The young cadet forced a smile. “The thought had crossed my mind. You’re not just trying to terrify me are you?”
“I wish we were,” Janis said. “A week ago, several of these creatures were sighted in the pass to Ishkabur. The ruler of the city sent the drawing you just saw and a report of the encounter. He is quite concerned, as that particular city was nearly wiped out by the vertaga in the first war.”
“Why did he come to you? Why not go to the king?” Khollo wondered aloud.
“Because he is scared,” Ondus supplied. “Lord Horam has seen these beasts before, he has fought them, and nearly been defeated by them. He also recognizes that there may be more, and that they are a threat to the kingdom.”
“But the king – ”
“ – the king will not listen to a single isolated encounter,” Janis growled. “He has grown too fond of peace. Horam contacted me because he knows I will believe him and do what must be done to secure the South.”
Khollo looked from one to the other. “What exactly must be done?”
“That’s the reason I summoned you here tonight,” Janis explained. “Ondus and I are going hunting. We’re going to find the vertaga ourselves and see what they’re up to.”
Khollo’s eyes widened. He compared the fierce vertaga to his skilled, but often drunk or depressed, mentor. The result did not come out favorably. “Just the two of you? Against who knows how many of these beasts?”
“We don’t plan to engage them,” Ondus broke in, looking at Janis severely. “That would be suicide.”
Janis shrugged nonchalantly and touched the hilt of his sword lightly. “We will do what we must.”
“How long will you be gone?” Khollo asked. “Where are you going?”
“There’s no telling how long we’ll be gone,” Janis replied. “If we do not return in four weeks, Wilkes has instructions to take over the fortress and prepare for battle.”
Well, that’s just great, Khollo thought dejectedly, thinking of the strict sergeant and his intense dislike of anyone who couldn’t perform to his standards. Meaning, namely, Khollo.
“Why tell me all of this now?” Khollo wondered aloud.
“Because we want someone to know what we are doing, and what happened to us if things go wrong,” Ondus explained. “If the worst should happen, you must explain to Wilkes what is going on, and send messages to Horam and the other southern lords. We are counting on you, Khollo, to be a messenger of the truth.”
Well, you had to ask. “Any other truths I should be aware of?”
Ondus and Janis exchanged a meaningful look. Ondus seemed to be on the verge of saying something. There most definitely is something more they aren’t telling me, Khollo decided.
“No,” Janis said finally. “That will do for now.” Janis pushed back from his chair, and Ondus and Khollo rose. “Focus on your training. Give us a month.”
“Be careful,” Khollo said, swallowing hard. He had no special attachment to the unkempt hero, but he had grown fond of Janis since he had been rescued by him ten years ago.
Janis smiled a grim, fierce smile. For a brief moment, Khollo saw the traces of a young, eager soldier at the height of his prowess.
“If we were careful, we wouldn’t be going,” Ondus growled, wiping Janis’ excitement away. Irritation flickered across his features now. “But we have advantages most people don’t, Khollo,” he added softly. “We’ll be fine.”
Khollo nodded, wishing he could believe it, but as he left the council room his eyes fell on the sketch of the vertaga again and all hope vanished within him.
Chapter 2
When Khollo woke the next morning to the sound of the other cadets hurriedly preparing for the day’s training, he wasted a full minute trying to convince himself that the events of the previous night had been a nightmare. He had been the last one to return to the barracks, stumbling in the dark to his bunk in the far back of the building, right next to the privy. He had endured the curses of his fellow cadets, the stench of the adjoining room, and the despair within, and somewhere in the middle managed to find sleep by some miracle he still did not understand.
“Khollo. Hey, get up!”
Khollo opened his eyes and saw Sermas’ tousled head peering down at him. Khollo frowned as he realized that Sermas was upside down, leaning over from his bed above Khollo’s.
“How was Lord Kurkan?” Sermas asked.
“Not now,” Khollo hissed in reply, annoyed. Sermas had just confirmed his fears. The meeting the previous night had really happened.
Sermas shrugged and flipped down from his bunk, landing lightly. He was already fully clothed and ready to go. “Have it your way,” he said, buckling on his sword belt. “Better get moving. Wilkes just announced we’ll be taking a run around the fortress before breakfast.”
Khollo was instantly out of bed and pulling on his breeches. To be late for a morning run was to risk forfeiting your breakfast hour. The other cadets were already stumbling towards the door, carrying weapons and packs. Khollo’s heart sank as he examined the packs they carried.
“He didn’t happen to mention if we were loading up with rock packs did he?” Khollo asked hopefully.
Sermas grinned ruefully. “He did.” The younger boy produced two of them from between their bunks and the wall, tossing one to Khollo. “Full packs, long trail.”
Khollo groaned as he hefted the pack. “What a way to start a day,” he muttered. The long trail was four miles up and down various nearby hills with no clear trail, stomping through underbrush and skidding on loose rocks.
“At least we won’t have to deal with Genal,” Sermas said optimistically. “He’ll be at the front of the column, leading the way.”
“Trust you to put a positive
