A Warlord's Heart Page 3

  Kavan nodded to the other Warlords. “Stay close to her. One of us is at her side at all times.”

  The warriors grunted their assent. Miki didn’t care as long as her friends were well.

  ***

  Burning wood assailed her nostrils the moment they were close enough to see the damage. At the visible evidence of the destruction, Miki’s heart stuttered. One half of what she knew to be the shed was missing. The stables had been completely burned to the ground and hapfe milled around at a lost. Cries could be heard over the crackle of dying flames.

  The only bright spot for Miki was seeing the main house still standing untouched save for black ash and smudges staining the outer, stone walls. Raasa males hurried about helping those in need. She didn’t see any females present and hoped all was well with Sendal and Genisa.

  Mikayla waved at familiar faces, a sense of relief reassuring her. The front door opened and the bald male carrying a bow over his shoulder paused when he caught sight of her.

  “Sendal!” She rushed forward.

  “Mikayla,” Sendal gasped at her approach. His green tunic and tan pants were torn and stained.

  Miki ran toward him in relief and hugged him tight. “Genisa, the youngling, is everyone well?”

  His hands stayed at her shoulders as he pulled back. Green eyes glittered with tears but his smile, though shaky, reassured her. “They are well. We hid all of the females and youngling in the lower level when the attackers approached.”

  Miki heaved a sigh. “What happened? Do you know who would do this?”

  Carog, Eatan and Merik came to stand behind her and Sendal dropped his hands immediately. “My apologies, Su-Su.”

  Miki glared at the Warlords and turned back to her good friend. “Don’t worry about them. I want to know who attacked you in your home. I promise my mate will take care of this.”

  “They were Kabanian.”

  Kavan’s voice caused Miki to jump. Carog stepped aside to let Kavan through and the Warlord who had just started to show his humor was full of rage.

  “Kabanian,” Miki gasped. Why would Vaan’s people do this?

  “Rebels,” Kavan continued. “Saran warned Argan of a band of Kabanians attacking villages along the Kaban borders. He worried they would attack on Desani or Raasa land and endanger the treaty. It would seem Saran had good reason for his concern.”

  Sendal’s bald head nodded. “I’m sorry, Mikayla but he’s right. They were Kabanian warriors. At first we welcomed their approach thinking it was you with guards. All know the Overlord is protective of his mate. There were so many of them that we hesitated and then they tossed the first fireball.” He choked on the last statement.

  Miki reached for him again but Kavan bumped her shoulder hard and Carog slid in front of her to block the move.

  Miki hissed. “Stop. I can soothe a friend.”

  Carog looked down at her from his taller height and frowned. “The Overlord would not approve of you soothing others.”

  She didn’t care what the Overlord wanted and if Vaan was here, she’d tell him the same. “Stand aside, Warlord Carog.”

  Sendal gazed on in puzzlement, brows creased as his fangs worried his bottom lip.

  Carog didn’t move, leaving her no choice but to resort to serious tactics. “I’m sure the Overlord will be pleased to know that I was saddened during this trip.”

  Carog flinched but maintained his position. “Saddened, my lady?”

  She resisted the urge to stomp her feet. “Yes, so saddened that I couldn’t possibly sleep with him for all the crying I’ll do when I return home. I’d have to sleep in the room with Erana and Arane as not to disturb his rest.”

  Carog stepped aside.

  “Mikayla,” Kavan warned but she ignored him and hugged Sendal.

  “Let’s go inside.” Noting the stained blood on one shoulder, she wrapped her arm around his uninjured one. “I’m anxious to see your youngling.”

  Entering the main house was like entering a place run amok. Injured Raasa lay stretched across all available floor space, servants scurried about with food and drink. Miki’s nostrils flared as she came to a complete stop. The Warlords glanced around gazes narrowed on the chaos.

  Sendal’s home mirrored the lay-out of her own. The entrance opened into the main hall with arched doorways. Miki knew from prior visits they led to the dining room, an extensive kitchen and a stairway to the basement storage area. The storage area was the only difference in their homes since her father had created an additional exterior building for storage with a breezeway to the household.

