Word of Traitors_ Legacy of Dhakaan - Don Bassingthwaite [89]
Marrow raised her big head at her angry tone and woofed softly as if in warning.
“Ekhaas,” said Dagii. There was command in his voice, the sort of tone she’d heard him use with his soldiers. She closed her mouth. He nodded to Chetiin. “In war, there is a place for any aid that is offered.”
Chetiin returned the nod. Marrow snorted and lowered her head back onto crossed paws. Ekhaas glowered. “When we get back to Rhukaan Draal, I’m going to take Geth up Khaar Mbar’ost and throw him off it.”
“He was worried for you,” said Chetiin. “We spoke the night before the final day of the games. I think he was feeling powerless—a strange thing to say about someone who sat on the throne of a king, but still true. He needs allies. We should make sure we all return to him.” He left off scratching Marrow and reached into a pouch at his waist. “Marrow and I didn’t stray far from your marching route, but we had an interesting encounter today. We could have had more if we’d gone looking for them. You know you’ve been watched?”
He held out two severed elf ears, fleshy and lobed like human ears but tapering to long tips. Marrow whined and thumped the ground with her tail. He shook his head at her, holding out the ears to Ekhaas and Dagii.
“Know it?” asked Dagii. “I expected it.”
Ekhaas glanced from the ears—both left ears, so cut from two elves—to him. “You expected it?”
“It would be difficult to move a company of soldiers through territory controlled by the enemy without being noticed.” He sat back. “I’ve never fought the Valenar before. I’ve only heard stories. If we’re going to beat them, I want to see them fight firsthand. I want to see their tactics.”
“I could tell you a dozen stories about battle with the Valaes Tairn,” Ekhaas said.
“Stories,” said Dagii. “I need to fight them myself.”
“You approve of this?” she asked Chetiin. The old goblin frowned.
“I didn’t know about it until now. It’s not the shaarat’khesh way.” His frown became thoughtful. “It makes some sense—if the Valenar don’t decide to overwhelm you in numbers. Their idea of honor is not atcha or muut. To them, a victory is a victory, no matter how it’s achieved. The only things they hold sacred are their ancestors and their horses. You can’t count on a fair fight.”
Dagii’s face was calm, his voice assured. “They respond to the same challenge Haruuc put to the warlords of Darguun. Dar and elves are ancient enemies. I am told the Valenar venerate their ancestors by testing themselves. Their ancestors fought our ancestors. This will be a matter of honor—such as their honor is—for them. They won’t try to crush us, I think, but only send a force equivalent in strength to ours. Just enough to best us.” A spark entered his voice and his ears stood up straight. “I want to see how many they consider ‘enough.’”
Chetiin’s expression tightened. “Geth was right to send me to protect you. You’re mad.” He flicked the elf ears to Marrow, who snapped them out of the air and began to chew at the tough cartilage.
A chill passed through Ekhaas. “If their force is evenly matched to ours, both sides could suffer heavy losses.”
“Then it will be a test of strategy and will. If we can’t beat them here, how will we beat them if they come against the main army?”
“The main army is bigger,” Ekhaas said.
Dagii smiled—and put his hand on her knee. The touch was hesitant but it wasn’t fleeting or accidental. It lingered and Ekhaas could feel it even through the stout steel-studded leather she wore. It took her breath away. Dagii’s face had turned a little dark, but he kept his voice steady. “We’ll beat them, Ekhaas. I promise you.” When he moved his hand, he slipped it away as if reluctant to break the moment of contact.
Ekhaas tried to find words. Chetiin had looked away, politely ignoring the awkward, intimate moment.
“What about the scouts?” Ekhaas managed to say.
Dagii’s smile faded. “They have orders to go back to the main army if they return and we’re not here,” he said. “Not all of them are truly scouting either—a few have stayed and concealed themselves