Wolfs Soul by Jane Lindskold

Author:Jane Lindskold [Lindskold, Jane]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Fantasy
Publisher: Obsidian Tiger Books
Published: 2020-03-20T04:00:00+00:00

When the militia departed the village and headed in their general direction, Kabot was astonished to realize that his main reaction was relief. During the time that it had taken for the villagers to assemble, arm themselves, set up their home defenses, and actually depart, his mind had swirled with speculation. What would they do if the villagers carried Teyvalkay off in another direction? What if they took boats on the river? What if they stayed in the village, highly armed and on alert?

The militia wasn’t huge: maybe fifty men and women, all muscular and in fine condition. Most were armed with long spears, machete-like swords or elegant maces, and full-body shields. Many carried one or more short throwing spears. Body armor was light to nonexistent, probably a concession to the warm climate. As soon as the militia was clear of the town, Kabot closed his eyes and released the spell he’d prepared to let him detect Teyvalkay. He sagged in relief when he saw it was with the departing group. Not surprisingly, it was being carried by the same man who had coordinated the muster. He marched in the center of the band, flanked front and back, as well as on either side, by warriors who wore helmets, gorgets, light back and breast protection, and greaves.

The leader was one of the few who did not carry spear, shield, or machete. He bore a sort of mace or flail, that looked as much ceremonial as practical. Kabot guessed that the leader trusted in his bodyguards, and, possibly, in Teyvalkay. This hung around his neck, one part of an elaborate necklace.

Kabot intensified his focus as much as he dared without risking being detected himself. After careful examination, he decided that most of the necklace’s various beads, charms, and carved fetishes were only decorations. The strongest magical aura came from twin gold coins joined along one edge. Each coin was somewhat smaller than Palvalkay but, to Kabot’s magically enhanced vision, they blazed like eyes of fire. To normal vision, in contrast to the beads that made up the rest of the necklace, the coins were rather drab. They weren’t even the centerpiece of the necklace, but hung off to one side, slightly lower than the man’s left collarbone.

Clever misdirection, Kabot thought. Or maybe I’m giving him too much credit. Maybe he himself doesn’t know what element holds the necklace’s magic. He certainly hasn’t been using it.

The three rebels waited in absolute stillness in their blind, dreading being seen. However, although the militia members were admirably alert, they did not seem to expect trouble so close to home. They trotted briskly along, not in complete silence, but certainly not with the festival atmosphere of that earlier procession.

“So what does that tell us?” Kabot asked his companions through a temporary link created through their mingled blood.

Uaid replied, “They know where they’re going. While they’re not stupid enough to leave their town unguarded, the home guard’s a formality. The real question is shall we follow closely or wait?”

“Wait,” Daylily responded promptly.

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