  Numerous tapestries in vibrant jewel tones depicting the history of Raasa hung on the textured walls, reminding Miki of Genisa’s talent for weaving. Wooden tables had been pushed aside to make room for those staggering in to be treated. Some of the males and females came in with minor cuts and others had more serious wounds. Amidst the confusion, quiet crying and loud sniffles carried to her ears.

  “Sendal!” A female voice called.

  Instantly, Miki found her vision blocked by large bare shoulders and broad backs.

  “Genisa, Su-Su Mikayla has arrived.” Sendal left Miki’s side and returned holding the hand of a Raasa female carrying a bundle-wrapped youngling. Miki’s heart swelled as she sidestepped Carog and ducked around Merik’s arm when he attempted to block her.

  Genisa’s shoulder-length, black hair was in disarray and her dress bore ash and soot stains but her smile flashed brightly.

  “Genisa,” Miki exclaimed, eyes on the youngling.

  Genisa laughed and pushed back the blue blanket to reveal a miniature gold face, straight black hair and green eyes. “Su-Su meet Ora.”

  Miki teared up and leaned closer to take in the beauty. “None of that Su-Su. Call me Miki.”

  Kavan cleared his throat loudly before saying, “Mikayla.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Call me Mikayla or they will tell my mate.”

  For a moment the couple’s diamond green eyes widened, giving proof to Miki’s thoughts that her people held a great deal of fear for the warrior who owned her heart. “May I hold her?”

  If possible, Sendal’s chest puffed out further as Genisa beamed and passed over Ora. Miki cuddled the youngling close, remembering it hadn’t been long since her own were this small. She looked up and met Sendal’s gaze. “My congratulations.”

  He nodded and blinked to dispel the glitter of tears in his eyes. Miki swallowed past the lump in her throat. This was such a special occasion for the two after their prior loss.

  Kavan interrupted the intimate moment. “Su-Su Sendal, we would hear more of the attack by the Kabanians.”

  Miki handed Ora back to her mother. “First, tell us how we can help. The Warlords and I can bandage, offer food…”

  Said Warlords grunted behind her but she ignored their displeasure at being offered for what they probably considered menial tasks.

  Sendal smoothed a hand over his bald head and after a glance at his mate nodded toward Miki. “We have a few injured but my people are caring for them. I thank you for the offer. Our concern is further attacks. We didn’t expect warriors to strike against us with the treaty in place.”

  His voice raised on the end in question. Miki could well understand his concern. She wanted to hear all the Warlords had to say on the subject and had the feeling Vaan had deliberately left things out. “If you direct us to your office, Sendal, we can speak freely there.”

  Chapter 5

  Miki’s heart pounded in her chest as Sendal told of the attack in detail from the group of Kabanians. Kavan added in what he knew from Argan’s visit to Kaban. She’d had no idea that a rebel group continued to raid but this was their first such aggressive move outside of Kaban.

  Miki forced the next question out. “Did you lose any of your people?”

  Sendal shared another gentle look with his mate. “We’re fortunate we didn’t. Everything happened so fast. They could have overrun us easily but Sema noticed approaching r
iders and called out to me. I feared there were more invaders but it was you and your Warlords. The rebels heard as well and immediately fled.”

  “I will speak with the Overlord upon our return. Your people will be avenged,” Kavan concluded, dark eyes deadly.

  His words caught Genisa and Sendal by surprise. They were all seated around Sendal’s office. Pleasure rippled across Genisa’s face. “We can repair what they damaged. I think it surprised them that we weren’t easy to defeat but knowing Overlord Galip will go after them warms my heart.”

  Miki breathed a sigh of relief as well. Her home had a protective gate surrounding the compound and Vaan along with his Warlords spent extensive time training her people to defend themselves. The training had been timely since her home had been attacked not once but twice. The S’Asigi’s hadn’t had the luxury of such tactical training but managed to repel the attempted invasion none the less. Knowing they harbored no ill will toward Vaan was good news.

  Miki still felt the need to do more. Her gaze moved from Sendal sitting behind his desk to Genisa in her chair at his side holding Ora as she fed her a bottle. “If you’ll show us to our rooms, we’ll get settled. I want to help and see how much damage was sustained.”

