The Bite of Rust: Bytarend, #5

By Simon Cantan

A dark and dangerous way to make an assassin.

At the top of a high mountain, on the edge of a vast desert, the Fortress of Rust waits. The home of the greatest assassins in the world, no one knows their secret. Every fourth year they take in a hundred four-year-old girls and turn out one master assassin. The assassins of the fortress topple kings, move borders and end dynasties with their skills.

Lila Ariette's mother just died, and no one in her kingdom has a place for a little orphan girl. Bundled onto a cart and sent to join the assassins, Lila is going to find out the secret of the fortress. It's a secret most people would happily go their lives not learning.

The Bite of Rust is the fifth book in the Bytarend series. A fast-paced battle to stay alive that never lets up.

The Bite of Rust will have you tearing through the pages to the end. Grab a copy today!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon Cantan
• Release date: Jun 1, 2015
• ISBN: 9781386899365

Simon Cantan

Simon Cantan is an Irish Science-Fiction and Fantasy author living in Fredrikstad, Norway.

Book preview

Novice (Age 4)

1

A New Home

A single breath, weak enough to shatter Lila Ariette's whole world. That was all it took. Her mother let it out and never drew another, her fingers going limp around Lila's hand. Her eyes no longer looked out with love, with fear, with anything.

One man pulled Lila away, while another threw a tattered sheet over her mother's face.

Lila knew about death; there wasn't a child among the Thief Kings that didn't. But it should have come on the tip of a blade, not on the crest of a fever that wouldn't break.

Her father didn't even come to say goodbye.

***

Days later, Lila needed to pee. She'd held it for hours, squirming against the rumbling and jolting of the wagon. The driver, Johan, told them they were in a hurry and wouldn't stop again. A stern man, but with a kind smile when it mattered, Lila didn't want to bother him. If they didn't stop soon, though, she would wet herself.

Doll Tarry sneered at Lila from the bench opposite. They'd picked Doll up at Thak, Liago's bitter rival. Doll's shaved head and fiercely knit brows scared more than Lila on the wagon. No one would meet Doll's gaze. Lila's friends in Liago had told her Thakites ate babies and tortured dogs. Or was it ate dogs and tortured babies? Either way, Lila tried to avoid Doll's glare.

Lila got to her feet and made for the front of the cart, pulling on Johan's sleeve. I need to pee.

Too late for that. We're here. Johan pointed above them. Towering, red cliffs stretched up. Lila had to duck under the canvas of the wagon to see the fortress at the top of them. Its orange walls loomed out over the hundreds of steps leading up the cliff.

The Fortress of Rust, Johan said.

The other girls on the cart pushed forward around Lila, trying to glimpse their future home. As Doll jostled past Lila, she elbowed Lila in the stomach. It was too much for Lila's beleaguered bladder. Once the flow started, she'd no way of stopping it. Luckily, the other girls were too busy staring at the fortress to notice.

Lila shuffled to the back, away from the others, to sit looking out at the desert. The warm feeling dribbling down her legs couldn't compete with the heat of embarrassment in her cheeks.

The wagon lurched to a stop as Johan reined in the horses, then he climbed down from the front and made his way around. In a rush, the girls crowded past Lila, eager to be the first off the wagon to get a good look at their new home. Most of them ignored Lila, but Doll shot her a curious glance, her gaze falling to the puddle at Lila's feet.

The stumper peed herself! Doll shouted.

The girls all turned and stared at Lila, and Lila felt her cheeks grow a furious red. Her ears rang with embarrassment. She couldn't help it; tears crawled down her cheeks under the laughs of the other girls.

Never mind that, Johan said, letting down the backboard of the wagon. Jump down here all of you and let's get up those steps. We're an hour late already.

The girls' attentions went back to the fortress, and they jumped down from the wagon. A few needed Johan's help to manage it, but in the end, Lila was all alone.

You can't stay there, Johan said. Come on. It'll dry off soon enough.

Lila shook her head. I want to go home.

This is your home now, Johan said. I've been inside and it's not as bad as you've heard.

Really?

It's a castle. They just call it a fortress to be fancy. Johan beckoned to her.

Lila got up and let him help her down to the sand. She stared up at the fortress, and thought it didn't look like any castle she was used to. It had bright orange walls and seemed to loom out from the top of the cliff. She shook off a shiver and made her way to the stone steps. Walking was nice after sitting for so long.

