you encounter a squad of Tohon’s dead soldiers, the best way—”
Ursan interrupted me again. “We don’t believe the rumors about them, Sergeant Irina. It’s a scare tactic.”
“And you should be scared, Ursan. I’ve seen them. They’re real and hard to stop.”
“You’ve seen them, and Belen claims to have fought them, but no one else has. Not another soul.” His implication clear.
“It’s a good strategy to keep them hidden until the battle starts. The shock and revulsion caused by their arrival will give Tohon’s men an advantage. Think about it.”
But Ursan wouldn’t budge. “Word from General Jael is that Tohon managed to convince Belen that these impossible things exist to spread fear through our ranks.”
“Do you really think Belen would be so easily tricked?”
“All I know is Belen’s loyal to Prince Kerrick, not the High Priestess.”
“What about me? Have I been tricked, as well?”
“Yes.”
And he couldn’t trust me. “You’ll discover the real truth soon enough, and when you encounter the horror, cut its head off. It’s the only way to stop it.”
Ursan and his jumping jacks left for their patrol the next morning. Wearing camouflage and barely discernible in the predawn light, the eleven men melted into the forest. I stood at the edge and listened. They had improved over the past four days. I hoped it was enough.
An odd feeling lumped in my chest. It was as if I had healed them, and now the jacks were headed for danger. So far, no one had returned from that sector. If all went well, they’d be back in ten days.
To keep from brooding over the jacks, I concentrated on training Sergeant Wynn’s squad. Since I’d arrived, I’d worked eight days straight. But I finally had an afternoon off on the ninth day.
Exhaustion dragged at my limbs, but I needed to do a little exploring. Walking through the camp, I scanned faces, searching for Melina. She could have been sent to another training camp or was out on patrol, but I’d promised Mom I’d look after her. I’d figure out how I’d keep my promise once I found her.
I also searched for my sister, Noelle, although I knew she’d most likely be with Jael. From a distance, the general’s tent near the manor house blended in with the others surrounding it. All the same size, color and shape. Except Jael’s tent buzzed with activity and red-robed acolytes. I settled in a shady spot on a rise to watch the action, noting who entered and who left.
A familiar figure ducked through the flaps. Recognition shot through me like a cold lance. Noelle headed east, walking fast. Only my promise to Kerrick kept me from following her. She disappeared from my sight, then returned with a major in tow.
My heart pumped like I had just run up the Nine Mountains. After a few moments, my pulse settled, but each time Noelle appeared, it quickened. From what I’d seen, I’d guess Jael sent her to relay messages and fetch officers, acolytes, food and supplies.
When the sunlight faded, Jael and Noelle left together and headed toward the manor house. No surprise that Jael wouldn’t sleep on a cot outside when an opulent room and four-poster bed waited for her inside.
Jael’s graceful strides matched her royal bearing. Even with a sword hanging from her belt, she appeared to be more like a queen than a general. Noelle stayed two steps behind her. She had pulled her long black hair into a knot, making her look older than her fourteen years. Or was it fifteen?
I realized with a jolt that she had turned fifteen a month ago, which made me twenty-one. My birthday had been completely forgotten—too busy struggling to keep away from Tohon’s touch when I’d been his prisoner.
When Jael and Noelle entered the building, I debated. With the infirmary on the ground floor, another soldier walking around wouldn’t be too noticeable. But if any of the infirmary workers recognized me, my cover would be blown.
Instead, I made another sweep of the camp, noting the position of the companies and platoons. There was a large, enclosed complex in the northeast corner. The fence around it had been built with what appeared to be two-story oversized barn doors attached to thick posts. I peeked in through the small gap next to a post. Inside the enclosure was a sprawling collection of barns, sheds and a farmhouse. Why would it be fenced off?
Unable to deduce the reason, I grabbed supper and joined the other sergeants at the fire. With Ursan, Liv and Saul on patrol, there were only three of us. I asked Odd about the complex.
“That’s for the prisoners of war,” he said.
“I didn’t see anyone.”
“They were probably all inside. They wear these bright yellow jumpsuits so they’re real easy to spot. We don’t have many POWs yet. The High Priestess values life, so I’d expect we’ll be ordered to capture our enemies instead of killing them when possible. The enclosure has plenty of room,” Odd said in a dismissive tone.
“Unlike General Jael,” Wynn said. “She has no qualms about killing the enemy and wishes to attack Tohon first, but the High Priestess won’t give her permission.”
“She’s stepped up the patrols again,” Odd said. “How much do you want to bet she’ll disobey the High Priestess’s orders?”
“I’ll bet a week’s pay the colonels won’t let her. They’re still loyal to the High Priestess,” Wynn countered.
Her comment stirred a memory. When Jael had tried to kill us, she’d mentioned not wanting to tip her hand to Estrid. I wondered if that meant she planned to gain the army’s support? Not that a ruthless leader wouldn’t be a good thing against Tohon’s troops, but if she defeated Tohon, that would put Jael in a very powerful position.
“How long will the colonels be loyal?” I asked.
Wynn acted as if I’d insulted them. “They obey the High Priestess’s commands. General Jael is just a messenger.”
“A messenger who can suck all the breath from a man and kill him. I think that adds a little incentive to switch loyalties, don’t you?”
Odd laughed. “She has you there. And, I, for one, would appreciate a more aggressive move. All this slinking around, fact gathering and waiting is driving me crazy. I’m craving some action.”
Ursan’s jumping jacks returned twelve days after they’d left. It was the last day of spring, and a few soldiers felt their timing was a sign of the creator’s favor. The knots in my stomach loosened when I counted eleven men. In high spirits, the jacks told the other soldiers about near misses and their various adventures.
Major Granvil called Ursan and Lieutenant Thea into his tent for a debriefing. I followed, and no one commented on my presence.
“We encountered a few of Tohon’s patrols,” Ursan said. “But we avoided them as ordered. It was—” he glanced at me “—easy, sir.”
“Then why are you two days late?” Granvil asked.
“We discovered a factory in full operation in sector five. It was well guarded and so was the constant flow of wagons that brought supplies and delivered large metal containers before leaving, loaded with cargo hidden under tarps. We couldn’t leave until we had determined what they’re manufacturing.”
“Go on.”
“I sent a few team members to follow the wagons with the cargo. A couple tracked the wagons with the containers, and the rest watched the factory. We were only able to glimpse inside, but the beta team managed to snatch one of the cargo items. Although I’m not sure it was the only item being manufactured or not. The wagon team then rendezvoused with us, and we returned to camp.”
“Don’t keep us in suspense, Sergeant.”
“The containers then headed to a quarry north of the factory.