Warlords Ascending Page 5

  Catching Ehsan’s eye as the man jogged by, he cupped a hand around his mouth and shouted, “Good work!”

  Ehsan flashed him a smile in return, proud and smug, then waved and disappeared around a corner. Clearly the man was on a mission to get more of the fountains going. The more water sources, the better, so Trev’nor left him to it.

  He went for the building next door, as frankly the thing looked like a strong gust of wind could blow it over, and started on the first story. It had two levels to it, maybe they could put people to sleep upstairs?

  From behind, someone sprinted in and skidded to a stop. “Trev’nor!”

  Turning, he found Dunixan wide eyed and a little breathless behind him, half-stooped as he fought to regain his breath. This alarmed Trev’nor and he stopped working on the wall mid-way, ready to leap into a different action. “What’s wrong?”

  “There’s water in this place?!” Dunixan blurted out, eyes wide as saucers.

  Trev’nor scratched at the back of his head, not sure why the man was so surprised. “Well, sure. Why do you think our ancestors chose to build here in the first place? We’re sitting on a huge underwater lake.”

  “Khobunter is nothing but desert, water is hoarded more preciously than gold, and you didn’t think it was important to mention that the ruins you want to rebuild is sitting on a natural source of water?!”

  Well, alright, put like THAT… “Dunixan, you have to understand, water is the least of my worries. I can have water at my fingertips at any time because of Becca and Ehsan.”

  Dunixan spluttered some more, incoherent and incredulous.

  Trev’nor had a flash of clarity, a perfect moment where he suddenly saw Khobunter the way that Dunixan must see it. A savage place with no water, limited vegetation, harsh conditions and even harsher enemies constantly pressing from all sides. Nothing about this country could be taken for granted, not even a basic necessity like water. It occurred to him that perhaps he should tell his new friend and ally what the Gardener had said to him. “Dunixan. Do you know why Nolan and I were called here?”

  Rehinging his jaw, Dunixan managed hoarsely, “You said it was because Khobunter was your task. Reclaiming it was your task.”

  Shaking his head, Trev’nor corrected, “Reclaiming it is only half our task. The number one main reason why an Earth Mage and Life Mage were called to this was because between the two of us, we carry a garden. We literally are gardeners, in a sense. I can take any soil and remake it into something rich and fertile. Nolan can create seeds and plants out of thin air and willpower. Granted, having Ehsan and Becca along makes watering a lot easier, but even without them, we would have managed.”

  Dunixan lost his incredulity, but now he studied Trev’nor the way a business man would at a negotiation table—intensely, his weight balanced on his toes. “You said before that this place will be a garden before you’re done with it. You meant that literally? The whole country?”

  “Might take me a few decades, but trust me, we’ll get it done.” Grinning a little cockily, he added, “So you see, we look at Khobunter and see totally different things. You see a harsh land that will kill you in an instant. I look at a space ready for a garden. And this place,” he flung out his arms to indicate the entirety of the ruins, “will be the crown jewel.”

  Dunixan’s mouth twisted in a sad, bitter way. “It must be nice to have that kind of power.”

  “Trust me, it has its pros and cons. I try to live in the pro moments and ignore the cons as much as possible.”

  “Ah. Yes, I’d nearly forgotten.” Dunixan shook his head, his bitterness disappearing.

  What, now? Trev’nor’s head cocked a little as his response had been beyond cryptic. What did Dunixan mean by that?

  Before he could ask, Dunixan pressed, “Then is this where you will set your capital city?”

  “If I have my choice, yes. I think it’s the best option, as it’s more or less central to the whole country. I hope to put a magical academy here someday as well.” Trev’nor went back to working on the wall, as they steadily lost daylight and he wanted people to have a good roof over their heads when the cold night air arrived.

  “I think it will be a good place, for political reasons. If you chose any other city to claim, it would influence people to think that you prefer that territory over another’s.”

