BloodLust (Rise of the Iliri Book 1) (13 page)

"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.

Seems Cessa had a little more speed in her after all, girly.
  He laughed in her head. 
But you're gonna have to help me walk her out when you get back here.  Poor mare's nostrils are about the size of your eyes.  You did it, Sal!  You did it.

She heard what he said, but it took a moment before the news sank in.  Not only had she passed the most critical test, but she'd also succeeded at the mission!  She looked around at the grinning faces of the Black Blades.  A few medics wandered among them, checking the "casualties" for actual injuries while all around her, men stood tired and covered in sweat.  Her weapons forgotten in her hands, she stared, dazed, realizing what this meant.

She had passed the trials.  She
would
be a Black Blade.

Chapter 16

All total, they "killed" thirty-one men: ten infantry at the creek bed, five snipers in the trees, four light cavalry, and the twelve heavy cavalry cadets with the medical students.  No participants had been seriously injured, and the bruise to Sal's face was one of the worst of the training mission.  The Blades made a fuss over her – Zep even let her out of her promise to help walk his horse out.  In the end, the last trial of the Black Blades was considered to be a success by all, except those who hadn't passed it.

The veteran had led the Blades right into the snipers, counting on their combat abilities to overcome anything in their way, never thinking of distance weapons.  He'd been politely dismissed with a recommendation to an infantry based outfit.  Doron Passel had fared a bit better.  He armed Shift and Risk with bows then became distraught when Shift's aim had been as poor as he claimed.  Zep and Razor had been "taken out" by snipers before Passel adjusted and rescued the Lieutenant himself.  When the Calvary gave chase, he ordered the Blades to cover him, leaving the medics behind without a second thought, losing the entire force before he got even half way to the safe zone.  Mounted on the slower palfrey, he never stood a chance of outrunning the fleet rouncies the cavalry used.

The Blades had shared their perspectives of the previous missions with her, and now, standing before the Lieutenant's door, she waited anxiously to be invited in.  The latch finally clicked open and Passel walked out, a bland expression on his face.  Beyond him, she could see the entire outfit clustered around the Lieutenant's desk before the door closed.

"It's a good recommendation for me, Luxx," Passel said, pasting on something that resembled a smile.  "I really thought this time would work out, but LT assures me I'll have elite forces seeking me out with the recommendation he's going to write."

"I'm sorry, Passel, but you'll make the next one, we both know it."

"I think so, too.  I heard you did well.  Congratulations."  He tried to smile again, but Sal could hear his disappointment.

"Thank you.  I appreciate it.  Good luck to you, sir." 

He nodded at her then made his way back toward his cabin, most likely to begin packing. 

She took a deep breath and released it, unsure of what came next.  Lifting her bruised chin, all she could do was walk in the door, giving her pale eyes a second to adjust to the dimly lit room.  The Blades crowded the space, the Lieutenant seated behind his desk, all in their full black uniform.  He gestured for her to take a seat.

"Private Salryc Luxx," he began, "you not only completed the mission you were given, you also adapted and passed the final trial.  Perfectly, I might add.  Your total score, out of a possible one thousand points, was nine hundred eighty-seven.  To date, this is the best score ever given to a recruit for the Black Blades."

Sal's eyes widened.  She thought she was doing well, but she'd had no idea of her score, until now.

The Lieutenant continued.  "I would like to formally offer you a position with the Black Blades.  Will you accept?"

"I would be honored, sir," she replied, her stomach in knots.

Beside her, Arctic stood and made his way to her side.  She glanced up at him as he reached down for her collar.  With one hand on the underside, he opened the other, showing her a pin in the shape of a pair of swords, crossed into an X, made of some dark stone.  With a quick glance into her eyes, he secured it and stepped back.  Around her, the men grinned. 

Shift winked at her.  "You're one of us now, sister." 

"Yeah, but I can't look at her and think 'sister'," Zep joked.

Glancing over to the Lieutenant, Sal could see a sadness in his eyes.  Her position with the Blades replaced that of a man he'd been very close to.  He smiled at her, letting the men offer her a drink and fill her with congratulations, but she noticed that his fingers played with the chain of her necklace.  The large opal was the color of her own iliri eyes, and she wondered what would happen when he grasped the meaning.  She didn't dare let her gaze linger too long.

Looking around the room, she saw Zep and Cyno leaning casually against the far wall.  Zep smiled at her openly, but Cyno cocked his head slightly, glancing from the Lieutenant's hands back to Sal.  When he realized she watched him, Cyno met her gaze with no trace of emotion on his face.  He took a long, deep breath, and Sal realized that he knew. 

Pushing her concerns away, she tried to enjoy the moment.  She'd achieved what she'd dedicated her life to.  As a Black Blade, she was someone, not just another iliri to be pushed around.  She was supposed to be thrilled, not nervous.

But the Lieutenant's mood cut the celebration short.  After only a few drinks, Sal was directed to see Shift to have her bruised face healed then begin packing her old uniforms.  Training started the next morning. 

***

When she returned to her rooms, a new uniform in the style of the Black Blades was waiting on her bed.  The black was stark against her skin, but she liked the look.  Shift had come and gone, her bruises now faded to little more than a memory, and he warned that the next morning would be the start of her new life.  Her old uniforms were now stored in the regulation bag all common soldiers were issued. 

All that remained in her closets were the clothes the Blades had purchased for her and the outfits she had for Siana, almost as if her old life had never happened.  It seemed like she'd been here forever, but counting back, only a little over a week had passed.  Would she miss the blue she'd grown accustomed to over so many years? 

