leaving a huddled, unmoving bundle on the ground.

  Raif approached, the fury still on his face. His voice rose. “Now it’s your turn, slut!” She huddled back in sudden fear. What was he going to do?

  His hand shot out, taking her by the throat. Her scream of surprise was choked off by the pressure. He pulled her face close to his. His breath was heavy, but he forced a whisper. “That’s good. Now grab my wrist, and hold on tight.” She locked both hands around his wrist to support her weight, and he relaxed his own grip just enough that she could breathe. His voice rose again, and he lifted her feet from the ground, shaking her violently. “Keep your eyes off the rest of them, and they’ll leave you alone!” His other hand swept open the tent flap, and he tossed her inside, slapping the canvas closed behind her.

  She lay on the bed where she had fallen, her breath escaping in huge sobs. Why had he done that? Why had he shaken her like that? It wasn’t her fault the fools were slobbering over her! She felt her neck. His little trick had saved her from injury, but she was sure there would still be bruises. Of course there would. He would be sure of that. It had to look good. She knew that. She shuddered to think what he had done to the man who had insulted her.

  By the time he returned to the tent, her anger had subsided somewhat. He kicked aside the flap, but she could see the concern in his eyes. “How are you?”

  “I can still breathe, if that matters!”

  “How’s your throat?”

  “Oh there will be some nice, showy bruises, I’m sure. Are you happy?”

  “I’m not happy. Mind you, I wasn’t loath to do the first part of that little job. He’s a nasty piece of work, and he deserved it. The other part…”

  She cut him off. “Oh, you don’t have to explain. I know how these men think. If he was interested in me, it must have been my fault. So you had to punish me, or they would have.”

  He sighed. “Aleria, I’m so glad I saved you in that inn. You pick up so quickly. I don’t know of any other woman who could go through what you just did, and explain in so clearly afterward.”

  “Oh, I can explain it, all right. But I don’t have to like it. I think you went way overboard.” Her voice dropped to hissing intensity as her anger rose. “You just admitted you enjoyed injuring that other man. I bet you enjoyed throwing me around, too, didn’t you? Admit it! You got carried away, and you liked it!”

  He turned away, shaking his head. “No I didn’t. It was necessary, and I did it. I hope I didn’t hurt you badly.” He turned back to her. “Look, I know these things are painful, but I try to be careful. Admit it, none of the times I’ve hurt you have been any worse than you’ve done to yourself, in training or falling off your horse. If it wasn’t me doing them to you, you would just shrug them off, wouldn’t you, and go on with your day? Isn’t that true?”

  She had to nod. “It’s the fact that I’m terrified half the time.”

  “I know. There’s not much I can do about that. At least we’re both still alive, and I don’t think anybody suspects anything.”

  “Raif, when are we going to get out of this?”

  “Soon, I hope.”

  “You’re not just saying that?”

  “I don’t dare say any more, but things are going very well.”

  “I noticed that you spend a lot of time with Slathe, and he listens to you.”

  “He doesn’t know this area at all, and he’s pretty well depending on me to guide him. The other scouts are getting slack because I’m doing all the work. I keep them looking good by letting them bring in the good news, like when a regiment of the king’s soldiers misses us and heads up a mountain.” His voice dropped even further, his lips by her ear. “So this army is going exactly where I want them. Do you understand?”

  He pulled back, and his look of triumph stilled any fears that he was lying to her.

  “How soon?”

  “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t tell you even if I knew for sure. But soon. Count on it.” He faced her, as if sizing up her mood. “Aleria, you are going to have to stop moving around so much.”

  “Moving around?”

  “Yes, stay closer to the tent. Stay in the tent. Don’t let them see you so much.”

  “Raif, it’s summer! That tent is like a furnace. I can’t stay in there all the time.” The thought of the sweltering tent walls closing in on her was more frightening than all her other imaginings.

  “Nonetheless. Keep out of sight. It’s only for a few more days.” He grinned at her. “Shame to get killed at the last, after all the trouble we’ve gone to keeping you alive.”

  There didn’t seem to be any answer she could give to that without getting angry again, so she threw herself down on her blankets, her back to him. He brushed out through the tent flap, and the heat descended on her again. She rolled over, trying not to look at the canvas so close above her face. The heat increased.

  Raif was away more and more in the next two days, leaving earlier and returning later than before. The army moved in shorter spurts, hurrying in one direction, waiting for Raif’s word, then rushing somewhere else. She had the feeling that Raif was playing some gigantic game of Battle Strategy, moving the players from both sides, carefully arranging them for some great endgame. When he did return he was always tired and he often thrashed around for hours after he should have been asleep. Since his one concession to her comfort had been to get rid of the heavy cot, he slept beside her and it made her nights difficult as well.

  While she saw less of him, she also noticed that the other men were careful to avoid her, turning their backs if she passed them, giving her tent a wide berth when they were camped. In turn, she stayed out of sight as much as possible.

  The third night, he did not return until long after dark. She had worried herself into a fine state when he finally slipped into the tent. He didn’t say a word until he had removed
his outer clothing and slipped under the blankets beside her.

  “Are you awake?”

  “Am I awake? I’ve been lying here for hours, thinking you’re dead or gone off for good. Not much chance I’d be asleep, is there?”

  He chuckled, a friendly sound she had heard rarely from him. He turned so his lips were close to her ear. “It’s all set up. Tomorrow.”

  His hand on her head stopped her reaction, held her down.

