“Now, where would the fun be in that?”

  There was nothing fun about the deadness in her tone. Maida was one whose eyes had always sparkled with mischief, and its absence was more than a bit concerning. Shirin flicked a glance at Sábria, who watched the Hunter out of the corner of her eye. As someone who spent much of her waking hours working alongside her Arch Priestess, Shirin recognized the acute worry that had become so terribly familiar lately and knew things would only get more stressful from here on out. She resolved to do as much as she could to help relieve the strain Sábria was under.

  After examining the broken arrow shafts, Maida slipped two beneath one arm and then placed the arrowheads of the remaining two pieces beneath her boot and pulled up, breaking them off. She absently flipped open the top of a small leather carry sack she habitually wore on her hip and slipped the arrowheads inside. After examining the fletching on the other two to make sure they hadn’t been damaged, she broke those off as well. “We heard that you’d trapped Xyda inside the Temple. What makes you think I’d go in so you can do the same to me?”

  Sábria continued to admire the expert fletching on her arrow as she thought of how to answer her Blade. “You’re right. She wanted to leave, but I kept her with me because she’d given me just enough information about what had been happening between the Hunters and the Blades to alarm me. Once she’d delivered the barest details about the situation, she mounted her horse to ride out of the Temple. She refused to stay when I ordered her to and I needed to know what she knew because some of my Blades were hurting, and any time that happens, it’s my responsibility to fix whatever’s broken.” She lightly squeezed Maida’s shoulder. “Have I ever lied to you, Maida?”

  The Hunter mutely shook her head.

  “And I’m not going to lie to you, now, and tell you I won’t keep you in the Temple or that I won’t hunt you down should you decide to run. Not only do I need to know what happened to you and the other Hunters, but I take my responsibility for your physical, mental, and emotional well-being very much to heart. You yourself said you’re broken, and I can’t accept that. I can’t allow you to ride away without fixing what’s gone wrong inside of you here.” She tapped Maida’s head. “And here.” She placed her hand over the younger woman’s heart. “From what Xyda’s told me, I have fifteen Blades who’ve been hurt and wronged and who need my help and support. So, yes, you’ll be coming back to the Temple with me, and then you and the others will ride out with me to find the remaining Hunters.”

  “You don’t expect any of us to lead you to the others, do you?”

  “I think that’s something you need to talk about amongst yourselves. But I need to talk to all of you to find out who’s responsible for what’s been happening. Because when I find them, they’ll rue the day they were born. Whether you remain a Hunter or not, I intend to heal the rift between the Hunters and the Blades, and I’m hoping you’ll help me do just that.”

  CHAPTER 14

  By the time they returned to camp, the original fish that Ailith had speared and set over the fire had cooked to a charred mess. She and Jenx had gotten busy catching more fish while Xyda and Harda gathered extra tubers. When Sábria and her two companions walked into the camp, Geller and Cladine were nowhere to be found.

  Shirin looked around and then called out to Jenx, “I see Xyda, Harda, and Ty, but where are Geller and Cladine?”

  Jenx pointed into the forest. “They went to gather the Hunters’ horses.”

  Just as she finished speaking, the two Blades walked out of the forest with four horses and yet another Hunter neither Sábria nor Shirin recognized.

  The new woman walked straight up to Sábria, came to attention, and brought her fist to her chest. “Hunter Falla, My Lady, from Dinden.” The side of her mouth quirked up in a cheerful grin. “I came to rescue our leader from your clutches, but as I can see,” she waved her hand toward Xyda, who was standing at the edge of the forest watching them, “that won’t be necessary.”

  Maida sneered at the new arrival. “Well, well, well, Falla. You decided to get off your ass and do some work, or did you just come to suck up to the Arch Priestess?” She turned to Sábria. “Just so you know, Falla’s been fortunate enough not to have been beaten or harassed even once, My Lady. Do you find that as curious or maybe as suspicious as I do?”

