The Runes of Engagement by Tobias Buckell

The Runes of Engagement by Tobias Buckell

Author:Tobias Buckell [Buckell, Tobias & Klecha, Dave]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Fantasy, General, Humorous, Action & Adventure, Dragons & Mythical Creatures
ISBN: 9781616964160
Google: P5Yn0AEACAAJ
Amazon: 1616964162
Published: 2024-06-03T16:00:00+00:00


Cale flipped his cloak’s hood back up over the funky hat he’d stolen as he headed into the crowd, concealing the earpiece as he fit it back in.

“How’s Rashad?” Barden asked over the radio.

“He’ll live.”

“That’s encouraging.”

“They’re all fine,” Cale said. “It’s the worst combat-conditioning stint they’ve ever done, but it’s not going to kill them.”

“Probably.” Barden’s own sigh came through loud and clear.

“Lomicka and Ysbarra have overwatch. They’ll take out whoever they have to, if it comes to that.”

“I hope it doesn’t. That’s going to make everything a hundred times more complicated.”

“More like a thousand, or a million,” he said.

“Roger that.”

“Did you get the coins off Orley?” Cale asked.

“He made me give him a damn receipt.” Apparently Orley had been carrying around local currency this whole time. Barden requisitioned it so they could make a second go at trying to get supplies.

“Good luck, keep me apprised. Going back to squad channel.” He didn’t wait for a response, just tapped the channel button twice on his squad radio. He pressed the talk key again, “Antoine, Hassel, what’s the status on our new friend Peridot and his hunt?”

“He did what he promised on the tin. Tracked Lady Wíela due north of town, Staff Sergeant.” Antoine’s voice crackled in his ear. “About a klick north of our observation hill. We’ve got eyes on her.”

“Okay, I’m Oscar Mike. Be there in fifteen. Try to keep her from wandering off any farther.”

“We’ll do what we can.”

Cale made his way out the northeast gate, thankful again for the cloaks that this Peridot character had scrounged for them. In fact, they fit like they had been tailored to drape over his weapons and gear, so he had to wonder exactly where the stranger had gotten them. They certainly seemed to carry some kind of enchantment that made people look away. And Cale thought it suspicious that Peridot had brought enough for the entire squad, including the four in the stocks. But at the moment, he’d take any lifeline offered if it wasn’t too obviously a snake; the mission and the welfare of his squad took priority.

Once out of sight of the northeast gate, Cale broke into a trot and angled off the road to take his bearings on the hills that bordered the north side of the town and gave it its name. He let Antoine guide him in, and before long he dropped from a trot into a fast and agitated walk to fall in beside the still-fuming Lady Wíela.

“Lady Wíela!” Cale shouted after her as she climbed a grassy rise just outside of town on the northeast side. Trees dotted the landscape in the distance, thickening toward forest as the hills crept to the foot of Mount Grunt in the distance.

“Lady Wíela, stop!” He knew she could damn well hear him.

She waved back at them, clearly annoyed, and carried on.

Shit.

Cale couldn’t blame her. He’d be annoyed with himself at this point, too. But, she was his mission, one way or another.

“Lady, please stop, now!” He surged forward at his own shout and broke into a trot with Antoine and Hassel tight behind him.



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