Chapter 57: Tents in the Night (1)

Chapter 57: Tents in the Night (1)

Xerxes left the Swordmasters behind, climbing down the ladder and heading across the camp toward Gandashs tent. Along the way, he tried to come up with the right words to use. He decided that apologizing about the restaurant fight first would be best, and thus composed a few things to say.

However, upon arriving, he found that Gandash wasnt alone. He stood hunched over more maps, accompanied by Arwia and one of the Unsighted officers. Xerxes prepared words fled him.

Gandash looked up. Lieutenant?

Hey, Gandy, er, I mean Captain.

Can I help you?

I was wondering if I could have a moment alone. I just wanted to talk about the plan for, uh, tomorrow.

Gandash looked back down at the map. Say what you want to say, Lieutenant.

Xerxes glanced at Arwia. Being from Al-Ga, she had short hair, and was a Nasaru mage attached to a light infantry unit. But Jad was the First Lieutenant of the light infantry as well as a local, so why did Gandash have Arwia here? Was it because she was one of the smart kids in the class?New novel chapters are published on

I just wanted to reiterate a suggestion from Jad that we send some people to that village to the west.

I already made my opinion clear, Gandash said matter-of-factly.

But Jad and Enusat are both from here. They know the local customs and slang. If you sent the two of them, they could

No.

Arwia looked up from the map, glancing first at Gandash and then Xerxes. Captain, should I see myself out?

Dont, Gandash said. Theres no need. Im not sending Jad and Enusat off into the night in the hopes of digging up rumors.

Xerxes was taken aback at being shut down in such a way. What was more, the quick rejection caused his jaw to tighten. Not rumors. Intelligence. We need to know what the enemy

No, Gandash said, with more force this time. He looked up again from the map. Theres a command structure here, Xerxes, and Im the one who bears ultimate responsibility. I already made the decision. Im not sending Jad and Enusat to that village. Enusats reputation is no secret. You think I dont know what he was up to that night I ran into the two of you after curfew on campus? Plus, everybody knows that he went to brothels back in Gula Bazaar. Thats why those two want to go to Urmia. So Ill repeat. No.

Xerxes gritted his teeth. Just because youre pissed at me, Gandy, doesn't mean you should ignore good advice. Even if you dont send Jad and Enusat, send someone.

Right. Well, gnight.

Night.

Xerxes made another round in the camp, making sure to steer clear of any possible conversations with anyone. He wasnt in the mood for chatting. Jad and Enusat werent in their tents or anywhere else he thought to look. In fact, they werent anywhere.

Dont tell me they heard about the yelling match and decided they should run off to that damn village without permission.

For the briefest moment, he considered reporting the matter to Gandash. No. It would earn him favor with Gandash, but could very well alienate the Swordmasters.

He found Katayoun at a campfire near her tent, but she was so engrossed in conversation with Kishar and Dasi that she didnt notice him trying to catch her eye.

Feeling deflated by everything, he gave up, went back to his tent and tossed and turned for a few minutes before falling asleep.

Xerk-man. Xerxes! Wake up!

He cracked his eyes open and found Jad looming over him.

What the

Jad clamped his hand onto Xerxes mouth and made a shh sound.

Xerxes opened his eyes wider. The tent was dark, but the front flap was open, letting in some moonlight. There were dark blotches on Jads face, but Xerxes mind refused to deduce what they were.

We need your help, Jad whispered. Get Katayoun! He loosened his grip on Xerxes mouth and leaned back.

What are you talking about? Xerxes asked quietly, sitting up.

With a better view of Jad, he realized that the dark blotches on his friend were blood. And it wasnt just on his face. He had blood all over him.

Enusats hurt, Jad said. Bad.

They did it, Xerxes thought. They snuck out of the camp.