Drasana

By DeeAnn Fuchs and Zachary Fuchs

Hoping to find a way to limit the Emperor’s powers, Lily and Tevarian travel in secrecy across the land of Laharah. As they search for the illusive lithos mines, whispers of a prophecy force them out of hiding. They encounter new friends and old while their Drasana bond strengthens, surprising them with new abilities and changing their relationship.
What remains of the rebel army is now in disarray with no clear leader to guide them. Their return to Nazbar is met with hostility and soon the ex-slaves are again on opposite sides of the soldiers. The Northlanders have left the rebellion and returned home, only to find that their safe haven is in danger. It appears the rebellion may soon be over, crushed by the Emperor's readers.
After holding the bridge in the last battle, General Jacobo is captured and sent to be interrogated by the readers. Convinced his life is over, an unexpected turn of events gives him new purpose and makes him vital to the rebellion’s cause.
A young girl’s faith, a mysterious desert people, a manifestation by the Maker, lives lost and love found. Can Lily and Tevarian defeat the Emperor? Can they restore the balance between essarai, essendai and man?

• Language: English
• Publisher: DeeAnn Fuchs
• Release date: May 26, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310349089

Book preview

Gavin opened his eyes and then quickly shut them against the fierce assault of the afternoon sun. He was lying on the hard ground, stones digging into his back, with no recollection of where he was or how he had gotten there. His head throbbed as he struggled to remember, but still nothing came to him. He tried to sit up, but an explosion of pain rocked his body, starting at his head and running down his right arm and chest. The pain helped clear his foggy memory. He had been riding with Rolf and the Northlanders to engage an enemy legion. There had been an ambush; hidden soldiers had been waiting for them, cutting off their escape route. His horse had gone down under him, and he had leapt clear of the animal’s flailing legs, but that was the last he remembered. His men might still be in danger! was his next thought, and he tried to sit up again as another surge of pain coursed through him.

His other senses were returning now, and he could make out the sound of voices nearby. There was also the horrible screaming of a wounded animal, most likely a horse; he hoped it wasn’t his own. Tentatively, he opened his eyes again into the glare of the sun and this time managed to look around. He lay on a small incline, and from his position he could see that the immediate area was littered with the bodies of men and horses. Not too far off, there were people moving about, stopping to stoop over a body here and there. The pain in his chest throbbed and he glanced down to find an arrow protruding from his rib cage. Slowly, he tried to grasp the arrow but his right arm didn’t seem to be responding. Perhaps he could do it with his left. His fingers had barely closed around the shaft when a shadow crossed his face. Someone was standing over him, his armor and red uniform declaring him to be a legionnaire.

Got a live one here, the soldier yelled, waving to some unseen comrade. He kicked Gavin’s hand off the arrow shaft and said something insulting, but Gavin was in too much pain to make out what it was. The legionnaire reached down and shook the arrow, and he cried out. He found his strength and grabbed at the legionnaire’s arm with both hands. His right arm dripped blood into his eyes, but that didn’t stop him. He clawed and tugged, trying to bring the legionnaire to the ground. The legionnaire cursed and pulled a knife, cutting Gavin’s left arm in the process. He held Gavin by his leather armor, raised the dagger high above his head, and Gavin knew he was about to die.

His thoughts went to Lily and their time together. She would mourn his death, probably regretting she wasn’t here to save him, but he was thankful she was far away and safe. Would they find his body here? He hoped someone would know of his death so his friends wouldn’t have to wonder if he still lived. These thoughts passed through him so quickly that at first, he didn’t realize the legionnaire hadn’t killed him and was moving away. The brief struggle had drained his last reserve of energy, and his arms flopped uselessly to his sides. His vision was beginning to fade, but he noticed another figure draw near, this one wearing a heavy black cloak, the hood pulled low over its face. Something about that was very bad, he thought, as his eyes shut. If only he could remember what. Just before he passed out, Gavin heard a low voice.

Take him, it said.

