Rise of the Shadow Warriors (3 page)

“Of course.”

Shaina ignored Justan’s burning stare and held her breath in hopes he wouldn’t attempt to stop her. The other Kabanian warriors never took their eyes off of her men and kept their swords at the ready.

Shaina kneeled beside Ramar and placed her hand on Warlord Argan’s temple. Blasting heat indicated a fever long out of control. Her fingers came away damp.

“Did he eat anything?”

One of the Kabanian gasped sharply.

Ramar stared. “Do you think this the result of poison?”

If so, considering his current state, it had to be slow acting or he would have been dead.

“No.” She leaned forward and placed her face close to the stunning features of the unconscious Warlord. Shaina had never seen a man more beautiful. Dark brows creased in pain but nothing could detract from the bold lines of his face. Despite his clear illness, his features were enough to give any woman pause. And his hair, the rich, black length cascaded around him and fell to his waist like ribbons of silk.

Putting thoughts of his looks aside, Shaina inhaled deeply. The fruity tang on his breath gave her the answer she needed. Warlord Argan was indeed close to death.

Shaina rifled through her satchel, knowing exactly what she sought.
Nidi
weed. Her fingers closed on the small, leather pouch and the liquid medicine within.
Nidi
weed oozed a thick fluid that worked on fever but especially on Maso.

“He has Maso virus. A bug carrying the disease must have bitten him.”

Lips turned down, Ramar stiffened, worry glinting in his eyes. He was a handsome man as well. “There is no cure for Maso.”

Well, maybe they didn’t have one but the Olak’din healers were gifted herbalists when it came to medicine. “The
nidi
weed will heal him.”

Carefully, she opened the medicine and prepared to put it to Argan’s mouth when a hand locked around her throat.

Shaina froze.

The tip of a blade caressed Ramar’s throat at the same time.

Justan.

Justan never took chances when it came to Shaina’s life, thus the reason she assigned him to watch her back.

Shaina glanced down into the glazed, dark eyes of Warlord Argan. As sick as he was the hand about her neck never wavered.

“Release her,” Justan demanded, while his blade pressed along Ramar’s throat.

“Who are you?” Warlord Argan’s voice was no less commanding despite the raspy dry tones.

“You’re very ill, Warlord of Kaban.”

Thick curled lashes fluttered as he fought to keep his eyes open.

“Release her or I will kill your man.” The tip of Justan’s blade pricked the warrior’s skin beneath it.

Was she the only one who heard the thin thread of fear in her friend’s voice?

“Know this. If she poisons me, I will crush her throat beneath my fingers before you can end Ramar.” Argan’s voice deepened to a rough rumble.

“It’s okay, Justan.” She never broke Argan’s stare.

Justan didn’t shift his sword away. Ramar wisely remained motionless.

The two warriors were at a stalemate, neither willing to concede to the other.

Argan applied pressure in warning, his fingers digging into the skin of her neck. But she also saw the fear he managed to bank seconds later.

“Justan, we don’t have time,” Shaina snapped. To Argan she murmured, “If you ease your hold a bit, he will stand down.”

Rivulets of sweat rolled from his temple. A fine tremble started in the fully extended arm he used to hold her.

“No trickery,” Argan warned as his arm fell to his side.

Already the color leeched from his face. Soon it wouldn’t matter. Maso had four stages. Fever, vomiting, shakes and then the cold sleep of death.

Chapter 5

Warrior instinct compelled Argan to be on his guard from the strange woman and the men with her. His mind muddled through his thoughts as if slogging through the thick mud of a sand bog. Fire blazed through his pores and his skin was soaked with sweat.

Trust did not come easy but he’d heard her words clearly. Maso virus. Argan knew of no cure but was unwilling to give into death’s embrace so easily.

“What would you have of me?”

The woman raised her hand slowly and showed him the small pouch containing the medicine. His gaze tracked the delicate fingers to a slim arm and up to a face with finely boned features. Red hair lit with golden strands of fire tumbled over her rounded shoulders. Thin brows a match for the red arched over glowing eyes.

“The herbs will help you. Drink it all.” Pouty lips with the lower more full than the top shaped words in Standard.

