Hell skin, p.18
Hell Skin, page 18
part #3 of Tales of the Wanderer Series
She threw open the flap and froze. I saw it, and I paused. Slowly I approached from behind Mag, my brow furrowing.
“Mag? What is—”
“Lieutenant,” said Mag, trying desperately and failing to keep laughter out of her voice.
“Sergeant,” came Tou’s bleary voice from inside Dibu’s tent.
My eyes adjusted to the dim campfire light, and I could see him staring out at us, alongside Tou, both of them shirtless and wrapped together in a bedroll. They looked to have just woken up.
“Orders from the captain, ser,” I called out, my expression deadpan. “He requests your presence to discuss the assignment of a scouting party to hunt down the Shades. We are mustering our squadrons in anticipation that it might be us.”
“Very good,” said Tou in a resigned voice. “I shall be along presently.”
“As you say, ser,” said Mag. Her gaze swiveled to Dibu. “You have a quarter-hour, soldier.”
She let the tent flap fall, and we collapsed in on ourselves. Seizing each other’s shoulders, we shook with laughter that we tried frantically to silence. We were reduced to stumbling through the rest of the tents, throwing up the flaps and gasping out “Muster” before choking back another peal of hysterics. Yue came to us when we had almost finished, and she scowled down at me.
“What under the sky has gotten into you?” she said. “You look fit to erupt, and I do not like the way that vein is throbbing in your forehead.”
I said nothing, but only pointed back down the line as I kept giggling. Tou was just emerging from Dibu’s tent. His cloak was in his hand, and he whirled it on against the cold before marching off towards his tent.
Yue stared at him for a moment, frowning. “Oh,” she said slowly. Then her face lit with understanding. “Oh.”
“I knew it,” said Mag. “I knew it from the first.”
“Knew what?” I said. “The two of them? Wait.” A realization struck me. “Is this why you put Dibu against him for the test?”
“I did not know the captain would choose Tou, so of course not,” said Mag. “I picked Dibu because he was the best I had. But I was elated when the captain chose Tou.”
I buried my face in my hand. “You are the most conniving—”
“I already told you I had no idea who the captain would choose,” said Mag, folding her arms with a smug grin.
“Are the two of you done with petty gossip?” said Yue with a scowl. “Our squadrons are supposed to be assembling for muster.”
“You are right,” I said. “Let us get them in line.”
It was not very long before it was done. Tou appeared, and Kun walked beside him. Kun’s smile was back, and it looked no less bright for the early hour. He nodded to the sergeants, and the whole company gave him a salute. Tou studiously avoided looking at Mag and me, and I am confident our foolish grins never left us.
“Good morning,” said Kun. “Today, I hope to bring this expedition to a close. We are going to advance into the hills, and we are going to bring our enemies to bay. To ensure our success, I mean to send a scouting party ahead to hamper the Shades’ march in any way possible. Lieutenant Shi?”
Tou gave him a nod and then addressed us, fixing Mag and me with a steely gaze. “Black Squadron. Green Squadron. You will form the scouting party. Head north into the hills, track the Shades down, and follow them. Each of you fetch one horse from the train. Use them to rotate messengers back to camp, informing the captain of the Shades’ movement.”
“Ser,” said Mag and I together. I believe we kept our tone somewhat professional.
“The main force will advance behind you,” said Kun. “I am giving the reinforcements two hours to rest from their march, and then we will follow you into the hills. We will catch the Shades and wipe them out. A swift and fitting end for those who have betrayed the High King and all the nine kingdoms.” Suddenly he paused, and though his smile remained, his brows furrowed. “Sergeant Baolan?”
Mag and I looked at Yue in surprise. She had her hand raised, and she kept her eyes fixed on the captain. “Blue Squadron is available for the scouting party as well, ser.”
Kun’s smile softened. “Thank you, Sergeant Baolan. Green Squadron and Black Squadron will serve for the purpose, though your willingness is appreciated.”
“We owe them a debt of blood, ser,” said Yue fiercely.