  Trev’nor winced. “I hadn’t thought of that. Ooh, that would have been bad. I’ll have to convince Becca it needs to be here, then.”

  “I don’t think it will take much convincing.”

  He didn’t either. Becca normally had good sense about this sort of thing. It’s what reassured Trev’nor about having her as a co-ruler. “Dunixan, are you free?”

  “Well, yes. Is there something you want me to do?”

  “If you’re willing.” Trev’nor could think of three things off the top of his head, but settled on the easiest first. “It’s about time for our weekly check-in with Trexler. Becca, Nolan, and I normally contact them via dragon and get a status report, issue any rulings that need to be done, and whatnot. I don’t think Nolan or I have the time today, we need to get this place situated before we run out of daylight. Can you sit in with Becca?”

  “I certainly can. Do you know where she is?”

  “No, but any of the dragons will be able to tell you.”

  “I’ll assist her,” Dunixan promised before turning to leave.

  Calling after him, Trev’nor requested, “If you see Azin, snag her! I need her help!”

  “Understood!”

  Well, that had been an interesting conversation. Just when Trev’nor thought they’d given the man all the basic information he needed, Dunixan surprised him like now, incredulous that they could just make water appear in deserted ruins. How much did Trev’nor take for granted that was a matter of survival for these people?

  And did he really want to know the answer to that?

  Shaking his head at himself, he went back to work.

  Trev’nor absolutely refused to let them put a ward up until he had most of the outer walls rebuilt. The wards would have to be redone anyway after the wall was repaired, why waste the magic? Just wait until the repairs were done and do it right the first time. It took two days with him and Azin working nonstop to finish the wall. Then Nolan refused to let them put up the barrier until they could get the outer gardens started. Becca thought they were both being a little silly, starting gardens now. Granted, Nolan was planting trees and little else, and the water system now worked perfectly so it should be fine for a little while. But it meant that someone would need to come back here on a semi-regular basis to check up on things.

  Something about this smacked of maneuvering and Becca had a suspicion what the boys were up to. They wanted to get the city up to a certain level of repair and then try to talk her into making it the capital. After living with them for nearly a decade, she knew how they thought. But they weren’t as clever as they believed they were and she’d already made the decision that the Ruins of Rheben should be their capital.

  Although they’d have to change the name, of course.

  She stood on the newly repaired western wall, calling in a storm to help top off the water reservoirs, and watched with amusement as Trev’nor and Azin repaired the gate nearby.

  Danyal came up the stairs at a smart clip and saluted her, which she returned, before reporting, “Everything is secure. We’ve found the fuzzies in the grain bins again, however. Raja Nolan assures us he’ll have a firm talk with them.”

  “It’s good those things are cute as they’re certainly a lot of trouble.” Eyeing her commander sideways, she asked suspiciously, “How many of the men are asking permission to take one along when we leave?”

  “A lot,” Danyal admitted, mouth twitching in an aborted laugh.

  “For Guardian’s sake.” Becca rolled her eyes and wondered sometimes if she was actually leading an army. “They can’t safely take them from here, the fuzzies aren’t able to survive
in open desert. But you can tell them that after the fighting is over, they’re welcome to come back and take one home with them.”

  “That will make them happy, my Warlord. I will tell them.”

  Cat lifted off from the ground outside, stretching her bulk up so that she caught the edge of the wall and heaved herself on top, head coming around to Becca’s level. “Brother-soldier coming.”

  “Brother-soldier coming?” Becca repeated with considerable confusion. Was she supposed to know who the dragon meant by that? “Can I get a name?”

  “Soldier at southern gate,” Cat continued her report, lifting her head a little to peer toward the direction of the southern edge of camp. “Says brother of Becca.”

  It hit her like a bolt out of the blue who it must be. She had a moment of pure elation, with concern and determination nipping at its heels. Grabbing her dragon’s harness, she swung herself nimbly on board, startling Danyal, who scrambled to leap after her. “Cat, take me there. Tell Nolan and Trev’nor that Shad is here.”

