BloodLust (Rise of the Iliri Book 1) Read online

  When he reached his cabin, he pinned the lock and pulled the box from his coat. He expected to find a lengthy letter in it, possibly even one that told him she couldn't talk to him again and had only wanted a single night. To his surprise, the package had a small item, wrapped in soft papers. Carefully withdrawing the layers, he found himself holding a necklace. Not the necklace she'd worn the night before, but a large opal set on a black resin chain. Searching through the papers, hoping for an explanation, he found a note scrawled on the innermost layer in an elegant hand.

  No one can let you down if you haven't been leaning on them.

  Maybe it's time to start leaning.

  Chapter 15

  Two days later, six men stood before Sal in full black battle armor. Her own had been assembled from spare pieces and barely fit, since administrators rarely requisitioned armor. Blaec – LT, she reminded herself – said it wouldn't be worth having a custom suit made. Either she would get a black set or return to her duties behind a desk. Sal tugged at the oversized chest piece again and began giving orders to "her" men.

  "We have information that the Lieutenant has been taken captive and is being held at the bend in Stonewater Creek. The enemies are thought to be mounted, but their other assets are not known." The Blades had already performed this mission twice before with the other candidates.

  "Arctic, can you reach his mind?" she asked, breaking protocol from the start.

  "I cannot." His smile showed the answer was a part of the ruse.

  "Then we must assume that he is unconscious, correct?"

  "Yes, that's the -" He smirked, and she knew the Lieutenant was talking in his head. "- feeling I get from him."

  "Then Razor, can you find him or his body?" She turned to the dark man.

  "Yes, I have a direct bearing on him. It seems to point in the general area claimed."

  She looked at the rest of her men and ran her mind over the orders one more time. "Do we have any weapons left or taken when they captured LT?" She was hoping for a long shot.

  "If we did?" Arctic asked.

  "Then I'd ask Cyno to see if he can get anything that would help us understand who took him, and what their plan was."

  Arctic paused for a moment, then nodded at Cyno.

  "Yeh, let's say I had one, and that I can get..." Cyno shrugged. "I'm na so good at this role playing," he grumbled. "Yeh, I held a weapon, and it gave me an impression of a force trying ta breach the border of the Conglomerate. I get a feel of about twenty-five men, the one who dropped the weapon was mounted, but na all are."

  "Good enough, Cyno. And you just told me what I needed. There are more of them than us. Ok guys, let's mount up. I'm the weakest rider, so I'll follow the path picked by Razor. I want to come around them from the side and spiral in. Arctic, you and Risk at the back, keep a few paces between us to give you room for a clear shot in case an ambush catches us. Once we're close enough, communications will be silent, so Arctic, keep the link up."

  The men nodded, and Shift led her over to the gentle palfrey assigned to her for this mission. With their newly picked horses awaiting training, the recruits had been issued the use of a standard transport mount while the Blades used their own horses. Shift gave her a leg into the saddle, and she checked to make sure her concept of the commands were correct. While the other men mounted, Sal moved her horse around the staging area, asking it to stop, back, and turn a few times until she was sure she wouldn't hinder their efforts with her riding. When she had control, she nodded to Razor.

  Ok, let's go find him, she thought. As one, they moved toward the creek, Zep falling in behind her.

  Their horses trudged through the underbrush, stepping down hills and over trees. The Blades moved in near silence, the sound of their mounts no more distracting than the wildlife in the area. A few minutes in, she could tell their path spiraled like she'd ordered. When the sound of water trickled through the brush, she reached out to their minds again.

  Razor, can you find something vague? she asked, the thought leaping into her mind.

  Depends how vague, I suppose.

  Are there men hiding near us. Sentries, archers, anything like that?

  He looked over his shoulder, meeting her eyes, and smiled. His expression gave the answer away while she felt him check with the Lieutenant. I feel like there's men in the trees. He pointed up casually, and Sal looked for soldiers she knew would be waiting.