Chapter 1

Caius hurriedly rolled up his wool blanket, almost dropping his sandals in his haste; it wasn’t wise to be caught resting when one of the legionnaires walked by. Kicking a sleeping slave was a favorite pastime of theirs, though Caius had noticed this happened a lot less since they had obtained the prisoners. As he fastened his sandals, he looked over to where he could see the prison wagons down the hill by the Kheight River, its water running low in mid autumn but still spanning an impressive fifth of a mile this far north. There were hundreds of prisoners, each little wagon packed with two dozen men crammed shoulder to shoulder like cordwood. He guessed there were over four thousand men already and more were coming in with the wounded every day. A sorry lot, those prisoners, Caius thought to himself as he picked up his small pack and satchel. There was hardly a single one that didn’t have some injury or another, but even the injuries didn’t stop the legionnaires from treating them like filth.  

He rubbed what little sleep he had gotten from his eyes and trotted down the hill, ignoring the looks the other slaves gave him. Unlike the men around him, Caius’s clothes were relatively clean of grime and blood, for he hadn’t spent the last two days picking up the wounded and dead. This was because Caius could read and write. These skills set him above the common slaves but not so far as to be above the legionnaires, and he sidestepped an approaching group so as not to get in their way. At that moment, the first rays of the eastern sun broke across the sky, and Caius stopped walking to take in the view. From his position atop the hill, he could see the shallow valley to the east, the sun now glinting off the armored corpses that still lay where they had died two days before. Even now, the slaves worked at stripping the dead and heaping the fly-ridden bodies in piles. Here a great battle had taken place between the Roh Vec Empire and the slave uprising led by the defector, General Gavrus. They called the man the Tiger, Caius wasn’t sure why, but in just a few short months, the Tiger had managed to convince nearly a third of the Empire’s peoples into a rebellion. Now the man lay dead in this very valley and much of his army with him. Caius turned his back on the sun and looked west to the Kheight River and the massive bridge that spanned it. There the enemy had fled back to where they had come from, through Kheight’s arid lands to the territory of Nazbar, the western most, and least populated lands, of the Empire.

Caius took in the view for a short while, noting the new fire pits where they were starting to burn the dead. All around the hillside and down by the river were tents for the wounded, tents for eating in, tents for sleeping in, tents for dying in, tents for just about anything. Now that the battle was over, the place was beginning to look like a makeshift town of dirty canvas walls, except for the fact that there were bodies on the ground. The few houses the village had built near the bridge were being torn down, and the lumber used to build more carts to transport the wounded. Caius knew his destination was near those carts, and he began to head toward the river, the going somewhat difficult as he wove through the resting slaves that slept where the ground was flat. He cut briefly from his path into the back of a makeshift kitchen so as not to be seen eating at the same time as the legionnaires. His older sister Claudia wasn’t there, but one of the women recognized him and tossed him a piece of flat bread. Caius exited as quickly as he had entered, giving only a quick thanks and wondering where Claudia was this morning.

He wished they were back in the city of Brevac, where they could finally be done with these crude military men. Both he and his sister were owned by the same man, Remus, who was a wealthy merchant and owned a manor within the uppermost regions of the city. As a young boy, Caius had proved quick minded and, in a rather rare situation for a slave, he had received a limited education. He aided Remus personally with his business ventures and secretarial tasks, which gave him noticeable status over the other slaves. When the generals demanded a greater number of slaves to help with the logistics of the army, Caius wasn’t surprised when Claudia, who was a simple maid and cook, was selected. He was, however, quite surprised when Remus’s son, Brutus, a middle officer within the legionnaires, demanded his presence. Since his arrival, Caius had been kept busy taking tallies of supplies and otherwise keeping track of where everything needed to be. Another group of legionnaires passed by, and, when Caius didn’t move quickly enough, they shouldered him roughly aside, knocking his bread to the ground. He muttered a curse under his breath and wished again for a return to Brevac where hot food and soft beds awaited.

Caius picked up his breakfast, dusted it off, and took a bite of the stale bread. He was about to continue down to the slave pens when a familiar voice caught his ear. He walked around another cooking tent to see his sister sitting upon the ground with four children around her, three girls and a boy. Her apron was filthy, and her eyes had dark circles under them, but when she spoke to the children she smiled as if she weren’t tired at all. He had no idea what children were doing within an army camp, but it didn’t surprise him Claudia had somehow found them; the little annoyances seemed to flock to her no matter where she went.

