Yulen cupped a hand around his mouth. “Ho! Security tower!”
The light from their torches glinted off of something metallic, and a deep voice growled, “Approach no further! Identify yourselves!”
“I am Yulen D’Jacques, Battle Lord of Alta Novis. I come in peace and seeking shelter for my men for the night.”
“We’ve heard of you, D’Jacques. We’ve also heard you’ve been going on a rampage to destroy all Mutah compounds.”
Before Yulen could respond, a loud blatt was given on what had to be a horn of some kind.
“Reinforcements have been called, D’Jacques,” the sentry warned.
“Do you want the men to form a defensive perimeter?” Mastin whispered.
“No. Stand down. Have the men keep their swords sheathed. I want no overt actions that would make us appear threatening.” The second gave a nod and went to inform the captains, to pass along to their troops.
“What’s our next move?” Lucien murmured.
“We wait,” his father replied.
Chapter Forty-One
Attack
They didn’t have to wait long. A few minutes later they spotted a line of lanterns weaving their way through the trees. As the group from the compound advanced toward them, Lucien saw more Mutah hunter warriors emerging from the sides in an attempt to surround them. As the Mutah eyed their weapons, every man in Yulen’s brigade kept their hands on their reins. No one dared as much as touch his sword.
A man with an extra pair of arms sprouting from his chest approached the battle lord. By his robes, Lucien recognized him as being one of the Council. Stopping near the Palomino’s head, the Mutah defiantly stared up at Yulen.
“I am Coboros Minn. Before you say anything more, the answer is no. You may not enter our compound. Leave now. This is the only warning you will get.”
Yulen casually leaned over his saddle horn. “I told your sentry we were not requesting entry. We only request permission to camp outside your walls for the night. We’ll be on our way in the morning.”
Minn appeared confused. “You’re not welcome here, D’Jacques…or whatever your real name is.”
Yulen smiled. “That’s my real name. The reason I’m not requesting entry based on the Three Laws of Equality is because my wife and another companion are recovering from the maddening disease. Until my physician assures me they’re no longer contagious, I don’t want to risk passing it along to your compound.”
The battle lord’s admission seemed create more confusion for the Mutah councilman. He turned to two others standing behind him, and they had a brief conversation.
Lucien surveyed the Mutah hunters standing guard around them. It was difficult to read their expressions, but their posture showed they were fearful, as well as determined. He couldn’t fault them.
At the same time, that sense of uneasiness continued to grow. It was possible he was getting some kind of feedback from the hunters. Whatever was causing his skin to tighten in response, he didn’t like it. It was leaving a metallic tang in his mouth, and he fought the urge to spit.
“D’Jacques,” Minn addressed the battle lord again. “You claim you have the battle lady with you?” Obviously, the Mutah had gotten word that the reason the fake battle lord was on the warpath was to avenge his wife’s death.
In answer, Yulen motioned with his hand. From the middle of their circle, Iain rode forward, dragging the travois that held Atty. The doctor stopped next to the Yulen and slid out of the saddle. “Have any of you had the maddening disease?” he asked, not approaching the group.
Minn shook his head. “No, but we’ve heard of it. We’ve been very careful about allowing fellow Mutah into our compound.” He lifted his lantern as he stretched his neck to look at the figure on the stretcher. Lucien also peered at his mother, who remained oblivious to the world. But there was no mistaking her blue hair. Her renowned mark.
Yulen noticed the councilman’s surprise. “I told you, I’m the real D’Jacques. A few days ago, we were set upon by that man who pretended to be me. We managed to defeat them, when we were suddenly attacked by Bloods. We fled to the deserted compound that used to be known as Schutz Ridge, and that’s when Atty and our Mutah companion came down with the sickness. Dr. MaGrath here tells me they’re starting to recover, but we’re still several days away from our home. All we request is that we have your permission to set up camp outside your walls, so we can use your compound to protect our backs. I promise we’ll be gone come morning.”
Lucien didn’t catch Minn’s response. Instead, he heard soft whistling far to his right, back into the denser part of the forest. The sound of it sent shivers running through him, and he unconsciously reached for his sword. The action was noticed by the Mutah hunters, who immediately took a defensive posture and raised their own weapons.
“Lucien?” Yulen’s voice was both derisive and questioning. Disobeying a direct command from the battle lord was a serious violation, but…
“Dad…it’s closer.” His own words sounded distant, as if his ears were plugged up. The coldness creeping up his spine and leaving his flesh covered in goosepimples had intensified.
His father asked a question, but he was unable to hear it. A reddish film gradually came over his eyes. Everything inside him screamed run! Run!
Lucien drew his sword just as two Mutah hunters were pounced upon from behind, and a soldier yelled a warning. “Bloods!”
Howls erupted from the trees, and more than a dozen of the creatures erupted from where they’d been hiding, swarming the two armies in a blind attack. The creatures had been skulking in the background and preparing to ambush both parties. Using the distrust and caution between the two to their advantage, and sneak up on the men while their attention was directed elsewhere.
Lucien swung his sword downward to stave off a Blood wielding a lance. His blade sliced through the thing’s bicep, separating its arm from its body. Another Blood tried to grab his horse’s bridle. The animal reared instead, and for a moment the Blood dangled off the ground. Lucien brought the sword across, and the side of the thing’s face flew away.