Vengeance Born (The Light Blade #1) (31 page)

Kalan chuckled and shook his head. “Only a healer would get excited about boils and broken bones.”

The young girl glanced up at him, her nose wrinkling again. “No offense, Commander, but you Light Blades are too healthy, ’n treating bruises ’n sprains taken in training can be a little… dull.”

Annika shared a grin with Kalan, delighted by Rissa’s honest observations as they reached the healers’ tent. It was a large pavilion divided into two rooms. The flaps on the sides of the first room had been raised and the sick sat on benches inside being treated by a small swarm of people dressed in clothes similar to the ones Rissa wore. A line had formed of those waiting their turn to go inside.

Just outside the tent, a woman in forest green called out instructions to a small group of children about Rissa’s age. They all wore serious expressions as they listened, some even took notes in their journals. As they were dismissed and scattered to do their chores, the woman turned and Annika’s step faltered as she recognized Councilor Candra.

Candra’s dark gaze lit up in surprise, and then she smiled. “Commander, Annika, I see you’ve found Danna’s wayward pupil.”

Rissa grimaced. “I’m sorry, Master Healer. I jus’ saw ’em over the other side of the market ’n went to greet ’em.”

“You have duties that need attending to. Perhaps you’d best return to them.” After Rissa had said good-bye and they watched her disappear into the second room, Candra chuckled. “Why am I not surprised that she’s already met you, Annika?”

Her tone was light, not quite what Annika was expecting considering the outcome of the last time they’d met. “I hope Rissa’s not in any trouble.”

“Not at all, although I daresay Danna will have a quiet word with her. She’s an excellent trainee but easily distracted.” The older healer stepped inside the tent. “Would you care to help treat some of our patients?”

Annika glanced uncertainly at Kalan. He raised an eyebrow, a small smile on his lips. “Annika?”

She glanced back at Candra. “You’d let me near them?”

“I’m not one for dancing around the floor,” the woman said, her gaze direct. “What I saw in your pouch at the meeting impressed me. Only a fully trained healer could have made the salves and gels I saw. Your mentor was thorough in her teaching, much better than some of mine. If you say you learned everything using your memory then I’m not going to be one to gainsay you.

“Sometimes the other Councilors forget that learning comes in many forms. I’ll reserve my judgment until I see you in action.” She waved a hand at the people around them. “You can watch as I do my rounds, or you’re welcome to help. If you elect to help then I’ll watch until I’m satisfied you are what you say you are: a healer.”

Kalan’s hand touched her elbow. “You’ll find the Master Healer tends to be more open-minded and candid than many of her counterparts on the Council.”

The woman snorted. “Your angry departure out the other day did us the world of good. Shook some of the stalwarts to their boots being told they weren’t living up to their reputations. Thank goodness for you young ones who aren’t afraid to voice an opinion and a few home truths.

“And it’s a good thing I’m not the
Chosen
. I’d have reformed the Council and found some young blood to take the seats. Take Arek, for example. He might be impetuous at times but he’s refreshingly straightforward. A man after my own heart.”

“I’ll let him know you said that, Candra.” Kalan chuckled, easing Annika’s uncertainty about the whole situation and she was left wondering if Rissa’s honesty came from the Master Healer and was a trait encouraged by her.

“So, what’s it to be, Annika?”

A little overwhelmed by the outspoken woman, she nodded. “I’d very much like to help, Councilor.”

A finger wagged at her. “We dispense with formality outside the Council Chamber. You can either call me Master Healer or Candra.”

“Commander!” An urgent shout came from outside the tent.

A Light Blade warrior Annika didn’t recognize pushed his way through the line of people waiting to be treated. Kalan excused himself a moment to step outside. The younger warrior’s face was flushed with exertion, as if he’d run a long distance, and he bent over at the waist as he delivered his message. A frown appeared on Kalan’s face the longer the conversation went on then he nodded and strode back into the tent.

“I’m needed back at the compound,” he said, expression grim.

“Bad news?” Candra inquired softly.

“A
Na’Reish
scouting party has been spotted less than a day from the city.” He kept his voice low. “I need to meet with the Patrol that spotted them.”

