The Exodus Sagas: Book IV - Of Moons and Myth (14 page)

“
Surprise
.”
Kaya whispered.

Her hidden shortblade slid like lightning from her robes and cut Aidrey’s throat through from ear to ear in one stroke. She plunged the tip into his chest and held him upright as she grabbed his dagger and threw it end over end into another agent who fell holding his chest. Her own dagger pulled from her thigh and spun through the air
sideways
and landed deep into an enemy stomach. Kaya walked forward, hand on her blade, Aidrey bleeding all over her.

Four crossbows fired amidst yelling and confus
ion, all four bolts landing hard
into her victims
’
back. They droppe
d their crossbows and drew small
blades and scimitars as the body of their quartermaster hit the ground.
W
ide eyed, the four remaining White Spider agents
watched the
lady wanted by Johnas Valhera as she
dash
ed
ahead, roll
ed, and spu
n up to her feet with her blade too fast to see. Two more of their seven fell holding their necks from deep lacerations.
She did not seem injured in the least, the limp was gone, and the two remaining bounty hunters tried to shake off their shock.

They flanked her, the former lady of the Emerald Eight, and slashed their blades simultaneously, keeping her contained. She feinted to the left, then the right, then twirled ahead and ducked their curved swords meant for her neck. Kaya lunged with incredible reach and strength, thrusting her point through the heart of the assassin on her left. As he fell she took his shortblade in her left hand.

Blades rang and echoed, the masked agent slashing with precision, timing with his steps, countering with his dagger now and keeping distance.
Kaya T’Vellon pursued with amazing speed, perfectly placing her attacks from high to low, then placed her heel behind her enemy’s with a quick step. He stood tall, whipping his dagger and scimitar in a blurry of defense, then the scimitar flew out to his right, disarmed. As he backed up, a shove from the two shortblades locked on his dagger sent him over b
ackwards onto his shoulders
. The morning sun blurred
his vision, as did the blood covered shortblade at his throat.
Dust scattered across his eyes
as the shadow of Jade of the West covered his view.

Kaya stepped on his wrist, holding the dagger harmless and placed her second blade at his groin, then her knee upon his chest.
His breathing was heavy, sweat dripping from his hairline, yet the woman over him was calm as ice.

“
How many in the caravan, including the merchants?”

“Just us seven, seven from Belbyre
,
to the east
.
We been following since you passed through.
”

“What is your name?” Kaya twisted the blade at his throat.

“Jinnes, Jinnes of Surrin Shallow
s
, far to the north of Nestrim. I..I don’t want to die here.” Young Jinnes was pinned, he knew it, she had been faster, smarter, and more deadly than the rumors
even
.

“And nor do I, Jinnes, yet you and yours seemed to care more for coin and fame than
my
wants.
Johnas and the White Spider never forget, especially for one such as myself.
If I let you live, you will
return in greater numbers. I am no fool.”

“This is my first time, I am not branded yet. They, they told me after we found you that I would get it. Please, I am not one of them.
I won’t say a word.
” Jinnes gripped his dagger, flung it away with his numbing fingers as best he could, then pulled his mask down with his free hand, slowly.

Kaya looked at his rough stubble, his blue eyes that showed concern and fear, he must be but twenty or so. “Then perhaps I should let you live.”

“I would appreciate that, lady Kaya.” He tried to sit up, she relaxed a bit and let him get halfway.

“Tis too hot today to kill anymore.”
The former assassin for the White Spider lowered her blade.

“That is for certain, warmer where I am from, I tell you that it is like the flames of hell at high noon beneath the Surrinan Mountains.” Jinnes got to his feet, dusted himself off, hands still shaking and his legs felt numb.

“
Hotter than
a brand on the back?
”

“No, not
that hot
, that was---“

Her blade dove up into his ribs
, into his chest, and as he fell to his knees she slashed him across the throat and kicked him forward. Blood rushed out his side, down his front, soaking quickly into warm black cloth and dry earth the same. Kaya waited until the twitching and gurgling ceased, then pulled his tight fitting leather jerkin off and cut where she needed to. As she suspected, a spider brand on the shoulder, few years old and healed up rather well.

“Never lie to a liar, Jinnes
. Had you been honest, you may
have been given mercy.
I am sorry
.”

Kaya stood over the pool of blood drying at her feet, then looked to the two agents still groaning and bleeding out by the cliff, the other five were very still and very dead.
If they lived, more would come, a risk Kaya was not willing to take.
She walked toward them, slowly, to finish this mornings
’
deeds.

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“And how many more wars will the great Alexei T’Vellon win against the ogre? Five, ten, maybe twenty even? Surely, you have nearly surpassed your late father in what you have accomplished in Southwind. The men and women that raise blades here are worth five of any other in Chazzrynn.
But, it will all come to an end, Lord Alexei, it will. All it takes is one defeat.”

The Lord of Southwind sat still, quiet, staring at the stone bust of his sister Kaya. He wished she were here, despite all that had happened, for she was the voice of reason and saw through the lines and lies of others so much better than he. When he felt to rage, she would lay calm words. When he delayed, she pushed him to act and used their late father Arlinne’s honor as the prod. When treachery came to Southwind Keep, she seemed to smell it and have the advantage before Alexei was even aware. He stared up at the blonde messenger boy arrived fro
m
Valhirst
and the scarred dark Caberran woman that stood on the balcony.
He glanced up to the white vulture that was still as stone upon the mantle.

