Black Spice (Book 3) by James R. Sanford

Author:James R. Sanford
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2014-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 10: In the Den of Evil

“Absolutely not,” Aiyan said. “We cannot risk it for one man, not even for Mahai. With any luck, he’ll survive until I kill Soth Garo.”

Kyric tried to pace back and forth, but the guest house was only four strides long. “You said that he was unconscious, that he had been shot and who knows what else. It’s only been three days. Soth Garo won’t start on Mahai until he’s well enough to know what’s happening to him. And besides, Mahai would let them kill him before he took the black blood — you know that. If we do not rescue him, they will surely torture him to death.”

Aiyan sat on the edge of his sleeping platform and rested his chin on one fist. “Is there something personal between the two of you that I don’t know about?”

“Not especially. I like him, and would be proud to call him a friend. And he certainly has the way about him — the first time he walked into the room you could see that.” Kyric made himself stand still and look at Aiyan. If it was Aiyan’s fault that Mahai had been captured, he would show no guilt or remorse. He never apologized for a mistake.

Kyric continued. “It was because of him that we rescued all those Silasese. I think he was ready to try it alone had we not gone with him, and I feel that he is owed.

“A man with so great a spirit counts for many. And he’s the last of the royal Onakai,” Kyric said, taking a breath and lowering his voice. “Without him, the Onakai will never be a people again. When this is over, they will need men like him to help rebuild their nation.”

Aiyan would not soften. “You make a good argument, but this isn’t a debate. I will not attempt to rescue Mahai. It wouldn’t be like Solstice Day — they would be ready.”

Kyric looked at him accusingly. “You could do it if you wanted. You could do it without any help if you wanted, couldn’t you?”

“I must prepare myself for the final battle,” Aiyan said icily, “and so should you.”

“Mahai should be the one to lead them in the final battle.”

Aiyan took a deep breath. “Some refugees came in by canoe last night from Lurta, a seaside village not too far from Mantua. They told us that the enemy had not spread out and occupied any villages after seizing the town. That tells me Soth Garo plans to strike here as soon as possible. Once his army is on the move, perhaps something could be done for Mahai. Witaan and some of his hunters could sail down the coast and infiltrate Mantua, assuming that Mahai was so hurt they had to leave him behind.”

Infiltrate. Yes. The plan broke in Kyric’s mind like a thunderstorm. Yes, it would work — he felt it deeply as a weird knowing.

“I have to talk to Caleem,” he said, turning his head so that Aiyan wouldn’t see the look on his face.

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