Their Battle Lord's Sacrifice: The Battle Lord Saga, #7

Chapter 1

Lamplight

We should reach Wallis by tomorrow.

The words were barely audible, more breath than sound, but Yulen D’Jacques heard them clearly. Rolling over, he found himself nose-to-nose with his wife, who gave him a loving smile. Making the extra effort, he leaned on his elbow to kiss her. A sweet, warm kiss that was nothing more than a gesture of affection. Regrettably.

He cast a glance at the pillows buffered behind their heads. Cradled within a small hollow in the center of those pillows, their newborn daughter rested. Reaching over a bolster, he lightly placed his hand on the miniature figure. Mistelle reacted with a little wriggle, kicking out with her unique feet, sighed, and settled back to sleep.

I wonder how Mattox will take to his new sibling, Atty whispered.

We’ll find out in a few days.

Yulen studied the single lit lamp hanging overhead. Getting to his feet, he unhooked the lantern from where it dangled almost directly above his daughter’s bed and rehung it on one of the tent poles. Atty was laughing softly when he crawled back under the covers with her. I couldn’t risk it falling on her, he gently protested.

She scooted closer to him and draped an arm over his neck. Her fingers slowly combed through his shoulder-length hair. It was a loving gesture that always seemed to soothe him. I know why you moved it, she murmured. It’s moments like that that remind me how amazing you are.

I am?

You are such a dichotomy, my dearest Battle Lord. Hard as iron, yet soft as dandelion fluff.

Better not tell my men about the fluff, he growled, teasing her.

I will keep your weakness strictly between us, Atty giggled.

Reaching out, he dragged her closer to him and nuzzled her forehead. Her breasts were once again voluptuous as they pressed against his chest. How are you feeling?

Tired, she admitted. I would rather be riding astride a horse instead of in a wagon.

Wouldn’t it be better for you to be on the wagon? Especially after giving birth?

Atty rolled her shoulders. I would prefer my horse. If I get tired, I’ll move to a wagon.

Your call. He smiled.

About Wallis, she said, bringing him back to her original remark.

Mmm? Let me guess. You want to stay a few days.

Returning home is going to be very stressful for Keelor. I want to be there for her and help her adjust to all the changes.

I understand, but you must also understand that I need to return to Alta Novis. How long were you wanting to remain at Wallis?

I don’t know. I was thinking a couple of weeks. Maybe a month.

Yulen sighed. Stretching his arm behind his back, his fingers brushed the polished blade, reassuring himself that his sword remained close by. They were encamped along the road, on their way back from Rocky Gorge, and he was looking forward to returning home. Home where he would feel safer. Home to his son. Home where he could show off his new daughter.

He coughed slightly. Atty touched his cheek. Before she could ask, he shook his head. I’m fine. Atty, what has Keelor said, if anything, about coming back with us to Alta Novis? I know you’ve spent most of this trip talking with her.

It was a small thing, but he regretted not being able to spend this time on the road with his wife whenever he felt like it. He understood why the sisters remained nearly inseparable. Keelor and their mother had been kidnapped by Bloods the same week he and his men invaded the Mutah compound of Wallis nearly four years ago. All this time, Atty had believed her mother and sister were dead. It had been a shock to find the elfin young woman alive and living at Rocky Gorge. Still, he missed having Atty by his side. He missed her teasing jabs. He missed her pointing out little things along the trail, bringing them to his attention as if she was a teacher and he her pupil.

He missed her presence, like a shield protecting him. The nightmare that had nearly killed him remained fresh in his mind. Every word, every nuance, every smell and situation. Although it had turned out to be a foretelling, he knew it would haunt him for the rest of his life. Only by having Atty beside him could he concentrate on the matters at hand. Only with her in eyesight could he feel sane and whole again.

He missed her because she completed him in a way he never believed possible.

She doesn’t know what she wants to do, Atty admitted. And I’m not going to pressure her to make a decision. I’ll wait until she’s ready.

What if that decision is not forthcoming before we have to push off from Wallis?

Atty shrugged. I can’t say one way or the other. If you’re asking me if I’ll leave her behind to go back with you, I can’t make that decision either. Please don’t ask me to.

I won’t. I would never put you in that position, he promised.

A soft whimper caught their attention. Atty sat up and retrieved their daughter from her makeshift bed. Yulen watched as his wife changed Mistelle’s nappie before bringing her back to where they were resting. Lifting her blouse and tucking it under her chin, Atty gave their daughter a nipple to nurse.

He watched in fascination, as he had when his wife had fed Mattox. Reaching down between them, he found one of Mistelle’s unusual feet and studied it. The infant tried to jerk it out of his hand.

They must be sensitive.

Or they could be ticklish, Atty chuckled.

He pressed lightly on the single nail. Do you think these are hooves?

If all you saw were her feet, what would you think?