  “Listen carefully. Tomorrow I’m going to make the army move fast. I want everybody good and tired. We’re getting close to Disda, and Slathe’s plan is to take the town and hold it. He thinks the king will negotiate with him at that point. The other scouts have confirmed that a large part of the garrison has been pulled out to chase after us. Only I know that they haven’t gone very far, and the rest of the army is nearby. When we camp tomorrow night, I want you to set up the tent as far to the north of the trail as you can. To the north. Do you have that?”

  “To the north of the trail. That’s the side away from Disda, isn’t it? I heard somebody say we were going north of the town.”

  “Good girl. You have it perfectly. Now, everyone will be attracted to the south side of camp, because there’s a spot where we can overlook the town. I’m going to make a big fuss over there, hold a meeting, celebrate the victory in advance. When everyone is busy, you slip out of camp. Start for the creek and take a water bag in case anyone stops you. I’ll post the sentry farther down the trail. When you’re sure no one is following, go up the creek. Keep going, no matter what you hear behind you. Wait until dawn, then go down to the town. Circle around to the east so you don’t run into anyone hiding out from the fight. The King’s men will be in the town, and you can just walk in. I suggest you stay away from the soldiers while you’re coming in. They might not believe you in time.”

  She shuddered at the thought of escaping the rebels, only to be raped by the king’s soldiers. “What are you going to do?”

  “I’ll slip away when the fighting starts. I’ll hide out myself and come in when it’s light, just like you.”

  She thought for a moment, then reached over and pulled his head close to hers. “I don’t like it.”

  “What don’t you like?”

  “For one thing, I suspect the attack will be just about dusk, right? There will be several hundred bandits running in all directions, with the king’s soldiers hunting them down. How are the king’s soldiers going to know who you are? I doubt if your precious Colonel has told his whole army to look out for you. He must assume Slathe has spies of his own. No, your chances of getting killed by your own men are too great.”

  “I thought of that. I know the country better than they do. I’ll make out all right.”

  “Of course.”

  “I will!”

  “Listen. Why don’t you just come after me?”

  “Come after you?”

  “Don’t echo me like a dummy. Think! I assume you know when the attack is going to be. Just before then, you find out that I’m missing. Make a big fuss, and take out after me. They all know how you treat me. They’ll think it’s a big joke, right?”

  He was silent a long time.

  “Well, what do you think?”

  “I’m trying to find reasons why it won’t work.”

  “Someone might try to help you look for me.”

  “I’ll wait until we’re far enough away, then kill him.”

  “What if someone follows me?”

  “Even better. That way I’ll be there to protect you.”

  “I must admit I would prefer that. Do you have a weapon I can carry?”

  “You have your dagger.”

  “The hideaway? I mean something useful against a man with a sword. That little thing hasn’t been good for much except giving me a rash.”

  “I’ll leave a big dagger in the bedroll tomorrow. The black-handled one. Keep it well hidden.”

  A thought struck her. “What about the march tomorrow? I’ll get tired, carrying all the camping stuff, and I’ll need all my energy later. Can we leave some behind?”

  “We don’t dare. Couldn’t explain it if anyone noticed. I’ll sneak the heavy fry pan out with me when I go on patrol, and ditch it somewhere.”

  That was all the preparation they could think of, but she lay awake for a long time, torn between relief and anxiety.

  The next day was a scorcher. Slathe marched them at unmerciful speed in spite of the weather, urged on by Raif. Aleria was beginning to think she was not going to make it, when she had a sudden inspiration. She began to fall back and tried to look sick, especially when Raif was near. He shouted at her to keep moving. She moaned and began to limp.

  At this moment Slathe strode by, clouted her, sending her spinning into the dust. “If she can’t keep up, throw some of that junk away.” He grinned, an evil stretch of fat lips across rotten fangs. “There’ll be plenty more, and better, by tomorrow night.”

  Raif hauled her to her feet, hiding a grin, and proceeded to toss all the cooking utensils and heavier gear out of her bundle. Soon she was left with nothing but the tent, the blankets, and some food. He shoved her forward, and she stumbled on, her head down but her feet light.

  Raif was off scouting when she reached the campsite, a wide ledge on the side of the mountain overlooking the town. She found a secluded spot between two boulders to pitch the tent. The ground was rocky, but since she didn’t plan to sleep here tonight, she only made a show of leveling it off, and set up the tent. There were no fires this close to the town, so she didn’t need to cook.

  There was a small package of their cold supper left over, and she wrapped it with the heavy dagger in an over-the-shoulder bundle made with a blanket. She tucked it inside the tent flap and tried to wait. It was difficult to act as if all was normal, when the tension inside her was wound so tight that her stomach hurt. She wanted to walk around to do something but she had to sit still. She kept herself going by the thought that by dark she would be out of here; by tomorrow it would be all over.

  The sun had set when Raif got up from where he was sitting, swaggered over to her, hauled her head up to look at him. Several soldiers and a few of the women were watching, so she steeled herself for something ‘effective.’

  He leaned down, kissed her hard, and grabbed her breast. He had never done anything like this in public before, and she squirmed away, snarling.

  He laughed and grabbed her again, hauling her to her feet and crushing her body against his. “Don’t complain, Sweetheart. There’ll be plenty of that for you tonight. A little victory celebration in advance, maybe.”

  Coarse laughter and obscene comments greeted this wit. She ducked her head, covering her face with her hair.

  “Better get it while you can, sweetheart. I might find something I like better tomorrow.”

  “Hey, Raif, you get tired of her, you can give her to me.”

