He faced T-quin. The oily blackness inside him had been purged and thrown into the Sunset Ocean. Nothing left but hard silver.
When the match started, T-quin attacked with a series of front kicks. His movements appeared crystal clear to Valek. Rage no longer clouded his vision. He almost felt sorry for T-quin, but sorrow was an emotion. And Valek had taken Hedda’s advice to heart.
Valek blocked a side kick and a punch to his head, staying on the defensive.
“Come on, Wanna Be. Fight back or I might fall asleep,” T-quin said.
The crowd laughed and cheered T-quin on. Valek ignored the noise, focusing on T-quin’s attack pattern, analyzing his strikes for weaknesses. Even though they’d sparred so many times before, Valek learned more about T-quin’s fighting style in these five minutes than in the weeks before.
Valek waited for the perfect opportunity. When T-quin did his favorite shuffle side kick, backhand combo, Valek stepped in close and punched T-quin’s exposed ribs. T-quin grunted and backpedaled.
“Lucky strike, Wanna Be.”
“You wish.”
The fight continued and Valek took advantage of every opening T-quin gave him. After a series of blows to his kidneys, T-quin dropped his guard and swayed on his feet. Valek spun, windmilling him to the ground, and knelt on his shoulders.
“Pinned, Tamequintin,” Valek said.
Stunned silence filled the air until Arbon whooped. “Yes! You owe me two silvers, T-quin.”
The crowd had recovered and dispersed. Valek had flexed his muscles, assessing the damage—a few sore ribs and a tender spot on his biceps.
Hedda had approached. “Not bad, King Killer. I should have given you the ten-day deadline sooner. You do well under pressure. Now let’s see how you do with weapons training.”
“Ten days?”
“Of course.”
A knock on his office door jerked Valek from his memories. “Yes?”
Sergeant Gerik poked his head in. “The Commander has retired for the evening, sir.”
“Thank you.” Before the man could close the door, he called, “Gerik, come in here, please.”
Strain whitened Gerik’s face as he approached Valek’s desk. All the members of the Commander’s guard knew they’d be punished for letting the assassin through, but had no idea what was in store for them. Once Valek had assembled a new team, this team would be reassigned.
“Sir?”
“According to your file, you’re a recent transfer from MD-2. Been here a year. How long did you serve up there?”
“A year, sir.”
“Being assigned to the Commander’s detail is an impressive accomplishment for someone who’s only served a couple years. Most of these guys have ten or more years’ experience. What do you credit for your success?”
Gerik hesitated.
“Feel free to speak frankly.”
“I’m good, sir. Fighting hand to hand, or with weapons, is easy for me. I’ve a natural affinity for sparring.”
“Fair enough. When you were in MD-2, did you know a Captain Timmer?”
The slightest flinch creased Gerick’s face. “I’ve heard of him, sir.”
“And? Again I’m looking for an honest opinion.”
“He has a reputation for cruelty, sir.”
“Cruelty?”
“The officers believe he’s very strict and his troops are the best. No one has ever filed a complaint. It’s just gossip among the enlisted, sir.”
“If his troops are considered the best, why weren’t you promoted to his company?”
Gerik frowned. “I was offered a position, but I turned him down.”
Interesting. “Refused because of gossip?”
“Yes, sir.”
The man was lying. Valek wondered why, but he wasn’t going to push it right now. Some things couldn’t be rushed. “I also wanted to let you know that you’re being reassigned, Private Gerik.”
He straightened. “Yes, sir.” Resignation laced his voice.
“It’s a temporary assignment. If you do well, it might become permanent.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Report to the training yard tomorrow morning after exercise.”
“Yes, sir.” This time surprise tainted his tone.
“You’re dismissed.”
“Yes, sir.” Gerik left in a hurry.
Probably worried Valek would change his mind. Valek read through Captain Timmer’s file, but spotted nothing out of the ordinary. On his way to the Commander’s suite, he visited one of his operatives, assigning the man to deliver a message to Yelena, warning her about Ben Moon.
“You give this directly to her. No one else. Understand?” Valek asked.
“Yes, sir,” the man replied.
The tension in Valek’s shoulders eased as he sent another agent to seek out Arbon and let the assassin know Valek wished to talk to him. Then Valek knocked on the Commander’s door. He’d accomplished more than he’d hoped today.
“Come,” Ambrose called.
Valek entered. A glass of blackberry brandy waited for him by the empty armchair. The Commander already relaxed in his.
“Did our young assassin show up tonight?”
“She did.”
“And how did the boys react?”
“As expected.”
Ambrose laughed. “Bared teeth and raised hackles, eh?”
“Tomorrow morning should be interesting.” Valek explained what they’d learned about the smugglers.
“Good. Anything else?”
He reported about Captain Timmer in MD-2. “I need more information on him.”
“Yes, find out about him. My officers are forbidden to abuse their positions.”
Another reason Ambrose held Valek’s loyalty. His insistence that his army always behave as professionals. No cruelty, no killing for killing’s sake, no drunken brawls and no sexual harassment.