  Falla’s features were soft, with a dainty nose and wide, alluring green eyes that Sábria privately characterized as beautiful yet cunning, or perhaps duplicitous would be the better word. She knew the names of all the Hunters since there were only fifteen, and now that Maida mentioned it, she couldn’t remember the last report that mentioned Falla as the Hunter who’d delivered a Blade or a body to one of the Temples. When she returned to Sarlogne, she’d go back through her records to see what she could find.

  With a condescending air, Falla stepped closer to Maida. “Why don’t you go play with your bow and arrow, little girl, and leave the adult conversations to the rest of us?”

  Unphased by Falla’s sneering remark, Maida cocked her head and regarded her. “Ask her how many runners she’s brought in over the last turn, My Lady.” Maida tore her gaze off Falla, raised her brows, and glanced pointedly at Sábria.

  Falla stepped in and shoved Maida back. “Shut your fucking mouth, you skezzi pounit.”

  Before Sábria could react, Maida bent, ran her arm beneath Falla’s legs, and lifted her onto her shoulders. With an accompanying snarl, Maida drove her into the ground, forcing the air from Falla’s lungs in a painfilled “Oof.” She followed up with a knee into Falla’s stomach before landing several hard blows to her face and head.

  Sábria jammed her hands beneath Maida’s shoulders and dragged her off the other Hunter.

  When Falla leapt to her feet to go after Maida, Shirin stepped in and grabbed the back of her tunic. “Stand down. That’s an order.”

  Livid at being bested by Maida and incensed that a mere Blade would dare give an order to a Hunter, Falla jerked her tunic out of Shirin’s fist and snarled, “And who the fuck do you think you are?”

  “The Commander who’s going to strip the skin off your back if you don’t settle down, Hunter.”

  As though a sluice gate had shut off one persona and released another, Falla’s face morphed into a perfect mask of amiability. She chuckled and held up her hands. “Sorry, Commander. Sometimes, the little rat gets under my skin. No hard feelings?” She held out her arm, offering to shake forearms.

  Prime Geller walked up. “Problems, Commander?”

  Shirin ignored Falla’s proffered arm. “Hold on to her.” When Geller stepped in front of Falla, stuck her thumbs in her belt, and studied the Hunter, Shirin walked over to where Sábria was still holding onto an angry, struggling Maida. “I’ll take her, My Lady.” She took hold of Maida’s wrist and twisted her arm up behind her back. “Settle down.”

  Xyda came jogging over. She grabbed Maida by the hair on either side of her head, looked into her eyes, and gave her a gentle shake. “Get it together. If we want our story to be heard, we can’t act like a bunch of raging idiots.” When Maida grudgingly dipped her chin in assent, Xyda released her hold and gently slapped her on the side of her face before nodding to the Commander. “She’ll be okay now, Commander. I’ll stay with her.”

  Shirin released Maida. She glanced over her shoulder and, seeing that everyone had settled, decided to see how the others were getting along with the meal prep and the horses.

  Sábria bent to pick up the arrow she’d dropped when the altercation started. She absently rolled it in her fingers, giving herself a moment to relax and gather her thoughts. Once she had her temper under control, she walked to Geller and nodded, silently telling her she could step aside. She tilted her head to the side as she studied the newest addition to their group. “Falla, is it? It’s funny, but I don’t recall seeing your name on any reports coming across my desk.”

  With an innocent shrug, that same fawning grin stole across Falla’s face. She removed the leather band holding her long, blonde hair in place and finger-combed some stray strands of hair back into place. The thong was the type that wrapped around the hair several times, eventually holding it in a compact funnel that was then wrapped around itself and finally tied in a tight bun at the nape of the neck. To someone used to styling her hair in that manner, the movements were automatic and done without thought. “That’s because I stay out of trouble, My Lady. Unlike some people we both know.” Her grin lost its charm when she looked over at Maida.

  “I’m glad to hear that. But I don’t only receive reports about Hunters who are in trouble. I also receive a report every time a Hunter brings in a runner or body. I don’t recall any of those either. Remind me, how many runners have you gone after in the last turn?”

  Falla glanced at Xyda, who was waiting nearby with Maida, and then back at Sábria. “I’m not sure, My Lady. I’ll be happy to check my logs and let you know.”

