Read Online Hunted: The Warrior Chronicles #2 by K.F. Breene - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: K.F. Breene
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his power? Desperate to be right, as always, huh, Xavier?” Marc rolled his eyes.
“All I’m saying is,” Xavier said to Leilius, “You can’t pop out and not expect me to react.”
“Well, next time I’ll pop out and avoid the throw. That’s something to work on. And you can work on not letting me avoid the throw. S’am would give us that homework.”
Xavier sighed in defeat. Leilius never took the hint that Xavier didn’t want Shanti’s name mentioned in a favorable light around him. “Whatever. C’mon, let’s go. Maybe we’ll do something interesting today.”
“Doubtful.” Leilius’ body slumped as he and Marc followed Xavier into the training grounds.
----
C ayan sat at his desk in his private office; a place few knew about, much less visited. For official business or meetings, he used the space that was more like a hall than working quarters. These days he spent little time there, though. Things were starting to heat up and he didn’t have a firm handle on the direction of their future as a city, or more importantly, as a people.
The door opened, letting in the brisk fall chill. Commander Sanders marched in with Cayan’s note clutched in his hand and expectation etched in his features. He gave Cayan a nod before coming to stand directly in front of the desk. “You wanted to see me, sir?”
Cayan sat back and prevented himself from rubbing his eyes. Sleep was a luxury he no longer indulged in. “Yes. I’ve received a letter from the Duke of the Southern Peninsula. He is the last, and most important, ally. He’s agreed to help for the time being and indirectly join our cause.” He was also a pompous fool who thought more of himself than he ought. Still, the man was great at managing his assets, and had some equally great commanders. Cayan needed him.
“Yes, sir. Has anyone turned you down?”
Cayan glanced at the papers on this desk. “I was late to the party, actually. Krekonna from the west was already accumulating help. I joined their alliance, if truth be told. I then extended the request to a few nations closer to me, and of course, the Duke’s. Those further west have already seen the effects of the Graygual armies. Refugees have flocked to Krekonna and surrounding cities in droves. Women have disappeared, many turning up dead. Men have been killed in the street. It’s utter lawlessness. Their army is sick with power and unimpeded. They do whatever they desire.”
“Fear mongering.” Sanders clasped his hands behind his back. “Thieves do it all the time on our routes. They pick off some of the weak travelers and leave them to be found as an example of their brutality. Then, when the thieves approach softly and with a smile, people are so thankful not to be run-through with a sword, or their wives abused, they dump out their pockets quietly and obediently. Foul play, that. But it speeds up the process—so I’ve heard. They know better than to try that with my men, of course.”
A ghost of a smile passed Cayan’s lips. “I bet. Well, their plans are working. Krekonna is terrified of a Graygual invasion. He looks around him and sees the eventual death and destruction of his people. Unlike some, however, he doesn’t plan to surrender quietly. Or at all.”
“Does he have any in his city with mind power?”
Cayan couldn’t help another smile, this time with an underlying of sarcasm. “He’s seeking the violet-eyed girl. He wants to appeal for her aid.”
Sanders snorted and walked a few paces to the window. His muscles flexed. “I’d love to be in a locked room with that foreign woman.” He turned back to Cayan, regret and uneasiness warring on his face. “Don’t get me wrong, sir, I’m thankful for what she did. Not happy to admit it— I should be saving the damsel, not the other way around. But how she left… that wasn’t right. Took off like a fart in the wind. Cowardly, that’s what it was. She’s got her own agenda, the other nations that need her
“All I’m saying is,” Xavier said to Leilius, “You can’t pop out and not expect me to react.”
“Well, next time I’ll pop out and avoid the throw. That’s something to work on. And you can work on not letting me avoid the throw. S’am would give us that homework.”
Xavier sighed in defeat. Leilius never took the hint that Xavier didn’t want Shanti’s name mentioned in a favorable light around him. “Whatever. C’mon, let’s go. Maybe we’ll do something interesting today.”
“Doubtful.” Leilius’ body slumped as he and Marc followed Xavier into the training grounds.
----
C ayan sat at his desk in his private office; a place few knew about, much less visited. For official business or meetings, he used the space that was more like a hall than working quarters. These days he spent little time there, though. Things were starting to heat up and he didn’t have a firm handle on the direction of their future as a city, or more importantly, as a people.
The door opened, letting in the brisk fall chill. Commander Sanders marched in with Cayan’s note clutched in his hand and expectation etched in his features. He gave Cayan a nod before coming to stand directly in front of the desk. “You wanted to see me, sir?”
Cayan sat back and prevented himself from rubbing his eyes. Sleep was a luxury he no longer indulged in. “Yes. I’ve received a letter from the Duke of the Southern Peninsula. He is the last, and most important, ally. He’s agreed to help for the time being and indirectly join our cause.” He was also a pompous fool who thought more of himself than he ought. Still, the man was great at managing his assets, and had some equally great commanders. Cayan needed him.
“Yes, sir. Has anyone turned you down?”
Cayan glanced at the papers on this desk. “I was late to the party, actually. Krekonna from the west was already accumulating help. I joined their alliance, if truth be told. I then extended the request to a few nations closer to me, and of course, the Duke’s. Those further west have already seen the effects of the Graygual armies. Refugees have flocked to Krekonna and surrounding cities in droves. Women have disappeared, many turning up dead. Men have been killed in the street. It’s utter lawlessness. Their army is sick with power and unimpeded. They do whatever they desire.”
“Fear mongering.” Sanders clasped his hands behind his back. “Thieves do it all the time on our routes. They pick off some of the weak travelers and leave them to be found as an example of their brutality. Then, when the thieves approach softly and with a smile, people are so thankful not to be run-through with a sword, or their wives abused, they dump out their pockets quietly and obediently. Foul play, that. But it speeds up the process—so I’ve heard. They know better than to try that with my men, of course.”
A ghost of a smile passed Cayan’s lips. “I bet. Well, their plans are working. Krekonna is terrified of a Graygual invasion. He looks around him and sees the eventual death and destruction of his people. Unlike some, however, he doesn’t plan to surrender quietly. Or at all.”
“Does he have any in his city with mind power?”
Cayan couldn’t help another smile, this time with an underlying of sarcasm. “He’s seeking the violet-eyed girl. He wants to appeal for her aid.”
Sanders snorted and walked a few paces to the window. His muscles flexed. “I’d love to be in a locked room with that foreign woman.” He turned back to Cayan, regret and uneasiness warring on his face. “Don’t get me wrong, sir, I’m thankful for what she did. Not happy to admit it— I should be saving the damsel, not the other way around. But how she left… that wasn’t right. Took off like a fart in the wind. Cowardly, that’s what it was. She’s got her own agenda, the other nations that need her
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