His Battle Lord's Curse: The Battle Lord Saga, #8

By Linda Mooney

Things seem to have settled down among the people of Alta Novis. Normals and Mutah are working together, and families are thriving. The compound is filled to capacity and brimming with new life, but their good fortune can only last for so long.

Winter is setting in, and the surrounding countryside is being plagued by unexpected swarms of wild animals. In addition, a horde of rats is contaminating the food supplies and destroying goods, but why? Where are all these creatures coming from? And why is it happening now? It all seems to point to one man – a sorcer who shows up at the compound and demands obedience, or else he'll bring down a devastating curse upon them all. A curse that threatens to take away all Yulen D'Jacques holds dear.

The Battle Lord finds himself at odds between fact and fiction, but he'll stop at nothing to save his family, as well as his dynasty. But sometimes the real enemy can't be seen, making it an almost impossible battle to fight, much less win.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Linda Mooney
• Release date: Mar 15, 2019
• ISBN: 9781941321928

Linda Mooney

Linda loves to write sensuously erotic romance with a fantasy, paranormal, or science fiction flair. Her technique is often described as being as visual as a motion picture or graphic novel. A wife, mother, grandmother, and retired Kindergarten and music teacher, she lives in a small south Texas town near the Gulf coast where she delves into other worlds filled with daring exploits, adventure, and intense love. She has numerous best sellers, including 10 consecutive #1s. In 2009, she was named Whiskey Creek Press Torrid's Author of the Year, and her book My Strength, My Power, My Love was named the 2009 WCPT Book of the Year. In 2011, her book Lord of Thunder was named the Epic Ebook "Eppie" Award Winner for Best Erotic Sci-Fi Romance. In addition, she write naughty erotic romances under the name of Carolyn Gregg, and horror under the pseudonym of Gail Smith. For more information about Linda Mooney books and titles, and to sign up for her newsletter, please visit her website. http://www.LindaMooney.com

Book preview

Chapter 1

Wave

Heads up! Atty, we got incoming!

I know! she shouted back. From her perch in one of the sentry towers, Cole Mastin knew the battle lady had the perfect vantage point.

Peering over the thirty-foot barricade, the second gripped his sword in anticipation. A few meters away, Yulen D’Jacques, the Battle Lord of Alta Novis, also took a stance as the wave of rats emerged from the tree line and headed straight for the compound. From this distance they looked like an undulating blanket of dark fur. A silent and deadly menace that appeared ready to swarm the walls once they reached the wood structure.

Fire the torches! Yulen called out. Down the line, the order was repeated. Soldiers hurried out to where the torches were lined up, ready and waiting.

A shiver went through him. His body was cooling down in the aftermath of the sweaty work he’d put in that afternoon. He and nearly forty other men had spent the few hours shoveling the snow away from the compound walls to create a huge trench between the banked snow and the fortification. It was becoming a daily occurrence, as the skies continued to drop three to six inches of accumulating powder every day.

As the torches were lit, the soldiers retreated back into the compound. Now it was a waiting game. Waiting to see what the enormous rodents would do.

What do you think drove them this way? a voice behind him whispered.

Mastin glanced over at his very pregnant wife. He didn’t disguise the irritation he felt at her being up on the parapet with him. He knew why she was there. He simply didn’t approve of it, with her already past her delivery date.

We don’t know. It could be anything. It could be nothing. He eyed her round abdomen, noticeable even under the furs she wore to protect herself from the cold. He also noticed she carried her lance.

Paas met his judgmental gaze with one of her own. My people swear by the saying, ‘Never turn away friend’s sword.’

"Well, my people say a woman with child must first protect the babe in her womb, he snapped back. Remember that time in Wallis when Yulen and I had to leave you and Atty behind? But you argued to go with us? I told you then that you had to stay to help protect Atty and the baby. But my main reason was because I needed the peace of mind to face our enemy. I needed to be able to concentrate on our mission, and not be distracted with worry about you. Well, I’m saying the same thing now. If you were not pregnant, I would welcome you up here with me. I would look forward to fighting alongside you. He shook his head. But not this time. I won’t allow you to risk our unborn child. Get off this stockade. If you have to wield your weapon, go to where Keelor is with the children, and give them your protection."

He steeled himself for her reaction. Prepared for the argument that would ensue. To his surprise, she grabbed him by the back of the neck, drawing his face toward her, and planted a hard, moist kiss on his mouth. Without saying a word, she descended the ladder. Mastin watched as she headed toward the center of the compound to where the battle lord and lady’s home stood, when a shout caught his attention.

