The Children of the White Lions: Volume 02 - Prophecy (57 page)

“Quite a lot, sir.”

“Good,” said the commander. “I’m glad. Although I suspect your humiliation pales next to my own.”

Confused, Jak glanced up.

“Sir?”

“I’m the one who gave you the position allowing you to treat those men like that. Had I given the command to a piglet, I would have seen better leadership.”

Letting out a low, heavy sigh, Jak said, “I was wrong, Commander.”

“Oh, you were
more
than wrong. I wish I could convey to you just how wrong you were, yet there is no word in Argot for it. Perhaps you should head to the library and research other tongues. I bet you could find a word that describes the breadth of your wrongness. What do you think? Does that sound like something you would like to do?”

Jak shook his head.

“Not particularly, sir.”

The commander’s gaze bored into him as the old soldier said, “When you are commanding men, Jak, there are times to scream at them, and there are times to laugh with them. Guess which today was?”

“To laugh, sir?”

“Wrong,” snapped the commander. “You were initially correct to chastise your charge for not taking their drills seriously. Yet you took it too far, Jak.
Much
too far. You went beyond making your point and moved straight to fostering resentment.”

Jak stared at the older soldier and sighed.

“I understand, sir.”

“I don’t think you do. Because if you did, you would have never pulled that stunt out there!”

By now, every bit of Jak’s ill-tempered anger was gone.

“I am sorry, Commander. Truly, I am. I just…” He trailed off and looked away, staring blankly at one of the torches. The reason for his sour mood was not one he could share.

Commander Aiden remained silent for a few moments before letting out a sigh and speaking. The anger was absent from his voice, but an edge of authority remained.

“Look, Jak, I know you miss your brother and sister.”

Jak’s gaze instantly shifted back to the commander, but he remained quiet. He was not to tell anyone about Kenders’ absence.

Commander Aiden looked past Jak, turned around to check the hallway behind him, and then leaned forward, speaking in a low voice.

“I know she’s gone, Jak. I confronted Lady Vivienne about it last week.”

Jak waited a moment before asking, “How did you know?”

A dry smile spread over Commander Aiden’s lips.

“It was not all that hard to figure out. No one has seen her, Khin, or the new White Lion in weeks. And you’ve been…less than a joy for the same stretch. It only made sense.”

Frowning, Jak muttered, “I suppose I have been a bit surly.”

“A bit?”

“Fine. More than a bit, sir.”

“You are permitted to worry, Jak, but you cannot allow your emotions to affect your duties.”

With a firm nod, Jak said, “I understand, sir.”

“I hope so. Prove it to me during afternoon drills.”

“Yes, sir,” said Jak. “I will.”

Commander Aiden relaxed, uncrossing his arms and assuming a more informal pose. Eyeing him carefully, the commander said, “I’m going to share something rather important with you. Something I’m supposed to keep to myself.”

After this morning, Jak was surprised the man would confide in him.

“You don’t need to do that, sir.”

“Yes, I do,” replied Commander Aiden. “I need you to fully grasp how important it is that you keep focus.” He leaned close, his eyes reflecting the flickering of the torchlights. “Once Broedi and Nikalys return, we’re leaving, Jak. The army of the White Lions will be moving to the front lines.”

A rush of anxiety fluttered in Jak’s chest.

“Do we have new information from the west?”

“No, nothing. In fact, it is the lack of information that drives the decision. Things on the First Council have deteriorated. Barons Tilas and Treswell withdrew from the council last week. All of Freehaven is in an uproar.”

Considering what he had witnessed in the Council Hall, Jak was not surprised by the turn of events. Nevertheless, it was disturbing to hear.

“Does that mean the Borderlands and Great Lakes are no longer part of the Oaken Duchies?

Commander Aiden shrugged.

“No one seems to know. Apparently, two dozen barristers are arguing the point now. Although, whatever conclusion they arrive at is moot. Old parchments and old men can’t shield us from Chaos’ army, now can they?”

“No, they cannot,” muttered Jak, a deep frown on his face. “This is not good, Commander. Not good at all.”

“No, Jak, it’s not. But there is some sweet with the sour. The first detachments of Southern Arms have already reached Demetus. More will be arriving over the next few weeks along with the advance groups of the Shore Guard. And the Red Peaks has committed to joining the effort should war break out. Duchess Aleece believes the Foothills are leaning with us as well.”