His news sent a cold shiver along Annika’s spine. She never thought her father would go to such lengths to get her back. No Patrol had ever been ordered this far into human territory. She moved closer to Kalan. “We can go now.”

He shook his head, giving her a rueful smile. “I’m sorry our tour of the city has been cut short, but there’s no need for you to miss out on this. Stay with Candra. I’ll go on to the compound. Likely as not, I’ll be in a meeting when you return.”

She bit her lip. “Are you sure?”

“You’re in good hands here, Annika.” His smile became a grin. “Besides, the look in your eyes says you want to stay, so stay.”

She nodded, strangely relieved that she wouldn’t have to miss out on the visit to the healers’ tent. “Go to your meeting and I’ll see you later.”

“I’ll make sure she gets home safely, Commander,” Candra promised.

Kalan left, accompanied by the warrior who’d brought him the message.

“Well, let’s get to work, Annika.” The Master Healer clapped her hands and rubbed them together. “Time’s a-wasting.”

With a last glance at the crowd where Kalan had disappeared, Annika followed the healer into the tent, eager to learn and show what she knew.

“WHY wasn’t a meeting called to inform the Blade Council about the threat at our gates?”

The booming voice of Councilor Davyn, and the angry sound of more than one pair of boot heels clicking on stone, came from behind the group gathered in the room.

Kalan slowly straightened from where he leant over a map with his Light Blade warriors and met Arek’s gaze across the Council table. “How in
Lady
’s name did he find out about this?” he demanded, softly. “The news is barely two hours old.”

His Second shrugged. “He might have retired as a Light Blade but that doesn’t mean he’s severed all ties with the Barracks.”

Unimpressed, Kalan’s gaze narrowed. “In the future, I want it made clear to the warriors that reports are not for general conversation.”

“Yes, Commander.”

Kalan turned as the small contingent of Councilors reached the table. A swift survey showed the group consisted of Davyn, Yance, and Corvas accompanied by a smattering of prominent Guild-leaders from the city. Benth and Candra, the remaining two Councilors, were conspicuously absent. Their exclusion didn’t come as a surprise. In the past, they’d lent him support for many of the changes these people had opposed.

Bracing himself for the coming interrogation, he leant a hip against the edge of the table, obscuring Davyn’s view of the map he was so keenly trying to see. “Councilors, Guild-members, what can I do for you?”

His polite question seemed to be a signal. The questions came, fast and furious.

“Is it true we have the
Na’Hord
camped outside our gates?” This came from the Weavers’ Guild-leader. “Are we under siege?”

“How soon before they attack?” This from the portly Farmers’ representative. “Do we have time to call in the crofters closest to the city?”

The head of the Business District raised her voice, “Are they here for the
Na’Chi
woman?”

He let them talk, waiting for them to run down, his gaze drifting over the gathered delegation to settle on Davyn. The older warrior asked nothing himself. An air of quiet anticipation seemed to sur-round him and he listened, a gleam in his eye as the panic of the Guild-leaders rose.

Interesting little power-play getting the others to take him on. When it became clear he wouldn’t answer them, the furor died.

Kalan pinned each person with a look before speaking. “There is no threat to the city, Guild-members,” he stated, calmly. “Nor is there likely to be. The
Na’Hord
are not camped outside our gates.”

“But your patrol has spotted something, hasn’t it?” Yance’s gaunt face was creased with worry. “Scouts? A party of
Na’Reish
?”

“Once I know
all
the facts, Councilor, you will be informed.”

“Are they here for the
Na’Chi
woman?” Corvas demanded, his cheeks ruddy.

“I don’t know.”

“So, there are demons this close to the city? Didn’t I tell you the
Na’Chi
woman was a threat? I warned you at the last meeting she’d only bring trouble.” As if addressing the room, Davyn turned rather than speaking to him. “If the
Na’Rei
wants her back then we should hand her over and be done with it.”

That little speech set off the Guild-members again and sparked Kalan’s temper. Behind him, Arek snorted then appeared at his side.

“Would you like me to remove this gaggle of
geefans
so that we can finish this meeting in peace?” the warrior asked in a low voice. “I’d be happy to start with my dear grandfather.”

