Siege (The Warrior Chronicles, #5) - K.F. Breene Page 0,25

peace and quiet in the world.

“We’ll deal with this another time, you and I,” the Captain said in an even tone. The hair prickled on Sanders’ arms. Shanti’s lips spread into a smile.

The Captain stalked away but Shanti lingered behind. Her smile grew brighter. “Here’s what went wrong.” She ticked off a finger. “You’re assuming he doesn’t know how to lead and you do.” She ticked off another finger. “You are forgetting the days before I developed our communication technique and the chaos during even small battles.” Sayas started laughing as she ticked off a third finger. “You challenged a man like that.” She patted him on the shoulder. “And won’t admit that I still don’t want to fuck you.”

The rest of the Shumas bent over in laughter as Kallon’s expression flashed confusion. “I thought fuck meant something gone wrong… It means sex?”

They all laughed harder.

Sanders shook his head and moved away to his horse. “I miss the quiet life where everyone had some kernel of sanity.” He poked the air with his index finger, picking out people. “Scout out the location, get sentries organized, and see if you can find the places to hunker down.”

“Yes, sir!” they shouted in unison.

“And remember that we’re in enemy territory. Keep your voices down.”

“Yes, sir.” Still too loud.

Sanders stalked after the Captain. Battle was on the horizon. Sanders wanted to know exactly what he was going to be up against.

8

Marc patted down his sleeping fur, trying to make it so nothing could crawl in when he wasn’t around. He glanced up at the sky, mapping out the stars to make sure he knew which direction he faced. It would look bad if he wandered around the camp in utter confusion—he was part of the experienced group now. He’d been through a few battles, and he knew what to expect. He was supposed to look out for the first-timers.

Or so Sanders had said. Marc was under no misconceptions that he could help.

His foot cracked a twig as he made his way to the main eating area. He flinched and then paused, staring at the huge pools of inky black ahead of him, hoping no one popped out with a sword and a manic smile. The sentries had mental ability, but you just never knew. Someone could get through. Weirder things had happened.

The broken twig crackled as he shifted his weight to look behind, and he flinched again. Shanti would punch him in the head if she heard him. He was supposed to be better at this.

Seeing no movement, he continued ahead through the brittle grass. Shapes to his right caught his eye, a small group of people sitting in a cluster. He glanced up at the moonless sky, and then tweaked his direction. More shapes moved away left. A horse huffed. Continuing on, he ducked into the trees and immediately put out his hand to feel his way. Visibility was so poor that he had no idea how other people got around. Some passed him at a normal walk, wandering by like it was broad daylight.

He felt something soft and warm slide across his leg. He jumped and stepped away. His foot caught the edge of a stone and rolled, sending his body pitching to the side. Arms out wide, he windmilled and then staggered, grunting as his chest met someone else’s.

That someone was a woman. With round, full breasts.

A fist caught him just below the ribs, offsetting the tingling in his body.

“Sorry!” he wheezed, clutching his side and staggering away.

“What is your problem?” Ruisa hissed.

“I can’t very well see, can I?” He looked around his feet. “Those big cats are around, aren’t they?”

“The Captain and S’am are in the officers’ area talking over tomorrow.”

Marc stared at her face, waiting for more. He didn’t get any. “So?”

“So the cats usually stick around the Captain and S’am, which are right over there.” Her shadowed hand went out to the right.

“Ah.” He straightened out his uniform. “They make me nervous. They’re like ghosts.”

“Me too.” She turned and started away. He followed, hoping it was in the direction of food.

The murmur of voices rose up from those sitting in clusters. The wild grass thinned out, making it easier to step through without being able to see. He threaded his way around a group and then turned sideways to avoid the thinner frame of what was probably a Shadow or Shumas.

Finally they reached a large circle of people sitting in the darkness. Judging by the lack of a