  Cat gave her a nod even as she spread her wings, readying for takeoff.

  “Shad?” Danyal repeated in confusion. “You mean your brother? But how by the gods did he even track you down here? He’s three countries away!”

  “Was three countries away, and you have to understand something, Danyal. Riicshaden is the soldier. He is the finest soldier that Chahir ever produced, preserved by the Guardians and Gardeners themselves in order to protect this generation of magicians.” Twisting in her saddle, she pinned Danyal with a look, although it proved to be unnecessary. Danyal’s eyes were wide enough to pop out of his face. “Do not underestimate this man. He went into the heart of dangerous territory, with only one soldier and a cat for backup, and managed to retrieve me safely. Coming after us here? Is a cakewalk to him.”

  She had no time for anything more. Cat back flapped a little as they landed just outside the edge of camp. Becca turned her head, spied Shad, and her heart let out a clutch of relief. Her eyes burned, the emotion hit her so strongly, and she had to take a moment to collect herself. As anxious as she might be about his reaction to all of this, a part of her would always feel better seeing her brother. Nothing in this world could defeat Shad. The idea of it was unfathomable to her.

  He looked well, if a little sunburned, standing beside a dragoo she’d never seen before. Several other men and women stood behind him, clearly Chahiran themselves as they all sported fair hair and sunburns. Something about them looked a little strange, as if they had magic themselves, but it was muted in an undefinable way. Becca shook the puzzle off as something to dig into a little later.

  Shad’s head tipped back as he discussed something with the dragon on gate duty, but at their entrance, he turned and spied her. A bright smile lit his face and he ran to her without any hesitation.

  Becca dropped from the saddle and straight into his outstretched arms, embracing him fiercely. He smelled like earth and sunshine. She closed her eyes, and for a moment, just a desperately needed moment, indulged in the feeling of being perfectly safe. They lingered there, her toes not even touching the ground. Neither spoke. Words, at this moment, weren’t needed.

  “SHAD!” two male voices exclaimed in delight.

  The moment broken, Shad slowly lowered her and half-turned, an arm outstretched to Trev’nor and Nolan as they raced to them. “Ah, there’s my other problem children.”

  Laughing, the boys fell into his arms as well, forming a group hug.

  “How in the world did you find us?” Trev’nor demanded, an unrelenting grin on his face. “Although of course you did.”

  “It was easy.” Shad looked at him with considerable asperity. “You leave quite the trail behind you, young warlord. I just followed the path of green.”

  Trev’nor’s face formed a perfect ‘oops, right’ expression. Giddy with happiness, Becca threw her head back and laughed. “He’s got you there, Trev. With all of the terraforming we’ve been doing, of course it would be easy to figure out which direction we’ve been going.”

  “This last stretch proved to be a bit of a challenge, as you hadn’t done any conquering or planting yet,” Shad added with a knowing glint in his eye, “but I did train you three after all. I knew what your strategic choice would be.”

  Becca drew a little out of the hug and belatedly realized a white cat sat on the back of the dragoo. “Tail!”

  With a litheness that belied his age, her Jaunten familiar hopped to the ground and lifted his front paws up. She picked him up instantly, cuddling him in close. “Ahh, I missed you. How did you convince Shad to bring you along?”

  The cat regarded her with an expression that stated, Please, as if I had to do such a mundane thing.

  “You stowed away, didn’t you.” Becca chuckled, rubbing her cheek along the cat’s. Moments like these made her wish she could purr. “You clever, clever rascal.”

  “It always amazes me she can understand every facial twitch of his,” Shad observed to no one in particular.

  Feeling like they were being rude, Becca drew back, still cuddling Tail with one hand, and gestured for Danyal and Cat to come in closer. “Shad, this is my dragon, Cat.”

  Cat leaned down to touch her nose to his hand. Shad, being an old hand with dragons, didn’t hesitate to reach up. “A pleasure, pretty lady.”