And what happened then? the boy asked.

After the Empire had conquered our lands and enslaved our people, the seer came to us. She told us…

Who’s the seer? the smallest of the girls interrupted.

Sweetheart, haven’t you been listening? Claudia asked her with a smile and a laugh. "The seer is the one who watches over you every day; who knows what has happened and what will come to pass. She came before our people and told them not to worry, for she promised, When the day turns to night and the land runs with blood, the golden healer will come, and the dying will be revived. With her walks the marked man who comes to free the oppressed. Together they will vanquish the usurper; restoring balance to the land. 

Caius couldn’t believe his sister was telling this old tale again, and in an imperial army camp of all places. He noted with fear a legionnaire looking curiously their way, and Caius strode toward his sister.

When will they come? the boy wondered.

When you’re older, Caius said shortly, before his sister could answer. Now be off with you and be about your tasks, he insisted, shooing them with his hands. Claudia gave him a look but sent them on their way with a wave and smile.

What are you doing? Caius demanded, trying to keep his voice low so he didn’t attract unwanted attention.

I could ask you the same thing, she replied, picking up a nearby bucket of water and carrying it over to the tent.

Why must you keep telling that foolish story to every child you meet and here of all places? Do you even know if they are slaves; what if they are the children of soldiers, and they tell that story to their father? What then?

Oh relax, Caius. I was just spreading a little bit of hope.

Hope? he asked, following her through the back of the tent, which housed food supplies.

Yes, hope. Not all of us are as happy with our enslavement as you are, she said, washing her hands with the water and then drying them on her dirty apron.

I’m not…, he began and then dropped his voice as he noticed legionnaires picking up their food near the front entrance. I’m not happy with it. I’ve just accepted the way things are. Besides, how is some child’s fable spreading any hope? If you ask me, it’s…

It’s not a fable; it’s the prophecy, Claudia interrupted sternly. Don’t you have somewhere to be?

Claudia, I’m just worried about you, what if someone overhears…

Caius, she said softly, looking him in the eye, you’re my only brother, but that doesn’t mean I need you constantly looking over my shoulder, watching everything I do. I’m a grown woman. Just because we’re not in Brevac doesn’t mean I can’t handle myself. Now get going before you’re late.

Caius rolled his eyes at her and stopped arguing, knowing it was pointless. She had long insisted the prophecy was real, despite his misgivings. He gave her a quick hug and departed out the back of the tent. He continued to make his way down the hill toward the river where the carts were being built. The cries and moans of the wounded reached his ears the closer he got, along with smoky reek of bodies being burned. Even without the traffic and tents, it would have taken Caius fifteen minutes to reach the water at his current pace; as it was, it took him almost twice that. He arrived perspiring slightly and a little worried he might actually be late. The tent where Brutus worked seemed less busy than usual which surprised him. Since the battle, all sorts of logistical problems had come to the camp, because the main part of the army pursued the fleeing rebels into the land of Kheight. Brutus, thanks to his education, had been put in charge of dealing with the sorting of the prisoners. Caius approached the tent quickly and, with a fleeting glance at an anxious looking guard posted at the tent flap, ducked inside.

Caius, there you are, Brutus observed. The thick necked, square jawed man before him only faintly resembled his father, Remus. However, despite his somewhat brutish appearance, Caius had decided Brutus was smarter than he looked. This morning, Caius noted something was different about Brutus; he was rapidly tapping his finger against the hilt of his sword. If Caius hadn’t know his master’s son most of his life, he would have guessed Brutus was nervous.

Shall I begin with the new carts I saw by the river, sir? Caius asked, pulling out his writing board and a piece of parchment.

No, you won’t be working with me today. I have a special assignment for you, Brutus informed him and nodded toward the corner of the tent closest to the door. Caius turned to look and jumped back with a yelp, nearly dropping his parchment. In the corner stood a black robed reader, one of the Emperor’s personal elite. They had power over men’s minds, and it was said they could steal your soul. The reader took a step forward and looked him up and down. Caius froze in terror, too scared to speak. While most of the man’s face was covered by the hood on his robe, Caius could just make out a black tattoo snaking out across the right side of his neck.