“And if I refuse?”

“King Johnas Valhera will spare you no quarter---“

“He is but the Prince of Valhirst, despite his declarations of war aga
inst the crown, mind your words boy. He is no king.” Alexei gritted his teeth as he spoke.

“Regardless, it is inevitable.
Mikhail will attack Valhirst.
He is not going to let his only son die.
If you refuse, you have two choices Lord T’Vellon.” Vanessa Blackflame spoke from the comfort of the balcony.

“And they are?”

“Stay here and prepare for the armies of King Avegarne and Queen Mun Parr, trolls and ogre
allied now,
by the thousands, led by me. You will not survive and Southwind Keep will be ashes when I am finished.” Sapphire of the East spoke in perfect calm.

“The other?”

“Rush to the aid of your precious King Mikhail to the east, as you have been summoned. If you manage a retreat and make it back to here, you will find the ashes I previously spoke of.
Johnas has over seven thousand strong. The king, even with you, could not take victory from the prince in his own city. You will charge into a graveyard and nothing more.
Either way, Southwind Keep will burn, unless you should side with your future king, as your sister
once
did.” Vanessa smiled, not even bothering to make eye contact. Her spell was ready to transport her via arcane energies miles to the west in safety should this lord dare make a move for her. Eliah Shendrynn, insane as he now was, had been teaching her much as of late.

“Many lords have answered my kings
’
calling
, most have left and are planning
the assault on Valhirst.
Over four thousand soldiers strong, according to my reports. My cavalry can be there in three days or less this time of year, and back just as fast. I have but eight hundred, but as you said, my men are worth five of any other.” Alexei stood, hand on his broadsword, and paced his study.

“Five or six days? When you leave here, your city will not last five or six hours against my forces. You know it as well as I, Lord T’Vellon.” Vanessa sneered.

“
What is your decision
, Lord T’vellon? Prince Johnas Valhera is expecting an answer and for you to meet him in Valhirst
after the battle
. Should you take action
against
King Mikhail en route, perhaps ride your men into flanking positions behind him, the rewards of the soon to be king will be generous indeed. I am prepared to offer much.” The boy propped his boots onto Alexei’s desk where they were quickly shoved off with a strong hand and a dire stare.

“If you obey Johnas, your city is safe from me and mine. I will find other things to occupy the ogre and trolls. You have my word.” Vanessa waited.

“What rewards?” Alexei paced more, furrowing his brow, glancing at the motionless white vulture from time to time.

“Lordship with hereditary titles to Elcram, Southwind, Hurne, Roricdale, Silverbridge, and Kalik. You will be Jade of the West, Lo
rd Knight
of Chazzrynn. Do you accept this offer?” The agent of the White Spider laid the parchment out, placed a quill on the table next to a vial of ink, and rested back in the chair.

“
More
.”

“Two chests of fine platinum from Harlaheim.”

“
More
.”

“Five chests, and a Shanadorian war stallion, never been riden.”

Alexei stared at the parchment, reading every word, rubbing his hands and face over and over. He began to sweat, glancing up to the woman and the messenger both several times. He put his head on the table, ran his fingers throug
h his hair, then bit his lip,
hard. Tears welled yet he fought them off.

“
Damn you, damn you both to hell
.” Alexei picked up the quill and signed the document pledging his loyalty to King Johnas Valhera of Chazzrynn. Then he looked down further and signed again, under the request for military aid against Mikhail Salganat. He threw the paper at the messenger and sat back in his ornate leather chair
as the parchment flapped to the floor
.

“
I
t is a new age for Chazzrynn, and Johnas Valhera appreciates your support. He will expect you in three days with your full force at---“

“I
know
where to take my men!
Perhaps betrayal is easier for the two of you, but
I do not need a lecture from a messenger, now
get out
before I change my mind and hang you from my walls!
Now
!” His fist pounded the table and shook
everything off of it and onto the floor.

“I would say you just made the decision of a lifetime, in fact several lifetimes, Lord Alexei. Or should I say,
Jade of the West.
” Vanessa smiled and picked up
the parchment, then shoved it
to the messengers chest.

“Was that my sisters title? Before you had her killed outside of Devonmir?” Alexei stared at Vanessa.
“You think I have not heard?”

“We did not kill her, she committed suicide.”

“So you say
and I could not care less, but was that
her title?
” Alexei gritted his teeth loudly this time, flexing his jaw muscles in anger.

“Yes, it was. So a word to the wise,
do not bite the hand that feeds
.”

“
I will remember, do not worry Miss Blackflame
.
Guard
!”

The door opened and a knight of Southwind, white tabard with the red feathered cross of Alden, knelt with his hand on his blade. His shield with the black falcon shone bright as it caught the glare from the window.

“Yes m’lord?”

“Show these two out of Southwind.”

“As you wish m’lord. This way.” He walked with the black robed eastern woman with the burns and the dark clad messenger
boy
from Valhirst. Most of the knights had been talking of why Alexei had not left for the east, to help the king, and
the presence of
these two strangers only helped rumor spread.
Down the stairs past the battlements, under the flags bearing the black falcon, the knight of Southwind led the messenger to his horse in the courtyard, the woman with him. He looked up to the balcony of his lord, waiting for an order to arrest them or perhaps detain them. There was none. Before he could turn to bow, the woman in black vanished with a small stroke of smoke and a crackle of arcane energy. The rider mounted his steed and was allowed out the eastern gates. The knight hung his head and returned to his post.