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Authors: Tim Mathias
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Cassian, and it calmed him to know that his son would not suffer as he had. Cassian could live like any Trueborn.
Zayd made his way back to his gear and began to ready himself for the march ahead. Areagus would likely address the soldiers before the march began in hopes of dissuading any thoughts of reprisals against the Tauthri, and he hoped they would listen to the commander’s reasoning, though part of him doubted they would. They were soldiers, fresh from the victory of a newer foe, now sharing the glory with an older one.
Two forms blocked the morning sun – Tascell and Daruthin, followed by the nine other Tauthri. All of them wore their leather armour, and all were armed with either a sword or bow.
“We weren’t sure what was happening,” Tascell said. “I saw you summoned to the Commander’s tent, and—”
“And you thought this was wise?” Zayd looked at each of them, letting his eyes rest heavily on them. “A sword in hand is intention in the mind.”
“They’re turning on us, vahr .” It had been months since Zayd had heard one of his men use the Tauthri word for superior. He doubted Tascell used it accidentally. Zayd replied in their native tongue.
“Do you not have a family, Daruthin? Or you, Tascell? You think it wise to make yourselves look guilty?” He switched to speaking the true-tongue. “Stow your weapons and follow your orders. We have weathered the worst of this campaign so far. I know you trust me, and I would not misuse that. They will not turn on us. Keep your mind to your own duties and nothing besides.”
Many of his kinsman looked at their feet as he spoke, taking his words as admonishment, realizing they ought to have known better. What would they have done? Fought? Fled? His lieutenants were the first to sheathe their weapons. Daruthin gave Zayd a quick nod. Tascell stared at his feet. Gavras was the only one who did not, and as the others dispersed, he stepped over to the captain.
“Does Areagus think it was one of us?” Gavras asked.
“He thinks it is possible,” Zayd said. It was the diplomatic answer. Of course Areagus thought it was. “But there’s no way for anyone to know for certain.”
“What do you think?”
Zayd was taken off guard by the bluntness of the question. “I don’t believe it was.”
“My brother was right… they are turning on us. And the commander will offer up one of our heads in order to keep his men in line if he has to. Guilty or not.”
Gavras saluted quickly and walked off before Zayd could respond. It was probably for the best; Zayd wanted to allay Gavras’ concerns, but in truth, he was right. Areagus may sooner punish an innocent Tauthri than a guilty Trueborn. Zayd would not ever have thought it possible, but since the start of this journey…… things were becoming worse. Invisibly, but inevitably.
They covered nearly ten miles before resting again, and only because the carriage taking the monolith became stuck. The rain started shortly after they began the march. Most of Zayd’s men slept, something for which he was thankful; he took it to mean they were reassured by what he had said that morning. Zayd remained awake for a few hours before allowing himself a short rest.
The road became gradually wider and less distinct as the landscape became less confining. The hills sloped gently upward on either side of the column, though there were still spots where the trees grew thick, and every thicket to a wary eye was potential cover for an enemy, watching the column pass, waiting to strike.
The rain was light at first, and like the road they travelled, it was a long and gradual change until the point where the carriage became stuck in the mud, and everyone realized it was pouring. They had been marching in mud for almost an hour.
Zayd was awake then, and took six of his men to create a close perimeter around the column as it halted. The road was on a noticeable incline, making the task of freeing the carriage
Zayd made his way back to his gear and began to ready himself for the march ahead. Areagus would likely address the soldiers before the march began in hopes of dissuading any thoughts of reprisals against the Tauthri, and he hoped they would listen to the commander’s reasoning, though part of him doubted they would. They were soldiers, fresh from the victory of a newer foe, now sharing the glory with an older one.
Two forms blocked the morning sun – Tascell and Daruthin, followed by the nine other Tauthri. All of them wore their leather armour, and all were armed with either a sword or bow.
“We weren’t sure what was happening,” Tascell said. “I saw you summoned to the Commander’s tent, and—”
“And you thought this was wise?” Zayd looked at each of them, letting his eyes rest heavily on them. “A sword in hand is intention in the mind.”
“They’re turning on us, vahr .” It had been months since Zayd had heard one of his men use the Tauthri word for superior. He doubted Tascell used it accidentally. Zayd replied in their native tongue.
“Do you not have a family, Daruthin? Or you, Tascell? You think it wise to make yourselves look guilty?” He switched to speaking the true-tongue. “Stow your weapons and follow your orders. We have weathered the worst of this campaign so far. I know you trust me, and I would not misuse that. They will not turn on us. Keep your mind to your own duties and nothing besides.”
Many of his kinsman looked at their feet as he spoke, taking his words as admonishment, realizing they ought to have known better. What would they have done? Fought? Fled? His lieutenants were the first to sheathe their weapons. Daruthin gave Zayd a quick nod. Tascell stared at his feet. Gavras was the only one who did not, and as the others dispersed, he stepped over to the captain.
“Does Areagus think it was one of us?” Gavras asked.
“He thinks it is possible,” Zayd said. It was the diplomatic answer. Of course Areagus thought it was. “But there’s no way for anyone to know for certain.”
“What do you think?”
Zayd was taken off guard by the bluntness of the question. “I don’t believe it was.”
“My brother was right… they are turning on us. And the commander will offer up one of our heads in order to keep his men in line if he has to. Guilty or not.”
Gavras saluted quickly and walked off before Zayd could respond. It was probably for the best; Zayd wanted to allay Gavras’ concerns, but in truth, he was right. Areagus may sooner punish an innocent Tauthri than a guilty Trueborn. Zayd would not ever have thought it possible, but since the start of this journey…… things were becoming worse. Invisibly, but inevitably.
They covered nearly ten miles before resting again, and only because the carriage taking the monolith became stuck. The rain started shortly after they began the march. Most of Zayd’s men slept, something for which he was thankful; he took it to mean they were reassured by what he had said that morning. Zayd remained awake for a few hours before allowing himself a short rest.
The road became gradually wider and less distinct as the landscape became less confining. The hills sloped gently upward on either side of the column, though there were still spots where the trees grew thick, and every thicket to a wary eye was potential cover for an enemy, watching the column pass, waiting to strike.
The rain was light at first, and like the road they travelled, it was a long and gradual change until the point where the carriage became stuck in the mud, and everyone realized it was pouring. They had been marching in mud for almost an hour.
Zayd was awake then, and took six of his men to create a close perimeter around the column as it halted. The road was on a noticeable incline, making the task of freeing the carriage
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