Yulen acquiesced. That they’re hooves. Do you think they’ll affect the way she’ll walk?

She’s half-Mutah. She’ll adjust in her own way. To be honest, she may have the advantage having the one toe. Atty caressed the baby’s thick mop of golden-red hair. I’ve examined every inch of her. Other than her feet, she will appear normal. She won’t have to face the prejudice and disdain most of us have to deal with because she’ll be able to hide her mark…unlike Mattox.

Mattox is a strong little man.

True. He’s strong and bull-headed, much like his father. She gave him a teasing smile, which quickly faded. But we can’t protect him all his life. He will have to learn to defend himself, and to stand up for himself. And sooner than we’d like.

Yulen frowned at her. Are you insinuating there are people in Alta Novis who are treating him with that disdain you mentioned?

Don’t deny you’re not aware of it. The first time newcomers see our son’s eyes, they react. Even though they all claim they are not prejudiced against Mutah, they are.

He gave a deep sigh, and the action pleased him. After battling pneumonia and nearly dying because of it, the simple act of breathing was a blessing. The people are trying, Atty. Those who’ve been at the compound for years have, for the most part, accepted you and the others with generous and open arms. But, as I’ve told you in the past, generations of hatred cannot be erased within the span of a few short years. We’re making progress. It’s gradual, and at times it feels like it’s crawling or come to a complete halt, but there is progress.

I know that, and I agree. She raised the baby’s fist to her lips and kissed it. We also knew what could happen if we chose to bring children into this world. We knew there was a good chance whatever Mutah genes they got from me could drastically affect their appearance…which would determine how Normals reacted to them.

My men have pledged to protect our children, as they’ve pledged to protect us, he swore to her.

I know, but still…

It’s your motherly instincts kicking in, beloved. The same way my paternal ones fire up whenever I see a blatant injustice against our son, or you, or toward any of the other Mutah residing at Alta Novis.

Mistelle finished nursing. Sitting up, Atty placed the baby on her shoulder to burp her. It didn’t take long before the infant let go with a loud belch that made Yulen chuckle. As Atty rocked their daughter back to sleep, he continued to evaluate their options. So what is our decision once we reach Wallis? he reiterated.

I don’t know. Perhaps it would be better if we waited to see how things develop along the way. We still don’t know how far Highcliff’s insane plan to send infected people to the Mutah compounds succeeded. Her eyes widened with trepidation. Wallis and the others may have suffered disastrous results.

As always, he had to bow to Atty’s insight and wisdom. Best laid plans often hit a snag because of what could unexpectedly occur in this world. Every day he was able to open his eyes and see that she was still with him was a blessing. After what they had endured together these past few years, he no longer took their future for granted.

You’re right. Let’s wait until we get there and evaluate the situation before we make any plans. Squinting his eyes at her, he halfway teased, You’re not having any foretelling, are you?

I wish I was, dear husband. I wish I was.

Chapter 2

Wallis

How long will we stay in Wallis?

Yulen D’Jacques cast a glance in his second’s direction. A little smile creased the corner of his mouth. That remains to be seen. He didn’t say anything more, but waited to hear what Mastin would say next. If this question had been asked three years ago, he might have chastised the man for his impertinence. But that was history. Cole Mastin had proven his loyalty for the Battle Lord and Lady to the point where Yulen and Atty considered him more family than employee.

They continued at their leisurely pace along the roadway, keeping the horses at a constant but non-tiring speed. The clip allowed everyone to stay warm on this brisk day.

Yulen glanced back at where his wife and sister-in-law were in animated discussion. His newborn daughter was sound asleep in her mother’s arms, swaddled in a thick blanket as she was rocked by the mare’s steady gait. Atty caught him checking on her and gave him a loving smile. Smiling back, the Battle Lord returned to observing the road ahead. He took her at her word that she would return to riding in the wagon if she grew too tired or uncomfortable. In the meantime, Atty and her sister were making up for lost time. Let them have this time together. Later tonight, Atty will tell me what they talked about.

Once they’d dismantled camp and gotten on the road, he’d debated with himself about joining her and Keelor. To listen to them, perhaps join in on their conversation. At home, his and Atty’s days were involved in what was going on at the compound. It was becoming rare for them to find time just to be together. More often than not, their only contact on most days was when they finally fell into bed, often too exhausted to make love, much less share any news. These trips away from Alta Novis gave them that opportunity to reconnect.

Today he decided to abstain and leave the women alone, and easily slipped back into old habits to take the lead. Sometimes he felt like chatting during these long treks to and from Alta Novis. Sometimes he preferred silent company. At other times he preferred to be alone with his thoughts. This morning was one of those silent company days, even when Mastin road up to join him.

They would reach Wallis by noon. Yulen had sent a soldier ahead to let the compound know of their impending arrival, knowing the people would want to welcome the troops with a meal. His grin widened, which caught Mastin’s attention.