Jak could not believe all of this was happening.

“None of this seems real.”

Certain weariness filled the commander’s eyes.

“I’ve been preparing for this for over two decades, Jak, and I feel the same way. We need more time.”

“How much time would you need before you felt ready?”

A dry chuckle slipped from the commander.

“A few hundred years ought to do it.”

The two men stood silent in the hall for a time, both staring blankly at the walls. Commander Aiden broke the quiet first, speaking in a soft, restrained voice.

“Shorn Rise was the first time any of us had seen an oligurt or razorfiend. The only thing our armies know about our enemy is what they’ve heard in playmen’s sagas. Oligurts, mongrels, razorfiends…”

Jak muttered, “Don’t forget demons.”

“Oh, I haven’t,” said the commander. “You know, Jak, the heat of battle tends to draw forth every fear a man already has while instilling a whole set of new ones. Our forces will be terrified by what they face. You and the rest of the men here are going to be the few soldiers in
all
the duchies who are somewhat prepared for what is coming. I’m counting on every one of you to keep our armies focused.”

“I hear you, Commander. I will be a better example.”

“That’s good,” said the soldier with a nod of approval. Patting Jak on the shoulder, he stepped past, on his way down the hall. “Be sure and get something to eat, Corporal.”

Jak said over his shoulder, “I will, sir.”

“And eat in the commons with the men, please. Not in your room.”

Smiling faintly, Jak replied, “Yes, sir.”

He stood in place a few moments, gathering himself, when he heard Commander Aiden’s scuffling steps come to a quick stop.

“Pardon me, my dear—I did not see you there.”

A woman’s too-familiar voice replied, “No need to apologize, Commander.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Jak stepped forward, heading back in the direction from which he had come, away from the commons and the woman. He did not have a destination in mind other than ‘not here.’

Sabine’s voice rang out from behind him.

“Jak?”

For a brief moment, he considered ducking down a side hallway and pretending he did not hear her. The young woman confounded him. Weeks ago, he had shared a wondrous evening in the commons with her, laughing and jesting. Shortly thereafter, her attitude toward him had shifted. It took him a few days to realize the change coincided with Nikalys’ departure on the Sapphire. He was unsure how to feel about that.

“Jak!”

Her voice filled the hallway, echoing off the stone blocks. If he were deaf, he would have still heard her.

Letting out a low sigh, Jak stopped and turned. Sabine hurried toward him, holding the sides of her green dress, keeping the hem a few inches above the ground. The torches lining the hall lit her face, revealing an expression of clear irritation.

Affixing a neutral smile on his face, Jak said, “Oh, hello, Sabine.”

Shortly after Kenders had run off, Sabine sought out Jak and revealed that she knew of his sister’s absence. Apparently, Kenders had confided in Sabine prior to leaving with Zecus. Jak was furious with Sabine for not telling him before Kenders ran off. Sabine was equally put off by Jak’s expectation that she should have come running to him to report. Jak stalked away and had avoided Sabine since. She had come to his room twice in the past week, but he had ignored her knocking both times.

Sabine stopped before him and stared up at him, her silky, raven-black hair hanging loose and free around her face.

“Where are you going?”

“To the armory.”

Sabine cocked a disbelieving eyebrow.

“Truly?”

“Yes. I need to get a new scabbard.”

He lied. His current scabbard was perfectly fine.

“Odd,” muttered Sabine. “Because it sounded like the commander more or less ordered you to go to the commons and get something to eat.”

Eyes narrowing, Jak asked, “Were you eavesdropping?”

Sabine shook her head.

“Not at all. I happened to be walking through the halls when I heard the two of you talking. As I did not want to interrupt, I simply stayed in a side hallway until you were done.”

“That sounds like eavesdropping.”

Sabine shrugged her shoulders.

“To me, it sounds as if I were being polite.”

“What did you hear? Exactly?”

“Truly? Not much,” admitted Sabine. “You both were talking too quietly for me to hear every word.” She sounded disappointed. “Although…I
did
hear Commander Aiden mention that everyone will be leaving when Nikalys and Broedi return.”

Jak said firmly, “That’s
not
to be shared with anyone, Sabine.”

Giving him a level stare, she said, “Gee, thanks, Jak. I was wondering about that.” The sarcasm in her voice was as clear as a Summer sky in Yellow Mud.