  Arctic, Risk, peel off and check for archers and snipers. Take out any you can, as quietly as possible.

  The men nodded and reined their horses to the side, both pulling padded training arrows from their saddles and stringing their bows. Sal, and the four men with her, continued on. A kilometer farther, she saw a break in the trees, and Razor called a halt.

  LT's about two hundred meters ahead of us. He's stationary, he thought.

  Shift, see what you can. Do not give us away. Cyno, Razor, Zep, hold here until we get a better idea of the weapons we'll be up against.

  Shift slipped off his horse and passed through the brush silently. The wait seemed to be endless before they heard him in their heads again. I have ten men here, heavy armor, swords and shields. There's a lot of hoof prints, and I think there's probably cavalry close enough that we need to be concerned by it.

  Sal pulled her mind close, locking the others out, and wondered where the civilians would be. Blaec wouldn't make it easy, or obvious. In theory, this would be a group of enemy soldiers that had breached their border and were hiding out. They would have patrols and be overly aggressive with any civilians who spotted them, knowing one set of eyes would lead to more.

  Guys, what's in this area besides the stables? she asked.

  Not much, Sal, Shift told her. We have the pastures a few clicks over, and this area is often used for training the military, the medical units, and such. Why?

  Is there any place they could be holding up? If they're a military incursion force, then wouldn't they want something more defensible than a creek bed? If they breached the border, like Cyno suggested, then they have bigger plans than just capturing our leader, right?

  She felt, rather than heard, the approval of the men in her head.

  Zep spoke up. I think there's some caves up the way a bit, might be they dug in there?

  Where? She asked, and he responded with a gesture to the north of them, on the other side of where the Lieutenant was supposedly being held.

  Ok. Razor, any change on LT?

  None.

  Then you, Zep and Shift make your way across the creek here, she directed. Come at the camp – quietly mind you – from the other side. Pick off as many men as you can without alerting them, but watch your back for those extras. Cyno and I will start the same from here. Mounted or on foot, your choice. We're outnumbered two to one, so make it count. I don't care who gets to LT first, just get him out. Arctic, Risk, how's it going with the archers?

  We took out four so far, looks like there might be a couple more up your way, Risk thought back.

  Ok. Guys, keep your eyes up. These are probably snipers, so don't give them anything to see. I need you, Risk and Arctic, to cover our escape. Once we're engaged with the enemy, take out as many as you can, as fast as you can. You guys know what to do. Let's go.

  They sent their agreement, and faded into the brush like whispers. Sal slipped off her horse, surprised to see Cyno do the same. Together they crept closer to the enemy, breaking apart and circling in opposite directions. Her heart hammered in her chest and she resisted the urge to mentally check on the men she was responsible for. Until now, the mission felt theoretical, but hearing voices so close, the real test was upon her.

  Too soon, a man in royal blue walked only feet from where she crouched in the dense brush. She quickly checked her surroundings and, finding no one else near, reached out an arm to pull the man's feet out from under him. Calling on her iliran-born speed, she slapped her hand over his mouth before he hit the ground and touched her practice blade to his thro
at, making a slashing motion. The cadet, eyes wide in shock, nodded, accepting his "death." She crawled a few paces further to the right and saw a path into the clearing. Watching, she could just make out shadows crossing at the end. That meant more soldiers.

  She avoided the path, instead choosing to keep to the underbrush, her ears working overtime. At the edge of the clearing, she could see the Lieutenant "tied" to a chair in clear view. The situation was amazingly cliche. Before moving, she reached out with her mind to check the locations of "her" Blades. She could feel Cyno across from her. Shift, Zep, and Razor had nearly reached the opposite side of the clearing.

  What's the status of the snipers? she asked.

  Gone, Arctic assured her.

  I think there's one left, Risk added, but can't be sure. He sent her an image of odd leaves above them.