The other girls had clustered near the bottom of the steps, but they hadn't set foot on the first one. Now they were on the brink of it, none of them seemed to want to take the first step.

Johan pushed his way through them and started up the stairs. He looked back after five steps and frowned. We won't get to the top by standing around.

Once the girls started climbing, they streamed ahead of Johan. They seemed to think it was a race to the top.

Lila didn't feel like running. She fell into step beside Johan, who was taking it at a more leisurely pace.

You're not from Liago, Lila said. Are you from the fortress?

No, Johan said. I'm from Galt. That's why I fetch girls from Thak and Liago. Someone from Thak is in charge of Galt and Latraio.

Why?

It's just easier that way.

Lila didn't really understand what he meant. She decided to change the subject. I'm four years old.

You're all four, Johan said. You have to be. Some lie and say a girl is four when she's five. Your friend Doll seems too big for four.

She's not my friend.

Johan smiled and shook his head. My mistake.

They both walked in silence for a while, their breathing growing deeper and more laboured with each flight of steps.

As they got higher, they caught up with the other girls one by one. Everyone was struggling now, not able to run. Some seemed barely able to put one foot in front of the other. Johan waved them all onward, not letting anyone stop.

You know why Thief Kings and Murder Queens build castles so high? Johan asked.

The other girls didn't answer. Lila thought about it for a moment. So bad people can't get us?

Some might say we're the bad people, Johan said.

That's silly. My mum wasn't bad. She was nice.

You're right, Johan said, looking ahead of them. We're not bad.

Lila followed his gaze and saw they were halfway to the top. Up above them, Doll and a few others were pushing themselves to stay the same distance ahead. They'd fallen to a walk, but they weren't letting Johan catch them.

You're thin for your age, Johan said. Strong, though.

Mum called me a bean sprout. Lila noticed the other girls paying attention and clammed up. She didn't want them hearing about her mum. Her mother had been the one person in her life she'd always been able to rely on. Lila didn't want anyone to see how much she missed her.

One of the other girls was flagging, so Johan picked her up and put her on his shoulders. After a few minutes, he had to swap with another girl.

Can we stop? a third girl asked.

No, Johan said. We can't keep them waiting any longer. Just try your best. It's not too much further.

Lila looked up again. It seemed a long way to her. Her legs were tight and hot from the climb and her feet ached. She'd climbed the steps of Liago with her mother before, but rarely and they'd stopped a lot.

We should sing a song, Johan said. "It'll pass the time. Do you all know The Slippery Sands?"

The girls laughed. Who didn't know that song? The first and last song the Thief Kings sang every time they got drunk.

I long to be upon the sea of golden slippery sand, Johan sang. Sword by my side, through drifts I stride—

He looked around the group and stuck out his lower lip. I can't sing it on my own. Come on, all of you.

This time, when Johan sang, they all joined in.

I long to be upon the sea of golden slippery sand,

Sword by my side, through drifts I stride, though I can barely stand.

We'll watch out there, to the horizon stare, til glimpse a caravan

Then on we'll ride, roll down the tide of golden slippery sand.

Scream your screams and cry your tears, Thief Kings're on their way.

Kiss your wives and children goodbye, your lives will end this day.

To see us come, it strikes them dumb, they clutch their purses tight.

Their eyes grow wide, their courage hides, at our murderous sight.

Waving bodyguards out to fight, to do all that they might.

But when you battle a Thief King, lad, it ain't even a fight.

Scream your screams and cry your tears, Thief Kings're on their way.

Kiss your wives and children goodbye, your lives will end this day.

We'll drip their blood onto the sand and see it disappear.

Then walk towards the rich old men, clutching their treasure near.

But when they see our smiling grins, their hands go limp in fear.

Their chests of gold weigh so much, to spend it takes a year.

Scream your screams and cry your tears, Thief Kings're on their way.

Kiss your wives and children goodbye, your lives will end this day.

Johan smiled and pointed ahead of them. They were near the top of the last flight of steps. Doll and her four friends were waiting. They frowned at the smiling faces of the other girls and one by one the good humour vanished.

Johan indicated onward to the fortress. Stand up straight and be brave. This next bit is important.