  There was a sudden silence, as Raif’s head swung to face the soldier, who immediately sat down. “Just jokin’, Raif. Just jokin’, really.”

  Raif held his eyes a moment, then grinned. “A good joke, Mellas. A real good joke, but I wouldn’t do that to a friend. She’s not worth it. When I find another one, we’ll just leave her behind on the dung heap!” The soldiers roared at this, but Aleria could see, peering out through her hair, that the other women’s laughter was forced.

  Raif clouted her, the usual blow that seemed to hit her ear, but spent most of its force on her shoulder. Laughing, he shoved her into the tent. “Get in there, slut.”

  He pushed through the canvas after her. “We’ve got a problem.”

  “What?”

  “Slathe has left the camp. He’s going to meet with another group, and it means he won’t be here when the attack happens.”

  “Isn’t that better? They’ll be disorganized.”

  “Yes, but he won’t get caught.” He sat and pondered a moment. “Maybe I should stay.”

  “Raif, this attack is
going to destroy your credibility. If you stay, you’re not going to get out alive.”

  “I’ll worry about that. You go as planned.”

  “What about your precious report? Sooner or later you’ve got to deliver it.”

  “I know.”

  “Then don’t be a fool. You’re so caught up in this spying role you don’t even know when it’s time to quit.” She grabbed him by the lapels. “It’s time to quit, Raif. Now. Today!”

  He shook his head. “Yes, I suppose you’re right.”

  Then he squared his shoulders. “Yes, you are right. Let’s get out of here.”

  He thought a moment, then raised his hand. “Scream.”

  She did not question, complying with a short, sharp, yell, cut off as he slapped the back of his left hand violently with the palm of his right, giving off a meaty smack. Then he grinned, winked at her, and raised his voice. “And there’s more where that came from. Don’t you forget it.”

  He shoved his way out of the tent, but then turned back. “There’s no fresh water. You can get me that, but then stay in the tent. You hear me?”

  She mumbled a reply, relieved that she had come off so lightly.

  “Come on, lads. Let’s go look at the orchard we’ll be pickin’ tomorrow!”

  The group outside straggled after him. She waited as their footsteps faded then peeked out of the tent. No one. Slinging her blanket pack over her shoulder, she headed up the trail towards the creek. If anyone stopped her now it would be hard to explain the food. She would just have to hope her shawl hid enough. It took an iron clamp on her will to walk with her usual slow slouch through the other tents and onto the trail

  Trying to act naturally meant she couldn’t look around until she reached the creek and was bending over to fill the water skin. Again, all was still. The camp was just out of sight around the bend, so she slipped her bundle behind a big rock and waited as if resting, staring off through the trees into the valley below, her eyes alert for any movement around her.

  When she was satisfied that no one was following she got up, stretched, and looked around one more time. There was no sign of the sentry. Raif must have been successful in that part of the plan. She leaned against the rock, then edged around it until she was hidden from the camp. The moment she was out of sight she moved fast, slinging on her bundle, jumping from rock to rock up the streambed, careful to leave a few obvious footprints in the mud for Raif to ‘discover.’

  She stopped several times to look back, but it seemed as if no one had noticed her escape. If they had seen her, surely they would have stopped her by now. Unless they thought she was a spy and were following to see where she went. That was all right; she wasn’t going anywhere important. By the time Raif caught up to her secrecy wouldn’t matter any more, and he could deal with the problem.

  More confident now, she clambered up the steepening streambed, still watching her back trail, careful not to reveal herself to the camp, which showed through the thinning trees below her. After a while the excitement wore off and the day’s walk began to take its toll. Finally she had to stop, lying on a slab of rock, her head screened by a bush that clung to a crevice.

  From her vantage point, she could see the camp far below and indistinct in the dusk. There were only a few figures at the lookout point so she assumed the planning was over. She hoped Raif had made his escape and that he wasn’t followed.

  A flash of movement off to her left caught her eye. A column of soldiers was marching in plain sight up the trail from the east. She could see that if they did not stop soon they would reach the crest and be in sight of the sentry. She looked to the west, and sure enough, there was another column coming from that direction. Down the hill, she could see a ragged line of men creeping up towards the camp. She pictured the form of the battle. The Army would attack from three directions, overwhelming the camp. Those who escaped would be forced up the mountain, out into the open on the rocks above tree line.

  A good plan, but it sent all the escaping rebels right on her trail. Great tactics, Raif. I’d better get moving. She pushed her aching body back up the rocks.

  The second time she found a viewpoint, she knew she would have to stop for a proper rest. She was starting to stumble, and a broken ankle would be a fine thing in the middle of a battle. She peered down at the rebel camp again, now indistinct in the gathering darkness. The soldiers to left and right were massed now, and the line climbing below the camp was very close. As she watched, there was a sudden movement among the tiny figures in the camp, and she knew the soldiers had been discovered. The troops along the trail moved forward, and the rebels rushed to meet them. The climbers rushed upwards, but were met with stiff resistance at the edge and thrown back down the hill.

  Just about that time the troops from the west broke through into the campsite. It was all a swirl of figures, like a battle in an ant’s nest, too far away and dark to see who was winning or to hear the awful sounds. Only the faint pop of rifles assured her that she really was watching a battle. She had little doubt as to the outcome. There had been too many soldiers. All she had to worry about was getting higher.

  She forced herself on, relieved that the streambed swung away from the higher slopes and climbed up over steps and ledges through a narrow valley hanging between the peaks. It leveled off for a few paces and she hiked on with renewed vigor.