Argan understood her but hesitated. Memories of poison and treachery held him immobile.

She must have read his thoughts. Silver eyes danced and the mouth he continued to stare at, tipped up in the corners. “Trust must be earned but we don’t have the time Warlord Argan.”

She knew him but he did not know her. “Who are you?”

Not Kabanian. No Kabanian woman would venture out alone and though Argan was fairly certain they were close to Raasa, this female did not have the exotic face and diamond eyes of the people he’d come to know. Nothing about her appearance hinted at a clue to her race.

Swirling depths of silver studied him as avidly as he studied her. “My name is Shaina and your time wanes, warrior.”

“Warlord,” he corrected absently. His stomach heaved and this time Argan couldn’t prevent the groan from escaping.

Curling to his side, he made no attempts to hide the agony as his insides ripped apart followed by blasts of heat.

“Warlord!” Firm fingers gripped his chin, turning his face back toward hers. “Take this now.”

Something wet pressed against his mouth and Argan swallowed the drops of liquid. It was easier than choking on the mixture she forced on him. His parched throat struggled and would have sent her offerings back up but she clamped her fingers over his lips.

“Easy there. Stay with me.” Her gentle voice soothed. The hold on his chin turned into a light caress. A thumb brushed his bottom lip.

Argan blinked to clear his vision. He needed to see her. Wisps of softness trailed along his jaw, across his brow before settling on the top of his head where a gentling massage ensued.

Relief. Such relief if only briefly from the pain. Sinking further into the hand running through his hair, Argan closed his eyes. He always thought he’d meet the Blessed One after a glorious battle. One in which he’d reign victorious. There was no victory in being felled by sickness. Vaan would feel his loss greatly.

Thinking of his friend spurred Argan on and he strained to lift his head from the ground. “Vaan,” he gasped.

The woman sat much closer to him, her face within inches of his. She smiled when she met his gaze. A smile that tugged at his toqa in spite of his weakness.

“You’re going to feel better soon, Warlord. Today is not your day to die.”

Whatever she gave him must have started working. Already the stomach pangs eased. Sleep sought to pull him into darkness but he owed her and Argan was not comfortable owing a stranger anything. “Argan Kril offers you a debt of life.” He licked his dry lips and gathered what he wanted to say. Vaan would give her anything for saving Argan’s life. “The Overlord will pay whatever you ask.”

She laughed and the musical notes roused him to wakefulness. “It’s not your Overlord whom I saved. What would
you
pay Warlord Argan?”

Argan paused. She teased. He wasn’t used to people teasing him. Sometimes his fellow Warlords tried but never so freely. Occasionally, Mikayla would also play her games of mirth and Argan would pretend not to notice.

But this female. She did not know him well enough to tease, yet her smiling visage and twinkling eyes fairly screamed she found humor in teasing him.

Still he would stand by his vow. Honor meant everything to a Kabanian Warlord. “Anything you ask of me is yours.”

She jerked back with a gasp, eyes rounded with shock. The stroking hand in his hair stopped and dropped to her side. He wanted to force her to continue. “Anything?”

Dark strands appeared in the outer edges of her silver eyes until streaks covered them. What was she?

Unable to decipher her race, Argan sensed that his response would define whatever path their future interactions would take and he was sure they would meet again. “Anything.”

Ramar leaned forward, blocking Argan’s view of sun kissed red waves and sparkling eyes. “Warlord Argan, you should not make promises in your condition.”

Shivers racked Argan’s body and the cooling air acted as a balm to his no longer heated flesh. His lids drifted shut but he managed to say, “I will pay whatever price she asks.”

“I will hold you to that Warlord.”

Argan’s eyes popped open. Worry should give him cause to hesitate. To leave an open debt went against the very nature of the warrior in him. Instinct dictated he demand to know what she would ask. Instead, his blurry vision studied the intensity blazing from her eyes.

His toqa stirred again despite the residual pain lancing his middle. “I look forward to it.”

She gave a succinct nod. “The
nidi
weed will work in a few hours. Your fever already breaks. By morning tide, you will feel well enough to travel and have no lingering effects.”