“You know what I mean,” said Jak. “Can you keep that to yourself?”

A tiny huff of a laugh slipped from her lips. “You’re asking if I can keep a secret?” Reaching up, she slipped two fingers under the neckline of her dress, and pulled two necklaces free. One was the silver-link chain she always wore given to her by her mother. The other was a simple leather thong with a silver teardrop hanging from it. Jak stared at the pendant with wide eyes.

“That’s my mother’s necklace.”

Sabine nodded once, smiling.

“Yes, Jak. I know that.”

“How did you—” He stopped and shifted his gaze back to Sabine’s face. “Kenders gave it to you, didn’t she? Why in the Nine Hells didn’t you tell me you had that?”

Sabine’s expression hardened.

“I was going to, Jak, but you ran off before I could. And you’ve been hiding in your blasted room ever since! Honestly, even Helene does not behave so.”

Had this conversation occurred a short while ago, before the one with Commander Aiden, Jak would have reacted with sharp words. Now, however, he bit his lip and drew a deep, steadying breath. She was right. His behavior had been childish.

“I apologize, Sabine.”

She shook her head.

“It’s no matter.”

“No, Sabine,” said Jak, his voice firm. “I apologize. For everything. I’ve acted the lout for weeks.”

She regarded him a moment, her brown eyes swallowing him. Eventually, the corners of her lips turned up a fraction.

“Yes, Jak Isaac, you have.”

He smiled at the modest agreement and remained quiet. She, too, kept silent, staring at him, the harder edges in her face softening. Yet again, he was struck by her beauty. Before he began gaping like a fool, he glanced back at his mother’s necklace.

“So, how are they? Unharmed?”

Even though the pendant had spent fifteen years around Marie Isaac’s neck, the magical artifice had originally belonged to Nikalys and Kenders’ blood mother. Eliza Kap had knit a Weave into the matte silver teardrop bound specifically to brother and sister. Whoever held the necklace could determine both the wellbeing of the pair and the general direction in which they lay simply by picturing their faces.

A gentle smile spread over Sabine’s perfect lips as she said, “If they weren’t, Jak, I would have broken down your door last week. Not knocked politely.” He was in the midst of letting out a relieved sigh when her brow drew together. “Although…”

A jolt of alarm shot through Jak as he asked, “What does that mean?”

“Don’t worry,” said Sabine quickly. “They are not harmed. They’re…” She trailed off and glanced down at the necklace. “Well, I’m not really sure what they are.”

“Are you using it right?”

“There’s not much to it, Jak. Hold necklace, think of their faces. Yes. I’m using it right.”

“Then what’s wrong?”

“Well…for a time, whenever I would check on Nikalys—” her eyes fluttered suspiciously “—I felt ill.” She shrugged. “Whatever it was, it stopped over a week ago. He seems fine now. But
every
time I check on Kenders, she…well…” She trailed off, sounding troubled.

Jak stared at her. The uneasy expression on Sabine’s face worried him.

“What is it?

Sabine’s beautiful eyes locked on his own.

“She’s sad, Jak.”

Jak blinked. He had not expected that.

“She’s…sad?”

As Sabine nodded, he glanced at the necklace.

“May I?”

She held the pendant out to him with the leather cord still looped around her neck.

“Please.”

He had expected her to take the necklace off and hand it to him. When it was evident she was not, he took a step closer and gripped the silver teardrop. The faint perfume of rosewater filled his nose.

Closing his eyes, he pictured Nikalys and a sense of calm immediately rushed over him.

“Nik’s fine.”

He smiled, surprised by how much joy knowing that brought him. A soft, ringing tone—nearly inaudible—tickled his ear. Jak wondered just how far away his brother was by now.

Letting Nikalys slip from his mind, he turned his full attention to Kenders, focusing on her easy smile, Harvest straw hair, and hazel eyes. Instantly, a feeling of intense misery surged through his soul, nearly overwhelming him.

“Bless the Gods…”

The words slipped out in a hushed whisper. She was not physically hurt, but the deep, guilt-ridden sadness he felt was almost as bad. While the soft tone he heard for Kenders was as faint as Nikalys, hers was in the opposite direction. As he opened his eyes, the woeful feeling winked out like a snuffed torch.