Phoenix Destiny

Twenty-Two

Jaron crouched behind an outcropping, listening to the sounds of battle. Somewhere just ahead, the rest of the company battled an invading army. Their enemies had been infiltrating the small kingdom of Kilan for more than a fortnight.

The king finally secured their service to drive them out. Now, the General was holding them at the border, preventing them from escaping into the mountains while most of Jaron’s company, led by Havelock, cut off their retreat.

Several years had passed since he first took command of his troops, and they were now a well-honed force, rivaling any division of the company. It seemed every day more men asked to join even with the intensive training regime Jaron maintained. He really didn’t have any interest in expanding his force, however. Even so, many of the company joined his troops’ training to hone their skills.

Kilan was small, pressed between one of the three major northern rivers and the mountains. As far as resources, it did not have anything that other kingdoms did not already have in greater abundance: wood, ore, and pasture. Its proximity to the mountains meant much of its land was rocky foothills.

Their main trade was cattle, and they bred a small variety that thrived in their somewhat rocky pastures. Other kingdoms fought around it without giving it much notice. As a result, it didn’t have much concern for security.

The mercenaries often occupied its borders between jobs and were tolerated if not welcomed. When the invaders made their first appearance, they were allowed to stay without harassment. They camped in the forest and mountains and restricted raids to night. The king did nothing but compensate the farmers for their lost stock and supplies.

Eventually, and perhaps predictably, the invaders became bolder. Their raids grew in frequency and violence. After they burned several fields, the king finally decided to act.

Beside him, Dak quietly waited for Jaron to make a move. They had been on the invaders’ trail for several days. Ivy delivered updates to the General, allowing him to outflank them while Jaron’s group pressured them forward. It was time to tighten the noose. Yet Jaron kept Dak and his scouts out of the fray, sending Ivy out on a wide sweep. Dak and the others waited in silence while their impatience grew.

Jaron couldn’t blame them. He never told them their true mission. The truth was known only to the General and himself, and it was to remain that way until its completion, under orders of the king. It was only in desperation that the king turned to mercenaries at all. At least thirty knights were killed attempting the same assignment.

Jaron remained hidden until he heard Ivy’s whistle. Gesturing for the others to follow, he slipped away and into the forest where their horses waited. Gambler looked up and pawed the ground when he saw them. Jaron patted the stallion as reward for patience and swung into the saddle. He waited while Dak and the others mounted up.

“Are we joining them then?” Dak asked.

“We have a different mission,” Jaron reined Gambler around at Ivy’s second signal.

Dak and the others followed without a word of protest though several questions raced through their minds. The group of seven men rode off, racing down well-worn game trails, following Ivy’s calls. Dak worried they were being too boisterous in their pursuit, but Jaron wasn’t concerned about detection. He and Gambler understood Ivy’s signals better than anyone.

A long, low whistle brought Jaron to a sudden halt. Behind them, the other mounted soldiers pulled up their horses, veering off the trail to avoid running into those in front. Jaron and Gambler didn’t notice the confusion. Jaron held up a hand and signaled for silence before dismounting. Disgruntled, but following Dak’s lead, the others dismounted.

Even though they had trained long enough with him to know his prowess with weapons was equal to their own. Jaron’s training for himself was no less intense than theirs. Though they were rarely privy to meetings with the General, rumors circulated that he handled much of the strategy and battle planning. They had complete faith in him.

He signaled them to follow, and seven men melted into the forest shadows. Rustling leaves made them freeze. Only Ivy’s comforting purrs eased Jaron’s tension. He watched as a textured shadow moved down from the canopy. Its color and markings changed as it moved, shedding the appearance of moss-covered bark to the more familiar emerald and gold dragon.

As Artac had warned, Ivy’s camouflage had changed. She could no longer take on the form of an object. Instead, her scales changed color to blend into her environment. She paused, clinging upside down to the trunk, and chirped.

“Good girl,” he whispered and surveyed the small clearing in front of them.

There were five tents positioned around a central fire. Two dozen horses were tethered in two groups opposite their position. Pikes, swords and shields were scattered throughout in no apparent order. Fifteen men milled around the fire while others patrolled the perimeter. A few riders were unaccounted for, leaving Jaron to guess they were in the tents, or hunting.

“What exactly are we doing here?” Dak whispered, silently edging closer while Jaron sized up the task ahead.

“Raiding party,” Jaron answered, nodding to the splinter group in front of him.

“What are they here to raid?”

“Were here to raid. They already have what they came for. We need to get her back.”

“Her?”

“The princess,” Jaron glanced at the soldier.

His calm unnerved Dak as the meaning of his answer finally sunk in. The soldier’s gaze widened and demanded, “You mean they kidn*pped the princess?”

A nearby soldier tensed, overhearing them.

“Why else would a king, so hostile to mercenaries, hire us?”

“You’re telling me these invaders organized a raiding party and captured the princess.”

“Seems they caught her during her daily ride with one of her ladies. They beat, r***d and murdered her companion.”

“What of her escort?”

“Only one knight. He was overwhelmed and killed on site.”

“Your kingdom is under siege, and you let your daughter not only leave the castle but go without a proper escort. Are royals really that dense?”

“Some, apparently.”

“How long have you known?”

“Since we started.”

“And you didn’t tell me?”

“I was ordered not to. Besides, I didn’t want the men getting overconfident if they knew the mission they were chosen for.”

“Well, can’t argue with that.”

“I count at least twenty horses. We should assume as many men.”

“Minus the princess?”

Jaron didn’t say anything.

“So, how do you want to attack? One sweep?”

“We don’t have enough men, and I would rather secure the Princess before we fight.”

“How do you plan to do that?” Dak asked.

Jaron studied the soldier for a long moment. Like himself and the others in their group, Dak wore dark breeches, shirt and worn jacket. Everything was fitted to allow freedom of movement. None of them wore armor. Apart from swords, there was nothing to distinguish them as soldiers. Nothing.

“Jaron?”

“I think it is time to give them a real show.”

Dak’s brow furrowed.

“How’s your aim?”

Dak raised an eyebrow. A sudden spark in his eye indicated he began to understand.