A sigh passed Argan’s lips and his eyes closed. When she ran her hands over his face, he barely flinched. The soft touch had him craving more but sleep pulled him away. He missed the curses of his warriors as the world retreated to welcome him in a pool of darkness.

***

Shaina sighed and reluctantly stood. Her men turned in her direction, attentive to her every move. “We go home. The Gornan here are done.”

Justan leaned forward to murmur, “And his debt, my Queen? What will you ask in return?”

He had been close enough to hear her words to the Warlord. Shaina felt relief for the first time in a while. The last few months had been hard but now she actually had a reason to believe Helsa smiled on her. “The Kabanian Warlord has shifted the balance in my favor, Justan.”

Chapter 6

A week later and Shaina still marveled over her good fortune. The Warlord’s promise gave her hope. Hope that once more invigorated her faith in defeating the Gornan and silencing Ivak’s criticisms.

“I don’t like the way you’re looking, Shaina. What are you thinking in that tiny head of yours?”

Shaina tossed Justan a glare but never ceased pacing in her private quarters. “My head’s not tiny. It fits my body unlike yours.”

Justan chuckled and stretched out on her lounge chair, making himself comfortable with his feet propped up on the end and her bright fluffy red pillows under his boots.

Pillows she’d painstakingly sewn together in an attempt to develop more lady-like skills to please a former suitor. A suitor Shaina discovered sleeping with another woman not long after her efforts of domesticity. At least, the pillows came out beautifully. The relationship not so much.

During her second pass across the room which brought her closer to Justan, Shaina aimed for his feet, and shoved his worn boots to the floor. “I’m going to visit the Kabanian and remind him of his vow.”

Justan jerked upright into a sitting position. Well, she’d definitely gotten his attention. “Are you crazy, Shaina?”

“In addition to having a tiny head? No.” She wanted to see the warrior again. Confirm that he had indeed recovered from the bout of Maso. And she wanted to see if her memories of him could possibly be accurate.

Vivid dreams of Warlord Argan plagued her sleep. She remembered the power of his touch when his hand had been about her throat. Maso could fell the mightiest warrior, yet he’d retained enough of his senses to defend himself. What was he like when not ill and at full strength?

“Are you seriously thinking of going to Kaban?” Justan’s question snapped her back to the present.

“Kaban? No.” Her secret night excursions from their cavern home revealed that Argan lived with the Overlord among the Raasa. It had been easy enough to slip through the shadows and make her way to Kaban where she could listen to talk. Apparently Vaan Galip mated a Raasa female and his top Warlords chose to live with him away from the compound in Kaban.

Justan rose to his feet, his towering height enabling him to look down on Shaina. “Tell me your thoughts.”

Shaina pursed her lips. “No need to become worked up. Argan Kril is in Raasa. I can be there and back before anyone notices my absence tonight.”

“This is a dangerous path. Even for you.” His hands reached out to gently stroke her shoulders.

Shaina tipped her head back to meet the blue of his eyes. Blond hair brushed the collar of his leather vest. Bronze muscles contracted beneath the loose lacings at his chest. Sometimes the two years separating their age seemed like much more.

They’d kissed once in their younger years and both agreed the experience was akin to kissing a sibling. Their friendship had been secured ever since.

“What will come of you going to see him?”

“Aside from knowing he’s well?” Shaina pulled away and skirted a small, side table to renew her pacing. More than ever the stone walls of her home pressed in on her. The plan she had was a thinly formed one. “I’m going to ask him to make good on his debt.”

“How?” A frown pierced his brows.

If she told him, he’d try to stop her. “Let me worry my tiny head about that.”

Justan snorted with laughter as she intended. “Would it help if I said your feet are big? Bigger than is ladylike.”

Shaina couldn’t hold in her peals of laughter. “I no longer wonder why you’re still single, Justan.”

He stilled at her words, then shrugged his shoulders. “I will find the right woman some day.” Shaina believed him. Justan was not only very handsome but he had a heart of gold beneath his mischief making.