You’ll do. Follow me, the reader commanded and strode out of the tent. Caius found it difficult to move and realized his hands were shaking.

I wouldn’t keep him waiting, Brutus suggested, and Caius nodded, practically running out the door to catch up. The reader’s stride was purposeful, and Caius found it difficult to keep pace. Legionnaires, workers, and slaves parted before them like water over rock, but Caius barely noticed. What if he knows I’ve been stealing from the kitchens? What if he knows about Claudia and her stories? What would happen to her? What would happen to him? The thoughts filled him with such dread he nearly bumped into the reader when he stopped abruptly. Caius glanced around and noticed they had stopped next to the river where five prisoner carts stood in a circle. The oxen were missing, most likely grazing to the south with many of the other work animals. The prisoners lay about on the grass, hands bound and feet connected via a rope line, shackling not an option with only a few metal workers in camp. Having taken their names the day before, Caius suddenly recognized which group of prisoners these were; they were the crazy individuals that had held the bridge. Two days earlier, when the rebels began to retreat from the battlefield, a small force of maybe a thousand men had held the bridge while the rest of their forces retreated. This small group of fifty or so individuals were the only survivors of that force, and nearly all of them carried heavy injuries, some of which would certainly prove fatal.

You will record their name and the sentence I give them, the reader told him, and approached the nearest prisoner, who cringed slightly as he drew near. Caius kept his mouth shut, not willing to inform the reader they had already done this the day before, and pulled out his pen, prepared to write. Ursus, enslavement, the reader said quickly and went to the next slave, forcing Caius to follow along beside him. The reader looked the next man in the eye for some time before saying, Marcus, death. Most of the prisoners were sitting up now if they were able, and they watched as the reader cast judgment upon them. Some had looks of fear, some of anger, and others had blank disbelieving stares. Not a single one said a word as the reader did his work. Slowly, he went down the line, giving his verdict over their lives. Some men he decided quickly upon, with others he took his time. When they had come most of the way through the group, the reader stopped before a particular slave that reacted differently than the others. He was dark skinned, noticeably tall, even when sitting on the ground, and he had the obvious bearing of a seasoned soldier. A bloody rag covered the top of his head where he had sustained an injury, and a large bandage was wrapped around his waist. A thin stream of dried blood was streaked down his side, and it was clear the bandage needed changing. The prisoner looked up at the reader when he approached and smiled at him.

You know, you look a little more alive than the last reader I met, his body’s rotting all the way back on Camar, the prisoner said with a smirk, causing some of the other prisoners to laugh hesitantly. The reader had no reaction to his words and, after standing over the prisoner for several long, uncomfortable minutes, he turned to Caius.

This is General Jacobo; take him to your superiors; we need him kept alive. He will be brought to the reader's compound in Brevac. I place his life in your hands until I return. If he dies, so do you. With that, the reader turned and left without even looking at the rest of the prisoners. Caius stood dumbfounded, not comprehending what had just happened. He looked down at Jacobo and Jacobo looked up at him.

I think you had better get a doctor, I’m feeling rather faint, he said, still grinning. Caius nodded and turned to go find Brutus, this was way beyond his responsibility; after all, he was just a slave.

Wait, don’t leave, Jacobo croaked out weakly, and Caius stopped and looked back. What if I die while you’re gone? You might want to stay nearby just so you know if you should start running, Jacobo joked, and all the prisoners broke out laughing. Caius walked fearfully away, wondering just what he had done to deserve such a fate.

