Siege (The Warrior Chronicles, #5) - K.F. Breene Page 0,24

that could rustle or crackle. Often, with the foot off the ground, they would also contort their bodies, avoiding dried leaves or low-hanging branches.

“You’re putting me to shame,” Sanders mumbled. The sound deadened on his lips.

After about a hundred yards, they stopped and crouched. Sanders, not able to feel anything, crawled forward on his hands and knees, and then dropped to his stomach.

A couple of hundred yards in front of him, cleared of trees, squatted the dingy wall of the Mugdock city. Great holes marred it in places, crumbling the stone into rubble. One side of the gate was ripped from its hinges and lay to the side, a bent and damaged mess. A black-clad man stood at the mouth, leaning against the wall.

Thick fingers drummed Sanders’ shoulder. He looked back.

Sayas used those fingers to point to the right.

Sanders followed the vague point and saw another pointed finger.

Words. Words were so much simpler.

Sanders crawled backward until he could stand, and then went in the direction of the waggling digits. He found the Captain.

Sanders dropped to one knee as the Captain started speaking in a low tone. “I’d say a battering ram took down that gate. The wall wasn’t made of strong stuff—it might’ve fallen with the forced entry. The Mugdock never worried that we’d come for them—unless they’d stolen something of ours. They’ve never needed a heavy defense.”

“They attacked us, though.” Sanders shook his head. “The Inkna initiated the attack, using the Mugdock. Why would the Mugdock agree to work with a people that forced their way in?”

“I suspect they didn’t at first,” Shanti said, still facing the city. “The Inkna probably offered material rewards. Then when the Mugdock didn’t fulfill their obligation, the Inkna would’ve had no use for them apart from their city. If the people aren’t needed for harvesting goods, then they are disposed of.”

The Captain’s knuckles turned white on his sword hilt. “Their mental power would’ve pushed them away from the walls, leaving the Graygual free to force their way in.”

Shanti pushed forward onto her knees. “I can identify one higher officer. I know their type. There might be a few sex slaves, but…” She lowered her head in concentration. A small movement had her turning toward them. “I think they might be prostitutes. They are there for some purpose, not out of fear. I would guess a working woman.”

“Know something of them, do you?” Sanders growled.

“Yes,” she said.

Sanders knew a shocked moment before he let it go. That was the Captain’s problem.

“How many Inkna?” Sanders asked.

“A handful, only one with higher power,” the Captain answered, moving away from the crest of the hill before standing. Sanders did likewise. “We can take them down easily.”

Shanti’s people flocked in from the sides. “A host of Graygual, kept in line by a few officers. It is like the Hunter’s camp, only with much less skill.”

“Are you sure about that?” the Captain asked.

“Mostly,” Shanti answered.

“Oh, well, that’s reassuring.” Sanders spat to the side.

“Let’s talk with Daniels.” The Captain pushed through everyone, headed back to the line of horses. “I only want to bring as many forces as we need.”

“All due respect, sir,” Sanders said as he kept to the Captain’s side. “We may not need all our number to take out the enemy, but we do need to learn to work together. We have some greenies with us—we have three different peoples, plus one or two of the Duke’s men thrown in for kicks. We need some none-too-threatening practice before the time comes when we will need our whole force, and then some.”

The Captain paused. A low equine moan made his head snap up. A warning flashed through his blue eyes, shutting Shanti’s animal up. “You have a point,” the Captain said, fingering his chin. “A very good point. I’ll speak with Daniels. Let’s aim for tomorrow at dawn.”

“No. We should go tonight. At dusk.” Kallon shot a sharp look at the Captain. His tone brooked no argument. “Don’t let inexperienced fighters stew all night over what is to come. Let them go while their adrenaline is at its peak. There will be less dying.”

“That counts as a challenge in this land, Kallon,” Shanti said in a singsong voice. “Now you’ve stepped in it.”

The Captain’s jaw clenched and his eyes flashed for the second time. His arms came away from his sides a little, lending just a little more size to an already large, muscular man. Sanders would not like to be in Kallon’s shoes. Not for all the