  Kavan, Merik, Carog and Eatan rose to their feet at once but it was Kavan who spoke. “Most of the attack occurred around the stables. It is completely destroyed. The main compound withstood the fire hashis.”

  Miki frowned at the word that didn’t translate in Standard and asked, “What’s a fire hashis.”

  Kavan’s dark brows dipped and his voice took on a rumbly growl when he replied. “It is the act of a terma. A coward. Dry cloth is soaked in hardul fat and set ablaze as it is tossed at an enemy or their home. The burn will last longer and make it more difficult to douse the flames. Overlord Vaan banned his warriors from the use of fire hashis. No true warrior would employ the method any longer as it is without honor.”

  Sendal’s gold-skinned tones paled and he rocked back in his seat. He appeared truly shaken as his eyes sought Miki’s. “Because of you Su…Mikayla. You mentioned the in ground water system at your home to make it easier to get water inside. It took months but we finished. The ground had yet to set on the tubing.”

  And because of it, Sendal had been smart and used the water to help battle the blaze. Miki wanted to ride after these Kabanian and rip into them with her fangs. Her blood heated and she now knew what Vaan felt when he angered to such an extent it impacted his reason. “Kavan, Vaan needs to know about this right away.”

  “I agree. We must end the other visits and return home in the morning.”

  They’d only managed three of the five Raasa strongholds but Miki knew the other visits would have to wait. They’d been gone for four days and it would take at least a day maybe less if they rode hard to return home. In that time, Miki could only hope these warriors didn’t cause more harm. Although she couldn’t imagine anything worse than what the males had done to her friend and his people.

  ***

  Balal entertained his youngling with the help of his mate Assa, allowing Vaan time in his office to speak with Ramar. Many things had changed when his best friend, Argan, left Raasa to join with his bride who was Olak’din. The Shadow Warriors as they were known made their homes in the mountains and Argan moved there not long ago. Vaan had yet to accustom himself to the absence but Ramar was a worthy replacement and a Warlord he valued highly.

  Vaan covered the guard rotation they maintained for the gate surrounding the perimeter of his mate’s Raasa compound. Though the Raasa made commendable watches, he made sure to have at least one or two Warlords set at the same time. The Warlords who made their home with him had stood by his side when odds were against him and when treachery had almost led them to their death. There was no one he trusted more with the exception of his mate. Mikayla had his unconditional trust.

  “What of the weapons training?” Vaan asked.

  He had tried to teach the Raasa skills with a sword but they were not as sturdy as Kabanian and their lean builds made wielding the hefty swords with any efficiency difficult. Even the lowest Kabanian warrior would fell a Raasa if it was a match left to swords. But the people he now called allies were not a complete loss. Their marksmanship with a bow and arrow showed an exceptional ability to hit their target.

  Ramar shifted his stance as he stood before Vaan’s desk. Vaan had invited him to sit but the Warlord was not ready for that level of comfort with his Sire. “Everyone has shown proficiency. The females complained of arm pain but continue their efforts with occasional outburst of crying or anger.”

  Vaan grimaced. Recently his mate had insisted that the females of her race learn to fight with weapons as well. The concept was difficult to accept because a Kabanian woman would never choose to fight if she could have a warrior stand before her. Vaan had to remind himself often that Raasa were as different from Kabanians as possible. He reluctantly agreed to Mikayla’s demand but now his Warlords had to deal with crying. Raasa men and women were an emotional people. At times he appreciated their depth of love and affection but in other matters their soft hearts were a hindrance.

  “Who have you placed in charge of their training?” Vaan certainly had no intentions of ever leading one of those sessions.

  Ramar mouth curved upward as he clasped his hands behind his back. “Tolan.”

  Vaan chuckled. Tolan was the only one of his warriors to have had a bride in his past until her death. The Warlord was often looked toward for answers to the female mind. “And has Tolan accepted his assignment lightly?”

  Ramar’s brown eyes fairly danced. “It has been two days only since he started, Sire.”