“And you will pay it,” said Kun. He stepped closer to her and lowered his voice so that only Tou and we sergeants could hear. “I am not holding you back to slight you. You lost people yesterday. That is a tragic honor, but an honor nonetheless. Let the fresher squadrons take the fore now.”
“Ser—” began Yue.
“No, Sergeant,” said Kun, but gently. “This is an order. And if you need any further assurance, think of the fact that I am keeping my Mystics with the main force as well. Do you think that an insult to them?”
Yue’s nostrils flared. “Of course not, ser.”
“Then be at peace.” Kun stepped back and once again spoke to the whole company. “You have your orders. Dismissed!”
“Yes, ser!” we cried in chorus.
Mag turned to me. “Ready for another day on the field?”
I glanced sidelong at Yue, who was fuming and not looking at either one of us. “I suppose so,” I said. “But quickly—before we go, we should speak with Dryleaf. I would guess he has been worried about us while he followed along in the train with Zhen.”
With Yue, we hurried to the east end of the camp, where Zhen’s troops were getting themselves arranged. In the rear of the column, with the other followers, we soon found Dryleaf by the sound of Oku’s excited barks. As soon as the hound scented us, he came bounding forwards with a loud baying of joy, and Dryleaf followed behind. Orla and Nikau were with him, each of the lovers holding one of his arms, but for comfort rather than to help him along.
“Are those my friends?” he called out, feeling his way forwards with his walking stick. “How have you fared without me here to protect you?”
“Well enough, old man,” said Mag with a laugh, taking his shoulder and guiding him to us. “We appreciate your service in guarding the reinforcements.”
“One does what one can, I suppose,” said Dryleaf. His head swung back and forth. “Albern? Yue?”
“We are here,” I said, placing a hand on his shoulder.
Yue still looked dour, but she said, “And safe enough. Do not worry yourself.”
“Not for a moment,” said Dryleaf. But the relief on his face gave lie to the words.
I looked to Nikau. “Were things well on the march?”
“Well enough. We did not press ourselves as hard as you did. But we missed you.” He put a hand on Yue’s arm. “Nothing is as fun when all the most interesting folk have left.”
Yue could not restrain a grin, and she scratched the back of her head. Dryleaf’s smile widened as he spoke. “Well, here we are, reunited. What fresh dangers do we expect to face now?”
I gave a glance at Yue. “Kun is sending Mag and me to scout for the Shades,” I said. “Once we have pinpointed them, he will bring the rest of the force north to wipe them out.”
“Into the hills, you mean?” said Dryleaf. “I spoke with Lieutenant Zhou while we have been marching west to catch up with you, and he told me the lay of the land.”
“They should be easy to find,” I said. “Especially with the wounded we left them with after our last scrap.”
Dryleaf’s face grew worried. “That is good. But take care that you do not grow overconfident. I know one reason we brought them to bay here was so that the landscape would give them no advantage. But our enemies are wily and may yet have tricks up their sleeves.”
“We will be careful,” said Mag.
“Too careful, in some cases,” muttered Yue.
Dryleaf’s head turned towards her quizzically, but when she said nothing more, he let it be. “Good, good. You should take Oku with you when you go. The poor boy has been frantic with boredom during our march.”
“Gladly will we do so, now that you have a chance to rest,” I said. “Oku, tiss.” The hound darted to my side and sat, looking up at me expectantly.
“Rest, yes,” said Dryleaf, sighing. “I will treasure the next few hours in my tent. But give them a happy ending, and come back to me safe.”
“Safe and victorious,” said Mag. “That is a promise—or as close to a promise as one can give in war.”
A shadow passed over Dryleaf’s face, but if doubt was in his heart, he did not speak of it before we left him.
FROM THE MOMENT WE STARTED our trek north, I could see the truth of what Kun had told us about these hills. They were gentle and easy, mere ripples in the land, like a slightly rumpled blanket. I chose to climb them as we went, rather than sticking close to the trail the Shades had left in the wet ground. It slowed us, but it gave us a better vantage point to see the land around us, and hopefully to spot the Shades from afar.