Lila noticed Doll and her friends huddling together as they approached the doors of the fortress. Lila stayed where she was, struck with fear as she looked at the bright orange castle.

Come on, Johan said, putting his hand on her shoulder. We have to go in now.

How many girls have you taken in there? Lila asked.

A group this size every four years, Johan said.

Do any ever go home?

No, Johan said. They don't want to when they're done.

I will, Lila said. She reached up and took Johan's hand, letting him lead her into the fortress.

Soldiers watched them from the walls above as they entered, bows ready in their hands. They looked young to be on the walls, and all girls. It was strange for Lila to see women in armour with weapons.

Through a second set of doors, they walked along echoing stone corridors, every whisper magnified. They passed a dozen older girls on their way, all in some form of armour. Lila wondered where the chambermaids, pages and other servants were. It made little sense to have only soldiers.

They stopped at another set of double doors, carved with images of dragons and other creatures doing battle. Two teenage girls stood guard on either side. With a nod to Johan, they pushed the doors opened and waved the group inside.

The room was modest, with a lower area leading to a raised platform. On the platform, six women sat in six thrones, all armed, armoured, and staring at the group of girls.

Lila shuffled closer to Johan, not liking the way the women looked at them.

One hundred on the one with the shaved head and the sneer, a woman in golden armour said, pointing at Doll.

I'll take that, a woman with scars on her face said.

Johan pulled at Lila's hand, trying to force her forward, but Lila just struggled back behind him.

Odds on daddy's girl? a woman asked. Lila peeked out at a woman with short brown hair and hard eyes staring back at her. After a second, Lila had to look away.

A thousand to one, the woman in golden armour said.

Ten at those odds, Hard Eyes said. Ten thousand, if she makes it.

The other women burst out laughing. Lila fidgeted, knowing they were laughing at her, but not knowing why.

You always like long odds, Brandy, the scarred woman said.

They've paid off for me, Hard Eyes said.

After a few more minutes of discussing odds, the woman in golden armour nodded to Johan, and he ushered the girls out again.

What was that about? Lila asked, but Johan didn't reply.

He led them down another series of corridors, until Lila lost all sense of direction. The twists and turns of Liago castle were second nature to her, but the ones in the fortress were foreign. Opening a heavy, iron-bound door, Johan led them through and closed it behind them. Lila could hear chattering from up ahead. Sure enough, when Johan took them to an open doorway, they found a room filled with girls Lila's age. Almost a hundred girls were squeezed into the dozen beds in the room.

You're the last group, Johan said. Find a free place.

Lila's group streamed into the room, squeezing into the already full beds. Doll got to a bed and somehow evicted five of the girls there. Doll's friends crowded in instead.

Lila didn't move from the doorway, clutching at Johan's hand. She felt like crying.

Johan knelt beside her, pulling his hand free and placing it on her shoulder. Lila, you'll be okay. This is all just an adventure.

Mamma died three weeks ago, Lila said. Adventures don't start like that.

Sometimes they do, Johan said. You'll find a lot of other girls with stories like yours here. All those women in the council chamber started off much like you.

With a pat on her shoulder, Johan straightened up and walked to the doorway.

Can't you take me home with you? Lila asked. I'll be a good girl. I can be your daughter.

I wish I could, Johan said. But I have a daughter.

Lila was shocked to see tears forming in Johan's eyes as he turned away and hurried off down the corridor. She faced the room and looked around. All the beds were full, but one near the back was less so. She trudged to it and sat on the edge.

No, one girl from the wagon said. Not her. She peed herself.

Ew, the girls in the bed chorused, pushing Lila to the floor.

Lila lay there, on the stone floor, staring into the darkness under the bed. She snaked her way into it, trying not to cough from the dust. The stone floor was uncomfortable, but she ignored it, curling into a ball to sleep.

2

Lessons

A roar woke Lila struggling against the darkness. The hard surface above her didn't yield to her touch and everything smelled of dust. For a moment, she thought she was in the cairn with her mother. But her hands touched wood and straw above her, not rocks. Off beside her, eleven pairs of bare feet slapped the stones as the other girls jumped out of bed.

You heard me! the roar came again. Out of bed now!

Lila squirmed sideways and got to her feet. Cobwebs and dust bunnies covered her dress, so she did her best to brush them off.