Kalan fixed the crowd with an icy stare as he shook his head. “Not yet.”

A hush came over the clamoring crowd; anxious faces turned toward him as he pushed off the table and stepped toward them.

“Guild-members, in the past you’ve relied on our Councilors to inform you of any movements my warriors might take to head off a
Na’Reish
threat. Storming the Council Chamber like a riotous mob has achieved nothing but waste your time and mine.

“
If
a threat exists then be assured that the Councilors will be informed and you will be told the facts or of any decisions that might be made. Should you be unhappy with that arrangement then, by all means, express your concerns to the Councilor of your choice for inclusion at the next meeting and I’ll abolish that system and instigate another. Perhaps one where you elect a representative to attend the meetings.”

The Councilors present shared a look. Their unease filled Kalan with a certain amount of satisfaction. Yance, Corvas, and Davyn knew he wanted the Guilds represented on the Council and had opposed his proposals unanimously. If they wanted a power-play Kalan was more than happy to give them one; something they’d best take into account if they intended to make a habit of stirring up the city-folk.

“In the meantime, to avoid unnecessary worry and panic, think carefully about listening to gutter-gossip and half-truths, whatever their source. Now, if you’ll let my warriors and I get back to what we do best.”

He nodded to Arek and he and three other warriors began herding the group toward the chamber doors. With a glare at his closest escort, Davyn ignored the hint to leave and closed the distance between them.

“You refuse to acknowledge the danger of letting her stay,” he hissed. “She threatens all our lives. It’s in her nature to feed. She may claim to abstain from drinking human blood but the day will come when she won’t be able to control herself. Will it take the death of an innocent to convince you,
Chosen
?

“And if that doesn’t, then consider what would happen if we engaged the
Na’Hord
in a direct confrontation. By your own words they outnumber us four to one. They’ll slaughter us!” His blue eyes flashed with aberrant fervor.

Disquiet stirred in Kalan’s stomach. Davyn seemed agitated, more so than usual.

“The
Na’Rei
has been waiting for the chance to invade, now you’ve given him the excuse. You know he’ll take it. Mark my words, once he crosses the border, he won’t stop until every human—man, woman, and child—is enslaved or dead.”

A silence fell over the room.

“Have a care, Davyn, that I don’t consider your words concerning Annika another slur against her character.” Kalan’s gaze narrowed as he regarded the silver-haired warrior with barely concealed dislike. He kept his stance relaxed but his tone hardened. “I’ll tolerate your ignorance once, but not twice.”

The warrior’s mouth pulled down at the corners. “I’m only expressing the opinions of many,
Chosen
.”

“Now that you’ve expressed them,
leave
.”

“Councilor, if you please.” His Second took the man’s arm.

Davyn shook himself free of the hold, his expression one of angry disgruntlement. “I expect a full briefing of this meeting before you retire tonight, Commander.”

Kalan nodded sharply. “You’ll get it.”

Spinning on his heel, Davyn strode from the chamber. Arek made sure the doors were closed once the contingent was gone. He returned to the table.

“That was interesting,” he drawled, an amused twinkle in his eyes.

The warriors gathered chuckled, and the tension of the last few minutes was relieved, but Kalan only grunted and turned back to the map. “Blood-kin or not, Arek, we deserve better. His hatred blinds him.”

His friend took his place at the other side of the table, his expression sobering. “You know he has a point.” Arek’s eyes met his, his gaze steady. “And I’m not referring to Annika.”

Briefly, Kalan closed his eyes and nodded. “I know we can’t afford an invasion by the
Na’Hord
.”
Mother of Mercy
, he hoped this was nothing that serious. He sighed. “We need more warriors.”

“We could instigate another Search, bring in the potentials we identified during the last one.”

“We’d be training children, Arek.”

“If we engage in conflict with the
Na’Reish
it might come to that.”

Kalan’s gut churned at the somber statement. There had to be some other solution to the possible threat of attack. “No, we need to confirm that these four scouts are a part of an advanced group invading from
Na’Reish
territory. Until that’s done, I want more frequent Patrols, and messengers sent to warn the Outposts.”