Lances! At ready! Yulen leaned over the top of the wall to make certain all the torches were lit.

Archers! At ready! Atty yelled from her tower.

The guards filled the catwalks, pikes, bows, and spears at-hand. Those with the long poles readied themselves to sweep the rodents off the sides of the walls should the creatures make it across the trench. Hopefully, the torches would be enough of a deterrent to keep the rats at bay.

Gripping his sword, Mastin watched as the blanket of darkness advanced toward them. Here and there, he spotted the odd white coat amid the dark brown and black pelts. The mass was noticeably moving slower. There had to be hundreds—no, thousands of them. He frowned. The rats were the one creature they couldn’t kill to eat. Something in their bodies was too toxic, making their meat and organs inedible. People who tried got violently ill. Some died. Even the carrion creatures gave rat carcasses a wide berth and refused to gorge on them.

As such, the rats had no natural enemy…except man.

The swath of creatures eventually paused at the edge of the snowbank. Several of them rose up on their hind legs to sniff the air. A few tested the packed ice crystals, as if to test the ground and see if it was strong enough to hold them.

I think the torches are working, Yulen remarked.

Eubanks ran up to the battle lord. No sign of them on the west end, sir.

Any word from the south or north?

Covern and Wyatt also report no sighting.

Good. Tell them to stay put until I say otherwise.

Staying put, the soldier repeated, and hurried away.

Are you thinking the rats might divide their forces and try to attack us from all sides? Mastin inquired.

Never underestimate an opponent, Cole. No matter if it’s human or not.

Mastin understood. Some of these creatures had developed an intelligence far beyond what they had originally been known to have, millennia ago, before The Great Concussion. Automatically, he glanced up at the fading sky. Bits and pieces of the broken moon were visible between the gathering clouds as it ascended just above the trees. Seeing it, another thought came to him.

They’re not moving, a nearby guard whispered. It’s like they’re sitting there, waiting.

Mastin glanced again at the moon, then commented to the battle lord, Night’s falling fast. What if they’re waiting for it to get dark before they make their move?

D’Jacques tossed him a raised eyebrow. By the man’s expression, Mastin knew he’d made a valid point. Past skirmishes already confirmed how smart these animals were. In as much, they couldn’t put anything past the rats’ capabilities.

Yulen called up to his wife. Atty, have you ever known these things to attack in broad daylight?

No. It’s always been… Her voice trailed off and her eyes widened slightly, almost confirming Mastin’s supposition.

They continued their watch. Across the wide trench, except for the occasional creature rearing up to check the air, the rats didn’t move. Mastin got the eerie feeling something was about to happen. Or was happening. They just couldn’t see it. Or, even if it was taking place right in front of their eyes, they weren’t picking up on it.

What are you thinking, Cole?

He looked over at where Yulen was quietly studying him. I’m thinking it’s much too…

Peaceful? the battle lord suggested.

Yeah. They’re up to something. I can’t figure out what.

I agree. Atty?

The battle lady nodded. My senses are prickling. I’m picking up something. I don’t what it is, but I don’t like it. She turned and came down the tower ladder to join her husband. There’s no sense in me staying up there. There are too many of them for my arrows to be effective. I’d be able to cut down a dozen or so, but this horde is too big to try and take down one at a time.

Leaning over the side, she examined the trench and the line of lit torches jammed into the nearly eight-foot-high snowbank on the opposite side of the barricade. With the sun below the tree line, the small flames made dancing shadows on the wall.

Snowflakes began drifting down. Mastin gave a snort of disgust. I was hoping this would hold off until morning.

At least the cloud cover will help keep the temperature from dropping too low, Yulen murmured.

Peering over the bulwark again, Mastin watched as the snow laid a thin layer at the bottom of the trench. He started to remark about the rats leaving paw prints, when there was the tiniest movement in the dusting. He continued to stare at it, when there was a second, almost imperceptible tremor coming from underneath.

Atty! He pointed below. Do you see it?

She squinted downward, as did D’Jacques. Several seconds passed, when there seemed to be another barely discernable upheaval. Immediately, she whirled around.

"Everyone get down to ground level! They’re burrowing underneath the barricade!"

Chapter 2

Tunnels

The battle lord hurried down the ladder with Atty right behind him. Mastin followed as Paxton waited his turn. By the time he hit the dirt, Atty was already racing for the inner compound wall where she’d seen the activity.