Valek sipped his drink. Molten spices rolled over his tongue, burned down his throat and warmed his stomach. “I’d like to investigate this Timmer personally.”
The Commander stilled. “You’ve only just returned. Why not send an agent?”
“It’s too important. He’s the reason both Onora and Gerik are here and I suspect they’re working together. Besides, an agent would have to infiltrate his squad and earn his trust. Time I’m unwilling to waste at this point.”
“And you believe you can get answers faster?”
“Oh yes.”
The Commander stared into the fire. “What about my safety?”
Good question. What about it? Ever since Onora had appeared in the Commander’s suite, Valek had been mulling it over, viewing the entire night from every possible angle. He’d missed something vital. He’d no idea what, but he’d discover it eventually.
“I will ensure that the gap in security has been plugged, and that you have a new detail before I leave. Besides, if Onora has a change of heart, I’m quite certain you can handle her,” Valek said.
“Quite certain?”
Valek met the Commander’s amused gaze. “I haven’t beaten you yet, old man.”
“Experience trumps youth?”
“For now,” Valek agreed.
“And when it doesn’t?”
Valek laughed. “We team up. I’ll knock him on the head with my cane and you aim for the groin with your bony feet.”
The Commander chuckled and sipped his drink. They sat in companionable silence for a while.
“All right, Valek. Go and take care of this Captain Timmer. You have ten days.”
All humor fled Valek. Ten days. Just like the inside joke between Valek and Hedda all those years ago. He’d never told the Commander or anyone about that. Coincide
nce? Or had the Commander talked to Hedda? And if so, why?
13
JANCO
Janco hated mornings. The bright sunlight, chirping birds and those obnoxious morning people just made his stomach churn. Unfortunately, since he’d been a soldier for forever morning exercise and training had been a requirement. He’d probably be a general by now if training was scheduled for a decent hour of the day.
Ari’s white-blond hair gleamed in the sun, making it easy to find his partner in the vast training area. As in everything, Ari was the complete opposite of Janco. He was even one of those obnoxious morning people.
“You’re late,” Ari said.
“Yeah, well, I got behind a group of newbs while running laps. My grandmother could run faster than them.”
“You couldn’t just pass them?”
“And miss a chance to taunt them? No way.”
“I see you’ve taken to heart Valek’s orders to be a good example to the new recruits.”
“Yep, that’s me. A shining example.”
“Speaking of examples...” Ari tilted his head.
Janco turned and groaned. “Here comes Little Miss Assassin. What have we done to get saddled with her?”
“It didn’t help you were caught snooping in that warehouse. Some sneak you are.”
“I was far from caught. I was just...biding my time.” Janco eyed the young pup sourly.
Little Miss Assassin moved through the groups of soldiers with ease. No discomfort from being surrounded by armed men and women. She joined them without a word and warmed up. Her long brown hair was braided down her back. She wore a light-colored tunic and pants and her feet were bare! And people called him crazy.
He stretched and bantered with Ari until he saw them.
“Ari, look.” He elbowed his partner.
“What? Oh, crap. This can’t be good.”
“Ya think?”
The Commander and Valek headed toward them followed by some grunt, who looked terrified. Didn’t blame him.
Little Miss Assassin froze for a second when she spotted the threesome. Scared of Valek? Not from what he’d heard. The Commander? Ditto. A slight hitch in the big grunt’s stride gave him away. She knew him and vice versa. Valek also watched the young pup’s expression. Probably testing a theory.
But why was the Commander here?
Valek introduced the grunt—Sergeant something or other. Seemed he might be another member of their team. Oh, this day was just getting better and better. He should have stayed in bed.
“We’re going to do some sparring,” Valek said. “Janco versus Gerik, Ari versus Onora, then switch.”
The Commander leaned against the wooden fence that lined the training yard. Better put on a good show.
“Weapons?” Ari asked.
“Your choice.”
Janco sensed a trick. He glanced at his partner. Ari shrugged. No help there. Janco studied the grunt. Taller than him, but not as broad as Ari. Best to wait until the grunt chose a weapon before he picked his.
Sergeant Grunt chose a bo staff. A surprise. Janco was sure he’d go for the sword. No worries. He’d learned a thing or three from Maren. Picking up his bo, he slid his hands along the wood of the staff and faced the grunt.
Valek refereed the match. “Go.”
The grunt swung his bo, aiming for Janco’s temple. He blocked and the loud crack of wood hitting wood vibrated in the air. The man meant business. Janco countered and soon all he heard was the rhythmic cracks of the two bos. His opponent was good, but Janco was better. Natch.
“The grunt can swing, but can he sing?” Janco shuffled close and jabbed at the man’s groin.
He hopped back. “Hey! No blows below the belt.”
“Who says?”
The grunt glanced at Valek. Oh, this was too easy. Janco poured on the speed. Rib strike, rib strike, temple, temple, feint to the ribs and then sweep the legs. Sergeant Grunt landed with an oomph and Janco pressed the tip of his bo just under the man’s Adam’s apple.
“Gotcha!”
Valek called the match. Janco refrained from smirking.
Ari slapped him on the back and almost sent him sprawling. “Nice.”