Their course wound through the dips, and the furrow they had cut in the land was easy to see: a black slash of mud through the shoots of new grass. We advanced as quickly as we could. Three soldiers in each squadron held torches aloft—one in the front, one in the back, and one in the middle, lighting the way for their fellows. Hallan held the front torch in my squadron, so I stayed a good several paces away from him to keep my eyes sharp in the darkness. We climbed over one hill and down the other side to an open space through which our enemies had passed. As we crossed the Shades’ trail, Oku ran back and forth across the black swath in the land, sniffing at their steps. A drizzle began to drift down upon us out of the sky.
“Hold,” I said. Our squadrons stopped at once. “Jian, Chausiku. With me. Hallan, you are in charge of Black Squadron until I return, but listen to Mag.”
“Albern,” said Mag, frowning. “Where are you going?”
“To the top of the next hill.” I pointed to the marks. “They stopped here for a while before pressing on. I would guess they sent out scouts looking for a better place to camp. Once they found it, they did not go too much farther before stopping overnight.”
“I should come with you,” said Mag immediately.
“No,” I said. “Jian and I are quieter. And if we encounter the enemy, we will not be fighting, but running back to you.”
“Then I can help cover your retreat.”
“Mag, no. I am going ahead, and that is that. We will signal you to follow if we find them.”
Her mouth worked. But I could see she did not wish to have an argument while the Shades could be getting farther away, especially not in front of our squadrons. I turned to Jian and Chausiku again.
“Come on.” Oku padded up to my side, but I held out a hand to stop him. “Kip, boy. Stay with Mag.” He whined and sat back on his haunches.
We crept up the hill, the mud helping to keep our footsteps muffled. When we neared the top, I held out a hand to tell them to slow down. We approached the summit at a crawl.
Nearly an hour had passed, and the sky kept lightening in the east. I was trying to use that to our advantage. We crept to the top of the hill on our bellies, and I followed the track of the Shades’ progress.
There. I pointed so that Chausiku and Jian could see it, too. Outlined against the grey sky far away, I could see a figure. It was only a black silhouette from this distance and with so little light to illuminate it. But as we watched, a cloak fluttered, the motion making it stand out clearer against the sky.
“A sentry,” I said. “A posted one, not a rear scout. That means they are camped just over that hill.”
“Should we eliminate them?” said Jian at once.
“It might raise the alarm,” I said. “Better to bring the others forwards and form a plan together. Jian, go to fetch them.”
She rolled her eyes and growled, but she did it. Soon both squadrons came to the bottom of the hill, where I conferred with Mag.
“They are over that crest,” I said, pointing. “Across another open space, and then over one more hill. I would guess the distance at four spans.”
“Excellent,” said Mag. “If they are encamped, mayhap we should leave them be for now.”
“I would agree, but dawn is imminent,” I said. “I cannot imagine they will stay there past sunup. Therefore I think we should either hold them in place or drive them in the direction we wish them to go.”
“How do you mean to do that?” said Mag.
“If we circle to the east and attack them from there, they may think the whole host is coming from that direction,” I said. “Then we can tell Kun to attack from the west, and drive the Shades straight into his arms.”
“A good plan, save for one detail,” said Mag, raising her brows. “Kaita’s raven form.”
“Dark take me,” I said. “I forgot about that.”
“There is nowhere to hide from her in these hills,” said Mag. “Once they are alerted to our presence, we will not be able to conceal ourselves from her sight.”
“Well, first things first,” I said. “Jian. Go back to the captain. Inform him of where the Shades are, and tell him we are devising a plan to hold them in place for his advance.”
“Send Chausiku!” said Jian at once. “He is faster than I am by far.”
I gritted my teeth. “You will be riding a horse. Chausiku’s legs give him no advantage in that.”
Jian’s cheeks flamed, though she tried to hide it. “I mean that he is a better rider,” she said. “I have scarcely even touched a horse in my life.”
“Fine,” I said. “Chausiku?”
