Dragons' Peak (Born of the Sky Book 5) by Ken Rudisill

Author:Ken Rudisill [Rudisill, Ken]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-11-03T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 45

With possession of Notalam, Alita's small army had access to water and shelter, but they consumed the limited food in the city within a few days. They couldn't survive without fish from the cliff platforms, so divided their force among the six that remained and kept half a dozen guards on each wagon. In addition to losing a third of their force capturing Notalam, it depleted their main army by half.

Botlea sent small groups to recapture some of the cliff platforms and parked a few hundred troops in the ruins of the nearest village along Eknos Gorge. She couldn't delay their next move long for fear that the other half of Botlea's army would find a way to cross the gorge.

As word spread that Sabua retook Notalam, their scattered people gathered. It bolstered Alita's numbers but further strained food supplies. It also introduced a new problem. Not everyone from Imisa Five welcomed those of Sabua descent so fights broke out between her soldiers.

After drinking at a nearby tavern, Alita walked the main boulevard in Notalam with Sineek at her side and a few guards. Though the city lacked food, there was always alcohol stashed somewhere.

They encountered a pair of women tearing at each other, rolling around the muddy street while several people watched.

Alita said, "Stop these idiots."

Sineek strolled forward and lifted one woman by her clothing, but they both turned on him. One battered him in the head while the other clawed at his arm. Alita pulled the loose woman backward and tripped her with an outstretched leg.

The woman on the ground asked, "Who do you think you are?"

Alita's guards stepped forward and one drew his sword.

Sineek restrained the other woman's arms.

Even coming from a tavern, Alita could smell the alcohol on them. "Stop. I won't tolerate infighting."

"That Lolak whore tried to steal my rations."

Alita asked her. "Where are you from?"

"Beoto."

She hadn't expected them to both be from Imisa Five. She was unaccustomed to so much bickering within her troops.

"If you have too much energy, I'll assign you to guarding shipments from the cliff platforms or scouting Letonek."

They were two of the most dangerous assignments.

The woman Sineek held said, "Sorry."

The woman Alita tripped, stood, and wiped the mud from her legs. She pointed at the woman from Lolak and then walked away.

Alita said, "Let her go."

Sineek released the other woman, who bowed quickly and departed.

Alita told the observers, "Move on. There's nothing else to see here."

Once back at the entrance to the inn where Alita was staying, Sineek asked, "One more drink?"

"No."

He produced a half empty bottle from inside his clothing and jiggled the contents. "Are you sure?"

"Did you steal that?"

"Of course not. I'm Sineek Homale. I took it."

"If my commanders aren't disciplined, how can I expect everyone else to be?"

"Is that what I am, a commander?"

Alita spoke to the three guards shadowing her. "Go get some rest."

"Yes, ma'am."

The guards headed towards the building next door, which is where Sineek was staying.

When they were alone standing on the steps of the inn, she said, "The people from Sutat still view you as their leader.

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