Janco pulled Ari aside. “Watch out. She almost beat Valek, so she’s probably very fast.”
“That’s why I’m not choosing a knife.”
“Use your scimitar.”
“Why?”
“No one in Ixia uses it. She’ll be unfamiliar with what it can do. Plus it’s intimidating as all hell.”
“Great idea.”
“Don’t sound so surprised.”
“Ready?” Valek asked.
Little Miss Assassin waited with her knives drawn. Ari approached, holding his scimitar in one hand. The thick, four-foot-long curved blade gleamed in the sunlight. The sucker weighed a ton, but Ari hefted it with ease.
Although she clenched her weapons tighter, Little Miss Assassin kept her cool. This ought to be good.
“Go.”
She moved first, rushing Ari. A suicide move, except she cut to the right and sliced at Ari’s neck. Ari just blocked her attack. Janco had been right—she was not just fast, but superfast. And she used it to her advantage, snaking inside his strike zone and then dancing back.
Ari adjusted and used his scimitar to keep her from getting close. But she managed a few more strikes. The match lengthened. When Ari grabbed his hilt with both hands, she smiled, probably thinking she had worn him down.
Janco waited, and sure enough, Ari’s lumbering swings, slow shuffles and heavy breathing lured Little Miss Assassin within striking distance. She stepped in, and he punched her in her solar plexus. Collapsing with a whoosh, she looked up in time to see Ari placing the tip of his very sharp blade on her neck.
“Gotcha!” Janco yelled, because Ari was too much of a gentleman to gloat.
Ari offered her a hand up, but she ignored it, rising to her feet. Indignation furrowed her brow and her mouth opened as if to protest. She shot Valek a sour look, but then pressed her lips together.
Wiping her hands on her pants, she picked up her knives and faced Janco. He chose the bo staff again.
“Go.” Valek stepped back.
She attacked. Boy oh boy her speed was impressive. If he’d held a knife, the fight would be over by now. However, the longer bo staff kept her from getting close, and he was also known for his speedy little jabs. He worked on her ribs as her blades cut chunks from his staff.
“Little Miss Assassin is as slow as molassin,” Janco sang.
“Molassin? That’s not even a word,” Ari called.
“Everyone’s a critic. I’d like to see you find a word that rhymes with assassin.” Janco backpedaled as the young pup came after him with a flurry of slices aimed at his throat and stomach.
The tip of her blade nicked his neck.
“This kitten has claws under her puppy-dog paws.”
She growled and Janco bit down on a chuckle because her next series of attacks almost knocked him over. Impressive. He endured two more assaults. Then on the third, he planted the end of his bo in the ground and, using his momentum, flipped over her head. He landed, swept her legs, then followed her down, pressing the bo staff against her throat.
“Gotcha.”
“The correct term is ‘pinned,’” she said, panting.
“That’s boring. Besides, we don’t do ‘correct’ around here.”
Ignoring his hand, she stood and brushed a lock of hair from her sweaty face. “I’ve noticed.”
“Next,” Valek said.
Sergeant Grunt faced Ari without a weapon. “Hand to hand?”
“All right.”
“Bad move,” Janco muttered.
??
?Why?” She moved closer to him.
“You’ll see.”
While the grunt had an impressive array of techniques, Ari had spent the past ten years perfecting hand-to-hand fighting. In order to beat Ari, an opponent had to have brute strength, speed and to make no mistakes. Grunt gave a good fight, but his inexperience proved his downfall.
“Gotcha,” Janco said when Ari pinned the grunt.
“Not bad,” Valek said. “Final fight. Ari and Janco against Onora, using knives.”
Janco had been about to protest until that last part. He sensed he and Ari were about to get their balls handed to them.
He hated when he was right. Actually, he preened and bragged when he was right, but being soundly beaten by Little Miss Assassin was a huge blow to his ego. And the Commander had watched it! Absolutely mortifying.
Ari wiped the blood and sweat from his arms. “Nice fight.”
Janco glared at him. “Nice? That—”
“Oh hush, Janco. Can’t you just admit when someone is better than you?”
“Obviously not.” He pouted.
“That explains why Valek had such trouble with her. Be glad she’s on our side.”
He gazed at her. She talked to Valek while the grunt stood nearby. The Commander had left. Probably disgusted by their fight.
“Is she? Her and the grunt know each other.”
“Probably why Valek brought him along today.”
“He could be the reason she got into the castle without trouble.”
“Could be.”
“You don’t seem concerned.”
“I’m sure Valek has a plan.”
“Humph.” Janco moved closer to eavesdrop on their conversation.
“...obvious you never completed the training,” Valek said to the assassin. “You’re deadly with your knives. Now you need to be deadly with a bo staff, a sword, hand to hand. These two can help you with that if you let them.”
Ha. Not unless Valek ordered him. Or... Hmm. If she shared her knife-fighting techniques, he might be tempted to show her a few moves.
Valek called Ari over. Once they were assembled, he said, “I’m counting on the four of you to work together and find how the smugglers are transporting illegal goods into Ixia. Ari’s the team leader for this mission. Keep me updated.”