~

Jon was done with readers. He was done with Roh Vec, and he was done with the Empire. He never thought he would say it, but returning to Camar was sounding pretty good about now. He was sitting in another cell, different from the standard prison where he had been held before. He had been alone until this morning, alone and miserable. His head ached, his stomach rebelled at the scant rations he had been given, and his body shook as it withdrew from the drug that it craved. Now, though, he was no longer alone, there were two other men with him. He knew little about them, only that they were readers and had been there when Vetrix laid the trap for his sister, Lily. For whatever reason, Lily seemed to be the cause of all his problems. Jon had hoped that after he helped Vetrix find her he would be able to leave. Vetrix had promised him he wouldn't hurt her, but now he realized he shouldn't have trusted him. If he had no problem throwing Jon in prison for her escape, then undoubtedly, he wouldn't have just questioned her and let her go as he had agreed to do. He should have left with her as she had asked him, but he hadn't wanted to leave the money he was earning. He hadn't wanted to leave the women it bought and the chara that was so easy to get. Oh, how he wished he had some of the drug right now to make him feel better. It would make everything better if he could have just a little more. The door opened, jolting Jon from his misery, and he looked up to see the Emperor stride into the room.

I’m sorry I’ve kept you all waiting, he announced. I've been busy dealing with the traitors and their little uprising.

Is the rebellion proving too much to handle, Marcilius? one of his cell mates mocked. Jon looked at the Northlander in dismay. He knew very little about the Emperor, but he at least knew not to mock someone holding power over his life.

Not at all, Anvindr, the Emperor smiled. Has it ever occurred to you that I’ve spared your precious Jorval all these years for a reason? Soldiers are so much more productive when they know there is an enemy at their border. Anvindr stirred uncomfortably at his words, and the Emperor's smile widened. Alas, those days are soon coming to an end. Was it yesterday or the day before that I commissioned an army to destroy your homeland once and for all?

Your legions will never take the forest! Anvindr spat.

Northlanders, stubborn to the last, the Emperor said shaking his head. Time for you to go now, Anvindr. We will be spending more time together soon, I promise. Jon watched as the man called Anvindr stood up awkwardly and left the room, a blank stare on his face.

I suppose I will be joining Anvindr? the other reader asked.

You want to know more about the lithos, don’t you? the Emperor asked. Sadly no, Tasitus, I am afraid I have other plans for you, and I doubt very much you will survive them. It has been amusing watching you through the years, though. It’s always enjoyable when one of my own thinks he is spying on me.

Jon had no idea what these two men were talking about, but when Tasitus too stood up and walked awkwardly out of the room, he blurted out, I don’t know anything. I’m not one of your readers. Why don’t you just let me go? he pleaded.

Perhaps you’re right, Jon, perhaps you’ve outlived your usefulness. Thank you very much for your service to the Empire.

Wait, wait! Jon said desperately, thinking the Emperor was about to kill him. I can be useful. Vet...Vetrix, I can help Vetrix! he stuttered, and the terror he felt in front of this man had him saying, I’m sure I could help Vetrix find Lily again.

The Emperor gripped Jon's chin, staring into his eyes. His fingers felt icy to the touch, making Jon flinch. I believe I will grant you your wish, Jon. You may go join Tasitus now. The two of you will be traveling with Vetrix, he said ominously. Jon felt the Emperor take control of his body and only then noticed how badly he was shaking. The relief he felt at still being alive warred with his shame for once again betraying his sister.

Chapter 2

Lily tugged off her scarf and ran her fingers through her hair, pulling it away from her neck as she rode across another low dune. The sun was relentless this far south, and covering her head was a necessity if she didn't want to burn. Obviously, she could heal any problems the sun caused, but Tevarian didn’t want her using her power any more than was absolutely necessary; he didn’t want anything they did to attract the notice of the readers. Eventually, she knew they would reach the cooler, fertile land near the Kheight River, but looking around her now, she saw only the dry scrub grass and sagebrush that grew at the edge of the true desert. The months she had spent in the cool, green forests of the Northlands seemed like a lifetime ago. 

Despite the uncomfortable desert-like conditions, she willingly traveled south with Tevarian, Titus, and Tess in the hope of finding a way to stop the Emperor. Although he had not shared the details with any of them, Tevarian had learned of a place in the province of Daskony that might help them, and Lily would follow him through worse conditions than these. The Drasana bond they shared continued to grow stronger every day they were together, and just the thought of being separated from him caused her an almost physical pain. Leaving Gavin had been hard, but she knew leaving Tevarian would be nearly impossible for her now.

