Page 41 of Fate

Helia moves forward, gravel shifting under her sandals, snapping me back to the present. Her sword sways at her hip, her new shield comfortably lashed to her back. I’ll never not be impressed by her strength. My eyes slip past Helia and meet Olena’s across the courtyard. She arches an eyebrow in question but I give a small shake of my head; there’s a lot to catch my spear sister up on. It would have to wait.

“Spears!” Helia’s voice booms in the space, voluminous and commanding. “We have been under attack for the past several months. After some investigation, we’ve discovered that our jobs, the ambushes, everything has been linked to a single group.”

Murmurs crop up among the assembled cohort. Most weren’t privy to any of the details, so surprise and doubt were to be expected. Helia waits, allowing the whispers their time.

“It’s true! Thanks to the efforts of our newest recruit”—Helia gestures back toward me—“we’ve not only discovered this plot, but also their headquarters. We will not sit back and wait for them to come to us, daggers in the night flashing for our throats. No! We march on the ancient ruins of Askepollo to the north. We will take the fight to them and do what the Spears do best!” War cries erupt and spears slam against shields.

Andra and Bellius shift beside me. Helia hadn’t told them anything, but I’m not surprised. They would have seen through it, and they know to put on a unified front for the Band. Belief is power. Helia gave them half-truths and plausible lies; but enough to drive the spirit, to drive her people.

A part of me cringes at the manipulation, but having the cohort with us is the safest choice. Looking across the faces across the courtyard, realization of the terrible weight of power weighs down my shoulders. Safest choice for whom? Helia slams the butt of her spear on the ground, silencing the cries for glory.

“Before we leave, there is one last thing.” My heart immediately skips a beat, a jolt of adrenaline coursing through me. It’s time. I step forward and join Helia’s side as she places a hand on my shoulder. She squeezes, the pressure going through the leather pauldrons, her only way in that moment of saying I’m here. I feel Andra and Bellius staring intently at my back, not understanding, but they fade to the background.

“I want to reintroduce you to our newest member. This, is Itho. You know her, and you all know that her bravery and strength have saved this band and brought us fortune. Treat her well, for she has earned it.”

Silence fills the courtyard in the wake of her words. For a moment, a spine chilling and gut-wrenching moment, I am laid out on display for all to see. The colors of my soul spill out across the gravel, true and bare; screaming to be heard.

In the space between a second, fear threatens the tiny bit of hope cowering in the corner. And then, sweet Olena, my dearest spear sister steps forward, planting herself squarely in front of me. Her eyes wear the warmest smile, even if her lips cannot in this moment. She taps her fist to her chest in salute. Nothing more, nothing less; the simple recognition of one soldier to another.

One by one, every Spear comes forth and salutes.

One by one, they help drive away the fear.

One by one, they welcome me home.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

THE MORNING’S CLOUDS dissipate as we leave the gates of Hecalon behind us. We stopped briefly by the market so the quartermaster could purchase enough supplies for us to make the journey and back as there is no guarantee we would be able to resupply. Cloaks were also purchased as the season was starting to change and the northern region is colder in general. There are a few small villages we could divert to and likely would on the way back; if there is a return journey. But a successful mercenary is a prepared one.

The road finally reaches the bottom of the valley that Hecalon is nestled in. A series of switchbacks climb out and over the hillside. The scar forming on my cheek itches in our exertion, still healing. A rustling in the brush under a clump of trees startles the cohort into attention.

“Spears out!” Andra’s bellowed command receives a quick shuffle of feet and the clatter of weapons as the companions move into a defensive formation, bristling with spears in all directions. Helia strides outside of the pincushion we made, hand outstretched in peace.

“Belay that order! Stand down!” Spears withdraw and blades move to low guards, yet no one stands fully at ease. Commander’s orders or not, everyone is ready for the unknown. Five strangers emerge from the underbrush wearing simple tunics and small packs for travel, hands outstretched peacefully. Recognition hits as one steps forward from under the trees’ shade and pulls back his hood.

Helia moves forward and greets Lyras. He bows, his eyes flickering between the two of us, the manifestations of his faith. Helia nods slightly, casting an eye on the people behind her; more priests of Lunos.

“Well met Lyras. I thought you were meeting us closer to the wildlands.”

Lyras nods in agreement while wearing an apologetic face. “Aye, that was the plan. But after discussing with the others, we felt it would be safer to travel with you, all things considered.” I see the slight tensing in Helia’s shoulders at the change in plans; she’s not one to like unexpected surprises.

“All right. We will march quickly; I hope you can all keep up.” Rounding back to the cohort, Helia gives new commands to aid and protect the priests on our travel. No one balks at the commands, though the questions on Andra’s face are plain as day.

Surprisingly, they manage to keep pace hiking up the switchbacks, though we’ll see if they have the stamina for the weeks ahead. It is two weeks to reach the wildlands that surround Askepollo. Apparently, the northern lands were lost long ago when the temple city fell to ruin. Once we reach that wilderness border, it will take another week of traveling to reach Askepollo.

An hour after the priests joined us, we crest the top of the valley where Helia planned to camp our first night. I take a moment to look back down on Hecalon, Solon falling to the far side and casting an orange glow, setting the green fields ablaze in the dusk. Flickers of wind sift through the grasses and the fields, giving the fiery hue life; dancing like tongues of fire.

A hand softly touches my shoulder. I don’t need to turn in order to know who it belongs to. The sounds of setting camp whisper in the background as Helia and I take in the view, our breath steaming in the coming night. The fields of flame fade to purple as Solon falls out of sight, the blanket of darkness gaining purchase.

***

The Spears welcome the scions of Lunos amicably, sharing food and space. Despite Andra’s initial surprise, she executes her duty, setting watch schedules and assigns a few guards for the newcomers. I sit by one of our fires, luckily not on cook duty tonight despite my enjoyment for it. No cooking gives me time to talk with Helia, who’s sitting across from the fire from me. She catches my eye across the flicker of flames seeing me watching the priests as they keep to themselves, cloaked and hooded.

“Something’s on your mind.” I nod and Helia cocks her head to the side. “More than one thing.” I snort, unable to stop the small smile from appearing on my face. Helia grins along with me, lighting up her face more than the fire between us, and shifts to a lounging position. The light from the fire casts a warm glow across her body, her curves and the cuts of muscle. One arm lounges on a raised knee, quiet confidence oozing outward.

“You seemed bothered by them meeting us here.” Helia shrugs at my statement.

“That’s not a question.” Helia smiles mischievously, before explaining. “I had originally planned on them meeting us at the edge of the wildlands. This is safer for them, but I wanted to split our enemy’s focus. The priests are helpful for the ritual ahead, but not required. Well, Lyras is important.” Her face darkens, a shadow of a wince. Quick as a flicker of flame, it’s gone. I should have thought of that answer, regardless of the cold calculation. Helia’s words stir something else in my mind.