Neversfall - Ed Gentry [16]
"Back to bunk," Loraica repeated.
"Wait," Taennen said, facing the man again.
Haddar stood at attention, unmoving, his gaze distant. Taennen watched the man for several moments before moving to stand before him. Haddar's jaw clenched with tension, but he did not flinch.
Taennen stepped back from the muscular man and drew his right arm high over his left shoulder. He sent the back of his hand searing across Haddar's cheek. The blow sounded with a snap, but still Haddar did not react.
"You are dismissed, Muzahar," Taennen said.
"Yes, sir," Haddar said. He nodded, his eyes thankful, and marched away toward his tent.
"Do you want to tell me what that was about?" Loraica asked. "I thought you said he didn't do anything. So why did you punish him?"
"Because I care for him as we care for all of our soldiers, Terir," Taennen said. "Good night, Loraica."
Without waiting for a reply, Taennen passed into his tent and lowered himself onto his cot. He cradled his right hand, still stinging from the impact with Haddar's face, and wished Jhoqo had done the same for him. He thought of Wajde and of the mistakes he would never make again.
Chapter Four
Vieenya spotted Taennen in the marching lines. He looked better in the morning light, though it was obvious his wounds still pained him. She fell into step next to him. He gave her a small smile and saluted.
"Durir, it pleases me to see you're well. Be at ease," she said, returning the salute.
Taennen dropped his arm to his side. "Thank you. What can I do for you, Orir?"
"I wanted to see how you were recovering," she said.
Taennen nodded. "Fine, thank you. I hope the battle went well for you and yours, sir," he said.
Adeenya nodded. "As well as any fight can," she said, her lips forming a tight smile.
Taennen raised an eyebrow and tilted his head.
"No fight is a good fight, Durir Tamoor." Her goal had not been to remind him of his losses, but by the look on his face, she clearly had. Regrettable but she had no time to worry about such things.
"That seems a strange attitude for a mercenary," Taennen said, "if I may say so, Orir."
"Does it?"
"I meant no offense," he said with a bow and a gesture of apology, wiping three fingers down his chin.
"It's quite all right, Taennen. May we talk frankly?" she said. If she was going to try to get answers, she might as well go straight to the heart of the matter. "Taennen, I have been unable to speak with the prisoners yet. Urir Valshu said it was unsafe and that with more time to examine them, he could allow me to interrogate them myself."
"They are very dangerous, Orir," Taennen said.
"I know that, but I hope you can understand my position. I need to know what's going on. I'd be a poor leader if I led my soldiers blindly without gathering all the intelligence I possibly could," Adeenya said.
Taennen nodded, looking vaguely uncomfortable. She was getting to him.
"I'll be blunt, Taennen. I need your help," she said.
"I would be pleased to help if I can, Orir," he said.
Adeenya smiled. "Excellent. Tell me about the prisoners."
"I know very little, sir. I haven't even been able to interview them myself," he said.
"What you do know would be helpful," Adeenya said.
"Orir, if I had any answers for you, I would share them," the Maquar said. His stiffened posture told her what she needed to know. She was being excluded. The urir obviously didn't think much of her command. He'd rather share information she needed with his skittish second.
Adeenya frowned and nodded. "Very well. If you do learn anything or find you can share something you might feel unable to share now, please let me know."
"Good morning," Jhoqo said as he fell into step beside Adeenya.
"Good morning, sir," Taennen said.
"Good morning, commander," Adeenya said, with a smile she didn't feel. "You've trained a tough one here."
"I certainly have. How are you, son?" Jhoqo said to Taennen.