When they had been separated in Roh Vec, she would often reach out to sense the bond, just to reassure herself it still existed. Now, there was no need. It flowed so strongly between them she could always feel it, almost like a touch on her skin. She wondered if Tevarian felt it in the same way. Because he was a reader, she knew he saw things differently than she did, but she had never specifically asked him how the bond felt to him. Since reuniting, they'd been so caught up in the events of the rebellion that they hadn't had any time to talk privately. To an outsider, Lily knew he would seem as impassive as ever, but something had changed. He was never far from her now, always watchful, always wanting to help, and often touching her.  

They rode each day at a steady pace, and even Lily’s limited riding skills weren’t taxed, giving her plenty of time for thinking. More often than not, her thoughts concentrated on the battle they had just left, and she wondered what had happened in the week since they’d been gone. When they left the camp, the Northlanders were talking of returning to their homeland. General Gavrus was the keystone keeping the three groups together, and, with his death, the rebel factions were in disarray. She knew the slaves and rebel legionnaires were heading east to regroup, and she wondered if Gavin had gone with them or if he would stay with the Northlanders. The army was under new leadership, and Lily knew Titus didn’t like General Decmitius, the man now in charge, and she suspected others felt the same. She wondered what would come of the plan to rid the Empire of slavery and free them all of the control exacted by Emperor Marcilius. If only she and Tevarian had been able to kill him. She knew they weakened him when they burned the wagons that held the readers he used as his power source, but it hadn’t been enough. 

Her horse continued its forward motion, and Lily began to wonder when they would stop to camp. After spending most of the day in the saddle, she was more than ready to get off and stretch her legs. As the sun sank lower in the sky, she could see an outcropping of rocks just ahead. Tevarian liked to hide their campfires at night on the off chance any legionnaires might be in the area looking for rebel soldiers, and she hoped he would stop here. The large rocks would hide the light of the fire which could be seen for a long distance in these barren lands.

It was only a matter of minutes until Tevarian stopped and dismounted within the circle of rocks as she had hoped. If she didn’t know better, she’d think he could now read her mind, but because she was an essarai, she knew that was impossible. Pulling up beside him, she prepared to dismount and felt his hands on her waist as he helped her down.

Thank you, she said when he released her. She reached up to untie her bedroll, but he was already handing it to her, the look on his face as somber as ever. Was it his life as a reader that kept him always so serious? If they hadn't taken him in his childhood, would he still be like this, or would he be more like Eurik and the essendai in the Northlands, who never hesitated to laugh when it was appropriate? She realized, even in their earlier journeys, Tevarian had rarely smiled. She'd like to show him that even in misery there were bright moments, times that made your heart less heavy. Lily squeezed his hand briefly and felt the bond warm inside her. She smiled up at him and almost got a smile in return, before he turned away to remove the saddle from her horse.

Lily, can you help me? she heard Tess call in a cheerful voice. Looking over at her, she saw Tess was already off her horse and had walked beyond the rocks surrounding their campsite. She was chopping off branches of the sagebrush so plentiful in this area; they found it made a nice campfire and would keep all night with very little replenishing. Although the days were hot, the temperature at night was chilly, and they all appreciated the warmth from the fire when sleeping on the cold ground. Tess was using the small axe they carried, so Lily followed her and picked up the branches. The girl was humming a song under her breath and smiling while she worked. Lily was always amazed at how cheerful Tess was, considering she was raised in slavery and used poorly by her last owner.

Curious about Tess’s life before they met, and hoping she wouldn’t mind talking about it, Lily asked her, Were you always a slave, Tess?

Yes, my mama was a slave, and I was born on the estate where she worked, she answered.

Did you know your father?

No, but most of the men there treated me like a daughter. There weren’t many children on the estate so they all took care of me. I had to work as soon as I was big enough but after work we’d play games and visit.

What happened? How did you end up working in town?

Well, our owner was getting old, and the estate wasn’t making a profit, so after mama died, he sold me to Cicero. He said the money would carry him through another harvest season.