  As she moved ahead she could hear a low shuddering sound that seemed to come from the rocks beneath her feet. It got stronger as she climbed and she wondered what happened to the stream ahead. Rounding a corner, she found out. The creek fell a good forty meters over a sharp ledge above her. The sheer cliff plugged the valley and the rocky walls formed a canyon out of which she could never climb, especially in the coming dark. The mist blowing in her face made every surface slippery, and moss grew everywhere.

  So this was the end. She could go no farther. Had Raif known about this? Probably. It seemed he knew this area well. So what did he expect her to do? First thing, there was no sense staying near the falls. She would never hear anyone, friend or foe, in the dark and the noise. The best thing to do was to hole up somewhere close enough to the stream to hear him when he came, far enough away that any enemy would not notice her.

  With this in mind, she started back down, thankful that she did not have to climb any more. She found what she was looking for just at the top of the steepest pitch: a ledge that overlooked the stream but was not obvious from below. It had the added advantage of an escape route along the eastern end out onto the rock face above the town. A small overhang would shelter her from any rain, although she didn’t want to think about what it would be like in a full storm.

  Topping up her water skin at the stream, she climbed onto her ledge and settled in to wait for Raif, gnawing on a piece of dried meat from her pack. It was good to be resting, but the anxious tension refused to leave her, growing as the darkness deepened and he did not come. She wondered if she had come too high. Should she climb down further? Don’t be stupid, girl. Sit till he comes or daylight. Doesn’t matter which.

  A rock clicked.

  She held her breath, listening, but that was all. She peered down through the darkness. There was no movement. Then a figure materialized, moving silently up the streambed. A tall figure, if she could judge. Was it him? A sudden wariness held her back. Not knowing what to do, she let him continue past. Well, if it was Raif, he would get to the falls and turn back, knowing he had missed her. If it were anyone else, then hopefully he would strike out in another direction.

  Sure enough, soon the figure returned downstream, moving even more slowly, as if searching for something. He stopped, his head up, seeming to look straight at her. Then he sat on a nearby boulder, a soft curse rising up to her ears. Now she was almost sure. Her fingers scrabbled for a pebble, and she tossed it, to land on the other side of the stream. He was on his feet in an instant, and his whisper startled her.

  “Aleria!”

  She tossed another pe
bble, this one hitting him. He spun to face her.

  “Aleria! This is no time to play games. Come on down. We have to get moving.”

  “How did you know I was up here?”

  “I hunted this valley years ago.” He caught her arm, peered at her. “Are you all right?”

  “I’m fine, but tired. How did it go?”

  “Smooth as silk. It worked just like you said it would. They thought it was oh, so funny that you had run out on me. When we discovered you had gone up the mountain, not down to the town, they were quite happy at the thought of me stumbling around in the darkness looking for you. Did you leave the tracks on purpose? I thought so.”

  “So no one followed?”

  “Not a chance. I moved too fast and I watched. The attack went well, too.”

  “And now the defeated rebels are headed up the mountain after us.”

  “Well, that’s a small problem. It’s too bad you moved so fast. I hoped you wouldn’t get this far. We have to go down a ways to catch the trail that goes east along the mountain.”

  “Can’t we go off the end of this ledge?”

  “It’s too hard a climb in the dark.”

  “Don’t you know of some place we could just hide out?”

  “Yes, but this is too close to where the rebels will be running. A frightened man can go a long way, even in the mountains in the dark.”

  “All right, then. Let’s get moving.”

  19. The Royal Army

  Dawn found them high on the slope of the mountain, far to the east of the battle site. They woke, wrapped together in her blanket, a small half-cave protecting them from the damp breath of the ice fields hanging above.

  She knew he was awake from his breathing, but it was too chilly to move. “Raif? You know your original plan?”

  He grunted. “The one you said would get me killed?”

  “Yes. Did you plan to go back and fight, once you were recognized as a king’s soldier?”

  “No.”

  “Not even after all the atrocious things you had seen the rebels do. After the things you were forced to do? Why not?”

  “Well, I’m not so happy about killing a lot of those men back there. Sure, they’re a rough lot, and Slathe and his bunch are real monsters. But most of them are just soldiers. I could take a third of them, drop them in the middle of my regiment, and in two months you couldn’t tell them from the regulars. And Balek, well, he’s too stupid to take care of himself wherever he is. Heaven knows how he got mixed in with this lot, but he’s so strong that he makes a good fighter, so they put up with him.

  “That’s one reason.”

  He nodded. “Another reason is that I wouldn’t like to look in the faces of men I’ve betrayed. I don’t enjoy this spying business. It was necessary, but I hope they never find out.”

  “That worked out well, then. They will believe you got out of the trap because you were chasing me. That way, if you have to go back again, no one will know you betrayed them.”

  He smiled crookedly at her. “Good thinking, but I don’t plan to go back.”

  “I’ve got a better idea. When it’s all over, why don’t you let them see you captured, so that they know you’re still on their side. I could even drag you around for a while as my captive, tables turned, and all that.”

  He barked a short laugh. “And beating me around whenever you liked as well, I suspect. That would be a good revenge, wouldn’t it?”

  “Well, can you blame me? You hit me, you ordered me around, you treated me like dirt.”

  “It was necessary! Can you get it through your head what I saved you from?”

  She pulled away, preferring the chill of the morning air as it rushed between them. “I know. I have little doubt that I owe you more than my life. It’s just that it was a horrible experience, and you’re the only one around that I can complain to.”