I can’t wait to see how the people will react when they find out about the newest addition to the D’Jacques Dynasty.

The D’Jacques Dynasty.

Yulen snorted. Strange you should put it that way. Up until less than a handful of years ago, I would have scoffed at the thought of spawning a dynasty of any sort. Yes, I’ll admit I’d entertained the idea. I’d wished I might have children who would take up the reins after I was gone. But I honestly didn’t believe I would be that blessed. Not until Atty came along.

I’ve overheard the women talking. Keelor is nervous about the reunion. The man wiped sweat from his forehead with the back of his wrist. I don’t understand why. She’s a strong woman.

She had to be to survive what she’s gone through.

They continued down the roadway. Traffic was minimal, mostly peddlers with their wagonloads of wares who often traveled the road between compounds. One such man hawking pottery joined their caravan on his way to Foster City.

Because Yulen hadn’t given his second a definite answer to his first question, the second took the hint and pulled away from the Battle Lord to give him his space. Mastin knew Yulen would let him know his intentions when he was ready to share them and have them implemented.

The Battle Lord checked behind him again to find Mastin riding next to Paas. The couple rode in front of Atty and her sister, somewhat blocking his view of his wife. He was debating whether to move to the side and let them catch up to him when he spotted Paxton galloping toward him. The expression on the man’s face immediately put him on guard. Turning his horse around, he met the man halfway. Before he could ask what was wrong, Atty’s second pointed back in her direction.

She’s got that look. That was all Paxton said, and it spoke volumes.

Yulen dug his heels into his stallion and rushed down the line in time to see Keelor shaking her sister’s arm, trying to get Atty’s attention. Atty remained upright in the saddle. Her face had gone pale, her eyes wide open and staring into the distance. Immediately, he could tell she wasn’t observing the landscape. Neither was she aware of Keelor’s pleas.

He had seen this sort of thing before, and a coldness filled his veins. Taking one of Atty’s hands where it held the reins, he leaned closer to her. What do you see, my love?

Her head rotated in his direction. Although her gaze remained inward, she reacted to her husband’s presence.

Atty, what’s wrong?

Go. We gotta go! Suddenly, she snapped back to reality and blinked. We gotta go now!

Code Red! Yulen bellowed the order and threw up his arm, signaling a rapid advance. Wheeling around, he remained close to his wife as the entire battalion began racing toward Wallis.

Mastin took the lead. Paxton placed himself opposite of Yulen, bracing Keelor and the Battle Lady between them. Directly behind them, Fortune, Twoson, and Paas protected their rear. Atty hunched over her saddle as she clutched her daughter tightly against her.

Yulen heard a yell behind him. He tried to glance over his shoulder, but he couldn’t tell who had called out until he spotted Garet Renken trying to catch up with him. Seeing he finally had the Battle Lord’s attention, the ex-mercenary waved an arm over his head, then cupped a hand around his mouth.

Bloods!

They pushed their mounts as they tried to stay ahead of the grotesque mutants that were coming toward them through the trees perpendicular to the road the caravan was following. Yulen remained even with Atty as she protected their daughter. With both hands occupied, she was unable to draw her bow and arrow, leaving him to be her first line of defense.

The horses pounded the road. As Mastin veered off into the trees, the animals were given their heads to stampede after him. Limbs and leaves whipped their arms and legs, but the steeds never faltered. It wasn’t long before the outer wall of the Mutah compound came into view and more shouting could be heard coming from behind and above the buttresses. The two huge wooden doors slowly cranked open to let them in.

Yulen pulled away from the others to watch Atty vanish inside the fortress. Soldiers continued to fly past, leaping from their mounts and running toward the battlements to take a stance. The Battle Lord continued to remain at the side of the gates, sword at ready, and made sure everyone got inside safely. At the same time he kept his eyes peeled for signs of the horde, but never spotted any. The creatures seemed to have vanished into the trees. Mastin and Paxton swiftly joined him and also pointed out that fact.

Where are they?

They’re out there. Somewhere, Yulen swore.

When the last of the caravan disappeared inside the compound, the doors began to ponderously swing shut. Yulen and the two seconds slowly backed inside, still keeping a watch out for the enemy until the portals were firmly shut and secured.

Unexpectedly, the doors stopped moving with a jolt, swaying slightly. Jumping off his horse, Yulen rushed to see what was keeping them from closing. Mastin and Paxton, along with two Mutah sentries, also ran outside the gates to check out the problem.

It’s the rope! one of the sentries yelled from overhead. The rope’s tangled!

Untie it from the anchor! Yulen yelled back. He stared at the knot that had somehow been entangled in the thick hemp, keeping the cable from passing through the rings and allowing the doors to close. From where he stood, he couldn’t reach the obstruction and hack it apart to free the doors, but the sentry could. As the Mutah used his sword to