Yulen motioned to him. Cole, find Allreed and have him come here immediately. Warren, notify Eubanks, Covern, and Wyatt of possible tunnels being burrowed underground.

Fetching Allreed, Mastin confirmed, and headed directly for the apartments laying in the center of the compound. Whenever the battle lord called an alert, stores were immediately closed, and everyone retreated to their homes where they would remain until the all-clear was sounded.

Reaching the Mutah’s front door, he pounded on it. Allreed! We need your help!

The door swung open, and the man gave him an astonished look. What for?

The battle lord will explain what he needs done. Hurry!

Allreed grabbed his jacket from a hook on the wall and tailed after the second, back to where Atty and Yulen were kneeling by the barricade.

Yulen gestured to the man. We need you to see if you can sniff out the rats underneath the compound.

The Mutah nodded, dropping to his hands and knees, and placed his nearly six-inch nose close to the ground. Everyone watched as he slowly snuffled around the area, eventually moving closer to the wall where he checked between the tree trunks that made up the structure. After a few minutes, Yulen got to his feet and called up to the lieutenant standing overhead on the parapet.

Any movement?

None, sir! The only thing twitching are their noses.

Allreed grunted and sat back on his feet. I’m picking up something, but it’s hard to tell if it’s rats. There are too many other smells interfering with it. The man turned to Atty. What you need is someone who can hear if there’s anything going on down there.

They all had the same idea simultaneously. Before anyone suggested it, Mastin voiced what they were thinking. Want me to go get Keelor?

Yes, Atty responded.

He took off for the two-story house on the other side of the central square. Reaching it, he banged on the door with his fist. Keelor! We need your assistance!

He heard the inside bar being raised, and the door opened. Paas gave him a curious stare. She’s upstairs with the children.

Tell her we need her to come help.

Why? Keelor leaned over the upstairs balustrade. Her normally pale face was unusually white in the lantern light. Oh God! Has something happened to Atty or Yulen?

No, they’re fine. He quickly assured her, and gestured for her to come downstairs. They need you to help them track a sound.

Go. I’ll watch the babes, Paas told her.

The young woman hurried down, snatching up her coat, and followed him.

She and Atty briefly hugged. We think the rats are trying to tunnel under the compound, Keelor’s sister explained. We need to know if you can detect them.

Keelor nodded, making her large, fairy-winged ears float on either side of her head.

We need silence! Yulen called out, and the soldiers froze in place. Until the only sound came from the pennants snapping in the rising wind from the top of the wall and main lodge.

Keelor laid one ear against the ground and closed her eyes to concentrate. After a couple of seconds, she lifted her head, moved over a foot, and listened again. Opening her eyes, she crawled closer to the barricade wall to repeat her actions. Mastin caught Atty and Yulen exchange glances, but nothing was said as they waited for Keelor’s response.

The young woman suddenly sat up and held out a hand to her sister. Give me your knife. Atty handed it over without question. Keelor proceeded to draw a line in the hard packed ground with the tip. Every few inches, she’d place one of her unique ears to the earth before continuing. When she was done, a tree-like pattern approximately twelve feet long and almost as wide lay before them.

Directly below those marks I hear scratching and squeaking.

They’re infiltrating underneath, Yulen remarked. Can you tell how far below the surface those things are?

Perhaps a foot or so. They’re not close to the surface.

The battle lord checked over his shoulder. Bastrop’s been complaining about the levels of grain and rice in the storage bins being lower every time he takes measurements. He thought someone had been sneaking in when no one was looking and stealing it.

Sounds like the thieves are more of the four-legged variety, Paxton drily announced.

You may be right, Yulen agreed.

Any way you can find out? Atty queried.

We’d have to drain each bin and check for holes or seepage. Sighing, he turned to Allreed. Thanks for your help. You need to return to your home now.

Me, too? Keelor asked, getting to her feet and dusting off her hands and the legs of her pants.

You, too, Atty said.

So the danger’s not over? the young woman asked.

Not yet, but soon, we hope.

Atty’s sister hurried back to the lodge. Mastin checked the men up on the battlements. What now?

Now we boil water, Atty commented. She waved to Paxton, her second, and pointed to the marks in the dirt. Use your sword to scratch a trough where Kee drew the lines. Cole, you, too.

Drawing his weapon, Mastin began widening and deepening the etchings with the sword’s tip. Yulen joined them in digging. Two more soldiers added their swords to make the work go faster. As they labored, Atty hurried to get several people inside their homes to draw and heat buckets of water to the boiling point.