  He rested his hand lightly on her shoulder. “Complain all you like. I know it was bad, and you held up well. You should be proud of yourself.”

  She suppressed a shudder at his touch. “Come on, let’s find the Army.”

  He gathered up the blanket and led the way down the mountain. She watched his broad back in front of her, wondering if she would ever lose the churning she felt in her stomach whenever she looked at his face.

  They were a long way down the mountain when Raif stopped, motioning silence. She froze, peering around for danger. He motioned ahead, leaned down to whisper. “Army scout.”

  She looked where he pointed, and after a moment saw movement. A man was climbing towards them, making use of what cover he could, his head up, eyes scanning the forest. He was dressed in nondescript clothing, but it was in better condition than anything the rebels wore, and he carried a rifle that looked shiny and well kept.

  “How do we approach him?”

  “Just step out and say hello, I suppose.”

  “And get shot. You’re a rebel, remember. Better if I do it.”

  “I suppose you’re right.”

  “You stay here. I’ll just slip out on that rock. He’ll see me.”

  She moved slowly and quietly and made it to a comfortable position before the man noticed her. He stopped, stared at her a moment, then disappeared into the bush. She waited a while, but there was no movement.

  “What do I do now?” She spoke without turning her head.

  “Nothing. He’s just checking you out. He’ll get here.”

  Sure enough, a long while later the man’s head appeared over a boulder along the mountain from her, his rifle barrel pointed at her.

  “Hi.” She tried a friendly smile, in spite of the gun.

  He looked at her for a moment, then again scanned the area. “What do you want?”

  “I want to be taken to Colonel anTetrono, please.”

  “Are you alone?”

  “No.”

  “Who is with you?”

  “One of your officers. He just doesn’t look like one at the moment.”

  “Who?”

  “Raif.” Only then did she realize that she didn’t know his family name.

  “Tell him to show himself.”

  Raif rose slowly and stood beside her.

  “I don’t know him.”

  Raif grinned. “But Colonel anTetrono does, and the password for today is ‘Dagger’.”

  The soldier considered a moment. “That’s the password, all right. Just the two of you?”

  They nodded.

  “Would you just continue on down the mountain a ways?”

  They complied, and he disappeared behind the rock. After they had gone a hundred paces or so, she heard his voice behind her. “You can stop now.”

  They turned and he was closer, but still had his rifle ready. “Were you in the fight last night?”

  “No, we escaped from the camp earlier. I have a report to make to the Colonel: information he needs immediately.”

  The man nodded. “And you want her to come, too?”

  Raif grinned. “She’s not exactly what she looks like.”

  “Your choice. Go down this trail until you hit the main path, then turn right. I’ll follow.”

  “You’re a careful man.”

  “I’m a live man, and I intend to stay that way.”

  “I approve.”

  “Thank you.”

  It was still a fair distance down the mountain, and Aleria noticed that both her escorts were very watchful. She kept her own eyes open, but the stress of the night was beginning to tell, and she had to watch her footing to keep from stumbling. Finally, they reached smoother ground and a better trail. Soon after that they were stopped by another soldier, this one in uniform. The scout took care of the formalities and they passed through. Around the next bend in the trail she could see canvas through the trees, and she started to believe that they had made it.

  A final sentry stopped them at the edge of the camp.

  “Two to see the Colonel.”

  “Who are they?”

>   “Say’s his name’s Raif. Don’t know who she is.”

  “You didn’t ask?”

  “They had the password. You don’t stop to chat out in the forest. There’s a battle going on, in case you didn’t notice.”

  “I thought it was over.”

  “Just about.”

  The sentry turned to them. “So who are you?”

  “My name’s Aleria. I got caught up in all this by mistake.”

  Raif stepped forward. “I’m Raif Canah, with His Majesty’s Fusiliers. Could you do me a favour, soldier? Send for Kendrin anTahl. He’ll be around the Colonel’s tent somewhere, if I know him.”

  The sentry took another look at the ragged man in front of him, raised his eyebrows, then straightened. “Yes, sir.” He turned to the scout. “I think you’d better take them to the Officer of the Watch.”

  Their guide nodded. “Who’s on?”

  “Magro.”

  A significant look passed between the two. She glanced at Raif, but he shrugged. Not someone he knew.

  They were ushered into large tent near the centre of the camp. It was almost empty, with only a few canvas chairs and odd bits of equipment scattered around. The scout was just starting to unfold a chair for her when the door slapped open and an officer strutted through.

  The scout squared his shoulders, saluted, and stood at attention. As they joined him in a ragged line, Aleria was amused to realize that she knew the officer who was looking her over with such a supercilious air. Maltuen anMagro, determined rake and self-proclaimed hero of the class two years her senior. Finally, tired of waiting, the scout glanced at Raif, then spoke.

  “These two should be escorted to the Colonel immediately, sir. They just came in…”

  He was cut short by a huge sigh from AnMagro. “My dear man. In whose opinion should these two be escorted anywhere but to the detention area in chains with the rest of their rag-tag lot? When are you common soldiers going to learn proper procedures?”

  The scout cleared his throat, earning a glare. “Begging your pardon, sir, but this lady is Aleria…”

  “Lady? Soldier, this is no … Aleria? Good God, man, are you sure? Aleria, by the Lord it is you! We all thought you must be dead, caught up in all this. My Lord, girl, you look rough. What a bruise. Who gave you that?”