  Two days was long enough for any warrior. “And?”

  Ramar’s grin flashed. “He begs off every hour.”

  Vaan could only shake his head. “I believe I will observe today.”

  He could use the laughter with Mikayla’s absence wearing at him like a sore tooth.

  “I shall join you.”

  They walked together speaking of other matters. Vaan’s eyes automatically scanned for his youngling but Balal must have taken them to their rooms on the upper level. The clink of dishes and gentle laughter came from the kitchen. While Vaan had grown used to the familial relationship Mikayla created with her servants, he still floundered on how to interact with them. When they brightened at his presence and waved, he nodded his head, unsure how he was supposed to respond. Hugging them as his mate was fond of doing wasn’t an option.

  When he and Ramar reached the outside courtyard, Vaan immediately noticed the group of ten females dressed in pants and tunics in varying shades, quivers slung over their backs. Each wore their black hair pulled back from their face as they concentrated on his Warlord’s instructions. Tolan paced in front of the single line, speaking occasionally when asked a question. Vaan wasn’t close enough to hear but decided to watch before making his presence known.

  Ramar stepped closer beside him and murmured. “We have made good time. He is just beginning. You will be most amused, Overlord.”

  Vaan already was. None of them would have managed the strength needed to lift a sword. They worked with the bow and arrow per his orders. The women held the bows in arms that shook with the strain as they notched their arrows. Tolan spoke a command and arrows flew then dropped mid-air a few feet away. Ramar snickered and Vaan found himself holding back a grin as well. Tolan shoved his hands through loose, black hair that hung about his shoulders.

  He gave another command and the women scrambled to pull forth another arrow. Sera, a close friend of Mikayla’s, dropped her entire quiver, spilling arrows on the ground. Two women beside her lowered their bows and began helping her to gather them. The others became distracted, watching until Tolan snapped something out. Half of the females gave him their attention but their arrows still fell short and nowhere near the target Tolan had set up.

  Sera, who managed to get her arrows together, let loose with her arrow late
and narrowly missed Tolan’s head. His Warlord crossed to her and yelled. Vaan frowned but Sera ducked her head and toed at the dirt on the ground. Tolan blew out a breath and yanked at his hair. He said something else to her in a calmer voice and Sera’s shoulders shook.

  “The tears shall begin now, Overlord.”

  Once Sera started several of the females began to cry as Ramar predicted. One of the females separated herself from the line and approached Tolan from behind. He turned and pointed back to her place. It was Vesa. Vaan’s gaze cut to Ramar who no longer smiled. Vesa poked Tolan in the chest and said something his Warlord disagreed with and the two now yelled at one another.

  Vaan grunted, losing interest. He turned from the scene and strode toward the entrance of his home, unable to deal with the emotional aspect of training the females. The Raasa males at least saved Vaan their sad faces when he worked them overlong in training. Vaan was almost to the door when Ramar growled. He turned in time to see Ramar jump down the four stone stairs to the ground and storm toward the group. Vaan folded his arms over his chest curious about how Ramar would handle his anger.

  Tolan spun at Ramar’s approach. The force of the blow to Tolan’s face sent him flying backward. He slammed into the ground and Ramar leaped on him, fists punching him in the face. Vaan stiffened as two of his seasoned Warlords fought in the courtyard among full view of the others. This was no match in jest.

  Drawn to the fight, more Raasa came over to watch. For them it was a normal sight to see the Kabanians battle for small slights. They could not possibly understand that this was more. Vaan hurried down the stairs intent on stopping them. As soon as he neared, Tolan leaped to his feet.

  “What is this?” Vaan asked, unable to believe Ramar’s actions.

  Tolan’s chest heaved and blood stained his mouth. “My apologies, Overlord. Ramar attacked for no reason.”

  “Ramar?” Vaan faced the Warlord, expecting an explanation but Ramar stared over Vaan’s shoulders. Vaan followed his gaze and the male Raasa, Maen, had an arm around Vesa, soothing her ire. Ramar didn’t answer Vaan. He charged over toward the two and shoved the male hard enough he hit the ground with a loud groan.