  “Two? Three? Two’s about the average per Hunter for a turn. Around one runner per Temple per turn. Does that sound about right?”

  “I’m really not sure, My Lady. But I’ve been busy trying to help with the problems between the Blades and Hunters.”

  Maida bared her teeth. “Been telling the Blades where the Hunters are going to be is more like it.”

  “Maida.” Xyda swung around on the younger Hunter. “That’s Hunter business. We’ll take care of it on our own.”

  Sábria shook her head. “Not anymore, you don’t. When I’m here, Xyda, you’re no longer in charge of the Hunters. You answer to me just like the rest of the Blades. As Senior Hunter, the Hunters will still answer to you, but only when neither Shirin nor I are around. Is that clear?”

  With the final glare at Maida, Xyda nodded. “Understood. Just so you know, I don’t believe Falla’s been colluding with anyone. But I can tell you right now, she hasn’t gone out on any hunts that I know of for the last turn. Of the fifteen of us, she’s the only one who’s never been beaten, never been kidnapped, never been stabbed.”

  Sábria held up her hand. “This is neither the time nor the place to deal with this. We need to get through tonight in one piece. Commander Shirin and Prime Geller located a bandit camp not too far from here. Can we trust the Hunters to be on sentry duty with the rest of us when we take our shifts? Or do I have to worry about you running off?”

  Xyda glanced around at all of the Hunters. I know I can speak for myself, Cladine, and Harda. These two I’m not willing to vouch for.”

  Falla’s shoulders stiffened. “What are you saying, Xyda? That I can’t be trusted?”

  Maida growled, “That’s exactly what she’s saying.”

  Xyda put a hand on Maida’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, Maida, but knowing how much you hate the Blades and knowing that we’re going to the Temple in the morning, I don’t trust you not to run.”

  It seemed like going to the Temple was precisely what Falla had planned because she immediately perked up. “I’ve always wanted to see the Temple in Sarlogne. In fact, when my time with the Hunters is up, I was hoping to be assigned there. I have family in Sarlogne whom I haven’t seen in ages.”

  It was very rare for Sábria to take a disliking to one of her Blades, but all of her instincts were screaming this woman couldn’t be trusted. She reminded her of Khaldo, and she wondered whether the two women had ever met. “Well then, Maida, you’ll be with me all night. You stick to me like glue, understand?”

  Jenx called over from where she and Ailith were preparing the meal. “The fish is ready. Come get it while it’s hot.”

  All of the Hunters except Xyda had their own plates with them, and Harda and Shirin returned to the kidnappers’ camp, where they found plates for the rest of the group. Once everyone had been served, Ailith took her plate and climbed onto the rock overlooking the stream. She sat so she could watch Xyda, Harda, and Cladine, who had taken their meals upstream where they could speak in private.

  Even though neither Sábria, Shirin, Geller, or Jenx had invited her to join them, Falla stepped into an open place in their circle and sat. She settled in with a cheerful grin and began chatting about how silly it had been for the others to think they needed to rescue Xyda from the Arch Priestess.

  As she listened to her chatter on, the best word Sábria could come up with to describe her was obsequious. Falla peppered her sentences with flattery and praise for how well she’d heard they ran the Temple in Sarlogne. It was all Sábria could do not to look at Shirin and roll her eyes, and just as she had the thought, she caught Geller doing just that.

  That left Maida, who’d come to prefer her own company over that of the Hunters. She looked around for a comfortable place to eat and noticed Ailith watching Xyda and the other two seated in a close circle, talking and eating their dinners. Curious, she climbed onto the rock and sat next to the young shiv. Another woman was seated with her back to them, staring out into the flowing waters of the stream. She wasn’t wearing a Blade’s uniform, and Maida idly wondered who she could be.

  Ailith glanced over and lifted her chin in greeting. She knew the Hunters' reputation as some of the most elite warriors within the Blades. Suddenly shy, she returned her gaze to the group eating upstream and used her fingers to stuff a big portion of fish into her mouth.

  Maida did the same and then lifted her brows as she savored the lightness of the spices coating the fish. “You cooked this, didn’t you?”