  She glanced over at Raif, standing silently, watching. She could tell what he thought of this pompous young man.

  “Him? This lout dared to raise a hand to you?” Before she could speak, he strode to Raif and struck him an open-handed blow to the side of the head that sent him reeling against the tent wall. In his surprise, he slipped and fell to the ground. Maltuen stood over him.

  “If you were a gentleman, I would demand satisfaction for this atrocity! Since you’re obviously not, I’ll give you more of the same!”

  Anger surged through her. She leaped at the officer, fingers clawed in the gold braid of his uniform. “You touch him again, you impudent twerp, I’ll take both your eyes out! If you had any idea what we’ve been through out there…” She glared into his startled face, took in the fear, the lack of comprehension. “But of course you have no idea, do you?” She looked down in disgust at the beautiful cloth in her hands, pushed him away from her. “You better get a little dirt on this pretty uniform if you’re going home with stories to tell.”

  She turned to see Raif getting up from the ground. He grinned, looked like he was about to approach her, but stopped and stared at her for a moment. She realized that her hands were still tense, and made an effort to relax. Raif turned his smile on the startled officer. “I guess you’ve figured out she doesn’t need anyone to stand up for her. Come on, take me to the Colonel. We have business.” He turned in the doorway of the tent. “You’ll be all right, won’t you? If you need anything, just call and someone will come.”

  She was about to snap a reply when she realized that she was about to be left alone in this big, empty tent. “No, I’m fine. Um…”

  “What is it?”

  “Well… If there is someone assigned to look after me, do you think it would be all right if he stayed here? Inside…? I mean…”

  “You mean you’ve just spent several days in a situation where being alone was very frightening, and the same bunch of bandits are still out there somewhere?”

  She nodded, relieved and a bit surprised at his understanding.

  “That’s not difficult at all. I’ll be back in a moment.” As he left, she heard a quick patter of feet approaching. There was an exclamation, a friendly greeting, and a quick conversation. Immediately he returned with a junior officer, a very young man with a pleased smile. “Aleria, this is Kendrin anTahl, my aide. He will stay as long as you like. He’s a good lad; I’ll vouch for him. His father plays polo with my father.”

  He slapped the boy on the shoulder. “We’ll talk later.” Then he turned and left, ignoring Maltuen, who stumbled after him.

  She stood for a moment, staring at the swinging canvas flap. His father. It had never occurred to her to ask where he came from. Polo? Aide? This was interesting. She turned to the young man.

  “So, Kendrin anTahl, who is his father, that he can afford polo?”

  The young soldier smiled. “You don’t know? From the look of it, I thought you two had a pretty good chance to get acquainted.”

  The warmth faded from her. Perhaps she was safe, but it seemed she was still going to have to deal with the crude jokes of soldiers. She was about to start in on him when the smile disappeared from the boy’s face.

  “I’m sorry, Miss Aleria. I didn’t mean to speak out of line. I just thought the way Lord Canah talked about you, like you were a good friend of his, you wouldn’t mind the joke. He always jokes with me, you see, and I thought, well…well, I’m sorry.”

  Half her mind was realizing that she shouldn’t be too hard on the boy, but the other half was dealing with the new information.

  “Lord Canah?”

  “Yes. Raif anCanah. You mean you didn’t know?”

  She felt herself gaping, snapped her mouth shut. “What the hell is the heir to the dukedom of Canah doing sneaking around with a bunch of rebels? He could have got himself killed!”

  Kendrin shrugged. “I don’t know what he was doing, Miss. You were with him, I though you might know.”

  “Well, I knew what he was doing, but I didn’t know that’s who he was. Why would he do a thing like that…? Don’t answer. It’s because he’s pig-headed and won’t listen to anybody.”

  The boy blushed. “Well, Miss, also because a lot of his father’s lands are here in the North, and he can speak with the right accent, knows the area well. He was a marvelous choice, if I might say so. Just risky.”

  “Risky! That’s an understatement. What did his father say? From what I hear of the old Duke, he’s not the kind of man to allow his heir to take chances like that.”

  “I don’t think Duke Canah knows anything about it. I saw my father last week, and he was talking about the two of us, that’s Raif and me, getting glory on the field of battle and all that. He said the Duke was pleased that I got to be Raif’s aide-de-camp. Of course I couldn’t say anything. Didn’t dare.”

  “Good choice. Mind you, the duke would have found out sooner or later.” She grinned at the idea. “And it’s not as if he could have gone chasing off after the rebel army to get Raif to quit. Can you just see it? ‘Please, Mister Slathe, could you just stop your rebellion for a minute or so? You see, my son has to come home or he’ll be late for his court etiquette lesson.’ No, not too likely.”

  Kendrin laughed. “I don’t think that would go over too well.” Then his face became serious. “Slathe is one of the leaders, isn’t he? What’s he like?”

  She shuddered. “He’s a horrible, dirty man. He’s big and heavy and strong, and he takes what he likes. He hits his own people if they don’t do what he wants fast enough, and he…he takes any woman he puts his eye on…” She stopped, thinking about what might have happened to
her.

  “Here, Miss Aleria. I think you’d better sit down.” He led her to a canvas-backed chair. “I’m sorry I asked. You’ve had a pretty rough time of it, these past few days. Would you like anything? Are you cold? Would you like a blanket?”

  She was about to deny it when she realized that she was shaking, and accepted the blanket gratefully. She sat, her thoughts muddled, as he bustled around, making sure she was comfortable.