A soft tap at her door pulled her thoughts to the present.  Without checking for a mental signature, she unpinned the latch, finding herself face to face with the Lieutenant.

"May I?" he asked politely.

After a stunned pause she said, "Come in, sir," and moved aside for him.

"I have a few other things to go over with you, and I figured you wouldn't want it to be public knowledge."

She nodded, unsure of what to say.

"I was just looking through your file and saw that you're listed as a Private, First Class.  Is that right?"  His eyes glinted mischievously. 

"Yes, sir, it is."

"Well, as your commanding officer I'm authorized to raise your rank to that which I see more fitting.  I believe we'll jump right up to Corporal, if that suits you?" 

"Uh," she stammered, "sir?  That's three ranks!  I'd hoped to be raised to Specialist, with Lance Corporal by the end of the year.  Wow... why, though?"

"Well, you have what it takes.  Not only did you figure out my little test, you also put the right men in the right places for this mission rather than trying to get as many accolades as possible.  To me, that says you have the ability to lead, and in our unit, we often end up giving orders to the regular military.  A Corporal isn't someone that people choose to ignore.  Basically, it just makes my life easier, and I think you honestly deserve it."

"Thank you, sir!  I don't know what to say, but... yeah... thank you!"  The words tumbled out of her mouth. 

"And here's a form outlining your wage schedule."  He passed her a folded piece of paper.  "As an elite solider you get hazard pay on top of your rank wages."

She opened the page and saw a number four times what she'd been earning.  Scanning down, she realized that was before the hazard pay bonus.  Due to her promotion and service in the elite forces, her weekly pay would now exceed what she'd previously made in a month.  Sal stared at the numbers for a moment, unable to wrap her mind around them.

"I also noticed," LT said, "that your wages were on the lower end of your rank scale while at your last station.  This is common with iliri and iliri crossbreds.  Having suffered it myself, I decided to fix that for you."

She glanced up at him and all she could do was share her feelings.  A line of her amazement and gratitude swept over him, and the Lieutenant nodded to let her know he understood.  "Look, Sal, I also have to address something with you.  It's sensitive, so please tell me if I'm out of line."

"Yes, sir."

"I've never had a woman in my unit before.  You know we work closely together and often spend quite a lot of time in the field, right?"

"Yes, sir, I do.  That's why I wanted to join the Blades so badly."

"Well, I need to know your thoughts on relationships within the unit."  He sat down in the one chair the room held, gesturing for Sal to take the bed next to him.

"I'm not sure I'm following you."

"I assume you are attracted to men?  If not, that does make this easier."

"Sorry, LT."  She tried out the more casual form of his name.  "I do like men."

"Ok, so what happens when you end up in bed with one of them?" he asked.  "I'm not really sure how to be polite about this, but you and I do need to know.  I mean, they're men, and have been trying to get your attention.  I can't tell you not to take them up on it – and Sal, I wouldn't do that – I just need to know what happens when someone gets jealous or upset."

"Sir, I'm iliri.  Casual sex is about the best I can hope to get.  I'd like to say that it won't be a problem, but I hope to serve with you for a few years at least.  They may see me as safer than another woman, and at times I may be.  It's just how it is in a unit."

"I know.  That's why I had to ask.  Do you think you can keep it from causing a rift in the Blades?"

"I honestly do.  A few minutes ago, I would have said that my rank made it unlikely to be a concern, but since you just granted me a commission with the promotion, the regulations against it are gone.  That doesn't change the fact that I'm still iliri.  Men don't really look for long term relationships with my kind."

He paused, cocking his head slightly.  "You haven't realized yet that all of the Blades, except Zep, are iliri?"

"Crossbreds, yeah."

"The Black Blades excel because we're iliri." 

That wasn't what she'd expected him to say.  "I understand, sir."

"Sal," he tried, pausing.  "I don't think you do.  I'm saying this not as your commanding officer, but as an iliri.  You need to understand that not all men think the same.  We don't all want dark skins and dull teeth."  He ducked his head and smiled at the ground.  "I know you find it hard to believe, but quite a few of the Blades find you attractive.  They prefer your white skin and iliran traits to those of humans because you're our own kind.  It doesn't often work the other way around."

Sal looked away, embarrassed, but the words made her smile.  "Sir, I've never had men interested in me.  Not like that."  She shrugged.  "I guess you'll just have to trust me."

"I do trust you, Sal, that's why we accepted you.  It's been a long time since I've been impressed by a recruit."

"I swear to you, sir, I'm more interested in being a good soldier than in finding a mate.  I won't let my gender disrupt your unit."

"Our unit, Corporal.  Just so long as we're on the same page.  I'm sorry to have brought it up at all."  The Lieutenant eased himself up, the awkward conversation over.

He turned to leave, but stopped suddenly.  Following his gaze, she saw her wardrobe standing open, the copper and green dress she'd worn as Siana hanging in plain sight.  He had to recognize it!  Panic welled up as she tried to think of a way to explain it – a lie to stop what she knew was coming.

"Is that yours?" LT asked too carefully.

Too late.  "It is."   She stood, her ears dropping in shame.

He looked deep in her eyes for a moment, his body stiff, the scent of fear trickling off him.  Looking down, he pulled his hand from his pocket and looked at it.  When his fingers opened, she saw the opal clenched in his fist.

"Where are you from, Sal?"

"Merriton.  I was the slave of a merchant."

Before she could blink, he closed the space between them, his expression unreadable.  She stepped back until she hit the wall, and he followed, his face mere inches from her own, no trace of emotion visible.  Her heart hammered in her chest and her stomach coiled.  She wanted him to know, but he'd given her so much.  She didn't want to be the one to betray him.