When the water was ready, she directed them to pour the hot water into the troughs, being careful to fill but not overflow. As the water seeped down into the earth, steam clouded the cold air. They continued to keep the furrows full. When a bucket emptied, it was taken back, refilled, and reheated while another bucket took its place.

Atty suddenly held out a hand. Hold it! Stop!

They paused.

She dropped to the ground, her hands flat on the earth, and smiled. Do you feel it?

Mastin and the others placed their palms on the ground where they sensed a definite vibration. He grinned. It’s working! The boiling water is chasing the rats out of their tunnels.

At least out of the tunnels in this area. She gestured to the people holding their buckets. Keep pouring. Don’t stop until we tell you to.

Sir! a soldier called from atop the wall. He pointed to the other side. They’re moving!

In which direction? Yulen yelled back, running for the nearest ladder. Mastin raced to go with him, with Atty and Paxton not far behind.

When they reached the parapet, they could tell the creatures were retreating back toward the woods. It wasn’t a hasty retreat, but neither were they dawdling. Here and there Mastin spotted a curl of steam coming from the mob as a saturated rat joined the others.

You know there’s bound to be more tunnels under the compound, Paxton stated. There could be miles of them.

No doubt, the battle lord agreed. As soon as it’s daylight, I’ll have Bastrop get several men to start emptying the bins one at a time and search for openings.

What about other locations around the compound? Mastin brought up. How are you going to determine where they are? Surely you’re not going to get Keelor to search every inch of ground.

Yulen shook his head. I’ll think of something. Yavins!

One of the soldiers who’d helped with the digging stood at attention. Sir!

Find Eubanks and have him report. Same for Covern and Wyatt. But let them know the men are to stay alert in case the rats try to return. Now go.

Notifying Eubanks, yes, sir, Yavins dutifully repeated, and took off.

Think those things will return? Paxton questioned, looking at Atty.

The battle lady grimaced. If the weather was more favorable, I’d say no. But because we’ve gotten an early snowfall, and it looks like we’re going to have a long winter, I say chances are good they’ll try again. Maybe not so overtly. But they know we have food, and that’ll continue to draw them to us until we find a way to stop them.

Cole! Cole, come quick!

Mastin whirled around at the sound of his name to see Keelor running toward him, frantically waving an arm for his attention. Before he could say anything, the young woman stopped, breathless.

Come quick! Paas is in labor! She’s having the baby!

Chapter 3

Nevo

They rushed to the battle lord’s lodge to find the door slightly open. Entering, Mastin hesitated inside the doorway, unsure of which way to go, when Keelor came up behind him and pointed to the kitchen area.

She’s in the left bedroom.

Bolting down the short hallway, he could hear sounds coming from the room before he got there. Paas was on her back on the bed with a blanket draped over her raised knees and abdomen. Dr. MaGrath was at the foot, giving her instructions.

Take it easy. Deep breaths, Paas. I can see the head crowning. Hold on. I’ll let you know when to push. The physician glanced up at them. Cole, go hold your wife’s hand. Atty, can you lend me yours?

Mastin dropped to his knees beside the bed as Atty wiped her hands on her pants. What do you want me to do? It was immediately clear by her tone she had no idea what was expected of her. Mastin watched as Keelor shoved her sister aside.

Never mind, Atty. You go tend to the children. I’ll assist Liam. What do you need besides some clean towels and boiled water, Doc?

MaGrath narrowed his eyes at her. You’ve done this before?

A time or two. Hold on, Paas. It won’t be much longer, Keelor reassured the woman, giving her a pat on the knee.

Towels first, then the water, the doctor snapped, and glanced over at where Atty and Yulen were still in the doorway. You two don’t need to be here. Give these people some privacy, and go look after your own kids, like she suggested.

Mastin tried to hide his grin as the battle lord and lady scuttled out of the room, then grimaced as Paas’ grip on his hand tightened to the point of being painful. Laying a palm on her sweaty forehead, he leaned over and kissed her cheek. You’re almost there. It won’t be much longer now, my love.

He was answered with a smile of gritted teeth.

"All right, Paas. Take a deep breath, and push!" MaGrath ordered.

* * *

As per their prepared plan, Atty and Yulen found Mattox and Mistelle in the other bedroom, across the hall from Paas and the others. Both children were asleep on the bed. Gently, Yulen took his son into his arms as Atty picked up Mistelle, and together they went back into the living area, ascending to the top bedroom where they placed the children in their own beds in the nursery. Neither