Lily was bending over to pick up another branch when she heard Tess give a sharp cry of pain. Looking up, she saw Tess must have sliced her hand, because she had dropped the small axe and was gripping one hand with the other, while blood dripped between her fingers. Lily hurried over to her and took her injured hand.

Here, let me help you, she said, as she used a small amount of her power to heal the cut. It only took a moment, but when she looked up at Tess’s face, she saw she was looking at her in awe.

How do you do that? Tess whispered in amazement. I mean I saw you heal that woman with the burns before, but you’ve never healed me. It felt warm and now I can’t feel any pain. It’s like I never cut myself.

Before Lily could think of a way to explain her power, Tevarian appeared beside them.

What happened? Why did you use your power? he asked her abruptly.

Tess cut herself, and I healed her, Lily answered quietly.

We don’t know if there are any readers close enough to sense you. You shouldn’t be using your powers out here. He sounded almost angry as he spoke, but Lily knew it was worry for her that made him sound that way.

You know I only use it when it’s necessary. I’ll be fine, Tevarian. She reached over and gently grasped his hand, knowing her touch would do more for him than her words. There was a time when a touch from her would make him jump with uneasiness, but since their bond had strengthened, it seemed they both needed the touch to assure themselves the other was fine. He studied her face for a moment and then walked back to their camp. Lily saw that Tess watched him as he left.

He is so amazing, she sighed.

What? Lily asked her in surprise.

He can make people do anything, like when he saved me from Cicero. I wish he wanted to sleep with me. I’d like to be closer to him, but I can tell he’s only interested in you. You’re both so special.

Tess had bent over to chop at another bush as she spoke, and Lily was glad she wouldn’t see her astonishment. Fortunately, Tess didn’t seem to want a response to her comment, because Lily could think of nothing to say. The thought of Tevarian sleeping with Tess bothered her as much now as it had weeks ago when Tess had first offered. It wasn’t right to feel that way, especially when Tevarian hadn’t objected when she was with Gavin, but she wondered now if it had disturbed him.

Both Lily and Tess continued to gather the sage branches, and Lily steered their conversation back to what they had been discussing before Tess cut herself. They walked back toward the camp where the men were now rubbing the horses down, as Tess said, I liked being in town except for when Cicero beat me. He bought me pretty dresses so I’d look nice for the men. He said I’d bring in more money if I stayed clean and looked pretty, and he never hit me in the face.

Why did you decide to come with us? You could have stayed with the army or even gone with the Northlanders. They would have taken care of you and helped you.

Titus rescued me, and I like him. He treats me nice like the men on the estate did, kind of like a father would. Tevarian scared me a little at first, but I know he won’t hurt me, and I like you, too. I want to help you like I did when you healed the woman that was burned.

Tess had such a hopeful smile on her face, Lily couldn’t help but smile back.  Of course you can help if I need to heal someone, she assured her. Tess set down her bundle and gave Lily a hug, and Lily realized how nice it was to have another woman with her as they traveled. It was almost like having a younger sister.

~

Tevarian stared at the flames of their small campfire while he searched with his senses for enemies in the night. A small pot of water hung from a tripod over the fire, and Lily carefully dropped in dried meat and beans for their meal. Satisfied for the moment they were alone and safe, he studied his companions. Titus was sharpening his sword with a whetstone while Tess chattered to him. He was a big man, basically a bodyguard for General Gavrus, and looked the part. Tess had been used as a prostitute by her slave owner but that didn’t seem to bother Titus. Tevarian knew some of the soldiers under Titus’s command had slept with her, and he hadn’t prevented it, but Tevarian didn’t think Titus would allow it now. Titus and Tess had grown closer the longer they had traveled together, and he was very protective of Tess, treating her like a daughter.

Tess was still talking, but Tevarian didn’t listen to what she was saying, although occasionally he did read both their minds, more out of habit than any worry they were planning to harm Lily. His concern for Lily often seemed unreasonable, even to him, and the protectiveness he felt for her was sometimes overwhelming. She sat next to him, listening to Tess, and as he watched her, he questioned if he should be taking her into such a dangerous situation. He hated the thought of exposing her to the Emperor, and he wondered what would happen to them if their bond was broken by one of their deaths. Just the thought had his stomach clenching until he felt Lily grasp his hand. She looked at him as if she had read his thoughts, but he knew that to be impossible. She didn’t say anything, just looked at him quietly as if to reassure him.