  “Would you like a hot drink? I could get you one. I wouldn’t be long.” Something on her face stopped him. “I’ll call for someone. I won’t go away.”

  He went to the tent doorway and called. In a short time she was sitting with her fingers laced around a cup of hot, sweet tea. As she eyed the plate of biscuits and meat that he set on a folding table in front of her, she remembered how long it had been since she ate good food, even rough soldier’s fare such as this. With an apologetic glance at Kendrin, she dug in.

  When she had eaten half the plateful, she felt better, remembering her manners enough to slow down and make polite conversation. “So this is your Field Experience?”

  He nodded eagerly. “What luck, hey? I was halfway through my term when this all came up. They said that since I was here I might as well stay. I should have gone home weeks ago, but here I am.”

  Thinking about her own supposed Field Experience, where the girls weren’t allowed within a horse-length of a common soldier, she had to agree. “If you get home in one piece it will be good luck, all right.”

  “Oh, I don’t expect to see any actual fighting. There aren’t enough rebels to make a real attack on this camp,” he shot her a sudden glance, “are there? I guess you would know.”

  She thought of the size of this camp, the long picket lines of cavalry they had passed on their way in. “No, there aren’t. I would almost feel sorry for them if they weren’t such awful men. And women. You can consider yourself lucky that you aren’t fighting. I’ve seen it, and I didn’t like it.”

  “But you’re …”

  “Just a girl. I know. Not meaning to offend, Kendrin, but you’re just a boy, and I suspect there’s not a whole lot of difference in the way we were brought up. Believe me, when you’ve seen people being killed, heard the screams…” She felt herself start to shiver again.

  “Say, I don’t think you had better talk about things like that. You’d best forget about them.”

  “I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t, but my mind just keeps getting drawn back to it.”

  “Maybe you need to talk about it, then. It’s just that whenever you do, you go all white, and your hands clench up. If Raif comes in and sees you like that, well, let’s just say I’ll be seeing a whole lot of horses’ coats, close up, in the next few days.”

  She laughed, happy to be able to joke. “Well, we’ll just have to save you from curry-comb duty, and talk about other things. I guess you must be in next year’s class, are you?”

  They chatted on a while. He was two years behind her on the Young Gentlemen’s side of the Academy, and they discovered several mutual friends and one mutually detested instructor. After a while she found herself getting sleepy. Kendrin unfolded a canvas cot, apologizing for its roughness.

  She sank down onto it. “I have been sleeping on the ground lately. This feels great.”

  “You just sleep. I’ll sit in the doorway, so I can keep an eye on what’s happening in the camp and be here at the same time.”

  She looked around the tent. It didn’t seem so large, now, and the morning sun left a bright splash against one wall. She smiled sleepily up at him. “That’s all right. If you need to go find out what’s going on, I’ll be fine.”

  “I’ll be right outside, then. If you need me, just call.”

  She didn’t even remember him going out the door.

  20. Aftermath

  Arriving home, Aleria soon realized that her ordeal was not complete. Her story had spread before her, and she found that her various social circles were almost as difficult to face as a mob of leering soldiers. The other girls at school were only the beginning.

  At one point, Mito came to her rescue, taking her by the arm and towing her out of the Seniors’ Common Room.

  “You’re quite the hero, now.”

  Aleria closed the door on the mass of fluttering girls. She flopped into the nearest chair and shook her head. “They have no idea.”

  Mito chose a more formal seat. “I think they can figure it out.”

  “No, Mito. Unless you’ve been there, felt what it’s like, you just can’t tell. They don’t know. I can hear it in the stupid things they say.”

  “Aleria, you’ve always thought that the things they said were stupid.”

  “Maybe I’m just different. I’ve always wondered, tried not to be, tried to hide it, but I guess I am.”

  “You are.”

  “You can tell?”

  “It’s always been there. I’ve always known.”

  “It’s that obvious?”

  “Everyone always knew, even if they couldn’t put it into words. You were always doing things differently, and if you did things the same, it was always better, or worse, or something. After all, who’s your best friend?”

  “You are. What’s that got to do with it?”

  “Come on. Am I a typical friend for someone like you?”

  “I don’t choose my friends by who everyone else thinks I should. I chose you because I like you.”

  “You chose me before you knew what I was like. You chose me the moment you decided I was different from the rest. I believe you really do like me, now. But don’t you see how what you just said proves my point?”

  She grinned. “I suppose. You always see things as so complicated. But you’re usually right, I guess.”

  “I have my talents.”

  “And getting along with me is one of them.”

  “It hasn’t always been easy.”

  “But it’s always been fun.”

  The other girl stopped smiling.

  “Mito, were they very hard on you? You finally told them, didn’t you? I don’t mind. Really I don’t. It was one of the things that kept me going, when I was with the rebel army, knowing that you would send them looking for me.”

  “I’m glad you aren’t angry. It wasn’t that bad, I guess. It was difficult to pretend that I didn’t know. I kept thinking that they would see how nervous I was. You know what a bad liar I am. But I suppose they just thought I was worried. Which, of course, I was. As soon as I heard where the rebellion was, I realized that you were in danger, so I told Master Ogima right away. He was upset then, asking why I didn’t tell him sooner, and I said that I only just found out about the rebellion. After that he was too busy organizing the rescue party to bother about me. I was surprised at how easy it was. I think I was just so worried about you, I forgot to be afraid for myself.”

  “Typical. Always thinking of the other person.”

  “Well, it was an advantage, this time.”