  Nervous about having to speak with a Hunter, Ailith grabbed some tubers and shoved them into her mouth. Forgetting her manners, she spoke with a mouthful. “Aye.”

  “So you carry dried herbs around with you? This is really excellent. Not anything like the meals I make over a fire.” After popping another piece of fish into her mouth, she wiped her fingers on her trews and held out her arm. “I’m Maida.”

  Ailith quickly chewed and swallowed. She did as the other woman had done and wiped her fingers clean before clasping forearms. “Ailith. And no, I don’t carry none around. I just know wild herbs when I see ‘em in th’ forest and learned to use them from some of th’ witchy cooks what followed th’ army.” At Maida’s blank look, she added, “Ya know, th’ ones what sell their cookin’ to warriors tired of eatin’ what th’ jackanapes what cook fer the army fix?”

  It sounded like this young shiv had a life story Maida wouldn’t mind hearing if given half the chance. “How long have you been a shiv, Ailith?”

  “A little more than half a turn.” She pointed at Sábria’s group. “Do ya see th’ Blade over there eatin’ with th’ Arch Priestess? Not th’ Prime, nor th’ Commander, nor obviously th’ Arch Priestess, just th’ one there sittin’ next to yer Hunter friend.”

  “She’s no friend of mine, but yes, I see the Blade.”

  Ailith squinted at her. “I thought all Hunters was friends. You’re kinda like th’ best of th’ best, aye? There’s not too many of ya, so don’t ya gotta stick together?”

  “That’s the way it used to be when I first became a Hunter. It was like a dream come true, working with Xyda, Harda, and some of the others.”

  Ailith studied Maida for a moment, wondering what had changed that the Hunters no longer needed to rely on one another. She glanced back at Xyda and the other two. “Are ya close with them? Or do ya mostly just keep to yerself? Well, ya said ya liked to work with Xyda and Harda when ya first became a Hunter, so something must’ve changed, right?”

  Maida grinned as she listened to the young shiv working out something she didn’t understand. “Do you always ask so many questions of someone you just met?”

  Ailith blushed and shoved another piece of fish into her mouth. “Sorry, Hunter. Sometimes me mouth just gets away from me, and once me mouth gets goin’, then me brain has to work to catch up, and then me mouth has to catch up to me brain all over again, ya ken?”

  For the second time that day, Maida actually laughed. She had to admit it felt pretty good. Laughter had been gone from her life for such a long time. In fact, other than earlier when Sábria had the audacity to break her arrows, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d been even remotely amused by something, let alone actually laugh out loud. “Aye, I ken. Who’s your friend?”

  “Oh, that’s Ty.” She poked Ty in the shoulder and spoke to her in Dreyuthan. “Th’ Hunter’s wonderin’ who ya are. I’ll introduce ya, and ya pull yer forelock respectful like, just like I taught ya, okay?”

  Ty immediately stood and spun around to greet the newcomer properly. She pulled on her forelock but then, out of habit, bowed low.

  Shocked into immobility by the woman’s uncanny resemblance to Sábria, Maida blinked up at her before setting her plate aside and politely standing.

  Ailith decided she probably needed to stand, as well. She rose and, as she’d been taught, introduced them first in the language of the highest-ranking person there. “Hunter Maida, this is Lady Sábria’s daughter, Ty.”

  “Her—” This was the first time in a very long time that Maida was at a loss for words. A brief, unexpected pang of what? Hurt? Jealousy? Certainly not jealousy. Except, if she were being honest with herself, she had to admit that Sábria had been a kind of mother figure to her for all the turns she’d been at the Temple. And until the problems with the Blades arose, Maida had always hoped Sábria was proud of all the hard work she’d put into becoming the best Hunter she could possibly be. Ailith’s voice jerked her out of her reverie.

  “Aye, her daughter.” She changed to the Dreyuthan tongue. “Ty, this is a Blade what studied to be what they call a Hunter. Her name’s Maida.”

  Ty bowed again and repeated, “Maida.”

  The fact that Sábria had a daughter stunned Maida, and it took several moments for her voice to return. She looked from Ailith to Ty, and then she dipped her chin in greeting. “Nice to meet you, Ty.”