  She looked up and understood what he meant. A grouping of leaves was just a bit too dense for their location in that tree. Arctic, keep an eye on that. When we make our move, toss an arrow in it just to be sure, then grab our mounts, she sent a mental image of where they'd been left, and head in here. We'll want to make a quick exit. If they have heavy cavalry, there's no way we'll stand up to that. Our best chance will be to grab LT and get out.

  The men sent her their agreement and understanding. Sal had been keeping an eye on the clearing and could only count four enemies. They were beginning to look restless, since their fellow soldiers weren't returning. She assumed they knew an attack was coming but not what would happen. Before she could call a rush, Zep broke into her mind.

  I'm still mounted, Sal, he thought. From where Cessa and I are, we can take out most of them before you could even get close.

  Do it, Zep. Then grab LT and get out of here.

  This mission should have a catch to it, but so far it seemed simple and straight forward. Zep spurred his horse and the dark beast announced her charge with crashing branches. The "enemy" soldiers turned to the new threat in unison. Sal took the chance and darted forward, "stabbing" one in the back, the woman's nod all Sal needed before moving toward the Lieutenant, while Zep "killed" those remaining. Cyno reached LT first and began "untying" the ropes.

  His mind still blank to them, LT said, "I'm unconscious," and nothing more.

  "Cyno, hand him up to Zep. If he happens to help in his unconscious state, fine, if not, haul his ass over the saddle," she ordered.

  Cyno grinned and threatened to do like he was told, before LT accepted Zep's hand and swung into a seat behind him.

  Your horse is double, Zep. Head back, keep your mind open. We'll be right behind you.

  Gotcha, don't take too long, Zep thought back, as Sal heard more horses heading to them.

  She expected Arctic and Risk to be bringing in their own mounts, but the sounds didn't match their mental locations. That was all the warning she needed. INCOMING! she screamed into their minds.

  The Blades scurried in different directions for cover, and Sal shot a thought at Arctic to get the horses to Cyno. She ducked and dodged between branches, trying to become invisible. Her heart pounded in her throat. They'd pass nearly right on top of her.

  Guys, get back, get safe. I'm in a bad spot, she thought. Arctic, take lead and regroup.

  Sal, Arctic sent, you only pass if you make it back.

  I'll make it back, don't worry, but I'm not losing any of you on my first mission. I still have some tricks to use.

  His understanding filled her mind before he directed the men out of the clearing toward a meeting point. He sent the location and it tasted of hope.

  Her navy armor gave her the benefit of blending into the forest shadows, but her hair and skin would draw the eye as soon as any horseman got close. Sal quickly thought of herself with skin of bark and hair of leaves while she ducked into a cluster of bushes at the base of two large trees, unsure if her camouflage would work. Glancing up from her cover, the first horse darted past, the rider never looking in her direction. Behind him followed two full squads, mounted and dressed like heavy cavalry. She sent the images to Arctic, updating him on the next wave they faced.

  With the horses behind her, Sal began to creep forward, careful to avoid making any noise that would alert them to her location. She tried to slow her breathing, but her heart pounded so hard they had to hear it. Behind her, the cavalry officer bellowed his orders.

  "I need one scout in each direction, you have two minutes to find me a track and report back. I have fifteen krits riding on the outcome of this mission, boys. Don't let me down. There's a round at the pub for each of you if we win!"

  She ducked behind another tree and checked her hands to be sure she'd reverted to her pale self. Listening closely, she could make out a horse off to her right, heading in the general direction of their meeting place.

  We've got scouts coming in. Heads up, men.

  I got him. Shift sent back, with a vision of a pike against his knee.

  I'm just behind him, but we only have two minutes to get clear before the cav comes looking.

  She raced through the forest as fast as she could, checking to be sure she wouldn't be seen by either the scout or the cavalry behind her. The forest fled under her feet, and she tried to keep her ears open as she darted toward their assigned meeting place. Just before her, a flash of red glinted in the sunlight: Shift on his bay, charging the scout. She reached them just as Shift knocked the boy from his saddle. With a grunt, the kid hit hard, and Sal pounced on him.