Stalking through the room, the woman with hard eyes from the day before — Brandy — glared at each one of them. We don't allow laziness in the fortress. We're up at dawn and you will be too.

The girls bunched together, huddling against Brandy's gaze. When Lila tried to join them, she found herself on the outside. No one would give her any space.

Follow me, Brandy said, grabbing Lila's arm. I've got someone you need to meet.

Brandy strode from the room, forcing Lila to scurry to keep up. All the other girls fell in behind them, down a corridor to an open area. Lila squinted in the sudden daylight.

After letting Lila go, Brandy moved to the far side of the dirt courtyard and stood beside three teenage girls. The teens wore leather armour, swords on their hips.

Birdie, Cerlia and Essie are your senior class trainers, Brandy said. Listen to everything they have to say.

With that, Brandy strode from the courtyard, scattering girls out of her way. Lila cast around in confusion, her eyes adjusted to the light. The courtyard was nothing more than a dirt rectangle, with high walls on each side and a single door leading out.

The three teenagers regarded the group of small girls for a moment, then one of them stepped forward. She had her hair in a tight ponytail and a broad smile on her face. I'm Essie. This is Birdie on my left and Cerlia on my right. It's our job to train you for the next four years, until you turn eight.

I need to use the bathroom, a girl beside Lila said.

I know, Essie said. You'll have to wait. If you want to use the bathroom before training, you need to get up before we fetch you. Birdie will take your morning warm-up and you can use the bathroom afterwards.

Essie and Cerlia left the courtyard, and the girls turned to Birdie. Where Essie had smiled, Birdie just fixed them with a cold stare.

Run, Birdie said, spinning her finger in a circle. I'll let you know when you can stop.

Lila noticed Birdie had more than just a sword on her belt, she also had a long, thin stick. The kind of stick Lila's father had called a switch. Lila knew what a switch was used for. She jogged around the edge of the courtyard, noticing the other girls falling into step behind her. Some of them sprinted to pass Lila, but Lila kept her pace slow. Her limbs were stiff after climbing the steps the day before.

After four minutes, Lila was panting. Games back in Liago hadn't involved running non-stop for so long. Just as she was about to stop for a breath, Lila noticed another girl move out of the line and bend over, wheezing. The girl was small, with large brown eyes and her hair in braids. She seemed too young to Lila, far shorter than the other girls in the group, almost babyish.

Ah, we have our first volunteer, Birdie said, pulling out her switch and striding towards the girl.

The girl stopped panting for breath, her eyes going wide and face red as Birdie approached.

You stopped first, Birdie said, looming over the small girl. Hold out your hand.

She didn't stop first, Lila said, stepping out of line. I did.

Birdie wheeled on Lila. What?

I hid behind the line so you didn't see, Lila said. I stopped first.

Fine, Birdie said. Hold out your hand.

Lila extended her hand, palm up, and closed her eyes. She knew what was coming and flinched with the whistle of the switch. Her hand stung as it lashed across her palm and Lila couldn't help a squeal. Tears pushed through her closed eyes and dripped down her cheeks.

When she opened her eyes, Lila saw Birdie raising the switch again and bringing it down a second time on Lila's hand. The terrible sting hurt far worse this time and Lila cried openly.

That's for lying, Birdie said, turning away. Everyone do jumping jacks.

The girls stared at her, baffled. With a sigh, Birdie demonstrated a jumping jack. Now do them.

After forming into loose lines, the girls did their best to copy what Birdie had done. Lila forced her limbs into action, cupping her hand, trying to ignore the throbbing pain from her palm.

I'm Bethany, a small voice said beside her.

Turning, Lila saw the girl she'd saved watching her. Lila.

Bethany smiled at Lila, her large, kitten-like eyes radiating gratitude.

How old are you? Lila asked.

Three, Bethany said. But Mamma said to tell everyone I'm four.

Lila nodded. Then Bethany's tiny size made more sense.

***

They struggled through another fifty minutes, Bethany sticking close to Lila as they jumped, ran and did other exercises. They were too out of breath to say much, but Lila was happy to have found someone willing to talk to her.

Essie appeared in the entrance to the courtyard and Birdie whistled for them to stop.

All right, everyone, Essie said. You can use the bathroom now.

She led them down the corridor, past their sleeping chamber and on to a large washroom. The girls pushed into the room, shoving to get to the stalls.

Lila found herself shoved to the