So, Tevarian, what are our plans as we travel south? Titus asked him suddenly.

Caught off guard by the question, Tevarian considered how much he could tell him before he answered. For now, we head south to avoid any patrols searching for rebels, but soon I need to get back into Laharah. I can’t tell you more than that. When he had finished speaking, he saw Titus was clenching his jaw, and realized he had undoubtedly just offended the man by withholding specific information on his plans.

He continued before Titus could respond. It’s not that I don’t trust you, but you already know my plan is to kill the Emperor. If you know more of the details and we’re discovered by readers, they’ll strip you of your thoughts in a moment’s time and my plans will be revealed. The less you know, the more likely we’ll succeed.

Titus seemed to relax slightly at his words. I guess that makes sense, he responded gruffly, but I hope you plan to share more information as we get closer to wherever we’re going.

I will, Tevarian assured him, and since I’ve never traveled this far south before, perhaps you can provide us with the best route to follow to Laharah.

Titus thought for a moment before he answered. I’d suggest we start veering further east soon, or we’ll end up in the worst part of the desert within a day or two, and water will become scarcer than it is now. I know there’s a ferry crossing at Brevac. It should take us at least a week to reach it.

No, not Brevac, I want to avoid the cities. There must be other crossings north of there that will let us enter Laharah without attracting notice.

Yes, there are always men with boats willing to ferry you across for a price. I suspect with a little searching, someone will turn up, Titus told him as he continued to sharpen his sword.

Tevarian was pleased Titus had wanted to join them; it would be good to have another man along, especially when they traveled across Laharah and into Daskony. The fact that he was a soldier and had traveled through this area before was certainly to their advantage. He wished he could tell Titus he was heading for Oska to find a tavern called the Picks Edge in search of information about a mysterious mine in the Daskony Mountains. Who knows, the man might even know something of the area that would help, but Tevarian would wait until they were closer. He couldn’t risk the information being picked out of his head by a reader, and he was certain they would encounter readers before they reached their destination.

He leaned back against one of the large boulders that sheltered them and wondered what the chances were of them finding the Apex mines. All the information he had was out of date and so unclear that he wondered if he really was attempting the suicide mission Katya had accused him of. There had to be a way of finding those mines and destroying the lithos at its source. Without the mineral that allowed him to steal and use the essences from readers while their bodies lay weak and ineffectual, the Emperor’s power would likely be that of any reader and he would be able to be killed.

He wondered, too, what their chances of crossing two provinces and remaining undetected were. He would have to talk to Lily again about her use of power. He knew if she saw someone hurting, her first response was to heal them and that would be dangerous where they were heading. He didn’t know if witches, as the Emperor called the essarai, were as feared here in the south as they were further north, but he suspected they would be. As they neared populated areas, he would have to caution her again.

As he watched Titus sharpen his blade, he grew curious about him. When Titus had asked to journey with him, Titus had told him he wanted revenge for the death of Gavrus. He wondered now how close the two men had been. How long did you know General Gavrus? he asked abruptly.

Titus looked up, surprise apparent on his face. I was assigned to him over fifteen years ago.

A long time under the same commander.

Yes, had I wanted to advance in rank they would have sent me elsewhere, but Gavrus was the best. I couldn’t see working under anyone else, and more than that, Titus added quietly, he was my friend.

The crackle of the flames was the only sound for the next little while with everyone lost in their own thoughts, until Tevarian spoke again.

 Are you familiar with Shai Yi or any other forms of hand to hand fighting? he asked.

I know a few dirty tricks that can take a man down, but I’ve had no formal training, Titus replied cautiously, no doubt wondering where this line of questioning was going.

Care to learn?

Gladly, Titus responded and quickly stood and began to stretch. He reached down and grabbed a handful of sand and rubbed his hands with it, eyeing Tevarian as if already considering his first move.

As Tevarian rose to join him, he was surprised to realize