Page 2 of The Scouts

“Lochan went after the runaway, sir,” I remembered to report.

The lieutenant’s nod told me he’d already figured that out. “It’d be a good thing if Féyes brought the fucker in alive. I’m sure the City Guard will have a few questions to ask him when they get here. I hear having one’s feet roasted over fire loosens the tongue nicely.”

Marbles snorted. “A fiver says he’s dead meat. Féyes will do him in.”

“You’re on,” Kudiyés said.

Only two options were acceptable: capturing the Spark or—if unattainable—killing him. We all understood that. He couldn’t be allowed to get away and inform whoever he conspired with about his associates’ death and the place being compromised. Sure as shit, the City Guard would want to observe the area to see who turned up to make contact.

Right on cue, Lochan came into sight, jogging from around the corner.

“Féyes?” the lieutenant demanded.

Lochan moved his index finger across his neck.

“Damn.” The lieutenant heaved a sigh. “How so?”

“He jumped off the bridge right into the Eiñji, sir,” Lochan said.

“Nutter.” Marbles scratched his forehead.

“Takes one to know one,” Kudiyés muttered.

From what I knew about Magic Supremacists, their lot seemed pretty fanatical. Once the Spark had realised he was about to be seized, he must’ve chosen to die rather than endanger his cause.

“And you saw that he did not emerge afterwards?” the lieutenant said.

Lochan’s face remained expressionless. “He took my throwing star to his carotid before hitting the water, sir.”

Which meant the only emerging that awaited the bastard would be in the underworld.

Kudiyés sucked air through his teeth before shoving a few silvers into Marbles’ extended palm.

“All right. Enough idle chatter.” The lieutenant cracked his knuckles. “Féyes, come with me. I don’t think the building will cave in any further. Let’s double-check for casualties and secure the area. Marbles, launch a flare. Fill in the merry lads from the City Guard when they arrive. Tell them to send for someone from the Guild of Mages, too. Once we hand this over, the locals can see to sorting the shambles themselves.”

I couldn’t have agreed more. It wasn’t our quiver of arrows to worry about. Moreover, we’d concluded our business in the south and would be moving elsewhere soon. Hence the provision mission from the commander.

Lieutenant Javyés appeared to have read my mind. “Morryés,” he pointed a finger at me, “take Kudiyés and deal with the food merchant. No one haggles like a Highlander. Strike a good bargain so Commander Heinnés won’t give me a bollocking for wasting resources, understood? I want to report back to him within two hours. So don’t you dawdle, either.”

“Yes, sir,” I said. Before leaving, I traded a glance with Lochan. It’d become our habit to do so every time we had to separate during duties.

“It’s high time the commander requested an allocated Mage to join the unit,” the lieutenant said underneath his breath and shook his head. “The times are changing.”

* * *

Chapter 1

THE BARONESS

Autumn, Gwhwÿn

ERVYN

My gaze roamed over the lithe frame of the man I followed through the archway and down the long corridor of the bastion. He moved with the deft assurance of a fighter, light on his feet and aware of his surroundings.

Gods, but did his narrow hips and round arse look good encased in his tight-fitting leathers. The view pushed want into my brain and blood into my cock. Which—on our way to report to our commander—could be considered ill-timed.

“Quit it, Ervyn,” Lochan said without turning his head or slowing down. No one else would’ve been able to sense it, but I heard a smile in his tone.