Resuming his seat on her lounge, he placed his hands behind his head as he lounged back and cleared his throat. “The bigger question, my Queen, is how long you expect to remain single. Ivak stirs our people daily with rumors that you plan to avoid tradition, forego an heir and lead the Olak’din into extinction.”

Shaina paced faster from one end of her living space to another and nibbled her thumbnail. Justan was right, though. Ivak’s attempts to turn her people against her had increased as if panic ruled his actions. Matters would soon come to a head and she needed to be prepared.

“I’m going to Raasa tonight.” Shaina paused and dropped her hands to her side. “After the round meeting.”

Like her father before her, Shaina conducted meetings around a common fire to discuss important matters that impacted all of them. Anyone was allowed to attend if interested in voicing their opinions. Shaina knew Ivak would seek to use the occasion as an opportunity to disparage her ability to lead.

“I stand by you as always.” Justan sat back up. “But I implore you to be careful, Shaina. Ivak is a warrior from the old times. He values tradition and has swayed many to his way of thinking.”

She agreed. “Yes, but there isn’t a need for us to live in secret any more. The old ways are changing. The Gornan have increased their raids. They want to take over the caverns we’ve made into homes. Something has to be done before things come to a head.”

Justan sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “At least tell me your plan. We do this together, my Queen.”

His faith overwhelmed Shaina. “Thank you, Justan. It’s best I see how things are first. Until then, I won’t share my plan.” She really didn’t have one but speaking with the Kabanian would hopefully help her.

“Fine but don’t wait too long.” A rugged smile pulled at his mouth. “Let’s go on a hunt.”

Pushing back thoughts of the sexy Warlord, Shaina rolled her eyes. “Now?”

Justan walked toward the flap covering her door. “No time like the present.”

The thought of the adrenaline and rush of a hunt warmed Shaina and helped make her decision. “Let’s gather a few others.”

Justan held the material back until she’d exited then resumed his familiar place by her side. When he canted his head downward to stare at her, she elbowed him in the side. Hard.

“Ow.” Justan rubbed his injury but didn’t retaliate as she expected.

“What’s really on your mind, Justan?” It wasn’t like him to want to go on an unplanned hunt. Their meat stores were fine.

“Can’t a friend want to spend time together?”

Shaina almost choked, she laughed so hard. When she finally got herself under control she met Justan’s annoyed gaze and snickered. He always managed to lighten her spirits. “I believe you.” She made sure her tone was doubtful and arched her brow in his direction.

Surprisingly Justan didn’t laugh but he did yank on her hair, reassuring her that they were fine.

***

It wasn’t hard to find a few free warriors who were open to a light spirited hunt. Luka, Karn and Shadae met them at the entrance of the main cavern, bows slung over their shoulders.

“My Queen,” they bowed in her direction.

Shaina smiled. It slipped when she spied Mandok coming out after them. He carried his bow and a full quiver.

“Queen Shaina.”

Somehow he managed to convey more in his greeting but nothing Shaina could actually reprimand him for. She didn’t like Mandok. Some may have found his light colored hair and dimples attractive but not her. The muscled warrior used his size and build to intimidate and she’d once found a young maiden crying after he’d cornered her. When Shaina probed, the young woman had refused to speak of it, leaving Shaina no choice but to let the matter drop.

When Justan came out and rounded their group to an even six, Mandok’s silver eyes glittered with an emotion she couldn’t define.

“Is everyone ready?” Justan asked, handing Shaina her worn bow.

She shouldered one of the quivers he’d brought out with him as well. Luka and Karn smiled while Shadae, the only other woman in the group, offered a brisk nod. Her silver eyes narrowed on Mandok and Shaina bet the woman would have changed her mind if she could have without her dislike of Mandok being obvious.

“We’re using stunner arrows,” Justan continued. “Since this isn’t a true hunt, we don’t want to be wasteful and overstock our stores with meat that might go rancid before we can prepare it.”

Mandok grunted, brows drawn. “What matters if it goes bad? A hunt is to prove prowess.”

Not once did Justan betray his impatience with the warrior but Shaina knew him well and didn’t miss the way his fingers tightened on his bow. He kept his congenial expression in place. “A hunt
is
about prowess but only a fool would be wasteful when winter is but a short while away. We will need the game more then as opposed to wasting it now.”