“Yes, ser,” he said, glaring at Jian. He set off, loping towards the horses we had brought, and soon was galloping away south.
“That leaves us where we started,” said Mag. “How do we hold them in place?”
An idea struck me. “Kaita is a problem, but she may also be the solution. We should not try to hide at all. Let her see how few of us there are—and let her see that you and I are here.”
Mag’s eyes lit. “She will attack, hoping to kill us. Clever. But what if the other Shades convince her to flee?”
I shook my head. “I doubt it. After all she has been through in search of us, I cannot believe she would resist such a tasty morsel now. We will appear alone and isolated, with only a paltry two squadrons to defend us.” I turned my gaze across our units. “Little does she know we have the two best squadrons in the army.”
Their chests puffed with pride at that. Jian wore a savage grin.
“Very well,” said Mag. “You should advance with one or two archers and bring down a sentry from afar. Make a stink about it so they raise the alarm. Then retreat to the rest of us as quickly as you can.”
“Agreed,” I said. I turned to Hallan once more. “Hallan—”
“I’ve got them, ser,” said Hallan. Then he turned an exasperated eye on Jian. “And you should take this one with you. She’s eager enough, thass sure.”
“I suppose she is,” I said. “Jian, with me. Stay quiet, and do as I say, or I will throw you to the Shades myself.”
Her face went pale. I suspect that when she asked to stay, she had not thought she would be going to antagonize the enemy with only me by her side. I will confess I took some grim satisfaction from her expression, but I only let myself enjoy it for a moment.
Together we set off into the drizzle and the mud. Instead of northeast, where the sentry was, I guided her due north to a hill west of the Shades’ camp. By creeping around the southern edge of the hill, I hoped to keep out of the sentry’s sight for as long as possible. And we would be in the hill’s shadow, weak as it was, so that hopefully he would not notice us until it was too late.
Despite her evident anxiety, Jian followed closely in my footsteps. Soon we were at the bottom of the hill where we had seen the guard last time. I could glimpse a bump I thought was their head, far above us. I turned to Jian.
“Here we are,” I whispered. “I am taking the kill, and then we are getting out of here. Do you understand?”
“S-Ser,” she stammered.
“Good,” I said. “Stay here.”
I crept up the hill pace by pace. Slowly the sentry came more fully into view. They must have been tired, for they faced only south, never turning to look left or right.
Poor fool, I thought.
I nocked, drew, sighed, and loosed.
The arrow pierced straight through their head with a soft thunk. I saw a splash of blood erupt, only barely visible as red against the lightening sky.
I turned and ran back to Jian as fast as I could.
HROOON
A horn sounded behind us. Soon it was joined by others, and then they sang in chorus, screaming the alert, warning of danger.
“That worked perfectly!” I cried as I reached Jian. “Now run for your life!”
AFTER THE AMBUSH IN THE woods the day before, Kaita and Tagata had led their forces into the hills to the north. Their troops were in disarray and greatly hampered by the wounded they had to drag with them in their retreat.
But Kaita cared for only one of them.
“Tagata!” she cried, pressing through the Shades to go to her. Tagata’s wounds were healing themselves, the Lord’s magic melding flesh and skin together. But Tagata had suffered so many grievous injuries that it was a slow process, and she winced and growled through her teeth with every step.
As Kaita came running up, Tagata raised a hand to forestall her worry. “I am fine,” she said. “The Lord’s blessing will not fail me.”
“This is my fault,” said Kaita. “I should have scouted ahead.”
“You kept your eyes on the force following us, as we both agreed,” said Tagata. “Our enemies were clever, and we underestimated them. If you wish to take the blame for that, you must share it with—”
Her right leg buckled beneath her, and she fell to the ground. Kaita tried to support her, but it was like catching a falling boulder.
“Tagata!” cried Kaita. “Are you all right? Does it hurt?”
“Not the healing, no,” said Tagata through gritted teeth. She tried and failed to regain her feet. “But until the wounds have gone, I can still feel every one.”