  “I suppose so. And I appreciate it. You know, Mito, I think that if I had been killed, you are the only one of this bunch that would have been truly sad.”

  “Aleria, that’s not true!”

  “Oh, the others would have been horrified, I’m sure. But they’re too caught up in their own lives to care much about what I do with mine. You’re different. You’re a true friend, and I will endeavour to be more like you in the future.

  Mito took her hand. “I never thought I would hear you say that. I promise you, if you ever die, I will be truly sorry, and I will mourn for ages. I mean it. Why are you laughing?

  “I’m sure you do mean it. It’s just such a funny way of saying it.”

  Mito began to laugh as well. “I suppose so. Too bad you have to die to find out how much I love you.”

  They were laughing too hard to notice a man standing in the doorway. He cleared his throat, and they had controlled themselves enough to make a polite response when they realized it was Master Ogima. H
e invited them into his office, and Aleria waited in trepidation. He was probably here to tell her what a little fool she’d been, and she prepared to accept his judgement with no reserve. He said nothing as he sat, and she looked more closely at him. His stern face seemed very relaxed, even friendly. He put his closed fist on the table, then looked at her.

  She looked at the fist, then his face. He was almost smiling. Then he opened his hand.

  Her necklace.

  “Where did you get that?” She reached out.

  He grinned, opened his hand further. “I bought it.”

  “Who from?” She looked at the chain as if it might hold an answer.

  “A lad I met in Relaz.”

  “Shen Waring?”

  “That name sounds familiar. A rather sad specimen. Seemed depressed.”

  “But why would he sell it? What did you pay him?”

  “I paid him a name. He seemed quite happy with the deal.”

  “A name?”

  “Your last name. It seems you neglected to leave that little detail with him.”

  “Oh! Of course. I was trying to hide my trail, so I didn’t give out any information to anyone.” She looked for an angry reaction, but he was grinning.

  “Oh, yes, there was one more thing. I also paid him a promise. That I would bring it to you, along with a message.”

  “A message?” She could feel the heat rising in her face.

  Ogima looked slyly at her. “He seemed quite in earnest. He just said that he would like to hear from you.”

  Relief swept through her. “Oh.”

  “That’s all? ‘Oh’?”

  She raised her head a bit. “Yes, that’s all. Thank you for delivering my message and my necklace.” Then she realized how that sounded.

  “I am so sorry you went through all that danger looking for me. I acted like a spoiled brat, and it was only luck that we both got out of it in good shape.”

  His smile widened. “I’m not sorry. What you said back in the Fortress was true. You youngsters are not very well prepared these days, and the Quest is a joke. Your little adventure has been a real test of your abilities. In fact, I would say you have passed with flying colours.”

  A dark suspicion formed. “You mean this was another test?”

  He laughed. “No, no, this was real. It was just bad luck that Slathe’s rebellion spilled into the area just as we were passing through. Until recently, he had half the men and was much farther south. Good thing Lord Canah had a handle on him.”

  She nodded. “And good luck that it was Raif who found me in that inn, instead of one of the others.”

  “Some of it was luck. But he was on the lookout for anyone he could save, so he tried to be the first into the better rooms at the inns because he knew that was where any travelers would be. He’s a good man, Raif.”

  She shuddered. “I just can’t bear to see his face.”

  He rose and put an arm around her shoulders. “He understands, I’m sure.”

  “I don’t. I know he saved me, and now I can’t even talk to him. I have dreams at night, horrible dreams, and he’s always in them. It’s not fair to him.”

  “If that’s the worst that happens to him because of his little adventure, he can consider himself lucky. His father was quite upset when he found out.”

  “I wondered how his Grace would feel about it.”

  “The duke wants his son in the army, all right, but out on the battlefield reaping glory, not mucking about in the mud playing spy.”

  “I suppose.”

  “The old man also doesn’t want him skewered in a minor brawl out in the back country, as you might guess.”

  She nodded. “I see.” Then she shrugged. “I certainly didn’t see the polished side of him.”

  “Tell me, Aleria. Once Mito let us know what route you took we started out right away. I thought we would have caught up with you. Did you get a ride?”

  “No, I took a short-cut over the Naskawene Mountains.”

  “Ah, that explains it. We went the long way and lost track of you until it was too late, and we had to pull out. How did you find out about the shortcut?”

  “Um…Shen…”

  “You went off into the mountains with a man you had just met?”

  “I know it seems stupid. I travelled with him for a whole day, and I liked him. He seemed…nice. And trustworthy. That doesn’t explain it, but…”

  “So either you’re a shrewd judge of character or else it was just stupid luck.”

  She raised her chin in mock hauteur. “I prefer to believe the former.” She looked frankly at the two sitting with her. “But I also know I had a hearty dollop of the latter.”

  Ogima surprised her by reaching out and slapping her shoulder. “Don’t worry about it. Of course you had some good luck. Every soldier who comes out of a battle has had his share of luck. But that doesn’t take away from how you handled yourself. You demonstrated your courage, a fact that would not change, whether you lived or died.”

  “Courage? It seems to be I allowed myself to be dragged and battered around like a piece of useless luggage. I don’t see where the courage comes into it.”

  “According to Raif you held up your end of the game very well. He told me that when he calmed down and realized what had happened in the inn he was weak in the knees at the risk he took, and will be forever thankful that you didn’t let him down.”

  “I suppose I should be forever thankful to him, but it was a rough two weeks and he didn’t treat me very well. Oh, I know he had to make it look good. Maybe some day I’ll get to the point where I can be civil to him.”