  Rubbing slightly against his palm, Cat purred at him. “Nice brother.”

  “Glad you think so.”

  Reaching out, she caught Danyal’s arm and pulled him gently forward. “This is my right hand, Commander Rahim Danyal. Danyal, my brother and Guardian, Riicshaden.”

  The two men clasped hands strongly, but warily, neither quite sure where they stood with the other. She’d been so happy to see Shad, her emotions blinded her to the fact that none of the soldiers watching looked all that welcoming. Tension rose off of Danyal in visible waves, curtailing her elation. Becca saw the situation but didn’t know how to soothe out that eddy of tension.

  “Riicshaden,” Danyal greeted before slowly letting go.

  “Commander,” Shad returned, eyes roving over the man in a blatant study.

  “Before we enter the city, I must ask you a question,” Danyal informed him. “Do you intend to bring these three home again?”

  Shad produced an enigmatic smile on his face that would rival Xiaolang. “I do not.”

  Becca didn’t expect him to say that. Her jaw dropped a little. Trev’nor outright spluttered while Nolan went statue still, blue eyes sharp and fierce as they watched Shad.

  The enigmatic smile grew a notch wider as Shad stated, “If I had said yes, you wouldn’t have let me in the city, would you?”

  “I would not,” Danyal agreed steadily, not at all fazed. “We need them. Desperately. We will not allow them to be taken away from us.”

  “Well, it’s not a fight we’ll need to get into, thankfully. Actually, I’m here to bring help.” Turning, Shad indicated to the group standing nearby. “Come on, everyone, come a little closer. These are your new bosses. Bec, Trev, Nolan, the Gardeners sent this group up to help you.”

  Nolan came forward, offering a hand. “Vonnolanen. A pleasure to exchange names.”

  A woman, tough and thin with spiky blonde hair around a heart shaped face stepped forward to grip his hand. “Magus. I am Carjettaan, a Legend.”

  Becca’s attention abruptly sharpened. Yes! That explained why her magic looked muted and strange. She wasn’t a proper magician at all, just someone with magical talent in a focused area.

  Nolan’s lips parted in an expression of true delight. “Carjettaan, I am very, very pleased to meet you. I can’t tell you how desperately we need someone with your abilities. Are all of your companions Legends?”

  “No, Magus,” one of them corrected. He came around to stand at Carjettaan’s side, so that they could get a better view of him. He was a middle-aged man with a bit of a belly, a pleasantly husky, deep voice, and a kind smile. “Some of us are specially trained gardeners.
”

  “Specially trained,” Trev’nor said slowly, green eyes going wide. “As in specially trained by the Gardeners?”

  “Precisely,” he confirmed, pleased.

  It hit Becca who these people must be, and she instinctively recoiled two steps, hugging Tail tightly to her. Shad moved with her, putting a hand at the small of her back, halting her retreat. He leaned in to whisper in her ear, “I know, kid, I know, but don’t balk. I’ve met and worked with reformed Star Order Priests before. Trust me, when a Gardener reforms someone, they’re completely reformed.”

  Becca understood that, intellectually. But the memory of being hunted by the Order still lingered in the back of her mind like a ghost. She could not just accept these people so cavalierly.

  The two boys clearly didn’t have the same issue as they went about introductions, shook hands, exchanged smiles, all around pleased at having expert help come in. Becca let Trev’nor handle this, as it would take a while before she could interact with them. She tried to keep her face neutral, to not give her emotions away, but she was aware of both Cat and Danyal watching her like hawks. They knew something was up.

  A dragon beat overhead, then another, and people shifted to allow the two newcomers room. Shad looked around and let out a low whistle as his eyes went upwards. “That is quite possibly the largest dragon I’ve ever seen. An elder?”

  “Yes,” Garth answered, lowering his head to a more comfortable conversational level. “I am Garth.”

  Shad blinked, eyes widening, then he grinned in an unholy manner that spoke of mischief. “You don’t say.”