From Darkness Won - Jill Williamson [147]
When Cole saw Achan he jumped up. “Good evening, Your Highness.”
Achan frowned at the boy. “Have you been in here the whole time, Cole?”
“No, Your Highness. I just came from the reveling. Didn’t feel much like celebrating, though.”
“Would you give me a moment to talk with Kurtz?”
“Sure I will.” Cole almost ran out the door.
Achan watched Cole dart between Shung and Manu and bit back his laughter. When he turned back to Kurtz he found the man standing, gaze trained on the grassy floor of the tent.
Achan took a quick breath, then said what he needed to say. “I was prepared to knight you after the recent battle. You saved my life. And Shung’s. But in light of what Sir Caleb has brought to my attention… I cannot.”
Kurtz’s eyes shifted, looking at everything but Achan. “Understood, Your Highness. I don’t need to be knighted, I don’t. Fancy titles don’t matter none to me, eh?”
“They matter to me, Kurtz. And I think you are worthy of such a title. It can still be in your future. Don’t sabotage your worth to my army by putting a wagon-full of wine and prostitutes higher than our cause.”
Kurtz said nothing, would not meet Achan’s eyes.
“Sir Caleb wants you arrested, and Sir Gavin is done bailing you out. But I am a man of second chances. I set the men in the Prodotez free from their crimes. I do the same for you. But as I told them, ‘Just know, if you go back to your old ways, I’ll not be so forgiving next time.’ Is that clear?”
Kurtz’s face flushed, but he smiled. “Aye, Your Highness. Clear as sugar wine, it is.”
26
Is anyone hurt, Jax? Averella asked.
No. The Ebens have not seen us. They are moving on. Put out your torch and come quietly.
We don’t have a torch. Averella squeezed Bran’s hand and whispered, “Jax says to come quietly.”
“What is it?” he whispered back.
“Ebens. They’re moving on, though.”
Bran drew his sword silently and inched forward. Averella followed.
The mouth of the cave came into view, dimly lit from outside. Distant torches illuminated a thick forest. Over two dozen giants walked away from the cave in a line, threading through the trees. Jax, Sir Rigil, Noam, and Gren were standing along the wall of the cave, their own torches out.
What were they doing? Averella asked Jax.
Hunting. I suspect the flock of gowzals drew their attention. Two came up to investigate, but turned back before they came inside.
What will we do?
I know not. Ebens have camps all over this area now. I heard them talking about it. I can’t lead us into the unknown. We’ d be better off going back through the tunnel to Mahanaim, though that could be suicide also with Esek’s men in the city.
The word “tunnel” brought a man’s face to Averella’s mind. Peripaso, Jax. Could you message him? He knows this area better than anyone. Maybe he could help us.
A wise idea, Vrell. I’ll message him right away.
The Eben torchlight had faded entirely now.
“Set up camp in the cave,” Averella whispered. “Back from the mouth. Sir Rigil, you stay here with Jax and keep watch. Bran and I will relieve you in a few hours.”
“Very well, my lady.”
Averella took Gren’s hand and reached for the tunnel wall. “Master Rennan and Noam, come with us. Master Rennan, once we turn the corner, would you light your torch?”
“Absolutely.”
Averella inched along until Bran’s torchlight lit their way. She found an area of ground that was somewhat smooth and claimed it for the camp. She set out her bedroll beside Gren’s and encouraged Noam to sit on it. They ate a meal of dried fish and apples and whispered to one another when they had to speak. But mostly they remained silent. Jax messaged her that Peripaso was on his way to help them.
Praise Arman.
After that the hours passed slowly. Eventually she and Bran took their watch at the mouth of the cave. It was very dark. Unless an animal snuck up on them, Averella figured they would see light from miles away. She could barely see Bran’s outline from the dim torchlight of the camp.
“I’m still hungry,” Bran