  With her dagger at his throat, she asked, "Are you hurt?"

  "No, sir, not any more than usual, but I agree I am dead."

  She nodded and glanced up at the sound of Shift dismounting.

  "Sal, take Boo, I'll grab the kid's horse – don't worry, I'll get her back to you in one piece." From the ground, the soldier nodded, and Shift tossed Sal's small form into the saddle. "Just hang on. He'll follow the rest for the most part."

  Boo was larger than the palfrey. He also moved with a power that intimidated her, but Sal grabbed a handful of mane and squeezed him forward, following Shift. They cantered into the clearing as the Blades heard Zep's cry.

  I have pursuit!

  Go, go! Sal told her men. While they raced after Zep's retreat, she shot orders at them. They needed to flank the enemy, harrying them to pull attention from Zep and his laden mare. On their faster horses, the Blades quickly caught up to the heavily armored cavalry. The extra armor slowed their mounts, just like Zep's second rider slowed his. She could just see the brown mare, dark with sweat, running flat out.

  Sal clung to the horse beneath her with all her might. Every other stride she feared she'd lose a stirrup. Both of her hands were woven into the gelding's mane, and she hoped Boo would just follow his herd mates without losing her.

  That's when she finally saw the supposed civilians. To their left, a group of medical students were being herded back to the creek area by a second unit of mounted troops. Most of them were women, but a few men were mixed in. Zep and the Lieutenant were headed back to the staging area, what the mission considered "safe territory", but it lay in the opposite direction of the civilians. This was her choice, the idea she'd given Blaec a few nights before.

  Zep, you're on your own, she sent. Can you make it without us?

  I don't think so. They're gaining, and Cessa is blowing hard.

  Try, Zep. You have to try, she thought, before sending to them all, Civilians to the left. We have to get them free.

  Sal, Arctic sent, your mission is to rescue LT.

  I know, but this has to be a part of it, too! Saving civilians, isn't that what you're famous for? She pulled up Boo and reined him toward the medics, her mind racing.

  Any of you with pikes, I need you to break up their formation. Cyno, do whatever it is you do, and archers, pick them off before we get there. Do not hurt the medics.

  She had no idea what she would do. Pushing Boo toward the mounted soldiers, she watched them circle the knot of medics. Sal had never fought on horseback, but she'd be
damned if she'd claim her lack of experience as a reason to give orders from the side line. Falling in just behind the Blades, she knew she could do more from the ground, so pulled the gelding up and looked back at Shift's pack of wooden training weapons. Grabbing a pair of swords, she slipped down Boo's side, barely staying on her feet when she hit the ground.

  Then Sal rushed toward the mounted men. She kept the link in her mind open, to feel the positions of the Blades, and moved in the opposite direction. Screaming loudly as she came up before a horse, she caused the high spirited beast to spook, then yanked the rider from the saddle when he lost his balance. A sword point to his throat and he nodded.

  She moved toward the next, who waited for her, and parried a pike blow. The man wheeled his horse. Again, she tried to scream and flail, but this rider had more skill. His horse ducked, the rider flowing with its movement as though made of water. He pushed the animal back toward Sal, the intent to run her over clear in his scowl.

  She snarled and smacked the horse across the cannon bone with the flat of her wooden blade, then tried to dodge when the beast reacted. It reared, the injured leg catching Sal in the shoulder and jaw, making her head spin. She dropped to her knees and kept rolling, struggling to find her feet. A flash of black caught her eye as Cyno dove from his saddle, pulling her attacker to the ground, defeating him. He lifted his head and smiled like a pleased animal.

  Looking around, the heavy cav had been "slaughtered." The soldiers sat on the ground or held their swords out in an obvious symbol of having been incapacitated.

  Zep? she sent, in her heart knowing that by calling off the Blades there was no way he could have outpaced the men chasing him. She needed to hear it, though.