The disgruntled warrior muttered something under his breath she couldn’t hear. “You’re welcome to withdraw, Mandok. We’re only seeking a bit of sport today.”

 Shaina hoped he’d decline to go. She wasn’t particularly interested in his company. Her hackles rose whenever in his presence but as Queen she had to hold him in regard until he did something to prove otherwise.

Mandok shoved a hand in his hair, sending the waves in disarray. He slanted her a look. “No, my Queen. This will be fun.”

Somehow she doubted it, her good mood ruined. Shaina moved to the front of their small group to lead the way. The best place to hunt wasn’t far off. The small clearing further down the mountain trail but not quite in the woods of the Gornan boasted plentiful nests where geilis created their home. The birds swift flying ability made them difficult targets. Perfect for today’s hunt.

They were silent on the trek. Occasionally she could pick up the sound of running water from the creek that was off to the side of their caverns. A huge waterfall fed the creek and its winding path came close enough to provide fresh water for them to use all year round.

When they entered the clearing, Shaina withdrew an arrow and notched it after confirming the blunt tip of the stunner was in place. The others followed suit until Mandok raised his hand.

She nodded for him to speak.

“I propose a challenge.”

Shaina raised a brow. “Go on.”

“Three on three. Karn, Luka and I against you, Shadae and Justan.”

Justan stiffened. “What’s the challenge?”

“Whichever team fells the most birds wins, of course. It’s quite simple.”

Shaina tried to read what trickery he’d set but could not fathom. There was nothing simple about what he proposed. “Agreed.”

Karn and Luka at least had the grace to look uncomfortable.

Mandok pulled his quiver to the front. “We’ll notch our arrows to separate the kills.”

“We’re only stunning today, Mandok.” Shaina wanted to make sure he understood the rules.

“Of course.” He went to one knee and used his sword to quickly notch all of his arrows, Luka’s and Karn’s as well. When he rose to his feet he grinned in her direction. “We’ll split up. Best of luck, Your Highness.”

The hair on her neck curled, pebbling the skin in response before Mandok loped off with Karn and Luka trailing behind.

Justan came to stand beside her. “He’s up to something.”

“Yes, but what, I can’t put my finger on.” Shaina sighed and turned to the challenge. “Let’s hurry. The sooner we win, the sooner we can be away from him and back home.”

Shadae approached on silent feet. “Are we kicking Mandok’s ass?”

The unexpected comment from the dark-haired woman had Shaina laughing. This was why she liked the young woman. “I’m all over it.”

Justin’s smile eased and by unspoken agreement Shaina took the lead into the area thick with rounded bushes that matched her in height. Home to the geilis. She stuck her fingers between her lips and whistled high and low.

Leaves to the right of them rustled. Justan gave her a chin lift and turned in that direction while Shadae crept to the side. Shaina pulled her bow taut and aimed in the vicinity of the noise. By accident or design, Justan’s boot came down loudly on a branch, snapping it in two.

Reds, blues and some rare purples burst into the air in rapid succession as the plump geili birds took flight. Shaina let loose one arrow and followed it with another into the fleeing feathered animals. The thump whistle of Shadae releasing joined in as well.

Four thuds on the ground confirmed they’d managed to hit a couple of their targets. Grinning and feeling her blood pump, Shaina kneeled to pull their arrows free and spared a moment to check that the birds were merely stunned. She held up a separate set of arrows to Shadae. “Two?”

Shadae grinned. “When I play, I play to win.”

Shaina chuckled and jumped to her feet. Not many could shoot two arrows at once
and
hit their targets. She pointed at Justin. “Make sure you keep up with us ladies.”

Justan growled and rubbed a hard fist over the top of her head, messing up her hair. Shaina swatted at him, squealing all the while. Once she managed to get away from him, Shaina raced toward the next overgrown brush. Her blood raced from their success and thoughts of winning the challenge fueled her.

Far off in the distance, flapping wings sounded overhead followed by Mandok’s shout. He’d better be using the stunners. “I swear, Justan.”